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Finding a FIXER UPPER

The allure of a ‘Fixer Upper’!

So you want to renovate a house… so how do you go about Finding a Fixer-Upper? If you’ve ever seen any of the TV shows on HGTV like Fixer Upper or Master of Flips, you’ve possibly been inspired to convert an old rundown house into your DREAM HOME?

We knew we wanted a North American style HOME

Having lived in the USA and Canada, James and I had dreamed of building our own dream home. We would often drive past plots of land and think that would be perfect to build on! But often the cost of the land would put us off.

Our previous house was a six-bedroomed ‘cookie-cutter house’ (I love that American saying). It was lovely, and we knew it was lovely because 40 other families on the estate also had the same lovely house!!

In 2014 after we sold our old home, we then started looking at other houses. The original plan had been to DOWNSIZE… but we soon realised that wasn’t going to work.

Their LOCATIONS

Finding our Fixer Upper

When Beechins was relisted we jumped at the chance to buy it. It was the first house that I had ever walked in, and I wanted to make an offer before James even saw it! I could visualise what it could be like…

The step was working with our Architect John from JPD Architects Ashford to come up with the perfect plans. We wanted an open-plan design that would make you feel like you had been transported to the other side of the Atlantic!

Building our dream!

James and I had also decided to live in the property whilst it was renovated. It is certainly NOT something I would recommend! We had no hot water, heating, or a roof for most of the 8 months that it took to build the house.

Initially, James (my husband) was going to Project Manager the build, as he has more years of experience in the construction industry than most people you will ever meet.

However, it soon became apparent he wasn’t the best person to be in charge! So I took over the job of Project Managing and loved every moment.

And our builders said I was the most laid-back woman in charge they have ever known!

Project Managing the Build!

Being the Project Manager is more involved than most people embarking on a self-build/renovation project think.

Project Managing is a full-time job in itself. You need to know what is happening not only that day but the next week and the week after.

It is extremely time-consuming and as a result, you would struggle to do your day job as well.

The alternative is to hire a Project Manager, however, having a Project Manager will cost money but it will also save you money in the long run.

In conclusion…

I am not going to lie to you when I say that renovating a house is hard… It is, it will push you to your breakpoint and then some!

It will test you and your relationship with your other half and there will be days when you actually hate each other…

However, the rewards and the sense of achievement that comes from building your own home are hard to put into words.

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Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.

– Sarah Ban Breathnach

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