Combining a kitchen with a room - what to check before the work

The wall between the kitchen and the room

According to the Riga municipality's explanation, for demolition of a non-load-bearing wall to join rooms, an architect prepares a plan, and a construction notice is submitted in BIS as simplified renovation. If the wall is load-bearing, it is not demolished completely: an opening in it is possible as simplified reconstruction, with an explanatory memorandum, a structural engineer's solution and the consent of more than half of the apartment owners.

In published plans, kitchens in the 602 series are mentioned at about 7–8 m², in the 119 series 6–7 m², in the 104 series 8–9 m². But for the 602 series it is also published that the internal walls are usually load-bearing, so in these buildings the wall must be checked first. Which walls are load-bearing can be told from the building's design documents and a structural engineer's assessment.

A gas hob in a combined room

If the kitchen has a gas hob, combining the rooms involves the gas rules. A user, in agreement with the gas supplier, may replace or move within one room a gas hob and other appliances whose combustion products are not discharged into a flue. An appliance with a flue, for example a gas boiler, needs the supplier's permission even in the same room, a report on the condition of the flue and ventilation ducts, and a technical solution. Moving to another room or installing new equipment needs the supplier's technical conditions, a report on the flue and ventilation ducts, and a building design. The technical solution for moving gas pipes is prepared or approved by a person with the relevant certificate.

Gas work is not part of the renovation estimate. If you will combine a kitchen that has a gas hob, first contact the gas supplier, and in your request write that the kitchen has gas.

Ventilation and extractor hood

Kitchens in residential buildings are ventilated through natural exhaust ducts. If a room has a gas hob and no constant air exchange, it is prohibited to connect a mechanical ventilation device to the natural ventilation duct, and an extractor hood with a fan is usually regarded as such a device. If there is a common ventilation system, the kitchen air duct may be connected only to its own duct.

In a combined room, cooking smells also spread into the living area, so the type of hood and where it is connected must be decided before the wall is demolished.

The order of work when combining a kitchen with a room

1. Wall, gas, ventilation Find out the type of wall, the gas situation and the hood solution.
2. Documents A plan and a notice or explanatory memorandum in BIS, consents where they are needed.
3. Demolition The wall or opening is formed according to the approved plan, with the wiring disconnected beforehand.
4. Floor In the kitchen and the room the floor level and covering can differ: they are joined with levelling or screed.
5. Electrics The kitchen area usually needs more sockets; when the wiring is reconstructed, it is fitted with residual current protection.
6. Finishing Walls, ceiling and floor covering in one room, then the kitchen units.

How much does combining a kitchen with a room cost?

Demolition of walls, floors and finishes: from €6/m². Floor levelling, pour or screed: from €6.50/m². Socket, switch or light point: from €12 per point. Replanning documents and approval: price by estimate. Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate. Construction waste removal is not part of the renovation estimate.

The price is affected by whether the wall is load-bearing and a structural engineer's solution is needed, the condition of the walls, floors and ceilings, whether the wiring and pipes are changed, and the finish chosen. Kitchen finishing work is on the page kitchen renovation.