Kitchen design and planning in Poole

Thinking about kitchen design and planning in Poole?

Families across Dorset 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 Poole sometimes redesign the standard kitchen after a few years to add tall storage, an extra appliance or a breakfast bar. Homes right across Poole are covered, as are nearby places such as Bournemouth, Swanage and the villages in between.

What does kitchen design and planning in Poole include?

Your written quote lists everything included. For kitchen design and planning, that normally means:

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

Kitchen design and planning prices in Poole

Typical kitchen design and planning prices for homes in Poole, 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.

Kitchen design and planning prices in Poole
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%.

What kind of kitchens do we fit in Poole?

The housing mix across Dorset includes thatched cottages, Victorian and Edwardian villas, 1930s semis and seaside bungalows, so no two kitchen fits are quite alike. Edwardian villas in Bournemouth often have a separate kitchen and scullery, while 1930s semis and bungalows tend to have a compact room at the back.

Flats in converted villas may have no lift and shared hallways, and narrow village lanes can make delivering long worktops difficult. Most of Dorset has hard water, so limescale on taps, sinks and boiling water taps is common, and a scale-reducing filter can help.

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

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.

Thatched and listed cottages may need listed building consent for internal changes, and owners of flats in converted houses usually need the freeholder's consent before work starts.

Practical advice for Poole homeowners

Ask for the plan for your Poole kitchen to show socket, switch and light positions as well as units, so the electrician can follow it.
If your home in Dorset has a boiler in the kitchen, ask for service access to be designed in rather than boxed in tightly.
If you are extending or knocking through in Poole, 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 Poole

How much does kitchen design and planning cost in Poole?

Kitchen design and planning in Poole 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.

Which parts of Poole do you work in?

All of them. Our Dorset coverage takes in the whole of Poole, including the BH15 postcode district, as well as surrounding towns such as Bournemouth. If you are unsure, send us your postcode.

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.

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 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 near Poole

Neighbouring towns where we offer kitchen design and planning: