With more and more homeowners in the East of England following the trend of “improve, don’t move”, we’re seeing a growing interest in kitchen extensions. With that. comes a range of burning questions – one being how long does a kitchen extension take? In this article, we will answer that question, allowing you to decide if a kitchen extension is something you should be considering.
Whether you’re toying with the idea of creating a completely new kitchen space, want to integrate a dining area, or simply make your kitchen a little bit bigger, a kitchen house extension offers ample possibilities. After reading through this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the timeline and processes involved in a home construction project such as this.
Average Timeframe for a Kitchen Extension
To answer the question of how long a kitchen extension takes, it can take anywhere from 2-4 months to complete. The best way of understanding why it takes this long is to take a look at the main phases of the project and determining how long each takes to complete on average, then adding them together, you get your answer.
Planning and Designing a Kitchen Extension
Let’s start with the planning phase. Assuming you’ve found your chosen kitchen extension builder, the planning phase could take 2-4 weeks. At this first stage of the project, you can expect to work with your contractor or construction company to finalise architectural designs and secure planning permission. Your construction partner will also be working to put together their team and a plan of action.
Construction Phase With the Help of Local Kitchen Extension Builders
The next phase will be the construction of your kitchen extension, which could last between 5-10 weeks but could be more if it is a larger-scale house extension, or even less if it is a smaller extension that can be built under permitted development rights.
This phase will usually consist of:
- Digging and establishing foundations
- Brickwork to provide the shell of the structure or timber for a timber frame extension
- Demolition of the exterior kitchen wall so the new extension will join the existing kitchen
- Structural reinforcements to secure the extension
- Installing roofing and flooring
- Internal works such as electrical, drainage, plumbing, etc
- Installation of the new kitchen
Final Inspections and Finishing Touches
Lastly, it may take 1-3 weeks to finalise the project. This typically consists of final inspections being made to ensure a high quality, functional kitchen extension. These inspections or checks may be conducted by a third party that specialises in the snagging process or the kitchen extension builders themselves.
This is also a good time to address any final touches that need to be made, such as any interior design work that may be included with your project. Depending on your builder, they should also take this time to ask for your feedback and address any concerns you may have. This is something that is never skipped at our construction company.
Factors That Can Influence How Long a Kitchen Extension Takes
Like most home improvement projects, there’s a general process and timeline that is fairly consistent across the many kitchen extension projects in the UK. However, it’s important to remember that every project is different – it’s not just a saying, it’s a fact.
Whether you’re building a single-storey or double-storey extension for your new kitchen, several factors can influence how long it takes to build. For instance, if you were to build a two-storey extension, adding a second floor will usually take longer than a one-storey extension. That being said, if it is a single-storey extension of considerable size, that can also increase timescales.
You also can’t forget about weather conditions and contractor availability – both can lengthen how long a kitchen extension takes. These are just a couple of examples of why planning is key. To mitigate these concerns, try plan your extension in the dryer months and clear communication between you and your kitchen extension builder is paramount.
Time and Investment: Is a Kitchen Extension Worth It?
Is a Kitchen Extension Worth Your Time?
Before diving head first into a kitchen extension project, it’s worth asking yourself if a kitchen extension is worth it in regards to your time and investment. In most cases, we would say that the answer is yes. If you are not happy with your current kitchen, that’s an issue that needs addressing, especially considering the importance of the room. Growing families often need more room in their homes, which is another good reason to extend the kitchen.
We have seen first-hand proof of how kitchen extensions have improved everyday living for our clients, even small side extensions that just offer that little added space. With more space and the ability to move around more freely in your own home, you’re bound to fall back in love with your kitchen and home, enforcing the mantra of improve, don’t move.
Ultimately, to answer the question ‘Is a kitchen extension worth it?’ think about your dream kitchen and determine if those 2-4 months are too big of a commitment. It’s worth mentioning that if you work with a reputable and experienced construction company, the construction process is likely far easier to live with than you may think.
Is a Kitchen Extension Worth Your Investment?
Alongside wanting to know how long a kitchen extension takes, you will also want to know the price. We’ll answer the question of how much would a kitchen extension cost in the next section, but what we can say now is that building a kitchen extension onto your home is a sizable monetary investment.
For some, a kitchen extension could be one of the largest investments they ever make. Yet, going back to the idea of improving your home rather than moving, when comparing the cost of a kitchen extension to the cost of moving, the difference is clearly in favour of the kitchen extension. Plus, kitchen home extensions can be more affordable than other home construction projects, like a full home renovation.
Another point to be made is that adding a kitchen extension to your home can significantly increase the resale value of your home. This means that if you plan to sell your property after your kitchen extension project, you may be able to sell for more than you bought it. So, who knows, you may even recoup your investment down the line.
How Much Would a Kitchen Extension Cost?
In the East of England and most of the UK, The average cost for a kitchen extension is around £25,000-£35,000. The price you would pay for your kitchen extension is likely to fall in this price range or close to it. However, that is dependent of other factors, including the size, materials and complexity of the kitchen extension, as well as your location.
If you also want to add bespoke features and luxurious elements to your extension, you could push the price up further. Again, this cost may be easier to digest than turning to other solutions, such as building your own home from scratch, which could be much more.
In addition to the influencing factors above, the cost of labour will also come into play, with this too being quite variable between different kitchen extension builders. Knowing how long a kitchen extension takes will be a benefit to you as you can begin to estimate labour costs, as many contractors charge based on project length.
Kitchen Extension Ideas
Bi-Fold Doors on Kitchen Extension
Incorporating bi-fold doors – which are sliding doors that fold in on themselves – into the design of your kitchen extension is the perfect way to merge the indoor space of your home with your outdoor garden space. As well as the possibility of allowing more natural light into your home, bi-fold doors can make the kitchen feel larger, more airy, and provide a modern look.
Open Plan Kitchen Diner Extension
There are pros and cons to open plan living, but it is a home improvement trend that is incredibly popular in today’s world. As is the idea of kitchen diner home extensions. By removing interior walls to create an open and free-flowing space that is inclusive of a kitchen and dining room, you can create a more spacious and inviting living space that keeps you connected to who you live with.
When factoring in how long does a kitchen extension take, it’s important to account for any structural changes required to achieve the open-plan layout.
Kitchen Extension Orangery
Consisting of brick pillars and large glass windows, a kitchen extension orangery brings in ample natural light while also providing a warm and cosy area to relax. These are ideal for those with lovely gardens, which will be in full view. How long does a kitchen extension take when building an orangery? Due to the intricate design, this may push your kitchen extension closer to 3-4 months, but the unique result would be well worth it.
Kitchen Extension Before and After
Final Thoughts on How Long Does a Kitchen Extension Take
Now that we have answered how long does a kitchen extension take, you are ready to begin exploring the possibility of building your own. With this understanding and knowledge, you will know how much time, investment and planning a kitchen extension project takes.
The next step is to find a construction partner who can help you design and build your dream kitchen extension. Bespoke Construction Group are seasoned kitchen extension builders and specialise in enlarging and improving homes throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge. To see precisely how long your extension will take to build, get in touch with our team.
