A lot of homeowners today are keen to make their existing living spaces a little more versatile and flexible by enlarging and adapting their current kitchen space. Kitchen diners are a great option since they create the ideal open plan layout that combines two key living spaces in one family area that can form the centrepiece of the home.
While kitchen diners aren’t necessarily a cheap option, they’re a wise investment. Homes that have this feature typically sell well and often at a higher asking price. Of course, the cost of completing this type of project will vary considerably depending on the standard and quality of the fittings and finishes you select.
It will also depend on the size of the extension as steels will be required to support a larger space’s ceiling and load-bearing walls may need to be removed, increasing the costs still further. Fortunately, a skilled architect can guide you towards sensible configurations and layouts that can help you save money.
Here, we’ll take a look at how much you can expect to spend on a kitchen diner extension so you can easily plan your project’s budget.
On average, you can expect a kitchen diner extension to come in at between £1500 and £2000 per square metre, with professional fees coming in at around 10-15% of the total job’s cost.
A 20 square metre kitchen diner extension will cost around £35000 with the roof and walls costing around £15000 – £20000, the kitchen fixtures and fittings costing around £5000 – £6000.
The lighting and heating costing another £5000 – £6000, flooring costing between £1500 and £2000 and finishing and decorating coming it at between £4000 and £5000.
How Big Should A Kitchen Diner Be?
Adding a kitchen diner to your home is really only worth it when you have sufficient open space for your family to enjoy. Therefore, you really need to go for a space of at least 35 square metres. A smaller space will feel too cramped and will defeat the whole object of the project. If your available extension space is small, you will need to use space-saving innovative options and they will cause the cost of your extension to increase still further.
If you’re extending an existing kitchen, you’ll find your costs are lower compared with the cost of creating a whole new extension area for your kitchen diner. If your current kitchen is 20 square metres, for example, and you’re adding another 20 square metres so it becomes a kitchen diner, it’ll cost around half of the final price of creating a whole new kitchen diner space.
Conservatory Kitchen Diners
One way of extending your space while also improving the amount of natural daylight entering your home is to choose a conservatory kitchen diner extension. However, the final cost of this type of project will depend on the way in which you plan to extend it. If your extension is only going to provide a space for dining, you’ll only be paying for the price of installing the conservatory.
But if you’re including a kitchen area in your extension, you’re going to require electrical work and plumbing. You’ll also need to consider additional costs like hiring professional conservatory installers, kitchen fitters, and skilled electricians and plumbers to complete the project.
Another option is to add an orangery kitchen extension, which will cost around £325000 for a space measuring 4m x 4m. However, again, the cost of the extension is going to rely on the way in which you’re going to develop your space.
Single Storey Extensions For Kitchen Diners
If you’re considering adding only a single-storey extension for your new kitchen diner, you can expect to pay about £1650 to £2300 per square metre with professional fees excluded. A side return kitchen extension will cost around £30000 to £45000 with extra to pay to cover the kitchen cost if you’re going to include it within your new area.
Getting Quotes For A Kitchen Diner Extension
It’s important to get several quotes from reliable contractors when planning your kitchen diner extension. Breaking down the job into precisely what you’re looking for before getting those quotes is key. You’ll need to include your kitchen as well as all of the separate components you need together with the kind of extension you’re looking for, your chosen kitchen design, and any electrical and plumbing works required.
When you have a detailed plan you can get the most accurate quotes from tradespeople within your local area. You should approach a minimum of three contractors to get quotes before making your final choice.
Finding The Best Location For A Kitchen Diner Extension
It’s important to ensure you have sufficient space to add your kitchen diner onto your home – after all, you don’t want the space to feel cramped and uncomfortable. You need a minimum of 35 square metres to ensure adequate room to move so this can affect its location.
As to whether the extension should be at the rear or front of the house, that depends very much on what will work for you best. If you’ve got sufficient room to extend outwards from your existing kitchen you can save money rather than creating a whole new space elsewhere. Of course, if you’re planning to take advantage of your beautiful views or garden, your kitchen diner’s position will need to be positioned correctly to do this.
It’s always wise to get advice from a professional at an early stage in your planning so you can explore the options available to you and decide on the advantages and disadvantages of all of the approaches.
Will I Need To Obtain Planning Permission When Adding A Kitchen Diner Extension To My Home?
Not every homeowner will need to obtain planning permission to add on a kitchen diner extension to their property. Whether you will largely depends on its size and the type of property you have as well as your location. It’s always important to check with the council before beginning planning.