Deep Retrofit BER: G to A1 (Anticipated)

As seen on RTÉ’s ‘Room to Improve’ 2025

RTÉ Deep Retrofit 2025: 4-Bed Semi-D

  • BER: G to A1 (anticipated)

  • Total SEAI One Stop Shop Grants: 

  • Total SEAI Grants: €32,100

  • External Wall Insulation Grant: €6,000

  • Solar Panels Grant: €2,100

  • Heat Pump Grant: €6,500

  • Heat Pump Bonus Grant: €2,000

  • Air-tightness Grant: €1,000

  • Mechanical Ventilation Grant: €1,500

  • Central Heating System Grant: €2,000

  • Attic Insulation (Ceilings) Grant: €1,300

  • Doors Grant: €1,600

  • Windows Grant: €3,000

  • Project Management Grant: €1,600

  • Floor Insulation Grant: €3,500

Transforming Homes: A Deep Retrofit Journey with Jason & Katie Rehill.

Our collaboration with RTÉ’s ‘Room to Improve’ brought us the opportunity to work on a deep retrofit for Jason and Katie Rehill’s 4-bedroom semi-detached home. The project went far beyond standard SEAI One Stop Shop upgrades, delivering a complete transformation that re-imagined their home for energy efficiency and modern family living.

Challenges and Objectives

The Rehill family’s home presented various challenges, requiring extensive renovations to align with their energy efficiency goals. Having lived in the property for several years, Jason and Katie had a clear vision for what they wanted: enhanced energy performance and re-imagined family spaces to create a more functional, comfortable environment.
One key objective was to make the property energy efficient while introducing additional living spaces that aligned with their lifestyle, like the rear extension built to create an open-plan kitchen + dining room. This extra space decompresses the layout of the house, while providing extra natural light as result of the panoramic glazing installed in this extension.

RTE Room to Improve 2025 Larkrock Dublin HouseRoom to Improve Larkrock RTE Dermot Bannon 2025

Highlights of the Transformation

The retrofit delivered a variety of enhancements, including:

  • Reconfigured Family Areas: Redesigned spaces for a more cohesive and inviting atmosphere.

  • Rear extension to create open plan kitchen + dining room: Providing the ground floor with a new stylish L shape and allowing a decompressed redistribution of the living spaces.

  • Landscaped area surrounding the extension, creating a place to relax on warm sunny days.

  • Energy Upgrades: Comprehensive insulation improvements across walls, floors and attic.

  • Sustainable Energy Solutions: Installation of a high-efficiency heat pump and solar panels.

  • Aesthetic Enhancements: New floors, modern doors and windows, and custom-designed bathrooms.

  • Heating System Upgrades: Installation of modern aesthetic radiators to enhance comfort while meeting the design requirements for the heat pump.

Customer Testimonial:

“We had a vision for a cozy, energy-efficient home that suited our family’s needs, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Larkrock went above and beyond to make our dream home a reality.”
– Jason & Katie Rehill, January 2025

A Collaborative Approach

Our comprehensive project management approach ensured Jason and Katie were involved at every stage. Detailed planning sessions, collaborative design reviews, and regular updates helped us align with their vision and deliver a smooth experience.

Our Turnkey Project Management Approach

Given the extensive scope of this transformative One Stop Shop project, detailed planning was required. Collaborating with all stakeholders was essential to ensure progress and adherence to the Rehill family’s vision.
We wanted things to run as smoothly as possible and stayed close to the homeowners throughout.

RTE Room to Improve 2025 Larkrock Dublin Bathroom

Structured Planning and Collaboration

Detailed planning sessions were carried out by the Larkrock project team outlining every aspect of the project, covering design, logistics, and execution.

Trade Partnerships

On a regular basis we collaborate with a network of skilled tradespeople and can bring painters, tilers, and carpenters into the design process and project implementation.
During this particular project we were happily able to introduce many from our network and their contributions were pivotal in bringing the Rehill family’s vision to life.

Trade Partnerships and Supplier Support

The project benefited from our established partnerships with skilled tradespeople and suppliers, allowing access to quality materials and preferential pricing:

  • Samsung Heat pump supplied by Joule

  • Plumbing Services – O’Connor Plumbing

  • Weco Battery, Solas Hybrid Inverter, Longi 430W All Black Mono panels supplied by Solartricity

  • Electrical Services – ER Electrical Ltd.

  • External Insulation – MJS Insulation

  • Carpets – GOC Carpets

  • Windows and Doors – Munster Joinery

  • Home Energy Assessment Consultants – Leinster Property Assessors

  • Wooden Flooring – Floor Design Ltd.

  • Granite Paving Slabs – Outhaus

  • Stove – First Class Fireplaces

  • Bathroom – Davies Bathrooms

  • Engineering Services – SDS

  • Tiles – Porcelanosa

  • Kitchen – Hanlon Kitchens

Collaborations for Kitchen and Wardrobe Installations

Working in partnership with kitchen and wardrobe installers we know enabled us to offer preferential pricing and access to a range of design options. This was a great way of ensuring the project stayed within budget and was delivered on time. Again an additional service we’re happy to provide to people planning larger renovations.

Homeowner-Centric Approach

As with all of Larkrock’s projects central to our approach was a focus on keeping the homeowners closely involved throughout each phase of the project. Regular updates, collaborative design sessions, and clear communication ensured that their thoughts were not only heard but considered each step of the way.

RTE Room to Improve 2025 Larkrock Dublin Kitchen

Outcome and Impact

The Rehill family’s home underwent a stunning transformation. The deep retrofit is expected to achieve a remarkable energy rating upgrade from BER G to A1 or in other words: “from the worst it can be in the BER scale to the best it can be in the BER scale”. The home is now not only visually appealing but also significantly more functional and energy efficient.

With expanded living spaces, the home reflects the Rehills’ vision and showcases what can be achieved with a deep retrofit project supported by SEAI grants.

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