Home Strategy Review

Move or improve with confidence

Most people reach a point where their current home no longer fits.

 

You might be short on space, fed up with a dark kitchen or wondering if you should stop spending money on a house that is not quite right.

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Do you move, or do you improve what you already have?

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The Home Strategy Review is a focused service from Ikonic Architecture that helps you answer that question with facts, sketches and clear advice, not guesswork.

 

Who this service is for

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The Home Strategy Review is designed for:

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• Homeowners who feel stuck and are not sure whether to extend, reconfigure or move

• Families who want more space but worry about over investing in the wrong project

• People who are trying to understand planning possibilities before speaking to builders

• Anyone who wants a clear plan for their home, not just a rough idea

 

If you are asking yourself things like:

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• Will an extension really solve our problems?

• Are we better off moving to a new house?

• Is this project worth the cost?

 

then this service is for you.

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What you get from a Home Strategy Review

The goal is simple. To give you a clear, honest answer to the question:

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“What is the best next step for our home?”

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After the review you will have:

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1. Clear layout options

 

We prepare simple, easy to understand layout sketches that show what your current home could become.

 

This might include ideas for:

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• Reworking the ground floor to improve flow and storage

• Linking the house more strongly to the garden

• Possible extension locations and sizes

• Moving or opening up internal walls

 

These are not yet full designs.

 

They are strategic options that show what is realistically possible.

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2. High level cost guidance

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We provide ballpark cost ranges so you can compare the cost of improving with the cost of moving.

 

We look at:

• Likely construction cost bands

• Areas that tend to drive budgets up or down

• Where money is likely to be well spent, and where it may not be

 

This is not a full quantity surveyor breakdown. It is enough to understand the order of costs and make a sensible decision.

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3. Planning and regulations review

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We check how likely it is that you will gain approval for the main options.

 

This may include:

• What could be done under Permitted Development

• When a full planning application would be required

• Any obvious risks, such as overlooking, conservation areas or streetscene issues

• Early notes on Building Regulations items that may affect cost, such as structure or insulation

 

You will know which options are realistic and which are likely to be refused.

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4. Market and value thinking

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We consider how your choices might affect the value of your home, based on typical buyer expectations in Norfolk and Suffolk.

 

We look at:

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• Whether the extension or rework is likely to feel balanced for the type of house

• If there is a risk of over developing the plot

• How future buyers might view your changes

 

The aim is to help you invest in the right places, not just spend money on more space.

 

5. A simple written summary

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You receive a short written summary that covers:

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• The main layout options

• Key pros and cons of each route

• Order of costs

• Planning risk notes

• Our clear recommendation on whether to move or improve

 

This gives you something you can refer back to and share with family members.

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How the Home Strategy Review works

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The process is straightforward and designed to be light touch but very helpful.

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Step 1. Initial call

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We start with a short call to understand your home, your family and your goals. You can share estate agent plans if you have them, or we can work from simple sketches and photos.

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Step 2. Site visit or online review

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For many local projects in Norfolk and Suffolk, we recommend a site visit. For some early stage discussions, an online review can work as a first step. We agree what makes sense based on your location and budget.

 

During this stage we:

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• Walk through the existing spaces

• Listen to how you actually use the home

• Identify key pinch points and missed opportunities

• Take basic measurements if needed

 

Step 3. Strategic layouts and notes

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We prepare a small set of layout options and notes based on what we have seen and discussed. These are sketched or simplified plans, not fully detailed drawings.

 

The aim is to test ideas quickly.

 

Step 4. Review meeting

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We sit down with you, either in person or online, to review the options.

 

We talk through:

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• How each option would feel in day to day life

• Rough cost bands and planning chances

• Pros and cons for each idea

 

We listen to your reactions and help you weigh everything up.

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Step 5. Summary and next steps

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After the meeting, we send you a short summary document. This includes our recommendation and suggested next steps.

 

If you choose to move into full design, this review then feeds directly into the next stage of work with us.

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What decisions can this help you make?

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Clients use the Home Strategy Review to answer questions such as:

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• Should we extend out, go up into the loft, or rework what we already have?

• Is it worth opening up to the garden or should we focus on internal layouts?

• Is this the right house to invest in, or are we better off moving?

• Should we phase the project, and if so, which part should we do first?

 

The aim is not to push you toward a build at all costs. Our job is to help you make a good decision, even if that decision is to move rather than improve.

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Why work with Ikonic Architecture on this?

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Ikonic Architecture focuses on homes across Norfolk and Suffolk.

 

We specialise in extensions, remodels and new homes that feel light, comfortable and connected to their gardens.

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With a Home Strategy Review you benefit from:

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• Local planning knowledge

• Experience of what actually works in family homes

• Honest guidance on value and risk

• Clear, easy to understand drawings and language

 

We speak plainly and avoid jargon. Our role is to help you see your options clearly and feel in control of your next move.

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Frequently asked questions

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How detailed are the drawings in a Home Strategy Review?

They are simple layout studies, not full construction drawings. The aim is to explore ideas quickly and show how space could work, rather than to fix every detail.

Will I be pushed into a large project?

No. Sometimes the best answer is a smaller rework, or even a decision to move. Our job is to give you honest advice, not to sell you the biggest possible project.

Is this only for big extensions?

No. It is just as useful if you are looking at smaller changes, layout tweaks or future phasing.

Can I use the review to talk to estate agents or builders?

Yes. Many clients share the summary with estate agents to compare with moving costs, or with builders when exploring rough budgets.

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Ready to find out if you should move or improve?

If you feel stuck and want clarity on the best way forward for your home, the Home Strategy Review is a simple, low risk first step.

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It gives you clear options, honest cost guidance and a structured recommendation, so you can make a confident decision about your next move.

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When you are ready, you can get in touch to book a Home Strategy Review and start turning uncertainty into a clear plan for your home.