Kitchen diners · Open-plan layouts · Wall removal
Kitchen knock-throughs and open-plan kitchen building work in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch
PlanBuild turns cramped kitchens across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch into safer, brighter kitchen-diners — with the structural checks, steel beam, Building Control route and making-good handled as one job.
Your local project lead
Josh Carrivick
The person reviewing your photos, route and next step before the job turns into separate conversations with drawings, engineering, Building Control and builders.
The outcome homeowners usually want
The real problem
Older homes across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch often have the same kitchen problem: dark, narrow rooms cut off from the rest of the house.
The dream is simple — a brighter kitchen-diner where family, food and living space connect. The risk is that a rushed wall removal uncovers structure, services, dust and approval problems after work has already started.
You are not sure if the wall is load-bearing.
You want the room opened up without weeks of chaos.
You need one route for drawings, steel, Building Control and making good.
Planning your project
Tell us what you want to change at home. We will help work out the safe route.
You do not need to know the technical answer before you call. Start with the room, the problem and a few photos — we will explain whether you need drawings, calculations, approval or a builder first.
Recent work
Project photos from the stages that affect the plan.
Openings, steels, extensions, surveys and unfinished stages all change what drawings, approvals and builder pricing need to cover. Use the photos below to match your project to the closest route before you send the details.
Before you call
A few simple checks make the first conversation useful.
You do not need a full brief. These are the helpful details that let us point you in the right direction quickly.
Take a few photos of the room, the wall or extension area, and the outside access.
Tell us what you want the space to feel like, not just the technical work you think is needed.
Let us know if you already have drawings, calculations, planning approval or Building Control notes.
We will tell you the sensible next step before anyone talks you into unnecessary work.
Typical cost
Most kitchen knock-throughs start from around £9,000–£14,000 when survey, engineering, Building Control, steel installation and making good are included.
Timing
A straightforward kitchen knock-through is often ready for paint in 10–15 working days on site once the survey, drawings and calculations are agreed.
Local homes
PlanBuild is based in Poole and works across Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and nearby Dorset homes.
Local Poole route
Kitchen knock-through help across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.
We plan the structural route around local BCP homes and the Building Control process, so the work is not treated like a generic wall removal.
What we help with
One joined-up route, so the job does not become your problem to coordinate.
- Wall and load path assessment
- Kitchen/dining opening design route
- Structural calculations and RSJ details
- Building Control support
- Opening formation, steel install and making good
How it works
Simple steps before the messy work starts.
01
Design the opening
We help decide whether a full opening, partial opening, goalpost frame or smaller span gives you the best kitchen-diner without overcomplicating the job.
02
Engineer the steel
The structure, RSJ, bearings, padstones and Building Control route are agreed before the wall comes down.
03
Reveal the space
Dust protection, sequencing, temporary kitchen use and making good are planned so the home feels controlled while the opening is formed.
Questions
What homeowners ask before booking.
Do I need a structural engineer for a kitchen knock-through in Poole, Bournemouth or Christchurch?
Yes if the wall is load-bearing or unknown. The engineer confirms the steel beam, bearings and padstones so Building Control and the installer are working from the same detail.
How much does an RSJ cost for a kitchen-diner opening?
The steel itself is only one part of the cost. Most kitchen knock-through projects with survey, calculations, Building Control, RSJ installation and making good start from around £9,000–£14,000 depending on span, access and finish.
Does removing a kitchen wall require building regulations in Dorset?
If the wall is structural, yes. Building Regulations approval protects the property record and future sale. We include the approval route before work starts.
Can I knock through my kitchen and dining room?
Usually yes if the structure is checked and the right steel/approval route is used. The exact answer depends on the wall, span and what sits above it.
Will I need to move the kitchen?
Not always. Some projects are wall removal and making good only; others need electrics, plumbing, flooring and kitchen sequencing included in the scope.
Next step
Get a clear route before you commit to the build.
Not ready for a quote? Send photos and ask if your wall is likely to be load-bearing.