# ‘The cheapest quote can end up being the most expensive’: How to keep renovation costs down

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/better-with-money-7327459/the-cheapest-quote-can-end-up-being-the-most-expensive-how-to-keep-renovation-costs-down.md
Podcast: [Better With Money](https://stenobird.com/podcast/better-with-money-7327459)
Published: 2026-06-23T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/better-with-money/episodes/the-cheapest-quote-can-end-up-being-the-most-expensive-how-t
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/67fe6575ad69959fc242080d/e/6a367bf54a2a3be0f48dc537/media.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2339

## Resource

Unless you’re Dermot Bannon, doing up your house must be one of the most expensive and nerve-wracking jobs you can ever take on. In this episode of Better with Money, Quantity Surveyor Shay Lally (aka @houses_to_restore on Instagram) speaks to Aideen Finnegan about how to plan and cost the renovation of an average 3-bed semi-d in Ireland. He explains why the cheapest quote can often end up being the most expensive because of omissions or “front-loading”, where the builder gets the bulk of the payment at the beginning and then ghosts you for the smaller jobs later on. Shay also explains how getting a QS involved from early on can help your budget with estimates, making payment assessments and negotiations during the project and tracking a final tally. And he also outlines common budget risks, the need for a clear brief, and prioritising essentials like insulation, heating and rewiring over finishes. This episode also covers SEAI and Vacant/Derelict Homes grants, staged bank drawdowns, contracts, red flags with tradespeople, and renovation choices that can add or reduce a home’s resale value. This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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