Jacob and Amber Harrell are documenting what they describe as the 'maddening reality' of renovating a 500-year-old cottage in the Cotswolds, sharing their journey with 251,000 YouTube subscribers as they enter their second year of the project. The couple, who quickly purchased the property when it went on the market in 2024, have faced a series of gruesome and exhausting challenges in their quest to transform the historic home.
A Derelict Property with Disturbing Discoveries
When the Harrells first entered the cottage, which had been derelict at least twice in its long history, they found nearly everything was wet due to a leaky old roof that had clearly been allowing water ingress for some time. The damp conditions were exacerbated by an outdated heating system featuring an oil tank and an Aga that was 'not quite up to scratch,' leading to mushrooms growing on the walls.
Even more disturbing was the annex next door, which Jacob described as requiring thorough cleaning due to rot and the discovery of '50 dead mice all at different stages of decomposition,' along with a petrified rat and 'maggots everywhere.' There was also poison present that needed dealing with, adding to the hazardous conditions.
Structural Challenges and Costly Setbacks
The original roof was clearly in desperate need of replacement, but when the couple received a quote of £77,000 for a traditional rethatch, they made the economic decision to opt for clay tiles instead, saving tens of thousands of pounds. This artisan tiled roof eventually became what Jacob emotionally called 'a work of art' when completed after eleven months of work.
However, the renovation faced significant setbacks with their heating system. After receiving a £7,500 government grant to install an electric heat pump (a process that still cost roughly £10,500), an examination revealed grievances with the piping and workmanship, causing the house to fail the electric safety certificate. Jacob admitted this turned what should have been progress into 'six months of disputes, rewiring, and undoing work that should never have been signed off in the first place.'
Weather Woes and Insulation Issues
As autumn turned to winter, 'the reality of the house set in' with storms, rain, and snow causing water to pool at the sides of the property. The lack of insulation became painfully apparent, forcing the couple to address fundamental issues before they could even think about cosmetic improvements. Jacob noted that 'most of the year was spent simply trying to stop the house from getting worse before we could even think about making it better.'
At one point, Jacob had to venture into the loft with a leaf blower to 'blow away all the dead mice' before they could properly shield the roof. They also had to tear down old overgrown, mossy ivy and remove wasps' nests that had formed, eventually making the house 'as watertight as it had been in years.'
Personal Pressures and Future Plans
Adding to the renovation pressures, Amber discovered she was pregnant at the end of 2025, increasing the urgency to make the house hospitable. Jacob reflected: 'We thought renovating a 500-year-old cottage would be the defining thing that happened to us this year, the thing that everything else would revolve around. Well, we were wrong!'
The couple, who haven't revealed their total expenditure, made it clear they 'don't have enough money to pay people to renovate this place' and 'aren't even sure they have money for materials.' Despite this, they were able to purchase additional land, putting the house on an acre, and recently celebrated sleeping their first night in the property after eleven months of work.
A Journey of Learning and Patience
Jacob admitted spending his younger years walking past the house and envisioning living there, making the purchase particularly meaningful. He described the experience as 'not just a building project, but a lesson in patience, uncertainty, and doing things properly when there are no shortcuts left. We are not builders. We are learning as we go. Some decisions took months. Others were forced on us overnight.'
With floors and interiors still to be finished, the Harrells continue their renovation journey, balancing the excitement of creating their dream home with the exhausting reality of restoring a centuries-old property. 'All that's left is to make this beautiful wreck of ours a home,' Jacob shared, looking toward the future with their expanding family.
