A 200-year-old barn on the verge of total collapse doesn’t sound like the ideal place for a fresh start.
But tired of the city life, civil servant Ben was looking for a change – and he could see through the rubble to what would, eventually, be his dream modern home.
Stream episodes of Derelict Rescue for free on 9Now.
In an episode of Derelict Rescue – which you can stream for free on 9Now – Ben turns the crumbling shell into a two-bedroom house with incredible open plan living.
“It was a big risk because there was no planning whatsoever. There was no ground with it to be able to park or have a garden,” Ben explained.
“But I just fell for it straight away.”
He purchased the Welsh barn, build in 1839, as well as a bit of extra land from the farmer next door for $98,000 in 2018 – and after two years of “pushing water up a hill” for building consents, work on the renovation could finally begin.
READ MORE: Unbelievable results as couple transform abandoned 1960s water tower into luxury home
To help keep costs within his $270,000 budget, Ben went into the reno with a DIY attitude… and thankfully, a qualified builder best mate named Matt.
But even with an expert on site, turning the derelict barn into a liveable home was no easy feat.
From a daunting demolition to torrential rain, there were plenty of curveballs. At one point, work completely halted for eight weeks as “the money pot ran dry”.
Finally, four years after he purchased the barn and more than 16 months since the build began, the transformation was complete and Ben was able to move in.
You can see the mind-blowing final results for yourself right here:
“I still keep pinching myself coming into this, which for so long has just been a building site and a thought in my head and now it’s actually home,” he reacted.
In Pictures
Inside the properties lottery winners snapped up after winning big
My Lottery Dream Home delivers the goods!
WATCH: How one man transformed a water tank into a luxury home on Derelict Rescue
As his earlier financing woes may have suggested, Ben did go over his intended budget during the renovation, spending $439,000-$450,000 in total.
“I think I was very stupid and naïve to think that £130,000 ($270,000) would cover it,” he laughed.
However, his real estate friend – who sold him the barn in the first place – had some welcome news, suggesting it would easily sell for more than $800,000 now.
Not that he plans to sell his new home anytime soon.
“My dad said if it was easy everybody would do it and I think that’s true because it really does push you,” he reflected.
“But the satisfaction of finding this little hidden gem and then being able to turn it into something which most people come and say ‘wow’, it’s home.”
You can see the full results of the renovation in Season 1, Episode 2 ‘Welsh Luxury Barn’ of Derelict Rescue on 9Now.
Stream episodes of Derelict Rescue for free on 9Now.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest news from your favourite shows via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
