Hidden Problems You May Not Have Considered when Planning a New Kitchen

Ripping out a kitchen, redesigning a new one, and installing it, is an exciting time. New kitchens are an expensive investment, so this is not a project to be rushed. Since you will have to live with your new kitchen for many years to come, it is important that you get the job right first time around.

The overall design is crucial, since appliances in the wrong place or insufficient cupboard space can ruin an otherwise attractive space. However, whilst you definitely need to work hard on your design, what you might not have considered are the hidden problems that could surface during the installation and cost you money you were not budgeting for. Here is a quick guide to potential issues you need to be aware of before you start budgeting for a new kitchen.

Kitchen Electrics

Electrics are not something most people think about when planning a new kitchen aside from planning an extra socket or two. However, if the electrics in your old kitchen are highly suspect, it is worth starting again from scratch. Problems you might see are electrics in the wrong place, cooker isolation switches above a hob, and old wiring that isn’t fit for purpose. The trouble is that you might not know you have a problem until you start ripping old units out.

If the property is old or you have an old consumer unit, it is worth having the electrics tested prior to installation. It will cost you extra, but at least your new kitchen will be 100% safe. Look online for electricians and obtain a few quotes. One thing to note is that kitchens now need to be on their own circuit when tied into the property’s consumer unit. If your electrician doesn’t advise this, hire one who knows what they are talking about. You also need the electrics to be signed off by a qualified electrician, so check their qualifications.

Plumbing and Pipework

Plumbing and pipework can cause all kinds of problems when fitting a new kitchen. If pipes are in the wrong place, they can be moved, but if you have central heating pipes that are badly fitted, you may find they interfere with base cabinets or push your appliances out of line. Most kitchen fitters will deal with plumbing problems as and when they arise, but make sure they leave the water stop tap accessible and fix any leaks along the way.

Flooring Issues

Are you having a new floor fitted after the kitchen has been installed? If so, you may need to skim the floor if it is uneven or not level. Concrete floors in poor condition will not be suitable for laminate, vinyl or ceramic tiles. Imperfections will need to be corrected before the units are fitted, so arrange to have the floor skimmed with self-levelling compound once the old kitchen has been ripped out and the new installation begins. Other problems you may face are rising damp in walls and floors, or a central heating boiler that’s in the wrong place.