Home Project Management – Kitchen Design

Re-modelling a kitchen can be a mammoth project. There are a lot of issues to consider – not just in terms of design and decoration, but also health and safety, plumbing, gas, and electronics.

If you want your remodelling to be a hassle-free process and you want to make sure that you avoid any costly mistakes or delays, then you will need to organize your work so that all of the tradesmen are able to complete their work on schedule, and comply with the regulations relevant to their trade.

Insurance

Before any major building work begins, it’s a good idea to make sure your insurance will cover it. Most standard household insurance will not cover building work while it is being carried out, so you’ll probably need to get cover added to your policy.

Plumbing

If you are making major changes to the layout of your kitchen, you may need to have your plumbing altered to accommodate the new layout. Get everything measured up before work begins.

Gas

All gas work must be carried out by a certified engineer, and you will need a safety certificate to indicate that your installation is safe. Gas leaks and carbon monoxide are no joke, so don’t be tempted to cut corners when it comes to gas.

Electricians

Just as there are regulations governing gas, there are regulations governing electrical work. You will need to make sure that you work with a certified engineer that understands the local Building Regulations (these can vary, country to country and state to sate).

For example, when you hire a professional electrician in Derby, they will assume responsibility for the required paperwork themselves, and provide you with an Electrical Installation Certificate and a Building Regulations Self Certification document when the work is done.

Even minor wiring work such as adding sockets or light fittings is considered to be notifiable when it takes place in the kitchen, so it is important to make sure that all of the required paperwork is completed.

The order in which the work is carried out will depend on how extensive the remodelling plans are. In general, it’s best to bring in skilled tradesmen such as electricians and plumbers early in the process, so that they can do their work with minimal disturbance. Cupboard fitting and decorating can be done once the major installation work has been completed.

The most common jobs – wiring up cookers and adding plugs or light fixtures – are not too intrusive. Your electrician will need to turn off the power while they’re working, but the job should not take too long, and is unlikely to require extensive work in other parts of the house unless they find something unsafe in your wiring while they are working.

If you are using a project management company, they will be able to recommend gas engineers and local electricians that they know are reputable. If you’re managing the work yourself, then ask around for recommendations from friends and family to ensure that you get the best service.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Ash Cole your local electrician in Derby. James writes on subjects relating to home improvements and DIY.