The Irish online trade network, onlinetradesmen.com, has revealed that Irish homeowners spent 7% less on extensions in the first half of this year, with the average expenditure falling to €47,196.

The network stated that the primary reason for the decrease in construction spending was due to concern over the state of the Irish property market. The figures are compared with the same period last year, when it stood at €50,324.

The network also revealed a drop of 4% in the average extension size from 287 sq ft last year to 276 sq ft this year.

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The survey, which was conducted among 4,500 people seeking property extensions, also showed a reduction in charges by construction firms.

Ted Laverty, Managing Director, of onlinetradesmen.com, said: “The trend towards reduced extension sizes and a levelling off in construction costs is not unexpected given the uncertainty created in the Irish property sector over recent months.

“However, the overall demand for accredited trade professionals continues to grow. The survey trends would indicate that the industry is becoming more competitive at present and as such it would appear that there is value in the market for consumers.”

Dublin continues to be the most expensive location for building charges, with an average construction cost of €179 per sq ft for domestic extensions from accredited construction firms. Lowest construction costs were in County Leitrim with costs of €122 per sq ft, the survey also revealed.

(LC)