Replacement windows are new frames and sealed double- or triple-glazed units fitted into your existing openings after the old windows are taken out, improving warmth, security and noise reduction while meeting current building regulations.
Every house in Edinburgh is a little different, so we never price replacement windows from a brochure. We look at the structure, access and existing finishes first, then put in writing a fixed figure for the scope we settle on. As a rough steer, homeowners in Scotland should budget £4,300–£8,600 including VAT, with work typically taking 1–2 days on site for a typical house.
- Guide price
- £4,300–£8,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–2 days on site for a typical house
- Postcodes
- EH1, EH2, EH3, EH7 and EH8
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Local area
- City of Edinburgh
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for replacement windows in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, guide figures for replacement windows sit at £4,300–£8,600, VAT included. We set them using rates for Scotland, currently about 4% below the national guide. The table shows what pushes a project towards either end of the range; your own price is set after a free survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| One to three windows | Replacing a few problem windows, such as a bay or a rotten kitchen window, in uPVC. | £650–£2,900 |
| Whole house in uPVC | Eight to ten standard uPVC casement windows on a typical 3-bed semi, fitted and finished. | £4,300–£7,200 |
| Whole house in aluminium or flush sash | Premium frames, colours or period styles across a typical 3-bed home. | £7,200–£13,500 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Frame material, colour and finish, inside and out
- Glazing type: double, triple, acoustic, obscure or toughened
- Window style, such as sash, flush sash or tilt-and-turn
- Upper-floor access, scaffolding and the condition of reveals and sills
Scope of the work
- Measured survey of every opening, with sizes checked before manufacture
- Made-to-measure frames in your chosen material, colour and style
- Careful removal and disposal of the old frames and glass
- Fixings, packers, foam and weather seals to suit your wall type
- New internal trims, external cills and neat sealant finishing
- Building regulations sign-off arranged and paperwork handed over
Building in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's New Town is a planned Georgian sandstone townscape within a World Heritage Site, and districts such as Marchmont and Leith have Victorian tenements. Bungalows and villas fill the suburbs, Midlothian has former mining villages, Livingston was built as a new town, and East Lothian villages often have red pantile roofs.
Listed and conservation-area homes need careful window and stone repairs. Bungalows commonly suit loft conversions and dormers, and suburban semis take extensions and garage conversions.
These patterns matter for replacement windows: older walls, roofs and floors in Edinburgh can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Permissions for replacement windows in Edinburgh
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For Edinburgh, the answer is Scotland, and the points below reflect that; we verify them with the council before quoting.
In Scotland, replacing windows and doors on a house generally needs no planning permission when the style is similar, but listed buildings and conservation areas are closely controlled and often need consent for any change of material or pattern.
A building warrant is not usually needed for like-for-like replacement windows, but the new units must still meet the Scottish building standards, including energy performance and, where relevant, escape from upper floors.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How does the job run?
Free site survey
First, someone visits your home in Edinburgh to see the space, take measurements and note anything that could affect the work, such as access or the condition of what is there. There is no charge for this visit.
Your fixed price
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Plan and prepare
We handle the paperwork side: checking whether planning permission or building control approval is needed, submitting applications where they are, and scheduling the trades and materials around your dates.
The work itself
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
What you can expect from us
Replacement windows in Edinburgh: questions
How long will replacement windows take?
On a typical home, allow 1–2 days on site for a typical house. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
How much will replacement windows cost in Edinburgh?
As a guide, expect to pay £4,300–£8,600 including VAT for replacement windows in Edinburgh. That range is adjusted for Scotland, which runs about 4% below the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
How much do replacement windows cost?
Replacement windows for a typical 3-bed semi cost £4,300–£8,600, depending on the number of windows, frame material and glazing. A single standard uPVC casement usually works out at roughly £500–£950 fitted, while aluminium, flush sash and sliding sash styles cost more. Bays, large panes and upstairs access add to the price. We measure every opening during the survey and give you a fixed price for the agreed specification.
Should I choose uPVC or aluminium windows?
uPVC windows are the lower-cost choice, insulate well and need only occasional cleaning, which suits most houses. Aluminium windows have slimmer frames that let in more light and suit modern homes or large openings, but they cost more. Both come in a wide range of colours and finishes. We usually recommend matching the style and proportions of your home's original windows, especially on period properties.
How do I look after new uPVC or aluminium windows?
Caring for new windows is simple: wash frames and glass with warm soapy water a few times a year, avoiding abrasive cleaners and solvents. Clear the drainage slots at the bottom of the frame so rainwater can escape, and put a drop of light oil on hinges and locking points once a year. Check seals and the sealant around the outside every few years, and replace any that have cracked or shrunk.
Near Edinburgh
Addresses in EH1, EH2, EH3 and EH7 are all covered for Edinburgh, along with Musselburgh, Bonnyrigg and Penicuik close by. Give us your postcode when you get in touch and we will confirm the details.