Plenty of homeowners put off making contact because they think they need everything worked out first. You don't. The most useful thing you can do is share a clear picture of your home and what you'd like to change — the design thinking is our job. Here's how to make that first message count.
In short
You don't need finished drawings or a perfect brief to get started — a few photos, your postcode and a short description of what you'd like to achieve are plenty for a first conversation. This guide sets out exactly what helps Sean give you an honest first view, and what you genuinely don't need to worry about yet.
Not sure which route applies to your property? Send Sean your name and one way to contact you for an honest first view — with no obligation. A postcode, a few photos and a short description help if you have them, but aren't required to start.
Reviewed by Sean Corser, SC Design Wirral. Sean Corser helps Wirral homeowners with architectural design and drawing packs for extensions, loft conversions, planning and building regulations.
Last reviewed June 2026
A common worry is needing drawings, measurements or a fixed budget before getting in touch. You don't — a rough idea and a few photos are enough to start a useful conversation.
Our job is to turn that rough idea into a clear, realistic design, so don't let 'it's not ready' hold you back.
The items below help Sean give you an honest first view quickly. Share what you have — none of it needs to be perfect or complete.
| What to share | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Property postcode | Lets us check the local planning context |
| Photos inside and outside | Shows the space and the opportunities |
| What you want to achieve | The goal matters more than the solution |
| Project type (extension, loft, etc.) | Frames the likely route |
| Project stage | Tells us how far along you are |
| Whether you already have a builder | Affects what drawings you'll need |
| Rough timescale | Helps us plan around your plans |
| Rough budget (only if comfortable) | Keeps the design realistic |
| Estate-agent floorplan or existing drawings | A useful starting point if you have them |
| Conservation area / listed / Article 4 (if known) | Flags where extra care is needed |
The most helpful photos show the area you want to change from a few angles, the rooms next to it, and the outside of the house including the part you'd extend. Wide shots beat close-ups.
Before a design call, it's worth thinking about how you want the space to feel and work: light, how you live day to day, storage, access, privacy and neighbours. There are no wrong answers — it just helps us design around you.
Once you send your details, Sean takes a look and comes back with an honest first view — what's likely possible, the route it may take, and how we'd approach it. There's no obligation.
From there, we turn the idea into clear drawings: concept design, then planning drawings, then building-regulations drawings as your project needs them. If it's helpful, our concept visualiser can show an illustrative idea — clearly a concept, not a final design.
You don't need a full brief or drawings to get started — just your name and one way to contact you. The rest is optional, and you can send more whenever it suits you.
External links open in a new tab. Always confirm your specific project with the relevant authority.
All you need to start is your name and one way to contact you. A short description, postcode or a few photos help if you have them — but they're not required.