To avoid converting the garage I would consider swapping the living and dining room for now. Move in first. A new house is very exciting. Live in it for a while and see how it works for you. After a few months you will have a much better idea. Moving plumbing and electrics is very expensive so you don't want to make a mistake. Which way is the garden? I think a kitchen facing the garden is much nicer than the entrance side. Is your garden south facing? Is the house detached?

Thanks, Isla. The house is not in a position to move in. We will need to get the work done before we can move in. It’s a Semi-detached house with East facing garden.

In my opinion a kitchen at the front of the house is a compromise. I would instead open up the back to have a large kitchen, dining sitting area. 2 of your bedrooms are small so I would convert bedroom5 to an en-suite for the master bedroom. Don’t understand your concern with having a toilet above the kitchen but this could be your sitting area and have the kitchen on the opposite wall.

Meant to say, if you do not like having a spare toilet, remove and make this area a study off bedroom 4.

Thanks, Siobhan. You’re right that having a kitchen at the back would be better and converting the spare toilet into kids study ids worth considering. Not having a toilet above the kitchen is just a personal preference

Surely with a lick of paint, you could use the house for e a year while you arrange planning and logistics for the changes? So worthwhile to live in a place before you make big changes as you get to know the existing building and how to works/does not work for you and your family. It also allows you time to save some more