Knocking down a wall/putting in doors to garden/rearrange kitchen..order of events?

ellie27

All in our dreams at the moment, but speculating on what we perhaps could do to our new home.

Possible removal of a wall (it was the original external back wall but a kitchen extension had been added beyond that) removal of wall between kitchen and dining room.

Addition of full length/height glass doors or a couple doors anyway.Kitchen units are currently on the now external wall, where the doors would be going so kitchen would need to be rearranged. Is it possible to keep the same units? I know new worktop would be required.

Wiring/plumbing etc

We have never made any changes to our house as we have just sold our newbuild.

Would it be one group of folk I would get in to do the lot at the same time?

Or would I get someone to knock through the wall first?

Then different folk to do the doors?

Then others to do the kitchen?

Of course planning permission in advance.

Many thanks!

Doozergirl

I'd get someone to do the lot if you're not sure what you're doing.


Electrician and plumber make safe any electric/plumbing on walls to be removed and first fix to new positions.
Remove units carefully
Wall out
Doors in (if external), door linings in if internal.
Plaster
Kitchen units in & internal doors
Second fix plumbing and electrics

You'll need new flooring where the wall comes out.

The walls will need a structural engineer to calculate the RSJs required. You will require building regulations approval as well. Any builder that says otherwise is a cowboy and is leaving the work and your home uninsured.

AlexMac

Agree- take at least three quotes, and having been surprised by the incredible range of prices, choose on the basis not only of price, but how efficient they seem, and ideally, their willingness to provide referees you can talk to from previous jobs.

Then definitely get one builder to do the lot, as Doozergal sez, or you'll end up project managing the job yourself which means you'll take the blame for anything which goes wrong!

You probably won't even need Planning Permission, but make sure your chosen builder is happy to involve Council 'Building Regs' inspectors as above for what you refer to as "Removal of a wall" (which will probably mean putting in a supporting beam) and getting the all important certification of the work, without which you will have trouble selling the house (as you will have to decalre this to a buyer's solicitor). Ditto the new aperture for any new "glass doors" as having invited the building inspector in, you'll want to ensure that the new external wall was properly built and can support any new (FENSA-compliant) sliding, French or Bi-fold doors.

(if any of this or the reply above this doesn't make sense, look at https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ and maybe subscribe to the magazine for a year; home-improvement fantasy !!!!!!!)

As regards the Q "Is it possible to keep the...Kitchen units currently on the now external wall, where the doors would be going" ask the builder if it's really viable to remove, store and reuse these. It's possibly only an minor saving as kitchen carcasses are so cheap and most builders will want to rip out the old ones rather than waste hours (= money) dismantling the old ones which will just get in the way when work proceeds, unless they can be transported and stored off-site. Maybe keep some of the doors if they are in good nick and you can match them with any extra ones you need.

Some builders prefer you to choose kitchen base and wall units which come pre-assembled as time is money and it's cheaper for a factory to assemble rtaher than them spending hours doing it. If you do insist on cheaper but well-designed IKEA or B&Q flatpacks, ensure the builder knows so they can price accordingly

Electrics have to be done by a pro, and I prefer not to even try DIY plumbing of taps, sinks, etc. And yes obviously you'll need new worktops, but again, these are relatively cheap unless you want granite or similar upmarket ones. And even though, like the base units, that's potentially a DIY job, it's tricky; badly fitted expensive kit looks rubbish, whereas well-fitted cheap stuff can look great.

Good luck

Doozergirl

AlexMac, our work is in June's Homebuilding and Renovating magazine


If the kitchen is relatively new, it will probably be absolutely fine to re-use. We've done it a few times. There will almost certainly be additions needed, so that's where it helps to know the retailer and range. Some of us on the DIY board could probably work it out if necessary.

Rambosmum

our council offers 2 building regs options - submit plans, pay (lots of) money, get certificate or have site visit, pay (a little) money, don't get certificate.

Doozergirl

Rambosmum wrote: »

our council offers 2 building regs options - submit plans, pay (lots of) money, get certificate or have site visit, pay (a little) money, don't get certificate.

you should always have a completion certificate!

Rambosmum

Doozergirl wrote: »

you should always have a completion certificate!

The council website specifically states they don't issue a certificate, instead you go on a database to say you've had the required visit/ all is ok.