Cover pebble dash · Scotland
Covering pebble dash in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Quotes for pebble dash covering in Edinburgh and the Lothians set out the system, detailing, access and VAT position in writing. Before quoting Edinburgh and the Lothians pebble dash jobs, we tap-test each elevation and mark any hollow areas.
- Free survey and fixed written price
- Guide price from £72 per m² + scaffold, inc VAT
- Planning and building control checked for Scotland
Free survey in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Tell us the postcode and what you need.
Included as standard
- Tap-testing finds hollow, loose areas before anything is decided
- Loose areas are cut out and patched first
- Combining with insulation adds warmth as well as a new look
- Sound dash can be insulated over with extra mechanical fixings
- Render-over uses a bonding coat and mesh to level the stones

Before we quote in Edinburgh and the Lothians
East Central Scotland mixes stone tenements and terraces with post-war council housing and harled bungalows and semis.
Exposure to wind-driven rain varies across Edinburgh and the Lothians: sheltered town streets fare better than walls on high ground or facing the prevailing weather, and the render, beads and cill details are chosen with that in mind.
If you're covering pebble dash in Edinburgh and the Lothians, we price both a render-over and an insulate-over option.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Region
- East Central Scotland
- Towns covered
- Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate
- Guide price
- From £72 per m² + scaffold · inc VAT
Planning and building control in Scotland
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. Listed buildings need listed building consent. Ask your council's planning team before committing.
Work that alters an external wall's construction is covered by the building standards system; many over-cladding projects need a building warrant from the council's building standards team, and Section 6 (Energy) of the Technical Handbooks sets insulation benchmarks.
When does pebble dash need removing?
Where it's widely hollow, cracked or letting water in, or where the wall underneath needs to be inspected or repaired. Removal is dusty and noisy and can damage the face of soft bricks, so it's not the default.
Covering pebble dash prices in Edinburgh and the Lothians
| Item | Guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Render over sound pebble dash | £72–£114 per m²inc VAT | Excluding scaffold |
| Insulate over pebble dash (EWI) | £110–£175 per m²0% VAT | |
| Pebble dash removal | £24–£48 per m²inc VAT | Where needed |
Confirmed by a fixed written quote after survey. Prices include VAT at 20%. 0% VAT: installing insulation in a home is zero-rated until 31 March 2027, so these figures are the total; 5% applies from 1 April 2027.
How it works
Enquiry
Send your postcode and a few details.
Measured survey
Walls, damp, eaves, cills and services recorded.
Written price
A fixed price with the specification attached.
Work and handover
Installed, inspected and documents handed over.
Cover pebble dash in Edinburgh and the Lothians: questions
Can I paint pebble dash instead?
You can, but it doesn't fix hollow areas or cracks, and paint on dash often needs redoing every few years.
Will the stones show through?
No. A levelling base coat with mesh fills over the stones before the finish goes on.
Is it cheaper to cover pebble dash or remove it?
Covering is usually cheaper and less disruptive, as long as the dash is sound.
Do you cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Yes. We survey and quote pebble dash covering across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate.
Do I need planning permission in Scotland?
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. We check your address before quoting.