About Us

Jon is an electrician, which is going to be super useful and save us a bunch of money, as the house needs a total rewire.

Having already converted one house, and being more than a bit handy, he is (self) designated Project Manager. Also plumber, plasterer, builder, steel-beam erector, tiler, floorboard remover, etc!

 

I work in Wildlife Documentaries and am slightly less handy, but Jon has bravely put the ‘garden’ (basically a concrete square) under my jurisdiction, which I am excited about.

I initially didn’t quite realise the full implication of ‘we are doing everything ourselves’, as my first response following garden delegation was to look up quotes for a concrete removal labourer! I am now clear that this is not an option.

 

 

The House

We completed and got the keys to this Victorian, mid-terrace house in St George, on Monday 19th August. The whole buying process took about 3 months, which felt like a long time seeing as I am a first time buyer and there was no chain (sadly the previous owner popped their clogs - in the bathroom, Jon helpfully informed me).

 

But there is some serious damp. So much so that my mortgage lender is retaining a not-so-insignificant amount of money until we prove this has been addressed. And as you will see from the pictures, the house hasn’t been touched since the 1970's, which means it needs completely gutting.

 

 

Why a blog

My life for the next 8 months (potentially optimistic time frame!) is going to be completely absorbed by this project. Evenings, weekends, social life…gone. Jon is cracking the DIY whip. As such, I thought I might need an outlet, somewhere I can vent (and document Jon’s bossiness), share learnings, beg for tips and also hopefully show progress.

 

​