Need advice/educating ref installing new kitchen plus knocking through from dining room to kitchen

[Rollergirl1]

I am a complete novice at this and have no idea how to go about this or how to start...

We are looking to knock through the wall between our dining room and the kitchen and then get a new kitchen installed. Do we need to contact a builder first and get a quote or do we need to contact an architect and get plans drawn up? Do we need plans if all we are doing is knocking down a wall? I have no idea if it is load bearing or not.

If we decide not to go with knocking down the wall and just get new kitchen do we still need a builder to install the kitchen?

Sorry, probably really silly questions but have no idea!

Hoping someone knows as I'm planning to do the same! I think a builder can tell you if the wall is load bearing and it will need support calculating and something to say its all been done to building regs. Not sure about the planning though. Hoping to fit the kitchen ourselves as it will be ikea and hopefully not too difficult( wishful thinking?!)

We're doing this (or will be when the builder turns up!).

Rather than an architect, you could probably do with a structural engineer. He will be able to tell if its a load bearing wall and where to go from there. Even if its load bearing, it can come out, you will just need more in the way of steels etc.

If you're not knocking through, then you can probably do without the builder. But if you're moving the plumbing then you'll need a plumber, possibly a sparky for the wall sockets or wiring in a new oven, and if you're moving where the units are, then you might need a plasterer to skim the walls (depending on the state they're in when the tiles/worktops come off).

Does this help?

A. Is your home listed or in a conservation area ?

B. And are you the owners ?

C. Is it a single dwelling or do you have people above or below ?
D. Is there a fireplace in the wall you are hoping to have removed ?
E. is there a wall directly above it ?

DaisyBell: Thank you that does help.

TheWookies: It's not listed, yes we own it, it is a single dwelling, there is no fireplace in the wall we want to remove, yes i think the wall to a bedroom is directly above.

It's a double-fronted victorian semi-detached house.

I have an idea of the builder i'd like to use but don't know the protocol. Do i need to get plans sorted out first or can I just get the builder to come and give me a quote and tell me what's?

Sounds like it will be a supporting wall - so will probably need RSJ support - some builders are happy to sort this for you - others insist on a structural engineer that you need to arrange - at the end of the day the responsibly for this build is actually YOURS not the builders ( as you are the home owners) . Take his advice and also check with your local authority that they are happy with what and how you I tend to do this ! (A simple phone call should suffice) Make sure any electrical work is part P certificated, add an extractor fan that ducts smells straight outside ( to avoid supper smells around the house - and to comply with guidelines) if you are DIY'ing the kitchen design yourselves - as a pro to look over it before you buy anything - never compromise your safety !!!
Check though past mumsnet kitchen posts for valuable advice and info !!!
And don't worry - its not always as stressfull as it might seem !!! :-)

I tend = intend ! Spell check !!! Uuurrrghhh !!

We've just gone through the same process - as in, total numpties novices having not a clue about what to do. So we spoke to a couple of recommended builders and asked if they could come and have a look. They were lovely and helped with suggestions on what order to do things in, recommended other professionals to help etc.

As we were doing more than just knocking a wall down, we're using an architectural designer (for £750) who has drawn up the plans AND will help us get building regs. (We're doing an extension and as in were are in a conservation area, he helped with planning too. You won't need planning if you're just doing internal work.)

However, a good builder may well be able to help you with building regs, which will almost certainly be required www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval. You're likely to need a structural engineer's report to support the building regs application as you're taking out a wall - and to be honest, unless you have 100% faith in your builder (like he's your dad) I would get it anyway - you don't want your house falling down!!

We've done this more or less.

Process for us went like this

Get builders round for quotes to remove wall and install rsj only (we knew it was supporting)

Put in building notice with council for installation of rsj

Council building control inspector paid first visit and advised size of beam required

Bought beam

Builder returns to install beam

Sign off by council building control

Measure up and design kitchen using ikea planner

Get electrician to move/install power points as required

Get plumber to move gas connection

Do any other work required e.g. plastering

Order kitchen and appliances

Install kitchen and appliances

Get plumber return to connect gas hob once installed

Kitchen finished

Kitchen renovation photos

You probably got all you need from great advice above, so here is what I can add.

In our area the LA would require a structural engineers report. It would be the first thing to do so you can organise and pay for this yourself. You local building control inspector may be able to provide a list of local structural engineers who can do this.

Then you could apply to Building control & pay them or find a builder. The builder might arrange builder regs compliance for you - make sure it is clear in the contract with the builder.

If you want to DIY or manage the project yourself then pretty much as said by Tizwozliz - great pictures!

Or if you want someone to do it all for you then it might be better to speak to kitchen fitters & suppliers first - some of them can manage the whole project from scratch.

Great pics Tiz

Tiz - kitchen looks fab, how long did it take been ordering kitchen and delivering?

Tiz, I love the pictures. Was it a nightmare to knock the wall down in terms of disruption, mess, not being cake to cook and so on? how long did the whole thing take?

... And what was the cost breakdown?
Thanks!

We had about 2 weeks between ordering and delivery of the kitchen although we could have had it sooner but chose a more convenient delivery date.

The installation of the RSJ took a couple of hours, I knocked down the wall myself in a couple of evenings after work, quite good fun

The layout of the existing kitchen meant we were able to keep the sink and cooker in place whilst we were doing other work, so i think we only had a week or so when we were without any sort of cooker and sink when we were actually fitting the kitchen. We did live with mess for quite a while though.

We kept costs low by doing as much as possible ourselves. Putting in a universal beam cost around £500 including cost of beam, building regs, skip hire, payment to builder plus materials. kitchen including appliances and worktops was 3.5k. £100 to move gas, £100 for electrical work. £750 on floor, plaster (plastered ourselves), paint, wall tiles. So somewhere around 5k altogether

Wow Tiz wish we were capable enough to do all of that ourselves!

We spent a lot of time looking how to do stuff up on the internet