Once I had decided to actually start the process of building (after thinking about it for 20 years) I thought I would rather get a designer to design my house, rather than a building company as then I would be stuck with the building company for the whole process. I wanted to be able to get quotes on the design. I felt I would be ripped off whether I went straight to a building company, or to a designer and then get quotes, but I thought that with the designer and quotes option I would feel less ripped off. We shall see whether or not that turns out to be the case!
I talked to several designers and in the end chose the one who has been designing houses for long narrow lots for about 10 years. He also lives a similar lifestyle to me, so I thought that would be good.
Since I had been thinking about this new house for so long, I had a fairly clear idea of what I wanted on the ground floor (not negotiable, really) - a kitchen/dining/lounge all as one large room with floor to ceiling windows on the back wall, entrance, laundry and powder room. I told him to do whatever he thought would be good upstairs with three double bedrooms, a small study and a TV room. Both floors were to have lots of light and lots of cupboards.
When I saw his first draft he had given me separate kitchen, dining and lounge rooms! And small ones at that. There was not much storage space either. Upstairs was OK. I asked if he remembered what I had asked for and he said "yes, but I like this". Whereupon I said "I don't"!
The next iteration was exactly what I had wanted, complete with lots of light and storage spaces. He had some really good ideas for upstairs, as well.
He has been a pleasure to work with and has come up with a very good design - with lots of ideas from me as well! The whole process has taken about 18 months, but this is because I slowed him down on a couple of occaisions. It could have been much quicker.
Time taken - July 2008 to January 2010.
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