How much does a modular home cost in Ireland?

Modular homes in Ireland from New Chapter Homes start from approximately €45,000 depending on the model and specification. Our Chapter One, Two and Three series offer different sizes and finishes to suit a range of budgets.

Do modular homes in Ireland need planning permission?

Planning requirements depend on the proposed use, size, location and circumstances of the property. A permanent modular home used as a dwelling generally requires planning permission. Certain developments may qualify for an exemption, subject to all applicable conditions. Customers should obtain site-specific advice from their local authority or planning professional.

How long does it take to build a modular home?

Modular homes from New Chapter Homes are typically manufactured within 8–12 weeks (indicative) and installed on site within a few days, depending on groundworks, site preparation, planning, and specification.

Do you supply garden rooms in Kildare?

Yes, New Chapter Homes is based in Naas, Co. Kildare and supplies garden rooms, garden studios and modular buildings across Kildare and nationwide.

Can I finance a modular home in Ireland?

Indicative finance options may be available from €200 per week (subject to status and lender approval) through our finance partners, with deposits from 10% and indicative approval timelines of 48–72 hours. Self-employed applicants are welcome. First-time buyers may also qualify for the Help-to-Buy grant (subject to scheme eligibility). Indicative prices cover the turnkey building, delivery and installation; site-specific works are assessed after the site survey and identified separately in the written quotation.

What is the difference between a modular home and a prefab home in Ireland?

Modular homes and prefab homes are often used interchangeably in Ireland. Both are built in a factory and transported to site. New Chapter modular homes are fully fitted — including kitchen, bathroom, plumbing, and electrical fit-out — and are built to the same building regulations (BCAR, Part L, Part B) as traditional homes, with an A-rated BER certificate.

Are modular homes energy efficient in Ireland?

New Chapter modular homes are designed for A-rated BER performance, with premium insulation, heat pump heating, and airtight construction. Actual BER performance depends on final specification and is confirmed on completion. Actual energy savings depend on usage, specification and the property being compared.

Can I put a modular home in my garden in Ireland?

Planning requirements depend on the proposed use, size, location and circumstances of the property. A permanent modular home used as a dwelling generally requires planning permission. Certain smaller garden structures may qualify for an exemption, subject to all applicable conditions. Customers should obtain site-specific advice from their local authority or planning professional.

How long does it take to install a modular home in Ireland?

A New Chapter modular home is typically manufactured in our factory in approximately 8–12 weeks (indicative), then installed on your site within 1–2 days using a crane. The total timeline from order to handover is typically 10–16 weeks (indicative), depending on site preparation, planning, and specification.

Do Irish banks give mortgages on modular homes?

Modular homes built to building regulations and appropriately certified may be mortgageable, subject to individual lender criteria. We can advise on what lenders typically require and introduce you to finance partners. Indicative finance options may also be available from €200/week (subject to status and lender approval).

Do you build modular homes in Kildare?

Yes. New Chapter Homes is based in Naas, County Kildare, and builds luxury modular homes, sustainable garden pods and affordable housing across all of Kildare — including Naas, Newbridge, Kildare Town, Maynooth, Athy, Leixlip, Celbridge, Kilcock, Kilcullen, Johnstown, Sallins, Clane and everywhere in between. Our display village in Johnstown, Naas is coming soon — register your interest to be notified when it opens.

Do you build modular homes in Dublin?

Yes. New Chapter Homes designs, manufactures and installs luxury modular homes, sustainable garden pods and affordable housing across Dublin city and county — including Rathcoole, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Lucan, Blanchardstown, Swords, Malahide, Howth, Dun Laoghaire, Blackrock, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Rathfarnham, Castleknock, Clontarf and every area in between. A-rated, fully fitted homes from €45,000 (€200/week), installed in 6–10 weeks.

How much does a modular home cost in Kildare or Dublin?

Modular homes in Kildare and Dublin start from €45,000 for our Chapter Three compact home, with our two-bedroom Chapter One from €80,000 and bespoke family homes from €220,000. Indicative prices cover the fully fitted interior, delivery, installation, and certification. Indicative finance options may be available from €200/week (subject to status). Foundations, groundworks, service connections and other site-specific works are assessed after the site survey and identified separately in the written quotation.

Can I get a garden room in Kildare or Dublin without planning permission?

Planning requirements depend on the proposed use, size, location and circumstances of the property. Certain garden rooms and smaller modular units may qualify for an exemption, subject to all applicable conditions. Customers should obtain site-specific advice from their local authority or planning professional. New Chapter Homes can advise on your specific site in Kildare or Dublin — contact us for a free assessment.

NZEB & BER Ratings for Modular Homes Ireland: 2025 Energy Standards

What Is NZEB and Why Does It Matter for Modular Homes?

NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) is the energy performance standard mandated by the EU and transposed into Irish law. Since 1 November 2025, all new dwellings in Ireland — including modular homes — must achieve a BER of A2 or better under the updated Part L of the Building Regulations.

This is a significant raising of the bar. Previously, the threshold was looser. Now, every new home must be designed to use almost no net energy, with the small amount of energy it does consume coming substantially from renewable sources.

What NZEB Means in Practice

To meet NZEB / BER A2, a modular home must achieve:

A primary energy consumption of no more than 75 kWh/m²/year (previously ~150+).
A renewable energy ratio of at least 20% of total energy use.
U-values for walls, roof, and floors that are significantly better than older builds.
Airtightness of 5 m³/(h·m²) or better at 50 Pa.
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) in most cases.
Heat pump as the primary heating source (gas and oil boilers no longer comply for new builds).

How Modular Construction Excels at NZEB

Modular homes are uniquely suited to meeting NZEB standards because:

Factory-controlled insulation — every panel is insulated in a dry, controlled environment with no gaps or compression.
Superior airtightness — factory-built modules have tighter joints and fewer thermal bridges than site-built homes.
Consistent quality — no weather damage to insulation during construction.
Heat pump ready — our designs integrate heat pumps as standard.

The 2025 Heat Pump Mandate

A major legislative change: since 2025, all new Irish dwellings must use a heat pump or equivalent renewable heating system as the primary heat source. Fossil fuel boilers (gas, oil) are no longer permitted as the primary heating system in new builds. This applies to modular homes equally.

Every New Chapter Homes build includes an air-to-water heat pump as standard, integrated into the factory build — so you're compliant from day one.

BER Certification for Modular Homes

Your modular home will receive a BER certificate upon completion, just like a traditional build. Our homes typically achieve A2 or A1 ratings, placing them in the top tier of Irish housing stock. This matters for:

Mortgage approval — lenders increasingly require strong BER ratings.
Running costs — an A2 home costs roughly €400–€700/year less to heat than a C-rated home.
Resale value — energy-efficient homes command higher prices.

NZEB and the Retrofit Exemption

If you're adding a modular extension or pod to an existing home, the existing dwelling does not need to be retrofitted to NZEB — only the new construction must meet the standard. However, there are grants available under the National Retrofit Scheme to upgrade the main house if you choose.

Contact New Chapter Homes to learn how our modular homes exceed NZEB standards straight from the factory.