Yes, we have borrowed our headline from the horror film, but behind the title lies the fact that some kitchen projects can go a little haywire as a result of the unexpected cropping up. Once the old kitchen is ripped out, you never know what might lie beneath and there could be costly problems to fix before you go any further.
Three areas to think about are plumbing, lighting and heating. Some things to think about:
- Will you be using existing plumbing for sinks and appliances, or will you require additional pipe work?
- If you are planning to include a kitchen island containing a sink or other appliances in your custom kitchen design, you will need to ensure that plumbing and electricity supplies are in place before flooring is laid.
- You will also need to work out where appliances both big and small are going to be, to ensure that you have plug points where you need them.
It is always a good idea to make your lighting system quite flexible so you can regulate areas of your kitchen independently. Secondary lighting, such as spots above cooking and preparation areas, is also useful.
Then there are the installation costs, any preparation work such as plastering and painting, heating and flooring as well as plumbing, gas and electrical work. Don’t forget to include all plumbing, electrics and builder’s quotes into your overall budget as they’re quite easy to leave out in the heat of the moment. It’s good to make sure your budget includes a 10 per cent contingency fund, to cover any unexpected extra costs.
Everybody’s tastes are different and we all like to work in our own particular ways. Each person has a different list of priorities, so it is important to write yours down right at the beginning to ensure your kitchen is tailored to you and your family’s specific needs. This will save you loads of time and trouble when it comes to planning your project, and hopefully discussing your project with us.
Have a great weekend
Clinton and Fiona