01
What you need
Use a metal tape measure, pencil, plain paper and your phone camera. A laser measure can help with long walls, but it is worth checking important dimensions with a tape.
- Measure in millimetres
- Draw the room roughly from above
- Write dimensions beside the matching wall
- Take wide photographs from every corner
02
Measure the room
Measure each wall from corner to corner at more than one height. Record the floor-to-ceiling height in several places, particularly in older homes where floors and ceilings may run out. Mark chimney breasts, boxings, pillars and sloping ceilings.
03
Add doors and windows
Record the width and height of every opening, its distance from the nearest corner and the direction each door swings. For windows, include the sill height from the finished floor and note whether the window opens into the room.
04
Mark services and obstacles
Show the approximate position of water, waste, gas, sockets, switches, extract vents, radiators, boilers, meters and consumer units. Do not remove covers or attempt to measure live services. A photograph with a note is enough at this stage.
05
Send the useful context
Tell us what you like and dislike about the current kitchen, who uses it and whether building work is planned. Upload the sketch, photographs and any architect drawings through our contact form. We can then discuss options before arranging the survey.