Kitchen design and planning in March

Why kitchen design and planning for a March home?

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

Owners of new-build homes in March sometimes redesign the standard kitchen after a few years to add tall storage, an extra appliance or a breakfast bar. Kitchens in every part of March are covered, and the survey visit is free wherever you are in Cambridgeshire.

What is included in the work?

After the survey visit we write the scope down. For kitchen design and planning in March it usually covers:

Layout options such as galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, island or peninsula
Working zones planned for preparation, cooking, washing and storage
Elevations and 3D views for larger or open-plan kitchens where chosen
Positions of water, waste, gas, power and radiators recorded on the plan
Socket, switch, lighting and extraction positions marked for the electrician
A final plan and specification to order from and fit to

What does kitchen design and planning cost in March?

These guide ranges include VAT at 20% and are adjusted for prices in the East of England. We confirm your price in writing after a free survey visit. Prices in the East of England usually run above the national guide, mainly because labour and parking cost more.

What does kitchen design and planning cost in March?
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	£320–£970
Detailed design with 3D views and elevationsFor larger or open-plan kitchens	£650–£1,600

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 March

The housing mix across Cambridgeshire includes Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, post-war estate houses and fenland bungalows and farmhouses, so no two kitchen fits are quite alike. Terraced houses in Cambridge and Peterborough often have a narrow galley at the back, while Fen bungalows tend to have a simple square kitchen beside the living room.

Water across Cambridgeshire is very hard, so limescale on taps and boiling water taps is common and a filter or softener is worth thinking about. Fen roads and farm tracks can be narrow for delivery lorries, and city-centre terraces often have permit parking and no rear access for long worktops.

Regulations for kitchen work in March

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 houses in historic centres such as Cambridge and Ely may need consent for internal changes or a new vent, although a straightforward kitchen fit needs no planning permission.

Planning ahead

Open every cupboard in your current kitchen and decide what you use, what you store and what you could do without before planning storage.
Ask for the plan for your March 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.
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 March

How much does kitchen design and planning cost in March?

Kitchen design and planning in March typically costs £320 to £970 including VAT for measured drawings and a layout plan for a kitchen bought elsewhere, based on prices in the East of England. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.

Which parts of March do you work in?

All of them. Our Cambridgeshire coverage takes in the whole of March, including the PE15 postcode district, as well as surrounding towns such as Wisbech. If you are unsure, send us your postcode.

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.

Also covering nearby towns

Close to March? We cover these nearby towns too: