Kitchen extensions in Kirkwall: design, approvals and build
We take on kitchen extensions in Kirkwall by arrangement. Because of travel and logistics, we agree the programme and any travel costs in writing before the survey.
- Guide price in KirkwallFrom £26,000 inc VAT
- PlanningScottish householder rules; building warrant needed
- Build time10–16 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsKW15

Kitchen extension prices in Kirkwall
For Kirkwall we adjust our national guide rates by ×0.98, the factor we use for Scotland. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Kirkwall: £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.
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
When a kitchen extension makes sense
- Small or closed-off kitchens
- Homes being prepared for sale or a long-term stay
- Families who want cooking, dining and living together
Planning and approvals in Kirkwall
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. Separately, almost every extension needs a building warrant from the council before work starts.
In a conservation area or national scenic area the householder permitted development rights are more limited, listed homes need listed building consent, and if rights have been removed by a condition or direction, any extension needs an application.
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.
Extensions in and around Kirkwall
Across KW15, we can visit, measure and advise. Island and remote projects are planned individually, with travel, deliveries and accommodation for the team agreed before the survey.
Across Scotland, extensions follow Scottish planning and building standards, including the building warrant process, which we build into the programme from the start.
How the project works
Visits to Kirkwall are arranged around travel; we confirm any travel costs in writing before the survey.
Site visit by arrangement
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
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Kitchen extension questions answered
Do you cover all of Kirkwall?
Yes. We cover Kirkwall and the surrounding parts of Highlands and Islands. Projects here are taken on by arrangement because of travel, and any travel costs are agreed before the survey.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Kirkwall, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Do I need building regulations approval in Kirkwall?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. In Scotland that means a building warrant before work starts.
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.
How much does a kitchen extension cost?
For the extension itself our guide range is about £1,760 to £3,430 per m² including VAT. A standard 20 m² kitchen extension is typically around £41,000 to £52,000 in Kirkwall, plus the kitchen itself, which commonly adds £9,000 to £20,000 for a mid-range design.
Talk to us about a project in Kirkwall
We will talk through the project, the planning position and how we would organise the visit and the build.
- Site visit arranged around travel, costs agreed first
- 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 .
Send us your project details
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.