George Clarke described the project as a "miracle" when seeing how the Weston Super Mare couple completely transformed their period property with no previous building experience
A couple in Weston Super Mare have renovated their period property using just £40,000 and 11 months of hard work(Image credit: Channel 4)
A pair of renovators from Weston Super Mare completely transform their period property that they purchased for £345,000, despite claiming to have no previous renovation experience.
The couple, Simon and Holly, who have two young children, show off their work on George Clarke's Old House New Home, which they managed to get done for less than £40,000 and in under one year.
The transformation of the three-storey terraced house was described as a "miracle" by George as it was previously a townhouse, and before that three flats. This turnaround shows what can be achieved when renovating a house.
Completed work by themselves for £40k in under a year
The couple laid out their plans on the show stating their intention to restore the period property by themselves, despite having no previous experience.
George Clarke was left stunned when Simon stated the couple had "Zero" background in building as George responded: "You've never built anything before? And you're going to do all this?"
Although, Simon at least clarified he wouldn't go near the gas and electricity work.
The couple had a strict budget for their renovation and a clear plan to restore the home to its former glory and make it a family home for their two young children, which after 11 months and around £40,000 later they managed, showing how you can renovate on a budget.
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The couple spent £40,000 and 11 months transforming the property(Image credit: Channel 4)
The couple stated their intention to do the work themselves, despite having "Zero" experience in building(Image credit: Channel 4)
This master bedroom is one of just six bedrooms in the three-storey home(Image credit: Channel 4)
Knocked through a wall to create family kitchen-diner
The couple's work extended to the kitchen where they knocked through a wall on the ground floor to create a kitchen-diner.
The open plan kitchen created a large "family-space" and featured tiles which were hand-painted by Holly.
The kitchen-diner also had French doors, which led out to the back garden to provide even more brilliant home renovation ideas for others.
The couple were forced to knock through a wall on the ground floor to create the kitchen-diner of their dreams (Image credit: Channel 4)
Feels like a 'completely different house'
George was left delighted with how the couple managed to restore the home to its original features
When George was initially shown round the house before the renovation he was in despair with how work by previous owners had removed many of the homes original features, such as the fireplaces, when the home was turned into three flats.
He stated: "You would never think you were in a beautiful period house in here would you? It's pretty miserable actually."
However, after the renovation the fireplaces were restored and the home was done in a style to pay homage to the home's past. George even provided the finishing touches by bringing in a carpenter to restore the bannister to its former glory by putting in a curved handrail for a unqiue staircase design.
After all the work was done George declared: "I feel like I'm in a completely different house altogether."
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The couple made it a mission to restore the home to its original features, starting with the fireplaces, which they restored(Image credit: Channel 4)
George Clarke stated the final home felt like "a completely different house altogether"(Image credit: Channel 4)
A curved handrail was also implemented with the help of a carpenter hired by George Clarke(Image credit: Channel 4)
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
