The renovator who sacked her architect & got her build started within days

If you’ve ever felt like the minute you get your house keys, the clock starts ticking and you’ve got to hit the ground running… wait until you hear what Michelle managed to pull off. You’re going to be amazed.

Michelle’s a renovator with serious guts and a plan to flip property, while living in & renovating them, in central London.

Her first project? A stunning 4-bed Victorian terrace that hadn’t been touched since the 70s. The work is a lot, the timelines are tight, and all while spending time overseas visiting family & girlfriends in Seattle. Oh, and did I mention she was doing a full side and rear extension plus a loft conversion?

But here’s where it gets wild…

She completed her purchase on the house at 12pm.

By 12:15pm the same day her builders had the keys in hand and were starting demolition. I’m not exaggerating. 15 minutes later. And she wasn’t even in the country…

How?

Because Michelle had done the prep. She’d been planning this renovation using our course (big shoutout to her for being the most proactive student!) and had mapped out every stage like a pro. So when things got a bit chaotic – and blimey, they got chaotic – she wasn’t caught off guard.

Let’s rewind for a sec.

Michelle had originally hired an architect and a design & build team. Seemed like a solid plan at first. But when we started working together on the interior design for her loft conversion, alarm bells started ringing.

I was reviewing the loft layout and asked her architects a simple question about ceiling height in the en suite. They couldn’t give a straight answer. Not ideal when you’re planning where to put a shower — especially under a sloped ceiling. So we had to pivot and put the bathroom somewhere we knew would work, even if it wasn’t our top choice. Because a bathroom you can’t stand up in? No thanks.

That was red flag number one.

Then, just days before the build was due to start, with keys due to be collected on Friday, Michelle had to pull the plug on her architect and design & build team a few days before. Yep. She’d discovered more missed measurements, miscommunications, and a general lack of professionalism. She was basically being pushed into a plan that didn’t optimise the property, or her budget.

Most renovators would panic at this point.

Michelle? She opened the course, followed her project plan (which we lovingly call her Bible!), and started again. She interviewed 15 contractors in a matter of days. And it paid off. Enter, Spencer. A seasoned builder who immediately spotted a smarter way to handle her loft construction. Thank goodness for Spencer.

Rather than live with a cramped top floor, he suggested lowering the loft floor into the room below. Because the ceilings were already high, it wouldn’t cause issues downstairs – but it would totally transform the loft. And the cost? Just £3,000 extra.

Our interior loft conversion plan

Michelle went from a potentially cramped and awkward loft space to a plan that will actually feel like a room.

Then came the plumber drama. Get this.

She’d lined up a plumber who verbally quoted her £25K for the whole property. Sounds like a lot, but it was about right for the scope of the build. But every time she asked him for a quote in writing (another thing we stress a lot in the course), he dodged her.

What?!?

The day before she completed, he was supposed to begin works. She called him and insisted on a formal quote. Finally, he came back – not with a quote, but with a bombshell…

“Sorry Michelle, it’s going to be £75K.”

Yep 🤯 He assumed that because she’d bought in Central London, she was rolling in money. He thought he could lowball the quote verbally, crack on with the work, and then hit her with a nasty surprise invoice at the end.

But Michelle was ready.

She had her paperwork. She had her prep. And she wasn’t falling for any of it.

He was out. And again, Spencer and his team stepped up, filling the gap and keeping her project moving.

What Michelle’s experience shows us is this:

Renovation success isn’t about luck. It’s about planning. It’s about asking the right questions early, not being afraid to make bold decisions, and having a support system around you that knows what to look out for.

And yes, this stuff still happens. Even in 2025.

Architects and design & build teams still get drawings wrong. Many don’t have a clue about build costs, and just want to rush out planning drawings and move onto the next client. Not all of them – but enough that it’s a problem.

That’s not how we work. Around here, we’re invested in getting the best job done for you, our renovators. Exactly why we asked Michelle if we could share her story to give you a heads up.

Michelle’s journey isn’t finished yet, but already it’s shaping up to be a dream project. Yes things haven’t gone 100% smoothly, but she’s confidently took control at the moments that mattered most.

Thinking of starting a project like Michelle’s?

Honestly, don’t go it alone. There’s a reason she kept saying “Thank God I had access to the course and advice from you guys.” on our calls, which fills me with motivation to keep doing what we do 🙏🏼

We’re here to help you catch things early, save thousands, and make confident decisions – even when you’re 4,000 miles away visiting family in the US!

TLDR: You need to learn from this…

• The smartest renovation move Michelle made was saying no early.
  She trusted her gut, spotted the red flags, and pulled the plug before it cost her thousands.

• Verbal quotes mean nothing – get it in writing.
  Her plumber quoted £25K, then tried to switch it to £75K last minute. Because she pushed for paperwork, she caught it before any work began.

• Never assume your architect understands build costs or space planning.
  Michelle’s first team overlooked critical ceiling height issues. Always question the plans, especially in lofts.

• Be ready to pivot, fast.
  When her team fell through days before the start date, she followed the contractor hiring guidance from the course, interviewed 15 builders, and found someone better.

• You can make big structural improvements without blowing the budget.
  Her new builder suggested lowering the loft floor for just £3K and totally transformed the feel of the space.

• Plan before you complete.
  I can’t stress this enough. Because Michelle had her renovation roadmap ready (thanks to the course & our design work together), she was able to hand the keys over at 12.15pm and start demolition – all while she was overseas.

• Builders and trades might try to take advantage but you need to be one step ahead.
  Michelle was prepared. Her questions, her process, and her paperwork saved her tens of thousands.

• Support makes all the difference.
  Between the course and us working together on design, Michelle had backup when things went sideways and came out stronger because of it.

If you want to be ready for your renovation, join our online course as Michelle did, or start our free renovation guide. You’ll be glad you did!