Establishing a Construction Company

Detailed below is an overview of the administrative procedures involved for a construction company intending to establish in Ireland.

Registering a Company

The competent authority for registering a company in Ireland is the Companies Registration Office.

Information on the procedures required for registering a company are also available on through the following link: Registering a business

The Voluntary Construction Register Ireland (VCR)

The Voluntary Construction Register (VCR) is an online register supported by Government, of competent builders, contractors, specialist sub-contractors and tradespersons who undertake to carry out construction works in Ireland. Its objective is to be recognised as the primary online resource used by consumers in the public and private procurement of construction services.

Details on how to register with VCR can be found here.

Applicants are required to complete the VCR online induction course (current fee €50).  Book the Online Induction Course here.

Following this service providers can submit an application to register with VCR. This process can be completed online. Required documents and fees for registration are available here.

Heating and electrical work

To undertake work in heating or electrical installations requires that staff are certified to carry out such work and are registered with relevant trade organisations (e.g. Registered Electrical Contractors of Ireland, Register of Gas Installers of Ireland.)

Plumbing

While there is no requirement for a licence to work in plumbing in Ireland, it is a matter for the employer to ensure that the staff are suitably qualified to carry out this work.

Recognition of professional qualifications as a Civil Engineer

Professional Engineers can obtain recognition of their qualifications through the Mutual Recognition Agreements that exist between Engineers Ireland and overseas professional engineering organisations or by applying for recognition under EU Directive 2005/36/EC with the relevant Competent Authority (Engineers Ireland).

Certain functions carried out by professional Engineers are regulated and may require registration (e.g. working as a Chartered Engineer) with the relevant competent authority (Engineers Ireland).

For further information regarding working as an engineer in Ireland follow this link.

 Useful Links

• Voluntary Construction Register
• Cross border services: heating and plumbing work
• Engineers Ireland
• Company Registration Office - to register your construction business
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) - engineering qualification recognition
• SOLAS - Further education, skills training and apprenticeships

_{The above is for general information purposes only. All further queries regarding this information should be directed to the competent authorities listed.}