Alex and Nigel had £40k left to spend to complete their bungalow renovation, which Stacey helped them achieve with her DIY tips
Stacey helped the father and daughter get the home ready in time for her wedding reception(Image credit: Channel 4)
Stacey Solomon helps Nigel and his daughter Alex get their bungalow prepared in time for Alex's wedding where the reception will be held.
In her latest episode of Renovation Rescue Stacey discovered the family were living in squalor as the previous builders had taken £40,000 for work that was written off by building inspectors.
With time and money running out, Stacey was on hand to offer help to save on costs by showing them how they could renovate the house themselves.
Forced to wash dishes in the bath
When Stacey first visited the couple she found their bungalow to be in a state with the father and daughter being told that after two months and £40,000 spent all of the previous building work was not fit for purpose.
Alex said: "The foundations weren't dug quite right so they had to redo them. The cavity walls were wrong, the roof joists were wrong and the big beam was not sufficient for holding up the roof."
They were forced to live in a temporary construction site ever since and had to wash their dishes in the bath. All they had was a camping table and a cooker.
Alex tearfully stated: "I just couldn't cope."
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The work that cost them £40,000 was written off by the building inspector they only have £40,000 left and were back to square one.
Stacey said: "Inside is even worse than I expected. There's an acrow prop keeping up the ceiling, an exposed beam and a barely functioning kitchen."
Stacey was determined to help and started by recommending removing their extension plans and instead making a larger kitchen and including a patio area for the extra space.
The extension, Stacey explained, would have taken up most of their £40,000 budget and wouldn't have added much space.
To save even more money Stacey showed the couple how to hammer and chisel the previous failed extension by the previous builders and use the bricks elsewhere.
Stacey said: "We'll try and save as many bricks as possible and we can use them in the project and that'll save us money as well."
Converting windows into double French doors
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The double French doors were installed in the bedroom and from the kitchen-diner(Image credit: Channel 4)
The French doors replaced windows that were incorrectly installed(Image credit: Channel 4)
Another Stacey idea was to convert the windows from the kitchen and master bedroom and use them for double French doors opening onto the garden.
Reusing the lintel on the windows and doing the work themselves meant they saved £500, showing there are multiple ways to renovate on a budget.
They did this by taking out the uPVC windows out by unscrewing and running a Stanley knife around the window to loosen the seal and beating it out with a rubber mallet.
Make their own furniture using an oak worktop
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The father and daughter made the dining room table and bench out of an oak worktop(Image credit: Channel 4)
Stacey helped the pair build a firewood storage area by installing the hearth(Image credit: Channel 4)
With the oak worktop shelving and a side table were also built(Image credit: Channel 4)
Stacey wasn't finished there as she also showed Alex and Nigel how to make their own furniture.
Using an oak worktop she showed them that with just a drill and some screws they could build their dining table, two shelves, a bench, coffee table and a side table.
Stacey said: "You will literally have every piece of furniture you need."
Stacey predrilled the holes on the table for Alex and then the legs of the dining table and bench, which were scaffold inspired, were simply screwed into place.
Renovation completed just in time for wedding reception
Alex and Nigel were concerned the renovation wouldn't be completed in time for Alex's wedding but with Stacey's help and a lot of elbow grease they managed it.
Nigel and Alex fit the facias and soffits themselves saving £1,250 and installed engineered wood flooring for the kitchen-diner saving £250.
The big savings in the kitchen though came from reusing the kitchen units that saved £2,250 and there was enough left to buy a kitchen island.
Stacey said of the finished home: "It's soft, homely, cosy materials mixed with masculine, black, metal, industrial bits and pieces - just brings everyone's tastes together."
Nigel said: "I never thought we'd get to this point, I really didn't."
Stacey said: "I met them when they were at their absolute lowest and now I get to see them on a high, about to start a whole new chapter of their life, and that is just absolute joy."
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.
