The kitchen is normally considered the heart of the house and we bet you would not have seen any household without the concept of kitchen! Being one of the busiest spaces in our homes, house owners always take extra care and attention when building or refurbishing their kitchen! Starting from unique kitchen installation ideas, and appliances, to the best contractors, we always tend to plan and work to ramp up the perfect kitchen together.
Having a basic understanding of Kitchen building is very necessary if you’re planning to go for a modernised kitchen designs of if you’re even going to try out the DIY kitchen. Kitchen installation has its own difficulties and unique ways of working, such as the need for specific tools and cognition, building regulations and setting up budgets. So, let us jump right into the topic and try to understand all we can about kitchen Installation.
Kitchen Installation Basics
Kitchen installation is a multi-stage process, which includes fitting the new kitchen top and other common units, such as sinks, taps, flooring and lighting in their designated spots. Also, technical labour such as plumbing, electrical works, and structural works has to be carried out by certified skilled labours only.
Usually, every home extension or renovation projects tend to get delayed due to various reasons, so it is crucial to speak to your contractor about the start and end dates of your kitchen project. However, the complexity and duration of building your kitchen can depend on the size, design, technical work involved, and the type of material used. Hiring an experienced kitchen expert, like Academy Concepts, can help you create an aesthetic and durable kitchen that meets your requirements.
Types of Kitchen and their Installation Considerations
It is important to know the different types of kitchen designs available in the UK market and which one will suit you the best. Also, the type you choose will influence the installation process. We will look at some of the kitchen design types in Essex:
- Flat-pack kitchens: These are the most common type of kitchens seen in most households as these kitchens are budget-friendly. Installation of flat-pack kitchens are easier as it requires a simple process of assembling and fitting the cabinets onto the walls, installing the worktop and small units and followed by integrating the appliances.
- Rigid Built kitchens: These types of kitchens arrive pre-assembled and the only work is to fit these units onto the designated walls or spaces. This makes the installation process rapid as well as hassle-free. Such kitchens are meant to last long and are said to be of high quality as they are carefully assembled in the factories.
- Bespoke kitchens: Such unique and tailor-made kitchens are very complex to build as home owners commonly go for very intricate kitchen installation designs. Also, this can be time-consuming as such designs require precise techniques, customized carpentry, and careful attention to detail to achieve the desired outcome.
- Galley kitchen: Galley kitchens are usually long, narrow and are built to provide two parallel worktops for easy accessibility. Such kitchens are usually preferred if the available space is small as galley kitchens provide maximum function and efficiency in a limited space.
- Island Kitchens: This type of kitchen always features a freestanding counter top accessible from all sides. Usually, such units always tag along with other kitchen types as this type can only be used as an extra workspace for preparation or cleaning in addition in addition to the existing kitchen.
Estimating the Cost of Kitchen Installation
Curious and confused about setting the budget for your new kitchen? The answer is that the price tag is not a fixed number and it depends on various factors. Let us look into what influences the overall budget of your new kitchen.
Complexity of the project: Replacing the existing units in your kitchen will cost less than revamping your whole kitchen or if you are looking to start building it from scratch. Based on the approach, the cost can vary as this part will include the complexity of plumbing, wiring, and even structural changes if you are looking to extend the kitchen.
Type and number of units: The type of kitchen you choose will eventually decide your cost as each type has different installation techniques. Also, the more the number of cabinets and units you purchase, the more the price you will have to pay. So, bespoke kitchens can cost way more than other types as they include customised designs and require well-skilled labour. Also, it is common knowledge that the brand of the units installed will influence the cost too.
Worktop material: There are many types of kitchen top materials available in the market, such as laminate, granite, quartz, or solid wood. The costs can vary according to the material length and the labour required as per the planned kitchen design.
General labour: This part influences the majority of your budget along with the appliance and unit costs. General labour can include plumbing, electrical works, tiling and flooring, light decors,and plastering, to name a few out of many. Such works also include the cost of the materials as well as labour wages.
Planning Regulations for Kitchen Installation
Generally, if you are just replacing the cabinets and moving the units, you will not require planning permission. However, kitchen installation and renovations involving structural changes as well as building new kitchens will need planning permissions. Let us look at a few minimum regulations set for designing or constructing buildings.
- Water supply: Water supply regulations 1999 ensures the installation of a water supply system to provide clean and uncontaminated water for everyday use.
- Ventilation systems: Every kitchen in the UK must have a well-lit ventilation system to prevent the growth of moulds and mildew. However, if your kitchen is devoid of a window, an exhaust fan is necessary.
- Electrical connections: According to Part P of the UK Building Regulations, all the electrical and wiring works in the kitchen should be done by a qualified electrician only, by adhering to the British Standard BS7671 regulated circuits. This rule also stands for even minor electrical works like socket installation or alterations to existing circuits.
- Gas appliances: Adhering to Gas Safety Regulations 1998 for all the gas appliances including cookers and ovens is mandatory. Installation must be made by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and regular maintenance checks are crucial for safe usage.
Also, it is best recommended to check with the local council in Essex to know more about Kitchen regulations or if your property is a listed building or comes under conservation area.
Why Do Skilled Professionals Matter?
After initial planning and creating a mere design of how the kitchen should look, it is time for real work!
Do-it-yourself kitchens are the trend now and you may be perfect at it, but you have to decide if it is really worth it when you are going to handle a big project like kitchen installation. You need to think if DIY is a good idea financially and duration-wise. You do not want to start building your dream kitchen on your own and leave it half-way because of unforeseen problems or due to lack of expertise in the field. From getting an estimate quote, and initial planning to detailed closure, it is better to reach out to a reputed kitchen installation contractor, like Academy Concepts. As mentioned, building a kitchen from scratch by adhering to complex building regulations can be hard and proper planning is required to get started. Therefore, we recommend getting in touch with professionals for a neat and stress-free kitchen renovation in Essex.
