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Builders in Edinburgh

36 practices covering Edinburgh. Listings are business information researched by Renovome; contact details and matching happen inside Workspace.

Appointing a builder in Edinburgh

Edinburgh builders work heavily on tenement and colony flat refurbishments, rear and basement extensions in the suburbs, and careful repair of traditional stone. World Heritage and conservation coverage means far more of the city is controlled than most owners expect.

Property you'll be working with in Edinburgh

Georgian New Town flats, Victorian tenements, colonies and stone villas, with a limited amount of postwar stock. Sash windows, lime plaster and stone repair are routine rather than specialist here.

Planning in Edinburgh

Much of central Edinburgh sits within the World Heritage Site and conservation areas, with listed building consent common even inside flats. Building warrants apply instead of English building regulations.

What builders charge in Edinburgh

£2,300 to £3,300 per square metre for a mid-finish extension shell in 2026. Traditional stone, sash window and lime repairs are priced by specialist trades and sit above standard refurbishment rates.

Indicative 2026 ranges and local context, not quotations or planning advice. Last reviewed: September 2026.

How to choose a builder in Edinburgh

You appoint a builder once the scope is defined. If you invite builders before the drawings and specification are settled, every quote prices a different job and you cannot compare them.

  1. Give every builder the same drawings, specification and programme, then compare line by line.
  2. Check the company at Companies House, and ask how long the team has worked together.
  3. Visit a current site, not just a finished photo.
  4. Ask for public liability insurance and, where relevant, a warranty or guarantee.
  5. Agree a payment schedule tied to stages completed, never a large payment up front.

What builders in Edinburgh typically work on

  • Single and two-storey extensions
  • Loft conversions and garage conversions
  • Kitchen and bathroom refits
  • Structural openings and knock-throughs
  • Whole-house refurbishments

Typical 2026 fees for builders

ItemTypical 2026 cost
Extension shell, per square metre£2,300 - £3,400
Single-storey rear extension, 20 sq m£52,000 - £86,000
Loft conversion, rear dormer£48,000 - £78,000
Structural opening with flush beam£4,500 - £12,000
Day rate, two-person team£380 - £620

Indicative 2026 UK ranges, not quotations. London and the South East usually sit at the top of each range. Last reviewed: September 2026.

Common questions

How many builders should I ask to quote?
Three is enough, provided all three price the same written scope. More quotes on a vague brief produce a wider spread, not better information.
Why do quotes for the same job differ so much?
Usually because they include different work. Compare the inclusions, exclusions and provisional sums before you compare the totals.

Read next

Brief several builders at once

Renovome Workspace shortlists suitable practices for your project, sends one consistent brief and lays the responses out side by side so you compare scope, not just price.

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