In short: An HMO bedroom upgrade refits a letting room so it is more comfortable and easier to let: built-in storage, a proper desk space, better lighting and sockets, sound-reducing doors, durable flooring and fresh decoration. Across East Lothian, the work is planned around Scotland’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- EH, TD
- Main towns
- Musselburgh
What do bedroom upgrades and room refits in East Lothian involve?
- Flooring and decoration
- Fitted wardrobes and storage
- New fire door with closer where needed
- Window and radiator upgrades
- Desk area with sockets and USB points
- Sound-reducing measures
Which rules apply in East Lothian?
- Room sizes are set by each council; East Lothian, for example, uses 6.5 m² for a single room with a shared lounge and kitchen, and 10 m² without.
- The tolerable standard requires interlinked smoke alarms in the main living room and circulation spaces and a heat alarm in the kitchen; licensed HMOs must meet the council’s higher standard.
- An EICR before the first let and at least every 5 years, with C1 and C2 items fixed, PAT testing of supplied appliances and RCD protection.
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much do bedroom upgrades and room refits cost in East Lothian?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom upgrade: fitted storage, desk, sockets, flooring, decoration (our estimate) | £1,500 – £4,500 | £1,400 – £4,300 | room |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £280 – £570 | door |
| Acoustic upgrade to a party or partition wall | £900 – £2,000 | £860 – £1,900 | wall |
Typical time on site: 2–5 working days per room. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Bedroom upgrades and room refits by town in East Lothian
Questions about bedroom upgrades and room refits in East Lothian
Can you add an ensuite at the same time?
Often, yes, if there is space and drainage can be reached. We check both at the survey.
Can you do rooms one at a time?
Yes. Most clients upgrade rooms as they become empty so the rest of the house keeps earning.
Do you carry out bedroom upgrades and room refits across East Lothian?
Yes, across the whole of East Lothian, including Musselburgh.
Who licenses HMOs in East Lothian?
East Lothian council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in East Lothian
- Ensuite installation in East Lothian
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in East Lothian
- Professional and co-living HMO refurbs in East Lothian
- Sound insulation in East Lothian
- Rewires and EICR remedials in East Lothian
- Full HMO refurbishment in East Lothian
- Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in East Lothian
- Student HMO refurbishment in East Lothian