Re: Staying put.
Mups
A couple of pointers for you
Do you need planning permission? some councils will insist on it. Here even to change an internal door to an archway needs planning permission
Don't be afraid to seek out the local planning council officer, they are not out to prevent but will give advise. Get them on your side from the outset, it will pay dividends. Maybe you will not need planning consent but at least you will know
Even ask if one could give you a quick visit may help
Asking them for tradesmen is not in their remit as it could rebound on them for bad information
Just think you have all that work done only to find it all has to be reinstated as was not passed by the council
Make sure you have in writing EXACTLY the work you want carried out with a copy for the builder signed on yours
Don't pay up front, if they want money for materials drop them like a hot potato first. A good builder will have the capital already
Agree "if must" to pay as work progresses in stages and carried out to your instructions and a total costing at the outset
Watch them carefully that they use suitable material. I say this because when we moved into the kennels some double glazed windows were blown so had them replaced and who ever did it originally stuffed J clothes in the brick work as a filler ( True that is) and skimmed over with cement.
Get a definate start date and finish date with a penalty clause in if not finished on time
If you find a builder ask where they had worked before and go see for yourself by asking those who had employed them