I am in the process of getting some new windows and wondering whether they should be set back from brickwork or flush.  The house is currently brick and they are set back slightly but I am planning to render the brickwork at some point and been told that "may" need to have windows flush with brickwork for this.  Will continue my consultations with the "pros" but anybody got any thoughts?

Yes true.  Bit more complicated than moving them forward later if need be.  Certainly not ordering yet.  In the process of retaining an architect to help with lots of things and already got into a fierce debate about what is the "right" glazing pattern for old farmhouses.

LOL well it is render or some not too pretty 1970's bricks in large parts of the house.  Must admit given the choice I would prefer an old Georgian or Victorian brick build house and some of the modern rendered houses lack soul (we did look at some houses like this before buying current one but after 18 months of looking we made some compromises).  However, in any case a lot of more modern brick build house are not particularly attractive if not downright ugly and rendering if done nicely with right detailing and right windows, guttering, barge boards, etc, can look quite good.

Early days to worry about details on the rendering (just trying to figure out window issues for now) but points taken.   Think we will probably end up keeping some kind of brick plinth as we have some very old nice looking bricks on barn, stable and garden walls or possible weatherboarded plinth (just like the old days to protect against cows kicking the walls!)