4.9/5 from 130+ combined reviews across Google and Edinburgh Trusted TraderEdinburgh Trusted TraderWritten quote before work starts12-month workmanship warrantyOne project lead throughoutWhat the available reports mean for your renovation
The paid review is separate from construction. Regional scope, travel and fee are agreed before booking or payment. A Home Report normally includes a survey and valuation, a property questionnaire and an energy report, although some properties are exempt. The questionnaire can include listing and conservation information. Contractor-led advice helps you consider what the available information means for your proposed renovation, its sequence and cost drivers. Specialist survey and legal questions remain with the appropriate professional. Check the property and proposal against current local controls. Windows, boundary work, access changes and extensions can follow different approval routes. Establish site and policy boundaries before planning an extension. Neighbouring open land does not establish which controls apply to the property. Record stone walls, building lines and traditional details affected by the proposal. Check requirements before choosing replacement products or finishes. Work near a listed building or designated garden may need setting assessment. Ask your designer or the council what consultation and information are needed.Property context and service details
Local questions to resolve before renovation
Property-specific planning controls
Check current permitted development rules, directions, conditions and building status. Conservation-area location alone does not settle the approval route.
Village-edge policy boundaries
Confirm site and policy boundaries before relying on an extension or outbuilding. Have your designer assess the proposal’s relationship to nearby protected land.
Character and replacement specifications
Record existing stonework, windows, roofs and boundary details. Establish the specification from the actual building, work and applicable controls.
Edinburgh core operational area
Tell us the property location and any access or timing constraints.
What the Pre-Purchase Feasibility Check includes
The standard walkthrough reviews visible construction and the information available about the property, including homes you are considering buying. Concealed conditions remain unknown until investigated. Invasive investigation can be arranged and priced separately. This is contractor-led feasibility advice, not a structural survey, valuation or legal report.
A paid, structured assessment that gives you a written record before you commit.
The non-invasive walkthrough
Arranged around access availability. Before or after you make an offer, before is better. We review the visible renovation constraints and the information available about the property.
Planning questions and next checks
We review visible construction, available records, cost drivers and questions to resolve. Planning decisions, legal advice, valuation, structural assessment, specialist investigation and design remain with the relevant authority or appointed professional. Hidden conditions and a proposal’s acceptability are not established by the visit.
Realistic budget range
Based on current contractor and material costs. Where relevant, an assessment of the cost premium for heritage-standard materials and the additional requirements of working within a listed building or conservation area.
Written Feasibility Summary (PDF)
Delivery timing is agreed with you. The written summary includes a Red, Amber, Green list of unknowns, likely scope, cost drivers and questions for the appropriate professional.
Fee offset against project
If you proceed with Sweet Homes for the renovation work within 60 days, the £420 including VAT (£350 plus VAT) feasibility check fee is offset against the project cost.
How the feasibility check works
Straightforward. You share the listing, we walk the property, you get a written record.
Get in touch with the listing
Share the property listing link and any photographs you have. If you have specific concerns about listed building status, conservation area constraints, or planning rules, bring those questions to the conversation. Send your enquiry by form or email. We will reply and arrange a follow-up call to talk through the project.
We agree the visit and fee
The fee is £420 including VAT (£350 plus VAT), fixed before we arrange access. We confirm the visit date around seller availability.
The non-invasive walkthrough
We walk the property with you, or alone if you cannot attend. Check the Home Report and available records, then confirm the implications for your proposed work with the appropriate professional.
Written summary
Your written summary records visible observations, construction scope, cost drivers and unresolved questions. Delivery timing is agreed, and the record is yours to share.
What this actually costs you
An Edinburgh walkthrough and written summary cost £420 including VAT (£350 plus VAT). Fees further afield are agreed separately using this as the starting point. We confirm the scope and fee before you book or pay. You can take the written summary to any contractor. Sweet Homes may also quote for later work. If you agree renovation work with Sweet Homes within 60 days of the walkthrough, the consultancy fee is deducted from the project cost.
Trusted Trader verified 4.9 stars · 130+ combined reviews across Google and Edinburgh Trusted Trader 12-month workmanship warrantyWhat clients say about working with Sweet Homes
Prompt, clear quotation with work then performed to a high standard and the quoted price. Brunon talked me through all stages of the work. Professional, pleasant and trustworthy: I would have no hesitation in using Brunon’s services again.
Jonathan Murray, Verified Trusted Trader review
Brunon does a clear and thorough written quotation before the work, so you know exactly what is expected. He tries to simplify jobs, rather than complicate.
Verified Google review
Meticulous in respecting our property. He knows exactly what he is doing.
Verified Trusted Trader review
Illustrative renovation questions
Replacement windows in a conservation area
Record the building’s status, window elevation and existing and proposed designs. Confirm the approval route before selecting the product and pricing installation.
He knows exactly what he is doing.
Verified Trusted Trader review
A shop considered for residential use
Confirm the proposed residential use and relevant restrictions with the council and your adviser. Check access, services and layout before assuming conversion.
A clear and thorough written quotation before the work, so you know exactly what is expected.
Verified Google review
An extension at the village edge
Establish the site and policy boundaries with your designer before assuming an extension. Nearby open land does not by itself determine the property’s controls.
Meticulous in respecting our property.
Verified Trusted Trader review
Work near a designated garden or listed setting
Ask your designer or the council whether the proposal needs setting assessment or consultation. Define access and materials alongside those requirements.
They owned it from start to finish.
Verified Google review
Ask about a feasibility walkthrough in Balerno
If you are considering a property in Balerno and want to understand what the renovation will realistically involve before you commit, we would be glad to hear from you. Share the property listing link and any photographs you have. The walkthrough is £420 including VAT (£350 plus VAT), fixed in writing before we arrange the visit.
★ 4.9/5 · 130+ combined reviews across Google and Edinburgh Trusted Trader
“Prompt, clear quotation with work then performed to a high standard and the quoted price. Brunon talked me through all stages of the work. Professional, pleasant and trustworthy: I would have no hesitation in using Brunon’s services again.”
Jonathan Murray, Verified Trusted Trader review
The short enquiry form covers the property, location and the work you are considering. Send your enquiry by form or email. We will reply and arrange a follow-up call to talk through the project.
Where we cover around Balerno
We advise customers at their properties in Balerno. Our registered office handles registration and mail only; customers do not visit it. Balerno is within our core Edinburgh operational area. The former Balerno branch railway closed to passengers in 1943 and its trackbed is now the Water of Leith Walkway.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call or email with the property address and we will confirm.
Balerno feasibility check: things worth knowing
Check the current direction’s wording, area and work categories. Windows, openings, extensions and boundary changes should not be treated as one rule.
Check site and policy boundaries with the council or your designer. Proximity to protected land alone does not determine an extension’s acceptability.
Record window design, elevation and building status before choosing replacements. Establish planning, prior approval and listed-building consent requirements separately.
Ask your designer or the council whether work affecting a designated garden or listed setting needs assessment or consultation.
Before relying on residential conversion of a shop, check current policy and restrictions with the council and your adviser.
We agree the delivery timing with you. The PDF records visible findings, unknowns and likely cost drivers, and can be shared with your solicitor or another contractor.
You can take the written summary to any contractor. Sweet Homes may also quote for later work. If you agree renovation work with Sweet Homes within 60 days of the walkthrough, the consultancy fee is deducted from the project cost.
Guides before a local advice appointment
Read these general guides before asking about local renovation advice. The scope and appointment arrangements are agreed for your property.