A guide to kitchen extensions. Everything you need to know about about kitchen extensions in London and the United Kingdom, including what types of kitchen extensions there are, what the planning rules are, costs associated when building a kitchen extension and questions to bare in mind before starting your project.
What is a kitchen extension?
Kitchen extension is really an umbrella term encompassing multiple different types of extension but generally it just means an extension for the purpose of creating a larger kitchen/dining/living space at the rear of the property. Typically kitchens in older homes were one of the smallest rooms of the house used solely for the purpose of food preparation, out of sight from any visitors, a cramped and drab space for a solitary cook hidden away from the rest of the family. This dull utilitarian picture could not be further from how we use our kitchens now. Galley kitchens are out and large social spaces where friends and families can cook, socialise, do homework, relax and even work from home are in. We have also seen a trend for removing the laundry elements from the kitchen and adding a utility room where space allows or a utility pod where space is limited. This reduces noise levels in the kitchen and allows for great storage utilisation in the kitchen area. This has obviously had a big impact on the way kitchens and extensions are designed. Adding open plan spaces to properties that were built with multiple smaller rooms at the rear requires careful architectural design and critically this design must be supported by accurate structural drawings and calculations. At LCCL Construction we deliver all of these services efficiently and expertly as part of our design and build package.
What are the benefits of a kitchen extension?
Whether your aim is to increase the kitchen size, add living space or a utility room the advantages of a kitchen extension are numerous:
Utilise otherwise unused space to increase the size of the home.
Improved saturation of natural light in the downstairs areas through addition of skylights/lanterns
Added flexibility to the layout of the home
Create space for a large open plan kitchen diner and casual living space where everyone can spend time together
Add space to work from home
A generously sized utility room can be added to free up space in the kitchen and reduce noise from washing machines/dryers
Add a boot room to reduce dirt and clutter coming into the house
Create much needed extra storage space
A new patio at the rear or private courtyard can be created at the side
Extra 16m2 to 60m2 of additional space
Potential for additional space to be added to the first floor too in some circumstances
If the garden space is small this is a good solution
Extra storage and usable space for everyone in the home to enjoy
What type of space can I add to my home?
There are many layout options available to homeowners looking to add a kitchen extension to their home. Several factors come into play when settling on the final layout
The size and layout of the existing home
Whether you want to make moderate or substantial adjustments to the structure of the existing house or alternatively add space with minimal structural and or layout alterations to the existing house
How much budget you have available for the project
If you are looking to achieve an open plan layout/partially open plan or to add multiple rooms
Here is an example of a kitchen extension designed by LCCL Construction. The design is for a rear extension with a pitched roof and 3 velux skylights on a mid terraced property. The purpose of this extension was to replace the outdated galley kitchen with a spacious feeling light flooded kitchen diner.
Do I need planning permission for my Kitchen Extension?
In many cases it is possible to build a kitchen extension as a permitted development project, subject to specific criteria being met. This is not always the case though depending on the size and scale of the extension and in some cases a full planning application will need to be made to your local planning authority. At LCCL Construction our expert team will be able to help guide you through the process.
Rules, known as ‘permitted development’ rights, allow you to extend a house without needing to apply for planning permission if specific limitations and conditions are met.
For all extensions:
Only half the area of land around the "original house"* can be covered by extensions or other buildings.
Extensions cannot be higher than the highest part of the existing roof; or higher at the eaves than the existing eaves.
Where the extension comes within two meters of the boundary* the height at the eaves cannot exceed three meters.
Extension cannot be built forward of the ‘principal elevation’ or, where it fronts a highway, the ‘side elevation’.
The work cannot include:
verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
a microwave antenna (e.g. TV aerial or satellite dish).
a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe.
any alteration to the roof of the existing house.
On Article 2(3) designated land* the work cannot include cladding of the exterior.
The materials used in any exterior work must be of a similar appearance to those on the exterior of the existing house.
For single storey extensions:
Single-storey rear extensions cannot extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than four metres if a detached house; or more than three metres for any other house.
Where not on Article 2(3) designated land* or a Site of Special Scientific Interest; and subject to ‘prior approval’, the limit for single-storey rear extensions is increased to eight metres if a detached house; or six metres for any other house.
This requires that the relevant Local Planning Authority is informed of the proposed work via a prior approval application.
Single-storey rear extensions cannot exceed four meters in height.
For Extensions more then one storey:
Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than three metres or be within seven metres of any boundary* opposite the rear wall of the house.
Roof pitch must match existing house as far as practicable (note that this also applies to any upper storey built on an existing extension).
Any upper-floor window located in a ‘side elevation’ must be obscure-glazed; and non-opening (unless the openable part is more than 1.7 metres above the floor).
All side extensions of more than one storey will require householder planning permission.
On Article 2(3) designated land* all rear extensions of more than one storey will require householder planning permission.
What are the types of kitchen extension?
Design and Build Rear House Extension with a pitched or flat roof
Estimated cost: from - £45,000.00
Optional Extras:
Skylight or small lantern
Bi-fold doors
Kitchen
Floor finishing
Patio at rear of the property
Downstairs Bathroom
Design and Build Wraparound Extension.
Estimated cost: from - £57,700.00
Optional Extras:
1 x Skylights or Lantern on flat roof
Bi-fold doors
Kitchen
Floor finishing
Utility room
Patio at rear of the property
Downstairs Bathroom
Design and Build Sidereturn Extension Pitched Roof.
Estimated cost: from - £46,000.00
Optional Extras:
3 x Velux
Bi-fold doors
Kitchen
Floor finishing
Patio at rear of the property
Downstairs Bathroom
What type of roof can I have on my kitchen extension?
Features of a Kitchen extension with a pitched roof - the pitched roof would be covered in roof tiles such as clay, concrete or slate tiles, velux lights can be installed to the pitched roof, at the rear of the wall there can be various types of glazing but the most common are bi-fold doors, sliding doors, crittall or french doors. The finish of the exterior walls comes in render, brick finish or cladding such as zinc clad. In addition a new patio can be added towards the rear of the property to create an outdoor seating and dining area outside the new extension.
Kitchen extension with a flat roof features - the roof is all on one level with only a very slight pitch to prevent water pooling. There are many options for flat roof coverings such as mineral felt, GRP, torch on felt, EPDM, fibreglass or GRP to name a few. In terms of glazing features include options similar to above except the flat roof would have flat roof skylight or lantern added instead of velux windows.
Will a kitchen extension add value to my home?
A kitchen extension brings many benefits to the house and naturally homeowners are keen to find out if the work completed adds value to the property. According to The Times Money Mentor (source https://www.thetimes.co.uk/money-mentor/article/best-ways-add-value-home/) building a kitchen extension can add around 15% to the value of the existing house depending on the size and specification. It is also widely thought that having a large open plan kitchen makes a property more easily saleable.
Do I need a Party Wall Agreement for my Kitchen Extension?
For the majority of homeowners in London who are living in terraced or semi-detached properties a Party Wall Agreement will be required to carry out the work required to build a kitchen extension. The way in which the Party Wall Matters are resolved will be largely influenced by the responses received from your neighbours when the initial letter is sent, so bare that in mind in the run up to the build! For detached properties a Party Wall Agreement may be required depending on how close to the boundary you intend to build.
What is the cost of a kitchen extension?
You can use our "instant quote calculator" and find out the cost in seconds! for both design and build, architecture services or just construction services depend what stage you are in and what you have so far completed.
We have experience of over 16 years in design and construction of loft conversions and home extensions in London and Hertfordshire areas and have worked out a unique calculation formula that you can find out to what your house extension and loft conversion will cost in seconds.
How can Lccl Construction be of help?
Do you require a loft conversion and house extension to add extra space?
Do you require architecture design and construction services?
Then look no further get in touch with us for a detailed free no obligation quote. We can accommodate a very quick turnaround. Our loft conversions and house extensions come with 10 year guarantee and 12 month workmanship guarantee.
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