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My Guide to Building a House Extension took 17 Years to Write

If you want to extend a home in the UK, you need experienced advice. I have been running my own architecture practice since 2009 and I focus exclusively on altering and extending homes. ​​

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I wrote this project guide for regular homeowners, who have never hired an architect or set foot on a building site before. Over 21 pages the House Extension guide explains things you need to know, and it covers three topics. 

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The guide is a PDF download and costs £10. 

A guide to house extensions in the UK by Real Life Architecture

How to find the best local Architect for your project

I am based in Edinburgh and I offer impartial advice to anyone with a home in the UK. I am not trying to persuade you to hire me to design your house extension, I want to equip you with the knoledge to find the best local Architect for the job.

How to find an Architect for a House Extension in the UK

The guide contains detailed information on the following points to help you find a local architect for your house extension. 

  • How to create a shortlist of potential Architects 

  • a draft email to send to potential Architects

  • detailed information on Architects fees

  • and the one question you should never ask an Architect

How is a house extension project organised

What comes first, planning permission or building regulations? When do you start looking for a builder? How long will construction take? Do we need an Architect for the whole process? What happens after building work finishes? 

The design and construction process for a house extension explained

The guide contains straight forward, easy to understand information about the process, from start to finish, including;

  • Including a detailed flow chart

  • an explanation of the process from start to finish, in six stages

  • helps you understand the sequence of events and their likely timescales

  • explains when planning applications, building regulations and tendering happen

Part of the project flow chart for a uk house extension project

What else should you do before starting a house extension

Aside from the legal and technical aspects of building a house extension, there are other issues that will affect the project. Can you live in the house during the project? How big a deal are load bearing walls? How stressful will this be in reality? 

17 things you need to know

The guide contains straight forward, easy to understand information about the process, from start to finish, including;

  • Including how this might affect your relationships

  • why permitted development isn't the answer

  • why load bearing walls aren't a big problem

  • why you shouldn't talk to builders on site

  • which insurance you need

  • what preliminaries are

  • and why you don't really pay an architect for drawings

A house extension in the UK

What isn't in the House Extension Guide

The purpose of the guide is to explain the process, help you find the best local architect for the project and make you aware of a wide variety of issues beyond the legal and technical.

 

The house extension guide does not contain detailed advice on design, construction costs or specific planning guidance and building regulation requirements. If you need this level of advice then an online consultation is best. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the House Extension Guide

What does the House Extension Guide cover?
The House Extension Guide is a detailed written guide to house extensions, internal alterations and refurbishment projects in the UK. It is divided into three parts: how to find the right architect for your project, how the design and construction process works from feasibility study through to post-construction, and practical things you need to know before starting any building work. It is written for anyone who has never hired an architect or carried out significant building work before.
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Is the guide relevant if I live outside Scotland?
Yes. The guide covers the design and construction process for domestic projects across the UK. Where procedures differ between Scotland and the rest of the UK — for example, Building Warrant versus Building Regulations Approval, or specifics of the planning application process — these differences are noted in the text. The core content on finding an architect, the design stages, construction contracts, contingency planning, and practical advice applies to projects in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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How detailed is the information on architect's fees?
The guide includes a full fee scale showing the fees charged in Níall's own practice, broken down by construction budget and project stage — from feasibility study through to post-construction snagging. This is published as a guide to help you understand how architectural fees are structured and as a benchmark when comparing quotes. The guide is clear that architects set their own fees independently and these figures should not be used to negotiate with an architect in another location.
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Does the guide explain what happens at each stage of an extension or alteration project?
Yes — in detail. The guide walks through all six stages: feasibility study, planning application, building regulations application, pre-construction (costing and tendering), construction, and post-construction. For each stage it explains what happens, what decisions you need to make, what other professionals are involved, how long the stage typically takes, and what the common pitfalls are. There is also a process flow chart showing how all the stages connect from initial contact with an architect to a completed building.
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What format is the guide and how do I access it after purchasing?
The guide is a PDF document. After purchasing, you receive an automated download link by email. It can be read on any device — phone, tablet or desktop. It is the same guide that has been provided to clients of the Real Life Architecture online consultation service and is updated periodically. 
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I've read the guide — what should my next step be?
The guide gives you the general knowledge to understand the process and ask the right questions of the people you hire. For specific advice on your specific project — your property, your budget, your planning situation — an online consultation is the logical next step. A consultation before altering an existing home costs £130. The guide is good preparation for that call: the better informed you are, the more useful 30 minutes with an architect will be.

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