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Competent amateur builders who do their own DIY are able to install a flat-pack kitchen but it is advisable to seek the help of building professionals when it comes to major work in the kitchen.

The reason for why you may want to initiate and enact plan for building a new kitchen would be to increase the available kitchen space. Whether this is the reason or not does not matter, what is most important is to consider how you will use the newly redesigned room, keeping in mind that this new use must be suitable for your lifestyle e.g if one or two people that are planning to use the kitchen only, it is often found that a small kitchen design such as the Galley kitchen is suitable, completely functional and modest. Other factors to consider when planning to build a kitchen are:

• drainage
• the eternal triangle
• utility placements
• additional support

1) Drainage

When planning your kitchen, drainage is most important. Usually, the available drains and outside walls will have a significant impact on the new design the of the kitchen i.e outlet pipes for sinks and appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines need to be directly connected to drainage so the position of sinks and appliances are permanent. Another thing to bear in mind is how well the drains are able to cope with output material from appliances and sinks if the kitchen designs were carried out to avoid possible blockages.

If the position of current pipes are required to be altered to accommodate the new kitchen designs, this could prove a troublesome task as money is required as well as making sure that your new alterations are in line with current building regulations.

2) The eternal triangle

The theory of the eternal triangle has to be considered with regards to the preparation area, the eternal triangle being remember the oven/hob, fridge and sink. The oven/ hob, fridge and sink have to be placed close together with interlinking worktops between then to streamline the food preparation and cooking process. Storage for cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils and groceries also needs to be thought about while designing.

3) Utility placements
When altering the utility points for water, gas and electricity, this will add to the cost of the project expenses. However, it is important to make sure but this is the time to make sure that all appliances are placed near conveniently placed utility points. As always, make sure that any alterations are in line with building regulations i.e. if you are moving or installing a new gas boiler or cooker, the installer must be Corgi registered (Corgi being the Council of Registered Gas Installers, the gas safety and competence watchdog).

4)Lend your support
If you are renewing an existing kitchen with minor alterations, your builder can help you with the plans and drawings but if major alterations are to be required e.g. taking out a wall or building an extension, additional support such as structural engineers and architects need to be consulted.