Do I need planning permission for my fitted kitchen?

Firstly, you need to decide the extent of the work involved. Are you simply going to update your current kitchen? Possibly with new doors or with a new flat pack kitchen? These are the kind of jobs that certainly do not require planning permission and which you could potentially tackle yourself.

Work to refit a kitchen with new units does not usually require planning permission or Building Regulations approval, although there are some jobs that shouldn’t be left to DIY enthusiasts, such as gas and electrical installations.

An important consideration when planning your new kitchen is where your appliances will go. Where are the drains for the things that need direct access, like your sink unit, washer, dryer etc? Where is the gas supply for the cooker? Are you going to have to move any of these? If you are thinking of moving any gas pipes or fitting new gas appliances, you should have the work done by a CORGI registered installer. If you need more electrical sockets, make sure they are installed by competent professionals. Major changes may require Building Regulations approval.

Since the new Building Regulations Approved Document Part P, effective since January 2005, any electrical work in a new fitted kitchen must be carried out by a competent electrician.

All proposed electrical installation work in a fitted kitchen must be notified to a building control body, unless the proposed work is undertaken by a prescribed competent person who is authorised to self-certify compliance on completion of the work, or if the proposed work is minor.

If a fitted kitchen is installed in a room that was not a kitchen previously, Building Regulations approval is likely to be required to ensure that the room has adequate ventilation and drainage, and meets requirements of structural stability, electrical and fire safety.

Current building regulations do require that all new fitted kitchens should have "adequate air extraction".

If you need actual building work doing, then you almost certainly need to get a builder involved, particularly if you are removing walls that may have to be supported. In such cases, always check whether you need planning permission with your local building control department.

If you are in any doubt whether your fitted kitchen project would require planning permission, please do not hesitate to contact one of the surveyors at Gladeside Fitted Kitchens. Telephone us on free phone 0800 197 0800 - or send your query by e-mail to: survey@Gladesidekitchens.co.uk.

Home | Sitemap