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.
Our guide for replacement windows in Scotland comes to £4,300–£8,600 with VAT added, and that range applies across Highlands and Islands, including Inverness, Isle of Lewis, Fort William and Nairn. Your own price depends on the size of the job, the specification and how easy it is to work on the site. We survey for free, check any consents needed under the rules in Scotland, and then put the price in writing.
- Guide price
- £4,300–£8,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–2 days on site for a typical house
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Price level
- About 4% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Replacement windows prices in Highlands and Islands
What will replacement windows cost in Highlands and Islands? Our guide range is £4,300–£8,600 including VAT. That figure is adjusted for Scotland, about 4% below the national guide, and is intended for planning a budget. A firm written price for your chosen specification follows a free survey at your home.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Highlands and Islands |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Number and size of windows, including bays and large picture windows
- Frame material, colour and finish, inside and out
- Glazing type: double, triple, acoustic, obscure or toughened
- Upper-floor access, scaffolding and the condition of reveals and sills
What do you get?
- Measured survey of every opening, with sizes checked before manufacture
- Made-to-measure frames in your chosen material, colour and style
- Double-glazed units as standard, with triple glazing as an option
- 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
Homes in Highlands and Islands
Inverness has Victorian villas and terraces and large modern estates, while rural Highland homes range from harled stone cottages and croft houses to modern timber-frame kit houses, which are common across the region. Orkney uses local flagstone, and island and coastal communities mix traditional stone homes with newer bungalows.
Croft houses and stone cottages often need lime harling, re-roofing and window renewal. Bungalows commonly take extensions and loft rooms, and remote projects need careful planning for materials and access.
Exposure to wind, rain and snow can be severe, especially on the west coast and islands, and remote sites need allowance for ferries and weather delays.
Planning and building rules in Highlands and Islands
Because Highlands and Islands falls under Scotland's rules, the guidance below is the version relevant to you. Before sending a price, we check your property's position with the council.
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
We begin by looking at the job in person. During the free survey we discuss options, materials and budget for replacement windows, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
Quote in writing
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for replacement windows.
Getting ready
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
On site to finish
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.
How we work
Questions about replacement windows in Highlands and Islands
Can you combine replacement windows with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan replacement windows alongside other work on your Highlands and Islands home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
Do I need planning permission for new windows?
Planning permission is not usually needed to replace windows with similar ones, but it depends on the size and style of the change, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you live in. Listed buildings normally need consent for any change, and some conservation areas restrict uPVC or new styles. Flats may also need the building owner's approval. We check the position for your property before quoting.
Is triple glazing worth paying extra for?
Triple glazing adds a third pane of glass, which cuts heat loss and outside noise further than standard double glazing. It typically adds around a third to the cost of the glass units and makes opening sashes heavier. It makes most sense on cold or noisy elevations, or in homes being upgraded to a high energy standard. For many houses, modern double glazing with a warm edge spacer gives most of the benefit for less money.
Which postcodes in Highlands and Islands do you cover?
We cover IV1, HS1, PH33 and IV12, along with the rest of Highlands and Islands. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
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.
Towns in Highlands and Islands
Below is our list of Highlands and Islands towns for replacement windows. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.