¶ Grant Timeline and Coordination
Last Updated: December 18, 2024
This page tracks the timeline for all grant applications and shows how they coordinate with the overall project phases.
1. Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
Amount: €50,000-€70,000
Timeline: Apply early 2025, approval target March 2026
Purpose: Essential structural, electrical, heating work
2. SEAI Better Energy Homes
Amount: €10,000-€18,000
Timeline: Apply late 2026, approval 2027
Purpose: Energy efficiency improvements
Grants Can Combine But Cannot Overlap:
- Each grant must fund different work
- No double-dipping for same improvements
- Strategic allocation maximizes total funding
Timing Makes Sense:
- Must be habitable before SEAI grant
- Need insulation before heat pump
- Spreads costs over time
- Allows learning from Phase 1
Status: IN PROGRESS
Grant Status: Pre-application
Targets:
Grant Status: Application preparation
Targets:
Grant Status: SUBMIT APPLICATION
Review Period:
- Council reviews application
- May request additional information
- Possible site inspections
- Respond to any queries
- Continue contractor relationships
- Monitor application status
Grant Status: Under review
Approval Target:
- Grant approval received
- Review grant conditions
- Finalize contractor contracts
- Arrange Contract Works insurance
- Final preparations for work
Grant Status: APPROVAL TARGET
Work Begins:
- ✅ Grant approved
- ✅ Insurance in place
- ✅ Contractors contracted
- Electrical rewiring starts (10-12 weeks)
- Heating system assessment and repairs
- Plumbing work
Grant Status: Work in progress, Vacant Property Grant
Main Work Period:
- Electrical work continues
- Budget boiler installation
- Underfloor heating reconnection
- Plumbing completion
- Essential repairs
Grant Status: Progress reporting as required
Phase 1 Completion:
- Electrical work complete and certified
- Heating operational
- House habitable
- Move-in ready
- Final inspections
Grant Status: Nearing completion claim
Living and Learning:
- Occupy house
- Assess insulation needs
- Identify energy efficiency priorities
- Plan Phase 2 improvements
- Collect data on heating performance
Grant Status: Submit completion for Vacant Property Grant
SEAI Grant Preparation:
- Plan insulation work
- Research heat pump options
- Identify SEAI-approved contractors
- Calculate energy improvements
- Prepare SEAI application
Grant Status: Preparing SEAI application
SEAI Application:
- Submit SEAI Better Energy Homes application
- Pre-work BER assessment
- Detailed energy upgrade plan
Grant Status: SUBMIT SEAI APPLICATION
SEAI Work (if approved):
- Insulation installation
- Heat pump installation
- Remove budget boiler
- Solar system expansion (optional)
- Post-work BER assessment
Grant Status: Work in progress, SEAI Grant
Project Completion:
- All grant work complete
- Final BER assessment
- Submit SEAI completion
- Project fully complete
Grant Status: Both grants complete
Vacant Property Grant:
- ✅ Can fund structural, electrical, basic heating
- ✅ Can install budget boiler
- ✅ Must complete before house occupied long-term
- ❌ Cannot fund energy efficiency upgrades
- ❌ Cannot fund heat pump
SEAI Grant:
- ✅ Can fund insulation
- ✅ Can fund heat pump
- ✅ Can fund solar
- ❌ Cannot fund basic heating system
- ❌ Requires house occupied and insulated
Correct Division:
- Vacant Property: Budget boiler installation
- SEAI: Heat pump upgrade (replaces budget boiler)
- ✅ Different work, no overlap
Incorrect Division:
- Vacant Property: Heat pump installation
- SEAI: Heat pump installation
- ❌ Same work, not allowed
Maximize Total Funding:
| Work Item |
Vacant Property |
SEAI |
Total |
| Electrical |
€20,000 |
- |
€20,000 |
| Structural |
€15,000 |
- |
€15,000 |
| Budget Boiler |
€5,000 |
- |
€5,000 |
| Plumbing |
€8,000 |
- |
€8,000 |
| Other Essential |
€12,000-32,000 |
- |
€12,000-32,000 |
| Subtotal |
€60,000-80,000 |
|
|
| Grant Coverage |
€50,000-70,000 |
|
|
| Out of Pocket |
€10,000+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Insulation |
- |
€8,000 |
€8,000 |
| Heat Pump |
- |
€6,500 |
€6,500 |
| Solar |
- |
€2,400 |
€2,400 |
| Controls |
- |
€800 |
€800 |
| Subtotal |
|
€17,700 |
|
| Grant Coverage |
|
€10,000-18,000 |
|
| Out of Pocket |
|
€0-7,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Investment |
|
|
€77,700-97,700 |
| Total Grants |
|
|
€60,000-88,000 |
| Total Out of Pocket |
|
|
€10,000-17,700 |
Plus insurance, security, other non-eligible items
Typical Payment Schedule:
- Application: €0
- Start of work: 0% (no advance)
- 50% complete: ~30-40% of grant
- Substantial completion: ~40-50% of grant
- Final inspection: Remaining 10-20%
Important:
- Need working capital to pay contractors
- Grant reimburses approved expenses
- Contractors paid by you, not by grant
- Keep all receipts and invoices
Typical Payment Schedule:
- Pre-approval of works
- Complete work with approved contractor
- Submit completion claim
- Payment after final inspection
Important:
- Usually single payment at completion
- Must use SEAI-approved contractors
- Post-work BER must show improvement
- All documentation required
Grant Approval Delays:
- Risk: Takes longer than March 2026
- Mitigation: Apply early, complete documentation
- Contingency: Flexible start date for Phase 1
Work Completion Delays:
- Risk: Phase 1 takes longer than planned
- Mitigation: Buffer time in schedule, good contractors
- Contingency: Extended insurance, flexible Phase 2 timing
Second Grant Timing:
- Risk: Not ready for SEAI when planned
- Mitigation: Flexible timeline, can delay Phase 2
- Contingency: Phase 2 optional upgrades, not critical
Costs Exceed Grant:
- Risk: Work costs more than grant covers
- Mitigation: Detailed quotes, contingency budget
- Contingency: Prioritize essential work, scale back scope
Cash Flow:
- Risk: Need to pay contractors before grant reimbursement
- Mitigation: Plan working capital, staged payments
- Contingency: Payment plans with contractors, short-term finance
¶ Monitoring and Updates
Monthly:
- Update timeline status
- Track application progress
- Monitor any delays
- Adjust plans as needed
After Major Events:
- Grant submission
- Grant approval/rejection
- Work completion milestones
- Any significant changes
Keep Updated:
- Partner always informed
- Contractor coordination
- Grant office communication
- All stakeholders aligned
Last updated: December 18, 2024