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
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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