What does planning retention cost?

If you need retention permission, there are two kinds of cost: what you pay a professional to prepare the application, and the fees you pay the council and others to submit it. The figures below are approximate and will vary. For general background, see these Donegal County Council planning FAQs from mylittlehome.ie.

What do planning professionals typically charge?

Approximate ranges, all plus VAT:

• Basic retention planning submission (small works): €1,500 to €4,000
• Full planning application package: €2,000 to €6,000
• Retention planning (specialised package): €2,300 to €3,290
• Hourly consultant rates: €100 to €500 an hour
• Architect involvement from concept to completion: often 6% to 15% or more of the total build cost.

Is a quote of €1,200 reasonable?

An architect's fee of €1,200 to prepare and submit a retention application is below the lower end of specialist quotes. It may reflect a limited scope of work, so ask exactly what is included.

• Many firms charge more for planning services alone, often €2,000 or more, especially if plans or drawings need to be updated or redrawn.
• More complex issues, such as moving a septic tank or getting permission for a driveway, can easily push fees above €5,000. This is because of extra drawings, surveys or re-notifications.

What fees do I pay the council?

Donegal County Council uses the standard statutory planning fees set by national regulations. You pay these to the council when you submit a retention application.

• Retention of works to an existing house (alterations or extensions): €102, or €2.50 per square metre, whichever is greater.
• Retention for a new house: €195, or €2.50 per square metre, whichever is greater.

Window alterations to a house fall into a similar category to alterations to an existing house. So the council fee is small: €102, or more if the floor area is large.

Are there other costs?

Yes, usually:

• Ordnance Survey Ireland maps: about €60 (typical market charge)
• Newspaper advertising: about €100 to €150, depending on the paper.

Your architect or planning consultant can tell you which fees apply to your home. To understand what the grant itself covers, see grant rates and the cap and what the scheme may not cover.