Totally changing a house but no ideas!

[LittleEsmeWeatherwax]

DH and I are looking at an old double fronted property and are planning on extending to one side. We can't go back (steep hill) but we have no idea about the changes in layout.

We just know that it can't stay as it is because it's too small.

Where do we start?!

You need to get a few architects round to see what they suggest.

We have a program that does floor plans and renders the house in 3D which is quite helpful - you can take photos of your property and use them as background so you can picture it as it would look when built. It's really good. Helpfully I can't remember what it's called

Download Google sketchup, draw the floorplan, save it and then draw LOTS more permutations : thinking about where the light will be and the people flows

You can phone the planning office and see if, in theory, its feasible before you commit to buying the house! Are there neighbours who would be affected by the extension? A local architect would also probably know the likelihood of being able to get planning and how much roughly it would cost to extend single storey/ double storey/ where you could use skylights/ windows etc. I think it's always a good idea to get as much light in as possible.

I wouldn't do it yourself if you haven't done it before and don't have a good idea. Get the architect in!