0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the country, empty properties are waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11I'll be finding out why and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:11 > 0:00:17Along the way, we'll follow the property detectives who track down the owners of these forgotten houses
0:00:17 > 0:00:20to breathe new life into the communities blighted by them.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25I'll be doing my own digging to find out more about our housing stock,
0:00:25 > 0:00:30our heritage and why we should be both preserving and reinventing Britain's Empty Homes.
0:00:37 > 0:00:44Extensive property renovations are tricky, particularly when restoring a building that's long been empty,
0:00:44 > 0:00:50yet all over the country, specialist tradesmen, skilled craftsmen and ordinary people like you and I
0:00:50 > 0:00:56are putting their faith in these derelict shells and reshaping them to form truly unique homes.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Today, I'll be meeting an adventurous couple
0:01:01 > 0:01:05who have started their retirement by buying an abandoned cottage.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08It felt like somebody would come out from between the ivy
0:01:08 > 0:01:12and offer you a cup of tea. There was still a heart in there.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16I'll be finding out about a regeneration scheme
0:01:16 > 0:01:20to bring a much loved derelict building back into the community.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24And we'll be following one of Britain's Empty Property Officers
0:01:24 > 0:01:28working to bring disowned buildings back into use.
0:01:28 > 0:01:34You can't tell whether someone's started a renovation project here or not. It's a bit of a mystery.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42Retired couple Rod and Jill Boulderstone are embarking on a long-held ambition
0:01:42 > 0:01:48to downsize and do up an empty property in need of some serious attention.
0:01:48 > 0:01:54They've found just what they're looking for five miles from their home on the island of Anglesey.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57As soon as we saw the property, we wanted it.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00The size of the place, the location,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03the amount of work, it was a challenge.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Before they could buy what remained of the stone cottage,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11they had to carry out a considerable amount of work to the plot.
0:02:11 > 0:02:18We had to strip all the ivy and all the growth, so that the structural engineer could look at it,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22so that we could take the structural report to the council
0:02:22 > 0:02:24and ask if we bought the property,
0:02:24 > 0:02:30there would be the opportunity to have planning on it, which was quite stressful at the time.
0:02:30 > 0:02:36Once planning permission was approved, the couple took the first step to fulfilling their dream
0:02:36 > 0:02:39by spending £187,000 on the cottage,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41and the rewards have been instant.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45The little house hadn't seen the sun for 60 years
0:02:45 > 0:02:51and the sun came through, and all of a sudden, it was like the little house came to life.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55And the more we cleared, the more we fell in love with the place.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09'I'm meeting Rod and Jill at their cottage to see what they've taken on and hear their ideas
0:03:09 > 0:03:13'on how they intend to bring such a derelict building back to life.'
0:03:13 > 0:03:20- Hello, guys. I'm Joe.- Hello, Joe. - Rod, how are you?- I'm fine.- Nice to meet you.- Jill, good to see you.
0:03:20 > 0:03:26This is amazing, but it's also one of the most derelict I've seen. What attracted you to it?
0:03:26 > 0:03:32We lived in a similar property, but much larger, and Rodney was having trouble with the stairs.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34For five years, we waited for something like this.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39When we saw it advertised, we immediately got in the car and came looking for it,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43but as soon as we just arrived, we knew we wanted it.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Rod, what did you feel when you came and saw this place?
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Even in its dilapidated condition, it appealed to us.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53It had that aura about it that attracted us.
0:03:53 > 0:04:00We felt that we were comfortable here and we were prepared to go all out to get it.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06It almost felt like somebody would come out from between the ivy and offer you a cup of tea.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Even though it was derelict, there was still a heart in there.
0:04:10 > 0:04:17I love that you feel that warmth to it. So many people wouldn't be able to see past the lack of a roof.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22- You had a strong feeling? - We saw a sad little house because it was empty, but a happy house.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- Let's go and have a look round. You can show me your happy house. - Aye, we'd love to.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32'It's clear this rustic shell is a labour of love
0:04:32 > 0:04:37'and they've already got the ball rolling with some professional advice.'
0:04:37 > 0:04:42What did the structural engineer say and where do you start with this building?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45As it was, he was quite pleased with some of the walls.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49It's more dilapidated now than it was when we first cleared the ivy
0:04:49 > 0:04:52because the ivy was keeping it together.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57What is the grand plan? Will you use all the buildings as we see it now?
0:04:57 > 0:05:02We want to use it exactly as it is. We don't want to destroy the character of it.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08We feel that whoever created it in the first place just got it right.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13Huge project, loads ahead of you. What's the budget for doing all this?
0:05:13 > 0:05:18We had original costs of about 100, 110, but that depended on what the architect came up with
0:05:18 > 0:05:24and our architect came up with either an upstairs or an extension out the back
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and we decided on the extension out the back.
0:05:27 > 0:05:33- Does the budget side of things worry you at all?- Yes, it's the only thing that keeps me awake.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37The whole context of the place we're completely and utterly happy with.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40The only worry we have is money, money, money.
0:05:40 > 0:05:46- I'd love to explore the building a bit further. Rod, you find it a bit tricky getting in and out.- Yes.
0:05:46 > 0:05:52- If you have a sit down, Jill, are you happy to show me round?- Quite happy, yes.- Let's go and explore.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57'This isn't Jill and Rod's first renovation project.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00'They overhauled their first home where they lived for 30 years,
0:06:00 > 0:06:06'but with a young family at the time, they weren't as hands-on as they would like to have been.'
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Wow!
0:06:07 > 0:06:12So, at some point here, there was an upstairs room as well?
0:06:12 > 0:06:18Yes, when we first bought it, you could actually go up the stairs, but since then, that's all fallen away.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24Because you're living on site, you'll be here to project-manage or to keep an eye over the build?
0:06:24 > 0:06:30I will keep my eye over the whole of the build and the project, the architect and myself.
0:06:30 > 0:06:36He is going to be project manager. We will confer between us what we can afford and what we can't afford.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39And he knows what our budget is.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43That's really sensible. I know you've got renovation experience,
0:06:43 > 0:06:49but having your architect project-managing it is brilliant and you can work closely alongside him.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52We would like to be in this property next Christmas.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57With my husband's health, another Christmas in the caravan wouldn't be beneficial.
0:06:57 > 0:07:03We only wanted to use builders that had experience of renovating old property,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07so we've been very selective with who we've had tender for the property
0:07:07 > 0:07:13and the ones we've picked are the ones that enjoy the challenge of renovating an old house.
0:07:13 > 0:07:19I think when you're in here, I can really understand why you both feel so strongly about this place.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22I can see why you're so excited about it.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27This is a really exciting project for Jill and Rod.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32They've got no shortage of energy and enthusiasm and, crucially, determination.
0:07:32 > 0:07:38That said, it's a massive undertaking, so I think it's going to be really good for them
0:07:38 > 0:07:43to meet a couple who have been through all this and completed a similar restoration.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Across the UK, empty properties are lying dormant,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56decaying and unloved, just waiting to be brought back to life.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01It's the job of local council Empty Property Officers to find these buildings
0:08:01 > 0:08:08and get them back into circulation, so they can rejoin the community and become homes once more.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15In Cardiff, Empty Property Officer Steve Reed and his team have brought over 700 buildings
0:08:15 > 0:08:19back into use during his nine years on the job.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Today, he's at the beginning of an investigation
0:08:22 > 0:08:26he hopes will lead him to the owner of an abandoned house.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30The property we're looking at today has been empty for about six years.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35One of today's objectives is to see if we can find out what the name of the property is,
0:08:35 > 0:08:40so we can do some Land Registry searches and check with Council Tax to see
0:08:40 > 0:08:43if we can find out who the owners are, why it's empty
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and if we can work with them to get it sorted out and reoccupied.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50In more isolated parts of the country,
0:08:50 > 0:08:55finding an address for an empty property is the first step in the process.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58And in this case, little is known about this building,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02so Steve is hoping he can begin to solve the mystery.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08It's in a real, real mess. We could try and get in there to get a closer look, but this looks a bit dodgy,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11so I'll see if I can find a safer way in.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18It's clear this building has been empty for some time
0:09:18 > 0:09:24and Steve spots some interesting developments at the rear of the property.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29We can't really tell whether someone's started a renovation project here or not.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34There's a JCB at the end of the garden there, so it's a bit of a mystery.
0:09:34 > 0:09:40At the front of the house, signs of activity and building work are even clearer.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44This door has been forced here, so this is open.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49The original floor has been taken up and the base for a new one has been put down.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Some of the plaster has been knocked off the walls, so it does look
0:09:53 > 0:09:59like someone has started renovation work here, but for whatever reason, they've just left it.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04But there is one piece of crucial information Steve hopes to take away with him.
0:10:04 > 0:10:12We haven't actually got the address of the property yet, but there's a load of mail here.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Without an address, we can't get details on the new owner.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Hopefully, there's something here. What's this?
0:10:19 > 0:10:24There you go. We have an owner's name and the actual name of the property.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28It's probably not the present owner, but we have the name of the property,
0:10:28 > 0:10:33so we can go on the Land Registry and maybe check with Council Tax,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36just to try and confirm the new owners.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39It's the lead Steve was hoping for.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Finding the address means he can take his investigation back to the office
0:10:44 > 0:10:51where he can hopefully track down the person currently responsible for this dilapidated house.
0:10:51 > 0:10:57So we have the new name of the actual property, so I've put that into the Land Registry
0:10:57 > 0:11:00and it's come up with one match,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03so we have the last sale date, November 2011.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07This is new information for us. We have a new name and address.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12I'll get in touch with the owner and see if we can work with him to bring this back into use.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16It's a beautiful property in a fantastic location.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21It would make a really nice family home if we could get it sorted and back into occupation.
0:11:23 > 0:11:30Steve has now spoken with the owner who plans to resume the renovation work and move in himself.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Repairing an empty property takes lots of time, energy and money,
0:11:36 > 0:11:41but it can be rewarding in so many ways. There's that feeling of accomplishment,
0:11:41 > 0:11:46but also the knowledge that you've turned a derelict house into a home once more.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53When Barbara Charlton spotted this disused and uncared-for house in Cambridgeshire,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56she was instantly captivated by it.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01There was no "for sale" sign, but it was clearly empty and in very poor condition.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05The garden was horrendously overgrown and we looked round the house.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09As we went room to room, every room had something really special.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14There was just so much in it that we thought we just have to have this place.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Having bought it for £485,000,
0:12:17 > 0:12:22Barbara made the decision to carry out a slow renovation
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and let the property guide the rebuild.
0:12:25 > 0:12:31It's got a character of its own, so you're not going to come into a place like this and transform it.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34You'll live here for a while and get the feeling of what works.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38The place is full of original touches.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43Things like the window latches were hand-made in a local metalwork shop.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47The weather vane on the stable block was hand-made locally as well.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50We thought we could make it a lovely family house,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54but what we would do with it has been incremental as we've lived here
0:12:54 > 0:12:59to make the house what it wants to be, rather than what you want it to be.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05The house is a listed building, adding another dimension to the renovation.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Taking on a place like this, one of the things you have to take on board
0:13:09 > 0:13:15is dealing with the listed building people in the council, and it's Two Star with English Heritage as well.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19It can be very frustrating when you want to do something.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22There's always a three-month wait or a six-month wait
0:13:22 > 0:13:27before you can put it through the planning and the listed building approval.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33The place had been empty for two years. The previous tenant refused to carry out any refurbishment work,
0:13:33 > 0:13:37leaving many of the original features.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41It was vital to keep as much of the original in place as possible.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47Wherever we've been able to, we've re-used, recycled the original fixtures and fittings.
0:13:47 > 0:13:54With the renovation behind them, Barbara and her husband Anthony are enjoying the fruits of their labour.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57One of the nicest parts of the house is actually outside.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03You can look across the fields, sit there in the afternoon, early evening, nice glass of red wine,
0:14:03 > 0:14:08and...all peace and tranquillity. It's lovely.
0:14:08 > 0:14:14The Charltons spent £60,000 on the renovation and firmly believe it was worth all the hard work,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16time and money.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21This project took over our lives for the best part of nine years, but I don't regret it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27A lot of the pleasure we get out of this place is seeing all the little things that we've done.
0:14:27 > 0:14:34Living here is a real pleasure. Looking at what we've achieved and what we've built and grown,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38it makes living in the house that much more rewarding and enriching.
0:14:44 > 0:14:50'I'm in Dartford, Kent, to see a project that aims to revive an incredible building
0:14:50 > 0:14:53'that's been unused for five years.
0:14:53 > 0:15:01'Stone House Hospital is 150 years old. Sadly, in 2007, it was deemed unsuitable for modern healthcare
0:15:01 > 0:15:04'and has remained vacant ever since.'
0:15:04 > 0:15:09But the good news is it's not going to be empty much longer.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14This Grade 2-listed building is being converted into much-needed accommodation,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17but the developers have a huge task.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22'I've come to meet James Woodmansee. He's in charge of the project
0:15:22 > 0:15:27'and specialises in saving derelict listed buildings like this one.'
0:15:27 > 0:15:35James, a stunning looking building, a huge project here. What exactly is the plan?
0:15:35 > 0:15:38We've got 144 units, some new build and 98 in the refurb section.
0:15:38 > 0:15:44- There are apartments, but mainly houses.- How exciting is it to get stuck in to something like this?
0:15:44 > 0:15:50It's very exciting. Each one brings its own problems and is as exciting as the next one.
0:15:50 > 0:15:57It's the satisfaction of going through the hard work to get the end product that gives a nice feeling.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- Right. So shall we go and have a look?- Yes, let's do that.
0:16:01 > 0:16:08'Converting a Victorian hospital into modern homes whilst respecting its history is no easy feat.'
0:16:09 > 0:16:15This is a brilliantly grand room. How do you balance all the history in here
0:16:15 > 0:16:20with a flat or a modern-day contemporary residence?
0:16:20 > 0:16:26You start off with keeping the space open. In this instance, there was no choice but to sub-divide.
0:16:26 > 0:16:32Then the expertise comes in as to how to do it in a very sensitive, unobtrusive way.
0:16:32 > 0:16:40We use the features wherever we can. An element will be open, but it'll be compartmentalised into units.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- This is a Grade 2-listed building, so what restrictions have you? - A lot. These buildings,
0:16:45 > 0:16:50they're a puzzle. If you change one bit, that has an effect on that.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54All through, the slightest little change - you might need to make an en suite bigger -
0:16:54 > 0:17:01so it's an on-going process of design and redesign. You live and breathe it day by day.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04The first conversion is almost finished.
0:17:04 > 0:17:11The result is a modern home which has retained elements of the building's past life.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19'Local councillor Patsy Thurlow is a supporter of the project
0:17:19 > 0:17:25'and wanted to honour the grandeur of the building by making it a focal point in the community.'
0:17:25 > 0:17:31When these buildings sat empty, what was the council's view of what should be done?
0:17:31 > 0:17:35We wanted it to be sympathetic with the buildings already here.
0:17:35 > 0:17:42It would be easy to pull something down, but it's not so easy to build up something like this.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47And although there are flats, apartments, houses,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51they are all complementary with each other and they all fit in.
0:17:51 > 0:17:57It's bringing life back to the area, which is what we wanted to see.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I really think this is a very special project.
0:18:02 > 0:18:09No one makes buildings like this any more, so to knock them down or leave them empty is such a waste.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14That's not what's happening here. It's being brought back to life
0:18:14 > 0:18:21and renovated with great sensitivity to hold on to its history and also write the next chapter.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34'Back in Anglesey, I'm with Rod and Jill Boulderstone, who have already bought the cottage of their dreams,
0:18:34 > 0:18:40'albeit in a sorry state. I'm going to introduce them to a couple who kept a similar renovation on track
0:18:40 > 0:18:45'and turned a derelict shell into a home.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52'Chris and Sara Cheeney inherited the ruins of this barn from Sara's family.
0:18:52 > 0:18:58'Like Rod and Jill's cottage, this house is off the beaten track and holds a deep connection for them.'
0:18:58 > 0:19:02My grandfather used to use it for farming purposes.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08They've got no records of when it was originally built. The barn stood empty for 50 years.
0:19:08 > 0:19:15Sara's always wanted to live here. It's a fantastic place to bring up children, so that was our dream.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18We just had to go for it.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22The enormity of the project soon became clear to Chris and Sara.
0:19:22 > 0:19:28When I started thinking about building the barn, I looked at the condition and it was shocking.
0:19:28 > 0:19:34I wouldn't think for a minute that you could re-use the walls, but we couldn't knock it down.
0:19:34 > 0:19:40- How were we going to do this?- When you stood inside, it looked tiny
0:19:40 > 0:19:44and you couldn't imagine that you could make it into a dwelling.
0:19:44 > 0:19:50To me it was a massive project, but I was so pleased with how it turned out.
0:19:50 > 0:19:57Chris and Sara's experience will hopefully give the Boulderstones a real insight into what can be done.
0:19:57 > 0:20:04- Guys, tell us about this place. What state was it in?- I've got some pictures here to show you.
0:20:04 > 0:20:11- This is a very similar state to your place.- Yes, it's incredible to see what can be done.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14If anything, it's worse than ours.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18OK, I'm itching to see inside, so lead the way.
0:20:19 > 0:20:26'The derelict barn is now a modern cottage with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen
0:20:26 > 0:20:31'and a living room. I really hope this couple can reassure Rod and Jill
0:20:31 > 0:20:34'that there's light at the end of the tunnel.'
0:20:34 > 0:20:40- Here we are in the kitchen. What are your first impressions? - I really like it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45You've got the same small windows that we've got to have in ours.
0:20:45 > 0:20:52And you've used the colour in a way that I would hope to use it. It's very pleasing to see
0:20:52 > 0:20:56how it could work in our own property.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Guys, any advice on choosing a builder?
0:20:59 > 0:21:05We were quite lucky that we knew an experienced builder, but we got another two quotes, so we had three,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08but we knew who we wanted to use.
0:21:08 > 0:21:15- We spent time with him, saw his plans.- Did your architect supervise it or did you do it yourself?
0:21:15 > 0:21:20Having a project manager was never an option. We were trying to keep our costs low.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25- We never felt that we needed one. - No.- You did a lot of it yourself.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30Me and the builder had a good rapport and he said, "We've got to be a month ahead."
0:21:30 > 0:21:36So we had an hour together in the morning and that would decide what I would do that day.
0:21:36 > 0:21:44I'd phone and order supplies or make sure the electrician was OK. Just keep a month ahead of yourself.
0:21:44 > 0:21:50Any other tips for these guys about how to make their budget go as far as possible?
0:21:50 > 0:21:54If you're not sure about something, ask the professional.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58I would say to them, "What would you do if it was your house?"
0:21:58 > 0:22:05And then he would open up and give his advice, which was generally better than your idea originally.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10Guys, thank you for showing us round your home. I'm pleased it's worked out so well.
0:22:10 > 0:22:17- I hope it's useful, getting a visualisation of what's ahead. - It's quite enthralling to see
0:22:17 > 0:22:21what we could be standing in at home. Thank you very much.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32Back in Cardiff, Empty Property Officer Steve Reed is visiting a house he knows well.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36With 2,000 homes on the long-term vacant list in Cardiff alone,
0:22:36 > 0:22:43Steve takes a real pride in seeing once-abandoned dwellings realise their potential.
0:22:43 > 0:22:49The property I'm visiting today is one that I've been dealing with for three or four years.
0:22:49 > 0:22:56Work has started on the property, but we still need to monitor it to make sure work keeps progressing
0:22:56 > 0:23:03and hopefully, within a few months, we can have this property reoccupied and off our books.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07The new owner bought the house at auction for £94,000
0:23:07 > 0:23:12and renovating the property was a bigger job than expected.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Morning, Mr Khan. Steven Reed from Cardiff County Council.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21- Nice to meet you, sir.- Can I have a little look around?- That's fine.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29The house has been desolate for five years. With holes throughout, it had become a serious hazard.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Wow. What a difference. I remember the problems it caused.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37- Yeah?- I remember in here there was a huge hole in the ceiling,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41a hole in the floor, very dangerous to walk in here.
0:23:41 > 0:23:48We put new joists in the floors and there were two joists that had been broken in the middle there.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53And it was totally... The house was like that.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56So I had to take old joists out and put steel in.
0:23:56 > 0:24:02- There was a big hole next door as well, all rotting away.- Yeah. - Can I have a look at that?
0:24:02 > 0:24:10The difference in here as well from the last time. There was no floor over there at all.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- Had the joists gone?- Yeah. A couple had broken.
0:24:13 > 0:24:19I put all new joists in there with the new floor.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22And there was a hole in the ceiling. I put a new ceiling in.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27It's very nearly finished inside. Can we have a look upstairs?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30So far, so good.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35Now Steve wants to see what progress Mr Khan has made upstairs.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39This is the one with all the structural problems.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43The sills had dropped and the lintel had cracked there.
0:24:43 > 0:24:49- There was a big crack in that corner. And that side as well. - Yeah, it looks so much better.
0:24:49 > 0:24:55You're a very brave man taking on such a big project, but it's turned out really well.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02That was a really good visit. Hopefully, within the next couple of months,
0:25:02 > 0:25:08there will be a family living there. That's a good result for us and for the owner.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13That'll be a long-term one off our books and onto the next one.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22'I've been with Rod and Jill who are embarking on a renovation
0:25:22 > 0:25:27'and are looking for some reassurance that their hopes can become a reality.
0:25:27 > 0:25:35'They've been getting useful advice from a couple who successfully completed a similar renovation.'
0:25:35 > 0:25:41- So how have you found today, guys? Has it been useful?- Very much. It's a glimpse of what we hope to achieve
0:25:41 > 0:25:48- and Sara and Chris have given us the benefit of quite a lot of useful information.- Yeah.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51And experience, really.
0:25:51 > 0:25:59We were able to go away with a bit more enthusiasm to renovate our place,
0:25:59 > 0:26:06- having seen what a good job they made.- Did you find that it energises you and spurs you on?- It does.
0:26:06 > 0:26:13And there's the reassurance that it was much worse than yours and yet it can be transformed.
0:26:13 > 0:26:19At the moment, we've got dreams, pipe dreams, but not the reality.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24- We can do it!- Guys, good luck. You've got a really exciting project and the determination,
0:26:24 > 0:26:31- so you're halfway there. I'm sure you'll make a great job of it. - Thank you.- Thanks for inviting us.
0:26:33 > 0:26:39Jill and Rod are at the beginning of a very long construction adventure, but what an exciting one it is.
0:26:39 > 0:26:45Today's been really useful. It reassures them that it's absolutely possible
0:26:45 > 0:26:52to take a disused rural dwelling and make a lovely home, but also great advice on choosing a builder.
0:26:52 > 0:27:00I know they'll take that great advice with them and, before long, they too will have their dream home.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd