Journal
Notes from the drawing board
Planning, costs, layouts and the order to do things in, written for homeowners in Surrey who have not done this before.
Each article is written by James Williamson, RIBA Chartered architect, and comes out of the questions homeowners ask us in Woking, Guildford and across Surrey. Start with the topic that matches your project, or with what to do first if you are not sure. The planning guides collect the council-by-council articles in one place, and the cost calculator gives a first range for an extension budget.

October 2026
What does a single storey extension cost in Surrey?

October 2026
Turning offices into flats: what we learned from a Kingston conversion

October 2026
Extending your home in Mole Valley: a planning guide

October 2026
Extending your home in Elmbridge: a planning guide

October 2026
Extending your home in Spelthorne: a planning guide

October 2026
Extending your home in Runnymede: a planning guide

October 2026
Extending your home in Surrey Heath: a planning guide

October 2026
Extending your home in Waverley: a planning guide

October 2026
Extending your home in Guildford: a planning guide

October 2026
Extending your home in Woking: a planning guide

June 2026
Is a double dormer loft conversion the right choice, or just the most common?

June 2026
Permitted development vs planning permission: which route is right?

December 2025
What is a principal designer? A plain guide for homeowners

December 2025
Heating options for a renovation: boiler, heat pump or underfloor?

December 2025
Small house extensions that make a big difference

December 2025
Open-plan living in Surrey: what works and what to avoid

November 2025
How 3D design helps you decide before you build

November 2025
Renovation regrets: five ways to avoid them

November 2025
Retrofitting an older house: how to make it warmer and cheaper to run

November 2025
How to design a kitchen extension that works, step by step

October 2025
Questions to ask a builder before you sign the contract

October 2025
The truth about loft conversions in Surrey: is your loft suitable?

October 2025
Six planning permission myths that slow projects down

September 2025
Which renovations add value to a Surrey home?

September 2025
Where to start with a home renovation: the first decisions

September 2025
How much does an extension cost in Surrey? A 2026 budget guide

September 2025
7 renovation budget mistakes Surrey homeowners make before they start

July 2025
Is a wraparound extension worth it? More space without moving

July 2025
Can you extend an existing extension?

July 2025
How much does a kitchen renovation cost? What to expect, and what moves the price

July 2025
Planning a kitchen extension: what to decide first

June 2025
Double storey extension planning in Surrey: what to settle first

April 2025
Interior designer vs architect: who do you need for your project?

April 2025
Single-storey extension pros and cons: is it right for your home?

March 2025
Home insurance when renovating: what to check before work starts

March 2025
How to plan a home renovation in the UK, step by step

March 2025
Renovating on a budget: where to save, and where not to cut corners

March 2025
When is the best time to build an extension?

March 2025
Maximalism interior design: what to plan before the wallpaper goes up

March 2025
Building your own home in Surrey: what to know before you start

February 2025
Renovating a historic home: the challenges, and what a heritage architect does

February 2025
Contemporary extensions to old houses: getting the balance right

February 2025
What is sustainable architecture? The principles, for a real home

February 2025
What makes good interior design? An architect's view

February 2025
Converting a barn into a house: the steps that matter, in order

January 2025
Extension budget: what to include beyond the build cost

January 2025
Residential architecture: what good house design comes down to

September 2024
How much does an architect cost, and what are you paying for?

August 2024
Green roofs on extensions, and living walls on Surrey homes

August 2024
Do I need planning permission for an extension?

July 2024
Is Passivhaus worth it for a Surrey home?

July 2024
Planning permission vs building regulations: what's the difference?

July 2024
Blending modern and traditional design in a Surrey home

June 2024
Why choose James Williamson Architects? How we work, plainly

February 2024
Do I need an architect for a renovation? What one actually does

February 2024
Virtual reality and home renovation: do you need a headset to see your design?

February 2024
How to find a good builder in Surrey for your extension

January 2024
Eco home design in Surrey: what to decide before the kit

March 2020
The Passivhaus standard explained, and is it zero carbon?
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