If you’re building a new home or renovating in Co Carlow there are several grants and schemes that could help with the costs.

In this article we cover:
• 10 grants for home renovations
• Grants for self-builds

Below is a summary of the main grants on offer:

Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant:

  • Get up to €50,000 to renovate a vacant property for your own use or to rent.
  • If the property is derelict, an additional €20,000 is available – that’s up to €70,000 total.
  • Eligible properties must be vacant for two years or more and built before 2008.
  • Administered by Carlow County Council.
  • More information: Carlow County Council Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant page.

Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses:

  • Get up to €5,000 (pre-VAT) to cover the cost of expert conservation advice.
  • Ideal if you’re considering restoring a vacant traditional farmhouse.
  • Works well alongside the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
  • More information: Carlow County Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant page.

Housing Adaptation Grants:

  • Three grant options available to help older people and people with disabilities live more safely and comfortably at home.
  • Can cover ramps, mobility aids, bathroom adaptations, or essential repairs.
  • Grants are administered by Carlow County Council.
  • Further details: Carlow Housing Grants page.

Thatching Grant:

  • Supports repairs, rethatching, and structural work on traditional thatched roofs.
  • Covers full or partial rethatching, routine maintenance, and related building works.
  • You must hire a qualified thatcher and submit a quote with your application.
  • Grant amount is based on actual costs.
  • Open to owners of thatched properties in County Carlow.
  • More information: Carlow County Council Historic Structures Fund Grant page.

Lead Remediation Grant:

  • Covers the full cost of replacing lead pipes in your home’s water system.
  • Grants range from €750 to €5,000 – work must cost at least €750 to qualify.
  • Up to €200 available to help confirm if your pipes are lead (lab test or inspection).
  • Homeowners and long-term tenants (with permission) can apply – holiday homes are not eligible.
  • More information: GOV.ie Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme page.

Domestic Well Grant:

  • Helps pay to repair or upgrade an existing well, or drill a new one if your water supply is inadequate.
  • Covers water treatment systems too, like filters or UV disinfection units.
  • Open to homeowners and long-term tenants (with the owner’s consent); holiday homes aren’t eligible.
  • Grants cover 85 per cent of approved costs:
    • Up to €3,000 for well repairs.
    • Up to €5,000 for a new well.
  • Water treatment systems can be covered up to 100 per cent, capped at €1,000.
  • Minimum eligible spend: €750.
  • More information: Carlow Well Grant page.

Septic Tank Grant:

  • Covers the cost of repairs, upgrades, or replacement of your septic tank system
  • Only available if:
    • Issues were identified during an official inspection under the National Inspection Plan, or
    • Your home is in a designated area, such as a Prioritised Area for Action or High Status Objective Catchment Area.
  • Routine servicing and desludging are not covered.
  • You must have received an advisory notice or live in an eligible area.
  • Covers 85% of approved costs, up to €12,000.
  • Minimum eligible spend: €750.
  • Holiday homes are not eligible.
  • More information: Carlow County Council Septic Tank Grant page.

Energy grants from the SEAI:

  • Warmer Homes Scheme (Free Upgrades for Eligible Households):
    • Free energy upgrades for homeowners on certain social welfare payments (like Fuel Allowance, Disability Allowance, or Working Family Payment).
    • Your home must have been built and lived in before 2006, with a BER of C or lower.
    • Upgrades can include insulation, energy-efficient lighting, and sometimes heating systems or new windows.
    • An SEAI surveyor will check if your home qualifies.
    • If you sell your home within five years, you might have to pay back some or all of the grant.
  • Individual Energy Upgrade Grants (Better Energy Homes):
    • Pick and choose the upgrades you want, one step at a time.
    • Grants available for insulation (e.g. €1,500 for attic, up to €8,000 for external wall), heat pumps (up to €6,500), and solar panels (up to €1,800).
    • No grants for windows, doors, or ventilation systems under this scheme.
    • Ideal if you want to manage the upgrades yourself and do them gradually.
  • One Stop Shop (National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme):
    • A full energy upgrade package, managed for you from start to finish.
    • Covers everything from insulation and ventilation to heating, windows, and doors.
    • You must do all the upgrades at once, but higher grant amounts are available.
    • Grants are taken off the cost up front by the provider.
    • Some One Stop Shops can also help you apply for a loan to cover any extra costs.
  • Applications are made online. More information: SEAI

Electric vehicle home charger grant

  • Get up to €300 towards buying and installing an electric vehicle charger at home.
  • You’ll need to have off-street parking and the charger must be connected to your home’s electricity supply.
  • You can’t apply if the property has already received this grant or got a free ESB charger before 2018.
  • Important: You must apply before starting any work – if you start before receiving the Letter of Offer, you won’t qualify.
  • Once approved, you’ll have 6 months to get the charger installed and send in your paperwork.
  • For more information: Electric Vehicle home charger grant.

Protected Structures Grants

  • If your home is on (or being added to) Carlow County Council’s Record of Protected Structures (RPS), you may qualify for special grants:
  • Historic Structures Fund: Offers €50,000 to €200,000 for major renovation projects. You’ll need to cover at least half the cost yourself.
  • Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS): Offers between €2,500 and €50,000 for up to 80 per cent of the project cost – ideal for routine maintenance and smaller repair jobs.
  • For more information: Carlow County Council Historic Structures Fund Grant page.

For comprehensive information and assistance, visit: Carlow County Council. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; additional programmes may be available to suit your specific needs.