What is a barn conversion?
A barn conversion turns an agricultural or rural building into a home while keeping its character: the brick or stone walls, roof timbers and large openings. It involves structural repair, insulation, new services and often a new floor slab.
How much does a barn conversion cost in County Armagh?
In County Armagh, a barn conversion typically costs £1,550–£2,600 per m² of floor area, including VAT at usually 5% (reduced rate for creating a new dwelling). For a typical 150 m² project that is roughly £232,500–£390,000. Building costs in Northern Ireland run about 14% below the UK average, and the figures for County Armagh are adjusted to reflect that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (105 m²) | £163,000–£273,000 |
| Typical project (150 m²) | £232,500–£390,000 |
| Larger project (210 m²) | £325,500–£546,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,550–£2,600 |
What moves the price most:
- Condition of the existing structure
- Services and drainage
- Glazing and finishes
- Planning conditions and ecology
For a figure based on your own measurements, try the guide price tool, then book a free home visit for a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a barn conversion in County Armagh?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland a barn conversion needs planning permission; planning policy supports reusing suitable rural buildings.
In Northern Ireland building control approval comes from the council, usually through a full plans application or a building notice, with inspections during the work and a completion certificate at the end.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
On a typical barn conversion we handle:
- Services, drainage and septic or treatment plant
- Planning or prior approval application
- New roof covering where needed
- Building control completion
- Ecology and bat survey coordination
- Structural repairs and new floor slab
How long does it take?
Allow 6 to 12 months on site depending on condition. Design and approvals come first and typically take 4 to 9 months, depending on the approval route.
Building in County Armagh
Across Northern Ireland, bungalows and chalet bungalows are common, so loft conversions and rear extensions are popular projects.
Towns we cover in County Armagh include Craigavon, Portadown and Armagh.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Approvals
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about barn conversions in County Armagh
Can I get a mortgage for a barn conversion?
Specialist self-build and conversion mortgages release money in stages. We can provide the staged costings lenders ask for.
What about drainage without mains sewer?
A sewage treatment plant can be installed, subject to the environmental regulator’s rules where you live.
How long does a barn conversion take in County Armagh?
Typically 6 to 12 months on site depending on condition. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 4 to 9 months.
Do I need planning permission for a barn conversion in County Armagh?
In Northern Ireland a barn conversion needs planning permission; planning policy supports reusing suitable rural buildings.
Do I need a bat survey?
Very often. Barns are common bat roosts, and planning authorities usually ask for an ecology survey.
How much does a barn conversion cost in County Armagh?
In County Armagh, a barn conversion typically costs £1,550–£2,600 per m² of floor area, including VAT at usually 5% (reduced rate for creating a new dwelling). A typical 150 m² project comes to roughly £232,500–£390,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.