Why We Had To Spend Another £15,000 | Farmhouse Renovation (Ep. 30)
Jamie | Country & Co.
33,934 views
Renovating an old Edwardian farmhouse in Norfolk was never going to fit neatly around normal life, and this week proved that again.
We started at the end of the week after taking the boys to Great Yarmouth for a long weekend, only for all of us to be hit by a sickness bug. Coming back to the renovation feeling spaced out and dehydrated was not quite the grand return I had in mind, so I kept out the way and started with the only job that made sense: tidying up the mess.
There was plenty of it.
The floors had been dug out, the hardcore was piled up, mud was being stored while we worked out where to put it, and the staircase was still floating above it all. Inside, the digger was running, Johnny was working through the detail, and the house looked worse than it has for a while. Which, strangely, is often what progress looks like at this stage.
The roof brought the harder decision.
We had hoped to reuse the old slate and keep as much character as possible, but once it started coming off, too much of it was clearly not going to be suitable. After a lot of thought, we decided to go for new slate. It is not the cheaper option, especially with an extra £10,000 to £15,000 likely on top, but it should give the farmhouse a roof that lasts.
The right slate still mattered though. We did not want anything too shiny or black, so the week turned into sample boxes, bluey grey tones, rustic finishes and another decision that felt far bigger than it looked on paper.
At the same time, family life kept shifting around the work. Noah had his first full week at school, Gemma and I shared the school runs, and the whole routine needed adjusting.
Then, in the middle of the noise, Pete arrived to nick our apples and remind us that this place has already seen generations come and go.
It was a long, tiring week. But by Friday, the slate was chosen, the mortar was ordered, and the next steps were clearer.
🔗 Links:
👱🏻♀️ Gemma’s Channel
gemmalouisemiles
🎥 Camera I use, DJI Osmo Pocket 3
https://rstyle.me/+wMA32ECLa3Up5nq6ZK...
🏠 Roofing Slates - Ask for Ethan, tell him Jamie sent you (ask for a discount 😉)
https://buyroofslate.co.uk
Some links may be affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you extra, but it helps support the channel.
📖 The Story So Far:
⇨ We’re at THAT Stage of the Renovation | Old House to Dream Home (Ep. 29)
We’re at THAT Stage of the Renovation 🫣 | ...
⇨ Exciting Deliveries, Repointing & Finally Progress! Farmhouse Renovation (Ep. 28)
Exciting Deliveries, Repointing & Finally ...
⇨ Big Changes, Good News & A Disagreement | Farmhouse Renovation (Ep.27)
Big Changes, Good News & A Disagreement | ...
⇨ We're Running Out of Time and Money | Farmhouse Renovation (Ep. 26)
We’re Running Out of Time and Money | Farm...
⇨ What We Found Beneath the Floorboards… | Old House Renovation (Ep. 25)
What We Found Beneath the Floorboards… | O...
📍 Norfolk, England | By the sea
Country & Co. documents our family's renovation of a 120-year-old Edwardian farmhouse, alongside country life, DIY and the slower way of living we're trying to build.
📩 partnerships@countryandco.uk
20 Comments
Keep up the good work Jamie. Love to you, Gemma and the boys ❤
You didn't give any specific plans for disposing of or repurposing the old roofing slates. Even if they aren't sound enough for roofing, they are far too durable and attractive to throw away. Practical uses include: garden bed edging, decorative garden paths, property signs, rustic household items, and exterior accent walls. Intact reclaimed slates are also in high demand for heritage restorations, so selling usable leftovers might partially offset project costs. 🤑
Keeps everything warm & dry!
A saying i have,...buy once,cry once,
You definitely did the right thing!
So thoughtful keeping away from your comrades while your poorly,
A happy team! 😊
Why We Had To Spend Another £15,000 | Farmhouse Renovation (Ep. 30)
Jamie | Country & Co.
33,934 views
Renovating an old Edwardian farmhouse in Norfolk was never going to fit neatly around normal life, and this week proved that again.
We started at the end of the week after taking the boys to Great Yarmouth for a long weekend, only for all of us to be hit by a sickness bug. Coming back to the renovation feeling spaced out and dehydrated was not quite the grand return I had in mind, so I kept out the way and started with the only job that made sense: tidying up the mess.
There was plenty of it.
The floors had been dug out, the hardcore was piled up, mud was being stored while we worked out where to put it, and the staircase was still floating above it all. Inside, the digger was running, Johnny was working through the detail, and the house looked worse than it has for a while. Which, strangely, is often what progress looks like at this stage.
The roof brought the harder decision.
We had hoped to reuse the old slate and keep as much character as possible, but once it started coming off, too much of it was clearly not going to be suitable. After a lot of thought, we decided to go for new slate. It is not the cheaper option, especially with an extra £10,000 to £15,000 likely on top, but it should give the farmhouse a roof that lasts.
The right slate still mattered though. We did not want anything too shiny or black, so the week turned into sample boxes, bluey grey tones, rustic finishes and another decision that felt far bigger than it looked on paper.
At the same time, family life kept shifting around the work. Noah had his first full week at school, Gemma and I shared the school runs, and the whole routine needed adjusting.
Then, in the middle of the noise, Pete arrived to nick our apples and remind us that this place has already seen generations come and go.
It was a long, tiring week. But by Friday, the slate was chosen, the mortar was ordered, and the next steps were clearer.
🔗 Links:
👱🏻♀️ Gemma’s Channel
gemmalouisemiles
🎥 Camera I use, DJI Osmo Pocket 3
https://rstyle.me/+wMA32ECLa3Up5nq6ZK...
🏠 Roofing Slates - Ask for Ethan, tell him Jamie sent you (ask for a discount 😉)
https://buyroofslate.co.uk
Some links may be affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you extra, but it helps support the channel.
📖 The Story So Far:
⇨ We’re at THAT Stage of the Renovation | Old House to Dream Home (Ep. 29)
We’re at THAT Stage of the Renovation 🫣 | ...
⇨ Exciting Deliveries, Repointing & Finally Progress! Farmhouse Renovation (Ep. 28)
Exciting Deliveries, Repointing & Finally ...
⇨ Big Changes, Good News & A Disagreement | Farmhouse Renovation (Ep.27)
Big Changes, Good News & A Disagreement | ...
⇨ We're Running Out of Time and Money | Farmhouse Renovation (Ep. 26)
We’re Running Out of Time and Money | Farm...
⇨ What We Found Beneath the Floorboards… | Old House Renovation (Ep. 25)
What We Found Beneath the Floorboards… | O...
📍 Norfolk, England | By the sea
Country & Co. documents our family's renovation of a 120-year-old Edwardian farmhouse, alongside country life, DIY and the slower way of living we're trying to build.
📩 partnerships@countryandco.uk
Curious if you have had to make the same kind of budget-versus-character call.
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