When Jess Sowerby and her partner Rick set out to find their dream home, they never thought it would be a fixer-upper. After 30 failed viewings, however, they were forced to reconsider their priorities.
In February last year, the couple bought a 1930s semi-detached house on a cul-de-sac in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. But this wasn't just any ordinary home - it needed £90,000 worth of work to bring it up to date. The Sowerbys weren't fazed by the prospect, however.
"We felt like we'd been given a second chance," says Jess. "The house was cold, damp and dated, but I could see its potential."
As they settled in, the couple began tackling the renovation projects head-on. With some DIY experience under their belts, they set about fixing up the interior and exterior of the property.
"We wanted to make it feel like a home," says Jess. "The bones of the house were great, but we could add our own touch."
From peeling wallpaper to dodgy carpets, there was no shortage of work to be done. But with careful planning and research, the Sowerbys were able to bring their vision to life.
"Focus on the layout and flow," advises Jess. "Consider elements that will be difficult or more expensive to change, like walls and windows."
Their biggest outlay was an extension, which cost £35,000. But this added a valuable extra room to the property.
"We wanted space for our little boy's nursery," says Rick. "It's been worth every penny."
The Sowerbys' home is now valued at £350,000 - a 125% increase from their original purchase price of £155,000. They're not planning on selling anytime soon, though.
"It's good to know our hard work was worth it," says Jess. "But we're not planning to move. If you've put your heart and soul into something, why would you sell it?"
For those considering a fixer-upper, the Sowerbys' story is a reassuring one. With careful planning and research, even the most challenging renovation projects can be turned into successes.
Here are three jobs that could cost you thousands - and how much they might set you back:
* Roof inspection: £250
* Asbestos survey: £200-£1,000
* Structural damage repairs: variable
And here are some average costs for common jobs on a renovation project:
* New central heating system: £5,250
* Rewiring the electrics: £6,225
* Knocking down walls: £3,300
* Damp proofing: £5,000
* Replastering walls: £1,400-£2,500
Remember to always factor in extra costs and contingency funds for unexpected expenses. With careful planning and research, even the most daunting renovation projects can be turned into successful ventures.
In February last year, the couple bought a 1930s semi-detached house on a cul-de-sac in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. But this wasn't just any ordinary home - it needed £90,000 worth of work to bring it up to date. The Sowerbys weren't fazed by the prospect, however.
"We felt like we'd been given a second chance," says Jess. "The house was cold, damp and dated, but I could see its potential."
As they settled in, the couple began tackling the renovation projects head-on. With some DIY experience under their belts, they set about fixing up the interior and exterior of the property.
"We wanted to make it feel like a home," says Jess. "The bones of the house were great, but we could add our own touch."
From peeling wallpaper to dodgy carpets, there was no shortage of work to be done. But with careful planning and research, the Sowerbys were able to bring their vision to life.
"Focus on the layout and flow," advises Jess. "Consider elements that will be difficult or more expensive to change, like walls and windows."
Their biggest outlay was an extension, which cost £35,000. But this added a valuable extra room to the property.
"We wanted space for our little boy's nursery," says Rick. "It's been worth every penny."
The Sowerbys' home is now valued at £350,000 - a 125% increase from their original purchase price of £155,000. They're not planning on selling anytime soon, though.
"It's good to know our hard work was worth it," says Jess. "But we're not planning to move. If you've put your heart and soul into something, why would you sell it?"
For those considering a fixer-upper, the Sowerbys' story is a reassuring one. With careful planning and research, even the most challenging renovation projects can be turned into successes.
Here are three jobs that could cost you thousands - and how much they might set you back:
* Roof inspection: £250
* Asbestos survey: £200-£1,000
* Structural damage repairs: variable
And here are some average costs for common jobs on a renovation project:
* New central heating system: £5,250
* Rewiring the electrics: £6,225
* Knocking down walls: £3,300
* Damp proofing: £5,000
* Replastering walls: £1,400-£2,500
Remember to always factor in extra costs and contingency funds for unexpected expenses. With careful planning and research, even the most daunting renovation projects can be turned into successful ventures.
! I'd have given up by now, but Jess and Rick just went with it and ended up loving their home 
. Their tip about focusing on the layout and flow is so true - you really need to consider what's gonna cost a lot of money to change later on 
. And wow, that extension must've been a game-changer for them! 
Their story's definitely a great reminder that sometimes taking risks and putting in work can pay off big time 
.
. He bought this one place that needed like £30k worth of work and he just thought it was a great deal... until the DIY gods decided to play tricks on him 
. Anyway, I was reading about this one couple who found their dream home in a fixer-upper and I'm like "yaaas, let's do that!" 
. And from what I've seen, the costs add up fast, so make sure you've got a solid plan and some spare cash on hand 
️. But honestly, if someone is offering me a 125% increase in value for my money, I'm there 
!
I think it's amazing how much potential a 1930s semi-detached house can have with some TLC 
. Just remember to do your research and plan carefully (and factor in those extra costs 
) if you're thinking of taking on a fixer-upper project yourself. Good luck, and may the renovation gods be with you 
Some might get discouraged by the endless list of repairs, while others would be thrilled to have a blank slate.
Where did all that extra cash go? It highlights the importance of having a realistic budget and factoring in unexpected expenses. 
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." 
The Sowerbys' story is a perfect example of how determination and hard work can lead to success. They took on a fixer-upper and turned it into their dream home, not just financially but emotionally as well. Their attitude towards the renovation process was positive and they were willing to put in the effort required to bring out the best in their property. With careful planning and research, anyone can tackle a challenging project like this and achieve their goals. 
They must've had some serious patience, going through 30 failed viewings, but it was all worth it in the end. £90,000 might seem like a lot, but it sounds like they were able to get an amazing deal on their renovation costs.
. anyone else ever think of doing a fixer upper? 
, especially when it comes to things like asbestos surveys which can be super costly 
, it's not just about slap dash decorating 
.
How did they know where to start? 
Did they get any help from friends or family? 
My cat could probably fix up a old house with some TLC and treats 
. But seriously, it's amazing that they were able to turn their dream home into reality. I bet the views of Rochdale are lovely 
. What's the best way to find out if there are any major issues like asbestos or structural damage? 
Should you hire professionals or do your own research? 
Can you believe they spent 30 viewings trying to find a fixer-upper? I mean, I've seen some weird stuff online but that's just crazy! They got it for £155k and now it's worth £350k? That's insane! What if they hadn't stuck with it and sold it or something? I don't think we'll ever know. But seriously, their DIY skills are on point! I've been meaning to tackle a renovation project myself but I'm not sure where to start 
. It's clear they're not planning on selling anytime soon, and who can blame them? It's been worth every penny 
. I don't get why people wanna take on so much hassle for a home. Can't they see that's just more work for them? 
. I'm also thinking about getting into DIY myself now 
.
Those Sowerbys are like total rockstars when it comes to renovating a fixer-upper! 