0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the country, empty buildings that could be homes
0:00:06 > 0:00:09are waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10I'll be finding out why
0:00:10 > 0:00:14and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I'll be doing some digging of my own
0:00:16 > 0:00:19to find out more about our housing stock, our heritage
0:00:19 > 0:00:24and why we should be reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Across Britain, empty and unloved buildings left derelict
0:00:33 > 0:00:35are an all-too-familiar sight
0:00:35 > 0:00:38and an eyesore for those who live near them.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41But with imagination, these forgotten houses have the potential
0:00:41 > 0:00:44to be turned into beautiful homes.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47A welcome addition to their neighbourhoods.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52'Today, I'll meet a woman who's keen to tackle an empty home,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55'but has never done a big renovation project all by herself.'
0:00:55 > 0:00:59This is actually something I'm taking onboard alone.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02'We'll also meet a couple who discovered that going green
0:01:02 > 0:01:04'doesn't always come cheap.'
0:01:04 > 0:01:07We had an initial budget of about £150,000
0:01:07 > 0:01:10and I think we're probably about £100,000 over the top of that.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12'We're following the property detectives
0:01:12 > 0:01:16'rescuing unloved and abandoned houses across the country.'
0:01:16 > 0:01:19You can see the render coming off. It will all come down at some point.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27'In Birmingham, Joyce is looking for an empty home to renovate.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31'Recently widowed, Joyce wants a fresh start. A new chapter.'
0:01:31 > 0:01:33My husband passed away about six months ago.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36So I decided that the main thing to do was downsize.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38I didn't need to have a three-bedroom house.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43'She's just sold the family home for £250,000
0:01:43 > 0:01:46'and is now renting and looking for an empty house to do up.'
0:01:46 > 0:01:47I don't want to buy someone's ideas,
0:01:47 > 0:01:53have to throw those out and then, you know, start again.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55I want it to be a blank canvas.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59'Joyce was the financial controller at her husband's construction company,
0:01:59 > 0:02:04'but has never taken on a full renovation project all by herself.'
0:02:04 > 0:02:07In the main, the thing that sort of would be more nerve-wracking
0:02:07 > 0:02:10than anything is taking this project on alone.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13'I'm meeting up with Joyce to find out more
0:02:13 > 0:02:16'and to show her a house she may find interesting.'
0:02:16 > 0:02:21'This bungalow is on the market for £182,500
0:02:21 > 0:02:25'and has full planning permission in place for an extension.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30'Joyce has a total purchase and renovation budget of £250,000.'
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Joyce, this is the property I want to show you.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And what this is is a typical empty property.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39The sort of thing you can find on the market at the moment.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42So it's going to be good to assess whether you're up for this challenge
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- and see what you think of it.- OK.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Sound good?- Yes, it does. - Great. Come on, let's have a look.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57Come in, Joyce. This is the kitchen dining area. First impressions?
0:02:57 > 0:03:04- '70s.- Yes, very '70s, isn't it? Hasn't been updated for a while.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06What is it you look for when you think about
0:03:06 > 0:03:09the ideal kitchen dining area for you?
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Well, number one, I want a state-of-the-art kitchen.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I can't really think how it would fit in.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19At the moment, I'm thinking that wall's got to come down.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23And all along here, bi-fold doors out to there.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27So we have one big living space.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29I like that you've got a vision for it.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Let's go and look around a bit more
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and give you a sense of how the rest of the property's laid out.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37'Joyce has hit the nail on the head.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41'This bungalow clearly is in need of some serious updating.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45'But alongside the kitchen, there's also a lounge, a bathroom
0:03:45 > 0:03:46'and two bedrooms.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51- Right. So here we have a bedroom. - Pink.- Pink. Exactly.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Tell me about your style. What would you do with a room like this?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57How would you decorate it?
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- I like the blacks and the creams and the golds.- So quite rich.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- Versace type.- OK.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06So what I like is you don't seem phased by any of this.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Well, of course I'd have concerns. My major concern would be budget.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Because I'd probably go over budget and I can't afford to do that.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18So that would be my major concern,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21that whatever I wanted,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24I could afford it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29Let's go and look outside. From there, we can get a view of the whole project, I think.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31OK? After you.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41I know you're nervous about the budget, but apart from that,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44how do you feel about doing a project like this on your own?
0:04:44 > 0:04:49In the past, my husband has always taken the lead.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51So, you know, this is actually something
0:04:51 > 0:04:55that I'm taking onboard alone.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58So that is quite, quite daunting.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01He would be hands-on because he could do it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03But I can rub down paintwork.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06I'm good at housekeeping.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Later on, I'm going to show you a property that has some similarities,
0:05:11 > 0:05:12but it has been completed.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16It's come through the renovation process. It's no longer empty.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20I think you've got a very good eye for visualising space
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and knowing how you want a design and a layout.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26What you don't have is the experience in actually doing that
0:05:26 > 0:05:28and turning it into a practical reality.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30So I think it's going to be really useful
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- to meet the guy who's been behind this project.- Most definitely.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35They've been through it, had problems,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39can share those problems with you, and that's something you can take forward.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42That will give me a good starting point.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Now, when you're taking on an empty property,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50you need enthusiasm and vision.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54And I am pleased to say that Joyce has both of those in abundance.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56What she doesn't really have
0:05:56 > 0:05:59is experience of taking on this kind of project.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03So later, I'm going to take her to see a completed renovation
0:06:03 > 0:06:07just so she gets a practical sense of really what's involved.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11'Of course, not every empty house makes it onto the market
0:06:11 > 0:06:13'so it can be brought back to life.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16'It's the job of councils' empty property officers
0:06:16 > 0:06:20'to try and rescue Britain's forgotten homes.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23'Steve Reed works for Cardiff City Council.'
0:06:23 > 0:06:25It does become more than a job
0:06:25 > 0:06:27because you find that even on your days off,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30when you're out and about, driving around,
0:06:30 > 0:06:34you spot empty properties and think, "I could do something with that."
0:06:34 > 0:06:37And if it's in Cardiff, you think, "I'll make a note of that."
0:06:38 > 0:06:40'In his nine years on the job,
0:06:40 > 0:06:45'Steve has personally brought over 700 empty houses back into use.'
0:06:45 > 0:06:47When I see an empty property occupied,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49it's a great sense of satisfaction
0:06:49 > 0:06:52that you've actually played a major part
0:06:52 > 0:06:54in getting it back to this occupied state.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56'Steve is visiting an empty house
0:06:56 > 0:07:00'which has become of concern to some of the neighbours.'
0:07:01 > 0:07:05The property I'm visiting is one we've been dealing with for a couple of years.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08There's been several council departments involved.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12The plan is for the council to turn it into social housing.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14So the sooner we can get that done, the better.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16'This house has been empty for two years
0:07:16 > 0:07:19'as the owner died without a will.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21'When someone dies intestate,
0:07:21 > 0:07:26'it can be a long and complicated process to sort out ownership.'
0:07:27 > 0:07:30We're here today to see if I can speed things up a bit
0:07:30 > 0:07:34by highlighting some of the problems the property's causing.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Just around the back of the property,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42I can see over the wall, you can see the render is coming off the wall.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45There's trees growing out of the brickwork.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48It's deteriorated quite substantially, really.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Because I can't see an awful lot, I'll go around the front
0:07:51 > 0:07:54and call on the neighbour.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58See if she'll let us through and have a look out the back.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00'Steve's investigating a neighbour's claims
0:08:00 > 0:08:03'that the empty house's poor structural condition
0:08:03 > 0:08:05'is damaging their home.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09'This may give weight to the council's claim for ownership.'
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Good morning. Steven Reed from Cardiff County Council.- Yes.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- About next door.- Oh, yes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17So I know you've got a problem with the rear garden walls.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19So if I can come through and have a little look,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- see what we can find out. - Yes, certainly.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Lovely. Thank you.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30There's...where it started to come off.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32That all just came down in one swoop.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34There was trees growing up the wall
0:08:34 > 0:08:37and my brother-in-law came and chopped them all down.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- The black there. - This is from the guttering.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43There's no guttering at all. It's all just damp.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45You can see the render coming off again there.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48So the whole thing is going to come down at some point.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53When I came out the other day, I just took the washing off the line,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55just got in, I heard this crash...
0:08:55 > 0:08:59and the whole of this wall just came down.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- It was like that. - I'll take photographs,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06and then I'll go back to the office, get all the photographs together
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and we'll write to the solicitors.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12As long as something gets done.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- Pull it down or rebuild it or...just to make it safe.- That's it.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17That's what I worry about.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21I go to bed thinking, "Is any more going to come down?" It worries you.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26I'll do some photographs and then I'll come and see you before I go.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- All right. Thank you. - 'Steve gathers some more evidence
0:09:29 > 0:09:32'to boost the council's case for taking over this house.'
0:09:32 > 0:09:36It would be absolutely brilliant if somebody did move in.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38It might take months, it might take years.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42But it would give me peace of mind something is actually moving.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Something's happening at long last.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49It's not good to get complaints about empty properties, but with this one,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53the more we've got, the more ammunition we've got to badger the owner
0:09:53 > 0:09:56into getting the problems resolved earlier rather than later.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58So I'll go back to the office,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00write up the notes and take it from there.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Taking on an empty home can be risky.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07They're often full of hidden problems
0:10:07 > 0:10:09that make your average buyer run a mile.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11But for those with courage and vision,
0:10:11 > 0:10:17disused dwellings can hold the key to a beautiful bespoke home.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18'In 2008, Chris and Gabby Hooper
0:10:18 > 0:10:23'were looking for an unusual renovation project in Somerset.'
0:10:23 > 0:10:28We had looked at many, many houses in the West Country
0:10:28 > 0:10:32and we'd always wanted a big, open-plan, party-type house.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36And we realised the only way to do it was to find an old house
0:10:36 > 0:10:38and, er...pull it to pieces, basically.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40'After months of searching,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44'the Hoopers found this 1930s semi in the town of Backwell.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48'The house had been empty for almost three years and seemed to be ideal,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51'but initially, one of them wasn't quite so keen.'
0:10:51 > 0:10:56I could see that the house could be redesigned to fit our criteria.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59So I saw the potential in it right at the beginning.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03But Gabby was very, very negative about the whole thing.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Christopher kept throwing this leaflet or estate agent's brochure
0:11:07 > 0:11:09under my nose and I'm going, "No, no, no".
0:11:09 > 0:11:12I really couldn't see the potential,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15but what I could see was the hard work.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18And then Chris worked his magic.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22'Chris and Gabby eventually agreed to buy
0:11:22 > 0:11:25'and paid £380,000 for the house.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28'They wanted to create a fully eco-friendly home.'
0:11:28 > 0:11:30We wanted the house to be very green
0:11:30 > 0:11:33and we went for Passive House standard,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36which means there's no central heating,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38there's no heating system inside the house,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40apart from one wood-burning stove.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44The house is supposed to generate enough heat to keep you warm,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47which requires a huge amount of insulation to stop heat escaping.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50'In truth, neither of them realised
0:11:50 > 0:11:53'how complicated this kind of conversion would be.'
0:11:53 > 0:11:57The whole project took way longer than we thought it was going to.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Once we actually got the builders onsite,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04they tendered on the basis it would take 15 weeks to do their part.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07It took them actually nearer a year.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10We knew I was going to do quite a lot of the second fix,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13but by this stage, we needed to move into the house.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16We were spending too much money on rent.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20And so we moved in in a very basic state indeed.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24'In total, the renovation took Chris and Gabby over two years,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26'which stretched their finances.'
0:12:26 > 0:12:28We had an initial budget
0:12:28 > 0:12:31we discussed with the architect of about £150,000.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34And I think we're probably about £100,000 over the top of that.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Which is a bit scary.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38But we didn't go into this
0:12:38 > 0:12:41with the idea of we were going to make money on it,
0:12:41 > 0:12:45we went into it with we wanted the house for the next ten years,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49that the children can come, the grandchildren can come and enjoy it.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54We never once said, would people who buy the house want this?
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Which we have in the past.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59It's just been completely what we wanted.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01'The Hoopers found it's not easy being green,
0:13:01 > 0:13:06'but despite their many challenges, they now have their dream home.'
0:13:06 > 0:13:09We had our ruby wedding anniversary here.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11We had the patio doors open most of the way,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13people were in and out of the garden
0:13:13 > 0:13:18and it really was...it worked as a big party-type house.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- It was exactly what we envisaged. - It was. It was smashing.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28'Across the country, empty homes are a big issue for councils.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32'And in some inner-city areas, whole streets of empties face demolition.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37'The city centre in Liverpool has enjoyed extensive regeneration.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41'But not so far away, there are still areas where homes are derelict
0:13:41 > 0:13:43'and abandoned and have been for years.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48'Some of these houses would be perfect for first-time buyers,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50'but they're often unable to afford them.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52'The Riverside Housing Association
0:13:52 > 0:13:55'is working hard to give first-time buyers
0:13:55 > 0:13:57'the opportunity to get on the property market
0:13:57 > 0:14:01'via their scheme called Own Place.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06'I'm meeting with Tom McGuire of Riverside to find out more.'
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Tom, this scheme, Own Place, how did it come about?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10We had a lot of empty properties
0:14:10 > 0:14:12in some very challenged inner-city areas.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16And it was our hope that we could use some of those empty properties
0:14:16 > 0:14:19that were unpopular, difficult to let
0:14:19 > 0:14:21and make properties accessible to first-time buyers
0:14:21 > 0:14:24who were increasingly unable to access home ownership.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Who was eligible? Did it have to be a first-time buyer,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29someone who was going to live there?
0:14:29 > 0:14:31It's a first-time buyer project.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Own Place is geared towards first-time buyers
0:14:34 > 0:14:36who've got some other commitment to that neighbourhood.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39People who will demonstrate a commitment to their street,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42the property, the neighbourhood, the community.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45'Riverside do up empty houses to a mortgageable standard
0:14:45 > 0:14:50'and offer them at a 25% discounted rate to first-time buyers.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53'On the condition they stay there for five years
0:14:53 > 0:14:56'and agree to complete renovations.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01'This arrangement keeps Riverside's average house price at just £45,000,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04'which is achievable for many first-time buyers.'
0:15:04 > 0:15:06We've had no difficulty marketing them.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10We've done, by now, around 160-165 properties
0:15:10 > 0:15:14and we've got very few of them left available for sale
0:15:14 > 0:15:17so this is a successful programme.
0:15:19 > 0:15:25'I'm keen to see how Riverside are giving first time buyers and empty houses a chance.'
0:15:25 > 0:15:26Hello, Leanne.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30'Leanne Wood has recently bought her house through Riverside
0:15:30 > 0:15:33'and is overjoyed by the opportunity it's given her.'
0:15:33 > 0:15:38How have you managed this? What was the house valued at and what did you pay for it?
0:15:38 > 0:15:42The house is valued at £50,000 and a grant was given to us
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- and we got a mortgage for £37,500. - Brilliant.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50So you had a budget when you came in to put a few new things in, did you?
0:15:50 > 0:15:55Yes, because my nan passed away last year and left a few thousand
0:15:55 > 0:15:59which I've been using to get the house up to scratch.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- To get it feeling like your home? - Yes.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06With that few thousand, would that have been enough to have a deposit for somewhere else?
0:16:06 > 0:16:09We would never have owned a house if it wasn't for this scheme.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14When you do come home and sit here, how does that feel?
0:16:14 > 0:16:19Absolutely brilliant. I love it. I'm always made up to come home.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24It's been really refreshing to learn about the Own Place Scheme.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28I would imagine it's easy for big organisations to be inflexible or indecisive
0:16:28 > 0:16:31when it comes to making the best use of their property.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36But here we have an initiative that not only brings empty properties back into use
0:16:36 > 0:16:39but crucially, makes them available and affordable
0:16:39 > 0:16:45to the people who need them most, benefiting the local community.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Hi Joyce, I'm Joe.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51'Earlier, I met Joyce, who's looking for an empty home to renovate
0:16:51 > 0:16:54'after the recent death of her husband.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59'I showed Joyce this bungalow which comes with planning permission in place to extend.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03'I'm now taking her to look round a recently converted family home
0:17:03 > 0:17:05'to get some tips and inspiration.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09'In 2001, Peter Beck and his partner Juliette
0:17:09 > 0:17:13'bought this empty building for £80,000.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17'Constructed in 1911, for many years this was a bakery.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20'Then, most recently, became industrial units.'
0:17:20 > 0:17:25As soon as I walked inside, particular when I saw the wooden beams upstairs,
0:17:25 > 0:17:30I was very excited and knew that it was going to be perfect.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34I was concerned that someone else would be sharing
0:17:34 > 0:17:37the same idea and put an offer in as quickly as possible.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42Doing much of the work himself, qualified surveyor Peter
0:17:42 > 0:17:47spent roughly £220,000 creating his ideal family home.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51The whole concept has been to fashion our own property
0:17:51 > 0:17:55and our own style of living and that has been the agenda.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01There were times when you'd come in and look at the enormity of it
0:18:01 > 0:18:06and wonder whether you were going to reach the finish line
0:18:06 > 0:18:08because there was so much to do.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11This house has been a real labour of love for Peter
0:18:11 > 0:18:16but he and his family now have a spectacular and spacious home.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20I know exactly what has gone into every inch of the building.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26Having that much association with a building does leave you with a more intimate feeling
0:18:26 > 0:18:30towards your building and a closer bond with it.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Here we are, Joyce, this is the building I want to see.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39It was a bakery. It remained a bakery until the '60s and then became a factory
0:18:39 > 0:18:43and then was converted after 2001 to a residential dwelling.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46We will meet the man behind that conversion.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- There's plenty of inspiration here. Excited?- Yes.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- Shall we go and say hello.- Why not?
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Hello, Peter. Hi, can we come in? Thanks.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- Look at that!- Wow!
0:19:05 > 0:19:09This renovation may be bigger than the one Joyce is planning,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13but like Peter, she wants to create a very personal space.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Joyce, you don't want to get hands on,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18but you do want to project manage it.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23What advice would you have for Joyce if she's going to take on that role?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27The biggest part you will play is understanding at what point
0:19:27 > 0:19:30you need to involve what different trades.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35You don't want to get an electrician and decorator in
0:19:35 > 0:19:38and then a plumber who is going to strip the walls off again.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- It's figuring out all the key stages.- Of course.
0:19:40 > 0:19:46And lots of decisions to be made so you have to be available near the site or on the site.
0:19:46 > 0:19:52I think there's an advantage in being available or being on site.
0:19:52 > 0:19:58Inevitably, things cost more and things take longer than you expect.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03When you're on site, you discover that there are decisions to be made.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Did that happen to you?
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Yes, we discovered when we were digging the floor up
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- that there was a well there. - Wonderful.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Yeah, that's right. We could have filled it in straight away
0:20:19 > 0:20:24but it turned out to date back to the middle ages.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27It's granite so it has become a nice feature
0:20:27 > 0:20:32that has added another £2,500 to £3,000 to the bill.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37That's been really helpful to me because I hadn't thought about that.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40One more thing, you knew the things that would happen.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42You had experience of renovation.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47But Joyce, if she's project manager, she needs to listen to her architect
0:20:47 > 0:20:52and ask lots of questions to work out the schedule of work.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Yes, because you can end up losing some of the budget by spending money
0:20:56 > 0:21:01on someone doing work that has to be undone by somebody else.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Those stages are important.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09Peter has clearly worked very hard to divide this huge space into a comfortable family home.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Upstairs he's built three large bedrooms and a bathroom.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18I'd like Joyce to see how he's made the most of this space.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Right, so this floor we're on now,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24you basically designed where everything went?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27That's right, yeah. Everything was open plan up here.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31I really like how you've... I don't know if these are new beams or if you've exposed them,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- but they look good in this space. - They do have a nice colour to them.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38They cast a nice shadow, I think, onto the plaster.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41At this end of it, having been through everything,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43how satisfied are you that this is your home?
0:21:43 > 0:21:48I think when you get to the end of the journey it's always a bit easier to say, "It wasn't so bad."
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Of course there are times where you wonder if you'll ever finish,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56and, you know, days on site when it's freezing cold and it is hard work,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and you hit your thumb with a hammer and things like that.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02At the end of it, no, the point I'm at now, really pleased with it.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04We're all really enjoying living here.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07This is incredible. It's been lovely to look around.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- Thank you for having us, it's been great.- It's been a pleasure.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I hope that it's been beneficial for Joyce
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- and that she's probably got a few ideas or...- Inspirational, Peter.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- I hope I haven't put you off at all. - No, no, no, not at all. Thank you very much.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23This feels like a really worthwhile trip for Joyce.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29Later I will find out what she now thinks about tackling a big renovation project by herself.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35In Cardiff, empty property officer Steve Reed is visiting a house
0:22:35 > 0:22:38which has lain empty for four years.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The current owner, Suzanne Evans, bought this house
0:22:41 > 0:22:43with a view to doing it up.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47But repeated break-ins and vandalism caused Suzanne some serious delays.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Now she's simply run out of money for renovations.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55The reason we're here today is to try to help the owner get rid of the property.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59We're arranged to meet up with an independent property consultant,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01who we've worked with in the past and has been successful
0:23:01 > 0:23:06at moving on this type of problematic vacant property.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- Hi there. - Toby Grovesnor is a local developer
0:23:09 > 0:23:13experienced in getting long-term empties back on the housing market.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21You've indicated that you'd like to sell the property.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26Is that because you're just tired of dealing with all of these break-ins and problems?
0:23:26 > 0:23:29It is rather frustrating. I'm still paying a mortgage on this.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33And to come down every time to inspect it and think,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35is there any more damage being caused?
0:23:35 > 0:23:40An intense renovation followed by immediate occupation,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44then that gives the property... you break the cycle, really.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48That's the problem, if it's empty and it's a target.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52But if somebody's living here, it won't attract the attention it has in the past.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57Toby also wants to see what state upstairs is in.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the house.
0:24:00 > 0:24:06A team of builders could come in here in three weeks, the place could be turned around.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10I've got lots of people on the books who potentially could
0:24:10 > 0:24:12buy a property like this from you.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16It's a good solid house. It just needs a bit of tender loving care.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I just need to make notes and see what needs doing,
0:24:19 > 0:24:23then we'll see if we can find somebody to match you up with.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26That would be great. So, feel free, have a look, take your notes.
0:24:26 > 0:24:33Before agreeing to work with Suzanne, Toby checks the internal condition of the house.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Since filming, Toby has put together a proposal for Suzanne.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45He's certain he can find a good buyer for the house.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48We'll give it a few months and see what happens.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52And hopefully Suzanne will be happy that she no longer has a property,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Toby will be happy because he's got some business.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58The council will be happy because we'll have no more complaints
0:24:58 > 0:25:00and another property reoccupied.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Joyce Saul is looking for a renovation project of her own.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13We looked around a bungalow with planning permission for an extension.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18And I showed her a bakery which has been converted into a family home.
0:25:18 > 0:25:24So, having seen all of that, what about the open plan living space?
0:25:24 > 0:25:29- Do you like how they've broken it into different living areas?- I do. It's very inspirational.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34Lots of design features, lots of light, lots of stainless steel glass, all the things I like.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Upstairs, they've used the eaves, they've opened up, haven't they?
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Yeah. So spacious, lovely design features in the bathroom.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45And the budget, you were a bit worried about the budget earlier.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48It's very fixed, you can't go over budget.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Peter had good advice about building in contingencies.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55- Has that made you feel better? - Yes, yes. That's a really good idea.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57The kind of things that happened to him,
0:25:57 > 0:26:02where he had to dig the floor up, and it's a few grand here, a few grand there, will be useful.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Hearing everything he's been through hasn't put you off, has it?
0:26:05 > 0:26:08You're still willing to get stuck in, gut a building and take it on?
0:26:08 > 0:26:13- Well, this is very inspirational. - Good! Good!
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Well, I am pleased for you. Look, I hope you continue looking
0:26:16 > 0:26:19and if you find an empty property, whether it is a bungalow or not,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22you can do everything you want and make it your dream home.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- Yes.- Good luck with the search. - Thank you.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Well, I know today has been very inspiring for Joyce.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I think Peter was the perfect person for her to meet.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37He's been there, he's renovated a large empty property
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and he has some great advice.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43So hopefully Joyce can now move forward with complete confidence
0:26:43 > 0:26:47that she too can create a perfect home.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:02 > 0:27:05E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk