0:00:02 > 0:00:04Across the UK, there are nearly a million homes lying
0:00:04 > 0:00:07unloved and unlived in waiting for someone to come along
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and give them a bright new future.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12So whether it is a tired semi or a rambling mansion,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15we are on a mission to rescue Britain's empty homes.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28If you have ever wondered why some properties
0:00:28 > 0:00:30sell for hundreds of thousands of pounds,
0:00:30 > 0:00:34while others in the same street lie empty, this is the show for you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37We are revealing what is behind the boarded up
0:00:37 > 0:00:40windows of Britain's abandoned properties and discovering how they
0:00:40 > 0:00:44can be turned into dream homes by those brave enough to take them on.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49Today, I will use my experience of renovating an abandoned building
0:00:49 > 0:00:52to help a couple decide what to do with the tricky house
0:00:52 > 0:00:54they have just bought...
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Clearly in need of a bit of attention!
0:00:58 > 0:00:59..and introducing them
0:00:59 > 0:01:03to experienced renovators who can pass on valuable advice.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05It makes you happy to be in a light house.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09We will also be on the beat with an empty property officer investigating
0:01:09 > 0:01:10houses in need of help.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13I can see from the cobwebs here,
0:01:13 > 0:01:18doesn't look like this door has been entered in a while.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Buying an empty property and renovating it,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24isn't just a good opportunity to flex your creative muscles,
0:01:24 > 0:01:26it's also a fantastic way to get on the property ladder
0:01:26 > 0:01:29in a desirable location and at a price you can afford.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Craig Taylor who owns a window cleaning business
0:01:33 > 0:01:35and his wife, Lucy, a cafe manager,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38had been looking for a dream home where
0:01:38 > 0:01:40they could start a family for three years.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43We were quite open-minded about what we wanted.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46We didn't mind if it was a new build, old build, bit of land.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Finding a bit of land was really good, but it was hard to find.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Despite a healthy £700,000 budget, sky-high prices in the
0:01:54 > 0:02:00Oxfordshire villages where they're searching meant they struggled to find the right place.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03With the news that Lucy was pregnant, they've taken the plunge
0:02:03 > 0:02:07and are just about to complete on the purchase of a bungalow that's been empty for eight months.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11It will be nice to have a big garden with the baby on the way.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13We are limited on space here.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15We are on a big housing estate.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It will be nice to walk out into fields,
0:02:18 > 0:02:23take the dog and the baby and just have some space.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27'With little experience in building work,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30'I hope I can reassure them about their plans for their new home.'
0:02:30 > 0:02:32This is quite a number!
0:02:32 > 0:02:37'The bungalow they are buying is in the village of Harwell in Oxfordshire.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40'It has access to both the front and rear which could be handy
0:02:40 > 0:02:44'because it looks like there is a lot to do here.'
0:02:44 > 0:02:46It is in need of a bit of attention.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Is that what it said on the agent's particulars?!
0:02:49 > 0:02:54- Unique fixer-upper was missed out! - Unique fixer-upper!
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- It is obvious that everything needs to be sorted out.- Yeah.- Right.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02You can do my job. Give me the house tour.
0:03:02 > 0:03:08'Craig and Lucy have snapped up this two-bedroom project for £190,000
0:03:08 > 0:03:11'and it is in need of a complete overhaul.'
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Challenging is the word I would use to be fair!
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- This is as bad as it gets.- Yeah.- OK.
0:03:18 > 0:03:24- What is this going to be? - This is our lovely living room.
0:03:24 > 0:03:31Yeah. It is your classic post-First World War prefab bungalow.
0:03:31 > 0:03:38These are all timber on a bit of brick, presumably?
0:03:38 > 0:03:41How long have you had to think about this one?
0:03:41 > 0:03:49- When did you get the keys? - There aren't any keys! - We only completed today.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- Welcome to our new home. - I feel I should congratulate you.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Thank you very much!
0:03:54 > 0:03:59I am also feeling the nervousness about this one.
0:03:59 > 0:04:05- What do you reckon? You are about to have a new baby.- I'm a bit nervous.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08We are quite lucky in that we can stay in our home as we are
0:04:08 > 0:04:10whilst we are doing this.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- You can get on with this. - There will be no caravan.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We can stay put and Lucy can enjoy motherhood
0:04:16 > 0:04:19and she can see the progress.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20This is big stuff
0:04:20 > 0:04:24if you have never taken on anything this big before.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- Yes.- It will be fun! You've got to have some fun!
0:04:27 > 0:04:29You've got to have a challenge.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36- That's your kitchen.- Kitchen-diner. - And the bathroom!
0:04:36 > 0:04:40'This certainly is a challenge and outside things aren't much better.'
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- That used to be an old stable. - He had horses.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Behind there is Del Boy's car!
0:04:46 > 0:04:47THEY LAUGH
0:04:47 > 0:04:50What are you going to do with this place?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53I think to be honest, demolition.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59- Demolition. Knock it down and start again.- Yeah.- Completely.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03'Now, I would rather see a building saved rather than demolished.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06'But while Lucy and Craig could salvage some of the structure,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09'I think on this occasion, they are doing the right thing.'
0:05:09 > 0:05:14It's hard to see really how you would save any of that,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16or why you would bother.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17- Yeah.- Got any plans?
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Yes. It will be four-bed with a study and...
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- Large kitchen-diner and living room. - That's Lucy's bit.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29You have got what you want, the large kitchen-diner,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- you have a study. - Yes. You get what you want. You have to have a go.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39'But the old bungalow will live on in some form as Craig and Lucy plan
0:05:39 > 0:05:44'to copy the original lay-out making additions where planning will allow.'
0:05:44 > 0:05:47My concern is that you have never taken on anything this big before.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51I think if we get you to have a look at a couple of renovations,
0:05:51 > 0:05:52one of which is in progress
0:05:52 > 0:05:55so you get the sense of what the building is all about,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58and one which is finished to give you some design ideas,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02hopefully you can take lessons from those and employ them in managing this project.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It is a great idea. I love your excitement for it.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- It is brilliant.- Let's get digging!
0:06:11 > 0:06:14For somebody like me who is passionate about renovation,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17seeing a building like this one decay to such
0:06:17 > 0:06:20an extent that it is unsalvageable is heartbreaking.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23The lessons involved in any successful renovation
0:06:23 > 0:06:27underpin any successful new build, exactly the sort of project
0:06:27 > 0:06:30that Craig and Lucy are going to take on here.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34There is a lot to learn and they will have to learn in a hurry.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39No-one knows better how tough it can be than Irena Murray,
0:06:39 > 0:06:44who took on this former dilapidated barn conversion in Nottinghamshire.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Like the place Craig and Lucy have bought,
0:06:47 > 0:06:52this was far from a dream home when Irena paid £226,000 for it in 2007.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57I could just see the huge potential of it.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Although it was a cart shed that had been badly converted in the '80s,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04it looked like a boring bungalow.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The fact that it had been previously converted from a barn
0:07:07 > 0:07:11there wouldn't be a planning issue, so it was fantastic.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16To try and get this transition between indoor
0:07:16 > 0:07:21and outdoor space, there are several things you can incorporate -
0:07:21 > 0:07:25the folding sliding doors which can really open up the space.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Try to have that all on one level so it is a seamless transition.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Trying to take the materials through from outside to inside.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37I have used porcelain tiles here and they're carried through and then I've used cedar decking.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Cedar features on the fascia of the building as well.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44So trying to continue those materials to get that
0:07:44 > 0:07:47continuity is important.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Using lots of greenery as well in the outdoor space.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Greenery is nature's colour. It is restful, peaceful.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Irena set out on a renovation costing £195,000
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and has created a truly bespoke home which was made possible
0:08:01 > 0:08:05because she had the vision to take on a challenge.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09The merits of the building are that it's not a huge footprint,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13but it appears much bigger than that in terms of the volume
0:08:13 > 0:08:18of each of the rooms because I have taken it right up to the ridge.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21But also I love the quality of the light.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26The bedrooms are all east-facing so they're getting the right quality of light.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30The joy of it really is in the flow of the spaces.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I certainly don't feel as though it is a retirement bungalow.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36I'm not old enough for that, not just yet!
0:08:40 > 0:08:43House-hunters aren't the only people taking
0:08:43 > 0:08:45an interest in abandoned homes.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50Local councils employ empty property officers who try to get
0:08:50 > 0:08:54derelict buildings back into use again.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59One such officer based in Amber Valley in Derbyshire is Sue Li.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03She is charged with managing the council's 900 long-term empty properties.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07In the last year, she has found new owners for more than 100 vacant buildings.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10It's great when you see a property that's been looking unloved
0:09:10 > 0:09:13and you are able to help make it somebody's family home.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18Today, Sue is on a new investigation.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I'm going to have a look at a property where neighbours
0:09:21 > 0:09:25have complained that it's potentially empty.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29It's starting to look quite overgrown, there may well be vermin,
0:09:29 > 0:09:33so I'm going to have a look and see if their complaints
0:09:33 > 0:09:38are justified and see if there is anything I can do to help.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The neighbours of this house believe it has not been
0:09:41 > 0:09:44lived in for three years
0:09:44 > 0:09:48and feel its rundown appearance has a negative impact on their street.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54Oh gosh, this wall is bulging quite a bit!
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Sue needs to establish if anyone is living at the address.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I have a knock. Make sure there is no answer.
0:10:02 > 0:10:08No. Post has been cleared to the side.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13I can see from the cobwebs here doesn't look like this door
0:10:13 > 0:10:15has been entered in a while.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19It doesn't look like a normal maintained garden.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23The guttering is quite overgrown.
0:10:23 > 0:10:30These are quite typical issues associated with empty properties.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34Lack of maintenance basically. It starts to look unsightly.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39The local residents become quite dissatisfied with it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41It is an eyesore.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43It lowers the tone of the whole road.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48It is a shame because it's a very nice house.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52To get a proper picture of the place,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Sue needs to take a closer look at the rear.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59Fence panel is missing. Overgrown.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04A rotting shed. Lots of vegetation.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Plenty of hiding places for vermin.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Looking at the state of this, I don't think anybody could
0:11:10 > 0:11:13have got to the house from this entrance as well.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17So I am pretty confident this isn't a property that somebody lives in.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21She will now get in touch with the owner to ask them
0:11:21 > 0:11:23to improve the appearance of the house.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27If they don't do that, then there's a few options we can look at.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32Firstly, as the council, we could do that work ourselves.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35We could charge that to the owner and ask them to pay our costs.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38If they don't do that,
0:11:38 > 0:11:42then we could look to enforce sale of the property to recover those costs.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Alternatively,
0:11:44 > 0:11:49we could look at compulsory purchase for any empty property.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53That would always be a last resort for the council.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56In fact, since Sue's visit, the owner contacted her
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and has said they will make improvements
0:11:58 > 0:12:02and they plan to move in when the work is done.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05If you like the idea of buying a derelict property and renovating it,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09you may need to think carefully about how you are going to fund it.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Depending on its condition, you may find it hard to get a mortgage.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14So unless you are a cash buyer,
0:12:14 > 0:12:19getting some good financial advice is a good idea as early as you can.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21With a new baby on the way,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Lucy and Craig Taylor have bought a virtually derelict bungalow
0:12:24 > 0:12:28which they are planning to knock down and rebuild from scratch.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31With no experience of serious building work,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34I am taking them to meet other homeowners who have
0:12:34 > 0:12:37taken on similar projects so they can get first-hand advice.
0:12:37 > 0:12:43- Right, what do you think of this? Classic barn conversion.- Looks big. Looks very nice.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45It is very big. They have made it much bigger.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48When they started, this is what they found.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Turning that into that has taken two years.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Right. Come and have a look.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Having lived in the Buckinghamshire village of Grendon Underwood for 13 years,
0:12:57 > 0:13:02Robert and Kate Dukes had driven past this old barn hundreds of times
0:13:02 > 0:13:05unaware that one day it would become their home.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08We had always kept an eye on it knowing it was more or less
0:13:08 > 0:13:09a derelict barn.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13We were delighted when we got wind of the fact that it was
0:13:13 > 0:13:14going on the market.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20I think it is lovely to give what was quite a sad building as well
0:13:20 > 0:13:21this whole new lease of life.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26The couple bought the barn two years ago for £275,000
0:13:26 > 0:13:29and rather like the place Lucy and Craig are about to take on,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33they pretty much started from scratch.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37They have kept the barn's floorplan adding their own design details to transform it.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39They moved in earlier this year
0:13:39 > 0:13:43but still have a few finishing touches to make, like landscaping the garden.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Hi, Kate.- Hello.- Nice to see you.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49This is a perfect opportunity for Craig and Lucy to pick Kate's brain
0:13:49 > 0:13:53and get as many tips as possible before they embark on their build.
0:13:53 > 0:14:00- Amazing. It is huge.- Very spacious. - There was nothing here at all?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03No, we basically, the timbers are the original timbers.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05We rescued every bit we could.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10I think one of the things about this barn is that it's got lots of lovely design tricks.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13There are no radiators in here, we've got underfloor heating.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16is that something you would think about with yours?
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- Definitely.- What about powering it?
0:14:21 > 0:14:24We have been looking at heat source pumps if we can.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27We went for an air source heat pump.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Ground source is the best.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32It was too big an outlay to start with.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35We are so pleased with the air source, it is brilliant.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37That is interesting.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- This is the kitchen. - The shape is amazing.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Can you see this curve here.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I think this is the really clever design bit.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50That is very impressive. Did you design it all?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Yes, we had an architectural designer who came up with
0:14:53 > 0:14:54the idea of the curve.
0:14:54 > 0:15:00- Everything else was chosen and designed by us.- That is lovely.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- Amazing view. - Lighting is an interesting one.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08This had no lighting design that you could follow
0:15:08 > 0:15:11and your build is exactly the same.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Figuring out what kind of lights, where you put them,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17you know, plug sockets, all those sorts of things,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20you've got to think that one through.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23There's some lights in the floor there which at night shine
0:15:23 > 0:15:24up along the beams.
0:15:24 > 0:15:25That is nice.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29They are right by the beams there, set into the floor.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- That is all you need at night in here.- That is interesting.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34That is a really nice touch.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39That is something we could all do and retrofit. Nice.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Is it easy to change your mind halfway through about your plans?
0:15:42 > 0:15:46Is it easy to say, "I would like to change that"?
0:15:46 > 0:15:48I think it is.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52If you're working with an architect, you need to have a good relationship with them.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56As long as it doesn't affect the planning permission that you have
0:15:56 > 0:15:59been given in the first place, there is nothing major, you should be OK.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01If you get good tradesmen,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04sometimes they will suggest things to you that you hadn't thought of
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and perhaps practical elements that will make your life easier.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13Let's look outside at this lovely window from out here. I love this.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Lovely with the curve.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20Can you give us a couple of top tips that you have picked up along the way?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I suppose the first thing I would say is decide
0:16:23 > 0:16:28what your priorities are, what style of house you want and stick with it.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32And the other thing, one of our priorities was light.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35It makes you happy to be in a light house.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- It's a real credit to you, Kate. It is gorgeous.- Thank you.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Every building has its own personality and character and this one is no exception.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47It is packed full of interesting design ideas
0:16:47 > 0:16:51that often say as much about the building as the people that live in it.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55I am pleased to say that I really think it's inspired Craig and Lucy
0:16:55 > 0:16:58to take some of those ideas into their own new-build,
0:16:58 > 0:16:59just as I hoped it would.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Later, I will be taking them to see a finished project which I hope will
0:17:04 > 0:17:09show them the hard work involved in a renovation can pay off handsomely.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Before that, back in South Derbyshire, empty property officer Sue Li
0:17:13 > 0:17:18is off to check on the progress of one her success stories.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22I'm driving to look at a property that the council was going to
0:17:22 > 0:17:28compulsory purchase because we couldn't find an owner.
0:17:28 > 0:17:34We traced one and it's been sold and the new owner is renovating it.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36I can't wait to see what he's done with it.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Set in a village in rural Derbyshire,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43this three-bedroom terrace had been the subject of probate
0:17:43 > 0:17:47before being bought by its new owner, Mr Partridge.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- Can you see a bit of a difference? - It looks transformed already!
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- Come and have a look round.- Thanks.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- This is the lounge.- Yes!
0:17:59 > 0:18:04There was the old-fashioned 1960s fireplace there, we have
0:18:04 > 0:18:08knocked that out now and put the old-style fireplace back in again.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- It's made it very light. - It is. It is so different.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15We're still working through this.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- It's great.- But, er...
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- I think this again is transformed since you last came?- Oh, yes!
0:18:24 > 0:18:26It's been a very big challenge.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29The property had ivy growing out of the window,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32both windows upstairs and downstairs.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37The ivy was pushing the panes of glass out of the frames it was that bad.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41It was in total dereliction. There was no central heating.
0:18:41 > 0:18:47The bathroom suite was 1960s. So old, so decayed.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49It's been a total renovation.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53This is the bathroom.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Such an improvement on the last one. It was very tired. Very worn.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Having stood empty,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02the house had been a cause for concern for neighbours.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06This is a very friendly street and I think it was always felt
0:19:06 > 0:19:12sort of a bit sad seeing this house just empty and deteriorating
0:19:12 > 0:19:16so it would be lovely to have someone else coming in and joining us.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21You have addressed all of the repairs that needed doing to it
0:19:21 > 0:19:23to bring it up to standard.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27But you have used your imagination as well. It's fantastic.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31This is just what empty properties can be about.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35The potential that they have got. It is wonderful.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- It's houses like this that make my day, really is.- Good.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41For Sue this is a really positive outcome
0:19:41 > 0:19:43and another case off her books.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48Now up for sale, the house will hopefully be someone's home again.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55'Craig and Lucy Taylor are expecting their first baby
0:19:55 > 0:19:59'and they are about to tackle their first renovation.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04'They have just bought a derelict bungalow which they plan to transform
0:20:04 > 0:20:09'so I'm introducing them to experienced renovators who can equip them with some tips.'
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Hi, nice to see you.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14'Now I want to show them a beautifully-finished project which
0:20:14 > 0:20:17'I hope will give them the confidence to forge ahead with theirs.'
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- Now, what do you reckon to that? - Pretty amazing.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24'When Richard and Pauline Andrews first saw this
0:20:24 > 0:20:28'bungalow in Thame, Oxfordshire, it had been empty for months
0:20:28 > 0:20:30'and wasn't much to write home about.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34'They snapped it up for £285,000 and although it was rundown,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37'like the one Craig and Lucy have bought, they have taken
0:20:37 > 0:20:41'a radically different approach by keeping the original building
0:20:41 > 0:20:45'and adding to it with a cutting edge extension on the side.'
0:20:45 > 0:20:47You see where we're coming from on this one?
0:20:47 > 0:20:53They have now today got the keys, deeds, call it what you like -
0:20:53 > 0:20:56keys are probably irrelevant with your building -
0:20:56 > 0:21:01to their own prefab but post-First World War, I think, 1920s or so,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04which you are going to demolish and knock down.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- Effectively that is what you have done here?- Yes.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11We have sort of built around it because we were able to
0:21:11 > 0:21:14stay in the bungalow while all the work was carried on around us,
0:21:14 > 0:21:19so that saved us having to go into rented accommodation.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23It has taken us six years so it's probably just as well!
0:21:23 > 0:21:24Don't tell her that!
0:21:24 > 0:21:27She is hoping he is going to get this done in 12 months!
0:21:28 > 0:21:33You have more motivation to get on with it if you are not here.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35There is another great motivation -
0:21:35 > 0:21:38if you knock the building down completely and start again, you don't pay
0:21:38 > 0:21:43any VAT on any of your materials, labour, all the rest of it.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- That is not bad. - Certainly interesting.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48I will be picking this man's brains later.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51That's exactly what you're here to do.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55'The new extension has allowed them to create a four-bedroom three-bathroom home.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56'The result is stunning.'
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- This is lovely. - This is the new bedroom block.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04It is partly let into the ground enabling us to have much more accommodation.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10The section beneath the ground is almost irrelevant in terms of planning conditions
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and a very useful trick that people are using.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14Interesting idea.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19Ever thought of sinking or burying part of your new construction?
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Not until now!
0:22:21 > 0:22:24It is much more contemporary than I thought it was going to be.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29I love the glass, makes it look so open and light.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31I am taking everything in and thinking what ideas
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I can pinch from these people!
0:22:34 > 0:22:38'That is just what Craig and Lucy should be doing here,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42'picking up great ideas to take forward into their build.'
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- What do you think?- Very nice.
0:22:44 > 0:22:50- I can see this happening on your plot.- Especially these doors.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55I have had a couple of quotes and they vary a lot.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It is things like that, you think it is worth spending the money.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01They are the things you are looking at day-to-day
0:23:01 > 0:23:05and that is where the detail is very important.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Now we are getting a few more design ideas, can you paint me
0:23:08 > 0:23:11a picture of what your new house is going to look like?
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Big open spaces, lots of windows.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18We had talked about compromising on having big picture windows
0:23:18 > 0:23:20at the back if we ran out of money.
0:23:20 > 0:23:26Now, seeing it, it is more important to me than not having it.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28So...
0:23:28 > 0:23:33Already, I suppose one's financial priorities are changing to some of these final finishes?
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- Yeah. Definitely. - Let's look through here.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39This is the very latest bit of the property, the last bit?
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Yes. We finished this four weeks' ago.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Is it steel frame with a timber insert?
0:23:45 > 0:23:49It is very simple window frames which form the three walls
0:23:49 > 0:23:53and then there's two steel coloured goal post arrangements
0:23:53 > 0:23:59and then a simple flat flying out roof covered with stainless steel
0:23:59 > 0:24:02that gives you that canopy to sit outside.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Most garden rooms that you see come off the property that way,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10whereas yours goes the other way and you have all this light coming in.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12It opens the view.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Have you thought about that because on your plans,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17there is no suggestion of a conservatory?
0:24:17 > 0:24:21It is something we were thinking of putting on at a later date.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24We hadn't considered a sun room like this.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29What key ideas have you taken away from this one, you two?
0:24:29 > 0:24:33The sun room. Something that I would love to have.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Sun room, and the great use of open space and light coming right through.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42- Yes.- It does make it feel warm and very inviting.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47Yes. I can't wait to see your plans when you get home. They will be scribbled on and rubbed out!
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Can you give us some parting words of advice as two people
0:24:51 > 0:24:55who have gone through the new-build process effectively?
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Remember, have a goal at the end and keep your mind fixed on that.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04There will be low points. There will be times when you think,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07"I wish I had never done this" Keep the enthusiasm up.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12Don't be fooled into thinking it has to be a functional building on a plot of land.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Make it as fun and as quirky as you can.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21I really hope that seeing this place has fired up Craig and Lucy
0:25:21 > 0:25:23to go ahead with their empty property project.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Guys, it seems a long time ago since we visited your new purchase
0:25:30 > 0:25:34and, again, congratulations, are you still excited about it?
0:25:34 > 0:25:39Very excited. It's all very real now.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43We can get on with it and push on and get stuck into things now.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47- Very excited.- Lucy, you said you were daunted this morning?
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Yes.- How are you feeling now? - Still a bit daunted, but excited.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- I haven't lost that. - That is the main thing.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58Anything that is going to make a difference, any changes after today?
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Absolutely. We were going to have a conservatory at the back
0:26:02 > 0:26:05but I'm thinking a sun room with a solid roof now.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07So that has given us a good idea.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Both of our properties today have been very extensive
0:26:11 > 0:26:14and expensive as well.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18How do you feel about project managing and managing the books now?
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Who is going to take care of that?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23That will definitely be you.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26It may have to be, after some of the toys we saw today,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Lucy may need reeling in a bit!
0:26:28 > 0:26:33We will see how far we can make the money go.
0:26:33 > 0:26:39Maybe the 12 months time spell may have to be stretched.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Here is to you. Best of luck. Congratulations on your new home.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44- Thank you.- Cheers.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47There is no getting away from it, Craig and Lucy
0:26:47 > 0:26:50are taking on a huge project and to be fair,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53they do seem a bit daunted by it and you can't blame them.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55This is a massive undertaking bearing in mind
0:26:55 > 0:26:58they have never done anything like this before.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Hopefully, after today, they are feeling a bit more inspired,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05armed with a new sense of confidence to make the next 12 months
0:27:05 > 0:27:07just that little bit easier.
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