Where do I start?

Before our team gets to work on your new house extension design, you will be asked to upload a rough drawing and walk-through video of your property. This first step is necessary as it gives our designers an idea of what’s required. This concept might seem daunting to you at first but don’t worry – you are not expected to come up with architectural-quality floor plans. All we need to get started are basic room measurements (wall-to-wall and ceiling height) and a visual representation of what you have in your head – your vision, plotted onto a piece of paper!

The following is a step-by-step approach that might come in handy – but remember, everyone has their own method and there is no “one size fits all” approach.

What do you need?

• Pen & Paper.
• Measuring tape or laser measure.
• A partner (alot easier with two people).

Step 1: Start outside and draw the ground floor walls, doors, and windows

Start outside at the front of your house and, starting at the bottom of the page, sketch the outline of the ground floor. Take measurements but don’t worry about drawing to scale. Just try your best to reflect shape of house footprint. Try not to draw too big – the idea is to leave space for your extension elements.

Move around the house and mark roughly where any doors are, noting the direction they swing open (see pic). Mark any windows using a simple line. Don’t worry about perfection, you can always make changes.

Here’s an example:

Step 2: Go inside, measure, draw and label room by room

After creating the outline (footprint of house), you can now head inside.

Starting in one of the corner rooms – start to sketch and label each room on the ground floor. Most rooms are square or rectangular shaped so only two measurements will be required for the most part. If room is a different shape, don’t worry – just do your best to reflect this in the drawings. Remember to mark the stairs and record ceiling height at this stage too.

The following are examples of what we need from you:

Note that both are very different – one is more professional than the other. Can you tell? Don’t worry, either will suffice!

Step 3: Plot your upper floor using the footprint of the ground floor as a guide onto a new page or on same page if you have enough space

Now that you’ve drawn the ground floor, you’ve earned yourself a cup of tea!! Well done! The next part is easier.

If your floors are not exactly the same, do your best to sketch out the footprint of your upstairs. Remember we aren’t looking for perfection.

Step 4: Go outside and mark the first floor windows

Go back outside and plot where the windows are at the front, sides and back of the house. Usually, they are right above the ground floor windows which is handy.

Step 5: Measure and draw the upper floor

Head back inside and up those stairs!! Do exactly what you did on the ground level. Measure and draw.

Step 6: Mark out your extension

In a different coloured pen, mark out your extension to the best of your ability.

Here is an example:

This is a perfectly acceptable rough drawing. Each room is labeled and measured, the ground floor extension (concept) is plotted accordingly and a note explaining what’s required is included -this note can be added on our upload page.

Step 7 Final Checks

Sit down and check the following…

• Each floor is labeled e.g. Ground floor, First floor etc
• Each room is named e.g. Kitchen, Living room, Bedroom 1, Bathroom etc
• Extension is marked in different colour pen.
• All room measurements are included and easy to read – very important!
• Notes explaining what’s required included