0:00:02 > 0:00:05Across the country, empty properties that could be homes
0:00:05 > 0:00:07are just waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:07 > 0:00:13I'll be finding out why, and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16We'll be following the Empty Property Officers
0:00:16 > 0:00:19whose job it is to track down the owners of these forgotten homes
0:00:19 > 0:00:21and get them brought back into use.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23And I'll be doing some digging of my own
0:00:23 > 0:00:26to find out more about our heritage, our housing stock,
0:00:26 > 0:00:31and why we should be both preserving and re-inventing Britain's empty homes.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40On today's show, a couple taking on a run-down period cottage
0:00:40 > 0:00:41ins the Shropshire countryside.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45That's incredibly bold. I know. May I say?
0:00:45 > 0:00:47I think it's a mid-life crisis!
0:00:48 > 0:00:52The regeneration of a forgotten malt house in Staffordshire.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56We're going to preserve this building going into the future for many years.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59So it's great to give it a new, proper lease of life.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02And one of Britain's Empty Property Officers
0:01:02 > 0:01:06who's on a mission to bring empty properties in Kent back into use.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11It's been a few years since anything was carried out on this property.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13It's such a shame!
0:01:13 > 0:01:16It could be a lovely family home.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22When Ian and Eleanor Usher were searching for their dream home,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26they never envisaged they'd end up taking on a complete renovation project.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29But they've done just that,
0:01:29 > 0:01:34having recently bought a dilapidated three-bedroomed period cottage in rural Shropshire.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37It's got no central heating. We're going to be freezing.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40It's got a downstairs toilet. That's not going to be very convenient,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42and the kitchen's horrible!
0:01:42 > 0:01:49Yeah, in lots of ways, it didn't tick any boxes that we'd decided on!
0:01:49 > 0:01:52"When we move, we're going to have a beautiful four-bed detached house
0:01:52 > 0:01:53"with a wonderful kitchen."
0:01:53 > 0:01:56We've got a long kitchen! Yeah! But we're working on it.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00But we did come away feeling like, "We can do this."
0:02:00 > 0:02:04And positive, really. Really. Yeah.
0:02:05 > 0:02:06Nearly 100 years old,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09the cottage was built by the Duke of Sutherland
0:02:09 > 0:02:11to house tenants on his estate.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15What we know about the history of the property is that it was built in 1915.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It's a Duke of Sutherland house.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20It's had two previous owners.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24One owned it for 50 years, and I think he gave it to his son.
0:02:24 > 0:02:30And then the previous owner to us, he owned it for 48 years.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35But it's been, according to neighbours and the estate agent,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37it's been empty most of that time.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42Ian and Eleanor won the property at auction for ?220,000.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Forced to bid right up to their limit,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47they have nothing to spare for the renovation.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49We're going to do a lot of work ourselves.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53We've basically spent our money on the property.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56And so we're going to do it at a slower pace
0:02:56 > 0:02:59to our own convenience.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Ian is a self-employed carpenter.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05They're hoping his DIY skills will save the day.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Rather blase. "Oh, it's only like being at work!"
0:03:09 > 0:03:13But since we've looked at it again, there's a lot to do here.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17The cottage comes with a substantial 150-foot garden,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19with a stream running along the boundary.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21However, there's a lot of hard work ahead
0:03:21 > 0:03:23before it's an idyllic retreat.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28The estate agent opened up a tool store at the back of the property,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31so I grabbed a rake and I was hacking things down
0:03:31 > 0:03:34trying to find where does the garden end?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36It's just massive, isn't it?
0:03:36 > 0:03:40We were finding sheds in amongst all the greenery out there.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42"There's a greenhouse in here!"
0:03:42 > 0:03:44I was dead excited!
0:03:44 > 0:03:46The couple are letting their current home
0:03:46 > 0:03:48in order to buy the cottage.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51So despite the seriously run-down state of the place,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54they'll have to live in it whilst they do the work.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56We're going to be moving in straightaway.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Our two children are moving in with us.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03And I think it's going to be a pretty crazy adventure, really!
0:04:03 > 0:04:05It's going to be quite exciting.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10I think we are... We're a bit concerned about the winter.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Cos there is no central heating in here.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14Apart from an Aga.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18So we've said it's all onesies and hot water bottles, really.
0:04:18 > 0:04:24We're going to be wrapping up and walking around, wondering what we've done, probably!
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Yeah. It will be fun. It will be fun.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34They've only just got the keys, and the reality of what lies ahead has started to sink in.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Hopefully, I can help them with the next step.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40This is yours, now. You've won it at auction.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42How do you feel about it at this point?
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Really excited, aren't we? Really excited.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48We can't wait to move in and just do stuff.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Let's go and see what you're moving in to, shall we?
0:04:51 > 0:04:55'The brick and tile cottage is structurally sound,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59'but, as a Duke of Sutherland property, it has its own set of unique challenges.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02'No insulation, no central heating,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05'and now there's damp in the bedrooms and the kitchen.'
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Wow, look at this. That's the first thing I'm drawn to as we come in.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Looks a bit old, bit of an antique?
0:05:12 > 0:05:15It is an antique, I think, but hopefully it'll work!
0:05:15 > 0:05:20Because between that and the two fires, that's the only heating here.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23OK. Interesting.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Let's start at the beginning. This is a small room.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Talk me through the layout of this plan. I can see a tiny kitchen there.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Long, but very, very thin.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34It's described as a galley kitchen. It's like you get in a submarine!
0:05:34 > 0:05:35Amazing!
0:05:35 > 0:05:38What state is this place in? What problems are you dealing with?
0:05:38 > 0:05:43I would suggest the roof, looking from the outside, is a bit wavy.
0:05:43 > 0:05:49So there's a few rafters that are a bit bent or rotten, and something needs...
0:05:49 > 0:05:51I would think there's no felt, no insulation.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Do you know how you're going to transform this?
0:05:55 > 0:05:57I presume it's not right for you as it is.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01No, we don't know how we're going to transform it at the moment.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04It's a bit bewildering, really, you know.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06We're just going to live in it,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09We know it needs to change.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13We need to paint it and carpet it. And tidy it up and clean it.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16New clean. And then kind of take a breath.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19And work out what needs doing first, and prioritise it.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23So you are going to move into this place as is.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Yeah. We're going to kind of bring it on!
0:06:26 > 0:06:29That's how it goes. That's incredibly bold!
0:06:29 > 0:06:30I know!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I think it's a mid-life crisis!
0:06:34 > 0:06:36OK, I understand what you're dealing with down here.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Shall we look upstairs?
0:06:38 > 0:06:43'Upstairs, it's clear that Ian's concern about the roof is justified.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46'Getting it sorted and water-tight is their first priority.'
0:06:46 > 0:06:51Immediately here I can see some of the challenges, I guess.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Is this water coming through from the roof?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It looks like it is. We're going to have to take some of the boards off,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00strip this side down and investigate what's going on up there.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05That's an important job to get done sooner rather than later.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Yeah. And you don't think there's any insulation there, or not much, anyway?
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I don't think there's any insulation in there.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14How much can you do yourselves here?
0:07:14 > 0:07:16The majority of the work is going to be OK.
0:07:16 > 0:07:22It's just obviously I need a hand with the sheer scale of the jobs.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26We'll work together and plan to get things done.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Rope the kids in as well, you know!
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Eleanor, are you practical? Can you work together as a team on this?
0:07:32 > 0:07:35No, I'm not!
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I'll do whatever Ian asks me to do.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43I can lift and carry and stuff, and paint,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45but I can't cut in or... Fine.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50But you're in this together. You're not saying, "I can't manage this. Ian, you're on your own."
0:07:50 > 0:07:54You'll be working as a team. Yes, I'll support Ian.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Is it quite daunting? It is a bit, to be fair.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03We're making light of it. We're in the position, so we've kind of got to make it happen.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06OK. Let's continue having a look round, shall we? Yeah.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09'Looking at the amount of work in store,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12'it's understandable that Ian and Eleanor feel overwhelmed
0:08:12 > 0:08:15'and a little bewildered by the scale of their project.'
0:08:15 > 0:08:18The project is a big one.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21It's not a small place and it needs a lot doing to it.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24But I think it'll good for you to see another property that's had a full renovation,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27and it's a very good match, a very similar property.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32And also a similar couple! In some ways, it's a vision of the future.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35You are them a few years ago.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38You can see what they've done, and hopefully, there'll be some great advice on offer.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Sounds good? Great! Yeah. Excellent.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51It's really nice to meet a couple so excited about taking on an empty property.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54They really can't wait to get started.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57But because of that, I think they're putting a brave face on things.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01This is a huge project, full of problems.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Therefore, it'll be great for them to meet a couple who've been through this before,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07they've taken on a property very similar to this,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09they've lived on site while renovating it,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11and they've done it on a very small budget.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14And that is the key here.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16So hopefully, they'll have some great advice.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Sadly, not all of Britain's forgotten buildings
0:09:21 > 0:09:22are rescued and brought back to life.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25But local councils are taking action,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29and it's the job of Empty Property Officers to track these buildings down
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and work to bring them back into the community.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Shepway Empty Property Officer Ian Cobby
0:09:35 > 0:09:38is checking up on a three-bed semi-detached house
0:09:38 > 0:09:40that's been empty for over seven years.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44This property has been a nightmare for many years now.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I don't know what I'm going to find when I get here.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51The property is now overgrown.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54There's piles of rubbish
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and it looks an eyesore.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00At the moment, there's not a lot we can do
0:10:00 > 0:10:05until such time as probate has been granted on the property.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08The legal process of handing over ownership of a house
0:10:08 > 0:10:11when a homeowner dies is called a grant of probate.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16It can often mean a building is left empty while the new owner is located
0:10:16 > 0:10:17and the title transferred.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21If someone hasn't left a will, the process can take a number of years.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26This house has attracted many complaints from neighbours,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29but Ian's been unable to get a resolution.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33It's such a shame. This has been a nice property in the past.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37As you can see, most of the window frames have rotted away.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Some of the hanging tiles are missing.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Guttering is missing.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47It's been a few years since anything was carried out on this property.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50The garden is totally overgrown now.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54It could prove harbourage to rats and mice.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56It's such a shame.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It could be a lovely family home.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05Ian knocks on the door of a neighbour to see if he's seen people or pests at the house.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Hello, Mr Cobby. Good afternoon, Malcolm. How are you? Very well, thank you.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Come to sort next door out? Hopefully, yes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:19I was just about to ask you if you'd seen anything at all from anybody going in there?
0:11:19 > 0:11:24Or any rats and mice that you've seen in the back garden at all.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28I've not seen anybody for six months now.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33I've seen a couple of rats, but that's what my cats have brought in.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35OK. Other than that, nothing.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37I'm going to have it test-baited, next door,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40just to see if there are any rats or mice.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Obviously I know your cats are probably controlling it,
0:11:43 > 0:11:47but I need evidence, obviously, before I can serve notice.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Right. OK. Lovely. Thanks.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52No problem. Bye. Yep, all right.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Ian's next step is to find out who will be taking responsibility for the house.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59If probate hasn't moved forward,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02he'll have to serve a legal notice to get the garden cleared.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Ian calls the deceased owner's daughter to get an update.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13I'm just ringing you to ask you how it's going, probate-wise.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18It's good news. The daughter is now in a position to sell the house
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and Ian doesn't need to serve notice.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24He goes back next door to give Malcolm the update.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Hello? Hello?
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Got some good news. What's that?
0:12:28 > 0:12:31She can actually sell the property.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36So that looks pretty good news. Brilliant.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38So hang on in there!
0:12:38 > 0:12:39Yeah. Brilliant.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42I've been working on this property for seven years,
0:12:42 > 0:12:47and so this is a conclusion, a hopeful conclusion, at the moment.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51I can see a family moving into that within six months.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55If you've noticed abandoned properties in your area
0:12:55 > 0:12:57and fancy the challenge of taking one on,
0:12:57 > 0:13:02try contacting estate agents, neighbourhood watch groups and local shop owners
0:13:02 > 0:13:04to see if they have any information.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Or get in touch with your local Empty Property Officer.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15In 2010, we visited Richard and Angela
0:13:15 > 0:13:18while they were four years into their renovation.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Now, three years later, they've achieved a fantastic family home,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25but it's not been without its challenges.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27We were looking for something that needed some work
0:13:27 > 0:13:30and we could put our own stamp on it.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33When we first saw the place, it had been empty for a while.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35It needed a lot of work.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Despite no experience, Richard planned and project managed the entire build himself,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43much to wife Angela's consternation!
0:13:43 > 0:13:47My biggest issue was that I knew Richard wasn't a builder,
0:13:47 > 0:13:53had no history of building or interior design or designing.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58He was a banker and I thought he should stick with what he knew best!
0:13:58 > 0:14:00But immense enthusiasm.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02So we did clash on this
0:14:02 > 0:14:06because I just thought, "This is not your field."
0:14:06 > 0:14:11I was told two kind of rules to building or renovating.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14The first one I was told was to plan the build,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17and the second was to build to the plan.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21And a third one was later added, which was build to budget.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Unfortunately, I didn't follow any of those rules,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28and I just went with whatever I thought was suitable at the time.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Richard didn't let Angela's lack of enthusiasm or his lack of know-how
0:14:34 > 0:14:37get in the way of his grand designs to double the floor space
0:14:37 > 0:14:40to 8,000 square feet.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I actually wanted a swimming pool underneath the house.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49But I was persuaded by others that it's not such a great idea.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54Probably better to put the pool in the garden and use the space for something else.
0:14:54 > 0:15:01So I've built a gymnasium and a wet room and a gym complex as such.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Which is fun!
0:15:05 > 0:15:08I felt that I might not complete it on a couple of occasions.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12But doggedly just kind of continued.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16And, um, the best feeling of it all
0:15:16 > 0:15:19was when it was completed
0:15:19 > 0:15:26and lying on a pool lounger, just looking up at it, and thinking, "It's nice that it's finished."
0:15:26 > 0:15:31After eight years and a substantial amount of money and sacrifice,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34the family have achieved an astounding transformation.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40It's something that I visualised and thought it's exactly what we needed.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45And it is, I can't really fault it now. It's amazing.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48I'm really proud of it.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52I think the space is second to none, really.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Obviously I enjoy the kitchen. I'm in there all the time.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01It's a very sociable house. So for entertaining, anything like that, it's brilliant.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03I would do it again, yeah.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Probably bigger, though!
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I don't know. I don't know, actually.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12But you didn't build it! No, I didn't, but I lived through it, and that's just as bad!
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Empty buildings can blight an entire neighbourhood,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20so it's very much in the local community's interests to try and get the best out of them.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24But places that have been empty can be notoriously tricky to turn around.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27It often requires someone with a vision
0:16:27 > 0:16:29and plenty of energy to get things going.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35There are over 16,000 empty buildings in Staffordshire.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39And many are remnants of the county's industrial heyday.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44The Maltings in the brewery town of Stone is one such building.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Derelict for decades, it's a local landmark
0:16:47 > 0:16:50and is located on one of the town's busiest roads.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55But architect Carl Croft is determined it's worth saving.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Carl, tell me about this building.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03It looks like a big red brick barn, but it was something to do with the brewing industry, was it?
0:17:03 > 0:17:07You'd be surprised how many people think it's a barn or something like that.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11But originally it's a maltings building dating back to the 1780s.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14So it goes back 230 years or more.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16What would have been around here then? Not a main road?
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Absolutely not, no.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23You've got to remember that a maltings building was a completely agricultural process.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It would have been surrounded by fields.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Let's go and look inside, and see what you're dealing with.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36'The Maltings was used for soaking, sprouting and drying grain to create malt,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38'a key ingredient in brewing beer.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43'It fell into disrepair, lying vacant until the '60s and was scheduled for demolition.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47'But a Grade II listing due to its heritage saved it.'
0:17:47 > 0:17:51What's the plan for this space? There are a lot of possibilities here.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Yes. What we're proposing to do
0:17:53 > 0:17:59is to create two retail units, small shop units, in this space.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Upstairs, we're proposing three duplex apartments
0:18:02 > 0:18:06so that families or professionals alike
0:18:06 > 0:18:08could live in quite a nice space.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11The shop at the end is going to include the kiln area. Yeah.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14And that's the reason for the listing, essentially,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18that and the fact that, by and large, you can tell that this is still a malting building.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22So you have to be really careful to keep those features.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23So you can't just open out the kiln area.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27If it's going to be part of a shop, it has to be preserved the way it is.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Essentially, the kiln itself is sacrosanct, yes. Yeah.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Let's have a look upstairs, shall we? Great.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37'Retaining the historic features is a key reason
0:18:37 > 0:18:40'why Carl's vision was approved where others failed.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42'And upstairs, the plans for the apartments
0:18:42 > 0:18:44'incorporate the unique beams.'
0:18:44 > 0:18:50This could be a great space. It's all the rage to have warehouse apartments and that kind of stuff,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54but this is the genuine article! Yeah. A lot of history to the building.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57What is it about this building you find so attractive?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00It's got a real potential to kind of improve the town.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04And we're going to preserve this building
0:19:04 > 0:19:06going into the future for many years.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09So it's great to give it a new, proper lease of life.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11You must hope to see this quite soon.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14After all your work, it'll be great to see it realised.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16We're chomping at the bit to get this one going!
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Thank you for showing me round.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Great plans, and very exciting, so I hope it comes off soon.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Brilliant. Thank you.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29So it looks like there's finally fresh hope for the maltings.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31The difficulty here is being sensitive to the building,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34preserving its heritage and its characteristics,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36while making it suitable for modern living.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39But it looks like these plans do just that,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41so let's hope they're put in place soon
0:19:41 > 0:19:46so this old building can once again be central to the community here in Stone.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50'Back in Shropshire, I'm with Ian and Eleanor,
0:19:50 > 0:19:55'who've taken on a dilapidated cottage they want to transform into a family home.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57'They're at the very beginning of the project
0:19:57 > 0:20:01'and with plans still up in the air, they've got lots of questions.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04'I'm going to introduce them to a couple who've done something very similar.'
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Right, here we are!
0:20:06 > 0:20:09So this is the place I've brought you to see.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Any thoughts? I know it's big, but is it familiar?
0:20:12 > 0:20:17Yeah. The little dormer roofs, and it just has a feel similar to ours.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Perhaps it won't surprise you it's also a Duke of Sutherland property?
0:20:20 > 0:20:25It's been completely changed by Matt and Christina, who you'll meet in a second.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28The thing about these two is they did a lot of the work themselves.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31And they lived on site for a lot of the build
0:20:31 > 0:20:34which will make them quite interesting to talk to for you guys.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Shall we go and say hello? Yeah. Yeah. Good.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43'Matt and Christina took on not one but three run-down cottages.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47'They were also former tenants' homes on the Duke of Sutherland's estate.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51'Matt immediately saw the potential to create an ideal family home
0:20:51 > 0:20:55'and set about convincing his wife, Christina.'
0:20:55 > 0:20:59He brought me up one of the days to have a look from the outside.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01And I thought how nice it was,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04not knowing what it was like on the inside!
0:21:05 > 0:21:08The buildings sit on a three-quarters-of-an-acre plot
0:21:08 > 0:21:12and despite their neglected state, there was high competition from other buyers.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16The person that was selling the property had been left the house in a will.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20And she'd come over from Australia. So I took the time to meet her.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24She had higher offers than us, but because she knew it was going to be a family house,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26she let us have it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29And we're still in touch now. She comes over and visits.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33The couple snatched up the cottages for a total of ?300,000.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36To save money, the family made the bold decision
0:21:36 > 0:21:40to live in the ramshackle cottages whilst the renovation was ongoing,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43presenting a number of challenges.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45There was no insulation, no damp course.
0:21:45 > 0:21:52The insulation was more of an issue with trying to live in it at the time because it was so cold
0:21:52 > 0:21:54in the house.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58So we would have log burners burning 24/7 to keep heat in.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Half the time we were living in the open air
0:22:01 > 0:22:05because although we had the roof above our head, one of the walls would be out.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Matt did the majority of the work by himself.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Progress was slow, and the first winter on site was a real eye-opener.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15It was one of the worst winters we've ever had.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18It was really, really difficult.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20We were sweeping a foot of snow off the scaffolding
0:22:20 > 0:22:23to then carry on that day's work.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28I fell off the scaffolding the one day twice, or fell off the roof twice, in a day.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30I had to climb back on and carry on.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32That was a bit difficult.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35If we'd had roofers in and carpenters in, it would have taken a couple of weeks.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39It took me about four or five months to finish the roof
0:22:39 > 0:22:41because I was doing it all myself.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Christina pitched in, saving themselves thousands of pounds
0:22:44 > 0:22:47cleaning all the bricks from demolition for re-use.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50We couldn't have done it without Christina.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53She didn't just clean one or two, she cleaned 10,000 bricks!
0:22:53 > 0:22:57She had hands like a navvy by the end of it.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01She worked winter, summer, cleaned them in the snow. Everything.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05The hard work and sacrifice has paid off.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09And four years down the line they've achieved a wonderful family home.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I've forgotten all about it, to be honest. It's funny.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16You forget about all the bad things when you get to this stage
0:23:16 > 0:23:21because you see it all come together and all that fades into the background.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25I'm hoping that meeting Matt and Christina
0:23:25 > 0:23:26and seeing just what they've achieved
0:23:26 > 0:23:29will help Ian and Eleanor feel less daunted
0:23:29 > 0:23:32and more inspired by the journey ahead.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35It's lovely to meet you. Thanks for having us in your home.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39As you walk in here, what are your first impressions?
0:23:39 > 0:23:42It's a pretty big kitchen diner. Yes. Amazing. Wonderful.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46What was it like to live here on a building site during that time?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Very cold! Upstairs was particularly bad for us
0:23:49 > 0:23:52because we're in such an exposed spot here.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56There was no insulation. Because the roof is your ceiling. Yes.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58You've got no protection whatsoever.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02So we had the gale force winds coming in through the uninsulated windows
0:24:02 > 0:24:06and obviously there was no insulation in the roof, so it was very cold.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09These guys are having that issue as well.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Because the ceiling's right in the roof,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14what do you do? Insulate between the joists?
0:24:14 > 0:24:18You use blocks of insulation between the roof joists. 100ml.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23And then you use a 75ml block again just underneath.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Then you screw your plasterboard onto that joist as well.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's a hell of a job, to be honest,
0:24:28 > 0:24:33because you're drilling the insulation and holding up the plasterboard. But it's worth it.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37OK. The kitchen is absolutely amazing. Can we look at some more?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Yes. Help yourself.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Matt and Christina knocked through the three cottages
0:24:42 > 0:24:46and extended upwards to create two properties -
0:24:46 > 0:24:50their four-bedroomed family home and a two-bed guest house next door.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54This is originally the area that we lived in.
0:24:54 > 0:25:00This was our bedroom, my daughter's bedroom, the bathroom and the hallway, all in one!
0:25:00 > 0:25:04It was everything! That's now just your bedroom. Yeah. This was the house, basically.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07How much of this work did you actually do yourselves?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09I'd say about 80% myself
0:25:09 > 0:25:15and calling in favours to either do the work for me or show me where I'm going wrong
0:25:15 > 0:25:18and then keep coming back to make sure I'm doing it right.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Specialist tools, as well. Hiring equipment and tools.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26The cost can escalate so much in scaffolding and professional tools.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Rather than renting them, I was buying them off auction sites.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Had you thought of that? No, not at all. That's a really good idea.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37It's a bit of money up-front, but in the long term, it could save money.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39And what about materials, as well?
0:25:39 > 0:25:43How do you stretch your budget? Were you looking to recycle materials
0:25:43 > 0:25:45or asking for people's old materials?
0:25:45 > 0:25:48If you spot a building site, a small-scale building site,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51that's nearing completion,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53there's always a lot of left-over materials.
0:25:53 > 0:26:00You can generally meet the site agent and do a deal and buy the left-over materials
0:26:00 > 0:26:01rather than them being chucked away.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I suppose if you don't ask, you don't get. That's the principle here.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Any final advice on the order you do things in? Where your priorities are?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The main one is the roof and windows, to make it watertight.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13That will allow other trades to follow on.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17Then, because you want to live in the house,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20you've got to make a bedroom nice and tidy for you to relax.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Somewhere to watch TV, somewhere to cook.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25When you went to work on the place, presumably you stripped it out?
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Yes, it was all completely cleared out.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29It was just an empty property.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33So they could just gut it then and get on with what needed to be done.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35I think we might have to consider doing that
0:26:35 > 0:26:38and kind of transferring furniture around the house.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Definitely something to bear in mind.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Guys, thank you very much for showing us round.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45It's been wonderful. It's quite a mammoth project.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49You've achieved an awful lot. And thank you for your advice today, as well. It's been great.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Thank you. Our pleasure.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59How have you found it today?
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Really beneficial. Yes, totally.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03It has really been an eye-opener.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I feel like if they can do all of this,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10we do stand a chance of being able to do our much smaller project.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Their ideas are really good, really relevant.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17They've been really helpful. Totally. Shared... Good money-saving tips. Yeah.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Shared so much advice. Yeah.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21You're in exactly the same position.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25Matt did about 80% of the work, exactly what you're looking to do.
0:27:25 > 0:27:31Yeah, so it is just being bold, asking, begging favours from trades and that kind of stuff.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34And they show it can work.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I think you'll be just fine. Good. It's a great place.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42It's a wonderful location. Good luck. I hope you're having people round for barbecues next summer!
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Let's hope so! Yeah! Thank you very much.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53This really has been the ideal place for Ian and Ellie to see today.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55A very similar building to theirs
0:27:55 > 0:27:58and loads of great ideas for them to take away.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00But it's also been about advice.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Everything from insulation to sourcing building supplies
0:28:03 > 0:28:06and I think it's given them great reassurance.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08They really can do this.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10So they come away from here full of belief
0:28:10 > 0:28:14that they can turn their little cottage into their perfect place in the country.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:43 > 0:28:48Planet Earth - it's unique. It has life.