A beautifully converted attic bedroom with Velux windows and warm natural light

Everything You Need to Know Before Converting Your Attic

An honest guide built by a Dublin homeowner who's been through it - so you don't have to learn the hard way.

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Based on real experience. Free to use - no strings attached.

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“

I got my attic converted in a 2020 new build in Dublin. It went mostly well - but there were things I wish I'd known before I started.

Like most people, I started by getting a few quotes and hoping for the best. Some builders were great. Some were not. I made decisions I didn't fully understand at the time - about insulation (including a choice I'd make differently now), ensuites, compliance certs, and more.

This site is everything I learned, packaged up so you can make better decisions. I've seen great work firsthand from a contractor I trust, and I'm happy to make the introduction - but always do your own due diligence. The guide is here to help you no matter who you go with.

- A Dublin homeowner who learned the hard way

The Guide

Straight answers to the questions that matter

Everything you need to know about attic conversions in Dublin - from someone who's actually done it.

What Does It Actually Cost?

A realistic breakdown of costs, not the lowball estimates you see online.

Where Should Your Ensuite Go?

The waste pipe problem nobody mentions - and the one thing that dictates your layout.

Spray Foam vs Kingspan

The UK mortgage crisis, what it means for Ireland, and which to choose.

Planning Permission: Do You Need It?

Most conversions don't need it. Here's when you do, and the bedroom vs storage grey area.

Certificates & Compliance

What certs to get, what they mean, and why skipping them costs you when you sell.

1 Radiator or 2?

How many radiators you really need, wet vs electric, and the zone control problem.

Velux Windows & Blinds

Sizes, placement, light, ventilation, and the blind you actually need.

WiFi, Ethernet & Smart Home

Your router might not reach. WiFi, Ethernet, sockets, and cables to run during the build.

Adding a Kitchenette

Plumbing, layout, electrics, and real costs for a self-contained attic.

Flooring & Soundproofing

LVT, laminate, or carpet? What works and whether noise is actually a problem.

BER Ratings & Your Conversion

Will it help or hurt your energy rating? It's not as straightforward as you'd think.

Electrics & Sockets

One chance to get sockets right. My exact plan and the checklist for first-fix.

The Water Tank Problem

Where to move it, pump noise, and the lesson I learned at 2am.

How to Choose a Contractor

Vetting, red flags, quotes, and the questions that matter most.

My Full Experience

The full story — decisions, mistakes, and what I’d do differently.

Free Planning Tool

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Answer a few questions about your house and what you want. We'll generate a custom checklist, flag potential pitfalls, and give you a clear picture of what to expect - completely free.

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Your Report

AtticKit Planning Report

Your Setup

New Build · 2020

Dublin 15

3 Bed · Ensuite

€20-25k

Key Flags

Check waste stack proximity for ensuite

Insulation: Consider rigid board for resale

Get a structural engineer’s cert

How it works

Three steps to a smarter conversion

Tell us about your house

Answer a few simple questions about your home, what you want from the conversion, and where you are in the process.

Get your free report

We'll generate a personalised PDF report with key considerations, potential pitfalls, and a checklist of questions for your builder.

Plan with confidence

Use your report to have better conversations with contractors, avoid costly mistakes, and make informed decisions. We can also introduce you to a builder we trust.

Why trust AtticKit

Built from real experience, not marketing copy

20+

Topics Covered

From costs to compliance

100%

Transparent

We tell you what we know and how

Real

Experience

Built from a Dublin new build conversion

“We'll be adding real testimonials from Dublin homeowners here soon. In the meantime, the guide speaks for itself.”

Know someone thinking about converting their attic?

Pass it on - it might save them a few headaches.