Building or remodelling your home? 7 tips for a successful design project

Whether building from scratch or renovating an existing property, there are numerous ingredients for a successful project from planning permission and energy efficiency to style and setting.

Here are 7 tips to help guide you on the road to success:

1. Know what you want to achieve. Are you setting out to improve your own quality of life or is this a financial investment? It sounds obvious but the location and practicalities must align with your goals.
2. Planning permission. Do you need it and, most importantly, will you be able to get it? Depending on the scale and nature of the project, understanding national and local planning policies is crucial so it’s well worth consulting a planning expert at the outset.
3. Site checks. If you are considering buying land for a new build, do you have clear access to the site? Complications can arise if it involves privately owned roads or crossing third party land. Other site checks – to name just a few – include ground suitability, whether a build would affect protected trees, and the presence or absence of above and below-ground utilities.
4. Aesthetics. Are you aiming to catch the eye or blend seamlessly into the land or cityscape? Consideration should be given to properties that are listed, or sitting within a conservation area. Advice from an architect will help navigate the planning process and guide you to what is appropriate. A clever juxtaposition of contemporary and traditional design can often work incredibly well, allowing the building to tell its story of transformation. Careful selection of materials and detailing which have been chosen for site specific reasons and that also express your personality are key. Avoid building to a current trend that will date quickly, and remember that designing from the inside out should be a priority. The internal space needs to work for you.
5. Retrofitting. If you are renovating an older property, you’re likely to want to improve its energy efficiency. But beware of a one-size-fits-all approach. Wall insultation and double glazing may be unsuitable, causing unintended negative consequences such as condensation and mould. However, choosing the right method will pay dividends in the future maintenance and running costs of the building. This is a strategic investment rather than an expense.
6. Budget. Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of seeing your vision come to life. But be clear on budget and don’t forget to factor in the costs of decorating, equipping, and furnishing – all of which have an important role to play in the overall success of the project. My advice is to budget costs from the outset, even prior to placing an offer on the property. Your vision must be affordable.
7. Choose the right architect. You’ll want to work with someone with imagination and creativity of course, but you also need an architect who listens to you and has commercial awareness, too. They should understand what you want to achieve, your budget, and all the necessary regulatory requirements.

If you’ve completed a project you’re especially proud of within the last five years, there’s still time to enter the House & Garden x Savills Project of the Year 2026 competition. Follow the link here to enter and for more details.

Perhaps it’s the breathtaking architecture, the quirky design or a sympathetic renovation with an unexpected twist – whatever it is, tell us why you think your home should win. Submissions close on 12 June. The competition is open to homeowners as well as architects and designers.

Further information

Contact Jane McPhillips