A standard query that I’m requested when somebody is considering a kitchen extension is how lengthy it’s all going to take. Often this inquiry is adopted by whether or not it will likely be completed for Christmas.
The sincere reply is {that a} kitchen extension almost all the time takes longer than folks count on, however when it’s deliberate correctly, the timescales are much more predictable than their fame suggests.
What catches folks out is that the bodily constructing work is simply a part of the story. By the point a builder turns up, many of the necessary selections ought to have already got been made, with orders positioned and approvals sorted. Miss this preparation work and the construct will wrestle to get off the bottom while everybody waits for drawings, approvals and supplies. Get the preparation proper, and the entire course of feels far more beneath management, even when building begins and the inevitable disruption kicks in.
Part one: Earlier than you begin your kitchen extension
Earlier than a single brick might be laid, there’s a surprisingly lengthy runway referred to as the pre-start section. This section is commonly underestimated, partly as a result of it doesn’t really feel like “doing the construct”, but it surely’s additionally the half that has the largest affect on how easily the construct section will run.
1. Idea work (a minimum of 2 weeks)
The very first step is often a brief burst of idea work. This could be so simple as sketching concepts over the kitchen desk, pulling collectively inspiration and having some sincere conversations about price range and priorities.
In lots of circumstances this takes a few weeks, not as a result of the work itself is sluggish, however as a result of selections must be made which regularly must be slept on. Dashing this stage usually results in costly adjustments later, notably when folks haven’t absolutely thought by how the brand new kitchen design will work when it’s completed.
2. Designing a kitchen extension (two to 4 weeks)
As soon as the idea is agreed, the design then must be finalised. Whether or not you’re working with an architect, a designer or a design-and-build contractor, this stage is about turning concepts right into a technical design that may be priced, after which constructed out.
Layouts are fastened, structural openings agreed, glazing sized and kitchen structure concepts finalised. On the identical time, selections round cabinetry, worktops and home equipment must be made. Enable two to 4 weeks right here if selections might be made promptly, however remember that indecision can simply stretch this out.
3. Ordering supplies and reserving trades (a minimum of eight weeks)
The longest wait in all the course of usually comes subsequent – ordering supplies and reserving trades. Bespoke kitchen cabinetry, excessive finish kitchen home equipment and specialist glazing can have lead occasions of eight to 10 weeks, and typically even longer.
Good kitchen fitters, electricians and plumbers are additionally booked nicely prematurely, notably in busy areas or forward of peak seasons. That is the place even nicely deliberate tasks can stall if orders weren’t positioned early sufficient.
4. Permissions and laws (a minimum of eight weeks)
Planning permission and constructing management sit alongside all of this. Some kitchen extensions fall beneath permitted improvement, others don’t, and structural adjustments all the time want constructing management approval regardless.
Even the place planning isn’t required, structural calculations, drainage proposals and insulation particulars all must be set out and agreed. Native authority timescales range, and while constructing management is often pragmatic, they gained’t rush as a result of a home-owner has booked a kitchen supply.
When it comes to how lengthy planning permission takes, count on to consider a minimum of eight weeks.
Part two: Constructing your kitchen extension
As soon as the whole lot is in place, the constructing work on your kitchen extension concepts can start. The early days are often the messiest, as demolition and web site clearance get underway. Present doorways, home windows or partitions come out, and because the web site is ready the backyard usually seems to be worse for put on.
This half might be fast, and typically only a few days. However it’s additionally the stage the place neighbours have a tendency to note what’s happening, so good communication helps.
1. Your kitchen extension’s foundations and drainage (a minimum of two weeks)
Extension foundations and drainage are subsequent, which is the place floor situations begin to affect the timeline. Simple trench foundations might be dug and poured inside per week, however surprising drainage diversions, poor floor situations or deeper foundations can sluggish issues down.
That is additionally a key level the place inspections are required. Concrete can’t be poured till the excavations have been inspected. In case your inspector is busy, this could imply a brief pause earlier than concreting can proceed.
The precise pouring of concrete can take round per week, however consider a minimum of per week of delays.
2. Constructing your kitchen extension’s partitions and roof (a minimum of 4 weeks)
As soon as the foundations are poured, the superstructure progresses shortly. Medium sized brick and block builds may take a few weeks to stand up to wall plate stage, whereas quicker construct programs reminiscent of timber body or SIPs can shorten this considerably.
Roof building and roof coverings observe, and getting the extension watertight is a key milestone. This could take one other couple of weeks and till watertight has been achieved, progress inside ought to be on maintain to keep away from harm from the climate.
3. First repair electrical and plumbing work (from two days to 6 weeks)
With the shell full, consideration turns to creating good and first repair operations. Openings are fashioned, and new home windows and doorways go in. Electricians and plumbers additionally get began by operating their cables and pipework earlier than the partitions are closed up.
The time this stage takes varies massively relying on the specification and complexity of the construct. It might be as fast as two days for a fundamental kitchen extension but when the kitchen structure is bold, or contains kitchen islands, bifolds, underfloor heating or a lot of built-in home equipment, further time is required, probably as much as six weeks. Don’t neglect, first fixing is a key inspection stage so you will additionally must name within the constructing management inspector.
4. Plastering and screed (a minimum of two weeks)
Plastering and screeding marks the tip of the primary repair section, and is the second the place persistence pays off. Freshly poured flooring and new plaster wants time to dry, particularly in cooler months, or the place underfloor heating isn’t but operational.
Dashing forward with paint or tiling can result in issues, so take your time. Just a few further days right here will keep away from remedial work later. This may take a minimum of two weeks, relying on the dimensions of your kitchen extension, in addition to if it’s a open plan kitchen extension or separated off into totally different rooms.
Part three: Becoming out your kitchen extension
As soon as the construction is full and fairly dry, the main target shifts to the kitchen itself. That is an thrilling stage, however one the place sequencing turns into crucial.
Earlier than any new kitchens models might be fitted, the room have to be correctly ready. Flooring levelled, partitions checked, and plumbing and electrical providers put in to swimsuit the kitchen design. This prep work solely takes a day or two, but when one thing’s not fairly proper, skipping it would change into a false financial system.
1. Becoming your kitchen models (a minimum of two days)
Kitchen becoming is commonly faster than folks count on. A reliable installer with the whole lot on web site can often set up base and wall models in two or three days.
Issues are likely to come up not from the becoming itself, however from lacking elements or last-minute adjustments. Checking deliveries and never altering your thoughts is due to this fact important to maintain issues on monitor.
2. Becoming new kitchen worktops (a minimum of ten days)
Kitchen worktops introduce a built-in pause. Strong stone and quartz worktops can solely be templated as soon as the bottom models are fastened in place. Templating is often fast, however fabrication can take ten days or so, and typically longer throughout busy durations.
That is regular and must be factored into the general programme. If laminate worktops are specified, these might be put in straight after the cabinetry, so the timeline right here is far faster.
3. Second repair kitchen electrics and plumbing (two days to 2 weeks)
As soon as the worktops are put in, the second repair section can proceed. Home equipment put in and linked, sinks and faucets plumbed in, electrics accomplished and examined, and any remaining tiling completed.
This stage can take anyplace from a number of days to a few weeks, relying on how accessible the trades are. Constructing management may also wish to make their ultimate inspection, so ebook this in and let everybody know when it’s taking place.
4. Adorning your kitchen extension
The ultimate touches are what turns a constructing web site into a ravishing dwelling house. Adorning, kitchen flooring and snagging all occur right here, and while these jobs are individually small, they nonetheless want time to finish. Making an attempt to hurry to fulfill an arbitrary deadline usually leads to poor high quality so don’t do it – persistence is suggested.
When to start out
If there’s one piece of recommendation that I give very often, it is to work backwards from once you need the kitchen completed, not once you need builders to start out. For anybody hoping to be cooking Christmas dinner in a brand new kitchen, an August or early September begin on web site is often the candy spot. Add within the pre-start section, and for the common kitchen extension the possible undertaking timeline goes to take round six months to finish. This may imply that the summer season holidays should go on maintain while the pre-start section is finished correctly.
Making an attempt to squeeze a kitchen extension right into a tighter window is feasible, but it surely depends on the whole lot going proper, from design sign-offs to planning approvals and provider lead occasions. In my expertise, the tasks that really feel much less tense are these which might be nicely deliberate, with respiration house inbuilt, and trades who’re lined up nicely prematurely.
With a bit of excellent planning, the entire construct will likely be higher organised so trades can get their work achieved shortly. By beginning early, even the jeopardy of a Christmas deadline gained’t change into a regrettable expertise.
Ensuring you correctly price range your kitchen extension prices will guarantee your kitchen extension timeline stays on monitor and does not trigger any delays. Underestimating whether or not you might have sufficient funds is a typical kitchen design mistake, so avoiding this by making certain you do not overstretch your self is necessary.
