What to consider in converting a garage.

lonestarfan

Is it allowed to convert a a garage to a bathroom/bedroom? Do I need an Architect and do I need planning permission?
I have an old detached garage about 3 feet away from my kitchen full of junk. It might be asbestos so I know I'd need specialists.
Where do I find a proper builder?
Most jobs in my house have been very poor - lots of unfinished work in bathroom and kitchen even though I'd paid. Usual inexperienced kind of thing. I use local tradespeople and was very naive. I wonder as well if it's because I always want cheap as my upbringing was very poor. I'm not poor but it's hard to shake off.
I don't mean to offend anyone but is there such a thing as a proper builder anyway?
How do I find one, what's quals must they have, what indemnities etc.
How do I make sure I get a water tight quote etc. and that its a fair price for the work - although I know I can post on here to get idea if quote is fair.
There's lots of building in my road so I shall take a good walk up and down and see if I can spot any builders and also drop some notes through doors of houses that have had work done to ask if they are happy and would they reccomend.
Any thoughts/advice then please share.
Thanks a lot.

chiefgoobster

I'd have a word with your building control office at your local council. They can advise re planning permission etc. They might also be able
to attend your house and further advise re the suspected asbestos.

Unfortunately because, as you quoted, you always want cheap, you will end up with cheap. It's a fact of life that pay cheap, pay twice. Good honest builders are always busy, don't really have to advertise and go through word of mouth.No point really haggling with them as the ball is in their court.

Also begs the question, why have you paid when there is unfinished
work in the bathroom and kitchen ?

lonestarfan

chiefgoobster wrote: »

I'd have a word with your building control office at your local council. They can advise re planning permission etc. They might also be able
to attend your house and further advise re the suspected asbestos.

Unfortunately because, as you quoted, you always want cheap, you will end up with cheap. It's a fact of life that pay cheap, pay twice. Good honest builders are always busy, don't really have to advertise and go through word of mouth.No point really haggling with them as the ball is in their court.

Also begs the question, why have you paid when there is unfinished
work in the bathroom and kitchen ?

All the work is finished now but it's poor standard and shows. I had to go round day in day out and create trouble on his doorstep. And it wasn't cheap but my experience is its hard to find anyone who does a good job cheap or expensive.
I trust people are going to do a good job, I am naieve and I don't like conflict but had to get into conflict with him unfortunately.
It's so difficult to get recommendations as I find people still don't recommend fully affiliated tradespeople etc but just people they've been happy with. Paying expensive isn't a guarantee of quality work either. I don't want one man bands who do plumbing electrics or decorating I want a proper company but they don't seem to exist. 41 yrs ago my mum and dad had an extension built and it was by a proper builder who had a proper business and who was locally well known. But we'd lived there 20 years and gone to school with their kids and gone to their weddings etc so we were well known and so were they. That was who you went to in our town if you needed an extension. That kind of thing doesn't exist in my life now. They did a fab job but I've never found anyone near that. The trouble with families moving away and family dieing means you don't have that local knowledge and it's hard to find. Even when you ask I find I don't get "proper" building firms.
I have noticed Anglian do Garage conversions but I would expect they are top end but I'll give them a try and once again I'll ask for local recommendations and compare. I know there's lots of people on these boards who are having same trouble as me.
I'll start with building control as you suggest and then get on a crusade for a good builder !