Kitchen Extensions - Everything You Need to Know About Costs Involved

The Benefits of Adding a Kitchen Extension

A kitchen extension is a popular home improvement for a reason. It creates extra space for cooking but also increases the overall value of your property. It is the perfect solution when you need more space for a dining table without the intent to move. You can turn a small kitchen into a functional space that will fulfil the needs of your family without the necessity to renovate a massive chunk of your home. It is relatively expensive but has the power to reinvent the design of your house. You can introduce an extension that will open into the garden or one that is more of a flexible solution and serve you as a desk, dining table, and a place to play with your children at the same time, the possibilities are endless.

Different Types of Extensions You Can Choose From

The kitchen extension cost will vary between the different types of extension you can choose for your home. There are five main options available on the market:

• Single Storey Extension - a fantastic way to add more space to your kitchen, which enables you to include a dining space while only changing the first floor of your house; when choosing this particular extension, make sure its roof complements the exterior of your house.
• Rear Kitchen Extension - it extends from the back of the house and usually very popular where there is no side return option; it has three different roof options (a mono-pitched roof, a centre-pitched roof, and a flat roof); it is, however, likely to reduce the green space around your house.
• Side Return Extension - an extension option that suits most houses that were built in the Victorian or Edwardian era or are inspired by these styles; it is usually fitted in a gap at the side of the house typical for such designs.
• Conservatory Extension - the perfect choice for homeowners that feel like there isn't enough natural light inside their home; it has glass features that will create a breathtaking view, especially if you live surrounded by nature; one of the cheapest extension options available.
• Wrap-Around Extension - it is one of the largest extensions on the list, so it requires a bigger budget, but it will also leave you with the most additional space; it offers two options for the roof, a pitched or a flat roof.

The Kitchen Extension Build Costs Explained

Once you have decides on the type of extension that will fit your house perfectly, it is time to start estimating the costs involved. As you might already imagine, every extension will have a different price. However, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has already established the standard price for such renovation work, and it can help you get an idea about the range of costs. Statistically, the price for extensions should be between £1,260 and £1,680 per square metre for a basic design with a plastered finish.

You can also base your calculations on the following guide:

For the single-storey extension, you can prepare for around £1,500 per m² for construction work.

If you wish a more personalized extension with windows and a door, it will cost you around £1,900 to £2,200 per m².

A more luxurious version of a kitchen extension with higher specifications can increase the price to around £3,000 per m².

When estimating a big or small kitchen extension cost, you might need to add the amount you will have to pay for redesigning work (like reworking interior layout), when the current architecture of your house is not suited for an extension. Such work is likely to cost you £450 to £900 per m².

If you live in an area where there are difficult ground conditions, you might need to pay for extra foundation work. Ask a local structural engineer or somebody from the building control office, whether you will need to build a foundation for your extension and the type required.

How Much Do Kitchen Extension Professional Fees Cost?

The build cost in itself is not the final sum representing how much for kitchen extension you will have to pay. You will also need to include a couple of professional fees to that overall investment. Note that there will be a design fee for you to pay that typically ranges between three and seven per cent of the construction cost. Another fee that you will come across is the planning/construction drawings cost, which should add up to around £2,400 to £3,600. Next is the charge for the measured survey of your existing home, and it should range depending on the size of your property from £500 to £1,500. Lastly, you will most probably pay for the expertise of a structural engineer, which ranges from £500 to £1,000.

Do You Need Planning Permission? If yes, How Much Will It Cost?

When it comes to the legal factor of adding a kitchen extension to your house, there are two options available, the planning permission or gaining permitted the development rights for an extension. It means that you can either build under the current development rules or apply for planning permission to add an extension designed freely by you. In the UK, a single-storey or double-storey extension might be built under current permitted development rights for extensions, if:

• The single-storey extension is up to 6 metres from the original rear wall of an attached house and up to 4 metres high; however, if the extension is planned within two metres of your property boundary, it can be only 3 metres high.
• The double-storey extension can't be taller than the highest point on the roof of your house, and can't extend beyond the rear wall by more than 3 metres; it also has to be at least 7 metres away from the boundary of your property.

To build within said regulations, you will still have to get a certificate of lawful development, that costs at the moment £234, and it is a lot less paperwork than the other option. However, if you wish to invest in an extension that doesn't fit in with the requirements mentioned above, you will need to apply for planning permission, which will cost around £200, the final price will be determined by your proposition and the part of the country you find yourself in.

How to Control Kitchen Extension Costs?

As you know now, there are plenty of different types of costs involved in a renovation, so it might be helpful to be aware of ways in which you can ensure that you're getting good value for your money. The most important thing is to hire a construction company that is trustworthy and reliable; one that has no problems communicating with you. Look through online reviews and find a company that won't let you down. Ask a couple of companies for a cost estimate and compare the offers to one another. Before you start building make sure to set up a budget and some emergency funds, the kitchen extension is a renovation of a bigger scale, so having that room is your budget will most probably come in handy. Always double-check the price to quality relation of the materials being used and make sure that you are not being taken advantage of.

Kitchen Extension Costs -Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does a Kitchen Extension Cost in the UK?

The cost of kitchen extensions in the UK will vary depending on the possibilities of your current property, local fees, and building cost. According to estimations created by the RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) you can expect to be charged between £1,260 and £1,680 per square metre for a basic design. However, this particular price doesn't take into account any other interior work that might be needed to build the extension, and you also have to account for the additional fees and permissions already mentioned above.

How Long Do Kitchen Extensions Take to Complete?

The time of the building process will, of course, be different for every kitchen extension based on the scale of the building. A basic timeframe would be between three and four months from digging the foundations to the finishing touches, and this is not taking into account the designing process and the process getting the permission to build an extension. A more sophisticated design or problems with the weather and building materials can delay the operation by a couple more weeks.

How Much Does a Single Storey Kitchen Extension Cost?

A single-storey kitchen extension is one of the most popular types of extensions out there, and its cost is based on the size of the extension itself. You can be expected to pay around £1,500 per square metre for a simple, single-storey extension.

How Much Will a Kitchen Extension Add to the Value of Your Home?

Building a kitchen extension is highly beneficial for your property, as you can expect an increase of 5-10% in your house's market value. However, more advanced extensions (a double-storey extension with an additional bedroom) can add up to 20% depending on the local real estate market.

Final Words

Upgrading your kitchen might not be the easiest operation out there, but it is most certainly worth the effort as a kitchen extension can add a lot of space and value to your house. If you decide on embarking on such an adventure, you will not regret it, and in a few months, your home will be the more beautiful and functional than ever.