Start with what isn’t working in your home today. Are you short on bedrooms, struggling with a crowded kitchen, or missing a space where everyone can come together comfortably?

Be specific about the everyday frustrations you want to resolve. Understanding the problem gives your builder and designer a clearer starting point and helps you assess whether the ideas being proposed will actually improve how you live.

Imagine an ordinary day in your home once the work is finished. What feels easier? Where does everyone spend time? How do the spaces connect?

You might want smoother mornings, room to host family, more privacy for growing children or a stronger connection to the garden. Describing these outcomes helps give the project direction beyond a list of rooms and square metres.

Write down what the project needs to achieve, then identify the things you would like to include if the investment and space allow.

Agreeing on these priorities as a household makes later decisions easier. If something needs to change, you’ll have a clear reference point for protecting what matters most to you.

Consider both what you could invest and what you feel comfortable committing to your home. Having a realistic range in mind allows more useful conversations about the scope of the project.

You don’t need finished plans to start a useful conversation. Bring your ideas, priorities, investment range and any information you already have about your home.

An experienced extension builder can help identify practical considerations and explore whether your expectations and proposed scope are reasonably aligned. Getting that input early gives you a more informed basis for deciding what to develop further.

Your first idea is a useful starting point. As your builder and designer learn more about your home and how you live, other possibilities may emerge.

Sometimes adjusting the existing layout alongside an extension can achieve more than adding space alone. Be clear about the outcome you want, while leaving room to explore different ways of getting there.

If you don’t have plans for your home, try contacting the original builder or your local council to see what records are available. These may include building plans, engineering documents and sewer or drainage plans.

Sharing these with your builder and designer can help them understand how your home was constructed, where services run and what may need further investigation. Older plans may not reflect everything that’s there today, but they can provide a valuable starting point.

Gather images of homes, rooms, materials and finishes you’re drawn to. Pinterest, saved Instagram posts, magazines and photos can all help you communicate your ideas to your builder and designer.

Make a note of what you like about each example—whether it’s the natural light, layout, colours or connection to the outdoors. You don’t need a fully resolved style; a small collection with a few clear notes can help your team understand what feels right for you.