Covering Edinburgh
We cover homes across Edinburgh, planned from survey to sign-off.
Homes in Edinburgh
Housing in Scotland includes tenements in the cities, sandstone villas, inter-war and post-war semis and a large number of bungalows, which often suit dormer and upward extensions.
What goes into an upward extension?
An upward extension adds a new storey on top of an existing house, most often turning a bungalow into a two-storey or chalet-style home. It can double the floor area without using any of the garden.
- Building warrant application and completion certificate
- Structural survey of walls and foundations
- Full fit-out of the new rooms
How much does an upward extension cost in Edinburgh?
Use these ranges to budget for bungalow and upward extensions; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| Bungalow and upward extensions | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Chalet conversion with dormers (total) | £45,000 to £85,000 |
| New first floor, standard specification | £2,200 to £2,800 per m² |
| New first floor, good specification | £2,800 to £3,300 per m² |
| New first floor, high specification | £3,300 to £3,800 per m² |
What approvals does an upward extension need in Scotland?
In Scotland the key step is the building warrant, which must be granted before work begins. Planning permission is decided separately by the council, and work on shared walls is handled under your title deeds rather than a party wall act.
Adding a storey in Scotland needs planning permission and a building warrant.
What can change the price or programme?
- Some bungalow foundations need strengthening before a storey can be added.
- The house is exposed while the roof is off, so the sequence is planned tightly.
How does the project run?
- Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Bungalow and upward extensions: common questions
How much does it cost to add a storey?
Around £2,200 to £3,800 per square metre of new floor including VAT, or £45,000 to £85,000 for a chalet conversion with dormers.
How long does it take?
About 12 to 24 weeks on site.
Do you work in Edinburgh?
Yes. Edinburgh is within our coverage for bungalow and upward extensions, along with nearby Edinburgh and Edinburgh.
Learn more about bungalow and upward extensions, or see every project we cover in Edinburgh.

