First time home owner. Talk me through the renovation process, please!

[GreenEggsAndNichts]

We will (hopefully) exchange contracts on our first house before Christmas. The house itself is in decent condition. One couple has owned it since it was built in the 60s. However, while the few upgrades have been thoughtful and not cheaply done, most are out of date now. In addition, there are many odd little features, such as the downstairs loo being technically outside (attached to the house, within the main walls of the house, but the door leads outside, not inside, iyswim)

Anyway, that's just an example of one of the things I'll want to change. The biggest thing, and the thing we'll want to do first, is get a new kitchen in. The current one is quite old and the space isn't used very well. There is a small pantry room I'd like removed in order to make space for more units, as well as a radiator running the length of one wall, taking further space where units could be.

I've seen a kitchen at John Lewis that I like. However, I imagine I must need to get some builders or something in to take down the pantry room first? I don't know. I really don't know who to speak to first about this. If anyone could advise on this, I'd really appreciate it.

(there is more work I'd like to do soon as well, such as see about getting water hookup/drainage/whatever it is' I'd need to be able to put the washer into the garage. There's a lot to do in this place, really..)

wow sorry, should clarify a little: I don't expect you to tell me what to do! (you can, of course!) However, what I need to know is the order in which I should be contacting people. Do I bring a builder in to see what needs doing before I get John Lewis in? etc

I'd get the builder in before John Lewis.

I'm guessing you'd use John Lewis kitchen fitters? They'd expect to just come in and fit the kitchen. I imagine that would include ripping out the old one, check first.

But they'd need to have had any walls, etc knocked down first.

We had one builder who did everything. He knocked the walls down, took out the old kitchen, fitted the new one, then did tiling. Builders will be used to advising you on what needs doing in what order. A good builder is worth their weight in gold, get some recommendations.

The very first thing is to set a budget (and then double it)

1. Are building regulations required to knock down any walls (for your downside toilet)
2. If you are getting a new kitchen, consider if you need to change the boiler or electrics.
3. Do any of the radiators need doing?
4. Do any of the walls need to be replastered.
5. Does the soil stack need to be changed (again consider building regulations).