1970s property transformed into stylish high tech home

OWNERS David & Jade Oliver

PROJECT Renovation & extension

LOCATION Leeds

SIZE 138m2

PROJECT COST £225,000

COST PER M2 £1,630

Jade and David Oliver had been on the hunt for a renovation project for several years when they spotted a conventional brick house ripe with potential in a great location. The property hadn’t been updated since the 1970s and had two old extensions, both in poor condition. “We wanted to modernise the entire house, replace and connect the extensions and add another storey to the side to create a master bedroom with ensuite,” says David. They also planned a raised patio to seamlessly connect the new open-plan kitchen and dining area to the large garden.

They faced frustrating delays securing the purchase as well as with planning permission. The council had various stipulations, including rejecting a sloped roof and rendering just the extension. With consent finally in the bag, Jade took on project management, hiring trades individually. “There are so many things to consider and many of them you’ve never even thought about,” she says.

Complications arose connecting the new and original spaces, as many of the walls and ceilings weren’t level. Unexpected problems and extra spending by choosing higher spec items than planned pushed the total project cost beyond the Oliver’s initial budget by £75,000. “We went over what we expected to pay on the kitchen and home automation, plus we added a bar in a space we weren’t sure what to do with,” says Jade. “We might have spent more than planned but now have a house finished to a very high standard.”

The fully renovated property is unrecognisable from the house Jade and David bought. Modern living spaces with stylish details feature throughout, the piece de resistance being the large swathes of glass at the rear. Glazing solutions include several sets of sliding doors, a glazed corner, large roof lantern and Juliet balcony in the master bedroom. “We were quite unpopular with the neighbours by the time we moved in because of all the vans and lorries,” says Jade. “A project like this puts a big strain on relationships. But, ultimately, you feel like you have more life experience because you’ve gone through one of the most stressful processes life can throw at you.”

Full story www.self-build.co.uk/oliver