Cart

Whether you love entertaining or you’re experiencing a growing family, having one kitchen in your home may not be enough anymore! It might be time to consider an upgrade. Before you up and move though, your first step should be to consider if you can add a second kitchen to a house.

A second kitchen can be added to a house in an existing room or as part of an extension. The cost will vary from 2,950 to 18,000 and up. You will need to consider the plumbing and electrical routing, as well as desired appliances. Talk to your building contractors about local building regulations.

Here’s what you should consider about adding a second kitchen to your house.

Do you need planning permission to build a second kitchen?

You can add a second kitchen to a house without planning/building permission usually if the area is smaller than 40 square metres. But this does vary depending on zoning laws. It is best to talk to your building contractor about the legal requirements and documents needed to add a second kitchen to your home.

If you plan on adding a big kitchen to your home, you will definitely need to seek building permission. You will also find that there could be regulations on where you are able to add a second kitchen and the height of the new section. You may be asked to build a second kitchen closer to the back of your house and it shouldn’t be taller than the house.

If you are making changes to an existing part of the home (meaning no extension needed), you do not need planning permission as long as:

  • The changes do not reduce the usage area to less than 25 meters.
  • You are not planning on renting out the area as commercial space.

You also need planning permission if you will be adding a stove and oven to your second kitchen. You need to work directly with an electrician and ensure that the electricity is up to code.

As long as you have all of the necessary permissions and follow the regulations laid out, you can definitely add a second kitchen to your home!

How much does it cost to add a second kitchen?

A new kitchen can cost anywhere from €2,950 – €18,000+. This number is heavily dependent on the additions and features you plan to incorporate into your second kitchen. A kitchen that is for prep work will likely be on the lower end. In comparison, a fully equipped kitchen is often anywhere from €7,000 and up.

This number is also dependent on how much work needs to be done to your existing foundation, electric, and plumbing. Some homes need extensions, some need new plumbing systems, others don’t need anything but simple foundation work! When adding a second kitchen to an existing room, make sure you have quality bricklaying and cutting tools. This will give you the best results in your structural changes.

You might also be planning on adding the kitchen as an extension to the house. This can add extra costs. It is best to plan for the most expensive scenario (closer to €23,000). Gather all of the quotes you can before making your decision on building or starting any renovation. This includes talking to builders, plumbers, electricians, facility and appliance providers. There may also be documentation that comes with a cost.

What plumbing is needed to add a second kitchen to a house?

The plumbing needed for a second kitchen will vary greatly depending on your plan for the space. You might be planning on a big addition of a second kitchen to your house that includes a dishwasher and double sink. Just as adding a bathroom to a house, a bigger kitchen will require more plumbing than one small single sink.What plumbing is needed for a second kitchen?

In most cases, your current plumbing system will support the addition if it is a renovation to an existing room. Pipes will be fitted from new kitchen facilities to your current plumbing. But if you do a big extension and renovation, your plumbing system will need to be extended and potentially upgraded. You will be able to connect your old and new systems together, but there will be more plumbing involved. This includes adding connecting pipes from the new kitchen room to the rest of the house.

How much space is needed to have two kitchens in one house?

The amount of space required to build your second kitchen is dependent on how large you want your kitchen to be. In most cases, you can add a small second kitchen without needing to add additional space to your house itself. A space that is at least 12x12ft is recommended for a kitchen design.

A modest and common second-kitchen build typically consists of the following features:

  • A sink
  • A small stovetop/oven
  • A mini-refrigerator or an under-counter refrigerator

If you’re looking for a larger, fully equipped kitchen, you’ll need to think about what space you have available. Talk to a contractor about adding a second kitchen in your existing space and what that may look like for you. You can consider adding an extension to your house for a second kitchen. But this will depend on the space you have on your land.

You can add a second kitchen to a room of almost any size, but what you can do with it will change greatly.

What constitutes as a second kitchen?

In order for an addition or remodel to qualify as a second kitchen, it only needs a sink and a refrigerator. Second kitchens are also sometimes called a butler’s pantry or a prep kitchen. They do not require a stove, oven, dishwasher, or even counter/cabinet space. The refrigerator can also be mini or under-counter.

If you want your second kitchen to be a fully equipped kitchen, then you need to work with a contractor to stay within zoning laws.

Why would you have two kitchens?

Adding a second kitchen to a house is a fantastic way to add value to a home. These additional kitchens can be used for a variety of factors. For example, you could add a butler’s pantry to separate prep work from the general kitchen. This kind of pantry can also be added storage space for kitchen appliances and certain foods.

A second kitchen also makes it easier to entertain large parties or events. One kitchen can be used for cooking and the other for entertaining. You also increase the amount of food that can be cooked at once with a second kitchen. Of course, that is dependent on what features you add to your new kitchen.

Lastly, a second kitchen can be used to complete a rental space that you could use for commercial income. This is a great way to bring in some extra income, but you do need builders’ permission to do so!

Adding a second kitchen to a house is possible for most homeowners. This second kitchen can add value, entertainment space, and even commercial space to a home. Speak with a contractor before embarking on this journey to ensure you stay within guidelines and your home does not get compromised!

Need a great range of cutting and renovation tools, Paragon Masonry tools has a great range of diamond tools for sale.

Let us know in the comments your experiences with adding a second kitchen to an existing house. What advice you would give those looking to buy or build their own?

For more renovation inspiration, check out our Paragon Tools resources, such as ‘pros and cons of rendering a house’.

Leave a Reply