Discover the basics of adding an orangery kitchen extension to your home. We'll discuss its perks, costs, time frame, the necessary planning permissions, and its effect on your council tax.
5 min read
Orangery kitchen extensions are a fantastic way to increase your living space while incorporating floods of natural light into your home, and make the perfect project for anyone looking to brighten up this key living space.
In this article, we’ll be walking through the basics of adding an orangery kitchen extension to your home. We'll discuss its perks, costs, time frame, the necessary planning permissions, and its effect on your council tax.
What is an orangery kitchen extension?
An orangery kitchen extension is a cross between a conservatory and a traditional extension. It usually features glass roof structures that allow natural light to flood the space.
It allows more light than a traditional extension and offers better insulation and heat control than a conservatory.
Orangeries are a perfect way to bridge the gap between your inside living space and the garden. With their bright and airy design, you experience the feeling of being in your garden without going outside.
Increasing the light in the kitchen
This glazing in orangeries allows loads of natural light to flood the kitchen so that it feels bright and spacious throughout the day.
Increasing space without too much disruption
If you need more space, installing an orangery kitchen extension is an excellent alternative to moving house.
Creating a multifunctional space / flexible living
The open plan nature of an orangery extension allows for a multi-functional space concept. For this reason, they're popular with parents, as they allow the whole family to stay together, even while meals are being prepared.
You can use it all year round.
High-quality orangeries are built with a combination of insulated brickwork and energy-efficient doors, windows, and flooring. These material choices ensure that your orangery remains cosy all year round.
Adding value to your house
Orangeries can increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers.
You have complete autonomy to customise your living space as you wish. From a rustic oak framed orangery to contemporary grey painted timber, the possibilities are endless,
Planning permission might not be required.
Installing an orangery kitchen extension does not require planning permission, provided you design it according to permitted development rights.
Planning for your orangery kitchen extension
Installing an orangery kitchen extension can be a daunting feat. To ease the burden, here are some tips that would come in handy when planning your orangery extension.
See the big picture before embarking on your project and have an idea of how you would like to maximise the space.
Carefully consider your orangery’s design elements. What do you like? What glazing style do you prefer? Pay close attention to the little details that could easily transform the room.
Ensure you have a budget. In your budget, prioritise what’s most important to you and make allowances for unexpected expenses that may crop up.
Last but not least, carefully consider who you’ll work with. It’s essential you find good people who will do good work for the right price.
Does an orangery kitchen extension need planning permission?
Orangery kitchen extensions typically do not need planning permission as they tend to fall under permitted development rights. However, permitted development rights do not apply to flats, maisonettes, and listed buildings. You’ll also find houses in conservation areas have limited rights too.
Orangery kitchen extension prices start from about £10,000 and go as high as £60,000. This cost will depend on the size of the build, your location, the material you use, and the finish you’re aiming for.
The table below shows the average cost for adding an orangery extension taking small, medium, and large orangeries to be 15m2, 25m2, and 40m2, respectively.
Please note: the above estimates do not include VAT at 20%. They also do not include key fit-out items and assume the existing property, soil, drainage and foundations are in a good/adequate condition.
What makes an orangery kitchen extension low or high end will depend on your quality of both your materials and the size of your contractor. Small, one-man construction companies will offer cost-effective prices but come with risk, especially when compared to high-end, large-scale building companies.
Constructing an orangery kitchen extension can take anywhere from four weeks to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of your project.
However, it's worth considering how long the entire process takes in the run-up to construction. You'll still need to apply for a lawful development certificate, which can take up to 8 weeks to obtain. Likewise, you might have to contend with party wall matters, as well as vet your chosen specialists. All in all, an orangery kitchen extension can take up to 8 months to complete from start to finish.
How much value do orangery kitchen extensions add?
A high-quality orangery kitchen extension not only adds value to your home, but it also makes your home more attractive to potential buyers. The precise amount of value your extension will create will depend on…
Quality of design
Quality of materials
Space created
Fittings
Market trends
In order to get an accurate view of potential value, you can either talk to an architect or local estate agent. We also recommend finding out the ceiling price for homes in your neighbourhood before proceeding with your project.
Want to get started with your own orangery kitchen extension? Reach out to our team today. Our all-in-one platform allows you to manage each stage of your project from one easy-access place. We have over a hundred in-house experts, as well as a pool of vetted contractors and specialists within our Connect service. Not only this, but our mortgaging team can even help you find the right financing routes.
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