Navigating Interior Design Costs and Timelines in Edinburgh for 2025

Edinburgh’s architecture is full of charm, but those period ceilings and tricky layouts can hide costly surprises. If you’re planning a renovation or redesign in 2025, you need more than Instagram inspo. You need clarity on realistic budgets, timelines that actually happen, and how to avoid overspend. In this post, I’ll pull back the curtain on how interior design works here, show you what to expect, and share the system I use at Braw House to keep projects on track.

Understanding Interior Design Costs in Edinburgh

The cost of any interior project here depends heavily on:

• Scope & scale — Refresh vs full renovation

• Materials & finishes — Mass-produced vs bespoke joinery, imported stone, custom tiles

• Complexity & constraints — Old plumbing, uneven walls, listed / period properties

• Design & consultant fees — Sketch to concept to specification

• Trade availability & labour premiums — Especially in tight markets

  
  

Because of that, cost numbers will always be estimates—but good ones narrow your risk.

Typical Budget Ranges (2025)

Below are ballpark ranges to orient your plans. These depend heavily on finish level, site conditions, and design ambition.

Area / Type	Basic Refresh	Mid-range	High / Bespoke
Living / Bedroom	£2,000 – £8,000	£8,000 – £18,000	£18,000+
Kitchen (cabinet + appliances)	£7,000 – £15,000	£15,000 – £35,000	£35,000+ (bespoke)
Bathroom / Ensuite	£4,000 – £10,000	£10,000 – £20,000	£20,000+
Open-plan conversions / structural work	+ £5,000 – £20,000	+ £20,000 – £50,000	+ £50,000+

Note: Always set aside a 10–20% contingency above your planned budget.

Costs include design fees, materials, and trade labour, but exclude structural engineers, planning/warrant applications, and VAT. These tables are a guide—not a quote.

Realistic Timelines (What Actually Happens)

Phase	Small project (1 room)	Whole home / large renovation
Discovery & brief	1–2 weeks	2–4 weeks
Concept & design	2–4 weeks	4–8 weeks
Ordering & lead times	2–6 weeks	4–12+ weeks
Construction / fit-out	4–8 weeks	12–24+ weeks
Snagging & final touches	1–2 weeks	2–4 weeks

Common delay triggers:

• Late changes to design or finishes

• Out-of-stock or delayed materials

• Complex site conditions (asbestos, structural surprises)

• Trades scheduling & coordination

The trick is locking spec early and front-loading decisions.

Mistakes That Kill Your Budget (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Changing your mind mid-build

   • Fix: Lock down materials and finishes early.

2. Under-specifying lighting, power & data

   • Fix: Plan all tech in the concept stage.

3. Ignoring allowances for structural work / hidden costs

   • Fix: Always include a buffer and expect surprises.

4. Poor sequencing / trades overlapping poorly

   • Fix: Use a clear roadmap & trade coordination.

5. Not checking lead times on bespoke joinery / specialty items

   • Fix: Get firm lead estimates before signing contracts.

   
   

How Braw House Keeps Projects on Track (My System)

Here’s my framework on every project, big or small:

1. Discovery & Briefing — Scope, style, must-haves, budget, constraints

2. Concept & Moodboards — Visual direction, palettes, layouts

3. Detailed Specification & Sourcing — Fixtures, fittings, finish schedules

4. Trade Coordination & Procurement — Ordering, lead-time management

5. Implementation & Snagging — On-site oversight, quality control

6. Aftercare Support — Final checks, handover, tweaks

   
   

Because at Braw House I'll manage design + procurement + oversight end-to-end, I can forecast better, coordinate tighter, and solve issues before they derail you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I even need a designer?

Yes—if you want to avoid expensive mistakes, get a coherent plan, and make every pound count. Think of me as your investment optimizer.

How far will you work?

I’m based in Edinburgh, but I deliver remote design + procurement across the UK.

What about structural works / builders?

I work with trusted contractors. I’m your coordinator, not your builder. I’ll help you choose and manage them.

Final Thoughts & Next Step

Renovation is part science, part art, part coordination. If you walk in blind, you’ll bleed budget, time, and your sanity.

If you’re serious about getting it right, I’d love to help. Book a free 30-minute consultation so we can map your project, scope, and realistic numbers together — no surprises.

Let’s build your dream space with integrity, creativity, and control.

— Chris, Braw House.