If you are thinking of improving your home but want the real story of how to be successful, this richly illustrated and completely up-to-date book is for you. It distils all the practical information needed to run a project from dream to reality, highlighting the pitfalls along the way and suggesting ways to avoid them. Peppered with inspirational case studies and giving indications of costs and timescales, Home Extension Design demystifies both the building process and all the surrounding issues to do with design, sustainability, budgeting, planning, regulations and the use of building contracts.The comprehensive guidance includes chapters on making the best of what you've got, designing the changes to your home, types of house alteration projects (including extensions, loft conversions and basements), submitting applications to the local authority, and getting the building work done. A vastly experienced self-build architect used to directing and responding to his clients' briefs, the author has a well-honed understanding of home improvers' needs. The book has been carefully crafted to offer friendly, jargon-free guidance full of hints, tips and watchpoints to answer all your home extension questions.