Advice on conversions

[eggofmantumbi]

Excuse my total ignorance....I'm just looking for some advice about getting some work done on my house.
We're going to convert our garage and then knock through our current kitchen and living room.

So I'm just generally a bit confused! Is there such a thing as a contractor who will do the building work (knocking through, bricking up garage), Windows, kitchen, radiators, decorating etc? If so what is that called?!?

And do I need to do precise quotes before I go to the Bank? I know we can afford it, but just have no idea how the financial side works!

You need to speak to a builder. They will have contacts who do the specific jobs - and hopefully a team themselves that will do a lot of them. Have a look in your area at boards from builders currently doing extensions / conversions in your neighbourhood or ask your neighbours for recommendations.

They’ll come and talk to you about it and give you an indicative figure but the final costs will depend on for example which handles you have on the kitchen drawers, so it’s all a bit ball park til everything is nailed down.

Speak to a designer first (architect, architectural technologist, building surveyor). They will advise what is viable and what is required.
Their drawings will be submitted for local authority approval and can form the basis of quotes from contractors.
Make sure the designer has PI insurance to cover the advice they provide.
good luck!

Fab, thank you. So I still need to speak to a designer if I know it falls under my council's permitted development?