How to Choose the Best Kitchen Extension Company in London

The best kitchen extension company in London is the one that turns up when they say they will, prices the job properly before they start, and finishes it without a string of excuses. That sounds obvious. The hard part is telling, from a quote and a friendly chat, which builders actually work that way.

I run kitchen extensions across South London, so I've seen where these projects go wrong and what separates a firm worth hiring from one that costs you months and thousands. Here is how to choose, what to watch for, and what a real extension costs.

What a good kitchen extension company actually does

Most extensions follow the same path: design, planning or permitted development, structural calculations, party wall, build, then Building Control sign-off. A good company owns all of it, so you are not left chasing an architect, a structural engineer and three subcontractors who blame each other when something slips.

Look for:

• One point of contact. A named person who runs your job and answers the phone, not a sales rep who disappears after the deposit.
• A written, fixed-price contract. Itemised, so you can see what you are paying for. Vague "we'll see how it goes" pricing is where budgets vanish.
• A programme of works. A week-by-week plan with a start and finish date they will commit to in writing.
• Proper paperwork. Building Control, the structural engineer's calculations, and a party wall agreement where the job needs one. A good firm handles these for you.
• Recent local work you can see. Photos of finished extensions, ideally ones you can visit or owners you can speak to.

Red flags worth walking away from

• A quote far cheaper than everyone else's. It usually means something has been left out, and you pay for it later as "extras".
• No written contract, or a vague one-page estimate.
• Cash only, or a large deposit demanded before any work starts.
• No proof of insurance. Ask for current public liability cover.
• Pressure to decide today. A builder confident in their work does not need to rush you.

What a kitchen extension costs in London

Every house is different, so any company that quotes a firm price over the phone is guessing. The cost depends on the size, the ground conditions, the spec of the kitchen and glazing, and how much structural work the opening needs. A good company comes and sees it first, then gives you a fixed price you can hold them to. Ask each firm to quote on the same scope so you are comparing like with like, and if one is far below the rest, ask what they have left out.

A simple vetting checklist

• Can they show you finished extensions like yours, locally?
• Will they give you a fixed-price, itemised contract?
• Do they handle Building Control and structural sign-off themselves?
• Is their public liability insurance current?
• Will one named person run the job from start to finish?
• Do the reviews describe the whole experience, not just "great job, thanks"?

How we work at All Well

I run kitchen extensions across South London personally, on a fixed-price contract with a week-by-week programme and full Building Control sign-off. One team handles the design, the structural work and the build, so there is nobody to pass the blame to. If you want a real quote after I have seen the space, get in touch and I will come and look at the job.