Kitchen design and planning in Canterbury

Why do people in Canterbury choose kitchen design and planning?

Families across Kent sometimes want a layout that lets two people cook at the same time, which changes how the working zones and walkways are planned.

In a Canterbury semi with a small back kitchen, planning often comes down to fitting more storage and worktop into the same footprint without crowding the room. We cover all of Canterbury, including the CT1 postcode district, and travel out to neighbouring towns across Kent.

What is in a typical job?

Here is what usually goes into kitchen design and planning, adjusted to your Canterbury kitchen after we have measured it:

Positions of water, waste, gas, power and radiators recorded on the plan
Elevations and 3D views for larger or open-plan kitchens where chosen
Appliance positions, housings and ventilation gaps checked against real sizes
Layout options such as galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, island or peninsula
Measured survey of walls, windows, doors, ceiling height and floor levels
A final plan and specification to order from and fit to

What does kitchen design and planning cost in Canterbury?

The figures below are guide prices for Canterbury, including VAT and adjusted for typical costs across the South East. The fixed price comes after we have measured up. Expect costs in the South East to sit somewhat above UK averages, reflecting local labour rates.

What does kitchen design and planning cost in Canterbury?
Typical project	Guide price
Design for a kitchen we supplyMeasured survey, layout plan and specification are part of the supply-and-fit price	Included
Measured drawings and layout plan for a kitchen bought elsewhereMeasured drawing, layout and service positions for your fitter and supplier	£340–£1,000
Detailed design with 3D views and elevationsFor larger or open-plan kitchens	£690–£1,700

Design is included in the supply-and-fit price; for kitchens bought elsewhere, the guide prices cover the measured survey, layout drawing and service positions, with 3D views and elevations in the detailed option. The survey visit to quote is free; the fee covers the measured drawings and layout plan you can take to any supplier. Prices include VAT at 20%.

Kitchens in homes around Canterbury

Typical homes in this part of Kent include Victorian terraces, weatherboarded cottages, 1930s semis and oast house conversions. Victorian terraces in the Medway towns and along the coast often have a narrow back-addition kitchen, while 1930s semis usually have a small kitchen beside a separate dining room.

Water across Kent is hard, so limescale builds up quickly on taps and boiling water taps, and a scale-reducing filter is worth considering. Seaside terraces, permit parking and narrow village lanes can each make deliveries slower, so the route for long worktops is best checked at the survey.

Building regulations, electrics and gas in Canterbury

Designing and fitting a kitchen needs no planning permission in England, but a good plan allows for the rules that follow. New circuits are notifiable under Part P, a cooker hood extracting outside should achieve about 30 litres per second under Approved Document F, and removing a load-bearing wall needs a structural engineer and building control approval. Listed buildings and flats may need consent before a new outside vent is cut.

Listed weatherboarded and timber-framed cottages, oast conversions and homes in conservation areas such as historic Canterbury may need consent for new external vents.

Tips before you start

Ask for the plan for your Canterbury kitchen to show socket, switch and light positions as well as units, so the electrician can follow it.
Measure the appliances you are keeping, including the depth with the doors open, and bring the sizes to the design meeting.
Note where sunlight falls in your Canterbury kitchen during the day, as it affects where people like to prepare food and sit.
Work out the route for cooker hood ducting to an outside wall before fixing the hob position, as long or bent runs reduce extraction.

Questions about kitchen design and planning in Canterbury

How much does kitchen design and planning cost in Canterbury?

Kitchen design and planning in Canterbury typically costs £340 to £1,000 including VAT for measured drawings and a layout plan for a kitchen bought elsewhere, based on prices in the South East. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.

Do you cover all of Canterbury?

Yes. We work across Canterbury, including the CT1 postcode district, and nearby towns such as Whitstable and Herne Bay. Book a free survey visit and we will arrange a time that suits you.

How long does kitchen design take?

Usually one to three weeks from the survey to a final plan, depending on how many layout options you want to compare and how quickly choices about doors, worktops and appliances are made. A replacement in the same layout can be settled quickly, while an open-plan room with an island or moved services often takes a few rounds of changes.

What are the standard sizes of kitchen units and worktops?

Base units are typically 600 mm deep, with worktops around 900 mm from the floor, though the plinth height can raise or lower this slightly. Unit widths come in standard steps, commonly from 150 mm up to 1,000 mm, and wall units are shallower, often around 300 to 350 mm deep. A plan built on real measurements uses filler panels to take up any leftover space.

What is the kitchen work triangle?

The work triangle is a planning idea that links the sink, hob and fridge, keeping each within a short, unobstructed walk of the others so cooking takes fewer steps. It is still a useful check, but many kitchens are now planned in zones for preparation, cooking, washing and storage, which suits larger and open-plan rooms where more than one person uses the space.

Kitchen design and planning in neighbouring towns

We also carry out kitchen design and planning in these towns near Canterbury: