Frequently Asked Questions

We do not foresee the need for anyone to vacate their property, and we aim for residents to be able to remain in their properties for the duration of the works. Only in the case of health and safety concerns might residents be required to vacate the premises.

The contractor will need to erect scaffolding and you will experience some noise as the contractors go about preparing the walls and fixing the insulation materials to the existing surface.  The contractor may need to store items in your garden throughout the course of the installation. The contractor will keep mess and disruption to a minimum and will communicate with you regularly.

Garden furniture/plants/ornaments/sheds that are next to or in contact with the walls of your property will have to be moved before the work can go ahead. If you are unable to move them, the contractor may be able to assist. You might also need to move any vehicle(s) including any caravans from your driveway and might be asked to cut back any bushes/trees. This will be discussed with you by the contractor at the survey stage.

Every job is different , please arrange a call out / site survey for accurate quote.

It means insulating the outside of your home on all walls that can take it — not just the front or one side. SEAI only pays the grant when the wrap is done properly as a full job. Partial wrapping usually will not qualify.

In most cases you need to own the home, and it must have been built and lived in before the end of 2010. You also need your electricity meter number (MPRN). The wrap must cover the whole suitable wall surface. You apply and get approval before work starts. After the job, a BER assessor rates the home again and paperwork is signed before SEAI pays the grant. Our grant approval form walks you through it.

No. You do not need the attic done first just to apply for external wrap. But a full wrap is a big job under building rules, so attic and heating often need upgrading as part of the project — see the next question.

Often yes. A typical full wrap counts as a “major renovation” under building regulations (Part L), because it changes more than a quarter of the outside of the house. For the grant to be paid, SEAI expects either: the home reaches a B2 energy rating, or your attic insulation and heating system are brought up to the current building standards. That does not mean internal dry lining first — it means the attic (roof space) and heating, unless the house already reaches B2 another way. We check this at the survey and plan any attic or heating work with the wrap if needed.

No — they are different. For windows and doors, SEAI wants the attic and walls to already be in good shape (or a low enough heat-loss score) before that grant applies. For external wrap, you do not need that first. In fact, the wrap is often what improves the walls so windows and doors can qualify later or in the same project. We explain both routes clearly at survey.

Homes built before about 1940, or solid stone/brick traditional walls, need extra care for moisture and how the building “breathes”. The normal SEAI wall insulation grant usually does not cover those homes — there is a separate Traditional Homes scheme instead. Tell us the age and wall type early and we will point you the right way. Guides are linked further down this page.

You apply through SEAI, get a letter of offer, and later sign a Declaration of Works when the job is finished. You also need a new BER certificate after the works. Our grant approval form and the official PDFs below explain each step in plain language.

Yes. SEAI now offers grants for better windows and external doors (from 2026). For a typical semi-detached or end-terrace house that can be up to €3,000 for windows and €800 per external door (maximum two doors, so €1,600). Detached houses can get more for windows — up to €4,000. Use the calculator on our grant approval form to see figures for your house type.

Yes. Unlike the wrap grant, windows and doors have a fabric rule. The home should be built and lived in before 2011, and the attic and walls should already be good — or improved before or at the same time. SEAI checks this using your BER report (“Good” or “Very Good” for attic and walls), previous SEAI insulation grants, or a heat-loss score of 2.3 or better. New windows and doors must also meet a strong energy standard. If your walls are still cold and thin, an external wrap is often the step that makes windows and doors eligible.

Yes. Many homeowners do, because the wrap changes the edges around windows and doors. Planning both together usually looks neater and avoids rework. Apply for each grant before work starts where required. Mention windows or doors when you send photos or book a survey so we can plan the details.

Yes. We supply windows and external doors through our specialist supplier and can include them in the same project as your wrap. Tell us early so we can line up grants, delivery times, and how the wrap meets the new frames.

We protect them during the works (including film where needed) and adjust the surrounds and sills to suit the thicker insulated wall. Replacing windows or doors is a separate upgrade — if you plan to replace them, decide the order before we start so everything finishes cleanly.

Most houses take about one to two weeks on site. Bigger homes, awkward details, or bad weather can add time. Winter work is possible, but wet or frosty days can delay the final render.

Usually no. Most families stay at home for the whole job. You would only need to leave if there was a serious health or safety issue.

Yes. Scaffold is needed so the crew can reach the full wall safely. It usually stays up for most of the project. Tell your home insurer when scaffold goes up, and keep children away from it.

Clear furniture, pots, and items near the walls — roughly within about 4 metres. You may need to move cars or a caravan off the driveway. Bushes and trees might need a trim. We go through all of this at the survey.

Yes — this is building work. Expect scaffolding, drilling, fixing boards, and rendering in daylight hours. We protect windows and tidy as we go, but some dust and mess is normal. Keep doors and windows closed on dusty days.

Downpipes, soil pipes, flues, window sills, and outdoor taps are usually extended to suit the thicker wall. Air vents that need to stay open are kept working. Do not hang heavy items on the new insulation — it is not meant to take that load. Extra notices may apply for gas, ventilation, or electricity cables — see the guides below.

Dishes and aerials are taken down and often put back temporarily on the scaffold. You may lose signal for a short time. For alarms, we recommend your alarm company removes and refits the equipment.

Water and power are not normally cut off for a wrap. If you have gas flues that need extending, a Registered Gas Installer may need to do that work as part of the job.

You get a manufacturer system warranty and an insurance-backed guarantee when the job is finished. The details come with your handover pack.

Sometimes. External wrap can need planning permission depending on your area and house. We flag this early; you should also check with your local authority before works begin. You get completion documents when the job is done.

Your contract sets out the payment stages. The SEAI grant is claimed after the work is finished, the new BER is done, and the paperwork is approved.

Yes. Tell both before work starts and while scaffolding is up. If you want extra peace of mind, you can also speak to a solicitor.