We have a glass roof on the side extension and Velux windows in different rooms upstairs. Every 6 weeks or so, the window cleaner climbs on the side and cleans the glass on the extension, but generally it's pretty clean with the amount of rain we get around here. I've never cleaned the Velux and it looks fine after almost 4 years since they'd been installed. The problem with glass on the roof is actually temperature - it gets very hot inside when the sun is shining and quite cold otherwise. For the Velux in my den I had to buy an exterior blind to prevent the glass for heating, as I couldn't live with 28-30C during the summer (and another thing: you can actually see how the UV rays 'yellowed' the mounts of the pictures in my den; also, that red sofa is almost pink in places now). Also, the light is great unless you want to sleep... you'd really need blinds of some sort if you plan a bedroom in that extension. That being said, I love my skylights and am really glad we chose to have them and wouldn't give them up despite all the problems they've brought. Good luck!

I would echo pretty much all the above, which highlights numerous issues. There is no disputing the benefit of a senior architect where money is no object, and you are in a position to appoint them to make regular site visits. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and the initial design intent is lost, resulting in decisions being made by the builder that jeopardise the overall result. Approaching a builder as the first point of contact carries considerable risks. As stated previously, they will tweak the budget to suit the figure you disclose at the quoting stage, and strive to maximise profit - during the build by using cheaper products (typically promotion at builders merchants, e.g. flooring). Design and build companies often tend to be a general builder who has a relationship with a architectural technician who will draw up plans to suit the builder ... facilitating the project being completed in the quickest time, with the greatest profit. This will typically be achieved using bog standard products available at builders merchants. This may suit many, but perhaps the fact that you are even on this site suggests you maybe after something a little bit more special. The immediate example that springs to mind are doors/windows and kitchens; items that can be sourced at builders merchants, but by up-speccing slightly to independent sources will greatly enhance the finished result I am a great believer that you do not require too many 'wow factors' in a space. Everyone's aspirations will differ, but common themes include maximising natural light and improving the flow. A good designer/architect will prise out what is important to the client, ensure these needs are addressed, and introduce elements the client wasn't expecting, e.g. lighting, storage. BEWARE! Some designers/architects may have aspirations to achieve awards, experiment with emerging products, or simply specify high-end products for every item, which may stray from the initial brief and completely break the budget. I would suggest a young architectural practice may be most suitable for your project. The chances are they would be not only more cost-effective, but the designs more cost-sensitive (possibly having recent experience on their own properties). They would possibly be particularly keen to ensure the design intent is not lost by making more regular site visits to ensure they have high-quality projects as they build their portfolio. Regards, Simon

Whilst I recognise there's a few tradespeople on here bemoaning fussy clients I have to say my biggest regrets when renovating my house was not being specific enough with trades! We had an electrician put in an extra light switch in the hall to control both the downstairs and upstairs lighting. He put it in a good 10-15cm lower than the other switch further along the same wall which looked completely ridiculous. Made him move it in line with the other one much to his annoyance. Another similar incident was with a vertical column rad for the kitchen - whilst I was specific enough this time to ask it be centered to the wall it was on, he installed it much higher than needed with about 30cm of pipe sticking out the bottom! It would have looked much better in line with the doorframe adjacent. Had to learn to live with that one. We had engineered wood floors put in upstairs - the fitter used the shortest wall in the smallest room to take a plumbline from. When it came into the hall it was obviously on a complete wonk. By this point I'd gotten a bit better at speaking up and ensuring we actually got what was needed (and paid for!). He had to take it up and re-lay using the hall as the plumbline. Looked so much better but he was extremely annoyed! After all this I learned to use masking tape to direct exactly where pipes/light switches/trim should be fitted so there was no room for 'interpretation'. I also forced myself to speak up more and advocate for what I really wanted. That said I'm a designer by trade so I generally know what I want and how to make it look good but was definitely a bit too shy to contradict trades in the beginning!

Our island is 2780 long, and I believe 920 deep where the bar seating will go, otherwise probably around 600 after the curve in the narrower section. We are doing this curve to give circulation space behind our sofa/snug as it could be a bit tight, you may not have this issue though! We're going to try keep 1000 for the walkway between units and island, I think this would be comfortable, and if we need we can reduce this up to 900 but I don't want to do that. I think of it in terms of not compromising on the practical ise of the kitchen area - as there will be multiple people passing between while cooking, I feel it's nicer to have that space instead. We are having to keep 800 from the island to the end doors/wall though, as we need to shift the island down as much as possible in order to give a decent circulation space between the island and the snug! We would like to have bench seating for the dining area! It's something that will look into after the main stuff is done, I don't think space will be a problem otherwise. We are hoping to fit a little snug in - but will have to see one the kitchen goes in! Depends if we find the right sofa really to fit in there but we'll see :) We marked out dimensions on the floor using masking tape before any works started to get a feel and understand how the dimensions translate to real life. Our extension was existing, done by a previous owner, so we only had the space we had to work with as we didn't want to do more in that regard. We’ve changed the flooring throughout the ground floor, added in a utility (actually made our existing open plan space a bit smaller!), will add in the skylight to bring more light in. And otherwise paint and all that kind of stuff, so nothing majorly structural. Hopefully if you have the ability to make it yours and have some space to play with, then absolutely go for it and I'm sure it will fit! Especially as you have a bit more length, your island can go a little further back and give you enough circulation space to the snug, which is our main restriction. How exciting that you start so soon though, wish you all the very best with it! I will post pictures soon once I get some :)