Amazing Makeovers: Couple Buy $320,000 ‘Unlivable’ House and Revamp It by Learning DIY on YouTube

Incredible Transformation: Couple Purchase $320,000 Fixer-Upper and Completely Renovate It Using YouTube DIY tutorials

April 21, 2024 TruthUSA

A couple purchased a flat in London that was deemed “unlivable” and have already increased its value by £20,000 ($25,000) by gradually transforming it into their dream home—with the help of online tutorials from YouTube.

Rochelle Taylor-Butcher, 29, and her partner, Angus Ord, 30, who works as a data scientist, bought their one-bedroom flat in Kingston, South London, for £260,000 ($320,000) at the end of March 2023. The flat was initially in a state of disrepair with peeling wallpaper, mold on the walls, and a musty-smelling carpet.

Despite being inexperienced in DIY projects when they started, the couple turned to YouTube to learn how to handle tasks such as plumbing, kitchen installation, and floorboard sanding. By doing the work themselves and using free or recycled materials whenever possible, they managed to save nearly £9,000 ($11,000) that would have otherwise been spent on hiring professionals.

While the renovation is still ongoing, they have already increased the property’s value by £20,000.

Rochelle Taylor-Butcher with partner, Angus Ord, in their flat, which has been partially revamped.

Ms. Taylor-Butcher, who designs interiors for Anya Hindmarch shops, described the initial condition of the flat as “complete disarray” upon moving in, adding, “It was completely unlivable with a musty aroma that seemed to have been absorbed by the carpet.”

She expressed her gratitude for owning a property, a luxury she never thought would be part of her life growing up in Housing Association accommodation in South London where her parents never owned property.

After a year of balancing their full-time jobs with weekend renovations, the couple managed to completely transform the flat. They sought guidance from YouTube tutorials for various tasks, from plumbing to tiling to assembling IKEA kitchen components.

Their DIY approach, coupled with cost-saving strategies like sourcing materials at lower prices and receiving assistance from family members for rewiring, enabled them to achieve their vision within a reasonable budget. Their IKEA kitchen, for example, cost just £5,000 ($6,000) compared to the approximate cost of £10,000 if installed professionally.

The couple's IKEA kitchen. (SWNS) — The couple’s IKEA kitchen. (SWNS)

Ms. Taylor-Butcher emphasized the importance of balancing materials quality with cost-saving techniques, such as repurposing leftover paint and purchasing discounted supplies from stores like Homebase.

Their combined effort resulted in significant savings: £3,000 ($3,700) on kitchen installation and plumbing, £700 ($870) from sanding the floors themselves, £3,000 ($3,700) on electrical rewiring done by a family member, £300 ($370) by removing the old bathroom independently, and £900 ($1,100) for decorating the kitchen and living room without professional help.

In August of the previous year, the couple finally moved into their newly transformed home, filled with contentment and a sense of accomplishment.

For those venturing into a similar project, Ms. Taylor-Butcher advises taking it step by step and utilizing the vast resources available, especially on YouTube. She remarked, “You could probably build a house just by watching YouTube. There’s so much information out there; you just have to seek it out.”

Contributions from Epoch Times staff.

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