Solicitor for a Self-Build in Ireland — When to Hire, What They Do, and the Cost
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Solicitor for a self-build: €1,500–€3,500 for the conveyance. Plus €500–€1,500 for the building contract review. Worth it.
Solicitor for a self-build: €1,500–€3,500 for the conveyance. Plus €500–€1,500 for the building contract review. Get a solicitor before you sign contracts on the site. They handle title (who owns the land), contract (what you're buying), easements (rights of way, wayleaves), and the eventual registration (the new house in your name). Most Irish self-builders use the same solicitor for the conveyance, the building contract review, and the eventual registration. Cheaper and more consistent. The solicitor also reviews the RIAI contract before you sign — €500–€1,500 for a one-pass review. The cheapest €500–€1,500 you can spend on the build.
When this matters most
You're sale-agreed on a site or signing a building contract.
When this doesn't apply
The site is purchased and the contract is signed.
Sources
Law Society of Ireland, Find a solicitor. https://www.lawsociety.ie/
Frequently asked questions
How much does a solicitor cost for a self-build in Ireland?
€1,500–€3,500 for the conveyance. Plus €500–€1,500 for the building contract review. Total: €2,000–€5,000. Most self-builders use the same solicitor for both.
When should I hire a solicitor for a self-build?
Before you sign contracts on the site. The solicitor reviews the title, the contract, the easements, and the eventual registration. Get a quote at the same time as the architect and the engineer.
What does a solicitor do for a self-build?
Reviews the title and the contract for the site. Reviews the RIAI building contract. Handles the registration of the new house at completion. Optional: handles the eventual sale if you move.
When this matters most
You're sale-agreed on a site or signing a building contract.
When this doesn't apply
The site is purchased and the contract is signed.
Where to go next
Next decision
The next step in your build sequence.
- Contract Law Basics for Self-Builders in Ireland — RIAI Contract, Retention, and Your Rights →
- Self-Build Insurance in Ireland — Site Cover, Public Liability, and the Lender Requirement →
- Stamp Duty on a Site in Ireland — 1% Up to €1m, 2% Above, and Agricultural Land →
- Structural Warranty in Ireland — HomeBond, Premier Guarantee, and the 10-Year Cover →
- VAT-Registered Self-Builder in Ireland — The Sole Trader Route and the 13B Scheme →
Branch into
Adjacent decisions at the same stage.
Watch out for
Common mistakes, hidden costs, gotchas.
- Capital Gains Tax on a Site in Ireland — When It Applies, the Exemptions, and the Trap →
- Latent Defects Insurance in Ireland — 10-Year Cover for Hidden Defects →
- Life Cover During a Self-Build in Ireland — When the Lender Wants It and What It Costs →
- Public Liability for a Self-Build in Ireland — Who Needs It, What It Covers, and the Cost →