Hi Stacy. I think weatherboarding will work for the look you're after. Would you paint it all one colour? My only worry was whether it would all be a bit one dimensional and whether the boarding would make the ground floor look lower ( I've drawn it out though and it doesn't seem to make any difference but that could be my lack of drawing skills!) I wonder if you could add a porch with weatherboard like this with either side of the front rendered and painted? The porch doesn't have to be as complex/expensive as this with the steps etc. I've had a similar size ŵall rendered and it was about £150 from memory so the cost would really be for the porch. Can you or your husband draw? It may be an idea to sketch out various options (with colour!) to see what you like then get quotes on the various options http://linleydevelopments.co.uk/portfolio/bungalow-to-a-chalet-style-conversion/#prettyPhoto[portfolio]/1/

Well first of all the current house is too small (we need at least 4 bedrooms. Entrance is tiny same as all other rooms. Ideally we would like kitchen facing the back garden, not front. 2m double storey extension at the back, plus 2-3m extension for the kitchen. Maybe a front porch as the front garden is very long. On the side extension where the garage is would give us the extra room for more bedrooms and downstairs a living room. We just need a starting point for the layout.

You absolutely need to consult an architect, generally they will give you an hours free consultation on site and then let you know what they would charge fore for plans. However note you are not under any obligation to use them and you can consult with as many architects as you wish. Once you have sensible plans you then need to consider the full specification, lighting, sockets etc so that you can provide building companies with the same detailed information outlining your requirements to ensure that you then receive like for like quotes. Also prior to starting any works I would consult with local estate agents to get their opinion on what additional value the changes you are proposing may add to your property so that you can be certain that you will get a return on your investment.

Hi! I recommend that you create a brief for your architect before they do any further designing as they'll be able to design exactly what you want and need but only if you can communicate what that is. You don't really need us to redesign the plan for you if you have an architect working on it already for you. But if you don't communicate your requirements really clearly to your architect (and that does not mean giving them floorplans that you have designed yourself - you don't need to waste your time doing that if you're paying an architect to do that for you) they will not be able to design what you need and want. If your architect doesn't have a briefing process to take you through so they don't go through an iterative design process, which involves you paying a lot for revisions before you get what you want, then you can start with my free checklist to give you an idea of the kind of things you need to consider and information you need to communicate to your architects so they can deign their best for you. You can get it for free here in exchange for your email address: https://www.i-architect.co.uk/dyhvchecklist.html