Couple cuts barn conversion costs by £80,000 through DIY renovation
After receiving a £120,000 contractor estimate, the owners spent about £40,000 converting a Warwickshire barn and hope to lift its value to £885,000.
A Warwickshire couple who were quoted £120,000 to renovate their barn conversion said they completed the work for roughly £40,000 by doing much of the labour themselves.
Georgia Goulden-Page, 30, and Josh Gill, 33, bought the property last August for £715,000 and began renovation work in March. The pair said the barn required a new kitchen, a converted toilet-to-pantry, repairs to alcove units and an archway, and extensive electrical, plumbing and plastering work.
The couple said they initially sought a contractor but decided to take on the bulk of the work after receiving a six-figure estimate. They reported spending about £39,140 so far, with only small finishing tasks such as a pantry countertop and utility-room items outstanding. That figure contrasts with the contractor estimate and, if accurate, represents an £80,000 reduction in labour and contractor fees.
Goulden-Page, a jewellery buyer, said the couple drew on experience from renovating and flipping a previous home, which she said produced a £165,000 profit. She said they undertook evenings and weekend work over six months, carried out preparation and waste removal themselves, and hired specialists only for specific tasks.
They engaged a structural engineer to advise on the removal of a 5.5-metre wall and brought in electricians and plumbers for the smart heating system and complex installations. The engineer initially suggested a steel beam, but the couple chose an oak beam after consulting with trades; they said oak was less expensive and more in keeping with the property's character.
The couple bought pre-made kitchen units from DIY Kitchens for £11,500 and installed them themselves. They said they fitted marble worktops, golden taps and a white sink, and added oak beams to match the barn aesthetic. Specific savings cited include building custom alcove units for £400 after a quote of £4,300 and completing an archway for about £500 after being quoted £1,000. By doing tasks such as paneling, priming and shelving themselves, they estimated small additional savings of around £650.
Goulden-Page said the couple hired trades individually for particular jobs, performing much of the preparatory work and leaving the specialist installations to paid professionals. "It still feels expensive because as much as we're cutting costs, we're still investing in really good quality materials to ensure that the barn is converted to a high standard," she said.
The couple said they aim to increase the property's value to about £885,000 within two years. Their project highlights the potential for owner-led renovation to reduce contractor bills, while retaining some specialist input for structural and technical work.
As of the latest update, the pair reported the major elements of the barn conversion complete and the home substantially transformed, with only small final items remaining before the project is fully finished.