We all have watched countless episodes of Grand Designs and similar TV shows, us architects do as well. We probably look at it slightly differently, but these episodes are great fun nonetheless. There is a pattern emerging. The clients have an ambitious project, a reasonably good budget, or so it seems at the start at least, they may even have had an architect help them draw up their ideas on paper. They found the perfect plot, fell in love with it, here in the UK or somewhere sunny in a foreign country. The start is promising, and if it wasn't for Kevin McLeaod's trademark style of we would expect the episode to go on without much drama, and finish timely with another realised dream home. So why do these problems happen on site all the time? I may be generalising here a bit of course. As a matter of fact, problems or more often queries on site are the norm, there is always something happening which requires a quick decision. You may be the one getting that early morning phone call from your builder, that he needs an answer or he cannot continue as planned. If he stops for longer, he may need to move his men to another site, as otherwise you are paying for them to sit around. Even a relatively small project like an extension or loft conversion requires several decisions at key times, which mostly need to be taken in the correct order to avoid financial or even legal trouble. The work itself requires a thought process and planning of the house as a whole "organism". It is prudent if not completely necessary to think on how you would like to use your new part of the house - where you intend to place your desk or bed, what kind of sanitaryware you like and also their size and location. While a lot of these are really nothing out of the ordinary, they may not be that obvious to you, but they certainly are to us architects. Please do not mistake the above for anything else than good advice. I am simply giving you a real life example of what it means to manage a project on site. Again, if reading the above you felt you would be able to respond to the builder with confidence, you should consider yourself a good manager. But, and this is the long story short - even if you feel that you have got the time, knowledge and patience to oversee your and your family's "Grand Design", believe me when I tell you that inviting a good architect to help you with it will benefit this in so many ways that if I asked you after the process if you would, you most likely would agree. Advice Retain your architect for the whole duration of the process. Let him manage the building contract and also advise your builder on everyday queries or when additional drawings are needed. He will remain the single point of contact for you for any queries, changes or issues you may have. Us here at Vorbild offer fixed monthly payments which include any and all necessary site visits and drawings which you or the builder needs - info@vorbild.co.uk

You should be able to guide a Garden Designer to what level of design you want from a consultation. It is worth considering that Designers will be able to offer different levels of planning, such as with all the materials and planting specified or just as an overall layout. I offer initial consultations where I go into a description of a concept, as well as my understanding of what my client wants. Then I add some specific pointers and advice. My quote for further design work is tailored to what they have asked and/or what I believe they need. As has been hinted at above it sounds like you need a Masterplan, that is a general layout for the whole area and then perhaps more detail for the an area closest to the house. Most Designers would be very happy to come back in later years and work out the detail of other areas in the future or you may be confident later to do some or all of that yourself. Some Designers will also be willing to help you by visiting on an hourly basis to assist in how to get the garden made.

I'm glad you like my tweaking. It's not worth worrying too much about the utility room at this point, better to sweat the big stuff. Seeing as this project is still a couple/few years away I now have enough to juggle it all around in my head in the mean time, and much will depend on the budget we have available at that time. I think we can let it lie at this point for now, thanks to everyone for your thoughts and opinions. The only thing I would still really like to know; is if anyone has a recommendation for (free or good value) software that will make it easier to make plans and 3d CGI models. As you can see, I like to work the Photoshop, but it's a bit cumbersome for this type of thing (I've used Sketchup - is that the best?) Andrew

I gave it a shot. By moving the bedroom door sideways, you'll have a wide wall opposite the bed to hang a tv. A shallow dresser or storage bench will also fit there without the walkway becoming too narrow. The bathroom is 2.05x1.85m and the landing is 1m wide (I recall a landing having a minimum requirement, please check that). Bottom left is eaves storage, as it's below the 1.80m line. Wardrobe and desk (makeup table) in the dormer. (to return a favour paypal.me/rinkedit)