Kitchen remodel - here do I start?

3 years ago

We want to remodel our kitchen and dining room. This will mean adding a small single storey extension, knocking through the internal wall between the kitchen and dining room, possibly moving a window and creating an internal wall to make a large cupboard, then refitting the kitchen, utility room and cloakroom.

I've got various ideas about what needs to be done but I have no idea where to start.

I talked to an architect who said he would do a feasibility study for us but I don't really understand what this will gain me.

Should I go for the feasibility study then get him to draw up plans? then approach builders?

Should I get building companies in and hope they will have a "pet "architect who can advise me?

Should I get a kitchen/interior designer in and if so will they advise on the whole project or just the kitchen layout?

I'm on a limited budget so suspect I can't afford the interior designer option but at the moment I'm going round in circles and getting nowhere - I can visualise myself still scratching my head in 12 months time!

Any advice gratefully recieved!

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Comments (3)

PRO
The Ebury Collection Lifestyle Interiors
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Hi Liz,

It would be good if I could see your current floor plan with your current dimensions. I've recently launched my hourly bundles. To make myself available to people who are on a limited budget but would like some professional advice/direction. It would be good to know what the dimensions of your "small" extension would be? This helps with determining the scope of work and whether you would need planning permission etc.

https://www.gov.uk/planning-permission-england-wales

PS: I also work with a talented Interior Architect so there is potential for you to streamline your project without you having to hire different people separately etc. Allowing you to keep your costs down.
PRO
i-architect
3 years ago
Hi Liz!

To answer your questions, I hope this helps:

"I talked to an architect who said he would do a feasibility study for us but I don't really understand what this will gain me."

A feasibility study typically means that the architect will draw some sketch designs for you and then these can be used to test that the project is right for you - things like that it fits your budget, it is likely to get planning permission or it's within permitted development. Things like that.

I offer a similar service called the Home Design Foundation Package.

"Should I go for the feasibility study then get him to draw up plans? then approach builders?"

I would check with the architect that you've spoken with what their feasibility specifically delivers for you - what will you get. I assume that you will get some sketch plans, but I don't know what they will be like or how useful they will be. If they are similar to the ones that I produce then you can use them to get a budget outline from builders, but they are not suitable for use for construction because more detail is needed. However, you could use them as a guideline on the basis that they are an outline sketch design that will need further decisions to be made to be able to build so can't be relied on as construction drawings.

"Should I get building companies in and hope they will have a "pet "architect who can advise me?"

You can do this but most builders work with technologists and not architects because they are cheaper. If budget is your highest priority then this might be OK for you. But if you are looking for more quality then you will get a better result working with an architect first and then going to a builder with a complete set of construction drawings.

"Should I get a kitchen/interior designer in and if so will they advise on the whole project or just the kitchen layout?"

It depends if your architect offers kitchen design or not. This is something that I offer in my Build Package. Some architects do offer this and some don't. If you are looking at getting an extension built then you need an architect, not an interior designer.

Hope this helps!

I've made a video that goes through the main mistakes that homeowners make when having an extension built and how to avoid them. This might help you too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwCG5eLkv0s&t=1s

Best of luck with your project!

Jane, i-architect.co.uk
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OnePlan
3 years ago
Adding extensions are best dealt with by architects or architectural technicians, as Jane mentions, some design kitchens too - if you find one local to you that doesn’t , you can either approach a studio to design for you - or someone like us who’ll design with you, remotely. Then you simply shop around with one plan to compare like for like prices.

If the Architects you have spoken to categorically says you can only go out, for example 2.3m and for a run of only 4.5m for example - a concept planner like us could work to those parameters to give you an idea of what’s achievable for kitchen furniture and space planning etc to those sizes before you engage the architect and start investing in the big bucks. We do that on occasion for client who want to do their own feasibility study. To see if the funds that have will create the desired effect .

Kitchen remodel - here do I start?

Comments (3)

The Ebury Collection Lifestyle Interiors

i-architect

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