Not every home upgrade needs to be a major renovation. Sometimes, a few smart changes within the existing structure can make a huge difference to how your home works for you. At O'Callaghan Construction, we help homeowners across Cork carry out internal house alterations that improve layout, functionality, and flow - all without adding new space or making structural changes.
Alterations are ideal for people who want to open up cramped rooms, adjust traffic flow, reconfigure internal layouts, or make older homes more modern and usable. While some alteration projects are simple, other plans can begin to touch on structural elements. That's where our practical, experienced advice can make all the difference, especially when your requirements may exceed alteration and begin to fall under the renovation category of work. Not sure which yours is? Please do get in touch and we can advise you!
Get in touch with O'Callaghan Construction - we'll help you plan your home alterations in Cork.
Get in touchIn simple terms, a house alteration refers to changes made within the existing footprint of the home. This means you're not extending, adding rooms, or changing the external walls. You're reworking what's already there.
True alterations generally do not require significant structural work, which helps to keep the project smaller in scope, faster to complete, and less costly overall. These projects can often be completed without planning permission and with minimal disruption - especially in older houses where internal walls are made from stud rather than block.
The answer comes down to whether the work involves the home's structure. In many modern houses, especially two-storey builds, internal walls (particularly downstairs) may be structural. This means removing or modifying them affects the load of the roof or upper floors. As soon as this happens, the project shifts into renovation territory.
For example, in older bungalows - especially those built in the 1940s and 1950s - it's common for internal walls to be lightweight timber stud, and the only structural elements are the external block walls and the roof. In these cases, it's possible to remodel the entire internal layout without complex engineering or significant structural changes. But in newer homes, it's more likely that internal walls play a structural role, and any changes require steel supports and an engineer's involvement.
Get in touch with O'Callaghan Construction - we'll help you plan your home alterations in Cork.
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Generally, a structural wall is one that supports the weight of the roof, upper floors, or connects to key elements of the house's frame. These walls are usually block or load-bearing stud, and can't be removed or modified without first consulting a structural engineer. If you remove one without proper support, it can compromise the safety of your home.
We always advise that if you're considering removing a wall - even if it looks like a small job - it's worth checking with a professional. At O'Callaghan Construction, we can assess your home and let you know if the work is possible as a simple alteration or if it requires a structural solution. And if it does involve structural work, we can handle that too, but it's no longer considered a minor alteration.
In most cases, internal alterations do not require planning permission, especially if you're not changing the external appearance or increasing the size of the building. However, if you're in a protected structure, changing the use of a space (like converting a garage), or impacting fire safety routes, permission or sign-off may be needed.
If you're unsure, we can point you in the right direction or recommend an architect or engineer to assist. We often work alongside professionals to ensure every step of the project is compliant and well-coordinated.
Get in touch with O'Callaghan Construction - we'll help you plan your home alterations in Cork.
Get in touch