0:00:04 > 0:00:08Hello and welcome to DIY SOS. This week we're in Chesterfield, which is near Sheffield.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12'We're here to help a young family living in a building site.
0:00:12 > 0:00:18'Mother, Lisa, has to provide constant care to a daughter with a rare disorder.'
0:00:18 > 0:00:21She's never fed from birth. She's never fed at all.
0:00:21 > 0:00:27When your baby's born, it should be the best time of your life. It's just been hell.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31'Father, Richard, is a builder, who's trying to create the home they need
0:00:31 > 0:00:34'before they reach breaking point.'
0:00:34 > 0:00:37As a brick layer, you think you should do everything - you can't.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Doing 18-hour days, some days.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44'This shell of an extension is yet another challenging build.'
0:00:46 > 0:00:50'We can only manage it, if the local community comes out in force.'
0:00:53 > 0:00:56We've got the extension to do, a roof to put on.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01We've got floors to put in. We've got openings to make in brick walls. We've got to rewire the house.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02'Anything else?'
0:01:02 > 0:01:06We've got to put central heating in because they haven't got any.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09You've got a leak over here.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11LAUGHTER
0:01:13 > 0:01:17'Yes, we need to unleash a proverbial horde of trades on it.'
0:01:17 > 0:01:18We've got a lot to do, really.
0:01:18 > 0:01:24This is DIY SOS The Big Build.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39'We're here because this young family desperately needs our help.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42'Lisa and Richard Watson and their children,
0:01:42 > 0:01:46'seven-year-old, Lewis and two-and-a-half-year-old, Madison.'
0:01:46 > 0:01:49I think I was 16, Lisa was 15, we met through friends.
0:01:49 > 0:01:5211 years ago now. We've been together forever.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55'They started a family when Lisa was just 18
0:01:55 > 0:01:58'and the couple had their first child, Lewis.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03'Soon after they tied the knot and were looking forward to the future.'
0:02:03 > 0:02:08We knew we wanted to have more kids, so we moved to a big property with a lot of potential.
0:02:08 > 0:02:14'As Richard's a builder he saw that, with hard work, this place could become a great family home.'
0:02:14 > 0:02:18We had a two-bedroomed terrace last time, so a bit more space and room to develop.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22'And with a second baby on the way, the extra space was going to be essential.'
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Oh, we were made up, a little sister for Lewis.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29We thought everything would be normal and happy we were having another kid.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34'But soon after Madison was born they were hit with the news every parent dreads.'
0:02:37 > 0:02:39We went in with Lewis to bring her home
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and a couple of doctors in the hallway said, "Are you Madison's dad?"
0:02:42 > 0:02:45"You better go and see Lisa." I walked in and Lisa was crying.
0:02:45 > 0:02:51The registrar came around wanting to give me the all-clear to go home.
0:02:51 > 0:02:57One of the doctors said, "There's something not quite right with this baby's heart."
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Before we knew it, she was took down to intensive care.
0:03:01 > 0:03:07'The doctors had discovered Madison had a life-threatening heart defect.'
0:03:07 > 0:03:10When she was probably weeks old, they told us she would need corrective surgery
0:03:10 > 0:03:15but what it were they could play for time, let her get bigger, so it was less of a risk.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18But, every month, you thought, is this the month that we got told.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20For two years, we played the waiting game.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24No matter how you try to reassure them
0:03:24 > 0:03:27that the risks of treatment are going to be relatively small,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29any parent could understand
0:03:29 > 0:03:31what a dreadful thing that is to go through.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35They tell you about the risk, she could be blind, could be deaf...
0:03:35 > 0:03:40They're life-changing things, you might not pull through, you might need another one.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43All things are whizzing through your head as they're doing it.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47It might be the last time you seeing her, when you're putting her to sleep.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51It's all right walking in with her, but are you going to walk back out with her?
0:03:53 > 0:03:57They've closed the hole in the heart, but maybe she'll need further operations.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00As she grows, it might grow out again.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03'Thankfully, the heart surgery was successful,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07but that's not the end of Madison's health problems.'
0:04:07 > 0:04:11She's never fed from birth. She's never fed at all.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14She's got serious feeding issues.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17A couple of months ago she had another operation
0:04:17 > 0:04:19to have the tube out in the nose.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24She had a peg fitted inside her tummy. That's how she's fed now.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29At night time she goes on a continuous feed.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31She's with Madison 24/7.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36Five feeds a day, it's going to get you down, you just want your little girl to eat.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38It's a lot of pressure and stress on her.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40'With the worry over Madison's condition,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44'as well as hospital visits and financial constraints,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47'this family's life has been turned on it's head.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52'Richard is fighting a losing battle to create a safe, warm home.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57'After years trying to complete the extension, they're at the end of their tether.'
0:04:58 > 0:05:02When you pull up on the drive, it's staring at you, you still need to do it.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Being a brick layer, you think you should be able to do everything,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08and other things, time and money, you can't do everything.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10You're doing 18-hour days, some days.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15Straight home from work, you never get a break, never be a dad, you never see the kids.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16It's not brilliant.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19He's put everything into it.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23He just wants us to have a bigger house, for the children.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25He's absolutely whacked out with it.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28It's been an absolute nightmare.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32We're nowhere near from a normal life.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- How long has it taken you to get this far?- It's probably two years to this stage.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Why have you got to the stage... I know what builders are like,
0:05:41 > 0:05:47- the last thing they'll do is ask anybody for help.- That's it. - Why have you got to this stage?
0:05:47 > 0:05:51The way things are in the building game, you're lucky to pay your mortgage.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53A lot of people are in the situation, but...
0:05:53 > 0:05:56He's had that much time off with Madison being in hospital.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02Obviously, lack of money, Christmas was pretty bad with snow, if you can remember.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The money we had left went on the mortgage. We were off over
0:06:05 > 0:06:08a month with Madison's operation, just after Christmas.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13It's been quite bad through the winter, Madison coming out of hospital, no heating... freezing.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14- No heating?- No heating.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- Is that right?- It's never worked.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19The last winter was terrible, how did you get through the winter
0:06:19 > 0:06:22with an ill baby with no heating?
0:06:22 > 0:06:23We had the electric fire.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27That's even worse, for somebody struggling to pay the mortgage,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30having electric fires on, your bills would be huge.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35- The boiler worked when it wanted. It would fire up and then not do it. - It'd start up and then go off.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- Who's done this? Have you done this on your own?- I've done everything up to this point.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- Any help?- I've done it myself.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- It's a lot.- It is, yeah.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Every night and weekends it's all you do.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Because we're standing in what appears to be a nice extension.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52It will be, when it's finished.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- When's that going to be?- You tell me, I don't know at the minute.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02- It's not looking like there's a... - There's no end, no. I don't when it'll be finished.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07- How do you feel about us being here? - You feel like you've let the family down because I can't finish it.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I feel like I've failed.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I don't think so, given that... You've got to remember, mate,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16given that it's difficult for all builders at the moment, and work is tight,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20actually, keeping a house and a roof over your head, is enough in itself,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24but when you add onto that the problems with Madison...
0:07:24 > 0:07:27You've taken on a big build here, all on your own.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- It's a lot.- It is, yeah.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34What is it you need? Just looking at this, you've got your first floor beams in...
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Is all the brickwork done? - The brickwork's finished, yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- But, no roof.- No roof, no floor. No windows.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44The bit I can do's done.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- Where are you staying? - Mother-in-laws.- Really?- Yeah.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Is she looking forward to having you?- She's amazing.- Is she?- She is.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55'An amazing mother-in-law, amazing trades, should be a song in there.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59'It'd go like, # Here's the amazing tradesmen, they're all local
0:07:59 > 0:08:01' # Here's my team they smell a bit
0:08:01 > 0:08:03' # Here's a skip let's throw Billy in it. # '
0:08:03 > 0:08:06This is Martin, they're giving us all the gear and everything.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Who's staying?
0:08:07 > 0:08:13- Us two are staying.- For the whole duration?- For the whole duration.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- You've volunteered for the whole week?- Yeah.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- Have you not got any other work to do?- I have, but...
0:08:18 > 0:08:20You decided to put it off for a little while.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- Are you going to do it up for us? - Yeah.- Lovely.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- Are you local?- Yeah, just round the corner.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Why did you decide to join in, you could've been earning elsewhere?
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- I'm more than happy.- Are you? - Yes, definitely.- Thanks very much.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- I had my first grandchild last Sunday.- You haven't, you don't look old enough
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- I'm 50 next year, mate. - I thought you're not supposed to say your age, women.- Oh, sorry.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- You've got to let them guess. - I forgot that.- You don't look a day over 49.- Oh, thanks.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53'Take an army of builders, add bacon sandwiches,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- 'add cups of tea...'- It's good.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- '..and you've got the perfect recipe.'- Very nice.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01'No complaints so far, then.'
0:09:01 > 0:09:06This house is not bonded. It's got no supplementary bonding to the gas or water
0:09:06 > 0:09:10and no earth coming into the house from the people's mains.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- We'll get into that in a minute. - People supply it.- All right!
0:09:14 > 0:09:15We shouldn't really, you know...
0:09:15 > 0:09:20None of the walls are chased, there's no sockets, or lighting switches, or anything.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Do you want to get started and we'll just ignore him for the moment.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Nice job to do, there's a lot of wiring to do.- Is there?- Yeah.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28LAUGHTER
0:09:28 > 0:09:30That was a nervous laugh.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- Don't forget the bonding's not here, as well.- And there's no bonding.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- Who's ripping the kitchen out?- I am.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40It's not going to take a lot of ripping out, it's coming off the hinges, coming off the walls.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- It's in a pretty bad state. - Ladies and gentlemen, Oliver back.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45APPLAUSE
0:09:46 > 0:09:52'The talents of Oliver Heath are being put back into practise again, as he's our designer on this job.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55'We became the best of friends when he designed one of our last builds.'
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- You might need to have a little bit less lunch.- Unbelievable!
0:09:58 > 0:10:00You've got to buy big and they take it down.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Yeah, whatever. Thanks very much, whatever.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Whoops, I hit a nerve there, I think.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09I mean, the construction side, we know what we're going to do.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- It's basic...- Oh... - We know what we've got to do.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- Basic...- It's not proper basic. - You've started off on the wrong foot, haven't you?
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- This is where...- Do you know that word, "basic"?- Oh, basic.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22This is where designers and builders fall out, you see?
0:10:22 > 0:10:26As far as designers are concerned, the building's basic and straightforward,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30whereas, as far as builders are concerned, the decoration is just tarting up.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- It's, you know...- I know, but the two mix, don't they?
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- We're creating a good, healthy place for them to live.- That's the aim.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40We're going to improve the windows, to improve the ventilation, the insulation,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43functional things that need to make this house better.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46At the same time, we've got to make this house a wonderful place.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- When they step in, it takes their breath away.- Yeah.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54'With a part-built extension we've got our work cut out.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57'On the ground floor we're knocking through from the kitchen
0:10:57 > 0:11:00'to the extension to create a spacious kitchen/dining area.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03'The original kitchen window will be extended down to the ground
0:11:03 > 0:11:05'to let in lots of light.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08'We'll also be adding a downstairs loo and playroom.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12'Moving up, we need to build a floor in the extension
0:11:12 > 0:11:14'and knock through two doorways.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17'We're making way for a storage area for Madison's medication
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'and Richard and Lisa's bedroom will have a secret hidden door
0:11:20 > 0:11:22'linking them to Madison's room.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25'Lewis will get a special football themed boysey bedroom
0:11:25 > 0:11:29'and, to top it all off, we need to top it all off with a roof.'
0:11:32 > 0:11:36First things first, although we have an empty extension,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40the rest of the house needs completely gutting and it's all hands on deck.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Time to have a chat with my mate, who thinks he's Bono.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- What do you think, we've a good turn-out?- Very good turn-out. Nice to decorators here on day one.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49LAUGHTER
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- They're plasterers.- Are they? Why are they all white?
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Apparently, the modern way to present a professional image,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- is to come in a white dungaree as a plasterer.- Really?
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- It looks like a few people have turned up to do the roof. - Loads of them.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- I don't think she's a roofer.- I don't think so.- No.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10'Among the throngs of trades in Richard and Lisa's house
0:12:10 > 0:12:12'are a bunch of apprentice plasterers who are on board,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15'thanks to Richard's boss, Ian, who's also helping out.'
0:12:15 > 0:12:18One thing with Richard is, he's a good tradesman.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20At night, do you know we have to go and knock him off.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25At half past five he's still working and we have to go, "Come on, Richard, it's time to go home."
0:12:25 > 0:12:28And then he comes back here and gets stuck into this.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32And, do you know something, as a boss, I didn't realise this.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- I didn't realise what was behind the scenes.- Right.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- You don't, do you?- I don't suppose you do, really.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- He's not much of a chatter? - No, it's not.- He's a quiet lad.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- A quiet lad.- Proud.- Yeah, proud.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45The work that he turns out for me is excellent.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Thanks to you, and a lot of other people, we've got a good chance to turn this around for them.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53'Having a home that's part building site is keeping Richard away from his family.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56'He been spending all his time working
0:12:56 > 0:13:01'and the state of the house is making it even harder to deal with Madison's condition.'
0:13:05 > 0:13:08As well as the feeding issues, Lisa has to cope
0:13:08 > 0:13:11with an undiagnosed digestive disorder
0:13:11 > 0:13:15which means Madison has difficulty holding food down.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17We're clearing sick up all the time.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20That's all she does all day, Madison, clearing her sick up.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21It's all she digested all day.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Day before she had to wash all the bedding because she was sick.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29They're always at the hospital. The tube's come out, or something's happened.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34It's... To be honest, I don't know how they've coped with it
0:13:34 > 0:13:37because there's always something.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40'With both mum and dad so busy,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44'it hasn't been an easy ride for Lewis either.'
0:13:44 > 0:13:46He seems to get pushed aside a lot.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50He's always at his grandparents, we're in hospital and he's never with us.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54He just gets on with is, but you're missing out on him.
0:13:58 > 0:14:04It's like when she's just going to the hospital, like something far.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07That means I have to stay at my nanan's.
0:14:08 > 0:14:14But, if it's this hospital, when she has to stay in there for a few days, I have to still go to my nanan's.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17We should have given him a little sister, and he's...
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Whether he sees it as we've took his dad away because we're always with Madison, you don't know.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29'This is urgent work and our designer
0:14:29 > 0:14:31'hopes he can change things for the better.'
0:14:31 > 0:14:36Because Madison has got stomach problems and can't eat very well,
0:14:36 > 0:14:40it's really important for me to create a good dining room.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Why is the dining room so important?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Is it to make her see what a joy eating is, so therefore encourage her?
0:14:45 > 0:14:49When she was first born she couldn't hold food down,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- so she was fed through a tube.- Yes.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56- Now, as she's had the operation, she can start to eat again, but she hasn't been used to eating.- Yes.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58What we want to do is normalise the idea
0:14:58 > 0:15:02of everyone sitting around a table and eating together.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05By putting a big dining room, a nice, big dining table
0:15:05 > 0:15:07and nice chairs that feeds off the kitchen,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11we're making eating and dining and socialising,
0:15:11 > 0:15:17- sitting around a table, part of the everyday social activity that happens in the house.- OK, and?
0:15:17 > 0:15:22When we move upstairs, we've got nice, private spaces for the parents
0:15:22 > 0:15:26to get a bit of privacy because they've had Madison in their room.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31A new kitchen for Lisa and Richard is of utmost importance
0:15:31 > 0:15:35so we're tearing out the old one, including the knackered old boiler
0:15:35 > 0:15:37to make way for Oliver's creation.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Dave has very generously stepped in at the last moment and designed...
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and is building us a kitchen.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44And you've decided...
0:15:44 > 0:15:48It's nice to do something nice, isn't it? You know, when you can?
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I always think when you put something in,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53it comes back around again, doesn't it?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- You boys are on openings.- We're knocking through, yeah.- Right, OK.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58We'll get that marked out and cut that one through.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03But in order to make that beautiful kitchen happen, we need to create
0:16:03 > 0:16:06the space and that means knocking through from the original house
0:16:06 > 0:16:10to the extension and that's not the only big hole we're creating today.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13The kitchen window is being extended down to the ground to help
0:16:13 > 0:16:15let in lots of light.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Look at that!- He's pointing at the new roof going on.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20You see a kitchen's no good if it's a wet kitchen
0:16:20 > 0:16:24and we need to get the roof on in case the weather turns.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- Pretty straightforward, this roof, isn't it?- It is, yeah.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29You'd normally crack this out in a day, a day and a half.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- 'Yeah, no rush then, Jules.' - Shouldn't take long.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34It's almost time for a cup of tea, isn't it?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36'Yeah, typical, thanks very much.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39'After the wall plates have gone on, we'll set the trusses,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41'felt and batten with breathable felt,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45'put on the tiles and finish with the flashings.'
0:16:45 > 0:16:47So simple, that roof, isn't it?
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- It's all triangles, isn't it? - Yeah, triangles.- Triangles.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Discussing the physics of the roof isn't going to get the job done.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Julian's physics or should I say physique isn't going to help either.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02To be honest, I generally stay on the scaffolding
0:17:02 > 0:17:04because of my excess weight.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09I send my ferret up the roof, being six stone lighter
0:17:09 > 0:17:13and a bit more nimble on his pins, he flies up over.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15But worry not, Julian has assured me
0:17:15 > 0:17:18he's on a fruit-only diet to lose the weight.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- Did you bake this? - No, my mum made it for you. - Your mum?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- Really? Is it chocolate? - Yes, a nice chocolate cake.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31This represents something of a challenge for you, doesn't it?
0:17:31 > 0:17:33It does because we're fruit men now
0:17:33 > 0:17:36but I'm going to have to have a bit of that, aren't I?
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Maybe if we say we'll wait until this afternoon
0:17:39 > 0:17:42and have a slice with a cup of tea, what do you reckon?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Three o'clock, tea break.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Tell you what, I'll go in and put it inside
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and ask someone to look after it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- Right.- Thank you.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54See how he, "Thank you," as if... It wasn't for you!
0:17:54 > 0:17:56That's the last we'll see of that, I think.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58GRUNTING NOISES
0:17:58 > 0:18:02That might be his diet and exercise routine out of the window.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08He's taking a while to drop it off, isn't he?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11George! George! You're just dropping it off.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I'm just... Seeing my plum, aren't I?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18We'll have a slice later.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21We'll see about that.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24To be a member of the roofing team, you need to be feather light,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27not a heavyweight, and it also takes a few pairs of hands,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30something Richard couldn't have achieved on his own.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33But all this hard work hasn't gone unnoticed.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36You'll see him working on it till God knows what time.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- He works late here, does he?- Yeah.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41When it were dark nights, he got the floodlight out.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46He's on it until 10 o'clock at night.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48What, is he working in the dark?
0:18:48 > 0:18:49Floodlit.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54He has floodlights on and he'll be up there until, as she said, 10 o'clock.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58Are you aware that they've had a few problems with their daughter, their youngest?
0:18:58 > 0:18:59No, we didn't know.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03I only knew because his son goes to the same school as my daughter
0:19:03 > 0:19:06so I've seen here at the playground with her before.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Because she's got... She's tube fed, isn't she?
0:19:08 > 0:19:11That's right, she hasn't been able to eat.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13So, whilst he's been doing the work to get the money in,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16he's try to build the extension, to make a space
0:19:16 > 0:19:19so that they can have the medical equipment and the new bedroom.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Do you think it'll make a big difference for him when they come back?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- Definitely.- Definitely.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29It'll give a chance to get out, meet the neighbours and say hello. That'll be nice, won't it?
0:19:29 > 0:19:32He'll have his weekends to himself them! He can sit back and relax.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Yeah. People are very friendly around here, aren't they?
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Everyone is coming up and saying hello, being chatty.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- They're nosy! - Nosy, is that what it's?
0:19:41 > 0:19:46'Dad Richard has worked tirelessly to make a safe, warm home to his family.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49'Oliver wants to do Richard's efforts justice
0:19:49 > 0:19:52'and to lower the family's heating bill so he's filling the loft
0:19:52 > 0:19:55'and walls with recycled glass insulation.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00'But his biggest challenge today is to get Billy's head around the wonders of modern technology.'
0:20:00 > 0:20:02This is new to market.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05This is a heat recovery fan so instead of having a normal fan
0:20:05 > 0:20:08which just lets air go in and out of the building,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12when you turn it on, this is continuous running.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16What this does is it sorts out the moisture imbalances
0:20:16 > 0:20:18in kitchens and bathrooms.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Instead of coming on when you turn a light on, it's always running.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25So is that less efficient or more efficient?
0:20:25 > 0:20:26It's more efficient
0:20:26 > 0:20:30because it constantly deals with the moisture in the air.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34'When it comes to efficiency, there's no-one as sharp as Billy and his team.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36'Well, maybe just his team.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39'They've got an entire re-wiring on their hands.'
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Thing is with us sparks, first of all, we've got to kill the supply
0:20:44 > 0:20:48because looking at the consumer unit, it isn't up to regulations,
0:20:48 > 0:20:50so we have to change that.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53We've got to get all of our first fixing in and the plumbers,
0:20:53 > 0:20:54the plumbers as well.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58And that takes a couple of days on a job of this magnitude.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01'Yeah, trades have to work hand in glove.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06'Good job we're such a well-oiled machine. Look at this.'
0:21:06 > 0:21:09It's chain work, isn't it? Chain-gang stuff.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- How you getting on? Are you enjoying yourself?- Yeah, it's good.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I feel like I need to be more physical, so it's good doing this.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- A fight? - Fight? Not that physical.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- Do you want a kiss?- No.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Do you want a hug?- I'll do a hug.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26'Yuck! Man hugs.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29'It always helps when you've got the team on your side
0:21:29 > 0:21:32'and getting the house working for the family is Oliver's most
0:21:32 > 0:21:35'important challenge. To maximise the use of the upper level
0:21:35 > 0:21:37'of the extension, he's knocking through to create rooms
0:21:37 > 0:21:42'for Lewis and Madison and that means some pretty big holes.'
0:21:42 > 0:21:45We're going to fit the internal lintel on the internal wall
0:21:45 > 0:21:49and then we're going to go through and chop out the external brickwork
0:21:49 > 0:21:52so that we get the opening open and everybody can go in.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Look at that!
0:22:01 > 0:22:04'Mark's not the only one to have found a confined space.'
0:22:04 > 0:22:07This is certainly what it takes to have the central heating redone.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I have to say, I think today's been a successful day.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16In this room, we've got new windows in the front.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21All the electrics as you can see dangling around all over the place, have been put in.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26There's been a stud wall put in and a wall taken down here to create these two beautiful rooms.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32The biggest change is the fact that this used to be completely cut off from the rest of the house.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Now, we've a huge opening all held up by these two enormous steels
0:22:36 > 0:22:40that have been put in to hold up the rest of the house.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Tomorrow, they'll have gone off so we can lose these props.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46A great opening through into this kitchen area. Through this room,
0:22:46 > 0:22:50beautiful new ceiling, as being demonstrated by the chaps there.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Thank you very much.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53The kitchen here, what used to be the kitchen,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56is now going to be the dining room area and as a result,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00we've put in these beautiful new big windows looking out onto the garden.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03And here, a set of lovely patio doors, being demonstrated by...
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- Patio Mark. - So, a great day all round.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Tomorrow, more work and hopefully better jokes.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Ah, the Derbyshire countryside, the scent of fresh summer air,
0:23:16 > 0:23:20the heat of the warm sunshine and of course the sound
0:23:20 > 0:23:23and smell of 60 builders in a two-bedroom house.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30So much for peace and quiet!
0:23:30 > 0:23:34There's an onslaught of trades positively throwing themselves at this job.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Dance along at home, if you want.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43My God, we've got double the amount of plasterers we had yesterday.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47We're completely up against it. They're getting pushed through here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50The ceiling is being plastered, they're coming down the walls.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52It's like they can't move quick enough.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55The electricians have got to get their stuff through.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58This man here didn't even know there was a doorway going through there
0:23:58 > 0:24:00and he's in a permanent state of shock.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Another doorway in that corner.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05We've got two doorways up the stairs, we must get through today.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09We have to get access to the extension.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- Have you guys worked together before?- No.- How's it going so far?
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- Fallen out yet?- Not yet.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24It's about the maximum number of builders
0:24:24 > 0:24:27and different trades you can get in one place at one time.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Mayhem, isn't it?
0:24:29 > 0:24:31'But it's the kind of mayhem we love.'
0:24:32 > 0:24:35They weren't going anywhere with this house like it was.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38And now we're going to come in here and rebuild their lives.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41The closest thing in the world is your family
0:24:41 > 0:24:44and you can't beat the togetherness of the family.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47The group of pulled, like, and you know,
0:24:47 > 0:24:52it's a shame what they've had to go through. Happy to help, basically.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56I can only imagine what he's going through. I've got two young kids myself.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Very, very similar age and what he's going through or what he's been through.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02He just wants to get us involved.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Until you see it, it's hard to believe, sometimes.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07You just think, I've had a bad day, my life's bad and then
0:25:07 > 0:25:11when you get to this situation and look around and you think,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13"The guy is having a real, rough time."
0:25:13 > 0:25:16He's trying his best. He's got to a point and can't do any more.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20- Let's see if we can help them out and make his life better. - That's why we do it
0:25:20 > 0:25:23and we couldn't do it without you helping us, so it goes full circle.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30We don't mind. It's good. Help out. Get mucked in.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- Hopefully, we'll get some nice new windows in.- Yeah.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Get a nice house for them to live in, and get a good kick-off, yeah?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Lovely, thanks for joining in, boys, really appreciate it.
0:25:40 > 0:25:46- He doesn't talk much, does he?- I don't get a chance to!- Do you not?! - THEY LAUGH
0:25:46 > 0:25:48As one of the guys said, if you're a parent,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51having a child go through surgery is unimaginable.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54It's wonderful that her heart is fixed,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57but I'm confused by Madison's ongoing eating problems.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00So, I've tagged along to see the specialists
0:26:00 > 0:26:04on one of the family's many hospital visits.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09She's been quite sick a lot on the new formula she's been put on.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12She's got a feeding aversion
0:26:12 > 0:26:15due to her long-term use of enteral feeding.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Enteral feeding being the tube into the nose and now,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19she's got a tube into the stomach.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23OK, essentially because she's been fed so long by tube, she's sort of
0:26:23 > 0:26:28either forgotten or never learnt how to just swallow food normally.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Yes. So, she's become quite dependent on tube feeding.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36The care is overseen by a consultant who coordinates treatment
0:26:36 > 0:26:39that aims to get Madison eating.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42It seems to me that there's no reason why she shouldn't.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- She just doesn't. - Well, that's right.
0:26:45 > 0:26:50It isn't so much a physical issue any longer as a hardwired
0:26:50 > 0:26:53behavioural issue, which she can't help.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56And the problem with that is, around 8 to 10 months of age,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59you then lose, that's the developmental window,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03where we learn to change from milk to other substances and textures
0:27:03 > 0:27:07and foods, and if you have an aversive experience there,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11then you lose that, you don't have that rewarding experience
0:27:11 > 0:27:14when you put new textures in your mouth.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18You then have a long time before you can regain those skills.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22So it's not as simple, forgive me, I'm not trying to be flippant
0:27:22 > 0:27:26about this, but if a child gets hungry, will she not eat?
0:27:26 > 0:27:29So, for example, if you didn't feed her as much through the tube, would she not
0:27:29 > 0:27:32get to a point where she would be hungry and so, she would eat?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34That's a good point, and you would think so,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38but some of these children will go for days without eating.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42It's a lot for a young mum to deal with.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44- You're 25, aren't you?- Yes.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- So you were 23 when you had Madison?- Yes.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Did you ever have moments where it just gets, like, too much.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Yes, most mornings, I hate waking up,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57because of what I have to do every day with Madison,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01with her feeding, most days, she can be poorly,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05so I dread every day, to be fair, waking up.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Every day. It makes me very angry.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Anything or anyone, or just the way it's...?
0:28:09 > 0:28:14I've never really drunk or anything, for Madison to have all these issues,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17and I've always looked after myself, it just winds me up.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21It sounds to me like you've been looking for someone to blame,
0:28:21 > 0:28:26- and you've been like thinking, is there anything that you did that made it happen and?- Yeah.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- It's not the way it works, you know?- I know, I know.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32I know it isn't.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36- Do you think that's put a lot of pressure on you and Richard as a couple?- Yeah.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41Oh, yeah, ever since Madison, there's just been arguments
0:28:41 > 0:28:44and it's just put a massive strain on us.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46But it will do.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49You're only 25, 27 and he's only 25,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51and you were 23 when you had Madison,
0:28:51 > 0:28:53when you had to face up to all these problems.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57- Yeah.- It's a lot to deal with.- It is. - Do you still love him?- Yeah!
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Of course I do! He's amazing!
0:29:00 > 0:29:03He's always been there for me and, you know, supported me,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06helped me, everything, he's always been there for me.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10- He's been my rock.- Do you not see a light at the end of the tunnel?
0:29:10 > 0:29:14No, no, because this has gone on with Madison over two years
0:29:14 > 0:29:18- with her not feeding, so... - If we get the house sorted
0:29:18 > 0:29:22and there's nothing to worry about, how does that change things?
0:29:22 > 0:29:23Massive. Absolutely massive.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26I mean, we both get to spend time with both the kids,
0:29:26 > 0:29:30and probably, with each other as well. You know.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33OK. Well, I hope you like it when you see it.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35I'm grateful for anything.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Anything, just a lick of paint, you know. It's amazing.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42There's a little bit more than a lick of paint going in there!
0:29:42 > 0:29:44- HE LAUGHS - A little bit more!
0:29:46 > 0:29:49So, Richard and Lisa have an ongoing job on their hands to get
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Madison eating.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54A massive responsibility for any parent.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Our challenge is to take the stress of the house away from
0:29:58 > 0:30:01this young couple so they can get their lives back on track.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04And it's not just the interior that's coming together,
0:30:04 > 0:30:06they will now have a roof over their heads.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11This roof has been tiled, felt and battened,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15and flaunched, laid on, verges, ridges on, all in two days.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20He's like telling us as if he's had something to do with that!
0:30:20 > 0:30:22See him sitting up there, "me and my mates?!"
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Sitting up there, laying claim to it. The man is an idiot, isn't he?!
0:30:26 > 0:30:29He's sat there trying to make out he's part of the team!
0:30:29 > 0:30:31He's not part of the team! It had nothing to do with him!
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Know what he did? The only part of this roof he did - that.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37He stepped on it. Look. That's him, that is.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Look. Hole in the roof. Brand-new roof.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44It wasn't designed to take so much weight!
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Especially the fat one in the middle that goes around breaking tiles!
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- Don't break another one! - Don't break another one!
0:30:56 > 0:30:57Ow!
0:30:57 > 0:30:59That really hurt!
0:30:59 > 0:31:01It's not often we down tools on the programme,
0:31:01 > 0:31:06but before we started, we noted that Richard and Lisa's guttering was made of asbestos.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09It's serious stuff, and this is the right time to deal with it.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11The proper way.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14All right, everybody! That's it! OK!
0:31:14 > 0:31:18You got two minutes and then we have to clear the site.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Everybody out. Come on, gentlemen.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25It's been used for years, but hit the headlines in the early '80s.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32New laws are being demanded by an influential government commission
0:31:32 > 0:31:36to combat the dangers of asbestos.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39The material was eventually banned in the mid-1980s,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42but as you only have to breathe in one fibre, to develop asbestosis,
0:31:42 > 0:31:47a form of lung cancer, the negative effects were already widespread.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50It's still common to find it in older buildings all over the UK,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53in anything from bath panels to water tanks and
0:31:53 > 0:31:56in Lisa and Richard's case, their guttering.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- It's treated almost like a chemical incident, isn't it?- It is.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05At the end of the day, it's almost the same procedure.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10- Amazing, how we managed to put all of this rubbish into our houses for so many years.- Yeah.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14But there's now 4,000 people if not more, dying every year.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Really? From asbestosis? You just don't hear about it very much.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- There's been teachers have died from it.- That's a terrible thing.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26- It was in all the schools.- Yes. It still is in some.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29You don't have to remove it, you just have to manage it.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- If it's in good condition, it's not a problem.- All right.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35It's only when you start drilling it, battering it and things like that, that you have a problem.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37- Thank you.- See you later.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39With the asbestos safely removed from the site,
0:32:39 > 0:32:43we can get back to the business of making this house fit for a family.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47And it looks as though Oliver has got the big holes he wanted.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51Total reconfiguration of the whole upstairs you've got here. You brought a corridor through here.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Yes, we changed it so the master bedroom will be there.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58This'll be a secret doorway from the master bedroom, from the parents'
0:32:58 > 0:33:01bedroom into Madison's room, because at the moment, she's in their room
0:33:01 > 0:33:04and we really feel that she needs to start being in her own room,
0:33:04 > 0:33:08so it's a bit of a step towards her feeling more confident.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- Right.- So it's a nice feature. - Whose room's in here?
0:33:11 > 0:33:15This is Lewis's. They won't recognise it. They'll be lost.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18When they come upstairs, they'll be like, hang on, what's going on here?
0:33:18 > 0:33:20What's this corridor? What's going on?
0:33:20 > 0:33:22And that'll be an amazing transformation for them.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25One of my biggest worries for this family is that they had no heating
0:33:25 > 0:33:30through the winter, and so, we're installing a brand-new boiler.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34- How long do you think this will take to set up?- Should be done today.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39- Yeah?- Yeah, no problem.- Instant hot water. Instant central heating.
0:33:39 > 0:33:46- And lower energy bills.- Good for the environment.- Good luck.- Thank you.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50It all sounds straightforward,
0:33:50 > 0:33:54but plumber Giles and the team have to do the groundwork first.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56Just lagging all the pipework underneath.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00This is what it takes to have the central heating redone,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04and the hot and cold water coming in absolutely brand-new, and
0:34:04 > 0:34:09changing all the water feeds through to the new kitchen and everything.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14You need to do a lot of work underneath for it to look pretty on top.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16It's hard work on a building site,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19and it's not the easiest place to go on a diet,
0:34:19 > 0:34:23so I've got Julian something to take his mind off the cakes.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25I've bought you a little present.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32It's got a little case, look. Keep the dust off in the back of the van.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- Look. You hold it. - Are they normally that small?
0:34:35 > 0:34:39- Yes, that's the size of them. - They're very popular.- Look at that.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- You got four strings to concentrate on.- Why pink?
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Because it's the only colour they had.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50- Doesn't make me look a bit camp though?- No!- No!- Are you sure?
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- What about that Somewhere Over The Rainbow?! - HE SINGS
0:34:53 > 0:34:55But was his ukulele pink?
0:34:55 > 0:34:58It was. And he was bigger than you. And he didn't look silly!
0:34:59 > 0:35:01So what you've got to do,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03you've got to develop the wrist action.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16It's all in the wrist action. How are you on wrist action?
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- Very good at the moment.- It's made for you, really, isn't it?!
0:35:20 > 0:35:24- There you go. Happy with that?- Yeah. Thank you very much.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26I'm going to go and practice.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31He's going to look ridiculous, isn't he?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33He's going to look an idiot, yeah.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Something tells me Julian is going to enjoy playing
0:35:35 > 0:35:40with his instrument nearly as much as Oliver enjoys choosing colours.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Can I take it that as this is blue, and I'm only guessing,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45this would be for Lewis's boys room.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48- Yes.- And his favourite football club is Chesterfield.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53- Chesterfield is his favourite paint colour.- Which is dark blue and light blue, is it?
0:35:53 > 0:35:55No, it's more that colour, Chesterfield.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00Because that's a north facing room, that's his bedroom, that's going to kind of overpower the room,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02if we do the whole room in this really, vibrant blue,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05so we just wanted to put a bit of paint
0:36:05 > 0:36:08on these scraps of plasterboard. There's a brush for you as well.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12And then take it up to the room, see what it looks like,
0:36:12 > 0:36:14because quite often, a paint like this will look very different
0:36:14 > 0:36:18down here in complete, natural daylight, than it will upstairs.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21It's been a tough few years for the whole family,
0:36:21 > 0:36:23but it's Lewis who has lost out on spending time with his mum
0:36:23 > 0:36:27and dad, as they have been in and out of hospital with Madison.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30It has affected him massive.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35But bless him, he's fantastic with Madison, when all is said and done.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38We started this when Lewis was five. He's seven now.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40You're not going to get those two years back. It's been that busy.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43It's like can you play with me, dad, and I've just got to do this,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45I've just got to do this, you don't realise you're doing it,
0:36:45 > 0:36:47but, obviously, you're missing out on him growing up.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51So, we've organised a little surprise for Lewis.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59Here we go! And just stop here for a second. Have a look around.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03- Don't go too far! - Oh, that is one big pitch!
0:37:03 > 0:37:07It's a very big pitch, isn't it? What do you think of it?
0:37:07 > 0:37:10It looks amazing! I want to go here!
0:37:10 > 0:37:13- So, have you got any favourite players?- Yes.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18- Who are your favourites?- Tom Lee and Jack Lester.- Oh, right. Wow.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21Can you imagine what it would be like here, coming out here,
0:37:21 > 0:37:23and actually meeting the players.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27- What do you think?- Yeah. - Would that be very cool?- Yes.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Which would not be so cool, is the players are probably off training at the moment.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36- Yeah.- So they're not likely to be in here, are they?- No.- Or would they?
0:37:36 > 0:37:37Wow!
0:37:37 > 0:37:43- Cool!- Hi, Lewis. Nice to meet you. I'm Tommy.- Jack. How are you?
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Ladies and gentlemen!
0:37:45 > 0:37:49It's the Chesterfield football team with their new player Lewis!
0:37:51 > 0:37:53There he goes! Look at that!
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Do you think you've thrown yourself into the building
0:37:58 > 0:38:02of the extension sort of night and day and every weekend
0:38:02 > 0:38:05so that you're doing something positive rather than thinking
0:38:05 > 0:38:09all the time about Madison and the difficulties? Because that's what blokes do,
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- they find something else to throw their energy at.- Try to keep busy.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16Not block it out as such, but you feel like you're doing something.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Trouble is, in the process, your lad here gets to miss out.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23I've missed two years of his life, haven't I?
0:38:23 > 0:38:26It started when he was five. I can't believe he's seven.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28I wouldn't have got through it without Lisa,
0:38:28 > 0:38:30so, I think we've lent on each other.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33It's both been new to both of us, so.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35If we do the house up, does that make things better or does it
0:38:35 > 0:38:38mean you have to face other challenges and you have to
0:38:38 > 0:38:40face things that you might been putting aside,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43because you have so much on your plate?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45It just makes things better. That's one less thing to worry about.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47We've got a nice environment,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50we can start getting together like a family again.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56HE WHISTLES
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Yay! Lewis!
0:39:02 > 0:39:06Good pass. Yes! Well done!
0:39:09 > 0:39:13As any parent understands, bringing up kids is a challenge in itself,
0:39:13 > 0:39:17but when your child gets ill, it makes life really tough.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Giving them a new home will mean Lisa and Richard get a new start
0:39:20 > 0:39:23and put them back on track to family life.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27The thing is, you just don't know, you worry about what the future
0:39:27 > 0:39:31is going to bring, because obviously, my daughter had operations
0:39:31 > 0:39:35and is going to need operations, and you just worry about what sort
0:39:35 > 0:39:38of future they've got, really, because they're all right now,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41but in a couple of years time, things might change.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Things could go either way, that's the thing.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47The hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life was sign
0:39:47 > 0:39:51a consent form to an operation, and sit in a room and say, well,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54major complications can happen, she might not come out
0:39:54 > 0:39:57of the operation, she could come out brain-damaged,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00and you have to literally sign a piece of paper
0:40:00 > 0:40:02and hand her over, and that's really hard.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06That's the most difficult thing I've had to do.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Hellish, that was.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17We're half way through our time, but already the job's over half done.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21Even more wonderful locals have been moved to help make the job
0:40:21 > 0:40:24complete by sorting out the gardens.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27When do you actually think you'll finish this?
0:40:27 > 0:40:29- Tomorrow?- Easy.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33- Easy?!- When the materials arrive, easy, piece of cake.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35In the bag.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37There you go. It's lovely today.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41That's what you need, a can-do attitude.
0:40:41 > 0:40:46Without wanting to tempt fate, it all appears to be going very well.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50The upstairs is almost ready. Two rooms are almost ready for dressing.
0:40:50 > 0:40:55Working our way down the stairwell, needs a coat of paint, but nothing massive.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57All the building work's done upstairs.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59And then working your way down here.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04There's decorating left to do, but same again. Kitchen's in and done. Most of the electrics are done.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06It's all very positive.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11It's looking good.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15Nice living room this, isn't it?
0:41:15 > 0:41:19When you think they've had the whole family crowded into one room
0:41:19 > 0:41:22to try and keep warm during the last winter
0:41:22 > 0:41:24and this is going to be a safe, warm environment,
0:41:24 > 0:41:28double glazed windows, insulation in the loft to keep the place warm
0:41:28 > 0:41:33and an environment like this, they're not going to believe it.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36A good day's work and it's time to go home.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38That's Bill. Bill, it's the other way!
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Bill, it's the other way. You're going the wrong way!
0:41:41 > 0:41:46A new day and after a curry last night, the team are ready
0:41:46 > 0:41:48and raring to get stuck in.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Here they all go.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Hang on, we're missing one. Mark, where's Mark?
0:41:56 > 0:42:00You've got a leak on this radiator.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Can you have a look at it?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Billy's worried there's a leak on the radiator.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08What's this? There's a joke coming up here, watch.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12THEY LAUGH
0:42:16 > 0:42:19It's a laugh a minute being a plumber.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22But seriously, there really is a problem with the plumbing.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25The water's not working, look.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29That's... your hot water flow.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33We need to get to the bottom of this and we can't because you can't unscrew the inside panel
0:42:33 > 0:42:37and you can't get the back panel off because it's glued on.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40I've left a trapdoor in the floor over there,
0:42:40 > 0:42:43so we can follow the pipes and check underneath.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Head first, I think.
0:42:48 > 0:42:49No, here we go.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Oh, my God!
0:42:55 > 0:42:57- It's all right. Let me help you.- No! No!
0:42:59 > 0:43:01There is a pipe behind me, honestly.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06You're too fat. Face it.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10- I am getting in there.- You're not getting in there, you're too fat.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12You are too much of a chubster.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15Oh, my God!
0:43:17 > 0:43:21You're too fat. Can we have the slim and muscular lad?
0:43:21 > 0:43:25The hole's actually too small. It's not the fact I'm too fat.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33- How are you doing? Are you managing?- Yeah.
0:43:38 > 0:43:43By cutting the pipe and checking the water pressure, it can eliminate potential blockages.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47So our slightly more slender plumber is on the case.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50Luckily, things are going better on the electrical side.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52The rewiring's done.
0:43:52 > 0:43:57We've put the new mains in and now we can turn on.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59I'll let him turn on though!
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Right, there's your main breaker.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05RCDs.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07And now we haven't stopped anyone working,
0:44:07 > 0:44:12we haven't been any trouble and it's flowed nicely.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14Sometimes it don't work like that!
0:44:14 > 0:44:18Hardly ever, in fact. Upstairs, Oliver's creating some electricity of his own.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21It's lovely, isn't it? This is a sheer voil.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25It's supposed to give a sort of sexy quality to the bedroom.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29- It gives it a bit more of a kind of intimate feel.- Yes.
0:44:29 > 0:44:34A bit like a sort of sexy bit of lingerie over the window!
0:44:34 > 0:44:35You'd be a bit disappointed
0:44:35 > 0:44:39if I turned up in silvery grey lingerie, wouldn't you?
0:44:39 > 0:44:43- Really. I would.- Well... Let's talk about it later!
0:44:43 > 0:44:47Yes, let's draw a voil(!) over that shall we?
0:44:48 > 0:44:52- The tap, look at the pressure! - Look at that, man!
0:44:52 > 0:44:54Look at that!
0:44:54 > 0:44:57- What was all the fuss about? - Well, cos it was the tap.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01- We didn't know. - You was going under floors, ripping up ceilings and...
0:45:01 > 0:45:04- We couldn't get to the bottom to check.- All it was was a tap. It was simple.
0:45:04 > 0:45:10- We couldn't check, so we checked all the other things.- You're always trying to big things up.
0:45:10 > 0:45:15No, I was trying to point out... If I'd come over here and done that and made a big deal about it,
0:45:15 > 0:45:18we'd have left them with a tap with no pressure.
0:45:18 > 0:45:22They've got perfect water pressure now and a finished house to go with it.
0:45:25 > 0:45:30Nine days ago, we took on a property that was supposed to be Richard and Lisa's dream home,
0:45:30 > 0:45:34but it was in danger of pulling their young family apart.
0:45:35 > 0:45:39It's just like you're on autopilot. You just live day-to-day.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41You don't really think about anything else.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44Straight home from work, you never get a break,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47you never be a dad, you never see the kids.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51I do feel useless, there's nothing I can do about it.
0:45:51 > 0:45:58Richard feels the same, sometimes, and it depresses him so much
0:45:58 > 0:46:01and we've argued massive through all this anyway.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05It's like you're letting the kids down
0:46:05 > 0:46:09and putting pressure on Lisa cos she expects me to do it and...
0:46:09 > 0:46:15It's not good. You've got to stay strong for your little boy and getting him to school and that.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17You carry on as you can do.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20It's not an exaggeration to say the house was ruining their lives.
0:46:20 > 0:46:27But we put a roof on, laid some floors and added finishing touches to create this.
0:46:27 > 0:46:31Downstairs, the family can relax in this luxurious living area.
0:46:31 > 0:46:35Spending time together wasn't something they were able to do.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38But now, they can hang out in style.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44And eating together will also be a whole new experience.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48We've knocked through into the extension to make this open plan
0:46:48 > 0:46:52kitchen-dining area, a space that the family really needed.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56With a high chair for Madison,
0:46:56 > 0:46:59they can all sit round the table together.
0:46:59 > 0:47:05This modern kitchen not only looks the part, but comes with a lot of clever features.
0:47:05 > 0:47:09And Lewis and Madison get their very own space downstairs,
0:47:09 > 0:47:12with this fun and colourful playroom.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15Open your eyes.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22We're at the wrong house!
0:47:30 > 0:47:32Oh, my God!
0:47:35 > 0:47:38I don't know what to say. Speechless.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42This is the best house... Oh, my God!
0:47:44 > 0:47:47- I can't believe it. - I don't know what to say.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50Oh, my God!
0:47:54 > 0:47:57We could have never done this in a million years.
0:47:57 > 0:47:58I don't know what to say.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03This is the best present ever... Oh, this is amazing.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07What's really important for you was a nice dining room area,
0:48:07 > 0:48:10- and maybe somewhere to prepare food...- Yeah, definitely.
0:48:10 > 0:48:14..that looks nice, because you know what kids are like - if things look fun...
0:48:14 > 0:48:16then they'll get involved.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18Are you ready to see the next bit?
0:48:18 > 0:48:20I love this room so much.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22- You don't want to leave it! - I love it
0:48:22 > 0:48:26I'm never leaving the house! This is amazing, I love it. Everything.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30Come on, let's go and see the next bit, shall we?
0:48:48 > 0:48:52This is not the same house. This is NOT the same house.
0:48:54 > 0:48:58Dining table's here. We can all sit together now.
0:48:58 > 0:49:03Can't believe this. Look at this for Madison, Rich!
0:49:03 > 0:49:06- Yeah, your Madison chair. - That's fantastic.
0:49:06 > 0:49:10A proper family table so that means you can have family meals.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Look at my kitchen! Oh!
0:49:13 > 0:49:14Sparkly tops,
0:49:14 > 0:49:18- that is super cool! Oh, my God. - You happy with it?
0:49:18 > 0:49:21Because it was tough for you to hand it on.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24Yeah, it took that much part of your life, it's just...
0:49:24 > 0:49:29- I can't take it in that it's finished. I didn't think it'd ever get to this stage.- I know.
0:49:29 > 0:49:33This is crazy, honestly, it just doesn't feel like our home.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35We didn't like going back to our home,
0:49:35 > 0:49:38and it was cold and horrible.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42I don't even want to leave the house now. I absolutely adore it.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45More importantly,
0:49:45 > 0:49:48it's a place where you can start doing proper family things together.
0:49:48 > 0:49:50- Yes.- A normal life again.
0:49:50 > 0:49:52It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I adore it.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03This is absolutely beautiful. Look at it.
0:50:08 > 0:50:10Speechless again. I just...
0:50:12 > 0:50:15It's what we wanted for her, wasn't it?
0:50:15 > 0:50:18Upstairs, we've reconfigured the layout
0:50:18 > 0:50:20so everyone gets a room of their own.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24We've given Richard and Lisa a touch of glamour
0:50:24 > 0:50:27and somewhere they can share, just the two of them.
0:50:27 > 0:50:32Until now, Madison's been sleeping in Richard and Lisa's room
0:50:32 > 0:50:35as she's on a continual feed through the night.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38Well, we've added a special secret door
0:50:38 > 0:50:41so Madison is never too far away.
0:50:42 > 0:50:45She's got her first ever bedroom, fit for a princess,
0:50:45 > 0:50:47and with a cot bed that adjusts
0:50:47 > 0:50:50and gets bigger as she grows.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53Lewis has his very own football-themed bedroom
0:50:53 > 0:50:58complete with a shirt signed by all his favourite players.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02He now has a room any Chesterfield player would be proud to sleep in.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08Oh, my God!
0:51:08 > 0:51:11SHE INHALES SHARPLY Oh, Rich!
0:51:17 > 0:51:19I don't know what to say.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22Thank you to everybody. This is what we wanted, in't it?
0:51:23 > 0:51:27- Little princess bed for her there. - (It's beautiful.)
0:51:27 > 0:51:30Absolutely beautiful. This is more than we could...
0:51:30 > 0:51:32dream about.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36- Will this do for your little girl? - This is fantastic, thanks so much.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39Can't believe it, it's stunning.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43It just bare for that long it's just you think you'll never get it done.
0:51:44 > 0:51:49No, I could never see no light at the end of the tunnel, no way.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53Well, remember we had this little conversation with both of you,
0:51:53 > 0:51:56but separately, where you said to me,
0:51:56 > 0:51:59"It feels like there's no light at the end of the tunnel,"
0:51:59 > 0:52:03and I said, "Well, if you could start with the house being done,
0:52:03 > 0:52:06"that gives you a new start
0:52:06 > 0:52:09"and things will pick up from there."
0:52:09 > 0:52:12So, will this do it?
0:52:12 > 0:52:16We're just looking forward to spending proper time with the kids
0:52:16 > 0:52:18and, you know, living in a proper family home.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21Not working all the time.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24Just nice to have our own bedrooms, it's fantastic.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29- Oh!- Chesterfield top.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34This is stunning.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40It's brilliant, Richard, in't it?
0:52:43 > 0:52:44Oh, my God!
0:52:52 > 0:52:53You all right?
0:52:57 > 0:53:00You've gone completely quiet now.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04- One step too far?- Yeah.- Yeah. - Didn't expect this.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07- Through there.- Oh!
0:53:08 > 0:53:11Oh, wow!
0:53:11 > 0:53:14That is really, really...
0:53:18 > 0:53:20Don't know what to say.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26You had a pretty rough couple of years and you said to me,
0:53:26 > 0:53:29"It feels like there's no light at the end of the tunnel."
0:53:29 > 0:53:32- Hmm.- That's the way it's been. - Yeah, it's...gone.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35You do something, get kicked back down, something else happens.
0:53:35 > 0:53:39Just gone, weren't it, just like that, just gone.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41So who do good things happen to?
0:53:42 > 0:53:45- Us now!- Us now, yeah, definitely us now.- It's a good thing.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47This is...
0:53:47 > 0:53:50We've got a proper home. It's amazing.
0:53:53 > 0:53:54Maddy!
0:53:56 > 0:53:59LISA GASPS This is Maddy's room!
0:53:59 > 0:54:01Maddy's bedroom.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03Wow!
0:54:06 > 0:54:09Oh, dear.
0:54:09 > 0:54:13- She's even got a dressing table over there.- Look at those pretties,
0:54:13 > 0:54:14aren't they pretty?
0:54:16 > 0:54:17In you go, Lewis.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20LAUGHTER
0:54:21 > 0:54:24What do you think to this?
0:54:24 > 0:54:27- This is all freaky! - LISA LAUGHS
0:54:37 > 0:54:39- It suits you!- It feels nice.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43- What's this?- What's this?
0:54:43 > 0:54:45What's this?!
0:54:46 > 0:54:48Wow!
0:54:48 > 0:54:50- What do you think of this, Lewis? - Look at this!
0:54:50 > 0:54:53Maddy, there's a chair for you and a chair for me.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57- What do you think to this, then, Lewis?- Play room for you.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02What do you think, then, kids? Maddy, do you like this room?
0:55:02 > 0:55:05- Oh, yeah!- Oh, wow.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13I think it's a beautiful house. It's a house that works for your family.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15Definitely.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17It's an efficient house...
0:55:17 > 0:55:19with fuel prices going the way they are.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23The costs are going to come down.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Will it be your family home?
0:55:25 > 0:55:28- Oh, yes.- It is.- Oh, yes.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31It's a fresh start, a new life for us, to be fair.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34Definitely. It's a new beginning, in't it?
0:55:34 > 0:55:37- And the future's bright now? - Yeah.- Oh, yeah.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39Can I get you to come out
0:55:39 > 0:55:43and say hello to some of the people that have done some of the work?
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Yeah.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00- Hey!- Wave to all our friends. - Say hello!
0:56:02 > 0:56:03Say hello.
0:56:03 > 0:56:07You've given us our family back because we can spend time with
0:56:07 > 0:56:11our kids without worrying about the house and just have a normal life.
0:56:11 > 0:56:15- It's amazing, honestly. Thank you all so, so much.- Thank you to everyone.
0:56:15 > 0:56:19- We just love every one of you.- It's an amazing thing you've done here.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23By giving up your time, you've given this family a chance of getting on,
0:56:23 > 0:56:27not just because they've got a house, somewhere to have dinner and sit together,
0:56:27 > 0:56:31and the kids have bedrooms, because they get to spend time together now.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34It's taken enormous pressure off. I know some of you know the family, some don't,
0:56:34 > 0:56:38but they're a fabulous couple, and fabulous kids as well.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41They're looking at a different future now thanks to you so from all of us,
0:56:41 > 0:56:43- thank you very much.- Thank you!
0:56:50 > 0:56:52- Thank you very much for everything. - It's amazing.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55Look at you, what are you doing?!
0:56:55 > 0:56:57Your watch.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00You don't even really know what's going on, do you?
0:57:00 > 0:57:04You've got a lovely big shiny house and lots of things to play with.
0:57:04 > 0:57:09Well done, mate, well done. It's been a privilege to be involved.
0:57:10 > 0:57:14As an employee, you don't always see
0:57:14 > 0:57:16what's on this other side.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19Thanks for everything you've done, like. It's unreal.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21- I can't take it in. - It's a privilege.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25An illness in a child is very difficult for both Mum and Dad.
0:57:25 > 0:57:27Dads deal with it in a different way.
0:57:27 > 0:57:30He's found it very difficult to face up to the fact that he's had to hand
0:57:30 > 0:57:35his child over to medical people and say, "Do what you have to do." It makes you feel helpless.
0:57:35 > 0:57:39That's why he threw himself so hard into the extension.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42But it's also separated him slightly from the family and that's not good.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45What these people have done is brought that family back together.
0:57:45 > 0:57:46Now he'll spend time with his wife -
0:57:46 > 0:57:49they haven't spent proper time for two years.
0:57:49 > 0:57:51Now he can spend time with Madison.
0:57:51 > 0:57:54Now he can spend time with Lewis, his son.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57He's really missed him for two years.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59Isn't it amazing what people can do?
0:58:00 > 0:58:03Six weeks on and the family ARE getting back on track.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06She's picking up with her eating, she's getting better
0:58:06 > 0:58:10so all sat together at the table, it's a big help.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13It's just we've got our life back, you know? It's completely different.
0:58:13 > 0:58:16We have time for both of the kids.
0:58:18 > 0:58:21We go out as a family, sit together at night, eat meals together,
0:58:21 > 0:58:26just changed so much and it's the best thing that's ever happened.
0:58:26 > 0:58:29Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:29 > 0:58:32E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk