Advice needed as I don’t know where to start

[Wheelyweddingwipedout]

I’ve only lived in new builds so I’ve never been involved in any property modernisation before.

I’ve just moved into a lovely bungalow that needs a new kitchen but, to my eye, it would make sense to knock through to the lounge as well.

Which experts do I need to help me understand what is possible and how much it would cost to knock through and then put a kitchen in?

all advice welcome thank you

We just did a knockthrough project and it came in at just over 30 grand.

Kitchen including quartz worktop, jet engine extractor fan, knock out wall (4m lintel), rewire, new appliances (double oven, 2 fridges, 1 fitted microwave, new hob etc), new radiators (including moving them), new lights and switches, flooring throughout and making good.

This is not London/SE, so add extra if you are there.

Thanks Noon

What experts do I need? Architect? Building surveyor? Builder? Kitchen fitter?

I don’t know who I need to help me

I know how silly that sounds

I understand how you feel. I had the same feeling when I moved into my house and had to start planning my first ever kitchen project. I stood there and wondered where to start. I also decided to take out a wall and make it into an open plan. If I can give you some tips, I would start with:

1. getting a structural engineer in as to see what kind of wall you need to remove, that will let you know structurally what you need.

( size of lintel/beam you need )

1. See how you feel about the kitchen itself. I am not a designer type of person, so I asked a kitchen designer to design it for me, cost a few hundred but it was worthwhile. The money you spend on the designer will be worth it as kitchen companies often quote cheaper rates if you have the designs ready, especially if you tell them that you went to a lot of companies to quote for the units.

if you have a kitchen company designs it they don't like giving those plans out in case you walk off and get it from somewhere else.

If this is not in your budget, I am sure kitchen companies can help you to design one. I myself didn't have much luck with them. It helps if you do the measurements before you go to them. (room size, height, windows , doors all measured so they can do you a nice 3D drawing and then you can really see how it would look)

After that it is really about chosing the right kitchen company to buy the units from and get your appliances sorted.

Think about flooring / switches / radiators and lights if you want wall lights...

I hope it helps. Don't worry, as time goes you will feel a lot more comfortable and you gain a lot of knowledge and experience.

Sorry, forgot the end bit.... if all the plans are done and the design ready, then ask builders to quote. The more the better as some quotes can be twice as much as others....

Do you know anyone who can recommend a great builder?

We started with the builder - he recommended architect

He will also be able to say quickly if your ideas are good / expensive etc - before you draw up plans

We had to wait over a year for him to become free but it was worth it

Thank you both!