oak, was so rotten that it was knocked down before the groundwork began.


THE RIGHT BUILDER


Initially the couple struggled to find an enthusiastic builder – most were put off by the size and complexity of the job. Eventually it was Rupert's hairdresser who suggested they contact a local builder, Paul Edwards, who had done a similar renovation project in the area. Building work began in July 2015. The couple were busy at work and Lizzy was juggling exams at the same time. “Paul was fundamental to the project,” says Rupert.


“We had complete trust in him and his ideas, which meant we were able to make decisions as we went along rather than working to a fixed schedule.”


This rather organic process had both advantages and disadvantages. With no quantity surveyor the couple had to trust that Paul was keeping track of the costs: “On the plus side it meant that we had people on the ground who could make last minute changes at a better price than if we had negotiated in advance,” says Rupert.


TRANSFORMATION BEGINS


All of the original walls were knocked down along with the 1980s-style chimney, to create a


30 www.sbhonline.co.uk


The downstairs living area is the real showstopper – configured around a central, double- sided wood fire, separating the kitchen, dining area and main lounge


large open plan kitchen, living area and entrance hall. A new slate roof was installed, which took around three months to complete. Rupert admits he was alarmed when, almost halfway through the project – around Christmas 2015 – all the money he had budgeted had been spent. “I remember looking around this shell, thinking ‘Crikey we’ve still got a long way to go.’”


HIGH POINT


“We wanted to create a modern house and everything that comes with that. The real gift is to have that in the exact area you want to live. We can still call on our neighbours – we thought we’d have to lose all of that.” – Rupert


RUPERT’S ADVICE


“If we did this again I would have kept a better handle on the finances. If we had thought through what was required, we probably wouldn’t have done it!”


nov/dec 2020


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