Planning for a home redesign, where to begin!?

6 years ago

In 2004 I bought my first house, nothing flash just an end of terrace ex council house in South Wales, I was 24 and happy to get a mortgage and get on the ladder. Thirteen years later I’m still here only now I have a family and the house is in dire need of some redesign, decorating, reconfiguring etc.

Now I’ve had a million different ideas and have attempted to start half of them but I have never finished any of them! It’s getting to the point I could start my own series of unfinished home from hell!

The only way out for me is to come up with a plan! Now I don’t have a budget because I don’t know what can be achieved yet, I have big ideas for our little home but can’t put them into a plan or design let alone a reality.

Can anyone out there help? I suppose what I am looking for is an architect to work with me to get the design and layout down and even advise me if all this work is a good idea on a home like this!?

When we have a solid plan in place I can then get it costed and start organising a budget and get things underway. The “unfinished” nature of our home really does depress me, we never have people round, I don’t let the children have they’re friends stay. For 2018 I just want our little house to finally become a home we all love.

If there is anyone out there that thinks they can help, then please get in touch!

Featured Answer

PRO

OnePlan

6 years ago

Being totally honest - as I always aim to be ... having a software package doesn’t instantly make you a concept planner.... yes it’s fun for home owners to ‘have a go’ at planning their own project and I enjoy seeing some of the ideas that others who have downloaded software come up with on these sort of dilemmas for people, and some of the ideas that come out on these threads are great - but some are so way off the mark and not inline with building regs that I do worry that there will be comeback if people go ahead and use them. I can just see it now ‘but it said it on Houzz, so it must be ok’ - no, not necessarily!

Don’t get me wrong , I have the greatest respect for the people who regularly offer their time and ideas on here - but please please please homeowners, don’t always assume that these ideas are finished and viable... They are ideas, suggestions, something to print off and to take with you for your meeting with your builder/ architect/ design and build contractor etc ie to discuss and take to the next level if they prove to be viable.

Sorry if this comes across as grumpy - but I’ve just had to squeeze in an extra project, as an emergency, for a lady who’d followed some really dodgy advice from a family member who thought they could ‘be a designer’ - the building inspector disagreed - and it’s going to cost that poor lady lots of money to rectify it, and make her home safe again. I have your interests at heart Houzzers ! :-)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (24)

Jonathan
6 years ago
I think you need a really great builder or designer to manage everything and make sure that everything gets done. You can look at your local planning portal to find builders who are dealing mainly with house projects or use the professionals part of Houzz.
You could also make some decisions in advance and if you have particular questions post them here.
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Jonathan, I’ve tried locally. I couldn’t get a tiler to tile my bathroom, I tried four people. I advertised the job on another website but no response, now I’m looking for someone to start from the design onwards.
Related Discussions
Extend terrace house and redesign ground floor
Q
Comments (8)
Thanks for the comments so far. I'm kind of thinking there's a hybrid option that isn't 1 or 2 and will probably cost a fortune, but until I find that solution, option 2 is definitely what I'm pulled towards. Oneplan, to answer your questions specifically: - The house is built on two floors - just three double bedrooms uptstairs. I'll be putting a small bathroom in upstairs as part of the project. - The "lobby" area is a vast overstatement on behalf of the estate agents when they were making the plan. "Pantry" would be a more appropriate word. Our builder mate suggested making the Pantry into a small shower and WC and converting the current downstairs bathroom into a utility room. - My kids are 4 and 5. - I haven't actually measured the porch up yet, although see comment below. - Regarding the question about the extension size. I borrowed the dimensions from a plan already submitted to the council for an exact same sized house (plans submitted before the govt relaxed planning rules). This size works because the garden is not so big. If I make the extension any bigger the garden will be really too small (and I want at least some space for the kids to run around in). Actually, I saw this post earler today https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/how-can-i-bring-this-kitchen-to-life-dsvw-vd~1171087 and I love it. Wonder if I could work with something along these lines.
...See More
Redesigning kitchen - open plan to staircase or close off? Suggestions
Q
Comments (10)
Hello r1haz, I thought you might be removing the walls there.. Definitely don't block off the staircase... It is stylish and still practical... Just depends how you look at the idea of practical... It's actually more practical to do less and achieve more.!.. In the sense that I think you actually prefer the open plan idea...... It's less work as you're not adding to the work load with removal of downstairs walls....... Possibly increase the extraction element to the kitchen area and make sure the doors have good seals in the bedrooms... Nice looking stair treads can also work with the painted style which will really lend to the less solid feel. Open is preferable to dark and narrow, but you must do what you feel is the right thing... .... .. : ) )
...See More
floor plan redesign
Q
Comments (4)
Block doorway into garage would allow kitchen units at that side. I would remove wc/utility from that corner to allow large doors to garden. could you do wc under stairs?
...See More
house redesign assistance
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Chris, The floor plan of the house looks like it is screaming potential. Would suggest that the best approach for you at this stage would be to really try and refine your brief and what you want to achieve. Is your intention to live in the property or flip it and move on? Budget is something that also needs to be carefully considered early on, and your answer to the previous question can start to help to define this. The internal layout, will in some ways be driven by the understanding of the two previous points, but as mentioned, looking at the floor plan there is a lot of potential and plenty of space to achieve a nice result. Generally as architects once we’ve helped our clients refine the above, our approach with this sort of project is to sketch out a few internal layout options, with the positives and negatives of each one. From those options and subsequent discussions we would create a more refined final option which can then be taken to builders and contractors for cost estimates. At that point you start to get a much better idea of how much your project will cost if certain areas of the design can then be pushed further or need to be stripped back a little - that’s not intended to be a sell - just to try and give you an idea of how you might start to approach the next steps.
...See More
PRO
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Agree with Jonathan.............................

Why don't you post a plan of the house...............let's all have a look at it, and then maybe a plan will jump out for you. You say you want an Architect, but maybe that's going a little far on a terrace.............who knows. How big is it? What do you want from it? A great concept planner is cheaper than an Architect, and I think better placed to serve up what you need. They will probably be more in tune with what you want and need.

I think if you start with a plan, then maybe you can get a builder round, give you an estimate for everything and start from there?

Clearly you do love the house and where it is otherwise you wouldn't still be there. Also, even if you wanted to move, it may be difficult if a lot needs doing as you started and didn't finish.

I often find builders are easier come by if there's more to do, not less. I also think that the more that you ask for, the more you get for your money sometimes.
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
We are concept planners - we work remotely - but I do have a contact just outside of Pontypool who might be able to help with the labour / plastering/ tiling etc click on my icon or name to get to my pro page and hit ‘contact me’ for more info
Emmanuelle
6 years ago
What an exiting project! I agree with above, a tiler/builder would not like a small job as it’s not cost effective for them. I would start by making a list/ rough plan of what you absolutely want in your new design. After living so many years in your house, you must have an idea of what is missing, what works, what would be better if...
My first port of call, especially if your budget is tight, is to post the plan of your house here on Houzz! I am sure some of the most creative members would come up with brilliant ideas- as they often do! Then you can see if if you require a planner/ architect according to the complexity...
I can’t wait to see the progress!
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
That’s a great start thanks everyone, the bathroom is just an example of one half finished room, it needs a kitchen too, decorating, I’ve been looking expending out the back single story to open everything up. I’ve also been trying to buy the small plot of land of the council next to me with view of putting a double garage on it. There’s so much that needs doing and so much I think it would benefit from, just not on a George Clark budget.

I’ll post some plans up later to give everyone an idea, I’m very computer savvy so any tips for software programs to put one together. I’ll get some photos as well and you’ll see why it makes me miserable.

As for moving, as you said lots needs doing before I could contemplate selling and also getting a mortgage for a house in my surrounding area would be very difficult for me.
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
Here are some outside and downstairs photos I’ve just taken. I am always doing work to it in my spare time hence the building site look
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
And some more.
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
And a few more
Jonathan
6 years ago
I agree with Hugh that it is easier to get someone to do everything than to recruit trades for lots of little jobs. I also think that no one likes the responsibility of finishing jobs that they haven’t started.
If you do manage to buy the plot next door for a garage that will be great as without cars parked in front you will be able to see the house and have a nicer outlook from your lounge.
Please post a plan and some ideas of what extra you need and perhaps we can come up with some ideas.
A B
6 years ago
I personally would wait until you can (hopefully) buy that bit of land next to your house. I'd then get a local architect to come round to discuss possible options and costs. If you owned the land you could potentially extend to the side as well as adding a garage. In the meantime, if you've got time off over Christmas then get tiling!! A carpet fitter in the new year could combine carpets and a cheap kitchen floor, while you are deciding on your options.
Jonathan
6 years ago
If you do buy the land investigate if you could put a house in it- this would be a great way of making money
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
I don’t want to extend to the side, the cost would significantly out weigh the return in conjunction with what already needs doing. I want to get rid of that concrete driveway in favour of the garage if the council will sell me the land....I’ve been trying since April.
PRO
User
6 years ago
I think Jonathan has a great point.....................I know you'd like the Garage, but if you bought the land, you could possibly / potentially sell it on with planning permission for another house and make quite a bit!. However, if you want the garage, it's still a great idea.

There are lots of programs that we all use...............I like Floorplanner.com, not sure what Jonathan uses, his plans are really good. As for the professional Concept planners, they almost certainly pay for programs they use. Anyhow, see what you think of Floorplanner, it's not that hard to get the hang of.
PRO
BetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts
6 years ago
Hi Grant.

If you post a plan of the house and a wish list we will be very happy to help with direction.

Check out what we do by visiting www.betterspace.co, we help people put their dreams into a plan.

Good luck, Avi
Najeebah
6 years ago
Lots of good advice above, in addition to floorplanner, you can try roomstyler or even paint, or just good ol pen and paper. We don't need anything fancy, just a simple sketch worth dimensions shows what you're working with.
It would also be helpful to know how many people in your family, your needs, wants, restrictions...
of course, to get anywhere you'd do well to work with pros in your area, design and construction, but this can help give you initial ideas and feedback.
chloeloves
6 years ago
Hi Grant. I’m curious as to why you haven’t completed any of the projects that you have started. Are you a keen DIYer who has taken on jobs that are too complex, are you unable to choose between the millions of products out there (if so I feel your pain!) or are you time poor? It looks like you have a vision for the bathroom, fitted furniture, large format tiles, neutral colours, you are so close! Regardless of whether you extend or not that bathroom just needs finishing. I would write up a list of all the tasks that need completion, by you where possible, and by other trades. This then gives a prospective tradesman a clear idea of how much work is required. I think once you have one room complete you will start to feel much more positive about the work ahead. Best of luck!
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
Sorry guys I’m in the French Alps for a few days, treating the children to some snow before Christmas, I’ll definitely get the plan made up when I get back.

In answer to one question, I don’t know how it’s come to this, I have great intentions, make a valiant effort to get things moving and then end up pausing and that normally lasts months. I am a DIY person and can do most things but I’m usually held back by time. I had a boiler leak about this time last year which ruined the freshly plastered ceiling in the kitchen below which I was prepping for a refit, in January there was another leak this time being cause from water behind the tiles in the shower. I pulled off a few tiles in the shower and it was clear that it was a refit rather than repair so started doing that. Then the boiler and all piping was changed so all of the floor upstairs was lifted to accommodate that. It’s just one thing after another and now the whole lot feels like one impossible one man project.
PRO
Up For Grabs Interiors
6 years ago
Hi Grant, hope you had a nice Christmas time.

I agree that home renovations could be frustrating and the hardest part in my opinion is to put together many different ideas into one coherent style.

Have a look at our services at Up for Grabs Interiors, maybe we can help you create your ideal home. We offer a selection of styles focusing on surface areas.

For example Style MP_S001 for your kitchen:

Best of luck with your project!

Kind regards,

Mariia
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi everyone, I’ve had some time today so I’ve put together a quick plan of the downstairs.
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
These are what I’ve done
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
Try again
Grant Wesgate
Original Author
6 years ago
Some 3D designs