Home DIY

I want to add an outdoor tap in my front garden. There is a stop tap at the meter in the street, then a lead pipe leading through the basement to a stop tap that is behind a kitchen cupboard and impossible to get to in a hurry.

I was planing on adding a section of pipe in the basement by using a lead lock, adding a stop tap and then a T off to feed the outside tap. Main questions are:

• Is this a job for a professional? I'm a pretty competent DIYer and have done plumbing before (not soldering).
  
• Should I replace as much lead as I can get to or just a small section?
  
• Should I use copper or MDPE?
  
• Any tricks for getting Thames Water to replace the lead pipe entirely for little/no cost?