Masters Group
Design & Build Kitchen Diners
Open-Plan Living Specialists
in Brighton & East Sussex
Transform your separated kitchen and dining room into a stunning open-plan kitchen-diner — without managing structural engineers, multiple trades, or building control yourself. One team handles everything from RSJ design to final worktop installation.
30+ years experience · 60+ kitchen-diners delivered · Fully insured · Zero warranty claims
30+ Years
Kitchen-diner experience
Structural Expertise
In-house RSJ design
Single Point of Contact
One project manager throughout
Fixed-Price Quotes
No hidden costs
What Is a Kitchen-Diner Conversion?
A kitchen-diner conversion involves removing the wall between your kitchen and dining or living room to create a single, open-plan space. In most Brighton properties — particularly Victorian and Edwardian terraces — this wall is load-bearing, requiring a structural steel beam (RSJ) to transfer the load safely before the wall can be removed.
This service is for homeowners who want more usable living space, better natural light flow, and a modern layout without extending or moving. It is the single most impactful renovation for adding value and transforming daily living in a typical Brighton property.
A properly designed kitchen-diner creates a social hub where cooking, dining, and family time happen in one connected space. It eliminates the isolated galley kitchen problem that plagues thousands of period homes across East Sussex.
Masters Group manages the entire process — structural engineering calculations, building control applications, RSJ installation, kitchen design, plumbing, electrics, plastering, tiling, and decoration. You deal with one team from start to finish.
What Happens When Kitchen-Diner Conversions Go Wrong?
The most common failure in kitchen-diner conversions is inadequate structural support. Removing a load-bearing wall without proper engineering calculations and correct RSJ sizing can cause cracking, movement, and in severe cases, partial collapse of the floor above. This is not a theoretical risk — it happens regularly when unqualified contractors attempt structural work.
Poor sequencing creates expensive problems. Installing a kitchen before plastering is complete means dust contamination. Fitting worktops before plumbing is tested risks water damage. Decorating before second-fix electrics means holes in fresh paintwork. Without coordinated trade management, these conflicts are inevitable.
Building regulation failures create legal and financial liability. Any structural alteration requires building control sign-off. Without it, you cannot prove the work is safe, your home insurance may be void, and you will face problems when selling the property. Remediation of non-compliant structural work typically costs £5,000–£15,000.
Masters Group has rescued multiple kitchen-diner projects started by other contractors. The cost of fixing inadequate RSJ installations, poorly routed plumbing, and substandard plastering consistently exceeds what the work would have cost if done correctly the first time.
Our Process
How We Deliver Every Project
Site Survey & Consultation
We assess your property, identify load-bearing walls, discuss layout options, and understand your vision. Free, no obligation.
Structural Engineering
Our structural engineers calculate beam sizes, bearing points, and temporary support requirements. Full structural drawings produced.
Building Control Application
We submit all necessary applications and manage the approval process with LABC on your behalf.
Structural Work & RSJ Installation
Controlled wall removal with temporary propping, steel beam installation, and making good all bearing points.
Kitchen Fit-Out
Plumbing, electrics, plastering, kitchen unit installation, worktops, tiling, flooring, and decoration — all coordinated precisely.
Handover & Sign-Off
Building control final inspection, snagging, and handover. Complete documentation including structural certificates.
Why This Matters for Your Project
Structural Certainty
Every RSJ is designed by qualified structural engineers with full calculations — no guesswork, no risk to your home's integrity.
Open-Plan Living
Eliminate the isolated kitchen and create a connected family space that transforms daily living.
Increased Property Value
A well-executed kitchen-diner in Brighton typically adds 5–10% to property value — often £15,000–£40,000 on a standard terrace.
Building Control Compliance
Full LABC sign-off on all structural work — protecting your insurance and providing certified documentation for future sale.
One Team, One Timeline
Structural engineers, builders, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, and kitchen fitters — all coordinated under one project manager.
Fixed-Price Delivery
Your quote covers everything agreed. No hidden extras, no scope creep, no surprise invoices.
Project Gallery
Recent Design & Build Kitchen Diners Projects
Kitchen-Diner Conversions: Materials, Methods & Specifications
The structural heart of any kitchen-diner conversion is the steel beam. In Brighton's Victorian terraces, this typically involves a universal beam (UB) spanning 3–5 metres, sized according to the load it must carry. Common specifications range from 152x89 UB to 254x146 UB depending on span, floor loading, and whether the wall supports one or two storeys above.
Bearing points — where the beam sits on the remaining wall structure — are critical. These require concrete padstones or steel bearing plates to distribute the concentrated load. In older properties with soft lime mortar, additional foundation support may be needed beneath bearing points.
Temporary propping during wall removal follows a strict sequence: Acrow props and strongboy supports are installed to carry the load above while the wall is removed and the beam is lifted into position. This is not a job for improvisation — incorrect propping has caused ceiling collapses in Brighton properties.
Kitchen specification typically includes handleless or shaker-style cabinetry, composite or quartz worktops (Silestone, Caesarstone, or Dekton), integrated appliances, and underfloor heating. Plumbing is rerouted to accommodate island units where specified. Electrical work includes dedicated circuits for ovens, hobs, and extraction, plus LED downlighting throughout.
Flooring options range from large-format porcelain tiles (popular for their durability and seamless appearance) to engineered timber. The choice affects build-up height and must be coordinated with underfloor heating installation and threshold levels to adjacent rooms.
A typical kitchen-diner conversion in a Brighton Victorian terrace costs between £30,000 and £65,000 depending on kitchen specification, structural complexity, and scope of associated works. This includes structural engineering, building control fees, all trades, materials, and kitchen units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Create Your Dream Kitchen-Diner?
Get a free, no-obligation estimate. One team, one timeline, one fixed price — from structural design to final worktop polish.