We just finished a 6/7 month renovation job on a house in Wandsworth that had been a council HMO house and we have changed it back into a single dwelling or one home of residence. As PTMUM2 stated, since you're converting your place make sure you check out the reduced VAT on everything (even kitchens, etc) on the HMRC website as it is brilliant when needing to spend (& save) a fair bit to change a use of a building. We did this and it saved us a lot! Our builder was brilliant in helping us with this too.
Builder recommendation: We used NewSmartLiving as our building company of choice and our place is utterly gorgeous! We just finished officially (internal & external) two weeks ago and held my daughter's christening party at the house. My husband and I really enjoy renovation work and this house is one of a few we've done here and abroad and I honestly can't speak highly enough about our builder and his team. This company does not outsource work at all and the owner, or Director, Martin, is there with you all the way. He's very meticulous in all details from the groundworks to the finish, and through our own experiences in building and renovation works this is rare.
Two of our neighbours have just hired Martin to do their extensions and/or renovation on their homes as he has proven to be excellent as a builder.
One last important point - his communication skills - incredibly transparent and quick to respond. Further, he was helpful in easing any discomfort our neighbours might have felt while we were in the midst of doing our works (extension, side return, loft and complete overhaul/gut of the building) and this went a long way with us as many builders don't have the patience.
Out of all of our many projects over the past years, Martin is the one builder who has been a professional who worked alongside us and what we wanted, and whom now we consider a friend.
If you'd like to PM me I can arrange for you to see our place. Martin can show you loads of his projects in the Clapham/Parsons Green/Chiswick/Surrey areas too so his work and clients speak for themselves (we visited a few before deciding on NewSmartLiving)...and best still - he's incredibly competitive when speaking about costs, and he keeps you on budget and on time.
His details:
Martin Sek
Director (owner)
New Smart LIving LTD
Tel +44 (0) 20 7127 9594
Mobile +44 (0) 7808 220 330
martin@newsmartliving.co.uk