WE LEARNED...

DAILY SITE VISITS will allow you to keep a close eye on your project, so you can brainstorm problems as they emerge alongside your contractor.

HIRE A PLANNING CONSULTANT if your application is likely to be complex. Ours helped to perfect the details of the project and, ultimately, enabled us to win consent. It was money well spent.

ENSURE EVERY ROOM in your new home is the right size to meet your needs. Now that we’re living in the house, we’ve realised the utility is too small and the downstairs cloakroom too large.