How much does a kitchen extension cost?

Budget £55,000–£130,000 total, including the extension build, kitchen units, appliances, and professional fees. The extension itself costs £36,000–£84,000 depending on size; the kitchen fit-out is £10,000–£33,000 on top.

Should I design the kitchen or the extension first?

Design them together. The kitchen layout determines where services (water, gas, electrics) need to go, which affects the structural design. We design the extension and kitchen layout as one integrated project.

What size kitchen extension do I need?

For a kitchen-diner with an island, you need at least 4.5m width and 5m depth (22.5m²). For a simpler layout without an island, 4m x 4m (16m²) works well. We help you determine the right size based on your property and how you cook and eat.

Can I relocate the kitchen to the extension?

Yes. Many homeowners move the kitchen into the new extension and repurpose the old kitchen as a utility room, study, or playroom. This gives the best result but costs more because you are fitting out two rooms.

Kitchen Extension: Design, Cost & Planning Guide in New Forest

Q: Do I need planning permission for a kitchen extension: design, cost & planning guide in New Forest?

It depends on your specific property. Much of the New Forest falls within the New Forest National Park, which has its own planning authority (NFNPA). Properties inside the National Park have significantly reduced Permitted Development rights. Properties outside the park boundary but within the district follow standard PD rules. New Forest District Council approves approximately ~85% of householder applications. We assess your project and property designations before recommending the planning route — many New Forest homeowners find they only need a Certificate of Lawfulness (£1,500).

A kitchen extension is the single most popular home improvement project in the UK. The goal is almost always the same: create an open-plan kitchen-diner-living space that flows to the garden. Here is what New Forest homeowners — covered by New Forest District Council — need to know about costs, planning, and timelines.

Kitchen Extension: Design, Cost & Planning Guide rules in New Forest

New Forest falls under New Forest District Council (New Forest District Council). Much of the New Forest falls within the New Forest National Park, which has its own planning authority (NFNPA). Properties inside the National Park have significantly reduced Permitted Development rights. Properties outside the park boundary but within the district follow standard PD rules.

Planning applications (annual)

~2,500

Average decision time

8 weeks

National Park coverage

Significant

Approval rate

~85%

Fixed prices, no surprises

Local team in Poole

Secure Stripe payments

48-hour delivery

Based in Poole since 2017

What you need to know

Why extend for a kitchen?

The kitchen is the heart of the modern home, but most British houses were designed with small, separate kitchens. An extension creates the open-plan layout that buyers, families, and estates agents all value. A well-designed kitchen extension transforms how you live and typically adds 5–10% to your property value.

Choosing the right layout

The five most effective kitchen extension layouts are: island kitchen (needs 4.5m+ width), galley with a view, L-shape with peninsula, broken plan (partial walls for zones), and front-to-back open plan (for terraces). We design layouts specific to your property and how you use the space.

Kitchen vs extension budget

The extension (structure, foundations, roof, windows) and the kitchen (units, worktops, appliances) are separate budgets. A common mistake is spending everything on the build and having nothing left for a decent kitchen. We recommend allocating 20–30% of the total budget to the kitchen fit-out.

How much does it cost in New Forest?

Item	Typical Cost Range
Extension build (20–30m²)	£36,000–£84,000
Kitchen units and worktops	£8,000–£25,000
Appliances	£2,000–£8,000
Bi-fold or sliding doors	£3,000–£8,000
Underfloor heating	£2,000–£4,000
Professional fees	£2,000–£5,000
Total project budget	£55,000–£130,000

Prices based on Dorset rates, 2026.

Planning permission in New Forest

Most kitchen extensions fall under Permitted Development (up to 4m/8m rear projection). However, if you want a larger extension, a wrap-around, or your property is in a designated area, you will need planning permission.

Standard PD rules for rear extensions apply. The kitchen layout, worktops, and appliances do not affect planning — only the external dimensions of the extension matter for PD compliance.

New Forest District Council — local planning context

Much of the New Forest falls within the New Forest National Park, which has its own planning authority (NFNPA). Properties inside the National Park have significantly reduced Permitted Development rights. Properties outside the park boundary but within the district follow standard PD rules.

New Forest District Council processes approximately ~2,500 planning applications per year, with an approval rate of ~85%. Average decision time is 8 weeks.

Building regulations

Standard Building Regulations for extensions apply. Additional considerations for kitchens: adequate ventilation (extraction over the hob), drainage for sinks and dishwashers, electrical certification for new circuits, and gas safety certification if relocating the boiler.

Typical timeline

Phase	Duration
Design (extension + kitchen layout)	3–4 weeks
Planning (if required)	0–8 weeks
Extension build	10–16 weeks
Kitchen installation	2–3 weeks
Finishing	1–2 weeks