Kitchen Extension Guide: Everything You Need to Know in Kent

Kitchen Extensions

Kitchen Extensions in Kent: The Complete Guide

A kitchen extension is consistently ranked as one of the most valuable home improvements you can make. By expanding your kitchen into a larger, open-plan living space, you create the heart of your home — a place for cooking, dining, entertaining, and family life.

This guide covers everything Kent homeowners need to know about planning, designing, and building a kitchen extension.

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Kitchen Extension?

Many kitchen extensions fall under permitted development rights, meaning no planning application is required. The key rules for single-storey rear extensions are:

Detached Houses

Semi-Detached and Terraced Houses

All Properties

Note: If your property is in a conservation area (common in parts of Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, and Cranbrook), additional restrictions apply. We'll advise you during your free consultation.

How Much Does a Kitchen Extension Cost?

Kitchen extension costs in Kent vary based on size and specification:

Small Extension (10–15m²): £25,000 – £40,000

Typically extending the existing kitchen by 2–3 metres. Enough to add a dining area or island.

Medium Extension (15–25m²): £40,000 – £65,000

Creates a genuine open-plan kitchen-diner. Room for a large island, dining table, and potentially a sofa area.

Large Extension (25–40m²): £65,000 – £100,000+

A transformative addition creating a full kitchen-living-dining space. May include bi-fold doors to the garden, vaulted ceiling with skylights, and high-end finishes.

These prices include: Foundations, structural work, roofing, electrics, plumbing, plastering, flooring, and decoration — but typically exclude the kitchen units and appliances themselves.

The Extension Build Process

1. Design and Planning (2–4 weeks)

We work with you and, if needed, an architect to design your extension. We'll handle any planning applications or building regulations submissions.

2. Foundations (1–2 weeks)

Excavation, concrete strip footings, and damp-proof course installation. For larger extensions, structural steel may be needed.

3. Structural Build (3–6 weeks)

Walls are constructed (typically blockwork), the steel beam installed to remove the existing external wall, and the roof structure completed.

4. Weatherproofing (1–2 weeks)

Roofing, windows, and doors installed. The space becomes watertight.

5. First Fix (1–2 weeks)

Plumbing, electrical wiring, and underfloor heating pipes installed before plastering.

6. Plastering and Second Fix (2–3 weeks)

Walls plastered, electrics fitted, plumbing connected. Flooring laid.

7. Kitchen Installation (1–2 weeks)

Your chosen kitchen supplier installs units and worktops. Appliances connected.

8. Finishing (1 week)

Decoration, tiling, final snagging, and handover.

Total timeline: Typically 12–20 weeks from groundwork to completion.

Design Tips for Kent Kitchen Extensions

Maximise Natural Light

Open-Plan vs Broken-Plan

Full open-plan suits some families, but "broken-plan" — using islands, level changes, or partial walls to define zones — often works better for real-life living.

Heating Considerations

Underfloor heating is strongly recommended in kitchen extensions. It frees up wall space, distributes heat evenly, and works beautifully with tile or stone flooring.

Don't Forget Storage

Extensions create more space, but kitchens always need more storage than you think. Plan for floor-to-ceiling units, a utility area, and a pantry if space allows.

Building Regulations for Kitchen Extensions

All kitchen extensions must comply with Building Regulations, covering:

We handle all building control applications and inspections as part of our service.

Is a Kitchen Extension Worth It?

A well-designed kitchen extension typically adds 10–15% to your property's value — often significantly more than the build cost. In Kent's strong property market, a modern open-plan kitchen is one of the most sought-after features for buyers.

Browse our building projects or contact us for a free consultation.

We serve homeowners across Kent including Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and Maidstone.

Call 07850 357962 or get a free kitchen extension quote.