You've designed the perfect IKEA kitchen. In the 3D planner, the new layout looks fantastic: the sink is finally under the window, and you opted for a beautiful kitchen island. But that new layout means one thing: the pipework (water, electricity, drainage, and possibly gas) no longer matches reality.
Relocating pipework is one of the most impactful and necessary preparatory steps before your new kitchen can be installed. In this article, we explain what this entails.
Why an Installation Plan is Essential
The fitters from IKEA and independent companies like Montage Vandaag come to assemble the cabinets. They assume that all pipes are exactly (often down to the millimeter) in the right place.
Is the water drain 10 centimeters too far to the left? Then the drawer under the sink might not close anymore. Is the Perilex socket at the wrong height? Then the built-in oven cannot be pushed deep enough into the cabinet.
To prevent this, you need an installation plan (or pipework drawing). When you buy the kitchen, IKEA often provides a technical overview of the cabinets and appliances. Using this, you (or your contractor) can mark the exact positions of the sockets and water connections on the wall.
Relocating Water and Drainage
Relocating the cold and hot water pipes is often relatively simple for a plumber. Current flexible pipes (like Uponor) are easy to pull through walls or crawl spaces.
The drain (PVC pipe) is often the trickiest. After all, water doesn't flow uphill, so a drain must always lie on a slight incline ('on a slope'). If you move the sink 3 meters to an island, the drain must be laid in the floor or crawl space, and there must be enough height difference remaining to prevent blockages.
Expanding or Modifying Electricity (Groups)
Modern kitchens contain many more and much heavier appliances than kitchens from twenty years ago.
[!WARNING] An oven, a combi-microwave, a Quooker, and a dishwasher cannot all be on the same group (fuse) in the meter cupboard. If you connect them together, the fuses will blow if they are on at the same time.
- Appliances with a power of more than 2000 Watts (like an oven or dishwasher) generally need their own, separate group in the meter cupboard.
- Induction: If you switch from cooking on gas to cooking on induction, you almost always need a modification in the meter cupboard (1-phase to 3-phase or a cooker group) and a special Perilex connection.
Milling slots in the wall to pull new electrical conduits to the meter cupboard creates dust and demolition work. Take this into account in your planning (and do this before the plasterer comes!).
Gas Pipes: Capping or Relocating
Are you opting for induction? Then the old gas pipe must be safely 'capped' (sealed airtight). This should be done in a safe place, often just outside the kitchen, or behind the old stove. Are you continuing to cook on gas and is the stove moving elsewhere? Note: gas pipes in the wall or floor (out of sight) must often consist of one piece of copper or lie in a casing pipe according to NEN safety standards, to prevent explosion hazards in case of leaks.
What Does Relocating Pipework in the Kitchen Cost?
This strongly depends on your wishes. Moving a socket a meter is cheap; installing a completely new meter cupboard and 5 new groups is pricey.
| Scope of work | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Minor pipework (modifying some electricity and water) | € 300 – € 600 |
| Average pipework (new groups, induction, water) | € 700 – € 1,500 |
| Complete renovation (new groups and meter cupboard) | € 1,500 – € 2,500+ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I relocate the pipework before the plasterer comes?
Yes, milling slots in the wall to pull new electrical conduits to the meter cupboard creates dust and demolition work. Do this always before the plasterer comes, so the slots can be neatly filled.
Can I connect an oven, dishwasher, and Quooker on the same group?
No. Appliances with a power of more than 2000 Watts (like an oven or dishwasher) generally need their own, separate group in the meter cupboard. If you connect them together, the fuses will blow if they are on at the same time.
What should I do with the old gas pipe if I switch to induction?
The old gas pipe must be safely 'capped' (sealed airtight). This should be done in a safe place, often just outside the kitchen or behind the old stove. Always have this done by a recognized installer.
Conclusion
Schedule plenty of time for relocating pipework, between the dismantling of your old kitchen and the delivery of the new one. Make sure you hire a recognized plumber and electrician (installer), so your warranty and insurance remain valid.
Is all the pipework tight, safe, and exactly according to plan in the walls and floor? Then the foundation for your dream kitchen is set. For the flawless assembly of the cabinets and appliances themselves, you are at the right place at Montage Vandaag.