Kitchen design and planning · Devon
Kitchen design and planning in Exeter
Our kitchen design and planning service covers Exeter and nearby places such as Exmouth and Tiverton, with a free survey visit and an itemised written quote as the first step.
Who usually needs kitchen design and planning in Exeter?
Homeowners in Exeter often ask for a design when the kitchen layout no longer suits how they live, even though the room itself is a reasonable size.
People in Devon planning an open-plan kitchen-diner often want a layout drawn before their builder starts, so services end up in exactly the right places. Kitchens in every part of Exeter are covered, and the survey visit is free wherever you are in Devon.
What does the job involve?
After the survey visit we write the scope down. For kitchen design and planning in Exeter it usually covers:
- Socket, switch, lighting and extraction positions marked for the electrician
- Elevations and 3D views for larger or open-plan kitchens where chosen
- Positions of water, waste, gas, power and radiators recorded on the plan
- Layout options such as galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, island or peninsula
- Working zones planned for preparation, cooking, washing and storage
- Measured survey of walls, windows, doors, ceiling height and floor levels
How much does kitchen design and planning cost in Exeter?
Typical kitchen design and planning prices for homes in Exeter, including VAT and adjusted for the South West. Your own figure depends on the size of the kitchen, the layout and what is moving. Prices across the South West are broadly in line with UK averages.
| 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 | £310–£930 |
| Detailed design with 3D views and elevationsFor larger or open-plan kitchens | £620–£1,500 |
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%.
Local homes and their kitchens
Across Devon you will often find cob and thatched cottages, Victorian terraces, post-war houses and flats and seaside bungalows, and each shapes the kitchen differently. Victorian terraces in Exeter and Torbay often have a narrow back kitchen, while post-war houses and seaside bungalows usually have a square room that suits an L-shape.
Single-track lanes, steep town streets and cottages with no parking can make deliveries slow, so long worktops and tall units need a planned route into the house. Much of Devon has soft mains water, which is kind to taps and appliances, though some eastern parts are harder, so check with your supplier.
Do you need approval for kitchen design and planning in Exeter?
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.
Homes within Dartmoor or Exmoor national parks, listed thatched cottages and conservation areas may need consent before a new extractor vent goes through an outside wall.
Worth knowing before the fit
- Ask for the plan for your Exeter kitchen to show socket, switch and light positions as well as units, so the electrician can follow it.
- Before the survey, list what frustrates you about your current Exeter kitchen; it is the quickest way to shape a better layout.
- Note where sunlight falls in your Exeter kitchen during the day, as it affects where people like to prepare food and sit.
- Leave clear walkways; common guidance is around a metre between facing runs or around an island, and more if two people cook together.
Questions about kitchen design and planning in Exeter
How much does kitchen design and planning cost in Exeter?
Kitchen design and planning in Exeter typically costs £310 to £930 including VAT for measured drawings and a layout plan for a kitchen bought elsewhere, based on prices in the South West. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.
Do you cover all of Exeter?
Yes. We work across Exeter, including the EX2 postcode district, and nearby towns such as Exmouth and Tiverton. 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.
Which kitchen layout suits my room?
It depends mainly on the shape of the room, where the doors and windows sit and how many people cook. Narrow rooms suit a galley, rooms with a corner suit an L-shape, and wider rooms can take a U-shape. An island needs space for walkways of around a metre on each side, and a peninsula gives similar worktop space where an island will not fit.
Also covering nearby towns
The same service is available a short drive from Exeter, including:
- Kitchen design and planning in Exmouth
- Kitchen design and planning in Tiverton
- Kitchen design and planning in Newton Abbot
- Kitchen design and planning in Honiton
- Kitchen design and planning in Torquay
- Kitchen design and planning in Paignton
- Kitchen design and planning across Devon