Planning permission for extensions in Edinburgh
Need planning permission for extensions in Edinburgh? We survey the house, prepare what the council needs and deal with the officers until a decision is made.
- Guide price in EdinburghFrom £300 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsEH1, EH2, EH3, EH7, EH8

What it costs in Edinburgh
Fees below are our Edinburgh guide (×0.98, the Scotland factor), including VAT. Council and building control fees are extra.
| Option | What it covers | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Permitted development confirmed in writing (certificate or notification) | £300 – £650 |
| Standard | Householder planning application handled | £550 – £1,100 |
| Premium | Application with heritage or design statements, and responses to the council | £850 – £1,600 |
Our handling fee only. Council fees are extra and are set by the Scottish Government. Drawings are priced separately.
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Covering Edinburgh
Across EH1, EH2, EH3, EH7, EH8, EH9, we can visit, measure and advise. Nearby, we also take on projects in Musselburgh (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles), Penicuik (8 miles), Broxburn (11 miles).
Just over the Fife border, Kirkcaldy is about 11 miles away. Scotland's housing includes sandstone villas, terraces and tenements in the cities and plenty of post-war and modern houses and bungalows elsewhere. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
What is included
- Liaison with the planning officer
- Planning history and constraints check for your address
- Route recommendation in writing
- Submission and fee payment guidance
- Application forms, plans and supporting statements
- Advice if conditions are attached or changes are requested
Do I need planning permission in Edinburgh?
In Scotland the questions are whether the extension falls within householder permitted development (Classes 1A to 1D) or needs planning permission from the council, and the building warrant, which is required before construction begins and is followed by a completion certificate.
In a conservation area or national scenic area the householder permitted development rights are more limited, listed homes need listed building consent, and if rights have been removed by a condition or direction, any extension needs an application.
In Scotland a building warrant from the council is needed before work starts on almost any extension, and a completion certificate is issued when the work is accepted. Building standards are set in the Scottish technical handbooks.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Where work affects a shared wall or a neighbour's land, we agree access, protection and making good with your neighbour in writing before work starts.
Applications are decided by your council as planning authority.
From first visit to completion
Site visits are free and there is no obligation. Where drawings are needed, the design stage is priced in writing before it starts.
Free site visit
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
Fixed written price
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Questions answered
Will my neighbours in Edinburgh be involved?
If a planning application is needed, the council notifies neighbours. Where work is close to a shared boundary, we agree access and protection with them in writing.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Edinburgh, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
How long does this take for a Edinburgh home?
8–13 weeks typical decision period, depending on the council and the complexity of the project.
What happens if planning is refused?
You can revise the design and reapply, or appeal. We read the officer’s report and tell you honestly which option has a better chance.
Book a free site visit in Edinburgh
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free, no-obligation site visit
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a free site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.