Masters Group
Kitchen Renovations That
Transform Your Home's Heart
in Brighton & East Sussex
Create a kitchen that works as hard as you do — designed for cooking, dining, and living. From RSJ beam installation to final tiling, Masters Group delivers kitchen renovations that add function, value, and daily enjoyment to your home.
30+ years experience · RSJ beam specialists · Fixed-price quotes · Fully insured
30+ Years
Kitchen renovation experience
RSJ Specialists
Load-bearing wall removal
All Trades In-House
Plumbing, electrics, plastering
Fixed Pricing
No surprise costs
What Does a Kitchen Renovation Involve?
A kitchen renovation ranges from a straightforward refit of units, worktops, and appliances through to a complete structural reconfiguration — knocking through walls, installing RSJ beams, relocating plumbing and electrics, and creating open-plan kitchen-diners that transform how families use their ground floor.
This service is for homeowners with dated, cramped, or poorly laid-out kitchens. It is for families who want a kitchen-diner where cooking, eating, homework, and socialising all happen in one generous, light-filled space. It is also for homeowners preparing properties for sale — because the kitchen is consistently the room that most influences buyer decisions.
A kitchen renovation is not just a cosmetic upgrade. It typically involves structural work (wall removal, RSJ installation), mechanical work (new boiler position, radiator relocation, underfloor heating), electrical work (rewiring, additional sockets, lighting circuits), and wet trades (plastering, tiling, flooring). Each element must be sequenced correctly.
Masters Group coordinates every stage under one project manager. Our partner I.M. Dunkerton handles plumbing and heating. Fullers Plastering completes all wet trades. Certified electricians manage Part P notifiable work. You deal with one team, one timeline, one invoice.
Why Kitchen Renovations Fail Without Proper Management
The kitchen is the most complex room in any house to renovate. It has more services running through it — water supply, waste drainage, gas supply, electrical circuits, extraction ducting — than any other room. Coordinating these services incorrectly causes delays, additional costs, and long-term problems.
The most common failure point is load-bearing wall removal without proper structural calculations. In Brighton's Victorian terraces, the wall between the kitchen and dining room is almost always load-bearing. Remove it without a correctly specified RSJ beam, and the first floor will sag — cracking plaster, jamming doors, and potentially compromising the structural integrity of the entire property.
Plumbing failures in kitchens are expensive to fix because they are hidden behind units and under floors. A waste pipe with insufficient fall creates a blockage point. A water supply connection that is not pressure-tested leaks behind the units, causing rot in the carcass and mould in the wall cavity. These problems emerge months after completion — by which time the contractor who caused them has moved on.
Electrical overload is another common issue. Kitchens require dedicated circuits for ovens, hobs, dishwashers, and refrigeration. Adding these to an existing consumer unit that is already at capacity requires a board upgrade. Failing to do this creates a fire risk and fails Part P inspection.
Our Process
How We Deliver Every Project
Design Consultation
We visit your kitchen, discuss how you use the space, identify structural constraints, and explore layout options that maximise function and light.
Structural Assessment
If walls are being removed, we commission structural calculations and specify the correct RSJ beam, padstones, and temporary propping scheme.
Fixed-Price Quotation
You receive a detailed, itemised quote covering every element — demolition, structural work, plumbing, electrics, plastering, tiling, units, and worktops.
Strip-Out & Structural Work
Existing kitchen removed, walls opened up, RSJ beams installed, and all structural work completed and inspected by building control.
First Fix & Plastering
New plumbing, electrics, and heating installed. Walls plastered. Underfloor heating laid. Everything tested before the kitchen units arrive.
Kitchen Fit & Handover
Units, worktops, appliances, tiling, flooring, and decoration completed. Building control sign-off and handover.
Why This Matters for Your Project
Open-Plan Living
Removing the wall between kitchen and dining room creates a single generous space that changes how your family uses the ground floor.
Increased Property Value
A modern kitchen-diner is the single most impactful improvement for resale value in Brighton's property market.
Energy Efficiency
New appliances, LED lighting, underfloor heating, and improved insulation reduce running costs and improve your EPC rating.
Maximised Natural Light
Rooflights, glazed doors, and open layouts flood the space with natural light — reducing reliance on artificial lighting during the day.
Modern Electrical Capacity
A full rewire provides dedicated circuits for all appliances, USB charging points, and smart home provisions for future flexibility.
Safe, Compliant Installation
Gas, electrics, and structural work are all certified and signed off — protecting your insurance and your family's safety.
Kitchen Renovations: RSJ Beams, Materials & Specifications
The centrepiece of most kitchen-diner conversions in Brighton is the RSJ (rolled steel joist) beam. When a load-bearing wall is removed, the weight of the floor above must be transferred to the beam, which in turn transfers it to padstones sitting on the remaining wall sections. The beam size is calculated by a structural engineer based on the span, the load from above, and the bearing capacity of the supporting masonry.
Typical RSJ sizes for Brighton terraced properties range from 152x152mm UC (universal column) sections for short spans to 254x146mm UB (universal beam) sections for wider openings. The beam is lifted into position using an Acrow prop support system, bolted to bearing plates, and then encased in plasterboard for a clean finish. Building control inspect the installation before the beam is enclosed.
Kitchen unit specification ranges from budget flat-pack ranges through to bespoke handmade cabinetry. Masters Group works with your chosen kitchen supplier or can recommend suppliers at every price point. We focus on the building work — the structural, mechanical, and electrical infrastructure that the kitchen sits within.
Worktop materials include laminate, solid wood, quartz composite (Silestone, Caesarstone), natural stone (granite, marble), and sintered stone (Dekton, Neolith). Each has different requirements for support, jointing, and cut-out reinforcement. We advise on the structural provisions needed for heavier materials.
Flooring in kitchen-diners must withstand moisture, foot traffic, and dropped items. Popular options include luxury vinyl tile (LVT), porcelain tile, engineered wood, and polished concrete. If underfloor heating is specified, the flooring choice must be compatible with the heating system — LVT and porcelain perform best.
Extraction is a frequently overlooked element. Building Regulations require mechanical extract ventilation in kitchens — either a cooker hood ducted to outside or a continuous mechanical extract system. In kitchen-diners, where cooking odours spread further, effective extraction is essential for comfort. We plan ducting routes during the design phase to avoid visible external runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Transform Your Kitchen?
Get a free, no-obligation estimate for your kitchen renovation. From structural beam installation to final tiling — one team, one fixed price, one timeline.