How To Plan a Kitchen Extension Project?
A kitchen isn’t just a place to prepare food. A kitchen with dining space serves as the best sociable corner of the house. Saying has it that a family that eats together, stays together. A cramped kitchen isn’t ideal for dining or spending some time together preparing meals on holidays and vacations. That’s why people love a house with a kitchen that is big and spacious.
However, if you don’t yet have the kitchen of your dreams, don’t lose hope. You may not be able to buy a house with a big kitchen space, but you sure can transform your kitchen into one. A kitchen extension in London is a common home improvement project for many house owners. Extending your kitchen helps you have the family time you need without moving to a new house.
But before you take up a kitchen extension project, you need to have a plan. It’s not like painting your home; you cannot redo it at your will. That’s why you need to consider a few things before you start with your kitchen extension in London.
What To Consider Before Planning a Kitchen Extension in London?
- Your requirements
Every kitchen extension project is a personalized approach. What suits your neighbor may not be right for you. That’s why you must first make a list of all your requirements before planning on an extension project. Find out exactly how much extra space would be suitable for you, what you want to do with the extra space, how you want the extension to be, etc. You must also consider how much light you want, the kind of atmosphere that you want to create, and so on. All these considerations will help you understand how big the extension project will be and how to go about it.
- Your budget
The next most important thing to factor in is your budget. Unless you have a lot of money to spend, you will have to plan the extension project to fit your budget. You may have a lot of things that you want to change or add, but your budget may not be able to afford it. Also, you may need to pay to get approval for your extension project. So, it is best that you allocate your budget to the most important changes that you want to make. If you have money left after your priorities are sorted out, you can use it for other things that your heart desires.
- Get permission
Once you have decided what you want and how you are going to finance it, it is time to get approval for your kitchen extension project. Not all extension projects may require permission from the local council but you must find that out yourself. Even a small project that alters your outer space may require permission. This is usually based on the location of your property, your property type, size of the new construction, the distance between you and your neighbor, etc. It would be foolish to assume anything based on what others are doing. So, it is best to talk to the council and have an inspector come over to your place. This will help you get prior approval, if necessary, for your extension project.
- Choose a Preferred Extension Type
Before going in for an extension project, you must decide on an extension type for your project. You can choose to have the extension to the back of your house connecting to your garden or backyard or you may like to have a side return extension. You may also consider combining them together and create an L-shaped extension that significantly enhances space within your kitchen.
- Select a Design
Based on your requirements and your preferred extension type, you have to select a good design for your kitchen extension. You can shop around for kitchen design ideas or contact specialist architects for a design that match your needs and preferences. Let the architect know how you want your extension to be and work with him/her to create the perfect design for your kitchen extension.
Note: Have your extension design ready before you apply for approval with the local council.
- Focus on Layout
A kitchen extension is meant to make cooking easy and create a space to socialize with friends and family. You do not want it to be all cramped. That’s why the layout of your extension is very important. Do not try to squeeze many things into a small space or you may end up killing the purpose of your extension. Make sure that the cooking area is easily accessible and has no obstacles or narrow pathways. This will enhance your cooking experience. Allocate a well-lit space for the dining area. This could be close to the backyard or garden or somewhere with big glass windows that allow a lot of natural light.
- Look For An Expert Builder
The next important thing to do would be to get a good builder. You have your design and layout ready. Now, you need someone who can turn your dream into reality. Contact some of the best builders in your area and ask for their quotes. Look for builders who have a good reputation and have completed kitchen extension projects successfully in the past. Talk about timelines and method of operation. Make sure that you are getting a good deal.
Note: Don’t fall for cheap price traps. You will waste your money and time and will be left with an unfinished project. Go for a reasonable quote from an expert builder.
- Create The Right Blend
While planning your kitchen extension project, do remember to create the right blend with your existing kitchen. You wouldn’t want a stark difference between the old and new sections. As such, it is best to select materials, colors, finishes, hues, frames, etc. that match your existing kitchen section. You can also blur boundaries to create a seamless appearance between the old and new sections
- Get Your Plan Rolling
Once you are done with all of the above, it is time to finally start the project. But before you do so, you should send intimation to your neighbors about the commencement of the project. You must also have a temporary kitchen set up for use. Make sure that the builders have easy access to the kitchen area and project materials can be easily brought in.
Kitchen extension projects can completely change the way you use your kitchen. They not only create more space but improve the ambience of the area and enhance your cooking and dining experience. You need someone like Propertize Construction who can offer turnkey solutions for your kitchen extension project and help materialize your dreams.
We are a leading Design and Build Construction Company London helping clients fulfil their dream kitchen extension project. We cater to all your needs and develop aesthetically beautiful and fully functional kitchen extensions where you can create memories of a lifetime.
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