Renovation begins with two questions: what needs to change, and what is worth keeping? The answers concern both everyday comfort and the existing building. Plans, measurements and an assessment of its condition help establish which ideas can be developed and which need further investigation.
Describe the problems and the qualities to keep
Identify which rooms are inconvenient, where daylight or storage is lacking and which routes through the house do not work well. Alongside the changes, list the qualities you value: proportions, materials, views or a mature garden. This gives the design a clear set of priorities.
Gather information about the building
Gather available drawings, documents and information about previous alterations. Check the drawings against the actual building and arrange measurements where needed. Note known leaks, cracks or problems with the services so the relevant specialists can assess them.
Removing a wall, enlarging an opening or adding a storey requires a technical assessment appropriate to the proposed work. The architectural proposal and the structural assessment need to inform one another before such changes are confirmed.
Consider the changes together
Layout, windows, entrances and building services affect one another. Compare options against the same brief and record what each retains, changes and still needs to resolve. Discuss the sequence of work and whether anyone will be living in the house during it. The permissions and specialist input required should be clarified for the location and scope of the project.
For the first discussion
Prepare the available plans and photographs, a list of the problems you want to solve and a list of what you want to keep. Add any information about earlier building work. This will help establish the scope of the initial assessment and the information needed before design begins.