Have you ever dreamed of buying an abandoned barn and turning it into a home? That’s exactly what this couple did. They purchased a neglected barn for £12,500 (about €15,000 or $15,500). With no previous building experience, they set out to renovate it themselves.
Their goal? A completely off-grid home. They learned everything along the way. Here’s a look at their progress so far.
Restoring the Barn
The barn had once housed animals. The floor was compacted with dirt. The couple decided to strip everything out and start fresh.
The first step was to pour a new concrete floor. Since the farm was remote, they had to do it the hard way—by hand. They mixed the concrete and carried it in wheelbarrows. It took many hours, but they completed the job. The total cost was £200 for sand, cement, and other materials.
Next, they removed the old metal roof. The new roof cost €1,353, including panels and fixings. This was one of the biggest transformations. The barn no longer looked abandoned.
Adding Windows, Doors, and a Mezzanine
To bring light inside, they needed a new window. A friend, Nick from Project Portugal, helped them cut out and weld a metal frame. The window cost only £35.
The entrance needed improvement too. They cleared the old doorway and laid a small patio. They got free granite, so the cement cost was just £3. They then tiled the entrance for £13.
Instead of buying a new door, they reclaimed the original one. This door had been in place for 40 years. They sanded, painted, and added new fixings. The total cost was £98.
Inside the barn, they wanted a loft-style sleeping area. They built a mezzanine, using timber and leftover scrap wood. This included a custom-made bed. The total cost for the mezzanine was £492.
Electrical Work and Interior Finishes
With the major structure in place, they focused on electricity and walls.
The cost to install basic electrics was £228. Then, they moved on to pointing and rendering the interior walls. They used £95 worth of materials to give the space a smoother finish.
Total Cost and Future Plans
So far, they have spent about £2,396 (~$2,979 or ~€2,880) on renovations.
The farm’s estimated value is now £29,526 (~€35,000 or ~$37,000). The project is far from over. Next, they plan to:
- Install a log burner
- Add furniture
- Build a kitchen
- Tile the entire floor
This project shows how determination and DIY skills can turn an abandoned space into a home.
Would you take on a challenge like this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Renovation Cost Breakdown
| Renovation Task | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Concrete flooring | 200 |
| New roof installation | 1,353 (€) |
| Window installation | 35 |
| Patio base (cement) | 3 |
| Tiling entrance | 13 |
| Reclaiming the old door | 98 |
| Electrical installation | 228 |
| Wall rendering | 95 |
| Mezzanine construction | 492 |
| Total Cost | £2,396 (~$2,979 / ~€2,880) |
Credit: If you’d like to watch the full renovation journey, visit The Origin Homestead YouTube channel.
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