Choosing to have a home extension can be an expensive choice, but it doesn’t always need to be! There are many ways you can cut the costs of your extension without having to compromise on style or quality. From the materials you use, to the effort you put into the planning stage, you can save money at every point in your home extension process.
Planning Your Kitchen Extension
A kitchen is an investment, so do not skimp on the planning. Get a professional kitchen designer to help you work out the right working triangle (sink, cooker, and fridge). If you do not want to use a designer, make sure to look at lots of example extensions, to gain inspiration and decide what works best early on in the planning stage. Also, when you are thinking about this, take into account existing power and water supplies; moving them can be costly and time-consuming.
If you plan all details of your extension early on, you will save money in the long run by not needing to add extras on to your build. This will save your builder’s time, and your money!
Kitchen units
The carcass, or skeleton, of the kitchen are really all the same. Don’t forget, kitchen units are just cupboards with nice doors on. No one sees the carcass of the kitchen, so you can save money by having an MFC or MDF one rather than solid wood. You can have the doors made of solid wood if you wish. It’s worth noting that solid wood is more likely to warp and distort over time than MDF will and MDF is also easier to clean.
Where to buy your kitchen from
One of the cheapest places to buy a kitchen for your London kitchen extension is to go to a builder’s merchant; their quality and value for money tends to be good. Most won’t have fitters, but they are likely to know and be able to recommend reputable tradesmen for you.
The chain DIY stores can also be good value, but the cost of fitting tends to be high. Usually, local independent companies can offer better value for money as their overheads are lower. Another option is having a kitchen designed by a qualified kitchen designer and then going to a joiner to make it – surprisingly this can be cheaper than many kitchen showrooms and you get a more bespoke product. However, this can take longer than an ‘off the shelf’ kitchen.
It’s all about the detail
If you have opted for a cheaper kitchen, you can give it a luxury aesthetic by investing in top quality handles for the cupboards and draws. Opting for a high-quality floor can also improve the look overall and it may also add value, depending on the materials you use.
When it comes to worktops, you can save money by mixing materials. For example, if you want a solid granite worktop then you could choose just to use it on the island or breakfast bar (if you are having one) – and then opt for a less expensive material on the other parts of the kitchen which won’t get as much use.