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10 Common Mistakes Families make when Extending their Homes and How to Avoid them

As I started to write this I thought I’d struggle to come up with ten, but it was frighteningly easy to identify where things can go wrong if you let them…

1. Considering an extension in isolation

I’m a firm believer in the importance of your whole home working together, that the layout and flow through the spaces allows for your family to live without inconvenience. As someone who lives with their fridge in the garage (what were the previous owners thinking!) I can tell you that designing to overcome the functionality issues is always a priority over fancy finishes. Fear not – relocating the fridge is high on my agenda for my own renovation!

2. Stretching your budget too thin

Don’t be over ambitious, if you want to get to the end and still be able to furnish your home then set a budget and work within it. Remember you will have other costs on top of the build – professional fees, applications etc so budget some of your cash for that too.

3. Rushing the design process

It’s really important that you invest the time in getting your brief and proposals right. Communication is important, if you don’t understand something mention it early on. Can’t visualise it? Ask for a 3d sketch. It’s easy for architects to forget that house plans can seem like a foreign language to the lay person. Imagine trying to read a set of instructions in Greek, you’d likely need a translator, and if the translation didn’t make any sense you’d ask for it to be rephrased. Don’t hurry on confused, seek clarity.

4. Trying to outwit the tenders to save money

If you get 3 or 4 quotes that are all within a few thousand quid, then whether you like it or not – that is likely the cost of doing the work. Proceeding with an anomalously low tender in order to make savings is usually a misguided decision. You may well find the difference creeping back into the project via “extras”, especially if you don’t heed point 6.

5. Opting for a contractor who can start right now

With a few exceptions which we’ll come onto, any contractor worth his salt will be booked up. There’s a reason for this, they’re busy because they come recommended and they’re good at what they do. The exception? Perhaps they’ve had a job fall through, but still be wary and as always seek references. Aligning your ideal timescale with a contractor’s availability is not an easy feat but being realistic with your expectation of how soon you’re going to be able to get cracking will help.

6. Opting to manage your own build to save money on professional services

Now, it doesn’t always end in tears if you go it alone but keeping your architect involved throughout the build will undoubtedly save you a lot of time and hassle. Especially when it comes to figuring out monies due, whether adequate progress is being made, if it’s being built correctly, and it will protect your investment in design, see point 7. In my experience the outcomes are nearly always improved and relationships less strained.

7. Being persuaded to make design changes during the build

I cannot say this loud enough – don’t make changes on site without fully considering the implications – you’ve invested time and love in the design process, don’t spoil it now! I once had a builder tell a client that the property wasn’t deserving of the sleek product we had specified. It was something we had researched in detail along with the client to really bring a wow factor, not gold plated (that option was written off, rightly so!) but it was special and not beyond affordable. Subsequently they convinced the client to select something cheaper and no doubt easier to procure or install. Stick to your guns – don’t sit back at the end looking at your clunky version of what could have been.

8. Starting on site before you have all of your approvals in place

Not just your Planning Permission but your Building Regulations approval too. It’s far easier to change things on paper than in real life. Ensure that the details (especially any that relate to regulations) are figured out before you start, otherwise you’ll risk the time delays and cost uplift of rectifying it when it’s eventually picked up by the Building Control Inspector. You might also need a Party Wall Award or a Build Over Agreement, among other things. Starting your build without your paperwork in place is a sure fire way to elevate the heart rate once you realise that your work could be stopped whilst you sort things out.

9. Thinking your home insurance will cover it

It’s important to establish who is insuring what – be that your existing building, contents, the “works” etc. Depending on your chosen Building Contract (don’t proceed without one), you might even need a Joint Names insurance policy. Check, and double check, with your insurers that between you and your builders everything is covered. Insurance is a complex matter so be sure to seek specialist advice. You’d not be the first to think it’ll all be ok – only to find yourself rushing around in a mad panic after a fire/flood has destroyed your building work – to discover no one can make a claim. These things do happen, don’t take the risk.

10. Doing your own decorating

Ok, I was scraping the barrel for a point 10. but there is some truth in this one too. Whilst you don’t need to be Caravaggio to wield a roller, you do need some proficiency if you want it to look any good. I’ve seen many a pristine plastered wall marred by badly applied paint running into blobby drips. In the grand scheme of things decorating isn’t costly, so leave it to someone who is actually good at it!

If you’re just beginning to think about an extension project why not check out my handy resources to get off to the best start.

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Reconnecting with the Garden and Disguising the Old as New

A familiar story…

Living in a house subjected to piecemeal development over the years, the key consideration for this family was in unlocking the back of the house to once again connect with the garden. It’s a common problem where properties have already been developed, and for this project in particular the requirement to retain one of the existing extensions brought with it an added challenge, but one that ultimately gave it its character.

Three years ago I was approached by a lovely family of four, who came to me with their tired conservatory that doubled as a playroom, and in many ways blocked their access to the garden. It was a space rarely used, always too hot or too cold, a bit of a no man’s land, very much in the way. For them it required a concerted effort to get out to the garden; especially challenging with kids.

  • Tired and piecemeal development
  • Simple form and contrasting materials
Before and after

A plan for contemporary living

Their vision was to create a versatile family room, open plan to the kitchen and dining area, and to re-establish the link between the house and the garden. It would be a space for hanging out together, for music, for kids’ homework and for getting outdoors again. Adding a significant amount of floor space to their 1930’s home, the new extension would infill the gap alongside the existing extension that had been tacked on 20 years previous. This, already containing a ground floor bedroom and bathroom, too valuable for family visitors to do away with – so it had to be retained and worked around.

  • Sketch plan layout
  • Curved glass flat rooflights
  • Versatile bright family room
From concept to completion

Delivering through design

The proposals set out to reconnect the house and garden and re-worked the circulation to the spare room, streamlining the kitchen layout. The island, which is actually not an island at all, delineates the kitchen zone whilst maintaining the visual connection right through the new space to the garden beyond. Using several large rooflights to ensure that good daylighting could penetrate the deep plan layout, the resulting spaces are bright even on a dull day. Amalgamating a series of existing roof forms into one flat roof, and with new cedar cladding across the elevation we were able to disguise the existing extension as though it were all one congruent form. The cladding, our solution to cloaking the old, brings the extension a character its own that will evolve as the seasons weather the boarding to a silvery grey. Roof trim and rainwater goods were colour matched to the new doors, and the existing window also replaced, to achieve a cohesive contemporary appearance across the new and old.

  • Existing extension to be retained
  • Existing extension overclad to match
Before and after

Changing family life for the better

Delighted with their new space and restored connection with the garden, the extension offers so much flexibility to a growing family. Opening onto the raised terrace with built in planters along the edge- their dream of indoor-outdoor living is becoming a reality. As is always the case relationships are key to project success and it was a pleasure to facilitate their vision: “we were complete novices to the process but Carly’s personal approach and excellent communication made the daunting job very manageable”.

Reconnecting with nature, a room with a view

This project was completed in Summer 2019 and built by Macbeth and Co. Building Services.

If you’re feeling inspired to reconnect with your garden then download my Project Planner to start thinking about the problems you’re looking to solve and explore the potential of your home.

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Is Open Plan always the answer?

It’s the first thing people say to me – “we want it to be more open plan” – but what is open plan living and will it suit your family?

Things open plan is: sociable, connected, illusion of more space; with the potential for it to be light and bright if done well.

Things open plan isn’t: private, quiet, clutter free, suited to all uses (don’t try clarinet practice / TV / homework simultaneously)

In a response to a recent survey on using your home during the lockdown one person noted “I’ve learned that open plan living is great, but can still feel claustrophobic when you’re in the same space all. day. long. We’re v lucky to have separate space to enjoy when we need some quiet time”. That latter point is the key – keep a separate space. Go part open plan and retain a separate room, or use internal dividers so that there is flexibility to close it off. Create a “snug” (posh word for a usually smaller second living room) – maybe it can double as home office or occasional guest room. A place to escape the little kids… a place for the bigger kids to escape you!

If you’re still up for open plan – perhaps broken plan is worth considering, this Houzz article looks at how dividers and level changes can be used to great effect. We used these principles to reformat a 1960’s home in Caversham with great success.

Open plan living with storage divider, sunken lounge and music nook

There are obvious practicalities with getting your house to become open plan – removing walls and inserting steel work; maybe you’ll need to retain a small section of wall here or there. I’m pretty sure with enough engineering the structural engineers could make your home practically float…but there’s a difference between what is possible and what is reasonable… because you have got a budget right? There are actually a fair amount of pros to keeping some walls: for storage, furniture, radiators if you’re not going for underfloor heating.

Lighting, acoustics and fire regulations also need careful consideration, to ensure that your home is both comfortable and safe. Open plan can be brilliant, but think carefully about how you and your family want to live before you commit to it.

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Is now a bad time?

Chances are you are spending more time at home than ever before and what with the ever changing situation you could be there for sometime. Perhaps now is actually a good time to start a project, at least in sowing the seeds. In fact with all that time at home you’ll be best placed to consider the needs of your family and if your house is meeting them. Whilst visiting your home to meet or measure up is a definite no go at the moment, technology gives us the chance to meet virtually and all the pre-design work can easily carry on – so, what does that entail?

For you, that’s thinking about how your home works (or rather doesn’t work) for you. It’s thinking about whether you are ready to extend? I’ve set out 5 questions you need to answer with “yes” before extending your house and you can find them here. You might be years off actually going for it, but it’s never too early to plan.

For me, there’s a lot of background research that goes into considering new projects. With tools such as Rightmove, Google maps and the local planning public access system, there’s a fair amount you can find out about a property without even setting foot in it. So whilst there are hurdles to overcome, this situation won’t last forever. Being adaptable and doing things a little differently still brings opportunity to progress.

Is now a bad time? That depends on your perspective.

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To move or improve? The great dilemma

I’m often approached by families who feel they have out grown their home. They love where they live, the schools are great, the “next house” is a bit of stretch – so they face the great dilemma, to move or improve? Sound familiar?

If you’re stuck in a limbo of indecision then getting clear on your options is a good first step. Is it even possible to achieve what you’re looking for at your existing home? Maybe you could build up, out the back or sideways to give you all some extra space. It might be that simply re-thinking the layout and making some alterations could get your house to work for your family.

Both options come with pros and cons – various costs, timescales and levels of upheaval. In coming to your decision you’ll have to do some research in order to weigh up these factors. Other than having moved house a few times ourselves, my experience on the “move” option definitely doesn’t count as expertise, but the “improve” part I can help you with. In fact I’ve created a free Project Planner to help you get a better understanding of the things you’ll need to consider if you decide to stick with your existing home and make some changes.

Taking you right back to basics, the Project Planner aims to get you thinking about your reasons for moving or improving, as well as setting out clear information on what to expect if you do decide to embark on an extension or alteration project at your home. If you find it useful, let me know!

Request my Project Planner here

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There’s more to Party Wall matters than Party Walls…

There’s a reason it’s called the “Party Wall etc Act” and the etc part covers a plethora of other things that ordinarily you may not consider to be related. Party Wall matters will need careful consideration where you are carrying out building work which involves any of the following;

–              Works to a party wall

–              Building along or astride the line of junction

–              Excavating within 3m and to a lower level that of the adjoining owner’s foundations (or 6m in some cases)

FAQ’s – PARTY WALL MATTERS

What do I need to do?

In the event that you are doing building work that falls under one of the above categories you should serve notice on your neighbours under the Party Wall etc Act 1996.

What does the process involve?

The process begins by serving Notice on the relevant adjoining owners and gives them the opportunity to consent, or to dissent the work. The timescales for serving notice and obtaining a response vary dependent on the type of work that is proposed to be carried out. The legislation is an enabling Act and as such, if the adjoining owners dissent, Party Wall Surveyors will be required to be appointed to resolve the dispute, such that you can proceed with your building works. The Party Wall Surveyors will prepare a Party Wall Award which sets out any methods of working that might be required to minimise disruption and this is a legal document so that compensation can be enforced for any damage caused.

What if my neighbours are happy with the work to go ahead?

If you’re on good terms with your neighbours and you’re not digging a triple basement, you might think it’s all a bit overkill, but you will still need to serve Notice. Even if the neighbours are happy to consent, it is a good idea to prepare a Schedule of Condition. This involves a visual inspection and photographic record of how things are prior to the start of the building work so that any damage can be easily identified. It can also help to protect you from claims for any cracks etc that were actually present prior to you carrying out your building work. Where you obtain your neighbours written consent you do not need to involve Party Wall Surveyors.

Need to know more? Check out www.partywalls.org or give me a call.

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DIY not?

I recently underwent a bit of a brand renovation with Lexi at Special Kind Design I could’ve taken a DIY approach but I decided it would make more sense for me to focus on my own clients, so I asked Lexi to guide me. Initially I approached Lexi thinking – “I need a new look”, but it turns out brand design is so much more. She took me through a her brand clarity process, digging into what I do and most importantly, who my clients are and what they want. We made a vision board, met several times to review her proposals and I’ve come away with a set of Brand Guidelines so that I can implement it all with ease. It’s turns out visual branding is only a small part of your brand identity.

There were, perhaps unsurprisingly, huge parallels with my own work – establishing the desirable outcomes and how she could deliver those for me. There is great value in being challenged on your own ideas to bring clarity on what you’re trying to do. I take the same approach with my clients – I’ll challenge you on your requirements, not to disuade you or to prove you wrong, just to be sure you are clear on your needs. Equally, you may raise objections to my suggestions and we’ll develop proposals together, it’s an iterative process.

There’s no doubt you could undertake a house renovation project without an architect, just as I could’ve re-branded on my own, but the outcome will inevitably be a better one if you choose someone with the relevant experience to guide you through it.

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It’s going to cost how much?

What’s stopping you from just cracking on with that project? I’ll bet at least part of it is the uncertainty of how much it’s all going to cost. You’ve approached builders for their input, only to be told you’ll need some drawings from an architect before they can give you a quote – it’s all a bit chicken and egg.

You could just take the plunge with someone to draw up your ideas, get your consents and look for quotes, but what if it all comes back at double your budget? Aren’t you going to be slightly annoyed about that? It makes far more sense to work with someone who has an understanding of your budget from the outset, and to review it as the project progresses. I help clients get a handle on costs before we get too far down the line so that we can adjust the design if need be to suit your budget, especially on smaller projects where budgets are often tight.

Cost certainty is really important to everyday families. That’s why I work with local builders to ballpark costs an early stage in the project – so that you’re empowered to decide whether to change the scope or grow the budget. Before submitting your planning application, I think it’s fair enough that you should have a broad understanding of the cost of what you’re looking to do, I know I’d want to.

Do you need your architect involved during the build? That’s a whole different blog, but if you’re already battling with a hectic family life there is definite value in handing the reigns to someone else to administer your building contract. The benefits will almost certainly outweigh the costs. In any case, a comprehensive tender package can mitigate many site queries, keeping the on-site involvement and fees to a reasonable level.

From being clear with my own fees upfront, seeking ballpark costs for your build and spending time to review your quotes to ensure they are like for like, there’s a lot to be said for talking about money.

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What can an architect do for me?

Getting you through all that regulatory stuff with some drawings is one thing but have you ever considered the real value of an architect?

Architects are trained problem solvers, and key to solving any problem is properly defining it in the first place. It’s your house and you live there so you’ll have spent a fair amount of time considering the potential solutions, how you might change it or extend it but have you really stopped and thought why? What’s driving this desire to make it different, make it bigger? That’s the starting point, define the problem.

I work with clients to establish their brief in as much detail as possible at the outset, do you actually need more space or just different space? Families want to be together, or sometimes apart. Maybe you simply want to keep an eye on the kids whilst you’re making the dinner? Sit and enjoy the garden if you can ever find five minutes peace? How will things differ in 5 or 10 years when the kids have grown up?

Your project proposals will evolve and develop from this, so getting your brief nailed is really important. Projects are most successful and enjoyable when it becomes a collaborative process not simply a set of options and choices. Bringing creative solutions to everyday problems is what architects are trained to do.

Understanding your life, your needs and aspirations is incredibly important – it’s personal. It means working with the right architect is key to project success. I’m an architect for everyday families who want to re-think their homes for a better way of living. Get in touch to see if I’d be a good fit for your project.

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2019 – The Year in Retrospect

2019 was a rewarding year with several projects completing on-site giving me the opportunity to re-visit those clients to find them happy in their “new” homes. Building upon relationships with local contractors it has been good to see them continue to perform well, as well as to work together at an early stage to help bring more certainty on costs for clients.

Running a business alongside a hectic family life is no mean feat, so I set a goal for 2019 to streamline my business admin in order to claw back a few hours. I was delighted to work with Bethany Rosindell of DayEight https://www.dayeight.co.uk/ towards the end of the year who has been expertly assisting with the creation of my CRM/Project management tool in order to allow me more time for the important stuff – design and project delivery. Bethany’s background in architecture was instrumental in getting me all set up for a successful, and slightly more organised 2020!

The year culminated with a focus on really considering what I love to do and who for – a journey that has brought me to an understanding that small or everyday projects don’t have to be mundane. In fact, the joy of turning around a regular home into a place that brings families together with a better way of living is hugely rewarding. As such, I’m approaching 2020 with a clear message that I’m an architect for everyday families who want to re-think the way they live. I’m bringing creativity to the everyday. It’s not big, it’s not flashy, just well-designed and making a difference.