- 13 hours ago
Kirstie and Phils Love It or List It - Season 11 - Episode 01: Waterfoot
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00:00This time, it's a love it or list it first.
00:03We have done six house moves in ten years.
00:07I know. Please don't make me move again.
00:09Yes, it's a man with a wandering eye.
00:11I'm definitely a serial house shopper.
00:13But not without reason.
00:15There's just so many people in the house, it can feel a bit claustrophobic.
00:18That would be absolute mayhem.
00:20And while I would never encourage anyone to play away from home,
00:24well...
00:25Oh, wow.
00:26You're trying not to like it.
00:27You're doing really well, but you're clutching it.
00:31Enough fooling around.
00:32We've never kind of thought about the layout.
00:34This way around.
00:35Renovation budgets are a serious matter.
00:38We just didn't have any sort of wiggle room.
00:40But they can also bring some serious joy.
00:42This is a fantastic space.
00:44Look at that.
00:45So can I hope for a happy ending?
00:47We had to try and find a solution to this back and forth.
00:50As we settle their debate once and for all.
00:53Are you going to love it?
00:55Or list it.
01:02Today we are just south of Glasgow, in the countryside of East Renfrewshire.
01:07How beautiful is this?
01:09Very pretty.
01:11It's lovely, isn't it?
01:15While Kirstie's busy admiring the view, I thought I'd test her on some local Scottish phrases.
01:21What does gaff mean?
01:24Well, everybody knows what gaff means.
01:26OK, well, that was just a warm-up.
01:27Obviously, it means home.
01:28Yeah, it is a house or a house path.
01:31Yeah.
01:31Flittin'.
01:32Flittin'.
01:32Yeah.
01:35Flittin' means flittin', hasn't it?
01:37Yeah, you've got to do better than that.
01:38Well, no, it means flittin' about.
01:40It's moving house.
01:42That was a good guess.
01:44And finally, a rather fitting one.
01:47This is the one that I need to perfect.
01:49OK, right, OK.
01:52I'm just going to say it all day, actually.
01:54OK, what does it mean?
01:55It means be quiet.
01:58Very funny, Phil.
02:00But I don't think our Scottish friends are going to thank you for that accent.
02:07Well, hopefully one couple that will thank us eventually
02:10are busy parents and business owners, Julia and Simon.
02:15I'm team List It because I feel that this house isn't working for us as a family
02:19and I feel like we're all falling over each other.
02:21I'm team Love It because the house for me is amazing.
02:26I think that the house just has so much more to give.
02:29I'm not ready to give up on it.
02:33This 1960s four-bed detached might seem like a decent size, however...
02:38When we bought the house two and a half years ago,
02:40it was just me and Simon and Oliver.
02:44Louis came along a month later.
02:47Then Remy came along.
02:49Then Simon's son, my stepson Jack, moved in with us.
02:52With the family now doubled in size,
02:54Simon feels their home no longer meets their needs.
02:58The kitchen is a big bugbear for me.
03:01I don't really enjoy cooking in that facility
03:03because it's so small, it's bulky.
03:06The dining area doesn't really feel like a dining area.
03:08It's just so busy.
03:09It's like everybody congregates in that middle part of the house.
03:12It feels a bit like a roundabout.
03:14Basically, since we moved in, we've started renovating from day one.
03:18We've already spent a substantial amount in the house.
03:20It's still not right.
03:20I think Julia would just keep spending money on it.
03:23With so much time spent on renovations
03:26and a home that's still not working,
03:28Simon's ready to call it quits and move.
03:30But for Julia, these investments haven't just added value,
03:34they've deepened her determination to stay put.
03:37I want to be in a house that I love,
03:39even if I have to spend that wee bit more.
03:41For me, the house fits so much of our family needs.
03:44I still drive up to our house every day
03:48and think, I can't believe this is my house.
03:51I would say that, for me, it's our forever home, definitely.
03:55It's a classic clash of heart versus head.
04:01The house is set over two floors.
04:04Downstairs, there's a small WC and coat storage.
04:07At the front of the house is the living room.
04:10Towards the back is the dining room,
04:12and off to one side, there's a downstairs office
04:15that is currently being used as a bedroom.
04:18The kitchen sits towards the rear,
04:20leading through to a sunroom serving as a children's playroom
04:23in an old side extension, which overlooks the garden.
04:27Upstairs, there are four bedrooms and the family bathroom.
04:31There may be lots of room,
04:33but not even Julia thinks it's working well.
04:36I think Kirsty would be great at giving me some ideas,
04:40helping me do the right layout.
04:42Control your spending.
04:43Yeah, probably.
04:45But the thought of moving gives me the absolute fear
04:47because we've done it so many times.
04:49That's two days of pain,
04:51whereas a renovation is a completely different...
04:53It's two days of pain for you,
04:55because you basically just hop in the van and go,
04:59off we go, Jules.
05:02These two might not be able to agree on everything,
05:05but there is something they do have in common.
05:08I think we're both in agreement that this house isn't working,
05:11and for our family life to function better,
05:14we need something to change.
05:16Don't worry, Simon.
05:18Change has just pulled up outside.
05:24Looks like it's seen better days.
05:26Well, no, but they've redone the front door.
05:27Oh, that's probably smart.
05:29Yeah.
05:30Hello.
05:31Hello.
05:31Good morning.
05:32How are you?
05:33Hi.
05:33Come on in.
05:34Right.
05:34Auf Wiedersehen.
05:39Who wants to love?
05:40Who wants to list?
05:41So I want to love.
05:43And I'd like to list.
05:44OK.
05:45Give us the kind of background.
05:46So we moved here about two and a half years ago.
05:50When we first moved in,
05:51there was always the house needed, like, top to bottom work done.
05:54And I just feel like we've sort of gone around to a bit of a halt now.
05:57Everything feels a bit unfinished.
05:59When you moved in, you did lots.
06:01So we kind of done everything at the front of the house,
06:04but nothing at the back of the house,
06:05because I don't really know what to do with it
06:07to make it work for us as a family.
06:09We changed the entrance point when we came in.
06:11So you had to sort of access the living room, then come through.
06:15Unfortunately, we've now created a room that's got four doors and a...
06:20Yeah, so this room doesn't work.
06:22Mornings is chaotic.
06:23There's one bathroom.
06:25There's one bathroom.
06:27There's one toilet downstairs,
06:29and then there's one bath,
06:30but it doesn't even have a bath.
06:32So there's one shower.
06:34One shower, it says.
06:36And you are shower people?
06:37No, so the kids all bath,
06:39so you'll find an interesting solution.
06:42I bought a camping bath.
06:43Yeah.
06:44Which was a temporary...
06:46It was meant to be a temporary fix two minutes later.
06:49The thing that's the main issue, I would say,
06:51is that once they go to bed,
06:53nobody sits round this table
06:54because we're aware of the fact that we'll wake them,
06:57so we never entertain any more
06:59because we've got kind of nowhere to put everybody.
07:02And when you've got four kids,
07:03we don't really go out.
07:05So we have done six house moves in ten years and all.
07:10And I'm like, I can't, like, I can't move.
07:13I was like, literally, I can't move.
07:15Please don't make me move again.
07:16For me, I think the house could be something amazing.
07:18I just...
07:19I'm not quite sure how to make it work for us as a family.
07:22But you have got to the stage
07:23where you've been out looking at houses.
07:25Yeah, so Simon is regularly looking at houses online.
07:28It's something that he...
07:28I would say you do that daily, actually,
07:30and try and show me houses online.
07:32I've never really fully settled here.
07:34I think I've always had an eye out
07:36and always been looking.
07:38And I think because it's been, like,
07:39a source of frustration for me,
07:41thinking, I don't really see the right end of the tunnel,
07:43that I've always wanted to look out.
07:44There's a good, strong difference of opinion here.
07:46Yeah.
07:46How long's that been going on?
07:48About two and a half years.
07:49No, I would say the whole time we've been together, really.
07:53You've never really felt that settled in anything
07:56that I've probably forced Simon to buy.
07:59Yeah.
07:59Darren likes the problem, really, doesn't he?
08:01We love this area.
08:02Like, we really enjoy living here.
08:05It's just...
08:06Well, it's just a house.
08:09Right, I think we need to look around the house.
08:11Agreed.
08:16Oh, it's super smart.
08:18But it is...
08:19It's a cracking example of a house
08:21where, however tidy you keep it,
08:23you can't get on top of the logistical issues.
08:27This, Phil, is about flow.
08:29Completely.
08:29Yep.
08:30And that would be absolute mayhem.
08:32Yep.
08:33And they've clearly been flitting about.
08:36Nothing.
08:37Not even a smidge of praise for my local lingo.
08:41Rude.
08:42On the surface, this house looks great,
08:44but for a young, busy family,
08:46the layout simply doesn't work.
08:48The dining area sits awkwardly in the middle,
08:51turning a relaxing, entertaining space
08:52into a chaotic corridor.
08:55The kitchen is small, enclosed,
08:57and nowhere near big enough for a family of six.
08:59And the view leaves a lot to be desired, too.
09:02I must admit I'd be inclined to put up a wall
09:05because that feels a big invasion.
09:07Into their garden?
09:08Yeah.
09:09Because, actually, this is their kitchen window.
09:11I mean, you can just see straight into that garden
09:13and they can see straight into your kitchen.
09:16I've got a very healthy Lovett budget of £150,000
09:20to give Julia the forever home
09:22and the stability she's been longing for.
09:24But with the ceiling price of the street
09:27at around £625,000
09:29and their home worth about £500,000,
09:32do they really want to spend it all?
09:35Julia's reluctance to consider moving
09:37is due to the fact that they've moved a lot in the past
09:40and she just doesn't want to do it again.
09:41She doesn't want to do it again and I'm with her.
09:43She's got a one-year-old, a three-year-old,
09:46a seven-year-old and a 16-year-old
09:48and she runs her own business and so does he.
09:51I'm amazed they're sane.
09:52Hmm.
09:53I mean, it's beautiful.
09:54Sell it as it stands and move.
09:57Again, six moves in ten years.
09:59Just get it done.
10:00I can lose my mind.
10:01Yeah, no, I completely get that.
10:03The thing is, they may be lacking square footage inside
10:06but definitely not outside.
10:09Look at that plot size.
10:11Oh, my word, the garden's amazing.
10:12Absolute haven for children.
10:14Yeah.
10:15Hmm.
10:16That's got me rumbled.
10:18This bit's not quite finished but really useful space.
10:20I mean, it's clear they need a playroom and a utility room.
10:23They've been trying to make that old-school extension work
10:27but it's failing.
10:29With the playroom out of sight,
10:30Julia and Simon are constantly struggling
10:32to keep an eye on the kids.
10:35Yet the large garden could be the solution
10:37to all their problems and mine.
10:40The bathroom's totally big enough to have a bath.
10:42Yes.
10:42Did she say it was a camping bath?
10:44Yes.
10:44You like me.
10:46They're doing well.
10:47Yeah, she's doing...
10:48They're coping.
10:48We can put a bath in there, there's room.
10:50Phil, this family of six doesn't just need a bath.
10:53They need a second bathroom.
10:55But with so much downstairs needing attention,
10:58finding the right spot for that might be a challenge.
11:00With four-bed homes in the area
11:02selling for an average of £575,000,
11:06my listed budget of £650,000
11:09means getting the extra space should be more than doable.
11:12But getting Julia on board for a seventh move in ten years,
11:17that's the real test.
11:18And with LBTT, that's Scottish for stamp duty,
11:23and moving costs nearing £50,000,
11:25that's a lot of cash better kept in the family.
11:30But the problem I'm worrying about
11:32is that in order to sort out the layout difficulties
11:35that they have,
11:37they will spend an absolute fortune
11:39extending the ground floor.
11:41Phil, Hudgerwished.
11:43Design and budget are my department.
11:45Everybody is trying so hard in this house
11:48to make the space that everyone needs.
11:51I mean, this is a lovely teen room,
11:53but it's also an office for two people
11:54who run their own business.
11:56It's not a great combination of needs.
12:02How'd you get on?
12:03It's just not working.
12:04It's just not working.
12:05And they have to invest in it,
12:06because they've done all this work upstairs.
12:09It's beautiful.
12:09And to the sitting room,
12:10and to the front hall.
12:11They just have come to this point,
12:13and they've had two babies,
12:16another child come and live with them,
12:17and they've gone into crisis points.
12:20It's a beautiful house,
12:21and it would work,
12:22but not for a family of that number.
12:24That's why I'd be reluctant
12:25to spend very much on it at all.
12:26The question is, Phil,
12:28not whether you do the work or not.
12:30The question is whether you can do the work
12:32to balance up the house.
12:34Don't spend too much money on this house.
12:36It'll be beautiful.
12:37I'm not going to spend too much money.
12:38I'm not going to spend too much money.
12:39I'm not going to spend too much money.
12:40I don't think he'll let you, actually.
12:42I don't think Simon would let Julia,
12:44because he wants to go.
12:47Well, let's see.
12:48Let's see.
12:49Will they love it?
12:51Just because you can...
12:52Will they list it?
12:52...doesn't mean that you have to.
12:55No, no, I accept your challenge.
12:57I accept your challenge.
12:59Careful, Kirsty.
13:00I play to win, even against friends.
13:03You might play to win, Pip.
13:05I just win.
13:06What a great house.
13:08I see why you now have to sort out the downstairs,
13:10regardless of whether you go or stay,
13:12because you've invested in upstairs.
13:14Yeah.
13:14Shall we talk a bit about what you would need to see
13:17in order for you to give up this dream?
13:21I think we need five bedrooms.
13:22We need clear living space.
13:24I think we need a bit more privacy.
13:26Utility room.
13:27I like the fact we're detached as well,
13:28so the kids can make as much noise as they want
13:30and I'm not worried.
13:31If you were to move, where would it be to?
13:34I think because we love the area.
13:38Childcare, school, work.
13:40It makes sense to stay within this area.
13:43It does narrow the search down a wee bit, doesn't it?
13:45Yeah, yeah.
13:46Well, look, leave it with us.
13:47This is what we're here to help with.
13:48OK.
13:48We'll do our best.
13:51Well, I don't usually stick my neck out,
13:53but it's got to be a list.
13:56It's got to be a list.
13:58I don't think you're going to get a plot anywhere like this,
14:01so I feel pretty confident.
14:03I think Kirsty's got our work out, absolutely.
14:06I think we can do a great job on this house
14:08and it will be really lovely
14:10and we will build on the investment they've already made.
14:13And then move.
14:24I'm definitely a cereal house shopper.
14:26I'm always on the lookout.
14:28I would say that, for me, it's our forever home, definitely.
14:33In the village of Waterfoot,
14:35nestled in the Scottish countryside,
14:37Julia and Simon are torn as to what is best for their family.
14:41We moved here two and a half years ago,
14:43the family's got bigger
14:44and this house is just not working for us now.
14:47I think it's just got so much more potential within it.
14:50Potential.
14:51It's not my middle name, but it should be.
14:56And with a budget of £150,000,
14:59I can unlock it and create a home
15:01that truly flows for the whole family.
15:04It's a funny old house, this.
15:05It doesn't work at all.
15:08The garden is so huge
15:09that I really believe
15:11that we can do something really good with this house.
15:15Really good.
15:16The space is there.
15:19Flow is the key challenge here.
15:22Upstairs may need a few tweaks,
15:24but my focus is making the downstairs work perfectly
15:27without breaking the budget.
15:29It's actually fascinating looking at this.
15:32This is a sensational room.
15:34Yeah.
15:34I think it's those kind of rooms that sold it to us, actually,
15:37because you knew as a family
15:38that you were going to be in these big rooms a lot.
15:40Yeah, but it's not working.
15:41No.
15:42So, over the next page is a plan.
15:49OK.
15:51I want to start by removing the old playroom.
15:54They could then extend into the garden,
15:56creating the open-plan kitchen, dining and living space
16:00they've been dreaming of.
16:03By adding glass doors,
16:05it means the kids will have easy access to the garden.
16:08For a family of this size,
16:10I'm also suggesting part of the new extension
16:12becomes a much-needed utility and extra shower room.
16:17And with the oldest child, Jack,
16:19currently living in the office,
16:21moving his bedroom to the old kitchen
16:22gives him his very own wing of the house.
16:26Best of all, the plan comes in under budget,
16:29with quotes just over £130,000,
16:32which will keep them close to the ceiling price of the area.
16:36This is why we needed your help, Kirsty.
16:39It's clever.
16:39Yeah, it's clever.
16:40If we are working,
16:42you could potentially put some sort of desk
16:44into these areas as well.
16:45Well, I think you could put a desk in here.
16:47If you have a desk made,
16:51which is like a sort of hidden one,
16:53what is really nice is when you can shut the door.
16:55Yeah.
16:56You've seen them on that thing.
16:57Yeah, they've folded up.
16:58Where you just go...
16:59It's really good.
17:00Yeah.
17:00I think it gives us everything that we need.
17:03Exciting.
17:03Mm-hmm.
17:07Earlier on, Phil really laid down the gauntlet.
17:11So, I'm going to give it to him with both barrels.
17:15This house is going to be spectacular,
17:17and he's going to be eating his words.
17:21We'll soon see about that, Ms. Allsop.
17:30It's been a long six months since I revealed my plans,
17:33but work is finally underway.
17:35After much to-ing and fro-ing,
17:37Julia and Simon are extending into the garden
17:39to create an open-plan living space.
17:42But they've decided to tweak my design,
17:44adding a few extra square metres
17:46to make room for a larger utility and shower.
17:50They want Jack's room to stay where it is,
17:52so what was the old kitchen space
17:54will now become a playroom.
17:56It got to the stage where,
17:58when we were pricing the extension,
18:00which was quite tough,
18:01and Simon was just, like,
18:04constantly looking at houses
18:05and constantly taking me to look at houses.
18:08So, I just never thought I would see the day
18:10that we actually put a brick down
18:12and got it started.
18:16Their budget of £150,000
18:18might have seemed healthy before,
18:20but the extra square footage
18:22means they're now spending most of it
18:24getting the extension built to first fix.
18:28And with the kitchen, flooring, utility, WC
18:30and furnishings still to account for,
18:32the budget is looking rather tight.
18:39We took quite a long time
18:41to sort of figure that out,
18:42actually, before pressing the button to go,
18:45because that's...
18:46We knew that we had a budget
18:48that we had to stick to,
18:49we just didn't have any sort of wiggle room.
18:52To stretch what's left of the budget,
18:54Julia and Simon have decided
18:56to take charge of the decorating
18:57and a few finishing jobs.
19:01With the extension now taking shape,
19:04Julia's full of confidence.
19:05I've never swayed,
19:07not even once, to team list it.
19:09I have always been team Lovett.
19:11There's just too many pros for me for staying here.
19:16I think it's about time
19:18I threw a spanner
19:19into Kirsty's Lovett plans.
19:25On paper,
19:26this search looks straightforward.
19:28With my budget of £650,000,
19:31I can find a detached house
19:32with a bigger kitchen,
19:33more space to entertain,
19:35five bedrooms,
19:36a utility room
19:37and even an extra bathroom.
19:39though the real hurdle
19:41will be convincing Julia
19:42that moving again
19:44is their best option.
19:46But I'm glad to see
19:48at least they're aligned
19:49on one thing.
19:51I'm liking the matching outfits,
19:53by the way.
19:53It wasn't.
19:55Am I matching you?
19:56I thought they're both
19:59on the same team.
20:02To kick things off,
20:03I'm taking them
20:04to the village of Jackton,
20:06a mere three miles
20:07from their current home.
20:08The house we're here to see
20:10is this five bed detached,
20:12built only two years ago
20:14and on the market
20:15for offers
20:16over £550,000.
20:20So here we are.
20:22You're buying
20:22what is,
20:23for all intents and purposes,
20:24a new build,
20:25but the community
20:26is already here.
20:27Yeah.
20:27I think it offers
20:29an awful lot
20:30of what your house
20:31doesn't,
20:32to be fair.
20:32It's got definitely
20:33more curb appeal
20:33than ours.
20:35Nice features.
20:37Yeah.
20:37OK.
20:38Let's see what it's like inside.
20:40OK.
20:40Sounds good.
20:42We're off to a cracking start,
20:44but the inside of this house
20:45is where it really shines.
20:48Right.
20:48Lots to see in this house.
20:51Come on, Julia,
20:52I know you're reluctant.
20:53I'm like,
20:54what do you mean?
20:57Downstairs gives
20:57Julia and Simon
20:58exactly what they want,
21:00a space that is practical
21:02and sociable.
21:04A generous living room
21:05leads into a bright,
21:07open-plan kitchen diner.
21:09There's a family room
21:10that could double
21:11as a playroom,
21:12plus a handy utility.
21:15I reckon this house
21:16is the polar opposite
21:18to yours.
21:20Yeah.
21:21Because everyone
21:22can spread out.
21:23It's really nice,
21:24like all the
21:25kind of clearly
21:25defined areas.
21:27So as you said,
21:28it's got
21:28a bit of space
21:30for everybody,
21:30which is really good.
21:32Your house is not
21:33an easy house
21:33to live in.
21:35Yeah.
21:35You're going to improve that,
21:36I get it.
21:37Yeah.
21:37But it's not going to end up
21:39like this.
21:39No.
21:40Have a look around upstairs.
21:41It's all going on here.
21:46It's a nice staircase,
21:47like.
21:48Get out how it winds round.
21:49Ours winds round.
21:52That's the one thing
21:53like ours will never have,
21:54is like this.
21:57Looks like this house
21:58is already starting
21:59to charm Julia.
22:01Upstairs doesn't hold back either,
22:03with five double bedrooms,
22:05a family bathroom,
22:07and two en suites,
22:08which means plenty of room
22:10for everyone.
22:11It's one of the double rooms.
22:13It's a nice size.
22:14Yeah, it's good, isn't it?
22:15Yeah.
22:16I do feel like
22:17it's quite a dark space.
22:20Maybe because we're so used
22:21to bigger windows
22:22and things like that,
22:23I feel like it's quite dark.
22:24That's nice.
22:25It's nice.
22:26Really fresh.
22:27Yeah.
22:28Lovely.
22:29They can walk straight in here.
22:31They don't have to do any work.
22:33Pretty much solves all of the problems
22:35that they have at home.
22:36And it's only three miles away.
22:38So it's not exactly an upheaval.
22:40Well, if I was them,
22:41I'd know exactly what I'd be doing.
22:45Easy, Spencer.
22:46Don't count your chickens just yet.
22:48Yeah, it's nice.
22:49I just feel like it's a...
22:51I still want to change things.
22:54Let's go see, Phil.
22:56Come and join me.
22:59In the garden,
23:01there's not much to it.
23:03It is generous and big.
23:05The issue perhaps being
23:06it's a little overlooked.
23:07Yeah.
23:07Yeah, definitely.
23:08I think we're just so used
23:09to quite a private garden.
23:11Yeah.
23:11I mean, we're totally spoiled
23:12with our garden.
23:13But it's a lovely house,
23:14there's no denying it.
23:16It offers an awful lot.
23:18Yeah.
23:18It is what it is.
23:19OK, let's leave it at that.
23:23That's a great start to the search.
23:25I'm super happy with it.
23:26Julia seems to have an open mind.
23:29She absolutely recognises
23:30the strength of this house.
23:32It is a bit enclosed
23:33and it is a bit overlooked
23:35at the back,
23:36but those are the things
23:36that I can work on.
23:38I like it.
23:39I don't love it.
23:42I like the space.
23:44I think the amount of space
23:45for the price of the house
23:46is really, really good.
23:48Yeah, true.
23:48The garden's a bit of a no
23:49for me personally.
23:51Hard to beat our garden.
23:53Looks like it's back
23:54to the drawing board, Pip.
24:06Back in Waterfoot,
24:08the renovation is still
24:09in full swing
24:10with the team hard at work
24:11bringing the transformation to life.
24:13It's been so nice
24:14to actually see it come together.
24:16I still think
24:17there's part of Simon
24:18that until it's fully finished,
24:20do I trust that he will stay?
24:21No.
24:22No.
24:24Which gives me the fear.
24:29I'm in the countryside,
24:31south of Glasgow,
24:33on the hunt for a home
24:34to tempt Julia and Simon
24:35away from their current abode.
24:38My first property
24:39fell short on garden space
24:41and privacy.
24:42So now I need to show them
24:44somewhere that can deliver both.
24:46Can you now see
24:47what you're going to get
24:48in terms of the space?
24:50Yeah, so I think
24:51in terms of the downstairs space,
24:53like, it's given us
24:54everything we need.
24:55But probably the only downside
24:57is the fact is
24:58that it still hasn't really
25:01gave us the upstairs space.
25:03We still can't create that.
25:05We're in the very popular town
25:07of East Kilbride.
25:09This stunning five-bed detached villa
25:11is located less than a 10-minute drive
25:13from their current home,
25:15meaning it's close to schools
25:17and extended family.
25:19Not surprisingly,
25:21it's closer to the top
25:22of their budget
25:23and equally not surprisingly,
25:25it's already had an offer made on it.
25:27But that's because
25:28it's a very des res.
25:33Private gates.
25:35We're in a state,
25:36this is practically.
25:38Wow.
25:39If you are needing space,
25:42this is going to deal
25:43with that problem.
25:43It's impressive.
25:46Stick your breath away.
25:48Come on, let's get in.
25:50Show you around.
25:52This home doesn't just deliver
25:54what Julia and Simon are after,
25:56it supersizes it.
25:57Downstairs is all about space.
26:01Off a generous hallway,
26:03there are two separate living rooms
26:05and a large kitchen dining space,
26:08absolutely perfect
26:09for family and for entertaining.
26:12And for extra brownie points,
26:14there's a study and a utility room.
26:17I can almost taste victory.
26:20Come on in.
26:22This is a big barn of a place,
26:23just to warn you.
26:24It's 300 square metres,
26:26so that's double the size of yours.
26:28Feels big, doesn't it?
26:30Really spacious.
26:31Yeah, that's amazing.
26:32It's a superb layout
26:33for a big and extended family.
26:35Everybody's got space
26:36away from one another.
26:38Yeah, I can see us in here.
26:39You like it, don't you?
26:42You're trying not to like it.
26:44The only thing I would say...
26:45Go on, try.
26:46This is the only thing.
26:47I feel like it's quite low.
26:49Ceilings, mate.
26:50Yeah.
26:50I like kind of higher ceilings,
26:52which I think is why
26:53I'm sort of still
26:54slightly more attracted
26:55to kind of older style houses.
26:57You're doing really well,
26:58but you're clotsing at the door.
27:03I admire your tenacity.
27:05I've been serious.
27:06You're on the ropes.
27:10Check out upstairs.
27:11Five good, generous bedrooms
27:13and four bathrooms,
27:14two once weeks.
27:21That's really nice.
27:23There's no denying
27:24it would be so nice
27:25to have that right off
27:26your bedroom, wouldn't it?
27:29Looking round,
27:30something like this
27:30has surely got to get Julia
27:32to seriously think
27:34about the benefits of moving.
27:36I think she's on the ropes.
27:37I really do.
27:39Oh, Phil,
27:40you really do love
27:41a bit of drama.
27:42Even though the outlook
27:43is houses,
27:44you're still quite high up,
27:45aren't you?
27:46So you can see...
27:46The vantage point.
27:47Yeah.
27:48A lot of plus points.
27:49Mm-hmm.
27:51The garden may be
27:52slightly smaller than their own,
27:54but it's still a generous size.
27:56And pretty easy to maintain.
27:58Yeah, it's lovely.
27:58Yeah, it's fantastic, yeah.
27:59Yeah.
27:59It's a fantastic property.
28:01What can I learn
28:02going forward?
28:03It'd be nice to have
28:03a bit more traditional character,
28:05maybe,
28:06maybe a bit more private.
28:07What I would ask you
28:08over the next couple of weeks,
28:10just to think of priorities.
28:11Yeah.
28:11There's a lot
28:12we're trying to balance out here.
28:15I don't think
28:16the worm is for turning, Pip.
28:19I have definitely proved,
28:21without doubt,
28:23that it is possible
28:24to solve the issues
28:25of location and space
28:27100%.
28:28But Julia is now talking
28:30about wanting to be
28:31less surrounded
28:32by other houses
28:33and perhaps
28:34finding more character.
28:35And I'm really not sure
28:37that that is all possible.
28:39Not round here, anyway.
28:42Phil, she's not asking
28:43for a castle with a moat,
28:44just something with
28:45a bit more charm and space.
28:46Use that imagination of yours.
28:53At home,
28:54finally,
28:55the extension is watertight.
28:57So it's an ideal time
28:58for me to drop in
28:59and see if it was worth
29:00the big investment.
29:02Last time I was here,
29:03it was over six months ago.
29:05It was winter.
29:06Now it's summer.
29:07And I'm really keen to see
29:09what Julia and Simon have done.
29:14This is a fantastic space.
29:16Absolutely amazing.
29:18I mean, look at that.
29:20It may be summer,
29:21but it's a grey old day.
29:24And it couldn't be
29:25more light in this room.
29:26The kitchen is going
29:28to be at this end
29:29and then the dining room
29:30down there.
29:32Wow.
29:33The garden doesn't feel
29:34compromised at all.
29:36It's still a wonderful,
29:38really big garden.
29:40The time Julia and Simon
29:41took at the start of the build
29:42to really interrogate
29:43the details has paid off.
29:46By creating extra square footage,
29:48they've been able to reposition
29:50and enlarge the utility
29:51and shower room.
29:53And by choosing
29:54some clever,
29:56budget-friendly features,
29:57they don't have to sacrifice
29:58an ounce of style.
30:00Look,
30:01this is a double-glazed unit.
30:04You've still got
30:05loads of air,
30:07loads of space.
30:08And this would be
30:11considerably cheaper
30:12than an expensive
30:13bifold door.
30:14With Simon at work,
30:16it's the perfect time
30:17for me to catch up
30:17with Julia,
30:18who has been driving
30:19this renovation forward.
30:21Hello.
30:22Hello.
30:23How are you?
30:24I'm impressed.
30:24That's how I am.
30:27It's really fantastic.
30:29I'm really pleased
30:30you didn't go
30:30for bifold doors.
30:31They're so expensive
30:32and you don't actually need them.
30:34See,
30:34to be honest,
30:35I think this day and age
30:36you've got to make compromises.
30:38You have to.
30:39This is the area
30:40that I'm kind of struggling with.
30:41Right, okay.
30:42So how do I make
30:43that feel like a snug?
30:46Textiles are the key
30:47to creating a sense
30:48of warmth and cosiness
30:49in an open plan space
30:50like this.
30:51A rug can help zone
30:53in the space
30:53while soft cushions
30:54add warmth and relaxation.
30:56Opting for soft edged furniture
30:59helps give the room
31:00a welcoming, cosy vibe.
31:02Well, this is what's
31:03really interesting.
31:04This in itself
31:06makes it feel snug.
31:08Okay.
31:09So would you put a chair there?
31:11I would have a sofa here.
31:12Oh, really?
31:13I would have a
31:14actual really nice sofa here
31:16that you really like.
31:17So you think face that way?
31:19Facing that way.
31:20Okay.
31:20Even something that's
31:22quite, like, sinky.
31:24Okay.
31:25A sinky sofa.
31:26That's...
31:27Is that why I asked
31:27where I wanted to go in?
31:28You sell sinky sofa.
31:31And then because
31:32I don't want to encourage you
31:34to sit on the cement bags
31:35but when you come
31:36into this space
31:37you can see the playroom
31:39but you're not in it.
31:40Yeah.
31:41You can totally see the kitchen.
31:43The whole idea is
31:43when I'm cooking
31:44I want to be able to talk
31:45to her as here.
31:47I'm also keen to hear
31:48what their plans are
31:49for the room Simon
31:50described as a roundabout.
31:52My plan is to put
31:54storage all along there
31:56because, you know,
31:56we have no storage.
31:57Yeah.
31:58Seeing the kids
31:59even in this space
31:59having space to move
32:01makes me realise
32:02how much space
32:03they'll have in here as well.
32:04Phil's got his work
32:05cut out.
32:06No.
32:07Oh, wow.
32:11Do you know what?
32:13It's lovely to hear
32:14from someone
32:15who is actively enjoying
32:17the experience
32:18of redoing that house.
32:20Obviously, I know
32:21that isn't the case
32:22for everyone
32:22but it can be
32:24a really positive thing.
32:27Problem is
32:27they might fancy
32:28doing it again
32:30and then Phil would win.
32:32They may be busy parents
32:34and business owners
32:35but to keep the budget
32:36on track
32:36Julia and Simon
32:38are rolling up their sleeves
32:39and tackling
32:39some of the work
32:40themselves.
32:41Day number 262
32:43162 of pain thing.
32:48We have lost the plot
32:50and I'm on the beers.
32:52Say hi, Jules.
32:55Go painting!
33:02While the paint dries
33:04it's time
33:05for another house search
33:06and if my last pick
33:08was anything to go by
33:09Julia might just
33:11be joining
33:11Team Listed.
33:13So what was going
33:14through your mind
33:15after those first
33:16two properties?
33:17Like the second property
33:18and I thought
33:18it was one of those ones
33:20where
33:22we probably
33:23would have had
33:23a wee conversation
33:24about it.
33:25For me to move
33:26it would have to be
33:26like
33:27tick a lot of boxes
33:29but then the reality
33:30is
33:31our house
33:31still probably
33:32won't tick
33:33every single one
33:33of our boxes.
33:35Well, hopefully
33:36my last roll of the dice
33:38will be just
33:39what they're looking for.
33:40To stand a chance
33:42of winning Julia over
33:43and giving her
33:43everything she wants
33:44I'll need to stretch
33:46both the search area
33:47and the budget.
33:49And my third pick
33:50does exactly that.
33:53Located in East Paisley
33:54just 12 miles
33:55from their home
33:56is this elegant
33:58five bedroom
33:59detached sandstone villa
34:00on the market
34:02for offers
34:02over £685,000.
34:07Detached Victorian villa
34:08I promise you
34:09with all the bells
34:10and whistles
34:11you could ever wish for.
34:12Aesthetically
34:13this one outside
34:14is right up my street
34:15isn't it?
34:16It's beautiful, yeah.
34:16It's beautiful.
34:17I'm really keen
34:18to show you this.
34:19Come on.
34:19Sounds good.
34:21Julia wanted character
34:23and this house
34:24has plenty of that.
34:27Step inside
34:28and to your left
34:30is a generous office space
34:31perfectly suited
34:32for these two business owners.
34:35There's also
34:36a spacious living room
34:38a downstairs WC
34:39and a utility.
34:42However,
34:43where this house
34:44really stands out
34:45is at the rear
34:46with a stunning
34:47double-storey extension.
34:49A bespoke kitchen
34:51and floor-to-ceiling glass
34:53creates a space
34:54that's both light
34:55and airy.
34:57The star of the show
34:59is in here.
35:01Oh, wow.
35:02You like that, Jules?
35:03It's a big island.
35:05I definitely think
35:06everybody could fit
35:07round that one, eh?
35:08Wow.
35:09This is
35:10an exceptional kitchen.
35:12I like the fact
35:12that it still looks
35:13quite traditional
35:14even though it's an extension.
35:15They've kept it
35:16and kept it
35:16with the rest of the house.
35:17The garden's really, eh?
35:18It's fantastic, yeah.
35:19It's nearly an acre.
35:21What, the garden?
35:22Yeah.
35:22Oh, really?
35:23Yeah.
35:23That's perhaps
35:24football pitch.
35:25Oh, gosh,
35:25so that's there as a special?
35:26There's a ready-made gym
35:28for you, Simon.
35:30That's...
35:30Takes quite a lot of bolts
35:32of the end of you.
35:33Come on, you have a look.
35:37Upstairs is just as impressive.
35:40There are enough bedrooms
35:41for the whole family
35:42and a generous bathroom,
35:44but the standout
35:46has to be the main bedroom
35:48with a gorgeous en-suite,
35:50walk-in wardrobe
35:51and a balcony
35:52overlooking the garden.
35:54Surely, this will win them over.
35:56This is the en-suite.
35:58Oh, wow.
35:58Oh, wow.
35:59That's incredible, isn't it?
36:01That's really nicely done.
36:02Here's your bath, Jules.
36:03I was actually wondering
36:05where there was a bath.
36:06Wow.
36:07God, it's massive showers.
36:10This place is so cool.
36:12If it doesn't convince Julia
36:14to list it a move,
36:16then nothing will.
36:17I would give up
36:18because that is the place.
36:25Come and join me.
36:26You didn't want to be overlooked,
36:28which is something
36:29that I know was important
36:30after that second house.
36:32Yeah.
36:32I can see why you picked it.
36:34It's very cool.
36:35There was life
36:36outside of where you live.
36:37I've been telling you
36:38this for a long time.
36:39Well, look,
36:39you need to finish up at home
36:41and then we'll find out
36:43what you're going to do.
36:44That's good.
36:49I'm definitely finishing
36:50the search on a high
36:51with this one.
36:52And at least Julia now
36:54recognises
36:55and I think accepts
36:56that in order
36:57for them to get
36:58everything that they need
36:59and for it to suit everybody,
37:01they are going to have
37:01to change areas.
37:03Whether that's actually
37:04going to happen or not
37:05remains to be seen.
37:06I can imagine
37:07he's living here.
37:07I feel like
37:08there's definitely
37:09some things in our house
37:11that we'll never fully achieve.
37:13Whether that means
37:14that it might not be
37:15a forever home,
37:16I don't really know.
37:18Seems like this house
37:20has got Julia
37:20rethinking her loyalties.
37:23Hold that victory toast, Phil,
37:25because as the renovation
37:26nears completion,
37:27Simon may still be swayed.
37:36We're back in Waterford
37:38where just over
37:39nine months ago,
37:40Julia and Simon
37:41asked for our help.
37:44And with six house moves
37:45in ten years,
37:46they're keen
37:47to get this decision right.
37:52Well, I was driving up here
37:53thinking,
37:55where's Kirsty
37:56going to take me
37:57for drinks?
37:58You think they're
37:59going to be
37:59listing it?
38:00I think they should.
38:01How did your search go?
38:02Pretty well.
38:03They didn't give anything away.
38:05I was absolutely
38:06blown away
38:07with the last house.
38:09Just phenomenal.
38:09One of the nicest houses
38:10I've filmed in
38:11for quite some time.
38:13That's the sort of word
38:14you'll be using
38:14very soon
38:15when you see
38:16the changes
38:16Tim Lovett have made.
38:18And the transformation
38:19starts from the outside.
38:21The garden looks all smart.
38:22I know.
38:23Curb appeal, Phil.
38:25Well, they wanted
38:25plenty of that
38:26on the search.
38:27Yeah.
38:30Hello.
38:31Hello.
38:32How are you?
38:33When we first arrived,
38:35the downstairs layout
38:36wasn't working
38:37for this busy family.
38:40The dining room,
38:41once dubbed
38:42a roundabout,
38:42is gone.
38:44And by extending
38:45into the garden,
38:47Julia and Simon
38:48have created
38:48a spacious,
38:49practical new hallway.
38:51We were sitting here
38:52when we first talked,
38:54at a table here.
38:55Yeah?
38:56Where?
38:56Here?
38:56Yeah, here, here, here.
38:57Yeah.
38:58Very different now.
38:59Yeah.
38:59I'm completely lost.
39:00Really?
39:01Yeah.
39:01So this was everything,
39:03really, pretty much.
39:03This was the roundabout room,
39:05do you remember?
39:05Yeah.
39:06There was a corridor.
39:07Oh, yeah, that was the kitchen door there.
39:09Yeah.
39:10Holy cow,
39:10what have you done?
39:11Yeah.
39:12You built another house.
39:14Julia and Simon
39:15dreamed of a space
39:16to entertain.
39:18And with this
39:1978 and a half square metre extension,
39:22there's room for kids
39:23and extended family alike.
39:25This is all in the garden.
39:27I know.
39:28So this was the garden
39:28and then obviously this was the
39:32sunroom
39:32Oh my goodness, mate.
39:33kind of space.
39:34What have you done?
39:35It's funny.
39:35This is not playing fair
39:37in any way.
39:38Phil,
39:39I always said it,
39:40the garden was so big.
39:42Yeah.
39:42This is not overbuilding.
39:43This is making the house
39:44fit the garden.
39:47Julia's eye for detail
39:48truly shines through.
39:50From the perfectly chosen cabinets
39:52to the stunning worktops
39:53and backsplash,
39:54every design choice
39:55has been made with care
39:57and the result
39:58is simply breathtaking.
40:00It really is.
40:01I remember sitting in there
40:03quite cramped
40:04around the table
40:05and it was a corridor
40:06and people were struggling
40:07to move.
40:08My goodness, mate.
40:10It's funny,
40:10that became
40:12probably a space
40:13that we just
40:14probably disliked the most.
40:16and it's now
40:17something really nice.
40:18It feels so spacious
40:19and it gave us
40:20the ample storage
40:21that the house craved.
40:23I think
40:24the most important thing
40:26about this build
40:26is not to think
40:28that a hall
40:29is a waste.
40:30Mm.
40:31Because you could have thought,
40:33oh, you've got all this space,
40:34what are we going to do with it?
40:35Yeah.
40:35But actually,
40:36it's a fantastic amount
40:37of storage.
40:38Wait, I'll show you
40:38what it does as well.
40:39It's our hidden office.
40:41Oh, let's see.
40:42It's our hidden office.
40:44Oh, my God,
40:44you did it!
40:45I did it.
40:46So this comes out.
40:48You did do it!
40:49And then Cy's got one as well.
40:50And we don't even have
40:51to speak to each other.
40:52Oh!
40:53It was a good idea, actually.
40:55Because we thought,
40:56well, we don't have an office,
40:57so we thought,
40:57we'll go into here.
40:58Did all the decisions
41:00come quite naturally?
41:02I'm not going to take any credit
41:03for any of the decisions, though.
41:05No, Jules has got a good eye
41:07for things,
41:08so kind of, like,
41:08just let her
41:09get on with it, really.
41:10Because if you didn't know,
41:11you could come in here
41:12and not know
41:13that you did so much work
41:13yourselves,
41:14not know that you made
41:16decisions like
41:17not having bifolds,
41:19because you were
41:20watching the budget.
41:22Can we have a look
41:23at the playroom?
41:23You can.
41:24I love the playroom.
41:27What really impresses me
41:29is that Julia and Simon
41:30have saved nearly
41:31£4,000
41:32through some
41:32truly savvy shopping.
41:34They may have changed
41:36my original idea
41:37of giving Jack
41:37his own wing,
41:38but they've transformed
41:40what was once
41:40a cramped, tired,
41:42closed-off kitchen
41:43into a brilliant
41:45playroom for the kids,
41:46and it's a space
41:47that can adapt
41:47with them
41:48as they get older.
41:51They've also added
41:52a utility and shower room
41:54and, best of all,
41:55proved you don't need
41:56to compromise on style.
41:58Using X-display units
42:00from different suppliers
42:01saved Julia and Simon
42:02over £1,000.
42:04I bet the kids love it.
42:06It's just lovely.
42:07Yeah.
42:07It's really beautiful.
42:08It's good for the kids,
42:09and it will develop
42:10as they get older.
42:11So it's good to be a room.
42:12I love this room.
42:13It's lovely.
42:14It's just lovely.
42:15I absolutely love it.
42:16OK, I've heard enough.
42:19Can we sit down
42:20and have a cup of tea?
42:23Julia and Simon's
42:24transformation is a triumph,
42:26but will it finally
42:27give Simon
42:28the homely feel
42:29he's been longing for?
42:31Or did my search
42:32prove to Julia
42:33that the forever home
42:34is just not here?
42:37You have been
42:37extraordinarily busy
42:39and productive.
42:40Have you enjoyed it?
42:41I think we have enjoyed it
42:42to a degree.
42:43I think the last few weeks
42:44have been quite difficult.
42:45Simon, your team list it.
42:46How did you find the search?
42:48I really enjoyed the search.
42:49I think what I wanted
42:51to get from the search
42:52was to more open
42:54Julia's eyes
42:55to the thought of moving.
42:56I think you did
42:57come around a little bit
42:58and looked at
43:00the kind of options
43:00we had
43:01and the opportunities
43:03to move away from here.
43:04The second house,
43:05I think that was
43:05a bit of a game changer,
43:06wasn't it?
43:07You were very taken
43:07with the social space there.
43:09I think the second house
43:11certainly made you realise
43:13how much you crave
43:13the social space
43:14and how much
43:15we feel we need that.
43:17I think we were keen
43:18to have that social life again
43:20and have people over
43:21and family dinners
43:22and things like that.
43:23So that was really important
43:23that whether we stay
43:25or go out,
43:25we create that.
43:26Or find it.
43:28It is a space designed
43:29to make family life easier
43:31and the children
43:32can go in and out
43:32the garden really happily.
43:34Yeah.
43:34It means that the children
43:35can play just off the kitchen.
43:37It feels like you've been
43:38a really good team
43:39through this.
43:40It's funny because
43:41we are a good team
43:43anyway.
43:44We do agree
43:46on 90% of things
43:47that we go through life
43:48with, except we're not.
43:50And honestly,
43:51we need to put this to bed.
43:53Simon constantly
43:54searching for houses
43:55and me constantly
43:57refusing to move.
43:58We're in a genuine dilemma.
44:00We had to try
44:01and find a solution
44:02to this back and forth.
44:03Well, on that note...
44:05Simon,
44:06Jules,
44:07are you going to love it?
44:10Or list it?
44:14We are going to...
44:17love it!
44:19And why not?
44:21And why not?
44:22Simon, when did you
44:23make your mind up?
44:24What changed?
44:26I think probably
44:27when I started
44:27getting my hands dirty.
44:29All those days painting
44:31put a lot of effort into it.
44:32I think just seeing it
44:34coming together.
44:36From the very start,
44:37Julia and Simon
44:38made it clear
44:39that sticking to the budget
44:40was going to be tough.
44:41They may have spent
44:43£168,000 on the build.
44:45But with smart choices
44:47and a hands-on approach,
44:48they've managed
44:49to save themselves
44:50nearly £10,000.
44:52They've taken the house
44:53from a pre-renovation
44:55average valuation
44:56of £500,000
44:57and raised it
44:58to a post-renovation average
45:00of just under £650,000,
45:02which is definitely
45:04worth celebrating.
45:05Do you feel
45:06it's going to enable you
45:08to spend more time off
45:09together as a family?
45:10I think even the build
45:12brought us together
45:12a wee bit
45:13because we've spent
45:13a lot of time together.
45:14It's a family home now.
45:15Yeah, definitely.
45:18But most of all,
45:19I'm delighted
45:20that Julia and Simon
45:21now have a home
45:22they are proud of.
45:24And with ample room
45:25for family life
45:26and a beautiful space
45:28for entertaining guests
45:29in style.
45:31It's nice to see
45:32what you've created yourself.
45:34The whole house
45:34functions much better now.
45:36It's good with a bit
45:37of the chaos
45:38and streamlined this thing.
45:39I always knew
45:40it could be something special.
45:41Yeah, it's totally transformed.
45:46Here we go, madam.
45:48Thank you very much.
45:50Did you think
45:51that this was a goner
45:52the second you walked
45:53into that big room?
45:54Yes, completely.
45:55We use the word
45:56transformation quite a lot
45:57but that was a proper,
45:58proper transformation.
46:00They worked hard
46:01at doing something impressive
46:03in a practical way.
46:05Given the issues
46:06they had at the beginning,
46:07I think they've sold
46:08all of them,
46:09every single one.
46:10Yeah, no, I think you're right.
46:11I think you're right.
46:13Jules and Simon.
46:14Thank you very much.
46:44Thank you very much.
46:44Thank you very much.
46:44Thank you very much.
46:44Thank you very much.
46:44Thank you very much.
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