Can anyone give me an idiots guide to extending your house, please?

[ettiketti]

We've decided not to move, location here is pretty good, house decent size, less expense to adapt this place to our liking.

So its a Victorian terrace, I want a side return extension with all/mainly glass roof, French doors on the end to create large open kitchen/sitting room.

No feckin idea where to start :o

Know a couple of people who have had (completely different) building jobs that i could ask for recommendations, also know a builder or two. But plans, quotes, finance.....where/how to start?!

www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/

Start by finding out if you need planning permission. Steer clear of any builders who don't apply for Building Regulations approval.

Are you in a Conservation Area? If so and if you need permission you may find limitations on design.

Go onto the planning portal as jchocchip suggested. On there you will be able to have a good nosey at what your neighbours have had done. If there are any you like the look of then go and knock on your neighbours door and ask if you can see it - our old neighbours did this, I didn't mind at all (although I did know them a bit anyway) - just don't do what the wife did in this case and say 'oh, it's smaller than I thought' - in a disappointed tone of voice - they still had it done though . Also, ask them if they would recommend their builders. HTH.

(1) Do as advised above
(2) Get architect to draw plans
(3) Apply for planning permission and building regs
(4) Get lots of builders quotes while you are waiting
(5) Make sure architect is registered with RIBA and builder has decent references
(6) Come back on here to discuss before you get builders quotes. A few of us have been through it before and know the pitfalls and hidden costs