This Grand Designs couple had no idea just how much blood, sweat, and tears would go into transforming a 150-year-old barn.
HR director Sarah and her partner, technology director Pip, initially set a £420,000 budget to renovate a Bedfordshire barn, along with its stalls and stables, after purchasing the property for £400,000. However, in true Grand Designs style, costs soared far beyond their estimate, straining their relationship along the way.
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Despite the challenges, they created a home that could make even the wealthiest envious. Considering the barn’s severely rundown condition before the transformation, their hard work is even more remarkable.
Presenter Kevin McCloud met Sarah and Pip in April 2022, by which time they had already faced seven months of delays due to planning issues. At the start, it was hardly more than a frame—just the bare bones of a barn. Calling it a shed would have been generous.
The barn was crumbling, and even Kevin McCloud was shocked by the dire state of the 130-meter-long “property.” Still, Sarah and Pip were determined to create their forever home, complete with donkeys, goats, and chickens. They set out to restore what Pip had once likened to “a three-legged cat.” But as work began, major challenges quickly emerged.
Strict legal protections limited how much they could dig, and with rising material and labor costs, Sarah stressed, “Every bit of slate matters.” Kevin initially estimated the project would cost £700,000, warning the couple that achieving a “top-class” finish would push the total to £1.1 million.
We’re gonna do it for half of it,
Sarah said with complete confidence
She wasn’t too far off—she and Pip ultimately spent £540,000. However, that covered only the barn conversion, forcing them to abandon plans for the two outhouses to save money and resources. And that wasn’t all they had to sacrifice. With the barn requiring extensive care, they had to sell off some of their own assets. Pip sold his car for £32,000, while Sarah gave up riding her beloved horse, Jimmy, saving £750 a month.
The building was crumbling bit by bit. Each time they removed a beam, several more would collapse with it, forcing Sarah to scrap materials she had hoped to preserve. They spent £110,000 just restoring the walls, carefully scraping mortar off bricks to save £1.50 per piece and reusing them to rebuild.
At one point, the entire project was at risk when Historic England threatened fines due to the barn’s protected status. Adding to the stress, Sarah had to continue working while Pip managed the project. She received updates on major setbacks through text messages.
Just 10 months in, their finances were at “breaking point”—and so was their relationship. But with another bank loan and a commitment to doing as much work themselves or finding the cheapest quotes, they finally created a home to be proud of.
It took two and a half years, but both agree the end result was “worth it,” and the before-and-after shots are nothing short of breathtaking.
What was once the remains of a rotting barn is now their dream home, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water, a sunlit spacious living area, and a £15,000 navy kitchen that could rival Meghan Markle’s.
Skipping the outhouses saved them £100,000, though it’s a project they’ll have to tackle in the future. For now, their home strikes the perfect balance between cozy and sleek, with separate offices for both instead of extra bedrooms. As for their own bedroom—it wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury hotel.
It was a long and exhausting journey, but the result is nothing short of stunning. And if this place ever lands on Airbnb, we’re booking a stay.
Watch Grand Designs on Channel 4, including last week’s episode where a couple built an ambitious floating home on the water.
Source: Metro