How do you approach renovating/doing up a house? Any tips most welcome...

[Pannacotta]

We moved in a couple of months ago, to what will hopefully be our long term family house.
But it needs loads of work: repairs to the roof, re-wiring, new boiler/rads, new kitchen and bathroom, an en-suite to go in, total redecoration, sanding of floorboards and new carpets!
Am feeling very daunted by the size of the project (it's quite a big house).
We did up our previous houses but they were much smaller and we didnt have two young DSs then (they are 3 and 1)...
Any advice on how to proceed would be much appreciated.

Don't totally discount moving out for a monthor so.If the property is empty the builders get more done in less time as they don't have to consider you and make sure facilities are back on every night.Also it is much easier to vbe more adventurous with your design as you don't cut corners to avoid the hassle ie you don't take down a wall which would be so dusty but when the project is over you wish you had

luck even!

Spangle - I'm sure your husband is great - his interior design background will, as you say, give him the edge.

Pannacotta - find out what your architect will charge for half a day - may be some flexibility in fees. A couple of hundred quid spent on getting your design ideas crystallised might be a wise investment.

noddy I think you are right, we may well have to move out for a short time, though this would be hard with two pre-schoolers and two ancient cats.
Spangle shame about your DH, thanks anyway!
lalalonglegs, will check with the architect to see if he's open to negotiation, good idea.