Edinburgh price guide
Builder quotes in Edinburgh
Typical local pricing runs £250–£450 per builder day rate for a two-person team, excluding materials and VAT. Here is what drives that range in Edinburgh, and what to check on the quotation in front of you.
Indicative Edinburgh range
£250 – £450
per builder day rate for a two-person team, excluding materials and VAT. Based on a local cost index of 1.08 against the UK average.
Why Edinburgh pricing differs
The most expensive Scottish market. Listed building consent work commands a premium and specialist stone trades are in short supply.
New Town Georgian terraces, Victorian tenements in Marchmont and Bruntsfield, and stone villas in the suburbs.
Planning and consent
A World Heritage Site core, extensive listing and strict material controls. Building warrants are required for most structural work.
What to check on a builder quotation
- Whether the price is fixed, a schedule of rates, or dayworks
- Payment stages tied to completed work, not to dates
- Public liability insurance and the company registration number
- Named exclusions — the list should exist, and it should be long
Areas we see quotes from
Homeowners across Morningside, Leith, Corstorphine, Portobello, Stockbridge and the wider City of Edinburgh area use KnowMyQuote to understand what a contractor has actually priced before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does builder work cost in Edinburgh?
Local pricing typically runs £250–£450 per builder day rate for a two-person team, excluding materials and VAT, based on a higher-than-average cost index of 1.08 for Edinburgh.
Why do quotes in Edinburgh differ so much?
Because they rarely cover the same scope. The most expensive Scottish market. Listed building consent work commands a premium and specialist stone trades are in short supply. Two quotes for the same job can exclude different items, which is why comparing exclusions matters more than comparing totals.
Do I need planning permission in Edinburgh?
A World Heritage Site core, extensive listing and strict material controls. Building warrants are required for most structural work. Always confirm with the local authority before committing, and apply for a Lawful Development Certificate where the work is permitted development.
How many quotes should I get?
Three, all priced against the same drawings and written specification. Without a common document you are comparing three different buildings, not three prices.
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