How much for a modular home in Ireland?

With the changes to the planning regulations in Ireland, there is increased interest in modular homes, particularly in rural Ireland.

For some young people, the option to install a modular home on farmland will provide a house and home until such time as they can afford a permanent build.

For others, they provide an alternative income stream if the homes are let out for either short-term holiday lets or long-term lets.

For many dairy farmers, they provide an ideal source of relatively low-cost staff housing in a comfortable setting.

Housing crisis

With the housing crisis nationally, there is increased demand among farm managers and farm assistants for housing.

For farmers that are able to provide a job and a house, it can be easier to attract people to work for them.

Meanwhile, for those employing people from overseas, it’s almost mandatory, particularly for the growing number of farmers employing people from outside of the EU on visas.

At Balmoral Show, there was at least two modular homes companies displaying their wares, with big interest among the show attendees.

Luxury Garden Studios had a 66m2, two-bed modular home on display with an open-plan living room and kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Luxury Garden Studios’ modular home on display at Balmoral Show.

The external cladding on this modular home has black corrugated sheeting and comes with electric heating and a 10-year warranty. The price on this home is £96,000 (€111,000) plus delivery.

Whiterock Handcrafted Cabins had a smaller modular home on display measuring 31.5m2 with one double bedroom partially partitioned, just off a combined kitchen and living space.

It also has a bathroom with shower and is heated by gas. The Whiterock cabins are timber clad and have more of a log-cabin feel to them.

The Whiterock Handcrafted Cabins’ modular home on display at Balmoral Show.

This cabin costs £85,000 (€98,000) and like the Luxury Garden Studios, they are fully furnished and come ready to move into.

These prices are excluding VAT as modular homes are VAT exempt in Northern Ireland but VAT at a reduced rate of 13.5% applies in Ireland where the homes are purchased and installed.

Both companies said they deliver to all parts of Ireland.

The Whiterock Handcrafted Cabins’ modular home on display at Balmoral Show.

Luxury Garden Studios’ modular home on display at Balmoral Show.

The Whiterock Handcrafted Cabins’ modular home on display at Balmoral Show.