Kitchen Rennovation.... First time!

Jenveyh

Hi All,

I have been reading though all the various helpful advice on these forums and I am getting a lot better informed about various aspects of home renovations. I would welcome any general advice from anyone who fancies commenting on the below proposed project.

We currently have 3.8m x 2.9m kitchen which is OK and the layout good. Off the back of this kitchen is an extension where the previous owners fitted a 2m x 2.8m bathroom (approx). It is horrible and we want to get rid of it. Ideally, we would like to knock the wall through between the kitchen and bathroom, and then put a new roof on made of glass/skylight, and put in some glass double doors where the tiny window and side wall of the bathroom now is. We would also replace the kitchen with a new one and get it all re decorated. The wall between the kitchen and the bathroom would be structural as it was the original back of the house.

Where is the best place to start on this sort of renovation? A builder? Are we better off to get some sort of professional to draw up plans first and then consult a builder? I would like to be in the best position to get competitive quotes, so the builders don’t simply means test us and charge a London premium for the work.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks!

booty40uk

Hi
If this was my project, i wouldnt go to the expense of having plans drawn up just yet, although you will need them if you decide to go ahead.

Even without plans, you could ask a builder for a quote on the structural work and the door fitting etc to give you a rough idea. This estimate would only be a rough guide and would probably be adjusted depending on steel sizes etc. A price for the new glass roof should be easy enough to get at any time seeing as that area is an extension anyway.

You could also take measurements of what size the room would be once the work was done. This would enable you to design and price the supply and fitting costs of your "new" kitchen. Include any electrical, plumbing and gas work in this price. Also floor coverings, tiling etc.

You can also call a few architects etc for prices for drawing up plans and figure in the cost of planning permission, building control etc.

All this will give you a pretty good idea of how much all the work will cost you and allow you to weigh up the viability of it without any money spent.

Should you then decide to go ahead the plans would be your first step followed by planning permission and then the work itself.

HTH

Andy