Amy Willis
Amy spent over a decade in London editing and writing for The Daily Telegraph, MailOnline, and Metro.co.uk before moving to East Anglia where she began renovating a period property in rural Suffolk. When the pandemic hit she switched to full-time building work on her renovation and spent nearly two years focusing solely on that.
She's taken a hands-on DIY approach to the project, knocking down walls, restoring oak beams and laying slabs with the help of family members to save costs. She has largely focused on using natural materials, such as limestone, oak and sisal carpet, to put character back into the property that was largely removed during the 1980s. The project has extended into the garden too, with the cottage's exterior completely re-landscaped with a digger and a new driveway added. She has dealt with de-listing a property as well as handling land disputes and conveyancing administration.
She is now looking to convert her garage into both a study and a boot room as well as adding a small extension for a utility room. A new 3/4-car driveway for her home is already in progress, with the plan to finish the surface with Cotswold stone chippings, a box hedging surround and a pergola with a gateway to stop children and animals getting through. She also needs to finish laying an oak herringbone floor in the older, thatched part of the house that now forms the property's living room.
Latest articles by Amy Willis

By Amy Willis Last updated
Knowing how to sow grass seed could be essential after a renovation or landscaping project. Read our in-depth guide to reseeding your lawn for the best results

By Amy Willis Last updated
What is a heat pump tumble dryer is a question some may be asking when looking to upgrade their appliances. We explain the technology

By Amy Willis Published
Kevin McCloud looks at nominees for RIBA's House of the Year, which include a pink home on a windswept beach with a bath in the bedroom and a spa out the back

By Amy Willis Published
Thatching can eat up a huge amount of your budget when renovating — so planning can be key. Here's our expert guide to the costs and how and why this can vary

By Amy Willis Last updated
Mould can be tricky to budge once it has set in. Homebuilding & Renovating's Amy Willis gives her verdict on the best cleaning methods to use to banish the spores from your ceiling

By Amy Willis Published
It might be Halloween but mummified cats found in the walls of old buildings and homes is something to be cautious of all year around

By Amy Willis Published
This self build suffered plenty of mishaps from thieves trashing the site, a soil collapse when piling, plus a cancer scare. The solo self builder was forced into selling her existing home too

By Amy Willis Last updated
The homeowners of this creeper-covered home say it helps keep them warm at night. But does it? We asked our experts if plants offer up any insulation value

By Amy Willis Last updated
The Homebuilding team has been inundated with 'hacks' to help homeowners keep the heating off for longer this winter — we gave some a trial. Here's our verdict

By Sam Webb, Jack Woodfield, Amy Willis Published
Robots that install insulation in our homes are among the innovations of 24 tech firms receiving government funding to increase the uptake of heat pumps in the UK

By Amy Willis Published
Kevin McCloud follows the journey of a contemporary 'long house' built for multigenerational living for a Derbyshire family, plus all their animals

By Amy Willis Published
A community self build group is releasing blueprints free of charge to give anyone the chance to build their own tiny eco homes — for a build cost of under £50,000

By Amy Willis Last updated
You may be asking how much water does a garden sprinkler use per hour after the heatwave. With bills on the rise, the answer may leave you reaching for the tap

By Amy Willis Last updated
Knowing 'how much is my house worth?' is crucial to any homeowner. Here's our guide on calculating your home's value

By Amy Willis Published
Kemeys Folly was struck by lightning in the 1890s and rebuilt before being renovated and featured on Grand Designs

By Amy Willis Published
Electric underfloor heating installation is possible if you're a competent DIYer. Whether you opt for DIY or call in an expert, here's what you need to know

By Tim Pullen Last updated
If you're confident underfloor heating installation is a task you can successfully do yourself – here's our step-by-step guide

By Amy Willis Published
Energy costs potentially hitting over £5,000 a year by April 2023 could cause a surge in demand for solar PV panels

By Amy Willis Published
The Grand Designs presenter has this simple, free and eco-friendly tip for keeping your home cool in a heatwave

By Amy Willis Published
Our modern hallway ideas will help you create a slick, stylish entrance to your home. Plus, we also share great tips from design experts

By Amy Willis Published
The self builders behind this striking 'Hobbit House' eco home designed it with a borehole, solar panels and biomass boiler

By Amy Willis Last updated
The EU is looking at slashing its F-gas quota to combat global warming. But doing so may impact British heat pump manufacturers

By Amy Willis Last updated
Scarlette Douglas is back with new TV show 'Worst House on the Street'. She and brother Stuart Douglas share their advice on saving cash during a renovation
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