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Last updated: 25 March 2023

Kitchen diner extension cost

Many homeowners wish to make their living spaces more flexible by adapting and enlarging their kitchen's space. A kitchen diner creates the perfect open plan layout combining two essential living spaces into a family hub area that will be the centre of your home. Our cost guide will help you plan your budget with ease.

Kitchen diner extension cost
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Many homeowners wish to make their living spaces more flexible by adapting and enlarging their kitchen's space. A kitchen diner creates the perfect open plan layout combining two essential living spaces into a family hub area that will be the centre of your home. Although you will need to spend some of your hard-earned cash, we think the investment will be a good one. Estate agents report that homes with this popular feature sell well and can potentially increase the value of your property by around 5%-10%.

As with all home improvement projects, the costs to complete can vary enormously. The finish quality and standard of fittings you select will impact your final bill. If you are opting for a super-sized new area, your costs will increase as you will need steels to support the ceiling, and you will need to factor in the removal costs of a load-bearing wall. It is worth considering several different options to see how that may make your savings overall. A good architect will be able to guide you on sensible alternative layouts and configurations.

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Average cost of a kitchen diner extension

Cost provided itemUnitRange - LowRange - HighAverage cost
Kitchen diner extension costPer m²£1,500£2,000£1,750
Professional feesPer job10%15%12.5%
Kitchen diner extension cost for small kitchen (minus professional fees)20m²£30,000£40,000£35,000
Cost of small basic kitchenPer kitchen£5,000£6,000£5,500
Last updated: May 2024
Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now

The cost of a kitchen diner extension per square metre falls between £1,500 - £2,000, excluding VAT. On average, you’d be spending around £1,750 per square metre.

That amount does not include professional fees, which will add 10% - 15% of the project's total cost.

So, if you’re planning a kitchen extension that’s 20m2, you’d be spending between £30,000 - £40,000 as your kitchen diner extension cost.

A rough breakdown of this would be:

  • Structure (walls and roof): £15,000 - £20,000

  • Kitchen cost: £5000 - £6000

  • Electrics (heating and lighting): £5000 - £6000

  • Flooring: £1,500 - £2,000

  • Decorating and finishing: £4,000 - £5,000

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Small kitchen diner extension cost

A bright conservatory kitchen diner extension - conservatory kitchen diner extension cost

The concept of creating a kitchen diner is all about creating a more open space to enjoy so we recommend that you opt for a minimum of 35m2. If you go smaller, you will likely feel cramped, defeating the object of your dream kitchen project. If you have a small space to extend, it is more likely that clever space-saving options will contribute to the overall kitchen diner extension cost.

If you plan to extend your existing kitchen, your costs will be lower than if you want to create a new kitchen diner extension area.

For example, if you have a 20m2 kitchen and want to add another 20m2 to make it a kitchen diner, you will spend approximately half of what you’d be spending if you want an entirely new kitchen space.

Conservatory kitchen diner extension cost

A conservatory extension for your kitchen diner can be a great way to extend your space and improve the lighting in your home. However, your overall conservatory kitchen diner extension cost depends on how you plan to extend.

If the extension only provides dining space, your expenses will only include the price to install a conservatory. However, if your conservatory diner extension will include your kitchen area as well, you’d need plumbing and electrical work as well. Additional costs to consider would include hiring a professional conservatory installer, kitchen fitter and potentially a skilled plumber and electrician.

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Orangery kitchen extension cost

A small kitchen diner extension - kitchen diner extension cost

If you’re installing an orangery, you can expect to spend £32,500 for a 4m x 4m space. But, as was the case with a conservatory option, your extension costs will depend on how you plan to develop the space.

Single-storey kitchen extension cost

A single-storey kitchen extension costs around £1,650 - £2,300 per square metre, not including professional fees.

Side return kitchen extension cost

A small side return extension costs between £30,000 - £45,000. You will be paying extra for the cost of the kitchen if you plan to include it in the new area.

Kitchen diner extension cost quotes

When you’re looking for kitchen diner extension quotes, you should break the job down into exactly what you want. This includes the kitchen or its separate components that you want, what type of extension you require, the kitchen design, and the plumbing and electrical work it would need.

By creating a detailed plan, you’d be able to get more accurate quotes from the tradespeople in your area. We recommend approaching at least three companies for quotes before you make a final decision.

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FAQs

How big should my kitchen diner be?

For your kitchen diner to not feel cramped and uncomfortable, it should ideally be at least 35m2.

Should my kitchen diner extension be at the back or front of my house?

There is no right answer for the best place for your kitchen diner. It depends on what works best for you. For example, if you already have a kitchen and have space to extend it, you would save money by simply extending that instead of creating a new kitchen diner elsewhere in the house. If you want to take advantage of a particularly nice garden or open countryside view, then the positioning of your kitchen diner may influence your final layout plans. We recommend taking professional advice early on in your planning phase to explore all your options and the pros and cons of each approach. Ultimately, the kitchen diner extension position will be a major factor in the way you use this space, so you must get it right from the beginning.

Do I need planning permission for my kitchen diner extension?

Whether you need planning permission for your kitchen diner extension depends on the size of the extension and your property type and location. You should check with your local council before you start planning.

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