ALEXANDRA PRATT Is a homes journalist and property renovator
In small, crowded Britain, improving your home is a time-honoured way of moving up the property ladder. But what if your ambitions go beyond adding a new kitchen or doing a spot of redecoration? Renovating for profit (without becoming a full-time developer) can turbo-boost your journey. Elbow grease and a little know-how can open the door to a bigger home in a better area, or simply get you where you want to be a little faster. While readers may know me as a frequent contributor to these pages, over the past 15 years, my husband (who owns a non-building business) and I have flipped cottages, lived in homes during major renovations and even self-built, which moved us – in the first five years alone – from renting a onebedroom flat to owning a detached three-bedroom home with sea views. Along the way, we’ve faced international economic crises, a serious accident, parenthood and even a global pandemic. But, it is possible, even in a turbulent market, that with a sharp eye, an understanding of the market and attention to detail you can get that forever home quicker than you thought possible. Here are a few thoughts to inform and inspire, based on our experience.