A couple who spent £150,000 on the “ugliest house on the street” say their value has doubled after learning how to DIY on YouTube.
Lizzie and Phil Williams set up their four-bed semi in Hertfordshire in June 2014.
After nine years of extensive renovation work, he is now living in his dream home.
Lizzie, 37, who works in marketing, said, “It's hard to do endless research on the Internet and ask friends.
“Renovating the main house took about six years as we did most of the work ourselves.
“We completed a complete renovation last year and finished the garden.”
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After the couple bought the property in St. Albans, they moved in six months later and began demolishing the building.
There were holes in the ceiling, plants were dying, and bacteria was growing in the downstairs toilet. It was no small project.
However, the two threw themselves into the challenge and gathered knowledge about DIY such as electricity and plumbing on YouTube.
To get by on their own, they were forced to live in a two-bedroom for an entire year while renovating their surroundings.
Slowly but surely, they turned the dangerous gaff into a stunning home and even installed a pool.
They also converted the garage into a utility room, toilet, study and storage room, and went underground to turn the empty space into storage space.
Although they did much of the work themselves, they hired a contractor to help build the two-story addition and install some of the roof.
Lizzie and Phil spent a total of £150,000 on the property.
Lizzie explained: “The £40,000 I saved lasted me for about two years, so I borrowed more money and put the rest towards my salary.''
They completed the renovation in September 2023 and say they now have the perfect home.
The once moldy mansion has been completely opened up and the rooms expanded.
The couple chose a calm interior, with sophisticated wooden fittings placed throughout.
Do lots of research on the internet or ask your friends.
lizzie williams
Lizzie says her favorite room in the house is the kitchen.
But she also likes the home's “quirky” features, including a “hangover bench” to sit on in the shower and a TV in the bathroom.
Today, the house has a large garden that extends to the outbuildings, where you can relax by the pool on warm evenings.
And there is enough space to park your car in front.
Scroll down to see how the home has changed over the years.