In this episode of Love Your Kitchen, host Faye Newman records live from the Grand Designs Live Kitchen Theatre at the NEC and tackles the ever-popular topic “Budget vs Dream.” Joined by designer Luke Wedgbury and finance specialist Tom McSherry (BuildStore), the panel unpacks how to balance aspirations with realistic numbers across a kitchen renovation or wider home project, covering budgets, funding options, transparency with your team, staged works, warranties, VAT on self-builds, and where it pays to invest for the long term.

Key Takeaways

Start with budget, design with intent. Share an honest figure early so your kitchen design can be tailored to what’s achievable, saving time, revisions and disappointment. Being open also helps prioritise your must-haves (sink, hob, oven) versus nice-to-haves (Quooker, premium quartz).

Itemise everything. Ask for detailed quotes from suppliers and trades so you understand the full cost: cabinetry, fitting, flooring, electrics, plumbing, skips and decorating, not just the “kitchen” number you see on social media.

Finance can unlock the dream. Renovation lenders may fund against end value and release money in stages (often interest-only during works), improving cashflow for larger kitchen remodel projects and extensions. Seek specialist advice.

You can phase kitchen upgrades: fit robust furniture now, choose a quality laminate or compact top, then swap to quartz later; add internal drawers or a larder afterwards; plan lighting and power “infrastructure” so later add-ons are easy.

Insurance & VAT matter. For major works, tell your insurer and consider site insurance; on ground-up self builds, trades can zero-rate many items, but appliances aren’t VAT-free. You typically reclaim once, online, after completion.

Best Moments

“I cannot design a space without knowing what your budget is… it saves the time-wasting and gets you a kitchen that fits.”

“List urgent, important and nice-to-have—sink/hob/oven first; quartz or a Quooker later if the numbers allow.”

“This is a pretty good time to do things… renovation lending can be interest-only during works with staged payments for better cashflow.”

“On self-builds, trades should zero-rate; you reclaim VAT after completion, appliances are the exception.”

About the Host

Faye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with eight years of experience in the industry. With a background in furniture design and a passion for creating spaces that reflect the essence of the home, Faye brings a unique perspective to kitchen design. Her dedication to client satisfaction and love for her craft shines through in every project she undertakes.

Connect with Faye Newman Design:

Visit: www.fayenewmandesign.com for kitchen inspiration and design resources.

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