0:00:02 > 0:00:05There are nearly a million homes lying lost and abandoned in the UK,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09just waiting for someone to come along and breathe life back into them,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13so whether it's a tired semi or a rambling mansion,
0:00:13 > 0:00:15we're on a mission to rescue Britain's empty homes.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29It's well known that moving house is one of the most stressful things
0:00:29 > 0:00:30we can do in life,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33but imagine how much more nerve-wracking it would be
0:00:33 > 0:00:36if you took on something that was abandoned and is in a state of disrepair.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It takes a lot of courage to renovate an empty property
0:00:39 > 0:00:43but when it comes to houses, fortune favours the brave.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Today I'm drawing on my renovation experience
0:00:46 > 0:00:49to help a couple learn the ropes of the renovation game.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Take this wall down, somehow. I don't know how, yet!
0:00:52 > 0:00:56We'll meet homeowners who've taken on vacant places,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59in the hope that they'll be able to offer some valuable advice.
0:00:59 > 0:01:05Although it's traditional, you can make it modern. It will appeal to people. Just be a bit brave!
0:01:05 > 0:01:08And we'll also be joining an empty property officer,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10battling to save deserted dwellings from decay.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Right, it looks like someone's broken in.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Old empty properties with their overgrown gardens,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21rotten windows and crumbling roofs can be an eyesore for those who live around them.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25But for those with a canny eye, these vacant properties can hold untold promise.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30Bought cheaply and then transformed with the money saved, not only do buyers get their dream home
0:01:30 > 0:01:34but they provide a welcome addition to the neighbourhood as well.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Clive Jones and his girlfriend Laura Carson have moved around a lot due to their jobs,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44but are now setting their sights on finding a home of their own.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49They're hoping to find what they're looking for close to the picturesque town of St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54I think, in this move, we're looking for a home of the right size,
0:01:54 > 0:02:00that we can call a family home, make our base where we'd expect to be for at least five years.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03With an estimated budget of £400,000,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07they're hoping an empty house will provide them with the bare bones they need
0:02:07 > 0:02:10to remodel it into the perfect family home.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13The size of the renovation project we'd like to do
0:02:13 > 0:02:16is anything ranging from fairly small DIY
0:02:16 > 0:02:21to a fairly large-scale renovation in terms of extensions.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26We've got some experience with smaller-scale renovations but we just need to scale up a little bit more.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- Hi, Laura, how are you?- Hiya.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30- Nice to see you. Hi, Clive. - Hello.- Come on in, guys.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35'I'm meeting up with them to find out just what level of renovation project they're after.'
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Well, guys, this is all quite exciting, isn't it?
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Now, what kind of property are you kind of dreaming about?
0:02:41 > 0:02:43I think older.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47We've definitely said we want something that is probably at least Victorian,
0:02:47 > 0:02:52if not older, and I suppose take it back a little bit to what it was
0:02:52 > 0:02:54but still keep areas modern.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Technically, how proficient are you? What kind of things have you undertaken?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01We've renovated a one-bedroom flat -
0:03:01 > 0:03:05we've done all the electrics, plumbing, new bathroom, kitchen, flooring.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09We haven't done any building work, structural work, et cetera.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13That's the thing we're a bit unsure of and we may need professional help for that.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18Well, it sounds like you're in a pretty good position. You've got, I think, a realistic budget
0:03:18 > 0:03:23and you've clearly developed some of the skills needed to actually fulfil this dream
0:03:23 > 0:03:25and actually carry through a successful renovation.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27I think the key thing is to, er,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- see if we can find you a property that might whet your appetite.- Yes!
0:03:31 > 0:03:32Definitely.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38To help Laura and Clive stride confidently into the world of renovation,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42I'll be introducing them to some homeowners who've already taken the plunge.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45But first I'm setting them a challenge.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50I want to see how Laura and Clive cope when they come face to face with a good example
0:03:50 > 0:03:52of the sort of empty property they could buy,
0:03:52 > 0:03:57to see if they've got the vision to spot the potential in the perfect renovation.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03I'm sending Clive and Laura to look around this four-bedroom Victorian detached house
0:04:03 > 0:04:06just a couple of miles from St Ives.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Oh, wow, that's really nice!
0:04:08 > 0:04:10That looks very nice, actually, to be honest!
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Formerly a rental property for farm workers,
0:04:13 > 0:04:19it's now on the market having been empty for several months. It has three reception rooms,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22a master bedroom with an en suite,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25a family bathroom and three further good-size bedrooms.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Outside is a pretty wall garden and garage.
0:04:28 > 0:04:34The house is on the market for £250,000, so it's well within Clive and Laura's budget
0:04:34 > 0:04:38and would leave them plenty of cash left over for renovation work.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Now let's see if they can spot its potential.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- This must be the lounge, presumably. - Lounge, yeah.- Quite nice size.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Yeah. It's got the old fireplace.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51- That's marble, isn't it? - It's very nice.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53And the kitchen.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57It's not a bad size, is it? You might want to reorganise it.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- Good size, lots of units.- You've got a patio area out there,
0:05:00 > 0:05:05so you could actually do sort of a dining opening out into the patio, couldn't you?
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- Some big patio doors or something. - Yeah.
0:05:08 > 0:05:14Planning permission allowing, this patio area could become an extension to the kitchen-diner.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Big glass roof coming straight down here like an indoor conservatory,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21take this wall down, somehow. I don't know how, yet!
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Take this wall down,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I think, and it all becomes completely open-plan.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31And I suppose it's then what would these rooms become? Cos this is currently...
0:05:31 > 0:05:33This would become a formal dining room.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38- Yes.- Rather than the kitchen, the large kitchen-diner that we'll have out there,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40this'd become our entertaining room.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44They've got clear ideas as to how they change the layout on the ground floor,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46but what will they make of upstairs?
0:05:46 > 0:05:49So this is a big room.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51With...nice fireplace.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Again, fireplace again, all the features throughout...
0:05:54 > 0:05:56with a bathroom as well.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57- En suite.- En suite.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01And we've got a small walk-in wardrobe.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Awesome! I'm seeing all my clothes hanging in there.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06I don't know where yours are going!
0:06:06 > 0:06:10I think this is, then, probably the smallest room,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- but it's a decent size. - It's still a fair size.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17Still get a double bed and a wardrobe in. It's still a double room, isn't it? Or a study.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19And sofa-bed, sort of thing.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24And outside, Laura and Clive can see room for improvement in the garden, too.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28A path all the way outside and extending round the front, preserving the original tiles.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- Yeah.- Maybe extend this wall to make it a little bit more secluded and a bit quiet.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- Yeah.- I think it'd finish off the place really well.- Yeah. No, I think it's lovely.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38I think it looks smashing!
0:06:38 > 0:06:43'Now they've thoroughly examined the house, I'm meeting up with them to discuss their findings.'
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Well, guys, a very interesting property. What are your thoughts?
0:06:47 > 0:06:50What do you think? We, we really like the property 0-
0:06:50 > 0:06:53you know, the sort of layout, the features that are there,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56and also the sort of potential to expand as well.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01I think what we have got the idea of doing is to use the patio, which is basically...
0:07:01 > 0:07:06There's no sun that falls on it so use that, put a big, glass roof in, make a massive kitchen-diner.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10How much do you think you'd have to spend to turn it around?
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- I think we were saying maybe around £60,000, wasn't it?- More than 60.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Well, we had a builder look at it and his ideas were very similar to yours, which is good news -
0:07:18 > 0:07:23great minds think alike and all that. He reckoned you could do it for about £40,000,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26which would mean 290 would be your overall spend, or thereabouts.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30'But sadly, Laura and Clive weren't the only people to spot this gem.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34'Since their viewing, an offer has been accepted on it.'
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- If it came back on the market, would you make an offer? - We'd definitely consider it.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41We're doing a bit more market research and with what you said -
0:07:41 > 0:07:46a builder had quoted 40, so 20 grand less than we thought - then definitely would consider it.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51So, disappointing, but that's the way the market goes. But we're still trying to equip you with everything
0:07:51 > 0:07:53you need to take on a major renovation.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58We've got two properties to show you, one of which is halfway through its build, one of which is finished.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Grill the owners on what they've been through because they have done a lot of things
0:08:02 > 0:08:06you haven't yet done - structural issues, major budgets, that sort of thing -
0:08:06 > 0:08:08and hopefully we can fill in the gaps
0:08:08 > 0:08:11and get you ready to go on your new project.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- And hopefully, that house will come back on the market.- Ha-ha!
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Finding the ideal empty house to turn into your home can be a long journey.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23But when it does finally appear, you'll know it's the one for you.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27When Kevin and Sarah Sparks discovered this former coaching inn back in 2008,
0:08:27 > 0:08:32they knew immediately that it had the promise to be a fantastic home.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36It hadn't been lived in for a year and it was good,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40because it meant to us we could just completely rip out everything that was in here.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Albeit we had to be careful cos it's a listed,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46but we could just rip out everything in here and have it as we wanted it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Buying it for £440,000 was just the beginning.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54They then set about planning how to convert it to suit their needs,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56whilst preserving the original features,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59which required five months of liaison with the conservation authorities.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Anything interesting we decided to keep.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05So, certainly as much of the timber as possible without being overbearing
0:09:05 > 0:09:10and just make sure that the stuff that's nice is very much visible and part of the feature of the house.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15Things like the kitchen floor - you know, the tiles aren't pristine,
0:09:15 > 0:09:20they've got lots of cracks, but actually I quite like them and we thought, "We'll leave them -
0:09:20 > 0:09:23"they're part of the house. We're not going to start ripping those up.
0:09:23 > 0:09:29Once they got the go-ahead, Kevin quit his job to project manage the transformation,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32something he and his workforce achieved in a remarkable 20 weeks,
0:09:32 > 0:09:36and now they have a family home they love.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41I do love the house. It has worked out really well. Everyone's got their own little space.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45The kitchen has just ended up being the complete heart of the home.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49I thought it was going to be the worst room cos it was so dark
0:09:49 > 0:09:54and horrible when we first came round, but it is a lovely room.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58They spent £260,000 achieving their dream
0:09:58 > 0:10:01and recently had the place valued for an estimated £850,000.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05So, I think, actually, the message really is,
0:10:05 > 0:10:10"You can still make money if you're prepared to roll your sleeves up and put in the hard work."
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- But we're not selling. - No!- We're not moving.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16No, not for a while!
0:10:16 > 0:10:20In some areas, the problem of empty buildings being left to decay
0:10:20 > 0:10:23has become so acute that local councils have taken to policing their streets
0:10:23 > 0:10:28with empty property officers, who are tasked with the job of tracking down errant owners
0:10:28 > 0:10:32and, with any luck, getting their properties back into use again.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35And in Bristol, that man is Henry Dawson.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38His patch contains an estimated 1,500 empties.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43And with around 900 active cases on his books at any one time,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Henry has a busy job - but it can be a very rewarding one.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52There's not a lot of professions where you can go home at the end of the day and see, you know,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56something that you drive past day in and day out has been brought back into use because of you.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Today, Henry has a new case to investigate.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03This large detached house was brought to the council's attention by concerned neighbours,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07who were worried about the state of the place and the possibility
0:11:07 > 0:11:10that foxes and vermin might move into the overgrown garden.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14I have arranged a meeting with pest control.
0:11:14 > 0:11:20Quite often, we'll bring them in if we suspect that there might be
0:11:20 > 0:11:23enough overgrowth there to start harbouring rats and mice.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31Henry checks the house for any signs of occupancy while he awaits the pest controller.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Absolutely no sign of occupation at the moment.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39Totally unfurnished. These cobwebs - all the way around the door.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43It looks like it's been a while since someone's been through here.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Right, it looks like someone's broken in.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50First thing would be to contact the owner and get them to secure it.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Having given the house the once-over, the garden is next -
0:11:54 > 0:11:59and the pest controller knows exactly where to look for any potential rats' nests.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02This is the place they're likely to be if they're anywhere -
0:12:02 > 0:12:05under stuff like this corrugated metal.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09For rats, they eat all these snails, as well. If you ever find a big pile of snail shells
0:12:09 > 0:12:13with all the backs of them ripped out, rats will do that as well.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17'He puts down some test bait in places where other animals won't eat it.'
0:12:17 > 0:12:18Nice and safe.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23If that lot of bait gets eaten, I'll know if it is rats by the way it's been eaten.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27And if that goes, I will come back and put twice as much down next time and we'll keep coming back
0:12:27 > 0:12:32until it's not been eaten any more, then I'll take all the bait away and leave it as we found it.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37They'll find out pretty quickly if there is any evidence of rats at the property.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Meanwhile, Henry turns his attention back to the house.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44The next step will be to make first contact with the owner and to try and
0:12:44 > 0:12:47find out what exactly is stopping it from being brought back into use.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53The owner has since been served a formal notice from the council to make the house secure.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58Henry will continue to monitor the problems until they are resolved.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00If you are interested in buying an empty property,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03a little bit of detective work could put you ahead of the pack.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Drive around to the area of your choice, look for those tell-tale signs
0:13:07 > 0:13:11of overgrown gardens and boarded-up windows, check the Land Registry,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15knock on a few doors, talk to the neighbours, even chat to your local empty property officer.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20And who knows? You may even track down the owner, who may be interested in selling.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30Laura and Clive are looking for a house they can put their own stamp on and turn into a family home.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35They've been inspired by the potential in a Victorian country house.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38A big glass roof coming straight down here like an indoor conservatory.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43They're enthusiastic, but relatively inexperienced, DIY-ers
0:13:43 > 0:13:45so I'm going to introduce them to some homeowners
0:13:45 > 0:13:50who've just started an ambitious renovation project on a large period property
0:13:50 > 0:13:53that's not dissimilar to the house they looked at earlier.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57There we go - that's what I want you to look at. Does the scale of that worry you at all?
0:13:57 > 0:14:00It's intimidating, but it could be exciting.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05It's really exciting. What that plastic hides is an extraordinary redevelopment.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Rebecca and Stephen Cripps had been searching for four years
0:14:09 > 0:14:13to find an empty house to transform into their ideal home,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17but they knew they had finally found it when this large Victorian semi
0:14:17 > 0:14:23in Beckenham, Kent came on the market for £410,000 in July 2010.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It was exactly the size that we were looking for.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30The property's period was ideal, the state of it was perfect
0:14:30 > 0:14:35and it really needed to be injected with a personal touch and to be re-loved again.
0:14:35 > 0:14:41Having sat empty for over three years, it was in a terrible state and needed completely gutting.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46But having planned for years, Rebecca and Stephen knew exactly what they wanted.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49So armed with their budget of £300,000, they set to work.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52I feel so fortunate that we've come across it.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55It's something we've waited a long time to get.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57And to be able to both inject our own designs
0:14:57 > 0:15:02and details and ideas into a property that we're both living in.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Now then, this is quite an ambitious project.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- To say the least!- Yeah, it is!
0:15:07 > 0:15:11This is very much the sort of thing, Clive, in terms of scale,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13that you're looking for for your new family home.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18I think, definitely. It's slightly intimidating on the structural side.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21But this is the kind of project we're looking for.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22Let's have a look inside.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Let's go in and see what these guys are up to.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26- Yeah, yeah.- Wow!
0:15:26 > 0:15:28So what's come down, so far?
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Was that a wall?
0:15:30 > 0:15:35No, that was already taken down. So this was just one big open space at the time.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38This doorway was blocked in, so we kind of reopened that up
0:15:38 > 0:15:43and blocked the one that was open, because we want to create a TV/living space over there.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47We opened this one up because we're creating a study in there.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49You've re-thought the whole ground plan.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Yeah. We've configured it to suit our needs and what we require.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Outside, Rebecca and Steve are planning to build a large kitchen extension.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03On the first floor, their most ambitious plans are paying off.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05This is the master bedroom.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Wow! So this is just the bedroom area?
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- This is just the bedroom area. - And through here?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13This leads straight onto the dressing room,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16which will be a walk-through wardrobe, dressing room.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Wow, a lot of clothes!
0:16:18 > 0:16:22So what was this originally? Was this...bedrooms, or...
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Yeah. There were three bedrooms up here, and we've kind of turned it into just...
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- a master en-suite floor, basically. - So this is just for you?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Yes, just the two of us. - The whole floor.
0:16:32 > 0:16:39- Nice!- Which is perfect. - And then in here we've got this fabulous, fabulous bathroom.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- Oh, wow!- This is quite a bathtub!
0:16:42 > 0:16:44It certainly is!
0:16:44 > 0:16:46What's happening here? Is this a skylight?
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Yes, so when you're actually lying the bath,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53once it's all finished, you can look up straight into the blue sky,
0:16:53 > 0:16:54see the stars, perfect!
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- It's a nice design trick, isn't it? - Very good! I really like the idea,
0:16:58 > 0:17:02you've taken a whole floor and turned it into one living space,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06basically, the bedrooms, massive rooms as well! It's fantastic.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Now, this is going to be your master floor.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14You're going to go for two other bedrooms up there, where there is no roof.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16I'm going to leave you to go and explore that,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19in their capable hands, and I'll catch up with you later.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- Off you go!- Right, guys. - Go away and be inspired.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Steve and Rebecca's enthusiasm for this project is infectious.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32They love it, and where people would have seen limitations,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34they've just seen golden opportunities.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38It's a wonderful example of how you can rescue an old property
0:17:38 > 0:17:40that has been left to its own devices.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It's a really inspiring project.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Later on, they'll see a finished renovation
0:17:45 > 0:17:47which I hope will show them that despite the journey,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50it can be very worthwhile in the end.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56But first, back in Bristol, Empty Property Officer, Henry Dawson,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59is on his way to a case that's been on his books for some time.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04It's a shop with a flat above that was bought at auction six years ago by a developer.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09His intention was to refurbish the place fast, and rent it out,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12but structural faults and problems with planning permission
0:18:12 > 0:18:17resulted in the premises being left empty and in a bad state of repair.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21We have been trying to persuade him and offer assistance
0:18:21 > 0:18:24to get the property back into use for quite some time now.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29That hasn't been too successful, and so we have had to resort to
0:18:29 > 0:18:34pressing a compulsory purchase order to bring the property back into use because it looks so bad.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38So with a bit of luck, that will have got him going on with the works again.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Compulsory Purchase Orders are no empty threat,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45as they effectively allow a council to take control of a property.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48And now to check on progress.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Henry is meeting with Asaf Ahmed,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53who manages the premises on behalf of his father.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Wow! It looks like you've done a hell of a lot since I was last here!
0:18:57 > 0:19:02- Yeah! We've obviously put in a new floor and all the foundations.- Yeah.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Also, as you can see, we've put in the steel frame,
0:19:04 > 0:19:09we've put in all the joists and the flooring down for the first floor.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10When you first got this property,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14it was just going to be a refurbishment. What happened?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Well, how do we start! Basically, there were a lot of problems
0:19:17 > 0:19:19with the structure of the property.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22The whole place just effectively needed gutting,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- cos nothing would comply with building regs. - It's a rebuild from scratch?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Yeah. We've obviously had to change it and do it all up
0:19:29 > 0:19:32to Building Control, building regs and everything.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Is there any chance we can look on the upper floors?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- Yeah, no problem.- Smashing!
0:19:37 > 0:19:40The structure for the flat above is in its initial stages.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43But the plan is to create a two bedroom maisonette.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48As you can see, we're just waiting for the roof to go on now, really, and we're just putting in
0:19:48 > 0:19:52another planning application to make this into two bedrooms at the top.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55There's has been delay in the work but it's all...
0:19:55 > 0:19:58we're having the architects design it at the moment.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03From where we're concerned, we're really pleased with what is happening here.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07If you have any further struggles with planning or anything like that,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- do let us know if there is anything we can do.- OK.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12But as is, we'll just take a step back.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- You seem to be getting on with it just smashing.- Great!
0:20:15 > 0:20:19When we purchased the property, we didn't anticipate any of this.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23It has dragged on for three or four years now. I would say
0:20:23 > 0:20:27within five months, I would like to have tenants in, the case closed,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30start actually earning some rent from it.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31- Have a good day.- See you.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Definitely a successful visit.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37It looks like the owners had quite a lot of trouble
0:20:37 > 0:20:41bringing the property into a condition where it can be inhabited again,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44but it looks like he's well on the way with that.
0:20:44 > 0:20:50He sounds like he's planning to get it completed in a pretty sensible timeframe.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52I'm feeling very good about this,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55and it will also be a good one to tick off and put the case to bed.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Having moved from pillar to post because of their jobs,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Laura Carson and Clive Jones are now ready to settle down.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08They've seen an empty home they thought had potential for transformation.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Take this wall down, and it all becomes completely open plan.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14They're renovation novices, so I introduced them
0:21:14 > 0:21:17to other homeowners with experience in the field.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21We configured it to suit our needs and what we require for us.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25I want them to see why all the hard graft can be worthwhile.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29Now then, how about taking on something like that?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Hmm, OK! THEY LAUGH
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Now, lots of Victorian terraces around here.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39One thing many of them would have had, both in London and elsewhere,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- were mews...stables to you or me. - OK.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45And what we've got here is an old stable block.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48That's what it used to look like. This is what it looks like now.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- Oh, wow! That's a lot different! - Isn't it?- Fantastic!
0:21:51 > 0:21:52It is a lot different!
0:21:52 > 0:21:58When Dominic Wheel and Kirsten Jack spotted these dilapidated stables back in 2007,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02they had been virtually untouched since they were built in 1870.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06When we first saw the place, you could see all the boarding
0:22:06 > 0:22:09from the old stables, the mezzanine where the stable boy had slept.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Upstairs was the hay loft, so you could really read the history of the place.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17It seemed like a fantastically logical step for us to come in here
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and make it a combination of a home and a studio space.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25Having bought the stables for £180,000, they spent a further 160
0:22:25 > 0:22:29turning them into an ultra-modern but sympathetic conversion.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32We couldn't have found anything like this.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36The site is unique, the final product is unique.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41The only way that we could achieve this was by doing it ourselves.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Welcome to our house! Come into the kitchen.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48In you go. Wow!
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- This is interesting, isn't it? What do you reckon?- Lovely.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52A really nice space.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56They've got the mix of the...kind of old brickwork.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59It's still got that feel of being a stable,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03but it's got the mod cons and the modern feel as well.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Some things aren't finished, and some things are but don't look it!
0:23:07 > 0:23:09We're keeping that, because
0:23:09 > 0:23:12it's a nice way of recognising all the things that happened here.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15But it's nice the way you've pushed through that doorway,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and given yourselves an extra metre or so with the doors there.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23It was a very expensive piece of work to do actually, that extension.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27It's not even that it adds space, it's that it completely changes the way this room works.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31It's got a much stronger connection to the outside.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Throughout the house, the old mixes seamlessly with the new.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40They have retained original features alongside smart architectural detail.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47This is great, isn't it? Look at that, no hands!
0:23:48 > 0:23:52The floor is gorgeous. Are these boards that you reclaimed from this building?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55They are reclaimed, but they're from a mill.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- But they're absolutely perfect for this.- It's fantastic.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02I love, again, the mix of the old. You've got some wood, wooden floor,
0:24:02 > 0:24:07but very, very simple furnishings as well, and loads of light.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12- I really like it.- Laura, in terms of what you are going to create
0:24:12 > 0:24:14in your final project,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16is this approaching it?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Yeah, I think there's some excellent ideas that we could steal.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23And I suppose it's, you know, when we find that property,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25it's seeing what will fit as well.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Because some things apply to certain places and not quite so to others.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- There's some good ideas.- Although it's a traditional building,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36you can make it modern, and it will appeal to people.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Just be a bit brave about some things.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41We've all enjoyed looking around this.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44It really is a credit to the pair of you.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48What would be your parting words of advice for Clive and Laura?
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Take your time, as much as you possibly can.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55If you have to live in the house, shut yourselves off in a bit,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59make that bit nice enough that you can live there for as long as you have to.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02In terms of money, make sure you have a contingency.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05We split our roles and it worked very well in the sense that
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Dominic made sure that he designed, the attention stayed there.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11I kept an eye on the money.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15So we had a couple of set-ups whereby Dom would come to me with these beautiful lights,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17and go "I have the perfect lights!"
0:25:17 > 0:25:20"You can have them if they cost half as much."
0:25:20 > 0:25:25Yeah, you kind of argue a little bit, but not in a way that's unresolvable.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28I hope that in their search for their perfect property,
0:25:28 > 0:25:33we've inspired Laura and Clive with what we've shown them so far.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Well, Clive, when we started out on this,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39you said you were confident with some aspects of DIY and renovation,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42but you weren't sure about the structural side of things.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46How do you feel now that we've shown you the two properties that we have?
0:25:46 > 0:25:50I think a little bit less daunted, but still maybe apprehensive.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Looking at the half-renovated property,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56it's not insurmountable, what they're doing, so I think
0:25:56 > 0:25:58I'm a bit more confident, to be honest.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Good! Laura, what are your thoughts now on finding a suitable property to take forward?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Whereas before I suppose we were just looking for something
0:26:06 > 0:26:09that was structurally sound, now probably
0:26:09 > 0:26:12wouldn't be quite so nervous about taking it on.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15What would be the key lessons that you'd take away from today?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18The key lesson that I'll take away is about planning.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21I think the amount of preparation that you need to do
0:26:21 > 0:26:26before the build phase to maximise the use of the labourers, the costs etc.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I think the point is that it's all doable.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31If you can, as you say, plan it properly,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and have the right sort of vision to create the home that you want.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Best of luck, guys. Keep looking.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Your dream property is out there, and buy some new tools!
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Well, I am delighted that we've had the chance
0:26:45 > 0:26:49to show Clive and Laura two fantastic renovations,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53both of them different in terms of style and scope, but both of them
0:26:53 > 0:26:58illustrating perfectly one of the key tools in successful renovation...planning.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Plan it once, plan it twice, plan it as much as you can
0:27:01 > 0:27:03because then, you'll enjoy it.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05After all, it is supposed to be fun.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08You are trying to create your dream home.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:23 > 0:27:25E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk