Kitchen extensions for homes in Highlands and Islands
If you live in Highlands and Islands and want more space without moving, a kitchen extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide priceFrom £26,000 inc VAT
- PlanningScottish householder rules; building warrant needed
- Towns covered8
- Site visitFree on the mainland; islands by arrangement
Extensions in and around Highlands and Islands
Towns we cover in Highlands and Islands include Inverness, Fort William, Nairn, Thurso, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Stornoway, Dingwall. Scotland's housing includes sandstone villas, terraces and tenements in the cities and plenty of post-war and modern houses and bungalows elsewhere. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
What is included
- Roof lantern or rooflights positioned over the work zones
- Kitchen fitting by our team or coordination with your supplier
- Wide sliding or bifold doors to the garden
- Drainage and services designed for sinks, island and appliances
- Extraction routes and ventilation for building regulations
- Kitchen-led layout planning before the drawings are fixed
We start with the working triangle and the island, then set the doors, glazing and roof lights around it. Getting this order right avoids the classic mistakes: a sink against a blank wall, glare on the hob or a fridge blocking the garden view.
Will the council need to approve it?
In Scotland, householder permitted development rules (Class 1A for single-storey ground-floor extensions and Class 1B for extensions of more than one storey) allow some smaller extensions without a planning application, within limits on depth, height and distance from the boundary. Conservation areas and listed buildings are more restricted.
The planning position for a specific Highlands and Islands address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
In Scotland a building warrant from the council is needed before work starts on almost any extension, and a completion certificate is issued when the work is accepted. Building standards are set in the Scottish technical handbooks.
Building close to a public sewer needs the agreement of Scottish Water, which we check during design.
Applications are decided by your council as planning authority.
Kitchen extension prices in Highlands and Islands
Prices below are for Highlands and Islands, using the Scotland factor of ×0.98. They are guide ranges including VAT for the build only, not a quote.
Typical rates in Highlands and Islands: £1,760 to £3,430 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 5 m 15 m² | £26,000 – £31,000 | £30,500 – £39,000 | £38,500 – £51,500 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £35,000 – £41,500 | £41,000 – £52,000 | £51,500 – £69,000 |
| 4 m × 7 m 28 m² | £49,000 – £58,000 | £57,500 – £73,000 | £72,500 – £96,500 |
Build cost only. A mid-range kitchen, supplied and fitted, typically adds £9,000 to £20,000.
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
What happens next
Free site visits on the mainland; island and remote addresses by arrangement, with travel costs agreed first.
Site visit
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
Design and approvals
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
Fixed written price
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
Build and sign-off
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Questions people ask about kitchen extensions
How long does a kitchen extension take to build in Highlands and Islands?
On site, typically 10 to 16 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 4–12 weeks design and approvals.
Who do I contract with for a kitchen extension in Highlands and Islands?
Your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which designs and manages the project and the build teams who carry it out.
Will my neighbours in Highlands and Islands be involved?
If a planning application is needed, the council notifies neighbours. Where work is close to a shared boundary, we agree access and protection with them in writing.
Can you fit a kitchen I buy elsewhere?
Yes. We can fit it or work with your supplier’s fitters. We need the layout early so that drains, services and lighting are in the right place.
Where should the island go?
Usually under the brightest part of the roof and away from the main walkway to the garden. We test two or three layouts on the plan before deciding.
Book a site visit in Highlands and Islands
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free site visits on the mainland; islands and remote addresses by arrangement
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.