From 1 April 2025, the Scottish Government will implement the second phase of a three-year plan to increase building warrant fees. This means homeowners planning renovations, extensions, or self-build projects will face higher upfront costs.
Key Highlights
Fee Increases: The cost of obtaining a building warrant will rise by an average of 8%.
A small extension valued at £30,000 will see fees increase from £600 to £648.
A larger home renovation valued at £100,000 will see fees rise from £1,178 to £1,274.
Self-build projects or major extensions over £200,000 will experience £160+ increases in some cases.
Why Are Fees Increasing? The Scottish Government states that additional revenue will help local authorities:
Hire more staff to process applications.
Improve technology and verification services.
Strengthen compliance checks to ensure safer construction.
What This Means for Homeowners
With the changes taking effect almost immediately, homeowners have little time to react. If you were already considering a project, you may want to submit your building warrant application as soon as possible to avoid the higher fees. However, for many, this news comes too late to make adjustments to their plans.
These adjustments are part of a three-year plan to enhance local authority verification services, aiming to improve building standards across Scotland. The additional revenue is intended to fund the hiring of more staff, technological upgrades, and enhanced training programs.
For precise calculations related to your specific project, you will be able to use an updated fee calculator available on the eBuilding Standards website.
For more detailed information, refer to the official legislation document: The Building (Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024.
If you have any further questions or need assistance with your building project, feel free to reach out to us at Houlet Studio.
Final Thoughts
For homeowners, this increase may simply be seen as another added cost in an already expensive process. Rising material and labour prices have made home improvements more challenging, and now even the cost of getting approval is going up. While the government has stated that these fees will help improve service levels, homeowners may feel they are unlikely to see a noticeable difference, just a higher bill for moving forward with their projects.
If you’re unsure how these changes might affect your renovation or self-build, Houlet Studio is here to help. We understand how important it is to budget wisely, and we’re happy to guide you through the process to ensure your plans move forward smoothly.
Considering a project? Reach out today to discuss your next steps before fees go up!