A home design is only as good as the information it starts with. A little preparation before the first meeting makes the early conversations more productive, and helps avoid expensive changes of direction later on.
Understand your site
Orientation influences which rooms catch morning light and which rooms overheat in the afternoon. The surrounding buildings affect privacy and ventilation. Plot levels, soil conditions and access for construction can all affect both design and cost. Gather any survey, title and plot documents you have, as they will be needed early on.
Check the rules early
Local building byelaws determine how much you can build, how far you must set back from boundaries and how high you can go. These rules differ between authorities and can change, so confirm the current requirements for your particular plot with your local authority and a suitably qualified professional before falling in love with a concept.
Plan for the household you will become
Children grow up, parents move in, and working from home comes and goes. Think about how the house may need to change in ten or fifteen years. A ground-floor room that can work as a bedroom, or a stair wide enough to stay comfortable as you age, is much easier to plan now than to add later.
Be honest about budget and priorities
Share a realistic budget from the beginning, and say whether it includes interiors, furniture, fees and taxes. Keep a contingency for the unexpected, because existing conditions and market rates can both move. Decide what matters most to you: if something has to give, you should know in advance which things are not negotiable.
What to bring to a first meeting
You do not need everything, but the following are helpful:
- Plot or apartment drawings, and any survey you have.
- A list of your household’s needs, including future ones.
- A few images you like, along with what you like about them.
- Your approximate budget and timeline.
Related services: Residential Design and Architectural Design.
