How Can I Save Money on My Kitchen Extension?

The construction of an addition can be a challenging balancing act between the creation of a place that you like and the maintenance of a strict financial plan. You may, however, accomplish both of these goals with some thoughtful planning.

Type of House Extensions

If you're interested in expanding your area, there are a few different options you can look into.

Single Storey Extensions

Your kitchen could use the extra space that a ground-level addition provides. Due to their single story design, they can only add to the height of your home's first floor and will have no effect on the second.

These, on the other hand, are helpful if you're searching for additional space to incorporate a dining area, an additional office, or a more comprehensive area for appliances. If you opt for a single-story extension, you should think about how the roof of the expansion will mesh with the aesthetic of the rest of your home and whether or not the construction of this kind of extension will have an effect on your neighbours.

Side Return Extensions

For homes constructed during the Victorian or Edwardian eras, a side return extension was a common alternative for adding living space. These kinds of homes typically contain something called a "side return," which is a gap on the side of the building that is frequently unnecessary or unutilised.

You can add on to your house in this spot and gain some much-needed kitchen space as a result. You might want to think about extending the side return if you don't end up using this space very often. There's a lot of wasted space in your home that you can put to good use by expanding your kitchen into it. In this case, everybody comes out on top.

Wrap-Around Extensions

Ideas for extending the kitchen that are more extensive and daring may involve more labour, but they may return an even more significant reward in terms of space.

It is possible to combine a side return extension with a rear extension into a single structure known as a wrap-around extension, which results in a significantly bigger kitchen and living room. For this kind of expansion, you can choose either a flat roof or a pitched roof for the structure that covers the extension.

Rear Kitchen Extensions

Rear kitchen extensions are common in situations where there is no side return option available and extend from the back of the house into the kitchen.

A flat roof, a single-slope roof, and a gable roof are the three main types of roofs out there. You should give some thought to your needs before committing to this extension, as it may reduce the amount of grassy space at your disposal.

Conservatory Extensions

The addition of conservatories is currently popular in homes that suffer from an insufficient amount of natural light. They also have the potential to create the most stunning view, which is wonderful if you happen to live in an especially attractive place.

It is also important to note that they are typically more affordable than other extensions, which makes them a realistic alternative for many people who are interested in making more use of the space in their kitchen.

Having one can free up space in your current dining area, so it's worth considering if you're in need of more room to dine.

Get Started

A "feasibility design review" is something that happens rather frequently in our office. When we visit a customer in their house, we talk with them about their ambitions and ideas. We talk about the things that do work, the things that don't work, and the things that need to be repaired or upgraded.

After that, we devise two easy-to-follow rough sketches of the plans. The first approach involves making as little alterations to the house as is humanly practicable in an effort to cut costs.

The second choice is the best one because it satisfies all of the requirements of the customers. After completing these sketches, we talk about the idea with a few different builders to obtain their feedback on how much it would cost.

Before beginning the process of actually designing and constructing the structure, we make use of this information to do research on the available design alternatives and formulate a cost-effective plan.

Consider a Master Plan

To have a better concept of all the things that can be done to improve the energy efficiency and usefulness of your home, it is often a good idea to construct a master plan.

This will give you a better picture of what can be done. With the help of a master plan, you will be able to distinguish between the straightforward tasks that can be completed immediately, such as installing weather stripping and draught-proofing windows, and the more complicated tasks that should be grouped in order to save money on labour costs or because a building permit may be necessary.

We have conversations with folks who believe that because they cannot afford to repair all of their windows or insulate all of their walls, there is no purpose in them taking any action at all. However, as we have stated previously, it is important to remember that even the smallest changes can have a significant impact on the level of comfort and energy efficiency in your home.

Even just replacing one or two windows, for example in your living space or the part of the house that gets the most cold or the most heat, can make a significant difference.

Consider your requirements before beginning any major renovations or additions to your home. Remember that little is more, and always choose quality over quantity. Consider the possibility of designing places that can serve several purposes and, whenever it's possible to do so, purchase goods that are already manufactured rather than having them produced to order.

Things to Take Into Consideration

Before you get started planning an extension, there are a few things you need to think about first. This involves determining what kind of extension will be appropriate for your needs. In the past, homeowners frequently opted for dining and utility rooms that were kept separate.

These days, however, open floor plans are more desirable. Think on what you want to accomplish with the extension before you get started on the project. Kitchen additions not only add space for additional cooking options, but also for dining, unwinding, and hosting visitors.

Ideas for extending your kitchen do more than just create additional space; they can also completely transform the atmosphere of your home. Some of the additions will have doors that open up into the garden, creating an atmosphere that is like dining in the open air. Others make the room more adaptable so that it can be enjoyed by the whole family.

An extension is a big investment, and you are required to obtain planning approval before you can move forwards with the project. The size of your extension will be determined by the available space on your property as well as your budget.

When beginning from scratch, there are no restrictions in terms of the existing electrical and plumbing systems; nevertheless, any extension will cause major disruption, so you should be prepared for this. A consideration of how much it will cost should be made early on in the design stages of a kitchen extension.

Ways to Actually Save Money on a Kitchen Extension

Compare Various Cabinet Options

Go to a few different establishments, get a few different price quotes, and don't be afraid to haggle. You'll be surprised at how much of a discount you can get off the price by simply asking about it and mentioning that you've been offered a lesser price somewhere else.

Also, don't let yourself get lured in by big discounts such as fifty percent off this month; in all likely, the price has been artificially raised so that the store can offer you a discount of that magnitude.

Last but not least, you should make it a point to shop at at least a few different stores. Not only will it assist you in locating the most affordable option, but it also has the potential to provide you with a variety of options for your design.

Go Appliance Shopping Online

Make your purchases of home appliances online. If it's not a very specialised item, most of the greatest big brands are sold online, where they are usually always less expensive than in a kitchen showroom. This is true even if the item in question is extremely specialised.

Because some showrooms only sell the brands that they exhibit, you might even have more options available to you when it comes to brands. Do some research to find what you're looking for, and don't forget to make your purchases in a timely manner. You don't want to come to the point where you need them the day after tomorrow, just to find out that they are sold out.

You may also source your smaller appliances, such as the sink or tap, online as well; although, in most cases, the amount you can save will not be quite as high as it would be otherwise. However, if you are intent on making the most savings possible, there is no harm in looking at different options.

Spend Less on Name-Brand Home Appliances

The vast majority of us only take notice of the brand of the appliance when we can really see it. Many times, in order to assist individuals in saving money on their appliances, we suggest that they get a more well-known brand for the ovens and hobs because these are always on show and can be an essential factor in resale value.

On the other hand, you can get away with purchasing less well-known names for appliances that are concealed behind a cabinet door. This includes the dishwasher, as well as possibly the refrigerator/freezer and the range hood.

Because they do not have that particular emblem, the price of these items is typically lower; but, they may have every other feature that you require. Nobody will be the wiser, and the vast majority of the time, they are every bit as good as (and sometimes even better than) the well-known brand names.

You Should Purchase the Counter Top Individually

This is a significant one that, in some cases, can end up saving you a sizable amount of money.

Your best bet, whether you have laminate or hardwood (timber) countertops, is to purchase the lengths of your worktops on your own through an online retailer.

It would be far more cost effective for you to purchase these sorts of worktops on your own rather than going through a kitchen showroom because there are many reputable internet suppliers that sell them.

The majority of the time, the kitchen showroom sells the same thing as its competitors, but at a price that includes their profit margin.

Given that laminate and oak worktops come in standard sizes, you'll need to figure out how much material you'll need for each run of your worktop.

Always leave a little bit of extra room for cutting, and if it looks like it might be too close, choose the next size up to be on the safe side. You can always utilise the offcuts as chopping boards, especially if the work surface is made of wood.

Visit a stone fabricator or quarry instead of doing internet shopping if you have a worktop that resembles granite or quartz. This is the best place to get replacement parts.

If you want to discover a good stone fabricator in your area, you will need to do some research and put in some effort, but after you have found one or two, you should obtain some estimates for the work you want done.

It is highly likely that the price will be lower than the one that was estimated by your kitchen showroom for the identical item. Again, it is very likely that the same service and guarantee will be provided; in fact, it is possible that you will be dealing with the same firm that the kitchen showroom does; the only difference is that you will be skipping the middleman.

Hiring a Reliable Fitter in Your Area

The expense of putting in a kitchen could be a major consideration. The cost of using a kitchen store's in-house installation service is typically higher than hiring a truly exceptional local fitter. Get a price quote, ask for referrals, and look at the company's portfolio if you can.

The negative aspect of this is that if they break something, you will need to bargain to get a replacement and pay for that in addition to the original cost. If something were broken during installation by the kitchen company's in-house installation crew, they would be responsible for replacing it.

When deciding whether or not the savings are worth the slight increase in risk, think about how much assurance you want to have about the kitchen's fit.

You Should Get the Accessories on Your Own

You may save money by purchasing your kitchen accessories online as well, just like you might by saving money by purchasing your appliances online yourself. Spice racks, wooden cutlery trays, pegboards and pop-up sockets  to organise your pan drawers are just a few of the small accessories (typically upsells) that you may have in your kitchens.

These are all examples of things that you can have in your kitchens. You could wish to have some of these extra valuable components for your kitchen, but it will be much more cost effective for you to acquire them on your own.

Imagine that rather than having the kitchen business install your new kitchen, you have decided to hire a local fitter or builder to do the job. In that case, you could take these savings on accessories one step further by sourcing any storage mechanisms yourself as well. This would bring the total savings on accessories to three.

Rather than having the cabinetry service put in le-mans corner solutions, integrated bins, pull-out wirework and even under-cabinet lights, you can save a tonne of money if you buy them online and do it yourself. This is especially the case when comparing the cost of purchasing the cabinets with and without having them set up.

Repurpose Some of Your Current Kitchen’s Components

Why get rid of anything that is in good condition and still functional if it may be put to good use? Keeping some of your home's equipment can be an excellent method to reduce overall costs.

Since the majority of home appliances come in predetermined standard sizes, it will be simple to replace things like your oven if you ever decide you want a more advanced model. This may make it easier to budget for the total expense over time.

Why not make your breakfast bar out of part of that magnificent piece of hardwood worktop that you are getting rid of? By doing so, you will save money that would have been spent on purchasing new timber. Not only can you save some money by combining different textures in your kitchen, but it may also make your space appear amazing.

Consider repurposing your kitchen cabinets in your utility room or garage, if you have either of those spaces, provided that they are still in good functioning condition and have not been damaged.

Get Rid of That Outdated Kitchen by Selling It!

Even while you may find that your old kitchen is no longer to your liking, this does not necessarily mean that it needs to be thrown away. There are businesses available today that will pay you money for your used kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances.

Attempting to sell your old appliances for a small amount of money could still be worthwhile.

There are specialised websites and businesses that will buy your used kitchen from you. You could be shocked by the things that people are looking for and the prices that they are willing to pay for them.

Full disclosure, we have never had any customers utilise these sites; but, they are available for you to investigate, and they could very well be just what you are looking for!

Minimise Alterations to the Structure, if Possible

Before agreeing to that extension, give it a lot of thought and consideration. It's true that having that enormous open area will make your home appear amazing, but ask yourself this: do you really need it? What is the price going to be? And if you plan to sell it in the near future, do you think it will be worth the investment? The cost of the project is likely to balloon dramatically if architects and planning applications are brought into the picture.

One further method for creating more space is to tear down interior walls, which can be done very easily if the walls in question are stud walls and do not hold any weight. When compared to the expense of constructing an addition or anything else that requires supporting steelwork, this might result in significant savings on the cost of the structure. Additionally, it may allow you to skip the requirement for architects and planning clearance.

How Much Money Is Your Peace of Mind, Time and Stress Worth?

It is true that you can cut costs by doing many things on your own, but doing so will need a lot of your time and may lead you to feel stressed out. On the other hand, if you paid a professional to do their job and this work for you, not only would you be able to reclaim some of your time, but you would also be relieved of the responsibility that would fall on your shoulders in the event that something went wrong.

For example, if you order the wrong length of worktop, you will be responsible for the expense of having it rectified. On the other hand, if the kitchen company orders the wrong stuff, guess who is responsible for paying to have it fixed? Not you. And, let's keep our fingers crossed that they won't order the wrong length to begin with!

It is impossible to overstate the benefits of hiring a professional to do their job and relieve you of some of the time, worry, and responsibility that comes along with it. We are confident that you already have a significant amount of responsibilities in your day-to-day life, even without adding all of this additional work on top of it.

Consider both yourself and the project at hand, consider the benefits and drawbacks of the savings, and know that I am sending positive thoughts your way on the renovation of the kitchen. Also, keep in mind that if all else fails, you should try to befriend a kitchen designer.

Conclusion

The construction of an addition can be a challenging balancing act between creating a place that you like and maintaining a strict financial plan. There are two types of house extensions: single storey and side return extensions. Single storey extensions can add to the height of the first floor and will have no effect on the second, while side return extensions can add additional space to incorporate a dining area, an additional office, or a more comprehensive area for appliances. If you opt for a single-story extension, you should consider how the roof of the expansion will mesh with the aesthetic of the rest of your home and whether or not the construction of this kind of extension will have an effect on your neighbours.
Wrap-Around Extensions and Conservatory Extensions are two options for expanding the kitchen. Wrap-Around Extensions combine a side return extension with a rear extension into a single structure known as a wrap-around extension, which results in a significantly bigger kitchen and living room. Rear Kitchen Extensions are common in situations where there is no side return option available and extend from the back of the house into the kitchen. Conservatory Extensions have the potential to create the most stunning view and are typically more affordable than other extensions. Getting started involves making as little alterations to the house as is humanly practicable in an effort to cut costs.

The second choice is the best one because it satisfies all of the requirements of the customers. The most important details in this text are that it is important to consider a master plan before beginning any major renovations or additions to your home, and that even the smallest changes can have a significant impact on the level of comfort and energy efficiency in your home. It is also important to consider the possibility of designing places that can serve several purposes and to purchase goods that are already manufactured rather than having them produced to order. Finally, it is recommended to consider what kind of extension will be appropriate for your needs, such as open floor plans and kitchen additions. Extending a kitchen is a big investment and requires planning approval.

To save money, it is important to compare various Cabinet options, haggle, shop at at least a few different stores, and go appliance shopping online. Do some research to find what you're looking for and make your purchases in a timely manner. The most important details in this text are that it is important to consider different options when purchasing name-brand home appliances, such as less well-known names for appliances that are concealed behind a cabinet door, and to purchase the lengths of your worktops on your own through an online retailer. It is also important to leave a little bit of extra room for cutting, and if it looks like it might be too close, choose the next size. Visit a stone fabricator or quarry instead of doing internet shopping if you have a worktop that resembles granite or quartz.

It is highly likely that the price will be lower than the one estimated by your kitchen showroom, and the same service and guarantee will be provided. However, the cost of using a kitchen store's in-house installation service is typically higher than hiring a truly exceptional local fitter. When deciding whether or not the savings are worth the slight increase in risk, think about how much assurance you want to have about the kitchen's fit. The most important details in this text are that it is possible to save money by sourcing any storage mechanisms yourself, repurposing some of your current kitchen's components, and selling your old appliances for a small amount of money. These methods can help to reduce overall costs and make it easier to budget for the total expense over time.

Additionally, they can help to make your breakfast bar out of part of that magnificent piece of hardwood worktop, combining different textures in your kitchen, and making your space appear amazing. Minimise alterations to the structure and tear down interior walls to create more space, which can save money and reduce the need for architects and planning clearance. Consider how much peace of mind, time and stress it is worth. Hiring a professional to do the work for you can help you reclaim some of your time and relieve you of the responsibility that would fall on your shoulders in the event that something went wrong. It is important to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of the savings, and if all else fails, try to befriend a kitchen designer.

Content Summary

1. If you have decided that your current kitchen is too small for your needs, or if you are ready to go open plan (or broken plan), then a kitchen extension may be the best way to get those much-needed extra square metres while making the most of your space.
2. Another perk is that it lets you rearrange your furniture and other interior features.
3. If you're interested in expanding your area, there are a few different options you can look into.
4. Your kitchen could use the extra space that a ground-level addition provides.
5. If you opt for a single-story extension, you should think about how the roof of the expansion will mesh with the aesthetic of the rest of your home and whether or not the construction of this kind of extension will have an effect on your neighbours.
6. For homes constructed during the Victorian or Edwardian eras, a side return extension was a common alternative for adding living space.
7. You can add on to your house in this spot and gain some much-needed kitchen space as a result.
8. You might want to think about extending the side return if you don't end up using this space very often.
9. There's a lot of wasted space in your home that you can put to good use by expanding your kitchen into it.
10. Ideas for extending the kitchen that are more extensive and daring may involve more labour, but they may return an even more significant reward in terms of space.
11. It is possible to combine a side return extension with a rear extension into a single structure known as a wrap-around extension, which results in a significantly bigger kitchen and living room.
12. For this kind of expansion, you can choose either a flat roof or a pitched roof for the structure that covers the extension.
13. Rear kitchen extensions are common in situations where there is no side return option available and extend from the back of the house into the kitchen.
14. A flat roof, a single-slope roof, and a gable roof are the three main types of roofs out there.
15. You should give some thought to your needs before committing to this extension, as it may reduce the amount of grassy space at your disposal.
16. A "feasibility design review" is something that happens rather frequently in our office.
17. After that, we devise two easy-to-follow rough sketches of the plans.
18. The first approach involves making as little alterations to the house as is humanly practicable in an effort to cut costs.
19. The second choice is the best one because it satisfies all of the requirements of the customers.
20. After completing these sketches, we talk about the idea with a few different builders to obtain their feedback on how much it would cost.
21. Before beginning the process of actually designing and constructing the structure, we make use of this information to do research on the available design alternatives and formulate a cost-effective plan.
22. To have a better concept of all the things that can be done to improve the energy efficiency and usefulness of your home, it is often a good idea to construct a master plan.
23. This will give you a better picture of what can be done.
24. However, as we have stated previously, it is important to remember that even the smallest changes can have a significant impact on the level of comfort and energy efficiency in your home.
25. Consider your requirements before beginning any major renovations or additions to your home.
26. Before you get started planning an extension, there are a few things you need to think about first.
27. This involves determining what kind of extension will be appropriate for your needs.
28. Think on what you want to accomplish with the extension before you get started on the project.
29. Ideas for extending your kitchen do more than just create additional space; they can also completely transform the atmosphere of your home.
30. An extension is a big investment, and you are required to obtain planning approval before you can move forwards with the project.
31. The size of your extension will be determined by the available space on your property as well as your budget.
32. A consideration of how much it will cost should be made early on in the design stages of a kitchen extension.
33. Go to a few different establishments, get a few different price quotes, and don't be afraid to haggle.
34. Last but not least, you should make it a point to shop at at least a few different stores.
35. Not only will it assist you in locating the most affordable option, but it also has the potential to provide you with a variety of options for your design.
36. Make your purchases of home appliances online.
37. If it's not a very specialised item, most of the greatest big brands are sold online, where they are usually always less expensive than in a kitchen showroom.
38. Do some research to find what you're looking for, and don't forget to make your purchases in a timely manner.
39. You may also source your smaller appliances, such as the sink or tap, online as well; although, in most cases, the amount you can save will not be quite as high as it would be otherwise.
40. The vast majority of us only take notice of the brand of the appliance when we can really see it.
41. Many times, in order to assist individuals in saving money on their appliances, we suggest that they get a more well-known brand for the ovens and hobs because these are always on show and can be an essential factor in resale value.
42. On the other hand, you can get away with purchasing less well-known names for appliances that are concealed behind a cabinet door.
43. This includes the dishwasher, as well as possibly the refrigerator/freezer and the range hood.
44. Nobody will be the wiser, and the vast majority of the time, they are every bit as good as (and sometimes even better than) the well-known brand names.
45. Your best bet, whether you have laminate or hardwood (timber) countertops, is to purchase the lengths of your worktops on your own through an online retailer.
46. It would be far more cost effective for you to purchase these sorts of worktops on your own rather than going through a kitchen showroom because there are many reputable internet suppliers that sell them.
47. Given that laminate and oak worktops come in standard sizes, you'll need to figure out how much material you'll need for each run of your worktop.
48. Always leave a little bit of extra room for cutting, and if it looks like it might be too close, choose the next size up to be on the safe side.
49. You can always utilise the offcuts as chopping boards, especially if the work surface is made of wood.
50. Visit a stone fabricator or quarry instead of doing internet shopping if you have a worktop that resembles granite or quartz.
51. This is the best place to get replacement parts.
52. If you want to discover a good stone fabricator in your area, you will need to do some research and put in some effort, but after you have found one or two, you should obtain some estimates for the work you want done.
53. It is highly likely that the price will be lower than the one that was estimated by your kitchen showroom for the identical item.
54. The expense of putting in a kitchen could be a major consideration.
55. The cost of using a kitchen store's in-house installation service is typically higher than hiring a truly exceptional local fitter.
56. Get a price quote, ask for referrals, and look at the company's portfolio if you can.
57. The negative aspect of this is that if they break something, you will need to bargain to get a replacement and pay for that in addition to the original cost.
58. If something were broken during installation by the kitchen company's in-house installation crew, they would be responsible for replacing it.
59. When deciding whether or not the savings are worth the slight increase in risk, think about how much assurance you want to have about the kitchen's fit.
60. You may save money by purchasing your kitchen accessories online as well, just like you might by saving money by purchasing your appliances online yourself.
61. Spice racks, wooden cutlery trays, pegboards and pop-up sockets  to organise your pan drawers are just a few of the small accessories (typically upsells) that you may have in your kitchens.
62. These are all examples of things that you can have in your kitchens.
63. You could wish to have some of these extra valuable components for your kitchen, but it will be much more cost effective for you to acquire them on your own.
64. Imagine that rather than having the kitchen business install your new kitchen, you have decided to hire a local fitter or builder to do the job.
65. In that case, you could take these savings on accessories one step further by sourcing any storage mechanisms yourself as well.
66. This would bring the total savings on accessories to three.
67. Rather than having the cabinetry service put in le-mans corner solutions, integrated bins, pull-out wirework and even under-cabinet lights, you can save a tonne of money if you buy them online and do it yourself.
68. This is especially the case when comparing the cost of purchasing the cabinets with and without having them set up.
69. Why get rid of anything that is in good condition and still functional if it may be put to good use?
70. Keeping some of your home's equipment can be an excellent method to reduce overall costs.
71. Not only can you save some money by combining different textures in your kitchen, but it may also make your space appear amazing.
72. Consider repurposing your kitchen cabinets in your utility room or garage, if you have either of those spaces, provided that they are still in good functioning condition and have not been damaged.
73. Even while you may find that your old kitchen is no longer to your liking, this does not necessarily mean that it needs to be thrown away.
74. There are businesses available today that will pay you money for your used kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances.
75. Attempting to sell your old appliances for a small amount of money could still be worthwhile.
76. There are specialised websites and businesses that will buy your used kitchen from you.
77. You could be shocked by the things that people are looking for and the prices that they are willing to pay for them.
78. Full disclosure, we have never had any customers utilise these sites; but, they are available for you to investigate, and they could very well be just what you are looking for!
79. Before agreeing to that extension, give it a lot of thought and consideration.
80. It's true that having that enormous open area will make your home appear amazing, but ask yourself this: do you really need it?
81. What is the price going to be?
82. And if you plan to sell it in the near future, do you think it will be worth the investment?
83. The cost of the project is likely to balloon dramatically if architects and planning applications are brought into the picture.
84. One further method for creating more space is to tear down interior walls, which can be done very easily if the walls in question are stud walls and do not hold any weight.
85. When compared to the expense of constructing an addition or anything else that requires supporting steelwork, this might result in significant savings on the cost of the structure.
86. Additionally, it may allow you to skip the requirement for architects and planning clearance.
87. It is true that you can cut costs by doing many things on your own, but doing so will need a lot of your time and may lead you to feel stressed out.
88. On the other hand, if you paid a professional to do their job and this work for you, not only would you be able to reclaim some of your time, but you would also be relieved of the responsibility that would fall on your shoulders in the event that something went wrong.
89. For example, if you order the wrong length of worktop, you will be responsible for the expense of having it rectified.
90. On the other hand, if the kitchen company orders the wrong stuff, guess who is responsible for paying to have it fixed? Not you.
91. It is impossible to overstate the benefits of hiring a professional to do their job and relieve you of some of the time, worry, and responsibility that comes along with it.
92. We are confident that you already have a significant amount of responsibilities in your day-to-day life, even without adding all of this additional work on top of it.
93. Consider both yourself and the project at hand, consider the benefits and drawbacks of the savings, and know that I am sending positive thoughts your way on the renovation of the kitchen.
94. Also, keep in mind that if all else fails, you should try to befriend a kitchen designer.