Key Takeaways
| Housing Type | Current Average Cost | Potential Saving | % Saving | How Savings Are Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-bed terraced house | €255,000 | €31,800 | 12.5% | Reduced size, one less parking space, standardised components |
| 3-storey duplex | €535,470 | €23,500 | 4.4% | No en suite, one less parking space, standardised fixtures |
| 2-bed apartment | €302,911 | €28,900 | 9.5% | Reduced size, no en suite, standardised fixtures |
As far as we can tell, Ireland’s housing crisis has long been aggravted by problem of supply, cost, and speed. But what if we could tackle all three at once by simply adopting modular & MMC techniques into mainstream social housing policy; and standardising how homes are designed and built?
A new study commissioned by the Department of Housing suggests that using standardised designs, combined with modern methods of construction (MMC) such as modular and off-site building, could reduce housing costs by as much as 12.5%.
A copy of the report can be seen HERE.
For a country where first-time buyers are being priced out and public housing targets are chronically missed, this could be a game-changer.
What Does Standardised Design Actually Mean?
Standardisation doesn’t mean turning Irish homes into rows of soulless, identical boxes with little personality. Instead, it’s more about:
- Using consistent components – such as double/triple glazed windows, doors, staircases, roofs, kitchens.
- Repetition of proven layouts – rather than reinventing the wheel for every project.
- Efficiency across the build process – from planning, to procurement, to long-term maintenance.
I try not to oversimplify but think of it like Lego – you have standard blocks, but you can configure them into endless shapes and façades.
How will the Savings Work?
The Department of Housing study looked at three typical housing types and showed where savings could realistically be made:
1. 3-Bed Terraced House
- Reference cost – €255,000
- Saving – €31,800 (12.5%)
- Changes:
- Slightly smaller footprint
- Removal of one parking space
- Standardised windows, doors, roofs
2. 3-Storey Duplex
- Reference cost – €535,470
- Saving – €23,500 (4.4%)
- Changes:
- No en suite bathroom
- Removal of one parking space
- Standardised fixtures
3. 2-Bed Apartment
- Reference cost – €302,911
- Saving – €28,900 (9.5%)
- Changes:
- Reduced overall size
- Omit en suite
- Standardised components
Why Does This Matter for Ireland Right Now?
Ireland has two major barriers to affordable housing:
A. Construction Costs
- Labour shortages and wage inflation are driving costs up.
- Standardisation lowers labour time by simplifying builds.
B. Planning & Zoning Delays
- Councils often block or slow down developments.
- A standardised, pre-approved set of designs could shorten planning stages significantly.
Combined, these factors could accelerate social housing delivery while also making homes cheaper. We should also consider, just because homes will be built slightly cheaper does not mean they will be sold slightly cheaper too. But that’s a conversation for another time. What matters for now is that more homes need to be built for Irish residents quickly, and without compromising quality.
For some success stories in the UK.
Legal & General Modular, Ilke Homes, House by Urban Splash
The UK government has backed these “Category 1” modular/MMC firms with capital support and mandates for MMC use in social housing programmes. Faculty of Social Sciences
MMC adoption in UK Social Housing
In 2022, the House of Lords Built Environment Committee observed that around 8% of new UK homes were built using MMC. This indicates growing acceptance of standardisation in housing supply. House of Lords Library.
- Scandinavia – Long traditions of prefabricated, standardised housing that is both affordable and high-quality.
- Japan – Housing companies routinely use modular and standardised components to deliver consistent, earthquake-resistant homes.
Ireland is catching up late, but I say better late than never.
| MMC Method | Link to Standardisation |
|---|---|
| Modular Homes | Factory-built modules benefit from repeatable, standardised designs |
| ICF (Insulated Concrete Formwork) | Uses repeated blocks and panels for strength and insulation. The concrete pour can take only a day or two. |
| Precast Concrete Panels | Highly efficient and fast when standardised sizes are used across projects |
| Timber frame & SIPs | Most cost-effective when standardised dimensions are used in order to reduce waste |
So basically, the more consistent the design, the cheaper and faster MMC becomes.
Addressing the “Monotony” Criticism
A common worry is that standardisation means boring, repetitive housing estates. Let’s be honest, it will not be that much different from the various housing estates that are in Ireland today, i.e, they all look different yet the same.
The only difference will be that the houses will be built faster.
- The same Façade variations that are used on traditional homes could also be applied here (i.e, different brick, plaster, porches or cladding finishes).
- Flexible layouts could be designed inside the same home frame.
- Neighbourhood-scale diversity – mixing standardised terraced, duplex, and apartment units within the same scheme could also be achieved. Just like traditional estates already do.
The Hard Truth – Targets vs Reality
Ireland’s Government has promised 303,000 new homes between 2025 and 2030. But as we’ve discussed in previous posts, this is not going to happen.
- Labour shortages – not enough workers.
- Planning approval delays – councils make it difficult for approvals for medium to large developments to be approved.
- Zoning delays – land fit for building not made available and remains stuck in limbo for years.
- Rising costs of materials – budgets simply don’t stretch as far.
Standardisation won’t magically make 303,000 homes appear. But in my opinion, it could help deliver a more realistic 180,000–200,000 homes in that timeframe – but only if at least any 2 of the above issues are dealt with swiftly.
Who Benefits From Standardised Designs?
| Group | Benefit |
|---|---|
| First-time buyers | Possibly cheaper entry prices More housing supply |
| Renters | Lower build costs can reduce pressure on rents |
| Government/local authorities | Stretch social housing budgets further Faster supply of social housing and refuge spaces |
| Builders | Possibly Lower labour costs |
| Older downsizers | More affordable alternatives to large family homes |
Conclusion
Ireland’s housing problem isn’t just about throwing more money into the system, it’s about building smarter.
Standardised designs won’t solve every issue. They won’t fix zoning delays overnight, speed up planning approvals or magically create say 25,000 new workers in construction. However, they can:
- Cut costs by up to 12.5% in some cases.
- Make modular and MMC builds more efficient and appealing to the Irish public.
- Deliver social homes faster, cheaper, and at scale.
Ireland doesn’t need another set of lofty promises and statements from government. It needs practical, achievable changes, and right now modular promotion and standardisation is one of the best tools it has.
