#kitchen-extension
Practical guides and insights for UK homeowners managing their own builds.
Can a Neighbour Stop Your Extension? What Objections Actually Count
No, a neighbour cannot veto your extension. Which objections carry planning weight, which are disregarded, and how to keep next door onside before you apply.
Party Wall Agreements for an Extension: The Complete UK Guide (2026)
When the Party Wall Act applies, the notice timeline, surveyor costs, and how to stop it delaying your build by months. A homeowner's guide.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Kitchen Extension? (UK, 2026)
Often you don't. Many single-storey kitchen extensions fall under permitted development. Here are the size limits, the exceptions, and how to check yours.
Justifying the Builder Deposit: A Worked Example with Real Numbers
An £80k extension with a 15% deposit means handing over £12,000. Here is what that money actually pays for in week one, with real invoice data.
Lessons from a 35-Month Kitchen Extension: What I'd Do Differently
Real lessons from a UK kitchen extension that took 35 months and cost £172,900 against a £45,500 builder quote. First-person account with invoice-level detail.
Should You Project Manage Your Own Extension? A Realistic Guide
Real numbers from a 35-month, self-managed UK extension build. What DIY project management costs in time, money and stress, with a decision framework.
Kitchen Extension Cost UK 2026: What to Really Budget For
The real cost of a UK kitchen extension in 2026, broken down by category. Most guides quote the builder's work only. This one tells you about everything else.
The Complete Timeline for Project Managing a UK Kitchen Extension
A real timeline from a 35-month kitchen extension: every phase, what went wrong, and what it actually cost. Written by someone who project managed their own build.