When you’re renovating a house, costs can quickly spiral. Although building your dream home is never cheap, it’s important to make sure you’re spending money in the right places and asking yourself if each planned revamp is truly deserving of your hard-earned cash.

Of course, if you can’t imagine living without certain updates, those expenses may be worth every cent, but many projects can end up being a waste of money. We asked quantity surveyor Claire Irwin (irwinconsulting.ie) which renovations she advises homeowners to steer clear of.