0:00:02 > 0:00:03Across the United Kingdom,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06there are nearly a million homes lying unloved and unlived in,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10ready for someone to come along and give them a bright, new future.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12So, whether it's a tired semi, or a rambling mansion,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15we're on a mission to rescue Britain's Empty Homes.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29Why buy somebody else's idea of a perfect home
0:00:29 > 0:00:31when you could create your own?
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You could, of course, build one from scratch
0:00:34 > 0:00:37but how about taking on the bare bones of an existing property
0:00:37 > 0:00:40and injecting it with your own sense of vision and style,
0:00:40 > 0:00:45giving it a whole new identity and a brand-new lease of life?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Today, I'm passing on my own renovation knowledge
0:00:48 > 0:00:52to help a couple who are searching for an old building
0:00:52 > 0:00:54they can transform into their next home.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Gorgeous, isn't it? I'm excited now.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59'I'll be getting them invaluable advice
0:00:59 > 0:01:02'from experienced renovators who've done it all before.'
0:01:02 > 0:01:04I tell you what, this is a cheap way of renovating things,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- paint them on.- Fantastic. - Who needs a door? Paint it on.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09And we'll also be discovering
0:01:09 > 0:01:13the challenges empty property officers face with neglected homes.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14There's a hole in the eaves
0:01:14 > 0:01:17and that's where the pigeons are getting in.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Rescuing a wreck requires real vision and grit.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Often, taking on a dilapidated building
0:01:23 > 0:01:26can seem like a pretty overwhelming task at first.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28But if you plan well and remain focused,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31not only do you stand to get the home of your dreams,
0:01:31 > 0:01:32but you'll also come away
0:01:32 > 0:01:35with an enormous sense of satisfaction as well.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Tony and Michelle Kennedy recently sold their old, family house
0:01:40 > 0:01:44and are currently renting whilst on the lookout for a major project
0:01:44 > 0:01:46to turn into their perfect family pad.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50I think the opportunity just to create our dream place, isn't it?
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Something with a gorgeous view, good outside space for the kids.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- Mwah.- The opportunity to have open-plan living, a nice big kitchen.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Being a mum, I spend quite a lot of time in the kitchen. So...
0:02:04 > 0:02:09With £800,000 to buy and a further £400,000 for any renovation work,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Tony and Michelle have a sizeable budget.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15But where they're looking, within an hour's commute of London for Tony's work,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18the detached properties they like do not come cheap,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21especially as they want a place with land.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I think, probably, around an acre as a minimum
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- would be a nice sort of space.- Yeah.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28But if it was two, or ten,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- we'd, probably, think about it. - Ten?- Probably not.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35And while the couple have never taken on a large-scale project
0:02:35 > 0:02:39of any kind before, their ambitions are big.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42When I grew up, my parents took on a large renovation project.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Having seen it all once,
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- I kind of feel that it's something...- Get your hands dirty. - ..that I'd like to do.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Whilst Tony and Michelle are excited about the prospect of a big project,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56they still need to work out the scale of renovation
0:02:56 > 0:02:59they would be prepared to take on.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01To help them make this decision,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04I've decided to set our wannabe builders a test.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09So, without me there to guide them, I'm sending Tony and Michelle off
0:03:09 > 0:03:12to have a look at sort of empty property they could buy
0:03:12 > 0:03:14to see if they've got the right attitude.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17And who knows, it might even tickle their taste buds.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Set in three acres of Hampshire countryside
0:03:22 > 0:03:24with uninterrupted views,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27this former hop kiln is currently completely derelict.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- Oh, my gosh.- It's a derelict house with a tin roof.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- It kind of looks like a shed.- Yeah.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Transforming a building like this into a home,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41even for experienced renovators, would be a challenge.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44But what will our amateurs, Tony and Michelle, make of it?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- Wow.- Oh, my word.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- It's a total rebuild, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55On the market for £950,000,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58while this place would stretch their budget to the limit,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01the pay-off could be a stunningly unique family home.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- But will they see it?- It's a big, square nothing with a tin roof.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07It's... No.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09It's a big, square opportunity
0:04:09 > 0:04:12with a tin roof covering a sensational, wooden roof.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Tony's right, this place is a fantastic opportunity
0:04:15 > 0:04:18because it also comes with detailed planning permission
0:04:18 > 0:04:22to create a spacious four-floored home with two towers.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- You've got two garages, one in each kiln.- I like that, his-and-hers.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27That's really cool.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28I've always wanted a house with a tower.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- Now you've got two. - Two towers. Brilliant.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37And the architect estimates the basic costs to be around £550,000.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39It's gorgeous, isn't it? I'm excited now.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43So, if they were to take on a project of this size,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46just how would they tackle its transformation?
0:04:46 > 0:04:51My immediate thoughts are that we would project manage it.
0:04:51 > 0:04:57We would bring in all of the separate craftsmen and so on.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59We wouldn't outsource that.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01We wouldn't hand it over to someone to build the property.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I found it quite hard to visualise anything.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Once we were given some of the drawings, that really, really helped.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10It got me excited about it, actually.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13I felt really, you know, "Wow, this could be amazing."
0:05:14 > 0:05:18You see a derelict building, you see fantastic plans and you go,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20"How do you go from one to the other?"
0:05:20 > 0:05:26The two ends of the journey is, you know, quite a daunting thing.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Large renovations needn't be intimidating
0:05:29 > 0:05:31as long as they're well-planned.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But taking on an unconventional building does require
0:05:34 > 0:05:37more preparation than most.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39So, I want to allay any concerns that our couple have
0:05:39 > 0:05:42by introducing them to other homeowners
0:05:42 > 0:05:44with lots of renovation experience.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46With Tony unable to join us,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49it's up to Michelle to learn what she can.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Well, Michelle, now we've got the chance to show you, I think,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58quite an interesting and very extensive renovation in progress.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00But Tony can't be with us today so it's all down to you,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- you're the fact-finder. - Yeah, I know.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06It's a bit of pressure on me today to get everything ticked off
0:06:06 > 0:06:07and find out all about it.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- Well, let's see what you make of it. - OK.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Miriam Maxim and Christopher Harris just knew
0:06:13 > 0:06:16this 16th-century cottage was destined to become theirs
0:06:16 > 0:06:18when it was put on the market back in 2003,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20having been empty for a year.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I think the first thing I saw was the pond
0:06:24 > 0:06:26which absolutely fascinated me.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30And then, this amazing, chocolate-box house behind it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31It was quite stunning
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and I never thought we could ever own a property like this.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36It had the space, size
0:06:36 > 0:06:39and an enormous amount of scope to doing exactly what we want.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44They bought it for £670,000
0:06:44 > 0:06:49and spent a further £350,000 renovating it.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54We are in the fortunate position that I could stop work
0:06:54 > 0:06:58and that meant that I could dedicate my time to helping the builders
0:06:58 > 0:07:01when I could, getting my hands, actually, on the lime mortar
0:07:01 > 0:07:03and working on it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06The build has taken five years, so far,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and it's still a work in progress.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I was describing to Michelle, on our way down here,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15that, you know, it's a very big, extensive property, this.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18It's had a lot added to it over the years and a bit taken away.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19Give us the story, Christopher.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Originally, this is a 16th-century cottage, in the centre of the house.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Then we've got Georgian, Victorian pieces over this side,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29a stable block that's joined to the house.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32And then, the whole thing was knitted together in the '50s.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35This was, originally, a two-storey cottage with its kitchen-garden.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40But now, clearly, that conservatory arrangement isn't period, is it?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42This is a work in progress.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Our intention is to remove this conservatory
0:07:45 > 0:07:49which was erected as an emergency in the 1990s.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51We hope to reveal the front elevation
0:07:51 > 0:07:54as it would have been in Elizabethan, Victorian times.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Interesting. What do you think?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58I'm amazed. I think it looks amazing.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00I can't wait to see what it's like inside.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04You know, just the whole complex of different periods of history
0:08:04 > 0:08:06coming together as one, will be fascinating.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Let's go and have a look inside. Come on. After you.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Ah, now then, this is more like it, isn't it?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- This feels very period to me.- This was one of the first rooms we did.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22And there was a suspended ceiling here.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25We had no idea these beams were underneath.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28We had no idea about this fireplace.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31You had no idea that that huge inglenook was there?
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Can you imagine taking off a few bricks and tiles and then thinking,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37"Oh, my goodness me, there's a void behind here."
0:08:37 > 0:08:38It's fantastic, isn't it?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42It's just so full of character which you wouldn't have got with, like you said,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45that suspended ceiling and all of this. It's brilliant.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47I think what we've tried to show here
0:08:47 > 0:08:51is something that we're sympathetic to the rest of the building.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55We raised the beams to create a feeling of light and space.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57It's gorgeous, isn't it? It's fantastic.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59So, this was a separate thing?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- This wasn't all...- Just a garage. - Just a garage, wow.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04These flagstones are gorgeous.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- Were they here?- No, we found those.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09These were originally designed for St Paul's Cathedral.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13They made a lot of extra tiles when St Paul's was redoing their crypt.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15I think they add everything to this kitchen.
0:09:15 > 0:09:21But you've also undertaken quite a lot of the work yourselves, haven't you?
0:09:21 > 0:09:24I mean, one of the things I know that Michelle is keen to find out
0:09:24 > 0:09:26is how much any of us can take on in a renovation.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- Give us an idea what you've done. - It's been such wonderful fun.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32But I've been taught how to use lime mortar
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and I've learnt how to knap flints
0:09:35 > 0:09:37and I'm actually building a flint wall.
0:09:37 > 0:09:38It's not that difficult.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42If you've iced a cake, you can ice a wall quite easily.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44It's a nice analogy, though.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I mean, are you up to that kind of thing, you and Tony?
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Definitely up for finding out how to do things.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Yeah, definitely want to get our hands muddy, as it were.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53And get into doing stuff like that.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57It's also wonderful to be adding our bit to this building
0:09:57 > 0:10:01because it's, the original bit is 1580s.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Everyone, the Georgians, the Victorians
0:10:03 > 0:10:07and now us in the 21st century have added our bit.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10And we've had a lot of fun going around reclamation yards.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13And finding and sourcing the right kind of material.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16That door came from a skip down in Devon.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19That's now a traditional larder.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Ah-ha-ha, clever. - Larder door.- Yeah, I like that.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27- Brilliant. So, everything just breathes inside.- Yeah.- Brilliant.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31We're now in the old part of the house again.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Oh, what do you think of this, Michelle?
0:10:33 > 0:10:36That's just lovely, isn't it? It's really lovely.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38This floor was supported below by luck,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41that's what, according to our builder, it was. You can see the way it slopes.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45But we've revealed these lovely boards which we wanted to retain.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47And what's going on with this fake door?
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- That's what's called a trompe l'oeil, I think.- Yeah.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56And, under layers of wallpaper, we found the remains of that door
0:10:56 > 0:11:00and we restored it to what we think it should have been
0:11:00 > 0:11:03to reflect the door on the other side of the room.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05It was make the house look bigger than it was
0:11:05 > 0:11:07because that's the chimney brace
0:11:07 > 0:11:08and that's where the house used to end.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11I tell you want, this is a cheap way of renovating things,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- just paint them on.- Fantastic. - Who needs a door? Just paint it on.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19I mean, Michelle, we've had a brief look at this piece of history.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22What's your view now on starting from scratch
0:11:22 > 0:11:26and going for a new-build or taking on an old building like this one?
0:11:26 > 0:11:30It's just completely changed my mind about it all. It's just lovely.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34I love the idea of getting something back, if you like, from history.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- I love that. It's just gorgeous.- What do you think Tony would make of it?
0:11:38 > 0:11:40I think he'd be sold on it.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- Really?- Yeah, I do. I'm really, really gutted he's not here with me.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47But what, kind of, top tips can you leave Michelle with,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49from your experience, the pair of you?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Get expert advice. Always try and find a builder,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56we had a builder who came and saw the project beforehand,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00spent half an hour before the meeting just getting to know the place,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03so that he could give us sound advice from day one.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07We've used an architect as well who has been able to do
0:12:07 > 0:12:10all the tricky negotiations with the authorities
0:12:10 > 0:12:12and that's saved us one hell of a headache.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- Fantastic.- And whatever you do, don't project manage this yourself, OK?
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Right.- I really give you that piece of advice.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- You don't have the expertise or the knowledge.- Great.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- I will underline that so Tony can see that.- Brilliant.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Well, look, we have just touched the surface.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30I'm going to let you three explore this beautiful building
0:12:30 > 0:12:32a little longer and I'll catch up with you outside.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Enjoy.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36You can't fail to be impressed
0:12:36 > 0:12:39by Miriam and Christopher's passion for their home.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41It truly is a heartfelt restoration
0:12:41 > 0:12:45and I hope their enthusiasm has rubbed off on Michelle.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Later, I'll be taking Michelle to see a finished project
0:12:49 > 0:12:52which I think will show her you don't need experience in big renovations
0:12:52 > 0:12:56to turn a wreck into a wonderful home.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Wow. I love the open spaces.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Somewhere on a street near you, there is a house
0:13:04 > 0:13:06that was once somebody's much-loved home,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09but now, it's abandoned and alone.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12It's the job of empty property officers all over the country
0:13:12 > 0:13:14to track down these abandoned buildings
0:13:14 > 0:13:18and do what they can to get them lived in again.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20And in the London Borough of Southwark,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22this challenge is down to officers Celia Esimaje
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and Michelle Williams.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28They've been responsible for bringing nearly 1,500 homes
0:13:28 > 0:13:31back into use since 1996.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34And this year, their target is to transform another 135.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Today, they're on their way to a Georgian townhouse
0:13:37 > 0:13:41which, until recently, was in such a poor state
0:13:41 > 0:13:44it was on the national Buildings At Risk Register.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47It has taken a long time to get this property back into use.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49I mean, we're talking 2004 to now.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Wow, but that's what happens sometimes.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57You've just got to work with owners and help them keep their momentum.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00But we got there in the end. So, let's go and have a look.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05The building was rescued in 2004 by its current owner, Agi Stylianides.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08With a small government loan of £45,000
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and £300,000 of his own money,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14he has not only returned the building to its former glory
0:14:14 > 0:14:16but created three flats to rent solely to people
0:14:16 > 0:14:18on the council's housing list.
0:14:18 > 0:14:24Wow. Nice and bright. Wow, we've got here. Six years.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Got the three flats in the end. - Celia's been no end of help.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30She's stood by me all the way.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Unfortunately, it's taken us two years to get it to the standard
0:14:33 > 0:14:39that I wanted, which is so the house can last another 200 years.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43And can be in the hands of the council for their tenants to enjoy.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47To work with an owner, to see a property right through to the end,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and to know that, basically, this is going be somebody's home
0:14:50 > 0:14:56and it's public funding that's helped to contribute to the schemes.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59So, we want to make sure that we are, actually, getting quality work.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- Good stuff. Are you pleased?- I'm pleased. I just hope you're happy?
0:15:02 > 0:15:06No, we are. Thanks ever so much. All the best.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Yeah, that's great. Three two-bedroom flats.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13These will be available for Southwark residents.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- It's a good result all round. Well done.- Definitely. - That's three off the target.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22So, this former wreck can now stand proud as someone's home once more.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Renovating a house doesn't need to be done all at once.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Transforming it in stages can be the best way to do it
0:15:32 > 0:15:33on a limited budget.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Which is just what Sherina Agassi is doing
0:15:36 > 0:15:39with her large, Victorian semi in Southeast London.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44Sherina bought the house in 2005 for £320,000,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47after it had been standing empty for two years.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Then, she set about gradually turning it into the ideal home
0:15:50 > 0:15:52for her family.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Initially, when we walked up towards the house,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58it looked really gloomy. It was red doors, red windows.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02And we walked through the door and it was like,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05"This is horrendous, what have I done?!"
0:16:05 > 0:16:07But then there was calm
0:16:07 > 0:16:10because I knew if we could really pull this off,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13it would be an absolutely lovely home
0:16:13 > 0:16:17that I couldn't possibly afford other than this way.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23The first room that you walked into, it was a sort of brownish colour,
0:16:23 > 0:16:27everything was brown and grey, and dark blue.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It was just not very inviting at all.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35And then we went in through the second lounge and that was massive.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37But, of course, totally neglected.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40As money was tight, Sherina embarked on a renovation
0:16:40 > 0:16:43which took two years and involved her getting stuck in,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46doing as much work as possible herself.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The garden was completely overgrown.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58There were lots of tips of rubbish and debris everywhere.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01But it was, actually, the willow tree that sold me the house.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05With the transformation costing £32,000,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Sherina's total outlay was just under £350,000.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12She's created a wonderful family home, valued at 600 grand.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17So, taking on an abandoned house has certainly paid off for her.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21If you plan, and you're able to think of it on a creative level,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24you can actually buy your dream,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27but you will have to take a risk in doing so.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31It's hard, don't get me wrong, and it's challenging,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33but it's certainly possible.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35It's 100% worth it.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Tony and Michelle have sold their four-bedroom house
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and want to find a vacant building with land
0:17:49 > 0:17:51to transform into their new family home.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55They've seen an old hop kiln brimming with potential
0:17:55 > 0:17:57and panoramic views.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Having seen what can be done with challenging restorations,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05I now want to show Michelle a spectacular barn conversion
0:18:05 > 0:18:07which may provide some inspiring solutions
0:18:07 > 0:18:09as to what to do with the hop kiln.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Feast your eyes on that.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- Wow.- Yeah? - Gosh, it's absolutely gorgeous.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19JULES LAUGHS
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- Wow.- But would you have wanted it when it looked like this?
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- LAUGHTER - It was a complete wreck.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Just a cow shed, never been anything other than that.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Now, of course, it's a wonderful family home.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36But the journey from this to that
0:18:36 > 0:18:38is what you could be letting yourselves in for.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42That's exciting. That's scary. LAUGHTER
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- What would Tony say? - He'd probably go, "Yeah, brilliant.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47"Brilliant, up for it, great."
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- Well, let's go and figure out how you do it and meet the owners.- OK.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56When Margo Alfrey and Douglas Gee took on
0:18:56 > 0:18:58these 200-year-old dairy barns in East Sussex,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01they knew they'd found somewhere to create a home in the country
0:19:01 > 0:19:04where they could bring up a family.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07When we started to think about having a family
0:19:07 > 0:19:09and moving out of London,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13that's when we saw the property and thought it had potential to be a home for us.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16But it was quite a big vision because at that stage, when we saw the property,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19it was completely run-down, completely dilapidated
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and I think a lot of our friends and family thought
0:19:22 > 0:19:25this was a bit too ambitious a project to go for.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27We could turn it into our dream home.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31With the budget that we had, we could end up with a property
0:19:31 > 0:19:34that we felt would last many, many years.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37And to create the space that we thought would be ideal
0:19:37 > 0:19:38for us as a family.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Although the dairy barns hadn't been used for 60 years,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47they still had to be reclassified for domestic use
0:19:47 > 0:19:49which meant Margo and Douglas had to spend three years
0:19:49 > 0:19:52getting planning permission.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55This was the original hay barn.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58So, here, you had where the carts came in with the hay
0:19:58 > 0:20:00and then would go out through there.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03And it just meant that we would be able to get doors
0:20:03 > 0:20:06that would open right open so that, for instance, if we have parties
0:20:06 > 0:20:10or with children, the space would feel open, light,
0:20:10 > 0:20:11you can move through it all the time.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- What do you reckon? - Wow. I love the open spaces.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19I love the way the doors, sort of, mirror each other as well.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Just giving that sense of outdoorsiness to it, even further.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- It's fantastic. - That's kind of you.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28One of the things we did do was meet with people that had done barn conversions.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Margo got upset with me going out and buying lots of books on barns.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35But it was a good way of finding out who's done barn conversions before.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Is there a club? Did you have meetings?
0:20:37 > 0:20:40The, sort of, yeah, The Barn Owl Club. No, no, we didn't.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42But what we did do was we found out about
0:20:42 > 0:20:45which architects had done what barns
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Then we were able to go out and meet the owners and talk to them.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51But the finish here. What would Tony think if he walked in here now?
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Same as me, he'd love the windows.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57I'm sure and the beams, they are just beautiful.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Have you seen the kitchen? Look at this, this is lovely.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02This is terrific. Is this all locally-made?
0:21:02 > 0:21:04We used a local carpenter
0:21:04 > 0:21:08and working directly with someone who uses wood every day,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10he gave us some great advice.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Do you know what I love about it?
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It's very easy, in a barn conversion, to slot in extra floors.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Here you haven't had to do that.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22You've been able to leave the bulk of the main barn itself entire,
0:21:22 > 0:21:23if you like.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25The pitch of this barn is steep.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28We looked at putting another floor in and we realised
0:21:28 > 0:21:31we were going to lose what we wanted. We wanted that open feel,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35that wow factor when you come into your kitchen, living space.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39We're lucky that the barn, the hay barn runs into an old cow byre
0:21:39 > 0:21:42where we've been able to have all our bedrooms.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44So, we've got our smaller spaces there.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47We've kept our accommodation in there
0:21:47 > 0:21:51without impacting and losing our open-plan living space.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Now then, we've alluded to your other accommodation,
0:21:59 > 0:22:00bedrooms and so forth.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Because it is on one level. Effectively, it's a bungalow.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06It is, exactly.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Basically, we live in a glorified bungalow.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I think this is an interesting idea to take away, Michelle.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15You've got everything kind of zoned very much, in that,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17you've got day-to-day living in the barn
0:22:17 > 0:22:22which whilst imposing is still a very manageable, modest size here.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Then everything else in this series of outbuildings, all on one level.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- Is that something you'd take away? - Definitely.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30I don't think we'd thought about it before.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31But, yeah, it works, doesn't it?
0:22:31 > 0:22:34What would be your parting thoughts for Michelle,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36who's heading off to take on
0:22:36 > 0:22:38this kind of project with her partner, Tony?
0:22:38 > 0:22:40I suppose, we talked about it and the first one for us,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43is understand the local planning law. It's important.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45And hire someone to help you if you don't.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48The second thing we talked about was take time
0:22:48 > 0:22:52to find the right team to work with you, both the architect and then, in turn, builder.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54The third thing was really create
0:22:54 > 0:22:56a very detailed specification document
0:22:56 > 0:22:59so that you're going down to almost the window fitting level
0:22:59 > 0:23:01so that when you do go out for a tender,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04you know you're tendering for the whole thing.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06And it's almost a turn-key type project.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08For us, in our stage in life with two small children,
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- that was the right solution for us. - Well, guys, congratulations.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- Sadly, it's not for sale, Michelle. - Oh.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17- If it was, you'd be in.- Definitely.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Meanwhile, back in the London Borough of Southwark,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26empty property officers Celia Esimaje
0:23:26 > 0:23:29and Michelle Williams are responding to a call about an empty house
0:23:29 > 0:23:32that's been on their books for a while.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34There was a complaint from a neighbour
0:23:34 > 0:23:37saying there was an infestation of pigeons, basically,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39getting into the empty property
0:23:39 > 0:23:42and, also, causing problems with their property
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and just wanted us to find out what was going on.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46There it is.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Because of the diseases they carry,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50pigeons are considered a public health hazard.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Once they've gained access to a building,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55they cause damage with their droppings
0:23:55 > 0:23:57that corrode floorboards and block drains and guttering.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- The hole in the roof is at the side. - Right.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03And the house has been a cause of concern for the neighbours.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06It's a worry that it's, structurally, falling down, for a start.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10And the pigeons and the squirrels as well.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12At one point the squirrels got into my loft
0:24:12 > 0:24:15and I had to get vermin control to come and remove them
0:24:15 > 0:24:17because they were keeping us awake.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Celia and Michelle are aware the house has been left empty
0:24:20 > 0:24:22for approximately three years
0:24:22 > 0:24:25as the owner intends to eventually renovate it.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27They've blocked off the letter box.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32Even the porch looks like it's coming away a bit.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- The garden's all overgrown.- There's a hole in the side, in the eaves.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39And that's where the pigeons are getting in.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42The neighbours at the back have also complained,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44so, they're getting in all over the roof.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Celia gathers evidence should she need to take further action
0:24:48 > 0:24:50in forcing the owner to make repairs.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53So what we'll do now, we'll get in touch with the owner
0:24:53 > 0:24:57to find out if they have got some sort of timetable of works
0:24:57 > 0:25:01and also see if they need any assistance, any guidance.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05And since filming, she's successfully contacted the owner,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08who has now repaired the gap in the roof.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I've taken wannabe renovator Michelle Kennedy
0:25:11 > 0:25:13to see a couple of impressive former empty homes
0:25:13 > 0:25:18to try and inspire her as to what can be achieved.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Now, then, Michelle, we've seen two quite interesting properties today
0:25:21 > 0:25:24which have involved some very extensive renovations,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26to say the least.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- Have they put you off this idea? - No, not at all.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34It's just they're very different in how they've approached things.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36One being enormously historical,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39another being, virtually, a complete a new-build.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42It's really given a lot of food for thought.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43What are you going to tell Tony?
0:25:43 > 0:25:47What's going to be on the list of the do's and don'ts.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49One, really be careful of planning.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Two, definitely get a project manager in.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54And three, you know, I think I just feel really inspired
0:25:54 > 0:25:56and encouraged by it.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59So I think I'll take that enthusiasm home with me as well.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01But can you cast your mind back to that empty property
0:26:01 > 0:26:04that we showed you and Tony?
0:26:04 > 0:26:05You were pretty daunted by it.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08What about now that you've seen what can be done?
0:26:08 > 0:26:12You're absolutely right. It terrified me when I first saw it.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17But having just seen these two and having seen the plans,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I feel, actually, more excited by it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Much less daunted.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Is it one that you would consider taking on
0:26:24 > 0:26:26or is it just a useful example?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29I think there's, I think it's definitely worth talking about
0:26:29 > 0:26:30in much more detail.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Interesting. So, Tony might get more than he bargained for out of this.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37It'll be the last time he sends you off looking at empty properties?
0:26:37 > 0:26:38Definitely.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Well, having shown Michelle, I think,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45two very interesting and extensive renovations,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49I think she's firmly convinced that a renovation is the way to go.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Both of today's examples have taken at least five years to complete.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Where will Tony and Michelle be in five years' time, I wonder?
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Who knows?
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd