Home Renovation Diary Report
- Background
Homeowner: Hilary Rose
Location: Hounslow, UK
Purchase Date: November 2024
Condition at Purchase:
Moth-infested carpets
Damp mortar and crumbling bricks
Outdated and unsafe electrics
Victorian-era piping
Initial Expectation: Manageable fixer-upper
Reality: Extensive structural and interior repairs required
- Renovation Challenges
Structural & Technical Issues
Walls: damp and crumbling mortar
Electrics: unsafe, requiring full rewiring
Plumbing: outdated pipes needing replacement
Quotation Confusion: missing details, hidden costs (e.g., cheap window quote excluding thousands in extras)
Emotional & Logistical Struggles
Overwhelm from constant decision-making (lighting, sockets, radiators, shower types, colors, flooring)
Sleepless nights due to jargon, costs, and surprise problems
Miscommunications with contractors (e.g., stairs painted white unexpectedly)
Supply chain delays (Bali vanity unit delayed due to Red Sea disruptions)
Decorators redoing work after dust damage
- Key People Involved
Alistair Bown (Builder): Professional, confident, brought structure and reliability to the process.
Jos (Interior Designer): Helped simplify decisions, introduced style (sage green accents, split-tone paint), and made spaces feel cohesive.
- Major Milestones
Builder Selection: Chose Alistair after mixed experiences with others, including a teenage apprentice electrician.
Design Direction: With Jos’s guidance, adopted a clear aesthetic and functional plan.
Utilities Restored: Electricity successfully installed and turned on.
Moving Day: Despite chaos (dust, tools, neighbor complaints), the homeowner successfully moved in.
Symbolic Moment: Friends returned a Bollinger bottle left by the previous owner—Hilary burst into tears, realizing she finally had a home.
- Lessons & Takeaways
Expect the unexpected: Surprises (structural issues, shipping delays) are inevitable.
Transparency in quotes matters: Scrutinize all details, ask questions about hidden costs.
Good professionals are invaluable: A steady builder and designer can save money, time, and stress.
Decision fatigue is real: Small details (light switch placement, radiator style) can be overwhelming without guidance.
Emotional resilience is key: Home renovation is not glamorous—it requires patience, persistence, and adaptability.
- Conclusion
Hilary Rose’s diary is an honest portrayal of the chaos, stress, and eventual triumph of home renovation. From dodgy walls and electrics to hidden costs and sleepless nights, she faced countless hurdles. Yet, with reliable professionals and emotional perseverance, she transformed a crumbling house into a home—marked by a symbolic celebratory moment with the Bollinger bottle.