Kitchens
What to consider when planning a new kitchen
The kitchen is probably the most expensive part of the house to build and as such requires an extensive amount of planning, research and consideration. There are numerous sources of information to help you when planning a new kitchen, from books in a library and the internet ( www.ikea.com, www.doityourself.com, www.which.co.uk) to face to face discussions with kitchen fitters. It is worth taking the time to read and discuss your options with an expert particularly if you plan on building an open-plan kitchen where you and your family will probably spend most of your time.
Kitchen Usage
The process of planning and designing a new kitchen is basically one of determining how you use your kitchen and what features you'd like, then deciding on your priorities so you can fit as many features as possible into your budget. Be very clear on what you want to use your kitchen for. The two extremes are the kitchen as a utility area, only used for cooking and preparing food and hidden from view, to the kitchen being the main living area of the home. If you opt for the latter, you are probably more open to spending a larger amount of money on making it right. If you want to keep costs down, design your kitchen more as a utility area and have the main living area somewhere else.
Your budget
Clearly the scope of the project drives the cost. When planning any home improvement project it is really important to be realistic about the costs. Set yourself a budget you can easily afford and then reduce by 25% - this should be what you aim to work within. Home improvement projects often overrun or you find additional pieces of work you had not foreseen. It is better to budget low and allow yourself some breathing space. When budgeting for your new kitchen, don't forget to add extras such as tiling, new flooring, curtains/blinds and any decorating.
Virtually anything can be done to a kitchen – walls can be moved, plumbing can be changed and electrical service can be added. But the less you spend on major structural or mechanical work, the more money you'll have to put into better cabinets, higher-grade flooring and more stylish and functional fixtures.
Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, so costs vary hugely. On average, people spend around £8,000 but if you have a small room and do some DIY or use replacement cupboard doors, you can spend as little as £1,000 or less.
For a real bargain, you can even buy kitchens second-hand but it’s vital to check it all fits and works properly – and take care to avoid damaging the units if you are removing them from another building.
For larger and more expensive kitchens, with new appliances, costs including fitting can range from £10,000 to £20,000. Bespoke kitchens can cost anything from a few thousand pounds from a local manufacturer to £20,000 to £60,000 and upwards.
Kitchen Design
When thinking about your kitchen design it is worth asking yourself some basic questions, the answers to which will help shape the overall design of the kitchen.
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How many people use the kitchen? The answer to this question will determine how much use your kitchen gets, and how much traffic there is likely to be in the kitchen at any one time.
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Do two or more cooks typically work at the same time? If so, you may want extra counter space and/or an extra sink.
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Do you entertain frequently and do you typically have formal or informal gatherings? If you entertain a lot, you may want to open up the kitchen/living room area into a great room that lets you be part of the party while you're working.
Once you have a plan for the overall layout of the kitchen space you can then get into the specific questions around design such as;
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Do you need an island (and have room for it), a peninsula or a breakfast nook?
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Would you like a pantry?
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Would you rather have a stainless steel sink or enameled cast iron?
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Do you use a microwave for major cooking or just to heat up cups of tea?
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Do you prefer cooking with gas or electricity?
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Do you want a combination oven-and-range or a counter hob with a wall oven?
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Do you use enough small appliances that you need proper storage to save valuable counter space?
It is tempting when planning a new kitchen to keep the arrangement of fixed elements, such as water pipes, power points, windows and doors much the same as they already are, which is the cheaper option. But there may be a better way. Start from scratch and think about what can be improved. However changing the fixed elements will probably require you to bring in the experts – plumbers, electricians, heating engineers. This will increase the cost of your kitchen but is essential if you are going to install a safe kitchen and remember to check if they are Gas Safe registered if they are dealing with any gas appliances.
It's important to design a kitchen based on your needs. Creating a triangle between your cooker, sink and fridge will make a better working environment. This will ensure that your workspace is never cramped, allowing you to move freely between appliances. If the kitchen does double up as a dining area or faces a dining room, make sure that there is a clear path to the table – this will make it easier to serve food, as well as bringing together the diners with those hard at work preparing the meal.
The layout you choose will depend on the size and shape of your room - and the position of windows and doors. Plumbing and electrical points can usually be moved, so do not let these restrict your design. Most kitchens fall into four basic designs, a single line of units, a double line (galley), and an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen. By combining cabinets imaginatively to these designs it is easy to totally transform your kitchen to suit your lifestyle.
Refurbishing a kitchen is also a great opportunity to upgrade the electrics and lighting. You can plan for plenty of sockets on the walls behind the worktops – you won’t regret it. Also think carefully about kitchen lighting. Finally, don’t forget the flooring. This needs to be easy to clean and hardwearing. Water-resistant laminate or ceramic tiles are practical, popular choices.
Buying your kitchen
The kitchens market is very competitive and thus the opportunity to negotiate is high. Try to work out how to get the kitchen you want within the price you want to pay, then take your plans to at least three other kitchen companies for quotes – without compromising on quality.
Finding a local kitchen fitter
You need to think carefully about who you are going to use the install your new kitchen. Here is where xpertfind.com can help. Post your kitchen job with us and let us do the hard work of finding suitably qualified kitchen fitters in your local area who are interested in quoting for your job. You simply complete some basic details about your job and we will get back to you within 24 hours with up to three local kitchen fitters, heating engineers or plumbers to meet your needs. Who you choose to do the job is entirely your decision
Click on this link: to post your kitchen job
Don't forget that it can take a while from placing the order to delivery. Be aware that mistakes can be made on deliveries or measurements, so plan a little extra time to sort out any niggles should you be hoping to get your kitchen completed for a special occasion or deadline.
Make sure that you don't give any company more than 25% deposit before everything is delivered. Check the payment schedule before signing any contracts for products and fitting. For additional advice on dealing with tradesmen visit our Dealing with Tradesmen page.