Thistle Home Renovations is a home improvement and renovation team built around long standing trade expertise, practical project leadership, and a straightforward promise: do the job properly, and leave your home better than we found it.
What we do
We deliver considered, well managed residential projects, including:
- Home extensions
- Full and partial renovations
- Internal reconfiguration and layout improvements
- Attic conversions
- Bespoke kitchens and bathrooms
- Period property upgrades and traditional finishes
Whether you are improving a forever home or making a property work better for modern life, we focus on results that look right, function beautifully, and stand the test of time.
Bringing your dreams to life
Our team brings more than 25 years of combined experience across the building industry, with a track record of delivering high quality work for homeowners across Edinburgh and the Lothians. That experience sits with the people on site and in the day-to-day management of your project - we believe it is the knowledge, the standards, and the care that matter.
How we work
Where needed, we can support the early stages of design and planning, including preparing drawings and helping you navigate the planning process with the relevant local authority. Once work begins, you can expect an organised site, consistent communication, and a team that treats your home with respect. Dust happens. Chaos is optional.
Craft, care, and period property knowledge
Edinburgh and the surrounding areas include many Victorian and Edwardian homes, and they deserve a careful approach. Our team has strong experience with traditional construction methods and finishes, including high quality plasterwork and detail sensitive refurbishment. We combine that respect for the original fabric of a building with modern performance expectations, so your home stays true to its character while working better day to day.
Standards you can trust
We are proud of our workmanship, but we are equally proud of the way we run a project. That means punctuality, good site etiquette, honest advice, and a professional finish. A large proportion of our work comes through recommendation and word of mouth, which is a polite way of saying we only get to do this because people talk about us afterwards.
The next generation
Great work is learned, not guessed. We believe in developing talent through apprenticeships and hands on mentoring, helping the next generation of tradespeople build the habits and standards that homeowners deserve.
Our team
Every project starts with listening. We take time to understand how you live, what you want to change, and what success looks like for you. From there, we provide clear guidance on options, budgets, sequencing, and what is realistically achievable within your timescales.
Sean Cairns
Lee Cairns
Our MD, Sean Cairns learned his trade in the public and private sector. Working for himself from the age of twenty, he has developed a good relationship throughout the industry both private and commercial work. A few notable examples was the renovation of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Edinburgh’s West End, Refurbishment of the National Museum of Scotland, the Apple Store in Princes Street and Hotel de Vin in St Andrews.
He has in-depth experience and knowledge of plastering work required on Victorian and Edwardian Buildings. Over the years Sean has build up a team of experienced tradesmen to work with and alongside Thistle. We also take great pride in helping bring through the next generation of tradesmen with our apprentices.
Lee Cairns is co founder and Director of Operations of Thistle Home Renovations. After a twenty-year career in financial services and banking, she chose to move into construction, bringing a strong commercial focus and a commitment to excellent customer experience.
As Director of Operations she oversees the delivery of renovation and extension projects from first briefing through to completion and plays a key role in developing the company team and culture.
Lee has previously served on the Scotland Board of the Federation of Master Builders and has held the role of Vice President, where she championed high standards, skills development and better representation for women in construction.
Ready to talk?
If you are planning an extension, renovation, attic conversion, or a new kitchen or bathroom, get in touch and tell us what you have in mind. Call 0131 259 0186, email enquiries@thistlehomerenovations.com
or visit us at 4 Murrayfield Pl, Edinburgh, EH12 6AA to arrange a site visit and a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a building warrant required?
A building warrant is required in Scotland for most construction work, including building, altering, extending, converting, or demolishing buildings. It must be obtained before work starts, or it is an offence with fines up to £5,000. Common projects requiring a warrant include removing load-bearing walls, loft conversions, and building extensions.
Is planning permission required?
Planning permission is generally required in Scotland for most new developments, significant alterations, or changes of use to land/buildings. However, minor improvements or alterations (“permitted development”) often do not need formal planning permission, though building warrants may still be required.
I have an approved building warrant. What is the next step?
Email us your Approved warrant drawings, then we can set-up a site visit and begin your quote.
I have no drawings. Is it possible to get a quote?
We are unable to give a detailed quote if you have no drawings. However, we can give a rough estimate, this can be subject to change once drawings are approved.
Do you work with other local companies to deliver projects?
Yes. We have well established relationships with many contractors in Edinburgh and surrounding areas who have had made great contributions to projects we have completed over the years.
Will I be able to remain staying in my property during building works?
This all depends on the project. You may have to move out of your home for health and safety at some stages of the build, again all dependent on the scale of the build.
Do you offer FREE no obligation quotations?
Absolutely. We are happy to carry out a site visit at your property at a time that suits you, we will then pass any information to our quotes department who will be in touch with your free no obligation quote.