Hello! This is Episode 396, and I want to talk about something that comes up at the very beginning of almost every project I hear about.

It usually sounds like one of these questions.

"Should I add a second storey, or extend out the back?"

Or… "Is it worth renovating what we have, or should we just knock it down and build new?"

Or… "We've got a blank block - do we go with a volume builder, or work with an architect or designer and do a custom project?"

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/396]

And what all of these questions have in common is this: they come from a place of genuinely not knowing which direction to go. There are multiple options on the table. 

Each of them could potentially work. They can vary in budget and timelines and team structure and approvals. But you don't yet have enough information to choose between them with confidence.

And so what a lot of people do - and I completely understand the impulse - is to just pick one. Pick the option that seems most obvious, or most affordable, or the one that someone recommended, and start moving forward. 

Because forward feels like progress. And staying in that uncomfortable place of not knowing can feel like being stuck.

But here's what I've seen happen, again and again. People who make that early decision without doing the groundwork first often find themselves... sometimes months in, sometimes with significant professional fees already spent... discovering that there was a better option they hadn't fully explored. Or a constraint they didn't know about. Or a cost they hadn't factored in. And by that point, going back feels devastating. But pushing forward doesn't feel right either.

In this episode, I want to help you avoid that. 

I want to share a way of thinking about this phase of your project that can genuinely change your experience of it. And I want to give you a clear, practical process for how to navigate this decision-making period... so that when you do commit to a direction, you can do it with real confidence and strategy.

As always, if you’d like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/396.

Now, let’s dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/396

Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Just a reminder:All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

Hello! This is Episode 396, and I want to talk about something that comes up at the very beginning of almost every project I hear about.
It usually sounds like one of these questions.
"Should I add a second storey, or extend out the back?"
Or&hellip; "Is it worth renovating what we have, or should we just knock it down and build new?"
Or&hellip; "We've got a blank block - do we go with a volume builder, or work with an architect or designer and do a custom project?"
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/396">www.undercoverarchitect.com/396</a>]
And what all of these questions have in common is this: they come from a place of genuinely not knowing which direction to go. There are multiple options on the table.&nbsp;
Each of them could potentially work. They can vary in budget and timelines and team structure and approvals. But you don't yet have enough information to choose between them with confidence.
And so what a lot of people do - and I completely understand the impulse - is to just pick one. Pick the option that seems most obvious, or most affordable, or the one that someone recommended, and start moving forward.&nbsp;
Because forward feels like progress. And staying in that uncomfortable place of not knowing can feel like being stuck.
But here's what I've seen happen, again and again. People who make that early decision without doing the groundwork first often find themselves... sometimes months in, sometimes with significant professional fees already spent... discovering that there was a better option they hadn't fully explored. Or a constraint they didn't know about. Or a cost they hadn't factored in. And by that point, going back feels devastating. But pushing forward doesn't feel right either.
In this episode, I want to help you avoid that.&nbsp;
I want to share a way of thinking about this phase of your project that can genuinely change your experience of it. And I want to give you a clear, practical process for how to navigate this decision-making period... so that when you do commit to a direction, you can do it with real confidence and strategy.
As always, if you&rsquo;d like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources I mention, head to <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/396">www.undercoverarchitect.com/396</a>.
Now, let&rsquo;s dive in!
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/396">www.undercoverarchitect.com/396</a>
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways">https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways</a>
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/">https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/</a>
Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

If we haven’t met before, I’m Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect: an online business to help and teach homeowners like you how to get it right when designing, building and renovating your home.

Undercover Architect is all about giving you access to the industry knowledge and insights you need to avoid the mistakes and dramas that can cost you thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it’s about levelling the playing field, so that the world of renovating and building doesn’t seem so mysterious, and you can be the active driver in your project, navigating it with know-how and confidence.

Undercover Architect helps and teaches homeowners through this podcast, the website, and online courses and programs, including my flagship program, HOME Method. I truly believe that when you know the questions to ask, the steps to take and the best way to create a home that works, feels great, and that you feel great in, you can enjoy the process of building and renovating, as well as the home you move into at the end of this ambitious journey.

Consider Undercover Architect your secret ally: whoever you’re working with, and whatever your location, your budget or your dreams. For more, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com

If we haven’t met before, I’m Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect: an online business to help and teach homeowners like you how to get it right when designing, building and renovating your home.
Undercover Architect is all about giving you access to the industry knowledge and insights you need to avoid the mistakes and dramas that can cost you thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it’s about levelling the playing field, so that the world of renovating and building doesn’t seem so mysterious, and you can be the active driver in your project, navigating it with know-how and confidence.
Undercover Architect helps and teaches homeowners through this podcast, the website, and online courses and programs, including my flagship program, HOME Method. I truly believe that when you know the questions to ask, the steps to take and the best way to create a home that works, feels great, and that you feel great in, you can enjoy the process of building and renovating, as well as the home you move into at the end of this ambitious journey.
Consider Undercover Architect your secret ally: whoever you’re working with, and whatever your location, your budget or your dreams. For more, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com