Now that you've narrowed down your search and found a few designers who you would like to potentially work with, your next step is to create a brief so you can approach each practitioner and find out more about them.
A good place to start is to work through the following questions:
What is your maximum budget?
Where are you willing to compromise?
What are your non-negotiables?
How many bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces do you need?
What size home do you need - tiny, small, adequate or large?
What design principles are important to you? Do you want to have a sustainable home? A Homestar rated home?
Is there a style or era of architecture that you like?
What is in your near future - retirement, a big family or do you spend most of your day in the office?
Do you need room in your garage for a workspace or are you a one car family?
Do you want a walk-in wardrobe, an ensuite, a scullery, a study, a media room, wine cellar, covered outdoor entertaining area, a swimming pool or a grand entrance?
Do you want a local design team? Or are you happy to work with a designer who is happy to travel?
Do you want a design and build team, or do you already have a preferred building contractor?
