GENERAL

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1. Would you prefer "broken plan" to "open plan"?

2. Can you incorporate structural necessities into your design? Support beams/RSJ's/underfloor heating manifolds/boilers/water tanks

3. What are your specific storage needs for each room?

4. Which door would you use for day to day entry into the house? How can we redesign the access to make the flow work better?

5. What are you planning on putting on the walls once the space is finished? Do any walls need specific finishes to accommodate this (brick, studs, plywood reinforcement etc)?

6. What types of doors are you looking to use (standard, pocket, French indoor, French outdoor, bi-fold, sliding)? What are the implications of these choices?

7. What window coverings do you envisage using? (Curtains, blinds, what type of blinds, plantation shutters) Does the structure of the window, and finish around the window and opening direction allow for this covering? is there sufficient space above/around the lintel for your choice?

8. Are you landscaping as part of the build project? If so, make sure that you schedule the work to take place while the outside area is still a building site..Always work from the back to the front  of the house, as the last the thing you want is a mucky digger traipsing over your newly laid patio tiles. 

9. If at all possible, try and make decisions about things like taps, door furniture, light switches & sockets, radiators and heated towel rails early on in the project, while you still have creative energy.  Spending a bit of time finding something that is both functional and beautiful in the beginning, will pay dividends in the end. These are the items that you will look at and use every day, once the build is finished, so make sure you are happy with how they look and how they work. I cannot stress enough what a difference this makes to the end result! And remember, EXPENSIVE DOES NOT EQUAL BETTER. In my experience, the high end items can often be impractical. The intersection between function, cost and beauty is where it's at!!

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ELECTRICS

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1. In this age of wi-fi and on-demand TV, do you really need wiring for TV aerials and Cat5/6 cables? Savings can be made here, if necessary. Do make sure that your home is well-covered with wi-fi extenders. These can be bought online and set up fairly simply.

2. Try, as much as possible, to envisage how each space will be used and plan your sockets accordingly. This may take a little while, but it is really worth the extra time. Silly things like hard-wiring your Christmas tree lights or outdoor fairy lights into a permanent switch, a low-level motion sensor light for your en-suite loo and including USB/USC charge points in some of your sockets, are all really easy and cost-effective ways to add a touch of luxury and ease to your home.   

3. Can you upgrade the standard plastic light switches and sockets to something a little more elegant? Without adding massively to the project spend, you can really finish any space off beautifully by doing this. You can even choose to only go for the upgrades on visible switches and sockets, while keeping the standard ones on those that are hidden. This will also keep costs down.​​

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KITCHEN/UTILITY AREA

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1. Do you have your "work triangle" sorted? Fridge/cooker/sink placement?

2. How much clearance do you have between your floor-based components? I advise at least 1.1m if possible, 1.5m if wanting to be able to work "back to back". Can you easily open doors/drawers? Can you stand behind the dishwasher door when open?

3. Large drawers are far more practical for storage than standard kitchen cupboards. Choose these as far as possible.

4. Do you need specific areas to have appliances out permanently? Would you like a tea/coffee station?

5. Does your layout allow for a separate wash-up and prep sink? Is this something you would like?

6. Where are bins (recycling, general & food) & dishwasher going? Are they large enough to not need constant emptying?

7. Think about how you do your daily laundry. Do you need hanging/folding/ironing space? Do you hang bedding out or straight to the tumble dryer? What would make your life easier?

8. Do you have storage for all the awkward items in this room? Ironing board/Hoover/dog food/sports kit/shoes?

9. Is the space pleasant to be in and not just an after thought? With special reference to the utility/boot room area. Think about natural light, finishes, and opportunities to add some small design elements to this overlooked space (open shelves etc). 

10. Can you add some things to facilitate family life? Large sink to wash the dog, pull out tap, built in dog bed etc.

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