Kitchens and Bathrooms for the New Year Rush

If your kitchen is cramped and your bathroom feels tired, do not let another winter pass without a plan. January to March is the busiest period for home upgrades in North London and Central London, and the schedules of quality teams fill quickly. This guide explains how to secure a design slot, line up trades, and order long lead items so your programme runs smoothly. You will also see how LXM Building Services provides end to end building solutions that protect your budget, your finishes, and your sanity.

Contact us Today for a free quote

Why Plan Now For The New Year

Smart planning saves weeks. Early surveys allow measured drawings, precise briefs, and a clear cost plan. You can lock pricing with suppliers and reserve production slots for cabinetry, stone, and glass before seasonal lead times lengthen. Coordinated schedules reduce downtime between strip out and installation so your family is not living with a temporary setup longer than necessary. When procurement is early, programme risk drops, and your finish date stops drifting.

Kitchen Planning Essentials

A successful kitchen begins with a layout that suits how you live. Work zones should be clear, with safe distances and sensible clearances so two people can cook without conflict. Storage must be generous and reachable, with tall larders, deep drawers, and corner solutions that do not waste space. Services planning matters. Electrical loading must allow for induction hobs, ovens, and refrigeration, with dedicated circuits and safe routes that respect regulations. Hot and cold feeds, wastes, and a condensate route should be mapped before cabinetry is fixed. Ventilation is non negotiable. Extraction needs adequate duct sizing and a short, direct run to achieve the stated performance. Lighting must layer task, ambient, and accent so the room works at all times of day. Appliances should be selected for energy performance, noise, and reliability, with lead times checked against your programme.

About LXM Building Services

LXM Building Services is a trusted name in home improvement across London, known for transforming living spaces with precision and care. Evolving from a strong background in commercial projects, we now specialise in loft conversions, kitchen refurbishments, house extensions, bespoke bathrooms, and full home makeovers.

Our skilled team brings commercial-level professionalism to every residential project, delivering tailored solutions that enhance how you live. We proudly serve areas including Notting Hill, Kensington, Barnet, Chelsea, and Epping. With

LXM, you gain more than a building team—you gain a dedicated partner.

Bathroom Planning Essentials

Bathrooms demand careful space planning. Clearances for doors, basins, and WCs protect comfort and safety. Shower zones should feel generous, with tray upstands, robust tanking, and correct falls to the waste. Ventilation should be continuous, with a boost function sized to the room, and a quiet unit that actually runs every day. Heating and hot water capacity must be verified so strong pressure reaches the new fixtures during peak times. Storage is essential, with mirrored cabinets and recesses that keep surfaces tidy and easy to clean.

Durable, Low Maintenance Finishes

Investment in the hidden layers keeps your rooms looking new. In kitchens, quartz and porcelain worktops deliver toughness and easy care, with high pressure laminates as a smart value option for utility runs. Cabinet fronts should resist moisture and knocks, with soft close hardware and corrosion resistant fittings that stand up to daily use. In bathrooms, porcelain tiles on walls and floors handle water and wear, while SPC or LVT can be suitable in utility spaces. Use easy clean grout and mould resistant silicones so you are not scrubbing joints every weekend. These choices prevent swelling, staining, and chipped edges that make rooms look tired before their time.

LXM Heritage Build Project

Energy Efficient Upgrades

Every installation is a chance to reduce running costs. LED lighting with smart controls cuts bills and improves comfort. Presence and humidity sensors ensure lights and fans run only when needed. Water efficiency begins with aerated taps, dual flush cisterns, and thermostatic showers that protect safety and comfort. Add simple insulation touchpoints, pipe insulation in voids, foil backed board behind perimeter units, and consider window upgrades if frames are poor. Low temperature emitters, such as underfloor heating in bathrooms, prepare your home for future heat source changes. These measures create a quieter, calmer environment and give long term value.

Budget, Tender And Lead Times

Clarity beats guesswork. Set realistic allowances for cabinetry, appliances, sanitary ware, tiles, labour, and a sensible contingency. Expect longer lead times for bespoke joinery, stone worktops, shower screens, and specialist brassware. Value engineering should protect durability. A hybrid scheme often delivers the best result, modular cabinetry where it works, and bespoke elements where storage and proportion demand it, such as a pantry wall or an awkward alcove in a Camden terrace. Transparent schedules with confirmed delivery dates stop the programme from stalling on site.

Compliance And Approvals

Kitchens and bathrooms touch regulated systems. Electrical works must meet Building Regulations with certification, and bathrooms must respect electrical zones. Gas works require Gas Safe sign off. Ventilation rates must meet current guidance. Structural changes around opening a kitchen to a dining space require proper assessment. Listed and conservation checks can apply in Islington, Kensington and parts of Westminster. Always verify the current rules on the official pages at GOV.UK Building Regulations for kitchens and bathrooms, so your documents stand up to future scrutiny.

Case Snapshot: North London Family Upgrade

A family in Barnet had a narrow galley kitchen and a dated bathroom. LXM re planned the kitchen to open towards dining with a utility wall that hid laundry and provided tall storage. We introduced a logical work triangle, improved extraction with a correctly sized duct, and layered lighting to separate cooking and homework zones. The bathroom gained a walk in shower with proper falls, full tanking, and a quiet continuous fan with boost. Results were immediate. Faster morning routines, lower energy use thanks to LED and induction, and a clean, modern look that respected the period details of the house.

Explore similar transformations in our Projects section and see more ideas in our Blog.

For a broader view of our approach, watch the Case Study, Renovation of Victorian House in Loughton on YouTube.

Installation Sequencing And QA

Preparation prevents mess and rework. A prestart checklist confirms measurements, service locations, protection routes, and deliveries. The sequence should run cleanly. Strip out, first fix for electrics and plumbing, waterproofing and tanking where required, tiling, second fix, commissioning, and a formal quality check. Photo records and test certificates build a handover pack that supports care and future resale. A simple daily update keeps family routines predictable, which matters when a home has a single bathroom.

Everyday Tips To Speed Handover

Decide finishes early and approve real samples so there are no surprises. Clear rooms before the team arrives and protect access routes to reduce site time. Keep a simple snag list that the site lead updates daily so minor items are resolved before they grow. These small habits shave days off a programme and protect the quality of the final result.

Why Choose LXM Building Services For New Year Projects

LXM provides building solutions that start with design intelligence and end with immaculate delivery. We are fully certified and insured, with NICEIC approved electricians and Gas Safe professionals where relevant, and we follow PAS processes with TrustMark registration for retrofit pathways. Our competitive edge is simple. We use in house labour covering all elements of your upgrade, joinery, plumbing, tiling, electrics, and decoration, which gives tighter programme control and consistent finishes. There is no confusing chain of subcontractors. We are a family orientated team, clients meet the whole crew, and personal accountability is visible from day one. We serve North London and Central London locations including Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden, Islington, Kensington, Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, and Westminster.

The secret to a kitchen or bathroom that still looks new in five years is simple, get the hidden layers right, ventilation, waterproofing, and electrics, then the finishes will shine, says Ingli, director of LXM Building Solutions, a London based provider of building solutions.

Explore more of our work on the Projects section of our site, and discover the team on our About Us page. For ideas and progress updates, follow us on Instagram. You can also read more expert insights on our Blog.

Contact us for a quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we live at home during a kitchen and bathroom upgrade? 

Often yes. LXM plans temporary services where workable, sets a clear sequence, and provides daily updates so routines remain predictable. Where a single bathroom exists, we stage works to reduce disruption and plan weekend milestones.

What drives the cost most in kitchens and bathrooms? 

Cabinetry quality, stone and porcelain choices, brassware, and the extent of services upgrades drive cost. We fix scope with named products and clear exclusions so budget creep does not take hold.

How do you prevent leaks and mould in new bathrooms? 

Robust tanking, correct falls to wastes, high quality silicones, and quiet continuous ventilation keep moisture under control. We evidence airflow rates and provide care instructions in the handover pack.

Are bespoke units always necessary for awkward spaces? 

Not always. A hybrid plan blends modular cabinetry with bespoke elements where function demands it. This protects value and delivers a fitted look in period homes with tricky geometry.

What documents do we receive at handover? 

You receive electrical or gas certificates where relevant, warranties, product manuals, photo records, and a simple maintenance schedule. This provides confidence and supports resale.

About LXM Building Services

LXM has grown from a trusted name in commercial building to a comprehensive provider of residential building solutions across London. From refined kitchen refurbishments and spa like bathrooms to full home extensions and bespoke interiors, our team of qualified engineers, certified tradespeople, and seasoned project managers deliver on time and to specification. We are Built to Trust, On Time, On Budget, with a Stress Free Process, Family Centric, and guided by Top Notch Architecture. With LXM, you gain a partner who cares about detail at every stage.

Ready to start: Call 020 335 54797 | Email info@lxm-london.com