Six questions about what you are planning, and a plain-English summary of the consents the work is likely to need. Free, instant and no contact details required.
★ 4.9/5 · 130+ combined reviews across Google and Edinburgh Trusted Trader · Free self-serve guidance · No details needed for the result
4.9/5 from 130+ combined reviews across Google and Edinburgh Trusted Trader · Written quote before work starts · One project lead throughout
The Sweet Homes building warrant checker is a free self-serve tool for homeowners planning alterations in Edinburgh. Six questions cover internal walls, drainage and sanitary fittings, heating appliances, listed or conservation status, tenement shared parts and changes of use. The result points to questions for the verifier, planning authority, solicitor, factor or the professionals the homeowner appoints. It is guidance, not a determination.
In Scotland, the local authority acts as verifier for building warrants and accepts completion certificates. Schedule 3 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 identifies work that may not require a warrant, subject to its conditions and exceptions. Property details and the proposed design can change the route, so the appointed architect or warrant professional should confirm it with the verifier before work starts.
The checker runs entirely in the browser. The answers are not submitted or stored.
Source: Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004, schedule 3
“Brunon does a clear and thorough written quotation before the work, so you know exactly what is expected.”
Verified Google review
Sweet Homes is the contractor. The company checks buildability and prices construction from the approved drawings, specification and other information supplied through the homeowner’s appointed team.
The alterations that most commonly trigger a consent in Edinburgh housing stock.
Under two minutes, no details required.
About the works you are planning, not about you. If you are unsure on a question, pick the more cautious answer. The checker is designed to over-flag rather than under-flag.
It appears straight away on the page. Each consent it raises comes with a short plain-English reason, so you can see which of your answers drove it.
Copy the points you want to raise with the verifier or appointed professional. The result stays on this page until you reset or leave it.
Before work starts, the homeowner’s appointed architect or warrant professional should confirm the route with the local authority verifier. Sweet Homes prices the construction information that follows.
The six-question checker is free and requires no submission. It does not replace a property inspection, professional design work or a verifier’s decision. The homeowner appoints the architect, structural engineer and warrant professional where the project needs them. Sweet Homes can then price and carry out the defined contractor scope from their approved information.
Trusted Trader verified 4.9 stars · 130+ combined reviews across Google and Edinburgh Trusted Trader
Six questions about the works, not about you. Nothing is submitted or stored. Where you are unsure on a question, choose the more cautious answer.
I had Sweet Homes come to replace my bathroom floor, replace a radiator and move a fixed cabinet and do some minor paint touch-ups. This was the second time Brunon and his team have done work on my property. They’ve done a good job again and I’m happy with the quality of the work, the floor looks great. The job ended up being a bit bigger than anticipated due to an unseen leak and some quite bad damage behind the back of the toilet and shower, but they were able to fix up all of this without any additional stress for me, and communicated clearly with me what was going on. Brunon and his team have consistently shown up and done what they’ve said they’ll do, when they’ve said they’ll do it, and they’ve always kept me in the know if there are any minor changes of plan. This time the work was carried out by Robert and Alex who were both easy to have around and just got on with things. Brunon does a clear and thorough written quotation before the work which I appreciate so you know exactly what is expected and what is being priced for.
Verified Edinburgh Trusted Trader review
We discovered Brunon through Edinburgh Trusted Trader and couldn’t be happier with the results. They removed an internal living room wall and a chimney stack in our kitchen, and then installed a new kitchen. The space was tricky, with lots of awkward angles, but Brunon and his team were fantastic problem-solvers. They even managed to fit our fridge-freezer with custom carpentry. The attention to detail was outstanding, from the kitchen units to the plastering. Brunon has a great team, and we’re especially grateful to Alex, Marek, and Richard.
Verified Edinburgh Trusted Trader review
Replacing large timber gate: replacing timber soffits in porch with PVC soffit panels; removing window and replacing with double glazed PVC tilt and turn window: strip render off garden wall and replace; fixing existing coping stoners. It was pleasing that at an early stage, Brunon of Sweet Homes, arranged to call to see the works required. He has an easy manner and was happy to discuss the different options and listen to my thoughts on them. He produced a detailed quotation for the works and costs. He also provided a useful outline of timeframes including items which had to be manufactured. He kept in touch by phone or email with updates on progress with manufacturing. He had members of his team on site and working within the time he had said. He introduced each person individually and agreed start times for them. They were always punctual and got on with the tasks. They were easy to get on with and meticulous in respecting our property. Brunon, as well as getting involved at times, maintained oversight of the works in progress. One of the many pleasant aspects of the overall project was the attention he paid to keeping us informed about what was happening and was planned. It was a very enjoyable experience and my wife, and I would not hesitate to call on Brunon and his team at Sweet Homes for future jobs.
Verified Edinburgh Trusted Trader review
The checker helps a homeowner recognise common interfaces. It cannot assess a wall, fire separation, drainage route, flue, title condition or listed feature. The relevant appointed professional and authority decide those questions.
The result identifies why an answer may matter. The homeowner can take that prompt to the verifier, planning authority, solicitor, factor or appointed design professional without treating it as project approval.
Sweet Homes does not act as architect, structural engineer or warrant adviser. The company checks the construction sequence and prices the approved information supplied through the homeowner’s appointed team.
The same answers produce the same result. An authority or appointed professional may reach a different conclusion after considering the property, drawings and exact work.
Our guide to questions to ask before hiring a contractor is free to read and does not require contact details.
If the homeowner’s appointed team has defined the construction scope, email Sweet Homes with the property type, general area and the information already available to request a call about the build.
★ 4.9/5 · 130+ combined reviews across Google and Edinburgh Trusted Trader
The checker uses the Scottish building-warrant framework and is written for Edinburgh homeowners. Its result does not override the local authority verifier, planning authority or the homeowner’s appointed professional.
Outside Scotland the system is different and this checker does not apply.
What is a building warrant?
A building warrant is the verifier’s approval of proposed building work under the Scottish system. The applicant submits a completion certificate after the work; the verifier decides whether to accept it. The Scottish Government and the local authority provide the governing guidance.
Does taking out an internal wall need a building warrant?
It can. Schedule 3 contains limited exceptions, but the wall’s structural and fire-safety roles, the property type and the proposed work matter. The homeowner’s appointed architect or warrant professional should establish the route with the verifier; Sweet Homes prices the approved construction information.
Do I need a warrant to move a bathroom?
Schedule 3 includes specific exceptions and conditions for some sanitary work. Moving fittings, forming a new room or changing drainage may alter the position. The verifier or appointed warrant professional should check the exact layout and pipework.
Do I need a warrant to replace my boiler?
The answer depends on the appliance, fuel, flue and exact scope, including the conditions and exceptions in Schedule 3. Ask the verifier or appointed professional before relying on a general answer. Gas work must separately be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Does a loft or garage conversion need a warrant?
A proposal to turn a roof space or garage into habitable accommodation normally raises a building-warrant question. The exact design, existing building and intended use still need to be assessed through the homeowner’s appointed team and the verifier.
What if my flat is listed or in a conservation area?
Listed building consent and planning permission are separate from a building warrant. City of Edinburgh Council planning decides whether the particular proposal needs either consent. The homeowner’s appointed architect should establish that route before Sweet Homes prices the build.
Does work that does not need a warrant still have to meet the regulations?
Schedule 3 states that work within its exceptions still has to meet the applicable building standards, subject to the provisions of that schedule. The appointed professional or verifier can explain what applies to the proposed work.
What happens if work was done without a warrant?
Contact the local authority verifier and an appropriately qualified professional. The available procedure depends on what was built and when. Sweet Homes does not determine or regularise historic approval status.
Customer feedback
4.9/5 from 130+ combined reviews
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