George’s top ten architecture and renovation tips
1. Find a great builder :
The first tip is finding a brilliant, established builder that you trust and the best way to do that is through recommendation. Don’t go through a phone directory EVER.
It needs to be someone recommended by family, friends, neighbours. Check out their work. If they’re good builders and they believe in their reputation, they’ll be more than happy for you to go and see two or three examples of their work.
The most important thing is to talk to the people they did the work for – were there any problems? If there were problems – maybe he was a little slow – but they did a great job and was affordable, you can be happy with that.
2. Managing your project is hugely important:
Set it up properly in terms of contract, price schedule and project programme. Fix the price for the job. Don’t do it on an hourly rate or a daily rate.
If you have something that’s on a fixed price, you can say I want that amount of work done for that amount of money in that amount of time. Then it’s straightforward, you know what the boundaries are.
3. Keep Control of your money:
You also need to manage your money throughout the build. It’s not just about having a budget and spending it, it’s about spending it in the right way. You have a responsibility to do that.
We give our clients The Architects’ Guide which is published by RIBA and it talks them through what’s expected of them, and tells them that they need to manage their funds.
They need to brief their builder properly about what they want. Otherwise the builder will just say, ‘you know what? I’ll just make it up as I go along’, and then you’ll just be disappointed.
4. Always have a Financial Back-up:
Have contingency of a minimum of 10 per cent. So if the builder tells you £x, it needs to be £x plus 10 per cent every time in your head.
5. Make all your decisions quickly:
Try and make all the design decisions before the contractors start on site. It sounds really obvious but people just don’t do it.
That means at the planning stage, you have got these decisions out the way as soon as possible. If your builder tells you he doesn’t need something – say the toilet and sink – for a few weeks, get it anyway because what you’ve chosen may have knock-on effects with the size of pipes, etc.
Your design time is cheap – those evenings before the build starts when you sit down and work out how the build is going to work and what materials you are going to use.
If you make those decisions before the builder starts, then it’s clear what everyone’s doing on site.
If you start making these decisions further down the line, and then worse than that, start changing your mind, it costs you time, and it costs you more money, it gives your builder the excuse to put his prices up – making decisions early saves money down the line.
Ayshea
on May 22nd, 2009
@ 11:52 am:
Show was great and i have recently mailed you asking for help
are you up to the challenge????????
George Clarke
on May 22nd, 2009
@ 1:16 pm:
Ayshea thanks for your email. I’m always up for a challenge. Can you email me more information and I’ll come back to you. George x
Mark Anyon
on May 23rd, 2009
@ 10:05 am:
Hi George, do you believe in doing the impossible? We are in a fix, we have a good sized plot and a solid 3 bedroom ex authority semi on it. We bought the house which has the garage unofficially converted by the previous owners. The internal layout downstairs is ok but my wife hates it. We have two rooms, 1 ok sized lounge, and one very small dining room that opens to the garden and kitchen and garage. We need to maximise the living space and allow for the complication. The complication our dogs and financial restraints. We have a large piece of garden which can be utilised as outdoor living space for the dogs.We have had plans drawn up but with quotes of 50,000 it is out of the question. Any suggestionS, please don’t say lose the dogs they are an income. Regards Mark.
Liz@VioletPosy
on Jun 6th, 2009
@ 5:01 pm:
Hi George,
We’re really enjoying the Home Show and you’ve made us realise there is more we can do with our 1930′s semi (horrible small kitchen!) than we thought. We’re now talking knocking out walls and building an extension.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Cheers
Liz
George Clarke
on Jun 7th, 2009
@ 10:25 pm:
Liz, you are more than welcome! ANY home can be transformed into something beautiful…get those walls down and get the extension built asap…send me a few pics on the website when you get going…before and after shots please. Happy building! George x
Tina Gurden
on Jun 11th, 2009
@ 7:34 pm:
Hi George. Absolutely love The Home Show, especially the part where you work out what type of person someone is by the style of furniture they choose!
Applied to be “Georged” a while back but haven’t heard anything yet. Would really love you to turn our 1930′s coastal bungalow into something special. We’d make you very welcome and as a massage therapist, I could soothe your aching muscles after all your hard work!
Tina x
George Clarke
on Jun 12th, 2009
@ 12:37 pm:
Tina…well there’s an offer I can’t refuse! Sorry that someone hasn’t got back to you since you applied. I’ll chase them up on that….anything for a free massage! Take care and thanks for visiting the website. George x
Lucy
on Jun 18th, 2009
@ 7:45 pm:
Hi George
We are moving in 8 weeks to a beautiful 1920′s ‘gentleman’s residence’
A fantastic house but needs a major rejig of the space to work for us – the kitchen is the original one from 1920!
any chance that you are doing other houses up for telly – or can we hire you privately?
Dale
on Jun 19th, 2009
@ 3:12 pm:
Hi George
I emailed you for help at george@georgeclarke.co.uk – is this the right email?
Have a great weekend
Dale
Anwar
on Jun 20th, 2009
@ 2:44 pm:
Hi George, I am looking to buy a house, and the house I have found has been underpinned. The work was carried out in 1981 and since then no movement has occured I am told. The current owner has all the paperwork for the underpinning.There are some cracks in the building but I am told that these cracks appeared prior to the underpinning. I no it would be best to keep the insurance with the same company as current owner to avoid problems. Should I worry about purchasing the house as I am looking for a house for my family to live in for a long time? Thank you.
George Clarke
on Jun 21st, 2009
@ 8:10 pm:
Hi Lucy. The 3rd series of The Home Show isn’t commissioned yet so who knows what the future holds. Yes, you can commission me and my office privately to renovate your home. Simply send all of your details and to mail@clarkedesai.com with a brief summary of the property and a few low res pics. Thanks for watching the show! George x
George Clarke
on Jun 21st, 2009
@ 8:20 pm:
Dale, it is the right email address. I’m sorry…have I been rubbish responding…I’ll check my emails and will come back to you. George
Dale
on Jun 22nd, 2009
@ 4:01 pm:
Thanks, George. It’s not that I’m an impatient female (Kiwis are normally quite relaxed) but your advice would be great!
Dale
Stirlee Legrand
on Jun 25th, 2009
@ 9:09 pm:
Hi George,
I’ve just been hooked into your home show. It’s spurned me on to make a start planning a whole house renovation. Mum and I live in a 3 – 4 bedroom old victorian house in much need of modernisation. 2 key things are holding me back: getting the balance right between mum’s needs and my space and needs, and fear of getting things wrong. If you’re in the Victoria Park, Hackney area… ours is a simple challenge, but we need help to move things along. Can you help? Great show – I’m a regular viewer now! Stirlee
George Clarke
on Jun 27th, 2009
@ 7:54 am:
Hi Stirlee. Thanks for watching the show. It sounds like you will have a challenge on your hands getting the balance of the spaces right. I think you should apply to be on series 3. Its not yet commissioned but will be soon. Email home@tigeraspect.co.uk and we will send you the necessary forms to apply. Good luck! George
Jo
on Jun 29th, 2009
@ 2:21 am:
Hi George
We love your show here in Australia too! Would love you to come and visit us down under. The economic down turn means that selling and rebuilding is not a good option but would love some ideas in making our house great!
Keep up the good work.
Jo
Dale
on Jun 29th, 2009
@ 10:32 am:
Hi George
Sorry to hassle but could you please help with my query sent to your george@georgeclarke.co.uk email address on the 19th June? I need advice.
Thanks
Dale
Tina Gurden
on Jul 2nd, 2009
@ 9:58 pm:
Hey George, hope you are enjoying the sunshine!
Just wanted to say tonights show was amazing, what a transformation and that kitchen was to die for. You have such fantastic vision and I admire the way you really care about how your work affects the people involved. Love it, love it, love it. Just started following you on Twitter too! (Not boiling a bunny in a big pot – just love what you do!)
Tina x
George Clarke
on Jul 3rd, 2009
@ 8:01 pm:
Hi Jo…if I make it to Australia I’d love to see you all. I can’t believe how many of you are watching it down under. Its amazing!!!!!! As soon as the market picks up and you guys want me there I’ll be straight on the flight! Keep watching. George xxx
Elizabeth Wilson
on Jul 6th, 2009
@ 1:35 pm:
Hi George, we bought a new build 2 years ago and it’s still a magnolia shell! Doesn’t feel like a home at all but a ‘house’. Upstairs is fab (it’s why we bought it) but having really lived in it the downstairs just doesn’t work at all. I was all up for losing equity and moving but since your show we’ll be staying put. Big question is do we start knocking down walls (people ask why we bought a new build only to spend £££ changing it) or do we extend? As usual, new build gardens are small to say the least and I am loathe to lose any more outdoor space. We are also VERY overlooked outside so bi-fold doors are a no no unless we plant some seriously high trees as we don’t want to spend time watching our neighbours in their bedrooms!!! I think we need your expertise please. Assume we can request your services privately? Thanks George! x
Sally
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 5:34 pm:
Hi George,
Love your show, and would love to have you come and sort our new home out. Financial constraints, however, mean we are having to go the old fashioned route of room by room. (Difficult to do when everything needs doing and there have been a series of ill thought out extensions over the last 30 years!!!). I really loved last weeks house and it gave me loads of ideas….great that you can get some of the suppliers from the channel 4 website, but would really love to know where the internal doors between the sitting room and games room came from but they’re not listed. Can you point me in the right direction. Thanks – Sally.x
Mark Seddon
on Jul 8th, 2009
@ 7:52 pm:
Hi,
We are about to move into a 1950′s detached house. I think it is probably ex council estate. The previous owners built an Annex where the garage used to be and we want to integrate it back into the house as well as making changes to the kitchen and dining room. The upstairs space is very small and we need to increase it somehow…Here is where we get stuck.
Would be interested in engaging you to help out…Fancy the challenge ?
Mark
Lisa
on Jul 16th, 2009
@ 5:14 am:
Hi George,
Absolutely hooked on your show which I think has just finished the first series (in Australia). My husband and I were still debating on whether to move or renovate. Your show has given us inspiration that we can turn our 1960′s weatherboard into our dream home.
Keep up the good work.
Lisa ☺
Dave Kalicharan
on Jul 17th, 2009
@ 7:33 pm:
Can you rescue our 2 bedroom house and make it into a home, on a limited budget, and in desperate need of light at the end of the tunnel with your vision and expertise.
p.s. I did email you on your other email account ‘george@georgeclarke.co.uk for a response to an initial query, would be great to discuss this with you
pete
on Jul 23rd, 2009
@ 7:13 pm:
hey george,
really enjoy the show. can you tell me the best way to get rid of woodchip wallpaper?
Keith
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 6:58 pm:
To George,
Love ‘The Home Show’ – I have everyone I know watching it. I think its great. I’ve been going through a really hard time lately and for some reason I really look up to you. I just think your really cool =]
BYE ! =] =]
Jenni
on Jul 30th, 2009
@ 8:06 pm:
Hi George,
Love the show, you are just amazing and i watch it thinking how logical your work is, you really make sure that people make the space their own!! Its inspirational, keep up the good work and i was emotional at tonights episode when the wee girl jumped in your arms, it was sweet. They seemed ecstatic at the makeover, it was fantastic! Hope you continue on c4 for another season! Great Stuff! xxx
Paul
on Aug 4th, 2009
@ 1:46 pm:
Hi George
The wife misses you on “build a new life…”. She keeps saying “it’s just not the same”. Oh to be popular.
Anyway, are there any specific websites that you know which focus on properties that need renovating?
I keep trawling through Primelocation and Findaproperty etc and getting nowhere pretty fast.
We are looking to move into one of the villages around Buckingham sometime in the spring next year.
thanks in advance for the help George.
Nimesh Patel
on Aug 6th, 2009
@ 11:15 am:
Dear George,
Big fan of your work on the home show can see that your extremly passionate about people, it always brings a tear to my mothers eye to see how happy you make people. We would love if you could come and work with us.
Nimesh
Jane
on Aug 7th, 2009
@ 9:23 am:
Yes George we miss you too on ‘build a new life’ I suppose we are comfortable with your personality and that smile..well !! I find it fasinating how you draw on peoples walls and you can see straight away what you are talking about, me it looks like a child has scribbled on the paintwork….
George Clarke
on Aug 9th, 2009
@ 7:35 am:
Hi Jane…thanks for watching…They sometimes look like scribbles to me too! depends on my hand/eye co-ordination that day! lol!!!! George x
George Clarke
on Aug 9th, 2009
@ 7:44 am:
Matt, thanks for the lovely compliment! Appreciate it. If it bothers you that much then why bother watching?..also maybe try learning how to spell!
George Clarke
on Aug 9th, 2009
@ 7:47 am:
Hi Nimesh, thanks for your message. Apply to the show and I’ll come and see you. George
Bren
on Aug 11th, 2009
@ 10:59 am:
Hi George. Just wanted to say thanks for your fab shows on tv & great tips on your website.Have a good vacation. Bren.x
Jayne
on Aug 13th, 2009
@ 8:03 am:
Hi George,
Great ideas on here too, well done.
We’ve just been through months of jumping through hoops to sell our bungalow and buy a coastal 1930′s semi.
I’ve just emailed you regarding our lounge idea…any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks again.
Jayne
Jeremy Jarratt
on Aug 17th, 2009
@ 9:34 pm:
George
Love the show, unfortunately our budget falls short of the requirements for us to qualify. I have just e-mailed you at your partnership to ask about a private commision, hope to hear back from you soon.
Jez
Lisa Cook
on Aug 18th, 2009
@ 7:28 pm:
Hi George
We live on the land of an old “idiot” asylum at Hatton Park in Warwick and our house looks out onto the old “lunatic” asylum – I’m serious, that’s really what they used to call the buildings. Not v pc but anyway, our house is a new build but using materials in keeping with the old building, original slate roof, stone surrounded front door etc and we absolutely adore our house but it’s way too small. We’ve been looking to move for the last few years but we just cannot afford any house we see, which is fabulous enough to pull us away from our little terraced house so we just want to add more to this one and stay put. I know you love to work on large houses but wondered if you would take on the challenge of making this 2.5 bed house with 1 living room into a decent sized family home?
Hope you’re enjoying your family hols.
Kind regards
Lisa Rob and Henry Cook
Lisa
on Aug 18th, 2009
@ 9:30 pm:
Hi George,
We love the show and have been watching for some time now. We have a downstairs space dilemma in our 3 bed semi which needs to cater for our two young sons. We have a reasonably sized outside space which is currently wasted and could be converted into more living space, however, we need an expert to guide us on the best way forward, utilising the area effectively. We would love to apply for your show but have noticed that you need a minimum budget of £40K. We currently have a budget of £20K. Is there any flexibility in this requirement?
Many thanks,
Lisa
Anna-Marie
on Aug 23rd, 2009
@ 8:44 am:
good Morning George,
I just wanted to say that I love the show. I nearly would love to buy a house that is wrecked just so you’d come and rearrange my family and I. You can tell you have kids because the kids on the show love you – THAT SAYS ALOT.
So really looking forward to your next show. Thanks for entertaining us!
Anna-Marie xo
Kat
on Aug 24th, 2009
@ 10:43 pm:
Hello George,
Is there a list of reputable builders (London area) published anywhere?
Thanks,
Kat.
Dawn Kelly
on Aug 25th, 2009
@ 5:53 pm:
We have just bought a 1840′s regency style house that requires a refurb. Our main problem is working out the lighting – I don’t know the principles; what’ll work, what won’t and I’d be grateful for some advice – maybe you could do some top tips on lighting a home!!
many thanks!
George Clarke
on Aug 26th, 2009
@ 6:28 am:
Anna-Marie…thanks for your lovely message and I’m so pleased you love the show. All the kids are fantastic…its so rewarding to see what a difference a good home makes to them. Please keep in touch…take care…George x
dave sutherland
on Aug 30th, 2009
@ 4:45 pm:
george i was just wondering if you have a tenders list and would you be prepared to put me on it .
thanks ,
ALSTON DECORATING CONTRACTORS
TEL , 01915489994 OR 07720855338
Mary
on Sep 22nd, 2009
@ 6:11 pm:
Just watched your show for the first time today.I love it..You have such great ideas for making the most of the space you have.Keep up the good work x
Andrea
on Sep 22nd, 2009
@ 8:19 pm:
Hi George, just thought i’d drop a line to say i’ve taken on board your tips but… i’m hoping now that i’ve finally sent in my Home Show application in that i won’t need to put anything into practice as you will very kindly do it all for me!!! :0]
I know it’s a long shot, but worth a try! It’s about time you took on board a project in the County Durham area. You’ll be able to visit family and friends while on location, and obviously Durham Cathedral (we’re only a stones throw from Durham)!
However, as a fall back… does your company take on projects “up north” ?
We love the Home Show – You take the mass and stress out of what to do and how to do it – fingers crossed (and everything else) for a 3rd series.
PS your photo on clarke:desai is scary! You don’t come across anything like that on the home show.
Keep making people happy – how can channel 4 possibly comtemplate NOT having a 3rd series??!
Sal
on Sep 26th, 2009
@ 10:41 am:
Hi George
I would also like to apply to be on the next series. We have a plot of land near Twickenham which currently has a run down chalet bungalow on it. We are hoping to knock it down and build a fantastic family home. Whole project seems rather mind blowing at the moment and some advise would be amazing! Do you think it is worth applying?
Sal
Sandy
on Oct 2nd, 2009
@ 3:18 pm:
Hello! George, I’ve completed the questionnaire for the next Home Show Series, but also emailed you privately some months ago, as seeing what amazing transformations you come up with on the Home Show, we think we’d be perfect candidates (obviously along with 1000s of others!) Our space really doesn’t work for us, but we keep hitting walls (literally) as how to make it work or if we need to just spruce things up and move on? Would love to hear from you. Sandy, Hertfordshire.
Darren
on Oct 5th, 2009
@ 10:10 pm:
hi George
In the middle of buying a grade 2 listed house and just wondered if you had any tips.The house needs a full renovation and feel quite naive as this is our first house.I m in the army, so to find a builder went on just rated as i knew no one to recommend one.Any help would be a plus.
Sarah Griffiths
on Oct 14th, 2009
@ 10:47 am:
Hi George. Just wanted to say that i love you show. ILoving your ideas with painting areas white. I have recently had my hall, stairs & landing plastered of which i have painted white. It has really made a small area look huge. Keep the ideas coming. x
Jackie
on Oct 15th, 2009
@ 4:10 pm:
Hi George
I’m looking for some advice and wonder if you could help us. We live in a small detached 3-bed 60s house and would like to someone to assist us in optimising it’s potential. We could attempt to do it ourselves but although we can think of obvious improvements, bathroom, kitchen etc our knowledge of what might be possible is limited, also we live on a 1 in 5 hill front to back! Are we looking for an architect, an interior designer, or ? We live in Surrey and would like to employ local people to do the work if possible.
Any advice you or your team could offer would be most helpful.
Kind Regards,
Jackie x
deborah ruddle
on Oct 16th, 2009
@ 10:30 am:
Hi George
I’ve received the application for the home show but having immense problems sending it through. Can I send it direct to you either by post or on a memory stick.
We have an Edwardian house in a conservation area with loads of potential, has original features galore, outside space
Look forward to hearing from you
Debbie
Graham Pallett
on Oct 30th, 2009
@ 11:16 am:
Hi George . Been watching your show and the ideas are excellent, its nice to see how the rooms can be completely changed into something else. I renovated a terrace house a few years ago and its a steep learning curve, watching your show gives me big ideas if i decide to renovate another at some point. Excellent show!
sue lyes
on Nov 4th, 2009
@ 3:09 pm:
Hi George
Sooo love the Home Show, so much inspiration and ideas.
My husband and I are buying a large 2 bed bungalow in need of some TLC, and a bit of remodelling, most of which we will take on our selves, we have done 3 homes already, cant wait to get my hands on it.
One question, we are changing a doorway into an archway from the dining room into the new kitchen area, so that it flows much better and opens the area more, I have found lots of arch kits in the states but not much at home, any ideas to make the job as easy as possible but with top notch results.
Look forward to hearing from you and the continued inspiration from your show.
Regards Sue
sarah
on Nov 5th, 2009
@ 6:30 am:
Hi George, just returned from living in Germany for 7 years and I am addicted to your show.I love your ideas and will try to incoporate the things I have learned in the house we are buying.Keep up the good work
Sarah
Gwen vfox
on Nov 18th, 2009
@ 5:04 pm:
Hi! George, I’m wondering if u could help us. We r thinking of having an extension for our growing family but we r not sure What to do and if it will add value to our house. We lived in 3 bed semi on a corner plot. Will love to be in ur series or having ur service if we can afford
it.
Thanks,
Gwen
Hayley
on Nov 24th, 2009
@ 8:35 pm:
Hi George,
We are looking to extend our 3 bed semi to create additional living space downstairs and to add an en-suite bedroom upstairs. Please could you advise how much we should expect to pay for architect fees to get the plans drawn up and submitted for planning permission. We have had a quote but have no idea if it is reasonable or not! Thanks!
Jacqui Smith
on Nov 24th, 2009
@ 10:27 pm:
We love your shows but want to know “do you go abroad”? We live in spain in a terraced house which we would love to see what you could do for us!
We need advice also on colour schemes as we have absolutely no idea what colour to put where – we’re both retired and have limited income.
Keep up the excellent work.
melissa haworth
on Nov 25th, 2009
@ 12:25 pm:
Hi George, you are a wonderful architect love all your work, thought doing the nursing home was great your totally right why should they be so old fashioned and uncomfortable for old semi old people.
Ok my problem is I have just bought a 1930′s , 3 bed semi and it needs work its liveable but I want the kitchen wall knocking down but the gas and elec meters are on that wall and the gas company said its not them who i speak to to get them moved, who do I contact and is it expensive? I have so many ideas but dont know where to start my husband is in the army so is never home and he wants to leave the army to work regular hours but cant afford to leave until work been done to house so were going round in circles.. Can you help I heard you might be looking for people to do a new home show? is this correct
melissa xxx
Liz Keeble
on Dec 28th, 2009
@ 6:55 pm:
Hi George, I also enjoyed the show- you certainly don’t cut corners {I did when I converted this house 25 years ago]. Now quite old I want a quality bath that I CAN GET OT OF !! – I have a shower, but sometimes ……. I have seen various shallow baths advertised on the web but as I know you are not a free advisor I hestated before asking. I certainly don’t want one of those awful “step-ins” where you bathe in a swimming costume! Any thoughts – I’ll pay your fee!
A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
Liz
Sandy
on Jan 18th, 2010
@ 11:42 pm:
Hello! George, I’ve completed the questionnaire for the next Home Show Series, but also emailed you at your company last year. We think we’d be perfect candidates (obviously along with 1000s of others!) Our space really doesn’t work for us, but we keep hitting walls (literally) as how to make it work or if we need to just spruce things up and move on? We still haven’t had any response to our completed questionnaire and photos. Since first writing we have removed one small non-supportive wall, so are now living in even more of a mess and desperate for some professional help please! Would love to hear from you. Sandy and Andy, Hertfordshire.
George Clarke
on Jan 28th, 2010
@ 10:08 am:
Hi Sandy. The third series of the home show has not been commissioned yet by channel 4 which is why you haven’t heard from anyone yet…but hopefully you will. Don’t knock down anymore walls yet! Take care. George x
Fiona & Mark Horne
on Jan 30th, 2010
@ 11:15 pm:
Hi George. I applied to take part in the Home Show recently but havent heard anything yet. What’s the likelihood of getting a reply ? I absolutely love The Home Show and we are pondering over plans for an extension but I am holding out in the hope of your advice as we would hugely benefit from yur expertise regarding renovating our Architect designed 1930s house. Eagerly looking forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks.
Fiona
Steve
on Feb 3rd, 2010
@ 2:50 pm:
Hiya George!
Mary
on Feb 15th, 2010
@ 6:13 am:
Hi George
Can you please please please come down under to Oz! We love your show here. If you come to Perth I have the perfect project for you…
Natasha
on Feb 22nd, 2010
@ 4:22 pm:
Hi George – I LOVE your show, you are so talented. My husband and I are desperate for you help and would really like to be on the show. I’ve completed the application form and sent it back to the email address on the Channel 4 website. However, the inbox is full and so it can’t get through. We REALLY need your help redesiging our very poorly laid out 1930s semi and would love to have you here. Our 3rd bedroom is so small you can’t fit a single bed in it and that’s only the beginning. Please please can you help us?
Natasha
Sian Wilson
on Feb 25th, 2010
@ 12:02 am:
hi george, we absolutely love your home show, we have recently moved to a 28 year old house and are currently ripping it apart, when can we expect to see your show back on the tv, as im still trying to convince my hubby that i need bifold doors (hes a glazier and is not quite sold on them!!)
keep up the good work
Sian
Vicki & Ben
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 10:17 pm:
Hi George, your shows really inspired us and we’re now contemplating how best to do a loft conversion in our barn. We’ve recently had our second child so how we use our current 3 bed has changed. We’d love to create an amazing master suite, bathroom and bedroom/office but are unsure how that would fit with our existing 1st floor lay out as we think we may need to lose a bedroom for loft access. We’re also unsure how to maximise the light as currently the majority of the windows are on the rear of the property. We’d really appreciate any advice you can give us!
Vicki & Ben.
Ps are channel 4 still taking applications pending the home show being commissioned?
lisa merry
on Mar 27th, 2010
@ 4:21 pm:
Wow! Congratulations on providing us viewers with your inspirational programmes, love the restoration man.
Look forward to listening to your opinions each week.Keep up the good shows, they are so refreshing!
Thabang
on Mar 29th, 2010
@ 5:18 pm:
Hi George
I really like your home show, I dont have my own place yet but I definitely look up to you for your tips, they are inspiring. Always love the designs and everything else. I cant wait to start making my own home with my fiance, we are moving in together in two months
Craig Henshall
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 11:09 am:
Hi George, enjoying The Restoration Man and previous programmes.
I’m sure I’ve seen a recent newspaper article from you offering tips and advice on garage conversions but can’t remember which paper. It’s something we’re considering and I was hoping you could advise which newspaper it was or post a link to it online.
Thanks!
Craig Henshall
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 11:09 am:
Hi George, enjoying The Restoration Man and previous programmes.
I’m sure I’ve seen a recent newspaper article from you offering tips and advice on garage conversions but can’t remember which paper. It’s something we’re considering and I was hoping you could advise which newspaper it was or post a link to it online.
Thanks!
Liz
on Apr 2nd, 2010
@ 1:18 pm:
Hi George,
Absolutely love watching your shows, getting your fab advice and seeing your amazing enthusiasm. We are British expats now living in Norway looking to live the small holder dream. Our house is built into the hillside so the upstairs is the level you enter the house. We are currently looking into converting our basement so we can move the bedrooms down there and have a bit more space for our ever expanding family! If you ever fancy a trip to Telemark Norway we could do with some of your inspiration! All the best, Liz, Telemark, Norway.
Kimberley Tucker
on Apr 3rd, 2010
@ 7:34 pm:
Hi George.
Just to say I have going on a bout you to my friends here for a long time as I love your shows.
I live in Portugal and really want to buy the old house that I have been living in for a year now, Its quiet small but I would love to renovate it and create a more open plan living space with a blend of old and new designs as the house has so much soul! The bigest problem I have is the load bearing walls and how to get around opening them up while not letting the house fall down haha. I need to get a few quotes from builders but do you think I need to get an architect in for this?? DO you fancy a trip to Portugal lol?
Any advice would be appreciated, thank you
Helen
on Apr 9th, 2010
@ 7:47 pm:
Hi George
Saw you at the Ideal Home Show – was great to hear you talk so enthusiastically about your projects (good luck with the basement!). Absolutely loving The Restoration Man and the Home Show. I didn’t think I could do much to make my house into a ‘home’ but you have given me so much inspiration. Thanks so much and keep up the brilliant work. Helen
Jean Hazeltine
on Apr 15th, 2010
@ 12:24 pm:
Hi George, I love the Bi Fold doors you have installed in your shows. I would really love them to replace a floor to ceilingcathedral window I have in my home. The problem is as I am retired I need to watch the pennies and have been let down with builders in the past either going into liquidation or after they finish their job and get their money won’t come back to fix the minor job that crop up afterward. So can you recomend a company to me who could carry out the work of supplying and fitting bi fold doors for me. Kind regards Jean
Rob
on Apr 18th, 2010
@ 5:27 pm:
Hi George.
Having been put onto your series by a couple of friends i found your love of britains older buildings wonderfully refreshing.
There is in our village a wonderfully built old stone school house (looking like a small church) that i fear has been bought by a building company wanting to build houses on the sight, as there has been quite a few building gone the same way in this area which i feel is tragic.
Having been stood derelict for 10 years or more, i would love your advise in buying this property to renevate,
Rob
Rachel M
on Apr 20th, 2010
@ 3:30 pm:
Loved the home show when it was on and enjoying your new renovation show. Could really use your help to work out whether our house can work for our family of 6 or whether we’ll have to move which I really don’t want to do. We’ve tried to get it to work but haven’t managed it yet and I think we’ve reached the end of our capabilities in planning! Is there a chance they’ll do another series of the home show and if so can we apply. Alternatively would you take on a project in Newcastle, or can you recommend someone that would.
One last thing – I think you must have a fantastic and understanding wife as you’re obviously a very busy man!
Lisa
on Apr 25th, 2010
@ 4:34 am:
Hi George. We are big fans of yours all the way from Perth, Australia. You are an amazing architect, not only structurally changing the homes of britain but enhancing their lifestyles beyond belief. I thought the show with the little girl Sophie who is suffering from Cerebral Palsy was so inspiring, you gave the parents back their much needed space and have given a little girl her own fairy tail space which every little girl should have. Every show is just as inspiring as the last and your personable approach to every family is a wonderful thing to watch.
Keep up the great work mate! Be sure to visit us in Australia.
Lisa xox
Simon
on Apr 29th, 2010
@ 12:35 pm:
Hi, help help please, we have had plans drawn up for an extension, I am concerned that our architect has not got it correct on the upstairs and that we are not going to get the space we thought. I am struggling to get any information from the architect , what advise can you give on what to do when this relationship goes wrong? Would another architect want to take on such project half way through?
Pam
on Jun 24th, 2010
@ 5:17 am:
I watch your show here in Hong Kong in a cramped little apartment.
I wish I could get you to ‘do’ my house in Australia!
I love the houses that you do and the enthusiasm you show.
Diggory
on Jul 9th, 2010
@ 5:11 am:
paul the octopus is absolutely the most effective psychic
Christine Jackson
on Aug 1st, 2010
@ 1:45 am:
Hello George, What a guy you are fantastic idea’s and everybody wants you to design for them well I would not be any different but I have not found that ” HOME ” yet still looking for some where by the sea [ north Ayrshire ] any this is just a request for info on one of your programs you talked about an Micro switch , I have been trying to purchase one but no one seems to know what I mean it’s just an automatic light switch but such a good idea.
Thank you George can’t wait for your new shows to come back on again. Christine Jackson
Dagmar Thorsteinsdottir
on Aug 17th, 2010
@ 5:29 pm:
Hi George. I am changing my kitchen and putting in bi-folding doors into the garden. Who would you recommend for making the doors? I have builders for the installation. Regards, Dagmar
P.S. Love your show
Gerry Baker
on Aug 20th, 2010
@ 5:14 am:
George – how about a TV program about how professional project managers do things – even those so called builders PMs are amateurs/ How about a competition between the professional PMs (oil and Gas type guys) and your local building PMs, most of which don’t have a clue!
Enjoy the program – currently watching it in Canada (probably a year or two later)
Jane Paton
on Sep 5th, 2010
@ 10:35 pm:
Hello George, My Mother-in-Law loves your show, I told her about your site and said “Ask George” so here goes…
I am wondering if you could help us out.
I have a three bed bungalow, which I have palnning permission to extend. My home is on just over an acre plot, here’s the snag I am in Green Belt and Conservation area, we are also by a river. My Mother-in-law is in her 70′s, my sister-in-law lives with my Mother-in-law and has bad health. At my home I have my husband and two sons, one registered disabled. We all need to live togther. I cannot get permission to build another property on our land.
We are desperate..So my question to you. Can I put up a flat pack home and class it as non permanent? or can you suggest anything else..My Mother-in-law will be selling soon, but unfortunatly we cannot, we all need to be together. Can you help us? Do you have any advice we could use?
Thank you
Jane
Sarah Oldfield
on Sep 20th, 2010
@ 12:48 pm:
Hi George, We have just bought a 3400 square metre plot and we are looking to build a small house on it. Problem is we live in Kefalonia, Greece, and we don’t want a regular Greek concrete house which poses many problems. We are looking at steel framed houses, and wooden houses, but we are finiding it very difficult to find impartial advice about ‘different’ housing. We have earthquakes and humidity to consider. Can you offer any advice? Thanks Sarah & Nick
Rachael Raine
on Oct 27th, 2010
@ 9:03 am:
Hi george. I am currently in my second year at Northumbria uni studying architecture. I was at your show at the durham gala theatre last week it was so inspiring! I have just been given my next design project which is to restore and recreate really the mining institute on westgate rd in Newcastle. We cant really make any adjustments to the exterior envelop as the building is grade II listed have you got any clever tips for getting light into a building without taking down too many walls etc. There is light coming in from the roof via large roof windows but it doesnt get through to the lower floors. If you have time I would love any advice. Thanks!
Rachael
Paul McCully
on Nov 9th, 2010
@ 10:42 pm:
Hey George
The lecture you gave at Northumbria University was brilliant and the advice you gave will help me a lot in future crits and presentations. You are a big inspiration and would like to thank you for taking your time to come and talk about your work, much appreciated
Paul x
Matt Tucker
on Mar 16th, 2011
@ 10:56 am:
Hi George
Your first tip is to find a good builder through recommendation but I don’t know anyone in the area well enough to ask about a good builder. How else should I find a good builder?
Like your other tips especially about the services as I have been putting off my work until I could afford to do the boiler & electrics too.
Matt
Robyn Dowland
on Apr 12th, 2011
@ 1:30 am:
Hi George,
Our home, a charming and much loved single level house is located in a National Trust classified street in Melbourne, Australia. We have lived here for almost 9 years and there have been only a few days in that time where I haven’t dwelled upon what we should do with it.
I am hoping that a series of “Home Show Down Under” may be in the pipeline because out of all the architects and interior designers I have spoken to over the years, your advice on the Home Show and in your book, “The Home Bible” nails it!
If a trip to Melbourne is not in your plans then the next best option would be to ask you if you have ever consulted on a renovation via the internet.
Fingers crossed,
Robyn
Andor
on May 7th, 2011
@ 2:04 pm:
Hi George, I’m a 14years old boy and I would like to become an architect. Can you help me out what GCSEs should I choose?Thanx Andor
Tracey Heppleston
on Sep 26th, 2011
@ 4:40 pm:
Hi there,
I was interested to know whether you were going to be making another series of your show and if so whether you were looking for suitable properties to feature.
My husband and I loved the show especially as we are making a lifestyle change and moving to Wiltshire in a couple of weeks. We have purchased a Grade II listed farmhouse dating back to about 1592 which is in need of total renovation. It has been empty for 3 years and was with the last family for over 100 years. Financially this is the scariest thing we have ever undertaken but this is the “dream” and you only live once! My husband is very handy and looks to undertake alot of work himself.
We would love to appear on the show as I am sure we would benefit from your expertise. The house can be found at http://www.carterjonas.co.uk/properties-for-sale/all-cannings/devizes/chp100120.html.
Kind regards
Tracey