Trying to understand what needs doing to convert 2 properties into 1

GDB2222

sheramber said:

How much upheaval would your seller be prepared to tolerate?

Would  they want their living room opened up while they were living there?

what about noise?

You would need to check re planning permission but  it would  need Building  Regs which would entail inspections of work being done. 

Would the work be done before or after exchange of contracts?

I assumed that both cottages are empty. I can’t imagine how it would work otherwise. 

Flugelhorn

pinky79 said:

We are asking if the seller will allow us to do the leg work whilst they own it. They have no appetite to do it. We may get some form of legal documentation to protect us, and them. 

The challenge is more about knowing exactly what the minimum work is so they valuer signs it off as one property.

We also looking for any guidance on who we should contact to make sure everything we do is correct. E.g council/council tax to one property,  building control, planning, utilities etc

I think the problem would be with the vendors suddenly deciding they didn't want to sell after you have done and paid for the work. 

if any work done it will need to discuss with building control - is the main bit just decommissioning the second kitchen?