It sometimes feels like the kitchens in London houses have been added as an afterthought, squeezed into the tiniest of spaces. Today, however, the kitchen has become the hub of the home, and people are increasingly looking to extend their kitchen to create more space to both cook and entertain.
A small compact kitchen may have sufficed when there were only two of you, but as family situations change, so do expectations of space, and a kitchen extension could give you the extra room you need.
7 steps to extend your kitchen
Develop initial plans, costings, and timeframe
Before you do anything else, you need to decide exactly what sort of space you are looking to create and determine both the layout of your new kitchen and the space it will require.
The layout of your new cooking and entertaining space should inform the type of extension you choose. Once you have worked out where any cookers, sinks, dishwashers, cupboards, and tables will go, you will have a better idea of the size and shape of the space you need to create, and where you might want some natural light.
Will you be building a rear extension out into the garden or a side extension to make use of alley space, or a wrap-around extension that combines both? It is always a fine balance of not encroaching too far into your outdoor space, but at the same time creating enough extra space indoors to enjoy your new kitchen.
The cost of any major construction and renovation project will vary significantly depending on the type and condition of the property you own and exactly how you plan to extend it. However, as a rough estimate you should expect to pay between £1,500 and £3,000 per square metre for a kitchen extension, with construction taking six to twelve months.
Investigate planning permission and relevant building regulations
Trying to work out whether you will need planning permission for your extension and which building regulations your project will need to comply with can be a daunting task, but your architect should be able to help.
If you are applying for planning permission, and your house is not listed or subject to other restrictions, then your architect can submit the plans for you. Or, if your extension falls within the rules of a permitted development, then you will not need planning permission at all.
Whether you need planning permission or not, you will still need to obtain building regulations approval from a building inspector and may also need approval from your neighbours under the Party Wall Act.
Choose an architect
Once you have decided on the extension type and the layout of your kitchen, it is time to find an architect to help you design the extension. Together, you should come up with a design that suits your tastes both in function and design, with ample natural light, and come up with a firmer estimation on costs.
Personal recommendations are always a good way to find a good architect, but however you find your architect make sure they are RIBA Chartered and have a history of designing beautiful extensions.
Find a kitchen designer
A kitchen designer is not a requirement if you already know exactly how you want your kitchen laid out, but when investing large sums in a construction and renovation project, it is always useful to consult a professional to make sure you have everything planned out to the last detail before you start the build. Making changes to designs and plans after construction has started is the major cause of cost overruns in building projects, so if you want your project to be delivered on time and within budget, then make doubly sure you are happy before you hand over the plans to the contractors.
Find a builder or contractor
Once you have the plans agreed and any finance in place, it is time to contract the builders and get started on the project. Deciding on the right builders for your kitchen extension project can be a difficult decision, but look for personal recommendations and strong reviews on platforms like Which?, Checkatrade, or similar to drill down your options, but make sure to get at least a handful of quotes before making any decisions.
Manage the build
Once you have the team in place, it is time to start the actual construction of your kitchen extension. Depending on the size and style of extension, this phase could take up to a year to complete.
If you are project managing the build yourself, then you need to be regularly on site making sure that the materials are arriving on time and everything is continuing as planned. When an issue of some sort inevitably does arise, it is also you that will need to make the decisions to get everything back on track.
Snagging and completion
Once the builders have finished the construction of your new space and the new kitchen has been installed, you always need to check for any issues with finishing or other problems before signing off on the project. Small “snagging” issues are relatively common, but it is always best to perform a thorough inspection at the completion of the project and get any issues fixed immediately.
At Good London Builders, we can help you plan your dream kitchen from inception, through to finding the right architect and contractors and finally completion. Our concierge-style approach to project management takes the complexity and stress out of a major construction and renovation project like this. If you would like to discuss building your dream kitchen extension, then call us today on 020 7978 5097 or fill out our online contact form.
