Kitchen design and planning in Exmouth

Thinking about kitchen design and planning in Exmouth?

In an Exmouth semi with a small back kitchen, planning often comes down to fitting more storage and worktop into the same footprint without crowding the room.

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. We work throughout Exmouth (EX8) and across the wider Devon area.

What is in a typical job?

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

Socket, switch, lighting and extraction positions marked for the electrician
A final plan and specification to order from and fit to
Appliance positions, housings and ventilation gaps checked against real sizes
Elevations and 3D views for larger or open-plan kitchens where chosen
Positions of water, waste, gas, power and radiators recorded on the plan
Working zones planned for preparation, cooking, washing and storage

What does kitchen design and planning cost in Exmouth?

The figures below are guide prices for Exmouth, including VAT and adjusted for typical costs across the South West. The fixed price comes after we have measured up. Prices across the South West are broadly in line with UK averages.

What does kitchen design and planning cost in Exmouth?
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%.

Fitting kitchens in older and newer Exmouth homes

The housing mix across Devon includes cob and thatched cottages, Victorian terraces, post-war houses and flats and seaside bungalows, so no two kitchen fits are quite alike. 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.

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. 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.

Do you need approval for kitchen design and planning in Exmouth?

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.

Practical advice for Exmouth homeowners

Ask for the plan for your Exmouth kitchen to show socket, switch and light positions as well as units, so the electrician can follow it.
Count the small appliances you use every day, such as a kettle, toaster and coffee machine, so enough worktop sockets are planned for them.
If you are extending or knocking through in Exmouth, finalise the kitchen plan before the builder fixes drainage and power points.
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 Exmouth

How much does kitchen design and planning cost in Exmouth?

For measured drawings and a layout plan for a kitchen bought elsewhere, budget around £310 to £930 including VAT in Exmouth. That reflects typical costs in the South West; we confirm the actual figure in writing once we have measured up.

Do you cover all of Exmouth?

Yes. We work across Exmouth, including the EX8 postcode district, and nearby towns such as Exeter and Newton Abbot. Book a free survey visit and we will arrange a time that suits you.

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.

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.

Nearby places we cover

Neighbouring towns where we offer kitchen design and planning: