Thank you so, so much. Everyone's comments have been really helpful and swift!
I have chosen Starline Boats (http://www.star-line-boats.co.uk/) in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, anyone heard of them?
The yard manager and owner have been great, informative and open and I'm sure above board (forgive the obvious pun). I have seen the finished product of their previous work and it's to a very high standard and one of their boats was featured on t.v. I am just unsure of the correct procedure and safety mechanisms that keep a project like this on track and the relationships within it professional.
Again, any more information/knowledge is greatly appreciated and I hope to bump into you on the waterways sometime in the future!
Have a good day, we weather looks stunning..