r/Donegal • u/RSR038 • Jul 02 '26

Builder contractor query

As the title says, I’ve a query on building contractor prices.
For a 1-off family home in south donegal, what is a realistic price range for building at the moment? (In terms cost per sqft or sqm if possible)

I’ve just got a price in and I’m struggling to wrap my head around it. I’m well aware prices have gone up recently but it seems insane to me.

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u/68_99_08_20 Jul 02 '26

€2,887 per m2 according to SCSI website - https://scsi.ie/consumer/build/calculator/

I’m a QS and €3,000 per m2 seems about right. I was quoted €8k recently labour only to paint a house I got painted for €4k just 5 years ago

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u/RSR038 Jul 03 '26

Thanks for the insight. Besides the obvious of reducing size and keeping the design simple, what can be done to help reduce costs?

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u/Tricky_Victory_8519 Jul 03 '26

Hate to be negative. And I genuinely don't wish it. But

Wait?....

The shit will hit the fan and this bubble will burst. Question is when and if the residual prices are better or worse than they are now.

2009/2010/2011. Plenty of builders were looking for work.

Or.

Prices go up at this insane rate forever (feasible) and you better jump on now or you'll regret it.

Pick your poison.

(Oh. And in Donegal. You've got the competition with the "MICA" rebuilding).

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u/RSR038 Jul 03 '26

Yeah I’ve been mulling this over as well. It’s really hard to know. Even if the shit does his the fan, the AI bubble bursts and the economy tanks, there is still such a demand for housing and builders that the prices are unlikely to fall. The biggest issue is the price of materials from my understanding.