Building warrant drawings and structural calculations

Before you can build, someone has to draw it. A set of drawings usually costs about £850 to £1,500 and structural calculations another £400 to £1,000 for a Glasgow loft conversion. If you're at this stage, you don't need to commit to a builder yet.

We don't draw plans ourselves. Choose "Drawings only" on the form and we'll pass your enquiry to one independent local firm who can help. Free to use, no obligation.

What it usually costs

Source: MyJobQuote, Loft Conversion Cost in Glasgow (9 October 2026). Warrant fees depend on the value of the work, and mygov.scot points to a fee calculator on the eDevelopment portal. Check the current planning fee with your council.

Other jobs differ. For a garage, MyJobQuote (9 July 2026) gives £500 to £2,500 for drawings and £500 to £1,200 for an engineer. Fees rise with the size of the job and how many times the design has to change, so settle what you want before the detailed drawings start.

Rules, dates and prices on this page were last checked on 30 October 2026.

Planning and building warrant

The two run on separate tracks, and you may need to go through both.

• Planning application. Only if it isn't permitted development. It looks at appearance and effect on neighbours. Our planning guide shows how to tell. You can apply through the planning portal or your council.
• Building warrant. It's needed for most conversions and extensions. It deals with structure, fire, ventilation, insulation and stairs, and you apply through the eDevelopment portal. Your plans must show where the work is and what it is, with a fee paid.

The Scottish Government's customer journey guide (published May 2016, so check timings with your council) says you'll usually hear the outcome in about 20 working days, though the council may come back for more information first. With a warrant you get approved plans and a Construction Compliance and Notification Plan, which tells you when the council wants to be told about stages of the work.

In Glasgow itself

In Glasgow, the team's email is [email protected], from the eDevelopment contacts list (August 2023), and the Scottish Government's contact list (February 2019, so check it) gives 0141 287 8555. For the councils around the city, see our pages for Giffnock, Bearsden, Paisley and East Kilbride.

What goes into a set

• Existing drawings. Measured plans, sections and elevations of the house as it is.
• Proposed drawings. The same again, showing the new work, the stair and the height inside.
• Structural design. Calculations for steels, floor joists and what's holding them up, with an engineer's design.
• Specification. How the insulation, fire protection, ventilation and alarms meet the standards.
• Location plan. Where the house sits, and its boundary.

Who to use

Some firms handle the design themselves or through someone they work with, and include it in the price. Others expect you to come with an approved warrant. Either can work. If you go to an architect or technician first, ask for drawings that a builder can price from, and find out who deals with any queries from the council.

After the work, the owner submits a completion certificate to the council. According to the customer journey guide, you can use the new space once it has been accepted, and you should keep it for any future sale. Don't lose it.