Glasgow’s tenements are some of the best-built homes in Britain — solid sandstone walls, high ceilings, big bay windows. But behind the period charm, most flats that come to market need everything done: rewiring, replumbing, replastering, a new bathroom, a new kitchen and full redecoration. That is exactly the work we specialise in.
Home Decor Zone carries out complete tenement renovations across Glasgow — Southside, West End, Dennistoun, Shawlands, Partick and beyond. One in-house team takes your flat from bare walls to finished home. No subcontractors, one fixed-price quote, one point of contact.
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Why Tenement Flats Need a Specialist Approach
A 1900s tenement is not a modern new-build, and renovating one properly means knowing what you are dealing with. Lath and plaster walls and ceilings often need patching or full replacement, and ornate cornicing deserves to be preserved, not boxed in. High ceilings — often over three metres — mean more wall to plaster and paint, taller units and different access requirements. Most unrenovated flats need a full or partial rewire to current regulations, and original plumbing can include lead supply pipes that should be replaced. Solid sandstone walls bring different fixing, insulation and damp considerations than modern brick, and work affecting shared elements like soil stacks or the close may need factor notification — something we handle as part of the job.
We have renovated tenement flats across Glasgow for over 13 years. We know what is behind the walls before we open them — which means realistic quotes and no nasty surprises halfway through.
What a Full Tenement Renovation Includes
Every project is different, but a typical full renovation covers a complete strip-out where needed, rewiring with a new consumer unit, new plumbing and central heating, replastering and cornice repair, a complete new bathroom with tanking and tiling, a complete new kitchen including structural openings for open-plan layouts, flooring throughout — from sanded original floorboards to engineered wood or LVT — and full painting, decorating and finishings. One team handles all of it, so you never have to coordinate five different trades.
Tenement Renovation Costs in Glasgow (2026)
Honest ballpark figures for a typical two-bedroom tenement flat:
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (decoration, flooring, minor works) | £8,000 – £15,000 |
| Mid renovation (new bathroom + kitchen, partial rewire, decoration) | £25,000 – £45,000 |
| Full back-to-brick renovation (rewire, replumb, replaster, everything new) | £45,000 – £75,000+ |
Final price depends on flat size, condition and specification. Every quote we give is written, itemised and fixed — the price we quote is the price you pay. See our Renovation Costs Guide for more detail.
Buying a Fixer-Upper? Get Us In Before You Commit
If you are viewing a tenement flat that needs work, we offer pre-purchase walkthroughs — we will look at it with you, flag the expensive problems such as wiring, damp or structural issues, and give you a realistic renovation budget before you make an offer. It costs nothing and can save you tens of thousands.
Why Glasgow Homeowners and Landlords Choose Us
Our in-house team covers plumbing, electrics, tiling, plastering, joinery and decorating — no subcontractors. We have spent over 13 years renovating Glasgow tenements, every quote is written, itemised and fixed, and all work carries a 12-month workmanship guarantee with full public liability insurance. Our reviews are independently verified: 4.8★ on MyBuilder (228 reviews), 9.5/10 on Checkatrade (31 reviews). We are also landlord and HMO friendly — we work to deadlines, handle compliance works and can liaise with letting agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full tenement renovation take?
A complete two-bedroom tenement renovation typically takes 6–10 weeks depending on scope. We give you a written programme before we start and keep you updated throughout.
Do I need planning permission to renovate a tenement flat?
Internal renovations generally do not need planning permission. Structural alterations such as removing walls need a building warrant, and listed buildings or conservation areas have extra requirements. We advise on this at quote stage and can handle warrant applications.
Can you preserve original features like cornicing and floorboards?
Yes — and we encourage it. Original cornicing can be repaired or matched, floorboards sanded and finished, and panelled doors restored. Period features add real value to tenement flats.
Do you work with landlords and buy-to-let investors?
Yes. A large share of our tenement work is for landlords preparing flats for rental — including EICR-driven electrical works, fire safety compliance and durable, tenant-proof specifications.
Can I live in the flat during the renovation?
For cosmetic work, usually yes. For a full renovation with rewiring and replumbing, we strongly recommend moving out — it is faster, safer and cheaper overall.
Do you handle factor permissions and shared building issues?
Yes. Where work touches shared elements such as soil stacks or communal walls, we advise what notifications are needed and have years of experience dealing with Glasgow factors.