Has anyone moved their kitchen to a different room? Is it painful/expensive?

[fruitstick]

I'm contemplating a new kitchen.

Our house was extended before we moved in and we have a large open space at the back.

At the moment, there is a large room (about 6m x 6m) with trifold doors along the back wall. This is currently the family room.

There are then double doors onto the kitchen, which is about 4m x 6m, with French doors onto the garden. The kitchen has 2 external walls, the family room just the back one.

The kitchen is OK but our large dining table is a squeeze. In my head, I have always wanted a massive dining table which can fit loads of people round without anyone having to squeeze in and out.

I would like to move the kitchen to the big room to make a big kitchen diner, and have the smaller room as the family/tv room.

DH thinks I'm insane and it would be a massive hassle. But I figure if we're going to have a new kitchen anyway it's my only chance to have it the way I want it.

[botandhothered]

I think the main problem with moving kitchens is the pipe work. So water and gas. However it sounds like these rooms are next to each other, so probably not too much of a problem. I think it sounds like a good idea, most people dream of a kitchen with a huge table, so would probably add value, too.

[botandhothered]

Do you have another reception room? Would it be easier to knock the two rooms into one huge kitchen/diner/family room?

[fruitstick]

I've checked the floor. The back half of the room is concrete (due to extension) but the half where the kitchen would be is floorboard, so I think that makes it easier.

[fruitstick]

We have another reception room but we very much wanted that to be a lovely no kids room.

I love an open plan kitchen diner but actually want the TV room to be a bit more snug. I don't like it at the moment as it's too big and cavernous. If we knocked it all into one I wouldn't like it.

[fruitstick]

ooh - and no gas as we have electric hob & oven.

[NeedNicerViews]

You need to get someone in to tell you if it's possible or not. It could be prohibitively expensive to add drains and move pipes.

Hassle wise I'd say it's ok as long as you are prepared and organised.

[NeedNicerViews]

X- post. Sorry.

[StupidFlanders]

Just asked. It depends on access and if you're on a cement slab. He said the piping will be the issue. What's your house like?

[StupidFlanders]

Xpost. DH said might be easy, get someone in for a quote!

[fruitstick]

I've just drawn it all out on squared paper. It totally works .

Now just need to assess pipes & convince DH

Do you think kitchen companies would be willing to give 2 quotes? One for existing room and one for new room?

[Yorky]

We're about to move our kitchen into the current dining room, but its as part of a bigger extension project so can't give you any clue on cost, sorry.

The current dining room has a concrete floor and the builder (who will fit the new kitchen as well) has no concerns about fitting new pipes/drainage for the sink (and a new downstairs loo), and a gas hob. Its definitely worth asking the questions

[ILikeBirds]

Drains will be the biggest issue. Pipework for water supply is normally straightforward to move. You'll also need a new connection direct to your consumer unit for your hob.

[annalouiseh]

Have a look at where your soil pipe and kitchen drain is outside
sometimes when moving rooms you can get away without moving the drain for the sink, eg is your bathroom above these rooms?
The other work is very straight forward.

[amazonianwoman]

Just a quick reply, about to go out!

We have almost the same set up - large living room 6.5m x 4m, not cosy but great aspect to garden. Kitchen is 5.5m x 3m and a bit dark w lower ceilings.

I've had one quote to move the utilities to the larger room (which we will also extend to create family space) I think it was around £5k for utilities and changing a couple of windows (currently too low for worktops) It's a concrete floor but still easy to do.

Will look for exact quote next week, I think it sounds like a great idea

[fruitstick]

The drain is on other side of wall to sink. So it would have to run from there, underneath floor to bigger room.

[ILikeBirds]

I can't quite picture it, but you need a certain amount of drop on the drain so under floor may not be feasible.

[ILikeBirds]

When i say not feasible it's more pretty much anything's possible if you throw enough money at it but the cost might be prohibitive

[fruitstick]

Oh I see what you mean.

Yes - expert needed!

[fruitstick]

I've also realised extractor fan would be an issue as no proper external wall in bigger room.

[ILikeBirds]

That might not be a problem depending on which way your joists run. Our extractor ducting goes into the ceiling then runs between ceiling and floor to the external wall.

[LifeSavedbyLego]

We are doing this. It isn't too expensive (well no more so than a new kitchen). Provided the drains are sensibly placed

[justaweeone]

We moved our kitchen into our sitting room
We ran the water pipes from the loft,through our bedroom ceiling and floor then down into the new kitchen,this method was also used for the wiring for the connection to the consumer unit
I wanted the sink on the far side of the room but the drains were over the other side so ran the waste behind the kitchen units and had access points put in
We do not have mains gas but use LPG for the gas hob
It is the best thing we have done even though it took a while to convince my DH who though I was mad when I first suggested it!

[fruitstick]

DH suitably unconvinced.

Think I might get some quotes and see what they say.

[justaweeone]

Mine was very unconvinced
We now joke it was his idea all along!