A family who purchased a dilapidated property at auction with plans for a profitable renovation have revealed how their project descended into a costly and stressful series of unforeseen disasters.
An Ambitious Plan Meets a Harsh Reality
The Taylors bought an abandoned 1920s semi-detached house at auction in August 2024. Their initial strategy was straightforward: renovate the property, sell it for a profit, and use the proceeds as a deposit for their future family home. Documenting their journey on TikTok, they admitted they knew the task would be significant, but were utterly unprepared for the scale of the problems that awaited them.
The house was in a severe state of disrepair. The front garden was overgrown, ivy blocked windows, and inside, wallpaper was peeling from walls amidst rotting appliances. With family members in the property industry, they hoped to undertake most of the weekend work themselves, aiming for completion within nine months.
A Cascade of Costly Setbacks
Their troubles began almost immediately when they discovered a burst water pipe in the back garden. This unexpected issue forced them to hire a digger for essential groundwork, consuming a substantial chunk of their budget and timeline from the outset.
Inside, conditions were worse than anticipated. Hairline cracks riddled the plaster, woodworm infested the timber, and some walls were structurally unsafe. This led to the drastic decision to strip the entire house back to its bare bricks, a process that took three months for planning approval alone.
By December 2024, work finally seemed back on track, and a rear extension was completed. However, disaster struck when a building inspector failed the new extension due to incorrectly installed insulation. The devastating consequence was that it had to be completely demolished and rebuilt from scratch.
A Change of Heart Amid the Chaos
Just as the extension issue was resolved, another major problem emerged: the entire roof was rotten and required full replacement. This coincided with one of the rainiest summers on record in 2025, causing further delays. After three more months, the new roof with a vaulted ceiling was finally installed, becoming a favourite feature.
The relentless stream of problems and escalating costs led the Taylors to a significant decision. They realised their hoped-for profit was evaporating, but in the process, they had fallen in love with the house. They decided to abandon their original plan and keep the property as their own family home.
The renovation is ongoing, with rendering and plastering works in progress, but the family is finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel, recently installing a new front door they adore.
Their experience sparked debate online, with one social media user warning that turning a profit on refurbishments is now very difficult, while others offered sympathy and support for the family's perseverance through the ordeal.
