Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Design Project

 

Introduction

Starting a design project — whether it’s a house extension in Wigan, a loft conversion, or a full home renovation — can be exciting. But many homeowners make costly mistakes in the early stages that delay approvals, inflate budgets, or compromise the final look.

At Melrose Designs, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners bring their ideas to life. From firsthand experience, here are the top five mistakes to avoid and how to start your project the right way.

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1️⃣ Skipping the Feasibility Stage

Question people ask:

“Do I really need to hire a designer before talking to builders?”

Yes — skipping this stage is the biggest and most expensive mistake.

Before spending a penny on construction, you should get a feasibility design done. This defines what’s possible within planning permission, building regulations, and your budget.

✅ Tip:
At Melrose Designs, we offer an Initial Feasibility free as part of our Package — a site visit, design options, and early cost assessment. This prevents surprises later.

Learn more: Introduction – House Extensions Design Guide →

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2️⃣ Ignoring Local Planning Guidance

Each local authority — whether Wigan Council or St Helens Borough — has unique rules for extensions, heights, materials, and boundaries.
Many clients come to us after their DIY planning application was refused due to small oversights.

✅ Avoid this:
Always design with local planning context in mind. Melrose Designs uses local plan data and precedent approvals to prepare compliant drawings the first time.

Learn more: Understanding Planning Permission for Extensions →

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3️⃣ Underestimating Building Regulations

Even if your project doesn’t need full planning permission, building regulations approval is still mandatory.
Missing details such as structural calculations, insulation values, or drainage layouts can halt your project.

✅ Pro tip:
We collaborate with structural engineers and submit fully detailed Building Regulation drawings ready for approval.

Learn more: Building Regulation Drawings Explained →

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4️⃣ Not Setting a Clear Budget and Timeline

Homeowners often underestimate both time and cost. Builders then price from incomplete drawings, leading to overruns or design compromises.

✅ Solution:
Always request a comprehensive drawing pack and a specification sheet — both of which we include for transparency.
We also provide early-stage cost guides so your design aligns with your financial goals.

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5️⃣ Forgetting That Design Is About Living, Not Just Building

A successful design project isn’t just about walls and windows — it’s about how you’ll live in the space.

✅ Ask yourself:

Where does the light enter in winter?

Can you see the garden while cooking?

Will storage be practical?

At Melrose Designs, we design homes for real families — blending function, flow, and feeling.

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👷 About the Author

Written by: Kieran Atherton
Founder & Director – Melrose Designs
Kieran has over a decade of experience designing house extensions and home renovations across Wigan, St Helens, and Greater Manchester.
He leads a multidisciplinary team providing architectural drawings, building regulations advice, and planning submissions.

“We believe great design starts with understanding how people live — not just how they build.”

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Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Design Project

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