UK London: looking for architect and mortgage broker

[Jennifer S.]

I appreciate biggerpockets doesn't have too many UK/London members but thought I'd give it a try to post here.

-Looking to find a lawyer / advisor to help me review auction docs.

-Also could use some references to mortgage brokers for buy to let.

-And finally, tips on engaging with architects to get creative problem solving done

In 2020 I hired an architect with good online reviews but it wasn't a great experience for me.

As an example, this architect was adament that I would NEVER get approval for a roof terrace. Meanwhile the other day I was walking down the street and saw a lovely roof terrace that someone got permission for and constructed! And, on Zoopla I saw a stunning flat with my dream roof terrace. So they also somehow got permission to: add space on the top of a Victorian flat and have a roof terrace where the entry to it was accessed by amazing glass sliding doors. I think I will look up these 2 properties on the Council's planning portal and try to contact the relevant architects.

I also saw just yesterday a cool office pod at the end of a pretty small garden at the back of a normal Victorian terrace. Seems like fairly straightforward approval for these if they don't need plumbing. Let's share ideas here...

(Side note, I know the UK is kind of melting down financially at the moment and just had a 38 day Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I'm hoping we are nearing bottom and hence a good time to start investing again)