Builders In Edinburgh

Fully Managed Property Renovations, Extensions & Structural Alterations

Johnstone Joinery & Building is an Edinburgh building company specialising in complete home renovations, structural alterations, house extensions and bespoke joinery. Led by Martin Johnstone, we provide a fully coordinated building service, bringing together the skilled trades and specialist professionals required to deliver your project from initial planning through to completion.

Whether you're renovating a traditional tenement flat, reconfiguring a family home or planning a substantial extension, you'll deal directly with Martin throughout your project.

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How we can help

Building & Renovation Services in Edinburgh

Our building services cover complete residential renovations and individual improvements, from major structural changes to carefully finished kitchens, bathrooms and bespoke joinery. Explore our principal services below.

An Edinburgh Building Company for Complete Home Renovations

Finding the right builders in Edinburgh is about more than choosing someone to carry out the construction work. A complete house renovation or full property refurbishment involves multiple trades, careful scheduling, material deliveries and technical decisions. Depending on the project, it may also require architectural drawings, structural engineering and building warrant approval.

At Johnstone Joinery & Building, we provide fully managed home renovations in Edinburgh, with Martin personally overseeing the building work from planning through to completion. Rather than leaving homeowners to appoint individual tradespeople and manage the different stages themselves, we offer a single point of contact for substantial residential renovation projects.

As an Edinburgh building company specialising in full property renovations, we undertake everything from traditional tenement and period property refurbishments to whole-house renovations and substantial alterations within modern family homes. Our work includes structural alterations and load-bearing wall removal, open-plan reconfigurations, kitchen renovations, bathroom installations, building services and bespoke joinery.

Whether you're looking for renovation builders in Edinburgh with a complete set of architectural drawings or are still exploring the possibilities for your property, we can become involved at any stage. Where required, we work alongside trusted architects, structural engineers and specialist contractors to develop and deliver your project. For homeowners planning significant alterations, our Edinburgh Building Warrant Guide explains the approval process and some of the requirements to consider before construction begins.

Completed kitchen renovation in a Marchmont tenement flat, Edinburgh
Room stripped back during a full flat renovation in Newhaven, Edinburgh

One Building Contractor. Every Trade Coordinated.

A substantial house renovation or full property refurbishment in Edinburgh rarely involves just one trade. Joiners, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, decorators and structural specialists may all be required, with each stage of the building work dependent on the last. Successful renovation project management is essential to keeping these different elements working together.

Attempting to organise individual trades independently can lead to costly delays, scheduling conflicts and unnecessary disruption. If one contractor falls behind or work is completed in the wrong sequence, subsequent trades may be unable to proceed. Homeowners can also find themselves responsible for resolving problems between contractors, arranging additional visits and managing unexpected changes.

At Johnstone Joinery & Building, we offer fully managed home renovations in Edinburgh, with Martin personally coordinating the trades, scheduling the building work and overseeing the project from start to finish. Whether you're undertaking a complete house renovation, planning structural alterations or transforming a traditional tenement flat, you have one experienced building contractor responsible for managing the work as a whole.

This approach allows us to plan ahead, identify potential complications and ensure that structural work, building services, joinery and interior finishes are completed in the appropriate sequence, rather than leaving homeowners to coordinate several separate contractors.

Renovating Edinburgh's Traditional & Modern Properties

Edinburgh’s diverse housing stock presents different challenges for every renovation. From Victorian tenement flats and Georgian apartments to traditional cottages, bungalows and modern family homes, each property requires an approach that considers its existing construction, architectural character and practical limitations.

At Johnstone Joinery & Building, we undertake house and flat renovations across Edinburgh, including complete property refurbishments, internal reconfigurations and the modernisation of older homes. Our experience spans traditional tenements, cottages, bungalows and purpose-built flats, with projects tailored to the requirements of each building.

Period property renovations often involve balancing modern living requirements with the preservation of original architectural features. Whether undertaking a Victorian flat refurbishment, opening up the layout of a traditional house or introducing new kitchens and bathrooms, we consider how existing timber floors, cornicing, skirting boards, fireplaces and other period details can be retained, restored or carefully matched.

Where projects require structural alterations and wall removal, we work with the appropriate architects and structural engineers, taking account of the building’s construction, access restrictions and any necessary approvals. Our Marchmont tenement renovation and Corstorphine flat refurbishment demonstrate how substantial alterations can transform Edinburgh properties while responding to the challenges of their existing layouts.

Completed contemporary kitchen renovation with island and open-plan living space in Edinburgh

Our process

How We Approach Your Building Project

1. Initial Discussion & Property Assessment

Tell us about your property, the building or renovation work you're considering and any architectural plans or drawings you already have. Whether you're planning a complete house renovation in Edinburgh, a structural alteration or a smaller refurbishment, we'll discuss your requirements, assess the proposed scope and establish the next steps.

2. Planning, Design & Professional Input

Depending on your project, we can work alongside trusted architects, structural engineers and other specialists to develop the necessary plans and technical details. Where building warrants or other approvals are required, these can be incorporated into the planning process. If you've already appointed an architect, obtained drawings or secured the necessary approvals, we can take your project forward from that stage.

3. Quotation & Construction Scheduling

Once the proposed work is sufficiently developed, we'll prepare a quotation based on the agreed scope. We'll also establish a practical construction programme, considering the sequence of building work, specialist trades, material requirements and any access restrictions associated with your property.

4. Construction & Project Management

With Martin overseeing your building project, we coordinate the specialist trades, manage the construction schedule and maintain direct communication throughout. From structural alterations and building services to kitchen renovations, bathroom installations and finishing work, we bring the different elements together to deliver your completed renovation.

Frequently asked questions

Questions About Your Project

Do I need a builder or separate tradespeople for my renovation?

If your renovation involves several trades, appointing one building contractor to manage the project can simplify the process. Rather than independently coordinating joiners, electricians, plumbers, plasterers and other specialists, you can work with Martin, who manages the relevant trades and their sequence of work.

Can you manage a complete house renovation in Edinburgh?

Yes. We undertake complete house renovations and full property refurbishments, including structural alterations, internal reconfiguration, kitchen and bathroom installation, joinery and finishing work. Martin coordinates the different stages and specialist trades involved.

Do I need an architect before contacting a builder?

No. You can approach us while you're still developing your ideas or after you've already engaged an architect. We work with trusted architectural and engineering partners where required, and we can also become involved once drawings and approvals are in place.

Do I need a building warrant for renovation work in Edinburgh?

It depends on the type of work and the property. Structural alterations, certain conversions and other substantial building works may require a building warrant, while some smaller improvements may not. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, additional permissions may also be relevant. Read our Edinburgh building warrant guide  for more information.

Do you renovate traditional Edinburgh tenement flats?

Yes. Our completed projects include substantial renovations to traditional Edinburgh tenements, including structural wall removals, new kitchens and bathrooms, improved layouts and the retention of original architectural features. Explore our Marchmont tenement renovation .

How long does a property renovation take?

The timescale depends on the property's size and condition, the scope of work, specialist requirements and any necessary approvals. A complete refurbishment involving structural alterations and multiple trades will generally require a longer programme than a kitchen or bathroom renovation. We discuss the likely schedule once the proposed work has been assessed.

Can you take over a project if I already have architectural drawings?

Yes. We can become involved at different stages, including when you already have architectural drawings, structural information or an approved building warrant. We can review the proposed work and discuss the next steps towards construction.

Guides & advice

Planning Your Edinburgh Renovation

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Planning a Building or Renovation Project in Edinburgh?

Whether you're planning a complete house renovation in Edinburgh, a full property refurbishment, structural alterations or a house extension, we'd be pleased to discuss your project. As an Edinburgh building company specialising in residential renovations, we work on everything from traditional tenement and period property refurbishments to substantial alterations of modern family homes.

Contact us about your property, the changes you're considering and the stage you've reached. Whether you're exploring your options, looking for experienced renovation builders in Edinburgh or already have architectural drawings ready for construction, we can discuss your plans and the next steps.
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