Stick the kettle on
Hello
We’re Fi + Neil
We help new renovators create their dream homes, minus the stress!
Our new UPVC bay windows install | 1930s house renovation
When we moved into our 1930s house back in 2016, one of the inconvenient truths flagged in our survey was that we would need to install new UPVC bay windows at some point fairly soon (in fact, most of the windows needed replacing).
Our surveyor quoted about £10K to replace the front windows 🤯
…but luckily we negotiated the price of the property before we exchanged and managed to get that knocked off the price 👍
How much does a structural engineer cost?
Are you in the middle of a renovation project and finding yourself overwhelmed with the list of consultants you need to hire? Don’t panic! We’re here to help you with our structural engineer guide on what services they do and at what cost.
8 rarely spoken about tips for designing your home
In this guide, I want to share with you some proven home decoration tips that I practice daily to support those of you who are designing a room currently.
Ultimate Guide: What to look for when buying a house to renovate
Neil and I bought our house in 2016. There it is in the photo above. Having never bought a fixer-upper before it's safe to say there were a lot of things we were completely blind to when we came to the house to view it.
If you're on the market for a fixer upper, or you think one day you'd like to do a renovation project and make a house completely your own, then there's a few points I've learned to look out for along the way.
8 rarely talked about tips for designing your home
In this guide, I want to share with you some proven home decoration tips that I practice daily to support those of you who are designing a room currently.
What does an Architect do?
If you’re doing an architectural project, it’s very likely that you will at least talk to an architect at some point or another in the design process. However, the role and level of involvement of the architect can be different from one development to another depending on the size and client’s choices. If you’re wondering exactly what the role of the architect is, how much and what you should ask from them, here’s a little guide on what architects do.
What does a structural engineer do?
If you are in the middle of a renovation project and are making significant changes to your house, chances are you will be needing a structural engineer. If you are unsure what their role is, here’s a guide to the structural engineer’s job and what you should expect from them.
DIY tool list for the aspiring UK renovator
Check out our DIY tools list. If you’re on the look out for tools for your DIY project check out what we used.
Chartered surveyor interview: House surveys for renovations
If you’re planning on renovating then a survey is a an absolute must. We’ve seen members of our community pull out of their property purchases due to the issues found in surveys. Today we speak to chartered surveyor Leo Horsfield for his advice to a potential renovator on getting a house survey done.
10 questions to ask your contractor before they start
Hiring a contractor? By making sure you ask the right questions, you can go into your project fully equipped and aware.
Why is your renovation so important? You'll want to read this...
If and when you get the renovation blues, think of these 3 things.
AD: How much does it cost to redesign a living room? Where to spend + save | Habitat
Renovating a living room? Unsure about how to prioritise your budget? I’ve teamed up with Habitat UK to show you how to tackle a living room revamp for maximum wow – and what costs are involved.
What we wish we knew about home renovations before we started | Our 1930s home
Our 1930s house renovation was a learning experience like no other. If you’re new to a renovation, hopefully some of these experiences will help you make your project run more smoothly.
Wood burner vs open fire: how to fill your fireplace
As the summer months turn to autumn, we start to think about cosying up in our liviing rooms and nothing makes that better than being in front of a roaring woodburner or open fire, but what are the main things to think about when getting one installed?
Reasons why you SHOULDN'T buy a Belfast sink
Deciding which type of sink you’re going to buy is a key part of your kitchen design, it can even define the whole look of your kitchen. Belfast sinks look so lovely, what’s not to love? Let’s take a look.
How to renovate a buy to sell property for profit
Here we look at how to make a buy to sell house flip a success. We’ll go through mortgage, budgeting, renovation process and preparing yourself for sale.
How to reduce your house renovation costs
When you’re renovating a house, costs can quickly spiral. Here’s our top tips to control your renovation costs and make a saving.
Is this the most colourful home in the UK? | The House That Colour Built Interview
I’m joined by Jess, one half of the skyrocketing Instagram @thehousethatcolourbuilt to talk about their house, colour, and survival for anyone renovating!
How to design your home – the right way (and avoid expensive design mistakes)
There are right and wrong ways to design a house when you’re renovating. Read this guide and get prepared.
Permitted Developments: The Ultimate Guide
We address 12 of the most common questions and all you need to know about permitted developments before you start work on your property.