Expert Advice on House Extensions in Edinburgh: Cost, Ideas, and More

Home Renovation & Refurbishment in Edinburgh

📅 Last updated on: November 13, 2023

Are you thinking to start a project for your house extension in Edinburgh ? What do you do when you need more space, but can’t afford to invest in a new home? But what to do if your house is in a great neighborhood area or you are very emotionally attached to it? The most handy solution is to extend it. This procedure allows you to enlarge the living space, depending on the needs of your family.

A house extension in Edinburgh can be:

a wooden structure attic with a proper insulation;
a room attached to the main building , built with a concrete foundation, brick walls, and solid roof;
a glass and steel construction like a conservatory; A conservatory built of UPVC and glass structure is very popular in Scotland due to the very affordable prices;
a wooden construction with a proper foundation, simply attached to the existing house.

The options for a house extension are numerous, as you will see in the examples below. Of course, the final project is influenced by a lot of factors:

materials to be used;
house location;
house structural frame;
yard size;
soil composition;
town planning.

The whole process has to start with a building survey, especially if you want to vertically extend the house. It is important to make sure that the foundation and the structure will cope with the extra load.The architecture of the new building does not have to have the same style as the rest of the house. In most cases, unique combinations of shapes or volumes can give rise to extremely original projects.Just to trigger your curiosity here it’s just an example:

1. Adding a terrace to an existing house as house extension in Edinburgh

In Scotland, many houses have those closed terraces to compensate for the bad weather, specific to the United Kingdom. In the example detailed below, the owners decided to turn that area into a more practical space. Thus, they added an open space consisting of kitchen, dining room and living room. This new construction has sliding doors, leading to the garden. The roof of the extension is a flat one, made of steel boards. The architects provided several glass inserts in the ceiling so that the room would benefit from as much natural light as possible.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to start a similar house extension project:

think carefully about the destination and use you want the house extension project to have;
talk to a specialist (building inspector, structure engineer) to properly asses the structure of the building;
don’t neglect the authorization part and – A BUILDING WARRANT MIGHT BE NEEDED;
calculate your budget very carefully and stick to it!! Such a job is not necessarily a cheap one.

2. How much does a house extension in Edinburgh cost ?

House extension projects might cost you around £1,450 – £2,350 per square meter of new built space. So, an average of 35 m² living space extension could be estimated at around £ 70,000. During a home extension project, the quality of materials and craftsmen work determines its proper cost. Do not fall in the trap of cheap materials or labor. This way, you can easily lose your hardly earned money.

As you know, prices are extremely volatile these days, as all prices are on a rising trend: construction materials, labor workmanship, transport (diesel and gasoline).

3. What does a house extension mean?

Shortly, a house extension project involves obtaining a more generous useful space. The new space will better serve the needs of a family. This is possible by making changes to the original building. A house extension project will be changing the shape, architecture and increasing the useable space.

You will need to pay attention to the condition of the original building before starting a home extension project. In some cases, you will need to consolidate the foundation. This, in case it is not strong enough and can not support the extra weight of any overlay.

Depending on the existing structure of the house, the available land, and the resources you can allocate to the extension works, you have several options.

Before reviewing them, you must keep in mind that the extension works will generate dirt, dust, nuisance. So, analyze well if it is worth living in the house during the construction phase or it is more advantageous to temporarily move out. Thus, you will set for the builders a working space so that they can complete the construction as soon as possible.

4. Methods of extending a house

There are two main ways you can extend your home :

a horizontal extension project, in which the footprint of the house is enlarged (adding new spaces or structures on the same level);
a vertical extension project, by adding additional floors.

Horizontal extension of the house

When the land allows it, the extension of the living space can be done by building a new structure attached to the existing construction.

This solution can improve the appearance of the house and bring a more modern look. If you opt for an extension made of glass walls, you will enjoy more light inside the house.

The most common in Scotland is a conservatory built of UPVC and glass structure with sliding doors.

This method is a simpler and more economical way to get an extra space. The structure of the house will not be affected, as it will not add extra weight to the foundation. The works to be carried out involve the extension of the foundation and the erection of new walls and structures. The new part of the building will be connected to the old one. The horizontal extension largely involves the construction of a new, independent structure

Horizontal house extension in Edinburgh

Horizontal house extension

Vertical house extension

Do you need one or more extra bedrooms, an office, a relaxation area or even a small apartment for children or seniors? If you live in a house, the most convenient solution is to do a vertical extension by adding an attic or doing a loft conversion

This type of project is the most preferred due to the efficiency of the space. It involves much more complex work, though. The vertical extension of an additional floor contributes to a more modern look of the house. It also offers more space without having to sacrifice part of the yard area.

However, first of all, you need to make sure that your vertical house extension is feasible. The foundation and the resistance structure of the house must be solid. House foundation and structure need to support the addition of a new floor and, implicitly, of heavier weight. In the case of an older house, most likely, you will need to carry out some consolidation works. Adding a new vertical structure will definitely need the use the reinforced concrete.

What about arranging a new attic?

When the structure of the house allows it, arranging an attic can prove to be the cheapest way to get more living space.

If you need to add a loft, we would suggest a wooden structure. Wooden loft can be very efficiently insulated and is lighter, as its structure will not be loading the house foundation that much. Wooden loft is price affordable and much quicker to be installed, as there are ready made wooden panels available.

If you are the lucky owner of an already existing loft then you can do a loft conversion. If the framing is in good condition, you will only need thermal insulation, works for the roof, interior partitions, finishes and extension of the piping and electrical systems in the new spaces.

When arranging an attic that was not designed for this use, keep in mind, that lighting problem also arises. Most often, the skylights are missing, so the installation of normal windows is impossible. The only solution to have natural light remains the roof windows.

You should also consider building an interior staircase leading to the attic, if it does not already exist.

Extending the house by flooring the existing space

When you have rooms with unusually large heights (over 4 meters), you can get additional living space by flooring and arranging the existing space on the vertical.

If you are afraid that the work will be very complicated, you should know that this is not the case. Everything can be done quickly and cleanly by building a metal or wooden frame platform, without the need for concrete or masonry.

5. The advantages of extending your home

Although such projects require complex work that can lead to significant costs, they do come with clear advantages. That is why we advise you that it is worth considering expanding your home

You quickly gain more space

We know that your home is always too small for your needs. Yet, you still don’t want to buy a new home. Then, doing a house extension in Edinburgh is the perfect answer. This way, you can get the extra space you need. You still have the freedom to organize everything according to your own plans. This process is also much faster. Depending on the difficulty of the project, the construction of a new extension can be done in a short time. This, compared to building a brand new building from scratch. Not to mention about looking for the perfect house, which has already been built

Comfort and economy

Indeed, the home extension is not necessarily a low cost investment. However, compared to building a new house or buying an already built one, this option is much more cost advantageous. In addition, you can keep the comfort of your old home. You will not have to completely change the space and start again a whole process of arrangement, according to your wishes.

Modernization of the entire space

Another clear advantage of a house extension is the fact that you can perform modernization works for the whole house. A new living space will automatically look different and modern from the rest of the building. So, it is recommended to cover the entire surface with polystyrene or other materials to obtain a uniform volume.

Modern house extension, combining old and new architecture trends

6. What documents are required for a home extension project?

For starting a house extension, as with any construction project, you will need a building warrant in compliance with the building regulations in Scotland. The needed building warrant is to be issued by the City of Edinburgh Council and it will grant you the permission to extend the house. To receive this permit, several documents are required: the house extension project signed by an authorized architect and / or a structure engineer, document of house ownership.

Make sure that the house extension design complies with the Urban Planning Code and regulations.

House extension done by flooring the existing space

7. Home extension tips

There are some essential elements to keep in mind when expanding your living space. These are very important to achieve a durable construction that complies with all safety standards. Do not forget that you will need to apply for a building warrant complying with the building regulations in Scotland.

What should the foundation look like?

As already mentioned, a vertical extension will bring an extra load on the foundation and the structure of the house. Therefore, you will need to make sure that such work is possible for your home.

To do a vertical house extension the foundation needs to be at least 50 centimeters thick. Otherwise, the strength (resistance) of the structure is compromised and you will have to work to strengthen the foundation.

House consolidation is important

Even if the foundation has the required dimensions, it will still be necessary to consolidate the entire building. Such works involve strengthening the exterior walls of the house or doubling the concrete floors and the entire structure. Some doors or windows may be modified as a result of adding new space. So, you will need to make sure that the new openings created in the old walls do not affect its structure.

Essential works to be carried out:

doubling the structure and the concrete floors,
re-consolidating the exterior walls and the foundation,
recalibrating and reorganizing the access roads, doors, windows or staircases

Old space repartitioning will be required

When new rooms are added, the old space will be altered. Most likely, you will need to plan a small reorganization to evenly incorporate the new compartments. In case of vertical extension, the alterations may be even greater, as an internal ladder will be needed.

8. House extension in Edinburgh ideas

Here are the most popular ideas you can use if you want to add more space. These are modern solutions, with unique designs, for which you can use revolutionary materials. You can choose the way to do your home extension according to your existing house and budget.

A glass enclosed terrace with sliding doors

This idea is perfect for a comfortable place to relax. The glass offers, first of all, a modern air to the whole house and also contributes to the creation of an intimate and welcoming space. Thus, you can transform a terrace into a small living room that you can enjoy it regardless of the season.

Usually, this kind of terrace is built of UPVC and glass and it is very popular in Scotland as conservatory.

Wooden structure conservatory

Glass and UPVC modem conservatory

An office in the attic

Attics are probably the most popular ways to extend a home. By arranging a space in the loft, you get a bright and intimate place, where you can take refuge and become creative. Setting up an office or studio in such a space is a bohemian and practical solution to add a new room to your home.

A new kitchen added to the house

Most of the time, cooking becomes much more enjoyable if it takes place in a spacious and clean space. Building a separate kitchen, away from home, you make sure that you avoid the spread of odors. You will get more space to carry out any kind of activity in a comfortable way.

A home expansion project requires a lot of resources and complex work. Though, it gives you the opportunity to take your home to another level. If you feel that the available space is not enough, but you do not want to move, the extension of the house is the perfect solution to get more comfort.

New dining space done by a horizontal house extension

Before starting a house extension project, keep in mind our recommendation: an extension makes sense if you add not only more space but also more value to your home! Thus, the amount invested in the extension works should be found in an added value, in case you decide to sell the house.

House Extensions in Edinburgh: Tips and Ideas