“Buying a Doer-Upper Was the Last Thing We Wanted”

When Daragh and Caragh McMahon went sale agreed on a house in January 2025, it wasn’t the type of property they had imagined buying.

The house carried an F energy rating and required extensive work throughout. Alongside a complete home renovation, there was an extension to plan, outdated systems to replace, and a full modernisation programme ahead. For a couple searching for a family home, it represented a significant undertaking at a time when they had little appetite for taking on a major construction project.

As Daragh puts it:

“Buying a doer-upper was the last thing we wanted.”

Looking back now, however, he describes it as one of the best decisions they ever made.

The reason was simple. The property gave them the opportunity to create the home they wanted in the location they wanted. What followed over the next six months would turn an ageing, inefficient house into an A-rated family home designed entirely around their needs.

A Tight Timeline and No Room for Budget Overruns

Before the project began, Daragh and Caragh had already established two conditions that would shape every decision throughout the build. The first was time. The second was money.

The entire renovation and extension needed to be completed within six months, and the budget could not be allowed to drift.

“Coming in to this project we had two non-negotiables, a very tight six month timeline and, while the budget was sufficient, we could not afford to over-run.”

For anyone undertaking a full house renovation in Dublin, those concerns will feel familiar. Major renovation projects often involve multiple trades, supplier lead times, unforeseen structural issues and changing costs. Managing all of those moving parts while keeping a project on programme requires careful planning from the outset.

The McMahons began researching local contractors and, like many homeowners today, relied heavily on online reviews to help guide their decision-making process.

Planning Began Before the Sale Was Completed

One of the details that stands out in Daragh’s account is how early Greenoak became involved.

While the property was still at sale agreed stage, discussions had already begun with Pat and Louise. Rather than waiting until the purchase completed, planning started immediately. Designs, schedules and project logistics were being considered long before the family collected the keys.

That preparation had a significant impact on what followed.

“Our house sale completed on a Friday and the Greenoak team were ready to move on to site the following Monday.”

From that point onwards, the project moved continuously. According to Daragh, there was little to no downtime throughout the build, with trades, suppliers and subcontractors coordinated in a way that kept progress moving forward.

For homeowners undertaking a house extension in Dublin, delays are often one of the biggest concerns. Materials, availability and scheduling can quickly affect timelines. Daragh notes that Greenoak’s relationships with suppliers helped ensure that lead times never became an issue.

“Throughout the course of the project there was never any delay due to availability of materials.”

By the time work was underway, the family’s original concerns about timing had started to ease.

Transforming an F-Rated House Into an A-Rated Home

The scale of the project extended far beyond cosmetic improvements. This was not a simple refurbishment or a series of room upgrades. The goal was to completely modernise the property while creating a home that would perform to contemporary energy standards.

Over the course of the renovation, the house underwent extensive improvements that ultimately transformed it from an F-rated property into an A-rated home.

For homeowners considering an energy-efficient home renovation in Dublin, that type of improvement can have a substantial impact on comfort, running costs and long-term value. It also reflects the scale of work involved behind the scenes, much of which remains invisible once a project is complete.

Insulation, heating upgrades, construction detailing and energy performance measures all contribute to the final result, but what homeowners tend to notice most is how the house feels once they move in.

By the end of the project, the McMahons had not only achieved the additional space and improved layout they wanted through their extension, they had also created a home that performed to a completely different standard.

Attention to Detail Throughout the Build

While timelines and budgets were critical, Daragh repeatedly returns to the quality of the work when describing the project.

“All of the core Greenoak team and their sub-contractors are top-class tradespeople, their attention to detail and the quality of their workmanship is flawless.”

He goes on to mention that there are numerous practical examples of this attention to detail throughout the house and that he would be happy to share those experiences with anyone considering a similar project.

Importantly, this wasn’t limited to one stage of the renovation. It applied across the build as a whole, from the structural works and extension through to the finishing details. For a project involving multiple trades and a complete transformation of the property, consistency of workmanship became a recurring theme.

The result was a home finished to the exact specification and standard that the family had originally hoped to achieve when they first viewed the property.

Practical Solutions at Every Stage

Like most major renovation projects, challenges emerged along the way. Existing houses rarely reveal all of their secrets until work begins, and every experienced builder understands that unexpected issues are part of the process.

What mattered to the McMahons was how those issues were handled when they arose.

“Whenever we did encounter a problem it was always quickly followed by a practical solution.”

Throughout the review, Daragh repeatedly refers to Pat’s practical approach and the benefit of having someone involved who had spent many years working in the industry. Rather than allowing problems to become obstacles, decisions were made quickly and solutions found that kept the project moving.

That consistency appears to have given the family reassurance throughout the six-month build.

“We can genuinely say that we always felt that we were in safe hands from the beginning to the end of the project.”

The People Behind the Project

The final section of Daragh’s testimonial focuses less on construction and more on the people involved.

He takes the unusual step of naming individual members of the Greenoak team, including Louise, Felix, Dermot, Wes, Ciaran, Alex, Jack, Conor and the electrical and plumbing teams. Reading through the review, it becomes clear that the experience of working with the team left as much of an impression as the finished house itself.

“They are also a team of great people who provided us with support, advice and friendship throughout.”

Construction projects often become part of daily life for homeowners over many months. Site visits, design decisions, progress meetings and unexpected challenges all become part of the process. Daragh describes the site as “always a happy place to visit”, a simple observation that reflects the atmosphere that developed during the project.

Christmas in a Completely Different House

By December 2025, the project was complete.

The house they had purchased less than a year earlier had been fully renovated, extended and transformed into the home they originally envisioned. The F-rated property they had hesitated to buy had become an A-rated family home, delivered within the six-month timeframe they considered essential from the outset.

For Daragh and Caragh, the most memorable milestone wasn’t a certificate, a drawing or a handover meeting.

It was Christmas.

“Thanks to Greenoak Construction we have just spent a very enjoyable and comfortable Christmas in our new home.”

Looking back over the project, Daragh reflects on the amount of work completed over such a short period.

“It is phenomenal to look back and see the sheer amount of work done by the Greenoak team over a short few months.”

For a family that never intended to buy a doer-upper, the outcome was remarkable. They achieved the home they wanted, in the location they wanted, completed to the standard they wanted, while staying within the timeline and budget that mattered most.

Considering Your Own Renovation Project?

Whether you’re planning a full house renovation, a house extension, an energy upgrade or a complete home transformation, Daragh and Caragh’s experience shows what can be achieved with careful planning, clear communication and the right team behind the project.

If you’re exploring a home renovation in Dublin, it may be worth starting with a conversation about what is possible for your own property.