Completed kitchen renovation in a Marchmont tenement flat, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Building & Renovation

Full Property Renovation

Complete house and flat renovations in Edinburgh, from traditional tenements and period apartments to modern family homes. Our full property refurbishment services include structural alterations, kitchen and bathroom renovations, bespoke joinery and finishing work, transforming individual rooms or entire homes.
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Edinburgh Property Renovations

Transforming Edinburgh Properties for Modern Living

Whether you're renovating a traditional tenement flat, modernising a recently purchased house or planning a complete home refurbishment in Edinburgh, a well-executed renovation can transform the way your property looks, feels and functions. From reconfiguring awkward layouts to creating brighter, more practical living spaces, we undertake substantial house and apartment renovations tailored to the character of each property.

At Johnstone Joinery & Building, we specialise in full property renovations across Edinburgh, including whole-house renovations and comprehensive flat refurbishments. Our services encompass structural alterations, internal reconfiguration, kitchen renovations, bathroom installations, bespoke joinery and finishing work. With 20 years of hands-on building and joinery experience, Martin Johnstone brings practical expertise to the renovation of Edinburgh's traditional and contemporary homes.

What we do

Our Full Property Renovation Service

01 Full Property Renovation 02 Structural Alterations 03 Kitchen Renovations 04 Bathroom Renovations 05 Bespoke Joinery
06 Open-Plan Reconfiguration
07 Property Layout Alterations
08 Finishing & Decoration

Our work

Completed Edinburgh renovation Projects

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Complete House & Flat Renovations in Edinburgh

A successful house or flat renovation begins with understanding the existing property and how its layout, construction and condition affect the proposed work. Whether you've recently purchased a house requiring complete modernisation, are renovating a traditional Edinburgh apartment or want to make better use of your current home, we undertake comprehensive property renovations across Edinburgh.

Our home renovation services cover everything from internal reconfiguration and structural alterations to new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, bespoke storage and finishing work. Where required, we also undertake associated electrical, plumbing and heating work as part of the wider refurbishment.

A complete house renovation often involves more than updating individual rooms. A new kitchen may require changes to the surrounding layout, while an additional bathroom or ensuite can affect drainage, ventilation and the arrangement of neighbouring spaces. Considering these elements together helps create a practical, coherent finished home.

Our Corstorphine flat renovation demonstrates this approach, combining an open-plan kitchen and living area with an additional bedroom, ensuite and bespoke pantry to make better use of the available space.

Whether you're planning an apartment renovation in Edinburgh or a whole-house refurbishment, we can undertake the building and renovation work required to transform your property.

Room stripped back during a full flat renovation in Newhaven, Edinburgh
Strucutral alteration an internal wall to create open plan living space in Corstorphine flat renovation Edinburgh

Tenement & Period Property Renovations in Edinburgh

Edinburgh's traditional flats and houses offer distinctive architectural character, generous proportions and original features, but they can also present challenges when adapting them for modern living. Renovating a tenement, Georgian apartment or Victorian home requires an understanding of its existing construction and the architectural details worth preserving.

Our Edinburgh property renovations can include restoring original features, improving kitchens and bathrooms, introducing additional storage and making substantial changes to the internal layout. Original cornicing, fireplaces, timber floors and traditional doors can all influence how new elements are introduced and how the finished spaces are designed.

Where homeowners want to create brighter, more connected living areas, wall removal and structural alterations may form part of the renovation. Existing structural arrangements, neighbouring properties and any required permissions need to be considered before work begins.

Our Marchmont flat renovation illustrates how a traditional Edinburgh tenement can be transformed through substantial structural alterations, an open-plan kitchen and carefully considered finishing work while retaining its original character.

From period apartment renovations to complete home refurbishments, we combine modern building techniques with an appreciation of Edinburgh's traditional architecture.

Whole-House Renovations & Full Property Refurbishments

Undertaking a whole-house renovation in Edinburgh involves much more than updating individual rooms. Structural changes, building services, kitchen and bathroom installations, joinery and finishing work all need to be considered as part of the overall refurbishment.

At Johnstone Joinery & Building, we undertake complete house renovations and full property refurbishments, from the initial strip-out and structural building work through to the final interior finishes. Depending on the scope of your project, this can include load-bearing wall removal, steel beam installation, plumbing and electrical upgrades, plastering, flooring, bespoke joinery, kitchen and bathroom renovations and decoration.

Whether you're modernising a recently purchased property, undertaking a substantial home refurbishment or transforming an older house to suit contemporary living, we consider how the proposed changes will work together throughout the property.

Where architectural drawings, structural design or statutory approvals are required, these should be established before the relevant construction work begins. Our Edinburgh Building Warrant Guide explains some of the considerations involved when planning significant alterations to an existing property.

Our approach to complete property renovations brings together structural building work, practical improvements and carefully finished interiors, helping homeowners create spaces that work for the way they live.

Finished kitchen with timber flooring following a Greenbank home renovation in Edinburgh

Our property renovation process

How Our House & Flat Renovation Process Works

01 — Initial Consultation & Property Assessment

We begin by discussing your property, the changes you want to make and your priorities for the finished space. Whether you're considering a whole-house renovation in Edinburgh or a substantial flat refurbishment, we assess the existing layout, discuss your ideas and identify the information needed to develop the project.

02 — Planning, Design & Project Preparation

Before construction begins, we establish the proposed scope of work and review any existing architectural drawings, structural information or approvals.

If you've already appointed an architect or obtained the necessary drawings, we can work from your existing plans. If you're at an earlier stage, we can involve our trusted architectural and structural engineering partners where required, helping you develop the project before building work begins.

03 — Strip-Out & Structural Alterations

Depending on the scope of your renovation, the initial construction stage may involve removing existing kitchens, bathrooms, fixtures and finishes, reconfiguring internal spaces or undertaking approved structural alterations.

For complete house renovations and substantial Edinburgh property refurbishments, this stage may also include load-bearing wall removal, the installation of structural steelwork and preparation of the property for its new layout.

04 — Building Services, Kitchens, Bathrooms & Joinery

Once the necessary structural and preparatory work is complete, the renovation moves into the main installation stages. Depending on your project, these may include plumbing, electrical and heating work, plastering, flooring, kitchen and bathroom installation and bespoke joinery.

For whole-property renovations, these improvements are considered together so that the individual rooms, building services and interior finishes work as part of a cohesive home.

05 — Finishing & Completion

The final stage brings the renovated spaces together through decoration, flooring, finishing joinery, fixtures and other detailed work. We complete the necessary adjustments, review the finished renovation and address outstanding items before handover.

Whether your project involves a traditional Edinburgh flat or a complete house refurbishment, the aim is a carefully finished home that makes better use of the existing property and suits the way you live.

Guides & advice

Planning Your Edinburgh Property Renovation

Frequently asked questions

Questions About Your Project

What does a full property renovation include?

A full property renovation can include changes to the layout, structural alterations, kitchen and bathroom replacement, building services, flooring, plastering, joinery and decoration. The exact scope depends on the property's condition and what you want to achieve.

Do you renovate traditional Edinburgh tenement flats?

Yes. We undertake renovations of traditional Edinburgh flats, including projects involving period features, internal reconfiguration, modern kitchens and bathrooms and substantial refurbishment work. The existing construction and architectural character are important considerations when planning alterations.

Can you manage the entire renovation rather than individual trades?

We undertake coordinated renovation projects covering the building work, joinery and associated installation and finishing stages. Where specialist architectural, engineering or other professional services are required, their involvement can be incorporated into the project planning.

Can I change the layout of my flat during a renovation?

Potentially. Internal reconfiguration can involve moving or removing partitions, forming new openings or changing the arrangement of kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. The feasibility depends on the existing structure, building services and any required approvals.

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

It depends on the proposed work. Some alterations may require a building warrant, particularly where structural elements or other regulated aspects of the building are affected. Requirements should be checked before construction begins. Read our Edinburgh Building Warrant Guide for further information.

How long does a full flat renovation take?

The programme depends on the size and condition of the property, the extent of the proposed work, material availability and whether structural alterations or approvals are required. Once the scope is established, we can discuss a realistic construction programme for your renovation.

Can you renovate the kitchen and bathrooms as part of the same project?

Yes. Kitchen and bathroom renovations can be coordinated as part of a wider property refurbishment. Planning these together is particularly useful when the work also involves layout changes, plumbing, electrical installations or new flooring.

Do you carry out renovations in occupied properties?

Whether a property can remain occupied during renovation depends on the extent and sequence of the work. A substantial refurbishment involving kitchens, bathrooms, structural alterations or multiple rooms may make temporary alternative accommodation more practical. We can discuss access and occupancy considerations when planning your project.

Martin Johnstone

Reviewed by

Martin Johnstone

Founder, Johnstone Joinery & Building

20 years of experience

Martin Johnstone is the founder of Johnstone Joinery & Building, an Edinburgh building and renovation company working across full property renovations, structural alterations, extensions and bespoke joinery. He works directly across projects from the initial assessment through to construction and completion.
About Martin Johnstone

More ways we can help

Explore Our Building & Renovation Services in Edinburgh

From full property renovations and structural alterations to kitchen and bathroom installations, loft conversions and bespoke joinery, explore our building services across Edinburgh. Every project is personally managed by Martin Johnstone, coordinating the specialist trades involved from start to finish.

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Planning a Property Renovation in Edinburgh?

Whether you're renovating a traditional tenement flat, modernising a recently purchased house or planning a complete home refurbishment in Edinburgh, we'd be pleased to hear about your project. From individual property improvements to whole-house renovations involving structural alterations, new kitchens and bathrooms, tell us what you have in mind. We can discuss your plans, assess the work involved and help you establish the next steps.
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