WhetstoneOlmstead60

WhetstoneOlmstead60 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:43:21 GMT

WhetstoneOlmstead60: Created page with 'Decisions, decisions Whether you are helping the available space or not, do some foot work before you start. Before you consult a kitchen specialist or call in the builders take …'

Decisions, decisions
Whether you are helping the available space or not, do some foot work before you start. Before you consult a kitchen specialist or call in the builders take a moment to think about the way you uses the area. This should help you decide design that's best for your way of life. Are you going to be eating there; if the room can be used as family gathering space, do you want an informal sitting area? Have you been an enthusiastic cook who needs plenty of work top space or perhaps a fast and ready cook that requires central stage for your microwave?

Where are your drains?
Probably the most important considerations when you begin planning your kitchen is drainage. More often than not the available drains and outside walls determines the layout of the kitchen. Outlet pipes for sinks and appliances such as dishwashers and automatic washers need, wherever possible, direct access to external drainage. Additionally you need to consider the capacity from the drains and whether they can cope with potential usage. If you reside inside a home this is not a problem as capacity is taken into account once the house is built.

Should you start moving pipes about to accommodate layout this can prove expensive and could 't be consistent with building regulations. If you're changing things it is always advisable to take a look at your opinions before you start.

The eternal triangle
When you are planning the preparation area, remember the working triangle theory linking the oven/hob, fridge and sink. Get them to close together and incorporate worktops between then whenever we can to allow preparing food and somewhere to put pots before the next operation within the cooking procedure. Finally, consider storage and how much is required for cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils as well as groceries.

Safety and competence
Moving or changing utility points (water, gas and electrical) will prove to add towards the cost of the project, but this is the time to make certain that you've got a good way to obtain well placed electrical points. If you are moving or installing a gas boiler or cooker, guarantee the installer is Corgi registered. Corgi is the Council of Registered Gas Installers and it is the gas safety and competence watchdog. You have to make sure that the installer is registered individually not only the organization he works best for. This is required by Health & Safety legislation and never doing so may invalidate the product guarantees.

There are 45,000 Corgi installers in the UK and the majority of the FMB's 13,000 members will also be registered.

Lend your support
If you're renewing a current kitchen your builder will help you with plans and drawings, but major alterations to the existing layout - for instance getting a wall or building extra time - will likely require additional supports towards the existing structure. Get yourself a builder who can help you with planning and building regulations which is better to take advice from a structural engineer as well as engaging an architect to draw up plans.

Browse the rules
The good news is that planning permission is not always essential for small extensions but you should speak to your local planning office and get if the work can be achieved within permitted development. When the house hasn't been extended since 1948 this really is likely to be the situation, but you have to get in advance. If planning permission is needed and also you don't apply, the authorities can make you remove the extension and return your building to its original state.

All extensions must, however, meet Building Regulations and it is better to submit full plans to the local authority building control department to allow them to advise on any changes needed before work begins.

Have you been floored?
Consider flooring - can you overlay your selected material onto your existing floor? Make sure whatever you decide is suitable for kitchen spills and water leaks that are inevitable. Some laminate floors, for instance, does not cope too well with leaks.

Make use of the pros
Finding a professional company to change your kitchen needn't be considered a problem. With a few 13,000 vetted builders through the UK, the FMB's website, www.findabuilder.co.uk is a good place to start, or ask friends and relatives who may have had similar work completed to recommend someone - they are only prone to do so if they had a good experience!

Lastly, during the construction work consider how you are going to cope without kitchen facilities. Most builders works around your family needs but the warm water and cooking facilities will inevitably need moving at some point so get your contingency plan in position.

The resources with this article where collected from the a few different sites, thanks for spending time to see on <a href="http://foxconversions.com">Loft Conversion Essex</a>

P-MART wiki - User contributions [en]

WhetstoneOlmstead60