Basement conversion and waterproofing in Ireland
Turn a damp cellar or a dark basement into a dry room you'll use. Tell us the job and one local basement company rings you with a written price. Covering Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kildare, Meath, Limerick and all 26 counties.
Free, no obligation. One local company prices it, not five.
- €1,000 to €2,500a m² to turn an existing basement into a finished room
- €50 to €180a m² to tank (waterproof) the walls and floor
- 6 to 12 weeksfor most basement conversions, start to finish
- One thirdof Ireland is a High Radon Area, mainly the south and west
Basement work, start to finish
Six jobs, and what each one costs.
Basement conversionTurn a cellar or basement into a room you'll use: €1,000 to €2,500 a m².
Waterproofing and tankingSlurry tanking or a drained membrane with a sump: €50 to €180 a m².
Damp basementsFind where the water comes from before anyone quotes for a fix.
Digging out a basementA new basement, or more head height: €3,000 to €6,000 a m².
UnderpinningLowering the floor below the foundations means underpinning the walls, in stages.
Planning permissionInside an existing basement usually needs none. A new basement is a question for the council.Three steps to a dry basement
- Tell us the jobFour taps: the job, the house, the basement now and your county. Only your phone number is needed.
- We match you with one companyOne basement company that covers your county. Not a list, and not five firms ringing you.
- They ring you with a priceAfter a look at the basement: a written price for the waterproofing, the build and the finish.
What it costs for your size
Two taps: the job and roughly how big the basement is. The answer comes from our price guide.
Typical range
€30,000 to €75,000
30 m² at €1,000 to €2,500 a m², the usual range to turn an existing basement into a finished room. Tanking with a membrane and a sump is often priced on top, at €3,000 to €12,000.
Send this for a real priceHow this is worked out
For a conversion or a dig-out, the floor area times our range a m² (€1,000 to €2,500 to convert, €3,000 to €6,000 to dig). For tanking, the typical price for a basement that size. It's a guide, never a quote: the company prices your basement after a look. Building work on a house is charged VAT at 13.5%. Ask whether the written price includes it.
Guides to read next
- Basement conversion costOur full price guide, and a cost check for your size.
- Tanking vs cavity drain membraneType A against Type C, and which suits a wet basement.
- Planning permissionWhen it's exempt, and when the council decides.
- Building RegulationsFire escape, radon, damp, ventilation and insulation.
- Radon and basementsWhy basements test higher, and what a sump costs.
- How long it takes6 to 12 weeks for most conversions, week by week.
Get a price in 4 taps
Tap what you need and leave your number. It goes to one basement company that covers your county. They ring you back to arrange a look and a written price.
Basement conversion and waterproofing guides & price breakdowns
Straight answers to what people ask most: itemised costs, specifications, planning or grants, and what to check before you book.
More guides & resources: All guides & calculator hub · Technical & trade glossary · Frequently asked questions · All areas covered · About this site
Questions we get asked
How much does a basement conversion cost in Ireland?
€1,000 to €2,500 a m² to turn an existing basement or cellar into a finished room, so €30,000 to €100,000 for most whole conversions. Waterproofing on its own is €50 to €180 a m². Digging a new basement is €3,000 to €6,000 a m². See the cost guide.
How long does it take?
6 to 12 weeks for most conversions. The waterproofing itself is 1 to 2 weeks, then 2 to 3 weeks of finishing. Digging out takes longer, because the underpinning goes in stages. See how long it takes.
Is there a grant for a basement conversion?
No. There's no national grant for converting or waterproofing a basement. Radon work isn't grant-aided either, but the EPA tests the house again for free after the work.
Will it make a mess of the house?
Some. Old plaster and floors come out first, so expect dust and a skip. Most waterproofing work stays inside the basement. Digging out means spoil leaving through a side passage or the house, so the company plans the route before they start.
What guarantee do I get?
Ask for the waterproofing guarantee in writing: who gives it, for how long and what it covers. A sump pump needs a yearly service to keep working, and often to keep the guarantee.
Do I need planning permission?
Not usually to convert an existing basement inside the house. A new basement dug under the house or garden, a light well at the front or a protected structure is a question for the council. See planning permission.
Who comes out?
One basement company that covers your county. They look at the basement, check where water gets in and how high the radon risk is, and price it in writing. You deal with them directly.
Basement conversion and waterproofing across all 26 counties
Requests from all 26 counties go to one vetted local specialist who covers your county — from Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Waterford and Donegal. Pick your county below for local prices, specifications and advice. Compare all areas covered →
Get a free quote for your basement
One company that covers your county rings you. Nothing is agreed until you accept a written price.