0:00:01 > 0:00:03Across the country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07empty properties that could be homes are waiting to be put back into use.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14I'll be finding out why and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16And I'll be doing some digging of my own
0:00:16 > 0:00:19to find out about our housing stock, our heritage,
0:00:19 > 0:00:24and why we should both be reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33It can be a daunting prospect,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36taking on a forgotten house in a state of disrepair.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39But beyond the broken windows and the overgrown gardens,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43there's potentially a beautiful family home just waiting
0:00:43 > 0:00:46to be discovered and given a new lease of life.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51On today's show, a couple who think an empty home may be the answer
0:00:51 > 0:00:54to their expanding family's need for more space.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I'm quite excited about the house, actually.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00It's got the scope we're looking for to move on with our lives.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04I'll be showing them what they could achieve on their budget.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06What they've done with it is just
0:01:06 > 0:01:09so similar to what you were talking about earlier, it's untrue.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12And we'll be following a property detective
0:01:12 > 0:01:16on her mission to bring Stoke's empty houses back from the brink.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19It's important that we keep on top of this case, we don't let it slip.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23We do mean business and we do want to see results this time.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Artist and gardener David McAndrew and his wife Claire,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32a healthcare worker, think taking on and extending an empty property
0:01:32 > 0:01:38may be the best way to achieve the spacious home they're looking for.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43We thought an empty house might be a bit more within our budget.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46We don't mind living in something that needs a lot of doing up
0:01:46 > 0:01:50so it's something we need to look into, whichever property we go for.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52The couple have two sons,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Elliott and Oscar, and with a new baby due in seven months,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00they're looking for a house that is structurally sound and immediately habitable.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04I mean, we would have to buy somewhere and move into straightaway, we couldn't afford not to,
0:02:04 > 0:02:09um, with children, so that'll be lots of fun, I should imagine.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11BOTH LAUGH
0:02:11 > 0:02:14And it might be... It might be something we come to regret.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Claire and David are renovation novices
0:02:18 > 0:02:22but enthusiastic DIYers, and with a budget of £170,000
0:02:22 > 0:02:26to buy and to refurb, they're prepared to get their hands dirty.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29We need to do a lot of the work ourselves.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Obviously, not jobs that we'd obviously need to get a heating engineer in...
0:02:33 > 0:02:38- Contractors, yeah.- Yeah, for jobs that needs doing properly, the electrics and things.- Yes.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The couple are aiming to buy and renovate
0:02:41 > 0:02:43a place before the baby arrives.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46It's going to be very nice to stand back knowing
0:02:46 > 0:02:49you've brought that house back to life, you've made it look like that,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52that's a home for your family to live there as a family
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and it's actually a home, not just a house.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59I'm meeting up with David and Claire in needs to show them around
0:02:59 > 0:03:02a three-bed house that's been empty since the owner died 12 months ago.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Habitable and with the potential to extend,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08it could be just what they're looking for.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Although this 1960s semi requires modernisation throughout
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and needs a new kitchen and bathroom,
0:03:14 > 0:03:19the family could feasibly live here throughout the build.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22From the back of the house, adding extra bedrooms shouldn't be a problem,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25even if David and Claire decide to do this in the future,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27as and when they've saved more money.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Hi, I'm Joe. David?- Hi. - Claire?- Hi, Joe.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Nice to meet you. How are you?
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- Fine, thank you, cold.- Cold?- Yes.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Well, hopefully, this'll warm you up.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- This is the property I want you to see, OK?- OK.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44It's on the market for £140,000, so bang on budget in that respect.
0:03:44 > 0:03:50It's a good size, but let's treat this as an exercise, really in what an empty property can offer.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- Without more ado, should we take a look?- Certainly.- OK.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Right, come on in, guys. What are your first impressions?
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- It's a good size.- It is. - Are you a fan of busy carpets?
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Oh, absolutely, we'd want to keep that(!) Have it cleaned and keep it.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12No, perhaps we'd go with a different choice of carpet
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and perhaps we'd probably take that fire and surround out as well.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- Definitely.- The lady who lived here obviously did so
0:04:18 > 0:04:21with a great deal of pride in her home so it is comfortable,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23it's not got broken windows or anything.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27As empty properties go, actually, it's in a very reasonable state,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31so you could genuinely move straight in and tackle it room by room.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34This is exactly the kind of thing we're looking for.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Nothing structural but certainly some hard work and decoration.
0:04:38 > 0:04:39That's perfect.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41And, of course, if we go this way...
0:04:42 > 0:04:45..these have already been knocked through,
0:04:45 > 0:04:46these two rooms joined,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- so come on through and we'll have a look.- Brilliant.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51And here's the dining room.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55So, you've got that kind of slightly open plan feel to it.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- Yeah, I think I'd be tempted to... - Take this out.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Yes, take this wall out and have a big family room
0:05:02 > 0:05:05and block that up so we have an adult's room.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Right, you're already clearly thinking,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10knock through or do something with it.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Because we wanted... A big kitchen is important to me
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- and part of that is having it as a family room.- Yep.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20So there'd be some wallpaper stripping to get you started anyway?
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Yes, we might splash out on a bit of plastering, call in a friend favour.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Might keep that.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- No, we're not keeping that. - You quite like some of these style features.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32You can see the appeal of the '60s. I mean, it is all pretty unique.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- Absolutely, yeah. But perhaps we might lose the carpet.- OK.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Well, guys, as soon as we come out here,
0:05:42 > 0:05:44there's a lot of potential, isn't there?
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Yeah, certainly on the side of the house,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49that's where I'd want to have an extension, definitely.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51I think it lends itself to that.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- For everything you've said, this seems to suit you quite well, does it?- Yes.- Yes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Absolutely, I'm quite excited by the house, actually.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02It's got the scope that we're looking for to move on with our lives.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- And we'd probably be keen to put an offer in.- Yes.- Wow.- Absolutely.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09So, actually, if you do genuinely like this,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12you're going to be very interested in the property I'll show you later
0:06:12 > 0:06:14because it's the same period, it's the same size,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17and comes with the same challenges and the same potential.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20But you can take inspiration from what they've done.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- How does that sound? - Fantastic.- Fantastic.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27We're all familiar with the sight of forlorn-looking houses left derelict and abandoned.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30But luckily there's a dedicated team of empty property officers
0:06:30 > 0:06:33up and down the country whose mission it is
0:06:33 > 0:06:37to track down the owners of these buildings and get them back into use.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Zainul Pirmohamed is employed by Stoke City Council where she works
0:06:42 > 0:06:46around the clock to get the city's derelict houses back on track.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53We make a difference. And because we're passionate and because we want to change the look of the city,
0:06:53 > 0:06:54I think that's really important
0:06:54 > 0:06:57because the citizens of the city need that. So, for me,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01having that passion makes a difference because it makes a difference to people's lives.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Today, Zainul is on her way to a terraced house in Hanley.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11This is a long-term empty and has been on her radar for two years.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13The council has put together a schedule of works
0:07:13 > 0:07:15to bring it back into use.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18The owner's deadline for completion is in two weeks' time
0:07:18 > 0:07:20but work has been slow
0:07:20 > 0:07:24and neighbours are complaining of vermin and pigeon infestations.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Zainul is on her way to the house with environmental health inspector
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Adrian Derbyshire to check on progress.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37- Not much going on.- Nothing's changed on the externalisation at all, has it?- No.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I think what we need to stress is the outside is priority.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45- We want that secured, looking tidy. - Which will, obviously, help the community.- All right, brill.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48And things aren't looking up inside.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Oh. Right, OK.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52I just thought there would be...
0:07:52 > 0:07:54the rooms were going to be in,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- and there would be floors. - It looks like they started at some stage to do some renovation.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01But a lot of work to do, a massive project.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06I think what he's agreed to do that he'll put the windows
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- and the door in.- That's correct.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10They're clearly going around boarding up
0:08:10 > 0:08:12to stop the pigeons getting inside.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- And then we've agreed the floor is the next stage after that.- OK, I'll make sure I've put that down.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Whilst the boarding now seems to be keeping the pigeon population out,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23they've left their mark on their old home.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26We went into that property, we couldn't stay there,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28we had to do a quick inspection and out
0:08:28 > 0:08:33because the smell was overpowering from pigeon muck, and the mess.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37You could tell it's been used by the pigeons, coming in and out of there.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Zainul and Adrian must carry out a full inspection
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and in the back yard, there is some improvement.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- OK, well, cleaned the yard pretty good.- Yes.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- Did you put a gate on the schedule? - I did, yeah.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Brilliant, so at least that'll be done. Look at that there.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54I'm wondering if any kids get in here
0:08:54 > 0:08:57and they're messing around with this board.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- If that glass...comes down on them. - They need to put the new windows in.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Yes. Now we've seen this, we need him to really get rid of this glass.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10- Yeah.- It's pretty dangerous. It's secure but not safe.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- We'll get him back to redo it again.- All right, cheers.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14As works are behind schedule,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Zainul will need to put more pressure on the owner to speed things up.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20It's important we keep on top of this case now,
0:09:20 > 0:09:24we don't let it slip, so he realises we DO mean business
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and we DO want to see results this time.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Since filming, the building has been secured
0:09:29 > 0:09:31and new windows have been fitted.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35The owner has drawn up plans with an architect to renovate the house
0:09:35 > 0:09:38and work will start once planning permission has been granted.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39OK, let's be clear,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43taking on and renovating an empty home isn't for the fainthearted.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Years of neglect can lead to some very unexpected and,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49therefore, expensive problems.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52But the benefits of taking on a forgotten property
0:09:52 > 0:09:55can, by far, outweigh the downsides.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Giving a house a second lease of life can provide you
0:09:59 > 0:10:02with the home you've always wanted.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Mark Williamson and his partner Paula Faiers
0:10:05 > 0:10:10took on the renovation of this 19th-century water tower back in 2009.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14From the moment Mark set eyes on the red brick structure, he was smitten.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17First time I came up the drive,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20I turned in and drove up that long drive and I thought,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23"Wow... Wow, it's got such a charm,
0:10:23 > 0:10:28"it's unique, it's just... incredible place to live."
0:10:28 > 0:10:31And I'm thinking, you know, "I've got to buy this.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33"How can I convince Paula?"
0:10:33 > 0:10:35THEY LAUGH
0:10:35 > 0:10:38And so I worked on her very, very slowly and said,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41"I found a lovely place, come and have a look."
0:10:41 > 0:10:42And I said, "What did you think?"
0:10:42 > 0:10:45She said, "Don't know whether I'd want to live out here."
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Paula had reasons to be concerned.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51This was a huge undertaking, even for Mark,
0:10:51 > 0:10:52who's a builder by trade.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55The kitchen was rotten, the ceiling was falling in,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57I knew that there was a lot of work
0:10:57 > 0:11:00and the building was in real poor state.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02And just looking in there, I thought,
0:11:02 > 0:11:07"Wow, what on earth have I let myself in for?"
0:11:07 > 0:11:09The couple lived on site
0:11:09 > 0:11:12in a caravan for the duration of the build.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16At first, it felt like you were on holiday as a child.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Six months on and you think... - "I'm fed up with this holiday."
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Yes, I'm fed up with this holiday, I want to go home.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26There was days where I'd come from work and I'm here cutting holes in the tank,
0:11:26 > 0:11:31and stuff, where I would have paid £50 for a bath. I really would.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36In the end, they finished in just 10 months, well ahead of schedule.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Our aim was the year. So... - In for Christmas.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41In for Christmas, that was the goal.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- Certainly didn't want to put the turkey in the oven in the caravan.- No, no.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49As well as carefully converting the original Victorian water tower,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Mark and Paula have added a sympathetic two-storey extension,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56creating space for five bedrooms with the master
0:11:56 > 0:12:00sitting in what was the original water tank, right at the top.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03I would say the best part is the lounge,
0:12:03 > 0:12:10where we can sit there and take in 360-view of the fields,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13the wildlife, the sun setting.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17It is just amazing being so well elevated, so high up,
0:12:17 > 0:12:22and looking over unspoiled parkland is...unbelievable.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25I think I would have to say...
0:12:25 > 0:12:27that my kitchen
0:12:27 > 0:12:30is...the nicest...
0:12:30 > 0:12:35well, which I am most looking forward to being in, I think.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38But has this towering achievement left them thirsty for more?
0:12:38 > 0:12:40TOGETHER: Would we do it again?
0:12:42 > 0:12:45I always looked at this as being a one-off.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I don't know if I'd want to do it again.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Yeah, but I would say,
0:12:50 > 0:12:55bearing in mind how easily Paula adapted to it,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57and how much hands-on she was,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59it wouldn't worry me doing another one.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- I'd have to give up my job first. - Yeah, I can see that.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03I can't manage a job and do it as well.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Tottenham, North London, is well-known for its football club
0:13:09 > 0:13:13but it's had more than its fair share of trouble, hitting the headlines again
0:13:13 > 0:13:17last year when rioting broke out there and quickly spread.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Tottenham is one of the most deprived
0:13:19 > 0:13:22and run-down parts of the capital.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Over the years, some pretty serious social unrest has grabbed
0:13:25 > 0:13:29a few headlines here, but locals want to regenerate the area
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and put Tottenham back on the map for the right reasons.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Tottenham Hotspur stadium lies just behind the high road.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40The club's developers planned to extend the stadium
0:13:40 > 0:13:42and demolish a row of empty historic buildings.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46I'm meeting up with Alison Armour from the Tottenham Civic Society
0:13:46 > 0:13:49and architect Hugh Thomas who fought a lengthy campaign
0:13:49 > 0:13:51to stop this from happening.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56What was the plan for these sad, boarded-up buildings behind us?
0:13:56 > 0:14:00The original plan was to demolish the lot,
0:14:00 > 0:14:05in order to replace it with open space, in front of the new stadium.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10It would have meant the loss of at least a dozen listed buildings.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13So you're determined to save these buildings. How do you do that?
0:14:13 > 0:14:17We were given a meeting with the club's architects
0:14:17 > 0:14:21and planning team, so we had a lengthy discussion
0:14:21 > 0:14:26at their offices putting forward the points that we objected to.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28That's key, isn't it?
0:14:28 > 0:14:33Hugh, you came up with quite a novel solution of triggering some imagination?
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Yes, what I've done is done some watercolours
0:14:36 > 0:14:40to show what the village could look like if they were restored.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Have you got any?
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Can we have a look? Because you painted them back to life. Wow!
0:14:45 > 0:14:49So that's exactly as it would look, you do a little research
0:14:49 > 0:14:53and you find out what the buildings and windows looked like and simply put it back.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Obviously, if you just plough through them,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58you can never get that back,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02that character it brings to the area and the local history.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05No. Once they've gone, they've gone forever.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08And a lot of the story of this High Street has gone with it.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15What stage have you got to now with the campaign? Is there good news?
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Spurs revised their plan in the light of the objections,
0:15:19 > 0:15:24and they decided that four could be retained,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27plus the public space.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31And we've got a vastly improved public realm part.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34It really is a work of art.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Here you've got a really good...
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- through history of local architecture.- Yes.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44And it's going to stand well into the 21st century now,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46you've managed to safeguard it.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- You must be delighted. - Yes, we are.- Job well done.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55You've got to be impressed with this campaign,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59and particularly the power of the art, of the watercolour involved.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Really helping people visualise the potential
0:16:02 > 0:16:05but also the beauty of these buildings.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09And now, if all goes to plan, right here in the heart of Tottenham,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12you're going to have this amazing fusion
0:16:12 > 0:16:15of new and old architecture together,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18which should, fingers crossed,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22inspire further regeneration throughout the area.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Earlier, I met David and Claire McAndrew and showed them
0:16:28 > 0:16:32an empty house with the potential to become a spacious family home.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34With lots of renovation questions on their mind,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36I'm taking them to meet a couple
0:16:36 > 0:16:40who turned a similar property into a stylish, modern abode.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Guys, here we are, this is the place I brought you to see.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50It's a very similar period to the one we saw earlier.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55What they've done with it is just so similar to what you were talking about, it's almost untrue.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58I think you'll like this, I'm excited to show you around.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01When Richard and Carol Hall bought this three-bedroom semi
0:17:01 > 0:17:05in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, for £121,000,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08it had been empty for 12 months.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11On the first viewing, we were warned that
0:17:11 > 0:17:13it wasn't going to be very nice,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17and the smell wasn't going to be very nice. And boy, was he right.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21I walked in, I walked through the house and walked straight out again.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24I've got to admit, Carol saw further into it.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I was hanging onto it, saying, "Have another look,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29"have another look, it's got potential."
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Richard and Carol had a modest budget of just £30,000,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36and Richard had to roll his sleeves up
0:17:36 > 0:17:38and do a lot of the building work himself.
0:17:38 > 0:17:44Mixing, and hodding bricks, at my age is a little bit difficult.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Instead of carrying half a dozen like the builders do,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I carried two or three, it takes twice as long.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52But who cares? I found it very interesting.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57But living on-site throughout the build had its own problems.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01One of the worst moments that I think we can say we had
0:18:01 > 0:18:03was when we didn't have a bathroom.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06And we had to boil a kettle of water
0:18:06 > 0:18:10and put it in a washing-up bowl, and have a wash in the utility area
0:18:10 > 0:18:13because we didn't have any facilities to do so.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18You work together. It can be stressful, you've got to be tolerant
0:18:18 > 0:18:20and you've got to understand.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I don't think I'm the most tolerant of people!
0:18:23 > 0:18:27The couple overhauled every aspect of the house,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29from the wiring and the heating system
0:18:29 > 0:18:35to opening up the downstairs to create an open plan living, kitchen, dining area.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Apart from the brick walls, there's nothing in this house
0:18:37 > 0:18:40that you might see that we haven't put in it.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44After eight long months, the renovation was finally complete.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48When you look at the before and the after,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51it's got to give you some satisfaction.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53It looks fabulous compared to where we started.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57I think we've made a nice, comfortable home
0:18:57 > 0:19:00out of what was quite a horrible, smelly old shell.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03I'm hoping that David and Claire will gain some useful tips
0:19:03 > 0:19:06and inspiration from these seasoned renovators.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08We'll go and look round properly.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11You've got an extension on the side and the back,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and you remodelled the front, you had to move the door.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- Yeah. And remodelled the back. - Same situation, fantastic.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23I suggest we pop inside and examine your handiwork a bit closer.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- As long as you don't look too close! - Come on, lead the way.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30There are many similarities between this home
0:19:30 > 0:19:32and the house I showed David and Claire earlier,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36so it should really help them decide if it's the kind of renovation
0:19:36 > 0:19:37they're willing to take on.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41This is what I find interesting, the property we saw earlier,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45exactly the same. A dining room at the back, wall, and a back kitchen.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49This is what you talked about, knocking a wall out and extending it.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52It's exactly what I'd imagined,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56even down to having the large glassed area at the back.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59It's exactly what I was picturing
0:19:59 > 0:20:01when we were talking at the other house.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04So this sits within your visualisation
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- of what you would do, does it? - Definitely.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10This is a comfy family area, you've still got a table,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12and the kitchen's really nice, it's at that end.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16How did you come up with the design for the kitchen?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Basically, I knew what I wanted.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22The hob in the centre, with the pan drawer underneath.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23And just worked it out from there,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26with the oven and the fridge freezer at the side.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29I didn't want any of the appliances on show.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31One thing Carol did do with that kitchen,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35which was the brainstorm really, she actually sorted the kitchen,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37designed it, measured it,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40and then the builder built the wall in the right place.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44He didn't build and then Carol designed the kitchen into it.
0:20:44 > 0:20:45She did it first.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49So if you can do that, if you can get your idea of what you want
0:20:49 > 0:20:52and what units you want, and then put your wall in.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- It took eight months, the build. - The build took eight months.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58How did you cope in that time? What was it like living here?
0:20:58 > 0:21:01You've got to say, it's difficult, it's not easy.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05You've got to have a kitchen and washing facilities,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08which, at certain times of the build, we didn't have.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11So it is difficult, there's no doubt about it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14As long as you're prepared for it, then it's not a problem.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18It's worth it, for as long as you live here for.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21It's only eight months out of a whole lifetime in the house.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- So you're quite impressed with what you've seen?- Absolutely.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28It's so lovely done, it's so nicely decorated, it's really nice to see.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- OK.- Having blocked up that door, we'll go back through the hall
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- and take a look at your front room. - Okey-dokey.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36So, the main front room.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39When you were doing this project,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41how much of the work did you take on yourself?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43I do all the coving and woodwork,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45and then we do the wallpapering together,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47which we've done a tremendous amount of
0:21:47 > 0:21:51so we've got it down to a fine art as to how we do it together.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54When it comes to the extension itself,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58how involved were you in the actual building? Did you want to get stuck into it?
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Oh, yes, I was into it every day.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04It was literally, shovelling cement, shovelling sand, carrying bricks,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08putting scaffolding up, everything needed to assist the builder.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- And that must have saved you money? - Oh, yes, without a doubt.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14David, is that what you have in mind?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Having a builder you'd work alongside on an extension,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20or would you give it a go yourself and then bring in contractors?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23No, give it a go myself, then ideally,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25the things that I don't know about,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29get contractors in and work alongside them, learn off them.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31And then move forward from there.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Any final advice in terms of things for these guys to bear in mind
0:22:34 > 0:22:38when they approach a project like this?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41I think the first thing is definitely planning.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44It's planning in your mind, and on paper as well,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47what you want to do in the rooms and what you want to do externally.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Are you encouraged from what you've seen here,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52are you up for this challenge?
0:22:52 > 0:22:56If you get something like the spectacular results they have here,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00if we can replicate that in the house we've seen earlier,
0:23:00 > 0:23:02I think we'll be very lucky people
0:23:02 > 0:23:05and our children would be very lucky children.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Back in Stoke-on-Trent, empty property officer Zainul Pirmohamed
0:23:09 > 0:23:13is on a mission to save Britain's abandoned homes.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Today, she's on her way to a house in Abbey Hulton
0:23:16 > 0:23:18that's blighted the neighbourhood for many years.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23After much pressure from Zainul, the previous owner has now sold up
0:23:23 > 0:23:25to a father and son team of developers
0:23:25 > 0:23:28who snapped up the building for just £29,000.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Work is well under way,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34and Zainul is here today to ensure the refit is up to standard.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36'Last time I went into the property,
0:23:36 > 0:23:38'it was a mess inside. It wasn't habitable.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42'So I'm looking forward to seeing what the developer's done with it.'
0:23:42 > 0:23:46- Hello.- Frank, Richard. Thanks for agreeing to meet me here today.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- It's fine.- It's looking lovely from the outside,
0:23:48 > 0:23:52love those windows. OK, we'll have a look inside, thank you.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58- Gosh, it's bigger up here than I expected it to be.- Yep, opened up.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Talk me through what you've done.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03We've put this partition up, managed to make another little room.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05I'm just looking at the bathroom,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08you're doing a good job there, lovely finish.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11It's lovely up here, you've converted it from a two-bed to a three-bed
0:24:11 > 0:24:15which makes it a lovely family home. Whilst we've got the two beds,
0:24:15 > 0:24:20they still haven't got the potential for the bigger family.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25So that's brilliant news. And it looks very different.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29I like the wooden flooring. Wow! It looks like a new property.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- I thought you'd be impressed. - You've done wonders with it.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36I wouldn't recognise it for being the same property from a few years ago.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- I really wouldn't.- Is it that long since you've been here?- Yeah.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42And I like the new kitchen.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44My goodness, what a difference to what we had here!
0:24:44 > 0:24:48You're not going to have any problems letting this property.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- Cos I'd move in!- Yeah, I would! - Lovely. What a brilliant job.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57This is actually one of the best transformations I've seen.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02I cannot believe... We go into a lot of follow-up properties once they're sold,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and I've not, to date, seen a finish as good as this.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09And the standard here, it's absolutely brilliant.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13In fact, Zainul's so impressed she wants to use the project as publicity.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Looking at that property, it just shows
0:25:15 > 0:25:18what potential there is in empty properties.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22I'm looking forward to coming back, seeing it fully finished with the carpets in,
0:25:22 > 0:25:26and later, I'll see it when the tenant's occupied it.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Brilliant, it'll make a nice home for a family.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Back in Yorkshire, David and Claire McAndrew
0:25:32 > 0:25:36have been visiting a house that's been transformed from a tired,
0:25:36 > 0:25:40unloved and un-lived-in 1960s semi, into a bright, airy family home.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43I'm hoping that this visit will have inspired them
0:25:43 > 0:25:46to take on an empty property of their own.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Has this changed anything for you?
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I think it's just solidified what we were hoping, really,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54and it's proved what you can do
0:25:54 > 0:25:57when you put your mind to it, and with some hard work.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58It's really exciting.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01And looking back to the house we saw earlier,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03very similar to this in many ways,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07is it one that's still in your mind, you're eyeing up?
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Absolutely. I think as soon as we get a confirmed buyer for our house,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14it's something we will go back and have a second look at,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18- and think about putting in an offer. - Wow, wow. That's pretty serious.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Absolutely. So, yeah, thank you very much for the experience.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I'm over the moon for you. Good luck with everything,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29particularly with the baby on the way. And I hope you do it,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I hope you turn an empty property into your perfect home.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- Thank you very much.- Thanks.
0:26:35 > 0:26:36Didn't that go well?
0:26:36 > 0:26:40I think this was the perfect place for David and Claire to see.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43I think it's really vindicated some of their ideas.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47I hope it's inspired them and shown them what they want to do
0:26:47 > 0:26:52is possible, even on a tight budget, if they're really determined.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53They seem up for this.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57I've got no doubts they're going to find themselves an empty property,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00turn it into their dream home, and who knows?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03It could just be the one I showed them earlier.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:23 > 0:27:25E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk