Which trade do I need advice from?

[Boleynforsoup]

I'm looking at buying a flat which is currently 1 bedroom and moving the kitchen into the living room for an open plan living/kitchen area and making the current kitchen a second bedroom. The flat is perfect in all other ways, but will only work for us with the second bedroom. The wall I'm thinking of moving the kitchen onto has the bathroom on the other side so I'm assuming plumbing won't be an issue and I'd go for an electric oven so no gas needed. Need to know if this is feasible before putting in an offer though. Period property so pretty solid walls if that makes a difference.

Which trade do I need to get advice from? Can I get someone to come and give me a quote for the work on a viewing?

Yes feasible. If leasehold the freeholder will need to know. You might not be allowed to do this. You need a builder but advice from an electrician and a plumber too.

By the time you’ve done all this, a 2 bed
might be cheaper.

It comes with a share of the freehold so would I need to get all the other flat owners permission?

2 bedroom flats in this kind of period property in the area are at least 50/60k more.... mostly not half as nice and out of my price range.

You may need building regs sign off so factor that in too. I don’t think you’d get much change from £50k after moving all the pipe work (so much more expensive than you’d think), electrics, re plastering, new flooring and kitchen. I am not sure the other freeholders will be delighted at letting you make lots of dust and noise for a few months either. I’d just look for a 2 bed personally.

@Boleynforsoup
I said if leasehold. It’s not so you can do what you want. However it’s polite to tell
the others what you propose. I agree, it’s not a cheap solution unless the area is very expensive.

Take a video then ask a builder and a plumber what they think, if you can persuade any to give that free advice, or just pay them a fee.

I know on property shows Kirsty & Phil are always taking a builder round to advise and quote, but you won’t get that service unless you own the property (or have your own tv show). Builders hate wuoting cos they have to work out exactly how much time and materials is needed, how many man hours it will take, price all goods at current market prices and then write it all up (and builders hate writing) and they may not even get the job.

That said it does sound simple to change a kitchen into a bedroom and add a sink washer etc in a living room.

It won’t be simple! There are lots of stages to this and trades involved. Correct electricity supply, additional plumbing, making good the old kitchen and new kitchen installation might not be simple at all.