Housing pressure has pushed many Irish families to look at their own back garden. Adult children who cannot afford to rent, parents who want to live close but independently, a relative who needs a little support: all of them are asking the same question. Can we put a proper small home behind the house? Since 27 July 2026, the answer may be easier than it used to be.
What the New Exemption Covers
A new exempted development category covers a detached auxiliary dwelling of 32–45 m² to the rear of the main house, connected to the existing services, with 14 days' notice given to the local authority. This is separate from the rule for garden rooms, home offices and gyms, which are exempt up to 30 m². Conditions apply to both, so always confirm the details with your own council before you order anything.
Why Timber Fits This Size Range
A home of 32–45 m² is a compact build, and that is where timber works well. Panels are prepared in the factory, so assembly on site is quick and tidy, and a family garden is not turned into a building site for months. A well-insulated timber structure also stays comfortable and cheap to heat, which matters for a home someone will live in all year.
Questions to Settle Early
- Council notice: speak to your local authority and submit the required 14 days' notice before work starts.
- Services: water, drainage and power must connect to the existing house, so the routes need planning from day one.
- Electrics: installed and certified by our partner electrical contractor, quoted separately after a site review.
- Bathroom: in our turnkey option you choose and supply the bathroom suite and we fit it.
- Access and privacy: think about a separate entrance and how the two homes sit together on the plot.
Where to Start
Browse our granny flats and the wider range of wooden houses, and check the price guide to see what influences the cost. Every cabin is finished in anthracite from roof to gables. We have been building in timber since 1985. Call 087 104 5272 or 085 770 8683, or send us your plot details. Showroom visits at 109 Naas Road, Dublin 12 are by appointment only.
