Why I built this site

In 2024, I got my attic converted in Dublin. A new build from 2020 - three beds, the kind of house you see going up all over the city. I wanted a fourth bedroom with an ensuite, and I thought it would be straightforward.

It mostly was. But there were things I didn't know that I should have. Things about waste pipes and where the toilet can actually go. About the difference between spray foam and rigid board insulation - and why it matters when you sell. About what “builders finish” actually means (spoiler: less than you think). About the certificates you need and what happens if you don't get them.

I learned most of this the hard way. By asking the wrong questions at the start, by not knowing what to look for in a quote, and by having to Google things at 11pm after a confusing conversation with a builder.

So I built it. AtticKit is everything I wish I'd had when I started this process. It covers the real costs (not the lowball figures you see online), the practical decisions you'll face, the regulations that actually matter, and the questions you should be asking your builder before you sign anything.

Full transparency: through this process I found a contractor I've seen great things from firsthand. Everything looks above board, no red flags that I can see. If you're looking for someone, I'm happy to make the introduction. But the guide is here to help you regardless - whether you use my recommendation or find your own builder.

I hope it saves you some headaches.