0:00:01 > 0:00:04Across the country, empty properties that could be homes
0:00:04 > 0:00:06are just waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:06 > 0:00:07I'll be finding out why
0:00:07 > 0:00:11and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14And along the way we'll be following the property detectives
0:00:14 > 0:00:17who track down the owners of these forgotten houses
0:00:17 > 0:00:20and help breathe new life in to the communities blighted by them.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22And I'll be doing some digging of my own
0:00:22 > 0:00:25to find out more about more about our housing stock,
0:00:25 > 0:00:26our heritage and why we should be
0:00:26 > 0:00:30both preserving and reinventing Britain's Empty Homes.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Take a walk around your local area,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43and the chances are you'll spot a forgotten and unloved building.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Up and down the country, more and more house hunters
0:00:46 > 0:00:50are seeking out these abandoned shells and successfully transforming
0:00:50 > 0:00:53them into truly inspirational family homes.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00'On today's show I'll be meeting a couple who are keen to tackle
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'the renovation of a disused house and make it into their next home.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:06More than happy to stay in a caravan, you know,
0:01:06 > 0:01:08on the site, as well, while it's being built.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10You would?
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Yeah, I think so, I'm up for a challenge.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15'And we'll be following one of Britain's Empty Property Officers
0:01:15 > 0:01:18'working to breathe life back into vacant buildings.'
0:01:18 > 0:01:20The door's been totally smashed through.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22It's clearly been accessed, and quite a lot of damage
0:01:22 > 0:01:24has been caused in here.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31'For five years, Dominic Chapman and his wife Julia have lived happily
0:01:31 > 0:01:33'in Berkshire with their two children,
0:01:33 > 0:01:34'but now they need more space.'
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Currently we've got a three-bedroom house,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40but obviously, with a growing family, now we're looking for something,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42really, that we could put our own stamp on.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44The house that we've moved in,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46we've done more aesthetic changes to it, but I think now
0:01:46 > 0:01:50we really want to take on a property that's a real challenge.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54'With Julia back at work full-time, they need some help
0:01:54 > 0:01:56'with their young children, Sophia and Isaac.'
0:01:57 > 0:02:00The area we're looking to buy in is around Oxfordshire area.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02It's a little bit closer to the family and parents,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05so have a bit of support for the children,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08and there's some really nice schools, and this is an area that
0:02:08 > 0:02:11I grew up in, and some beautiful villages around here as well.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15The couple have a budget of £450,000,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18but are renovation novices, so are willing to take expert advice
0:02:18 > 0:02:19when it comes to specialist work.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Neither of us really have any major experience in that
0:02:23 > 0:02:25sort of building, electrical, plumbing,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28but Dominic's quite creative,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31so I think he would take on that sort of role.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34I'll be a little bit more project manager role, but we're definitely
0:02:34 > 0:02:37not a couple that would stand back and let somebody else do everything.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39No. We want to help.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40- Yeah. Put our mark into it. - Yeah.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44'To kick-start their search, I'm meeting up with Julia and Dominic
0:02:44 > 0:02:46'in Abingdon in Oxfordshire, to help them work out
0:02:46 > 0:02:50'just what they're looking for and just how far their budget will go.'
0:02:50 > 0:02:53This is the property I wanted to show you.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55It's Georgian, 18th-century, it's got a bit of age to it,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57so, first impressions from the outside?
0:02:57 > 0:02:59It's very pretty. Yeah, very nice.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02We've brought you here to treat this as an exercise,
0:03:02 > 0:03:03so wherever you find an empty property,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05they'll throw up certain challenges,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and this one is no exception, so it'll be interesting to talk
0:03:08 > 0:03:11through the challenges and see how you deal with them and see if you're
0:03:11 > 0:03:14up for that kind of a project, so shall we go inside and have a look?
0:03:14 > 0:03:15- Yeah, love to.- OK.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20'This 18th century building has recently been used as offices
0:03:20 > 0:03:22'and is on the market for £300,000.'
0:03:22 > 0:03:26'With the potential to be a five-bedroom home,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28'this could be a great buy for Julia and Dominic.'
0:03:28 > 0:03:30So, here we are.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32It's only been empty six months,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34yet I don't think it's had any work done to it in years.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Yeah, no, it does look very dated, but, I mean, gosh,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40it has got a lot of potential to it, I can imagine.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Yeah. What would you want to do if you came in here?
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Would you take it all back?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Strip it out and see what's behind. See what we can reveal.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Does that work on a general basis, as well?
0:03:49 > 0:03:52If you went into a place, you'd just want to get back to basics,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54so you could do your own thing with it.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Yeah, definitely.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Looking at the wooden floorboards here, they are obviously original.
0:03:58 > 0:04:04There could be potential to strip them back and varnish them, you know.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06It's trying to keep some of the original features.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Exactly, I mean, you've got, right above us here,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11amongst the spotlights, a wooden beam, and even in the hallway,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15you probably saw as we walked in, some of those lovely tiles.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Some have been exposed and really taken care of,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19others have been hidden under carpet, but there's a lot
0:04:19 > 0:04:21to play with in this property,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24and it's great when you can really keep your eye open to it,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- so let's wander through and we can get a bit of perspective.- OK.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30'It's a real mish-mash of rooms,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32'some of which date back to the 16th century,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34'so the place needs a lot of work
0:04:34 > 0:04:38'but it's all achievable on Julia and Dominic's budget.'
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Now, here is where we start to get a sense of really how strange
0:04:41 > 0:04:42this house is.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44This is the bit of the house that would go back to
0:04:44 > 0:04:46the 16th or 17th century.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I presume you'd want to show that off or expose it if you were here.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Definitely.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- Keep that as a feature. - Yeah.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02You're just starting to look now, so it's a long, old journey,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05but what are your worries about taking on a project like this?
0:05:05 > 0:05:08I think, time, because we both work full-time, you know,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11have two children, but we have got places to stay,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14we have got family we can stay with, and we'd be more than happy
0:05:14 > 0:05:19to stay in a caravan on a site, as well, while it's being building,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22so time would be one, and obviously watching our budget concerns.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26And also, we didn't really think about going into listed buildings until really now.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29I mean, I need to understand about what you can and what you
0:05:29 > 0:05:33can't do on this sort of level, but I think, once we've understood that,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35then that would give us more of an idea of whether we take it or not.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Yeah. The common perception is "It's listed,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41I can't really touch it, so I won't take it on."
0:05:41 > 0:05:44There's actually a lot you can do with a listed property.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46You have to speak to the local conservation officer,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49you'd have to work out their mindset and what'll be permitted or not,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51and I think that's what you have to remember,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53that they'll be certain things that you can't change.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57You certainly wouldn't be allowed to alter the windows, for good reason.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01It's a lovely Georgian frontage, but there's still a reasonable amount you can do,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05and obviously, if it is a listed place, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08English Heritage, they will have free advice you can get from them
0:06:08 > 0:06:12on specialist contractors if you need them for a project like this.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13There's lots of help and advice out there,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16but also, I want you to meet a couple who been through this.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19They've got a fantastic renovation project which they've completed
0:06:19 > 0:06:22which they now live in, and they've been through this kind of
0:06:22 > 0:06:26project, OK, so I think it would be really useful to get some advice on
0:06:26 > 0:06:29the points you've just raised there, and learn from their experience.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30How does that sound?
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- Yeah, that would be great, definitely.- Brilliant.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Learn a lot from that.- Great.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37I don't think Dom and Julia knew quite what to make of this place
0:06:37 > 0:06:39when they first saw it, but as we've gone round,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42as we've looked at some of the history and some of the features,
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I think they've really taken to it, which is great to see.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46I think they'd be up for a project like this.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Of course, they are first-time renovators,
0:06:49 > 0:06:50so this would be a huge challenge,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53taking on some very dated offices and turning them into a family home.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Therefore, it's going to be really good for them
0:06:55 > 0:06:58to meet a couple who've been through something similar.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01They can offer them some advice, and really help them on their way.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06'Up and down the country, stricken structures are left empty
0:07:06 > 0:07:09'and abandoned, waiting to have life breathed back into them.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12'And the people whose job it is to seek out these buildings
0:07:12 > 0:07:14'and get them back into use
0:07:14 > 0:07:17'are local council empty property officers.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20'In the Waveney area of North East Suffolk, Jason Hall's the man
0:07:20 > 0:07:24'who tracks down the owners of abandoned buildings.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27'Today he's heading to a clifftop place that's been empty
0:07:27 > 0:07:31'for the past 11 years and has attracted anti-social behaviour.'
0:07:31 > 0:07:33We've had reports of further break-ins and metal thefts,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35so I'm going along today just to assess the site,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38see where we're at, and see what the next course of action is.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43'Once the home of a local landowner, it has been used as a school
0:07:43 > 0:07:46'in the past and is now in a terrible state of repair.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49'Although the building has been boarded up,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51'Jason's had reports people have been gaining access to it.'
0:07:51 > 0:07:56This property is in absolutely prime location with regards to this area.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59It's probably one of the nicest roads in the area,
0:07:59 > 0:08:03it's got stunning clifftop views, which you can see out to sea.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05We've had the whole place boarded up, and we've tried
0:08:05 > 0:08:08to make it as secure as possible, and it's sad to see it that way.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12The house was bought by its present owner in 2006
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and has planning permission to convert it into 17 flats
0:08:15 > 0:08:16and two houses.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20But, sadly, work is yet to begin.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Jason needs to check on the current state of the place.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26There's tiles littered all over the property,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29all over the front garden, all down the front, here,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31and it's where people have been up on the roof
0:08:31 > 0:08:34and stripped the lead, and as they've done that,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37there's obviously been tiles pinging off and flying everywhere, but as
0:08:37 > 0:08:39it's loosened them, the wind gets up quite high,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41it's going to blow tiles off,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44and there's obviously quite a few that have slipped off and smashed.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46We've got some really heavy items here that,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50if they were to fall on someone's head, it would cause serious damage.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54'Jason heads to the rear of the building to investigate further.'
0:08:56 > 0:09:00So this is the main entrance to this building. It's wide open.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02The door's been totally smashed through.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04It's clearly been accessed,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07and quite a lot of damage has been caused in here.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Basically all I need to do is make sure is this gets secured,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11because if anybody comes in here,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14there's sections of floor and ceiling missing, and if someone
0:09:14 > 0:09:17was walking around in the dark, they could fall through,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20so we need to get this boarded up as soon as possible.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27'To find out more about the building
0:09:27 > 0:09:29'and how it's been affecting the local area,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31'Jason calls on a neighbour.'
0:09:31 > 0:09:33It's a gradual deterioration, really,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36in terms of taking lead, et cetera from it,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40and the disruption we get along the road here.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Where's it going to end? It might be set fire to.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Well, we're going to make sure that it is boarded up
0:09:45 > 0:09:47and made secure in the short term, and in the long-term,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50obviously, we're looking to bring the property back into use
0:09:50 > 0:09:53as to what it should be, and what the planning permission's for.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Well, that would be terrific. I mean, if you could speed things up
0:09:55 > 0:09:59and get it all going that would be great, and we'd all appreciate that.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- That would be great, thank you. - Thanks for your information.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Having inspected this property today,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09it's quite clear there is a number of issues that aren't automatically
0:10:09 > 0:10:13apparent from the front, and there's a real housing need in this area,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15so it's definitely a property that I want to push to
0:10:15 > 0:10:18make sure that something happens with it, but in the immediate time,
0:10:18 > 0:10:20I need to contact the owner asap and get this boarded-up,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23because it's a really dangerous property at the moment.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26'Jason will continue to monitor progress here
0:10:26 > 0:10:29'until the building is brought back into use.'
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Taking on a derelict building can be hugely rewarding.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35With hard work and imagination,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37not only can you create a truly unique home,
0:10:37 > 0:10:42but you can also safeguard our heritage for generations to come.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46'When Michael Cullinane and his family
0:10:46 > 0:10:49'decided to take on one half of a former prep school in Dorchester
0:10:49 > 0:10:52'in 2010, they certainly needed plenty of vision.'
0:10:52 > 0:10:55The main thing about the property
0:10:55 > 0:10:57that really appealed to us was the size.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59I mean, from the road, looking at it, it was four storeys,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03so the sheer scale of the property, that really appealed to us.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05The Cullinanes spent almost two years
0:11:05 > 0:11:08working on this large end-of-terrace,
0:11:08 > 0:11:09and they now have a four-bedroom,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13three-bathroom family home with a vast 70 metre rear garden.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16But it was a huge project to take on.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21When we first walked into this house, it was vacant for two years, so it was incredibly damp.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23There was water running down the walls.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Without us getting it at the price we did
0:11:26 > 0:11:29and doing most of the work ourselves, it was impossible for us to afford such a property.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31They renovated the house one room at a time,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34with the whole family getting involved.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39We bought the property for £265,000, and so far, to date,
0:11:39 > 0:11:44I think we've spent between £85,000-£90,000 doing it up.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46And I'd say, as an estimate,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50it's probably worth about £500,000 at the moment.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53By taking on this abandoned old school,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Michael and his family have ended up with a home they simply couldn't
0:11:56 > 0:11:59have afforded had it been already renovated.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03One of my favourite bits in the house is the hallway floor,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and that leads nicely to the actual original staircase, as well.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08The original staircase is just stunning.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12We've always wanted a kitchen-diner, and to actually, when we have parties, and dinner parties,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14everyone's in the kitchen.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16It's just the hub of the house, really.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28This house has improved our family life completely.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30It's given us the room to expand,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32so I can see ourselves being here, well, for ever, really.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34It's a bit of a for ever house.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40'Restoring an abandoned property can be a richly rewarding
0:12:40 > 0:12:44'experience, but if you take on a place that dates back centuries,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48'the renovation can often require highly specialised work.'
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Great Britain has a tremendously rich variety of buildings,
0:12:52 > 0:12:56from medieval churches to the more humble Victorian terrace.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59There are millions and millions of heritage properties.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03The problem is that many of them are crumbling,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05and there aren't enough people out there
0:13:05 > 0:13:08with the traditional skills we need
0:13:08 > 0:13:11to ensure their continuing preservation.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14'I've come to Berkshire to meet Paul Simons,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18'Chair of the National Heritage Training Group, to find out more.'
0:13:19 > 0:13:20Paul, start at the beginning.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23What are the key differences between historic heritage buildings
0:13:23 > 0:13:24and modern buildings?
0:13:24 > 0:13:27The biggest difference is the change of materials being used.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Old buildings breathe.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Basically, that meant that the vast majority of the material
0:13:32 > 0:13:33you were using was porous.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Soft brick, local stone, lime mortars and plaster,
0:13:36 > 0:13:40and it naturally lets water pass through it and evaporate.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43When we look at these older materials
0:13:43 > 0:13:44and these older techniques,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47surely there is a whole different skill base that comes with those.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Well, there's a vast range of skills,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52if you start to think about it, from the traditional timber framers,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54wattle and daub, lime, traditional plasters.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57The roof might be clay tile, a thatch,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and all these materials need different skills, different
0:14:00 > 0:14:04abilities to be able to work with them properly and get a quality job.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07So how important is it that we keep learning these skills
0:14:07 > 0:14:09and keep reinterpreting them?
0:14:09 > 0:14:11It's absolutely vital we get young people
0:14:11 > 0:14:16to train on historic buildings, because the other worrying aspect of craftsmanship
0:14:16 > 0:14:18in historic buildings is the age profile.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Most craftsmen are over 50 already.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And where can people go if they want to learn these skills?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26English Heritage and Construction Skills set up something called
0:14:26 > 0:14:29the National Heritage Training Group, so we have qualifications
0:14:29 > 0:14:33available for heritage skills from NVQ level three upwards,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37and employers have got incentives to take on young people now,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40and put them through these heritage modifications, and what we've
0:14:40 > 0:14:43got to do is get more young people on these training courses.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46'For the apprentices Paul takes on,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50'it's an opportunity to learn crafts which have been eclipsed
0:14:50 > 0:14:54'by modern building techniques and are in danger of being forgotten.'
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Now, you're at two different stages, right?
0:14:56 > 0:14:58First of all, Sam, how far have you got on your training?
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Well, I did three years at college, on modern buildings and stuff,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and then after I finished that, I came down here.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09I've gone from making stuff from new timbers to repairing timbers
0:15:09 > 0:15:13that are 800 years old and stuff, so it's a lot different.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15And, Chris, where are you in your training?
0:15:15 > 0:15:18I've been working here for just over six months now,
0:15:18 > 0:15:20and I'm really enjoying it.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22It's really good.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I love the history side of it, and the old school techniques.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28If you had to say, what is the best part of this job,
0:15:28 > 0:15:29the job you're training for?
0:15:29 > 0:15:34Seeing the building being taken down and being put up again, repaired,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36being brought back to life. That's what I love.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Well, guys, good luck with it,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40and thank you for taking some time off to chat to us today.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- That's all right. - All the best.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43- Thank you. - Thank you.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47'There are so many heritage buildings in our country that it is vital'
0:15:47 > 0:15:50the traditional skills are kept going, so let's hope the
0:15:50 > 0:15:53National Heritage Training Group,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56as well as the apprentices I've met today,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58can inspire other people to work in the heritage sector
0:15:58 > 0:16:02and help keep Britain's history alive for future generations.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07'Back in Oxfordshire, I'm with Dominic and Julia,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09'who've decided a disused building
0:16:09 > 0:16:12'could be the way to create their perfect family home.'
0:16:12 > 0:16:14'We're off to meet a couple who did just that
0:16:14 > 0:16:17'and have a stunning place and some great advice for them.'
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Well, guys, this is the place I've brought you to see.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22It's a Victorian warehouse conversion.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- First impressions as you walk in? - Stunning.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25- Wow.- Yeah.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27It's absolutely amazing.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Plenty of ideas, plenty of inspiration,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31so let's go and say hello, shall we?
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Look forward to it.- OK.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39'Back in 1997, Andrew Goodwin and Louise Smith found a quirky, disused
0:16:39 > 0:16:44'Victorian warehouse and snapped it up for £72,000.'
0:16:45 > 0:16:52It basically was an open shed, stone-built with a slate roof.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56It literally had slimy walls and greenery coming up through
0:16:56 > 0:17:02the floors, and it wasn't fit to even put animals to live in it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04And I thought, "Yeah, this is for us.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08"This is the way that we can achieve a large house,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10"but at a fraction of the cost."
0:17:10 > 0:17:13'Needing a complete renovation, Louise and Andrew were keen that
0:17:13 > 0:17:18'the plans should be sympathetic to the original look of the building.'
0:17:18 > 0:17:23It had got oodles of character, and all these ceilings were in,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and all they needed was stripping back to show them
0:17:26 > 0:17:28in their full glory, really.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33So we were intent on keeping as much of the original fabric as we could,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36and just bringing it back to life.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40I personally enjoyed all the buying of antiques and doors
0:17:40 > 0:17:45and windows and door furniture, because everything, you know,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47is giving the building its personality.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Starting from scratch with this derelict warehouse meant
0:17:50 > 0:17:53they were able to create their perfect family home
0:17:53 > 0:17:55in the most unlikely of places.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58It's been an immensely satisfying project, really,
0:17:58 > 0:18:03because to have seen it in its state, a very sorry state,
0:18:03 > 0:18:09to now have it vibrant with life, a family living in it,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11and see it in its full potential,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I think that's the most satisfying thing,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18and now what's so nice is we can just sit in the garden and look at it.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'Louise and Andrew are meeting us to pass on the benefit
0:18:21 > 0:18:24'of their experience and to inspire Dominic and Julia.'
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Well, first of all, when you walk in here,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31you'd never know that it was a warehouse for many years.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34As you look down here, what are your first impressions, guys?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37"Wow" is the first thing that comes to mind. It's absolutely beautiful.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41It has a real Tuscany feel to it as soon as you walk in,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and it's just a real eye-opener.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45It's beautiful. Done a good job!
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Thank you.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Amazing how the Victorians crafted their warehouses,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51complete with kitchens and everything!
0:18:51 > 0:18:53This is how it was when you took it on, was it?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Oh, yes(!)
0:18:55 > 0:18:56So, what state was it in, then?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- It was completely unliveable. - Really?
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Completely unliveable.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Yes. There were no partitions at all.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05It was just an open space, which was a benefit in a sense,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09because then we could plan our own house as we wanted it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Let's talk about planning, then, because what
0:19:11 > 0:19:15I haven't said to you guys is this was, and is, Grade II listed.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20How did that affect what you were able to do with the property?
0:19:20 > 0:19:24Well, it originally was purchased by a builder who secured
0:19:24 > 0:19:27the planning consent for a change of use from the warehouse
0:19:27 > 0:19:32to a residential dwelling, so that was half the battle done, really.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36All we then wanted to do was vary that planning consent to turn
0:19:36 > 0:19:39it into one house rather than two,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42so we just then had to run the gauntlet
0:19:42 > 0:19:44of the conservation officer,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47who you need to make friends with quite quickly
0:19:47 > 0:19:49if it's a listed building, and get them onside,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52because they're the ones that actually stipulate what
0:19:52 > 0:19:56they'll allow you to do and what you can't do.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59But I think if you try and find a compromise, that's a solution,
0:19:59 > 0:20:01really.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03It just shows that this was listed,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06and obviously you weren't afraid of that and you worked within
0:20:06 > 0:20:08the parameters, but look what you can still create.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Yeah, it's amazing. I wouldn't have thought of that at all.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14I thought a listed building, there's so much stipulation and structure
0:20:14 > 0:20:18and it would be difficult to get past a few barriers, but if
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- they're on your side, then it seems like a much easier process.- Yeah.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Well, look, it's been amazing to see this kitchen.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- I suggest we continue the tour, if we can.- OK.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28After you.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29Come this way.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32'I'm really hoping that Dominic and Julia can take ideas
0:20:32 > 0:20:35'and encouragement from what Andrew and Louise have achieved here.'
0:20:36 > 0:20:37Wow.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Beautiful.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- Yeah, it's quite a feature, isn't it?- Isn't it just?
0:20:43 > 0:20:46So, this is kind of a second sitting room, is it?
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Adults only.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Adults only, right!
0:20:50 > 0:20:51Now, these guys are interested.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53It's their first time taking on a project, you know,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56when you find the right project.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59When it comes to project managing, how much did you get involved?
0:20:59 > 0:21:00These guys would like to get involved,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03but talk us through how practical that is.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07Well, we took the decision that we want somebody in the middle of us,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09between us and the builder, really,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13so we did go down the route of having a project manager, and we sat
0:21:13 > 0:21:17around a table with the builder and the project manager, and agreed
0:21:17 > 0:21:22our specification of works, what we wanted to finally end up with,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24and then it was down to the project manager
0:21:24 > 0:21:26to do the day-to-day running of the builder.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28So it's quite restrained.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I thought most people would want to get really hands-on.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Yes, you do want to get involved, but it is emotional,
0:21:33 > 0:21:38and actually having somebody who you trust and is professional,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41dealing with builders and site managers et cetera,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44honestly, it saves you so much anguish.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- Takes the pressure away, does it? - Totally.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50So, food for thought, there. Project manager, how does that sound?
0:21:50 > 0:21:52I think I'm moving towards that, now.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53Yeah, absolutely.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56I mean, we've been open to ideas from day one as to which way we go.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58I mean, it'll be a full-time job,
0:21:58 > 0:22:00project managing something as developed as this,
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- wouldn't it, so working full-time's not realistic, perhaps.- No.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Any final advice?
0:22:06 > 0:22:08These guys are very much at the beginning of their journey.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11They're looking around now for possible properties to take on,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13but if and when they do find one, what's the main thing
0:22:13 > 0:22:17they need to bear in mind if they take on a big project like this?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20If you're going to do it, just enjoy it, because it goes really quickly.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23It's rather like having babies, and suddenly they're grown up
0:22:23 > 0:22:27and doing their own thing, and this house has now grown up,
0:22:27 > 0:22:28and we just live in it.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32Really good advice. Thank you, guys. There's been lots of great advice today.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33So, really grateful to you,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and amazing to see your quite spectacular home.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37I'm pleased it worked out so well, so thank you very much.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- Thank you. - It's absolutely beautiful.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you. - You too.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44'Back in Waveney, in North East Suffolk,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47'empty property officer Jason Hall is on his way to a house
0:22:47 > 0:22:50'which he's been dealing with for some time.'
0:22:50 > 0:22:53The things that we're looking at today are the general state
0:22:53 > 0:22:56of the public facing areas of the property.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57Does it fit in with the area?
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Does it adversely affect the amenities of the area
0:23:00 > 0:23:02and how everything looks?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09This bungalow has stood empty for about five years,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11and Waveney Council have made repeated requests
0:23:11 > 0:23:14to the elderly owner to tidy up the front garden.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18OK, well, we're in a lovely, quiet suburban street here,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20with really well-kept front gardens,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23and this place you probably would struggle to see
0:23:23 > 0:23:25that there is actually a house behind the brambles and the bushes
0:23:25 > 0:23:29and trees that are all overgrowing at the front of the property.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33'Jason regularly checks up on houses like this to find out
0:23:33 > 0:23:37'if any progress is being made to bring the place back into use.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'His goal is always to get vacant buildings lived in again.'
0:23:40 > 0:23:42OK, we've got two overturned bins here.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46We've got the black bin, which is the general waste, which isn't being
0:23:46 > 0:23:49used, it's empty, it's not being used because the house is empty.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52But the garden waste one is full of garden waste which has
0:23:52 > 0:23:56obviously been cut from down the side here to keep a path clear.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Neighbours say that the path was kept clear to allow
0:23:59 > 0:24:01the postman to come through and deliver letters.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04'There are signs that someone is visiting this place,
0:24:04 > 0:24:09'but it's not clear why the house is unoccupied.'
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Through the letterbox, it just looks like any normal house.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16It looks like someone's even living there, even though
0:24:16 > 0:24:19we know that they're not, and they haven't been for about five years.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23There's just normal things inside the door.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25It's not particularly untidy.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27Looks fine.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31'Having seen that the house is in such a poor state,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35'Jason will serve a notice to the owner which requires them
0:24:35 > 0:24:37'to improve the appearance of the bungalow.'
0:24:37 > 0:24:40'If this isn't done, the council can carry out the work
0:24:40 > 0:24:42'and charge the owner for it.'
0:24:42 > 0:24:45It is very overgrown. It's ideal for harbouring rats and foxes,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47and we have had reports of both,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50and the neighbouring properties have been treated for rats.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Rats have a health implication, so it's something that needs to
0:24:53 > 0:24:55be highlighted on any notice that we serve.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Fingers crossed that will bring the owner to the site to actually
0:24:58 > 0:25:01clear it and make it look a bit tidier,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03and make a lovely family home.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04It's just a waste of resources as it is.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07'Jason will continue trying to contact the owner and hopes
0:25:07 > 0:25:10'eventually to work with them to get the house lived in again.'
0:25:15 > 0:25:18'Back in Oxfordshire, I'm with Dominic and Julia
0:25:18 > 0:25:21'who've been getting some advice from a couple who've carried out
0:25:21 > 0:25:24'a renovation on an abandoned building, just as they plan to do.'
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Having had a look around this place,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29how are you feeling about the idea of taking on a project
0:25:29 > 0:25:31and potentially creating a home like this?
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Even more so.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34To actually see what they've done here, I think it'll work,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37we can do it.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Now we feel like...
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Yeah, want to get started, now!
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- Touching distance, yeah. - Exactly, yeah.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45The advice on project management was quite strongly felt, actually,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48and maybe something you hadn't considered before, getting a project manager in.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Definitely. I was all very keen to be the project manager, but I think
0:25:52 > 0:25:57now, with our family constraints and work life, I think we probably
0:25:57 > 0:26:02both agree that we should bring in a project manager to look after this.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05As you look, now, how fearful will you be of listed properties,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08having seen what can be done, actually?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Yeah, I didn't at all have any idea that you could do that
0:26:11 > 0:26:13sort of different structure within a building,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17so I'm definitely open now for listed buildings.
0:26:17 > 0:26:18Yeah. Well, best of luck.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20It sounds like you're in the right place at the right time.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I'm pleased you seen this at the beginning of the journey.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I think that's crucial, and I wish you all the best.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I'm sure you'll find your perfect place very soon.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- Hopefully. Thank you very much. - Good luck.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I'm really pleased that Dom and Julia could see this place today.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Quite frankly, it's hard not to be inspired by it,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38and it just shows they shouldn't rule anything out in their search,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41be it listed properties, somewhere that used to have an industrial
0:26:41 > 0:26:45or commercial use, or just somewhere that hasn't been lived in before.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47They want a property with plenty of character,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and I think today has given the confidence
0:26:50 > 0:26:52and inspiration that's what they can achieve.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55I'm sure, before long, that's exactly what they'll have.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd