Essential Do’s and Don’ts for Kitchen Extensions
Whether you’re considering a kitchen extension in the near future or may opt for one down the line, it’s important to be aware of the key do’s and don’ts for getting such a project right. Let’s get right to it!
The Essential Dos
Starting with the dos, here are some important steps you’ll want to take to get things right.
Plan Carefully
To start with, it’s important that sufficient time is dedicated to the planning and design process. For instance, while you’ll want to talk with the planning department, you’ll likely have to work alongside an architect.
An architect will be able to provide the initial planning drawings, which will take about eight weeks altogether. Alternatively, you may end up working with a surveyor or architect technician, depending on the nature of the work/projection.
When it comes to planning, while you’ll want to consider your ideal vision, it’s important to also consult in detail with the professional you’re working alongside. After all, they’ll be able to bring their invaluable experience to the table and offer ideas that may have you change your mind about certain aspects of the kitchen extension design.
You may also want to hire a project manager to help you through the entire project. Of course, this will depend on your budget and other factors.
Engage with Your Neighbours
To minimise any conflict and time delays, it’s important that you talk to your neighbours about the proposed extension. You’ll want to inform them as early as possible and make sure that they are okay with the plans. If not, there’s a chance they may object to it.
If you face objections, you’ll want to consider whether to make adjustments to your plans (which may be legally mandated at the end of the day if their objections succeed). However, if you find that only one neighbour objects and you and the professionals you work with believe they are being unreasonable, you may decide to go ahead with the current plans as they are. Of course, this is still not a decision to take lightly, as it will probably cause conflict/tension.
With all that said, more than likely, you won’t face issues with regard to a kitchen extension. Just be sure that it meets all planning and building regulation requirements at the very least and, ideally, that it won’t cause any technically legal obstructions or annoyances for neighbours that could cause them to object.
The Essential Don’ts
Now here are some things you’ll want to avoid when it comes to your kitchen extension.
Forgetting About How the Space Will Feel
When looking at design drawings for a kitchen extension, it may be difficult to truly imagine how it will look and feel in person.
Therefore, you should spend time trying to visualise it as best you can and think about how you’d feel in such a space. Does it feel cosy or cramped? Does it look vibrant or visually overbearing?
Answering these sorts of questions can help ensure that your kitchen extension will turn out as you hope.
Not Considering Its Specific Utility
Moreover, it’s important to also carefully consider exactly why you want to extend your kitchen. What will you use the extra space for, and how might you rearrange existing fittings and appliances?
Even if your kitchen is cramped, it’s important to think about what precise purposes extra space will serve (e.g., room to add a kitchen island or larger table).
Also, when it comes to storage, consider how the extra room will allow you to store more items, utensils etc. This should be taken into account early on so that you can make the most of your kitchen when the project is finished.
Being at Home When You Have Alternatives
If you have somewhere else to stay during the project (e.g., another family member’s home), it would be best to head there for 8 to 16 weeks the project may be.
After all, if you and other household members are home during this time span, it can make it harder for the construction team to work more efficiently. All in all, this can lead to a longer project and potentially higher labour costs, depending on how you are billed.
Finding the Right Professionals for You
Whether it be the architect, building company or otherwise, it’s important to spend time finding the right people/companies for the job.
Depending on the size of the project, the cost of a kitchen extension is likely to land between £12,000 and £67,000 plus an additional £2,100 to £3,600 (approx.) for an architect.
When hiring professionals for the work at hand, aside from considering their quote (we recommend getting quotes from three professionals/companies for each work area of the project – i.e., architect, builders etc.), you’ll also want to take their level of experience and any online ratings/reviews they have on board.
With all of these details considered, you’ll be able to get a sense of the value for money they each provide, and ultimately, it’s best to go with those who offer the most bang for your buck and who you trust the most to do a stellar job!
