Unless you’ve been trapped in the attic for the past couple of years, it probably hasn’t escaped your attention that social networking site Twitter is rapidly taking over the world.
It’s a great way of communicating and the 4Homes team are hooked. If you want to contact any of the staff you can do so, but better than that, you can also send messages to 4Homes presenters Kirstie Allsopp, Sarah Beeny and George Clarke!
Understandably they’re inundated with questions from viewers, but all three of them pull out the stops to reply to as many people as possible about absolutely anything you care to ask.
You can sign up for Twitter here, and use the links below to check out the profiles of the 4Homes team.
4Homes Presenters
Sarah Beeny On Twitter
Kirstie Allsopp On Twitter
George Clarke On Twitter
4Homes Staff
4Homes Twitter Feed
Lelia Ferro, C4 Editor
Lucy Searle, Editor
Rich Payne, Deputy Editor
Emma Jones, Senior Writer
Commentsoldest first
Kirstie is amazing. She has inspired me to revisit my local car boot sale. There i found a beautiful 100 year old chest which i got for £25 after bagaining for it. i would just like to thank her for it.
I read somewhere that Kirsty had her ceiling sound proof when she lived in a flat.
I was wondering how it was done,how much and did it work.
Mum and I really enjoy the new show.
I am loving the series especially as Kirstie is encouraging us all to decorate our homes in an individual (and vintage) style. Our homes reflect our personalities. I love revamping furniture by painting and distressing it and using items in completely different ways from their original use.
Please could someone tell me where Kirstie gets those fab fishnet tights she is wearing in the opening credits. Love the show but need to get those tights!
In reply to Tanya, I have no idea where Kirstie gets her fishnets! Why not ask her? Sign up to Tiwtter and send a message to @KirstieMAllsopp
I am a Sculptor from Peterborough and being creative myself i love to share my true passion with others too. I absolutely love the series and am totally hooked as there is always more to learn!
How can i get on the next series please?
Hi Pina, you can apply for the next series here – http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/kirstie-s-homemade-home/appear-on-kirstie-s-homemade-home-09-05-07_p_1.html
Being a self-employed businesswoman and a mum myself I think both Sarah and Kirstie are an inspiration and I love what they do
I am writing to see if Sarah can offer any assistance with our very difficult situation.
My wife & I bought a hotel in Aug 2004 which we ran until Sep 2006 having determined that the £140k turnover forecast by surveyors, authorised by the bank, was not possible. By then we had a promise from a bank that we were sure to get the finance for the development and we had finally got planning permission. The mortgage & development were going to cost around £820k and the end value was £1.25m. However the manager had forgotten to include interest and the mortgage was refused.
It took us a year to find a bank that would finance it – [name removed] during which time we had to pay a mortgage with no business operating.
The Surveyor the bank had instructed us to use took 3 months to produce his report and did not tell us that we needed a CDM, Damp and Asbestos Reports and these took another 4 months by which time the bank told us that they were not going to finance the development.
We would like to rent rooms until the market recovers but would require £20-30k to do this and we cannot find finance.
Of course, the result of all of this and the drop in value of the property has meant that our equity has dropped considerably and we would now have difficulty buying a house.
Can you help – PLEASE
Hi Roger,
Sadly, this is not something Sarah can get involved in. We have real sympathy with your situation, but receive many such emails and simply do not have the resources to step in and help. It might be worth contacting the relevant Ombudsman organisations to see if they can advise you about any of the service you’ve received during the past year or so. Otherwise, I am really sorry to say that we are unable to help in this case. Good luck in the future, and do let us know how you get on.
Hi, By the end of this year i would very much like to buy a small property in which i can re furb and sell on. Can you advise me Where to Buy? What to Buy? When to Buy? Cheers Vito
Hi,
Just wondering whether Kirstie knows how to obtain insurance for a garden office? My home buildings & contents will only cover my garden office up to £3k. That doesn’t even cover half the cost of building it. I’ve done searches on outbuildings insurance, garden office insurance and can’t seem to find anything. Any suggestions?
Kind regards,
Lisa
Hi Sarah
My husband is a great fan of yours and would love the theme tune of property ladder on his mobile phone. The music is by eskimo but we are unable to find it, can you help?
Hi Julie, unfortunately the only info we have about the Property Ladder theme is that it’s by an act called Eskimo, which of course you already know! Sorry I can’t be of more help. Rich
Hi George
Help!!!
I am disabled and my home needs you to help me make some changes to turn a house nto a home for me. Please help me!!
Many thaqnks
Rosella
Hi Rosella, if you’d like to be on The Home Show, please visit http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/the-home-show/appear-on-the-home-show-08-11-06_p_1.html
hi..recently on kirsty’s home show..she showed in her play room a toy boat..it is, I believe called “endeavor II” A very special friend of mine had one when he was young and I am trying very hard to locate one for his birthday in August. I have not had any luck at all..where did kirsty find her one? does any one have any clue as to where I may locate one?
many thanks for your time.
Hi Claire, I think Kirstie found it as a one-off at an antiques & collectibles fair, so we don’t have a reliable stockist for the toy. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Hi, I love the property shows with Sarah Beeny in PS&L and PL, Grand Design and Kirsties show. I wish to ask Sarah Beeny some questions and I find Tweeter quite difficult to use. Its not user friendly at all. Wish there was another link or something.
Help! I am trying to find a white glossy circular dining table that seats 4. I noticed a couple had one in their kitchen on last weeks programme (Tx 30th June). Would you know where I could find something similar? I’m desperate! Please help! p.s. love the show
Hi Kate, are you referring to Property Ladder, The Home Show, or a different programme altogether? I may be able to give you the supplier if I have the info, otherwise I have a few ideas.
Howdy! My wife and I watched the last series of Kirstie’s Homemade Home with great interest and a strong feeling of “that’s how we do things!”
Having recently completed a renovation project on our own 1930’s home – furnished almost exclusively with homemade, freecycled and second-hand finds – we would like to offer our assistance should the show require any advice on where to find things (2nd hand or crafty) in the Edinburgh area. Should our local knowledge be of interest please don’t hesitate to drop us a line.
hi sarah , i live in two bedroom mid terr house, i just wander if u think i put in stove burner and get rid of my gas fire as it too dear to run thro winter time , if i decide to sell it years to come , ,would that put buyer off with children ?
We would be grateful if you could consider showcasing our property on Sarah Beeny’s Snake and Ladder’s show. We love watching her programme and have always been struck by her sound advice and practical solutions.
How do we get on?
Hi Jaan – to apply you need to visit http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/property-ladder/property-ladder-extras/appear-on-property-ladder-08-09-23_p_1.html
can you highlight what you did to help the couple who had a problems with pet urine in a house
Dear Sir/Madam,
Acutually it was not Sarah I wanted to speak to but I’ve noticed when your credits come up at the end of the show there is a TONY ETWELL Camera mentioned. As you can see my surname is also ETWELL and as there are not many of us around I wondered if Tony was related somewhere. Perhaps you can get this e-mail message to him and he can get in touch.
Many thanks
The 4-bed bungalow I have lived in for 22 years has been subsiding all that time and the insurance company have finally decided to demolish and rebuild it. I would really like to change the layout of the rooms but don’t have a clue as to how: the archtitect/surveyor has made some suggestions for minor changes but I wonder if a more drastic rethink is possible. We can’t afford to put in any extra money so are limited to their budget of about £180K including 47K for piles. If you look at google maps and type in my post code PL9 8HY it’s the one with the swimming pool (which we are not sure whether to keep or get rid of). I would love to have Sarah Beeny’s views on this as she seems to have a great talent for making the best use of space. I have the plans for the current layout.
I’m sure you have already, but your best bet is to sit down with the architect and have a real long discussion about different layout options, and what you can afford. Only they will know what’s possible on your site, and they’ll know your project inside-out. Good luck!
hi whilst watching kirsties homemade home we noticed a dog in the background we were not sure whether it was a husky or a malamute could you please lets us know what breed of dog she owns thanks
Hi Malcolm, Kirstie’s dog is a border terrier called Foxy – not sure who owned the dog that appeared in the show!
Of all the presenters of property programmes, Sarah Beeny is the most honest in her comments and the most informative about the business of property development.
what is the web address of the site you mentioned on TV on Sunday 9th August which allows people to sell their properties independently via the web?
I’m not sure which site that is. However Sarah Beeny’s new venture (Tepilo, http://www.tepilo.com/) provides this service
Hi, We are desperately looking to buy a newly renovated property in the Edinburgh area but cannot find any. Have you featured any homes from Edinburgh on your show that are looking for buyers.
Bit cross with Sarah for saying full structural surveys cost from £800 when I am charging only half this. Grrr. I’m not posting my business URL as it breaks site rules but a piece of advice – shop around and be aware that if you let your mortgage broker arrange your survey there may be a hidden mark up. Oh and they are called Building Surveys now to stop confusion with structural engineer’s reports.
Hi…I am developing my dormer bungalow, and changing it into large 4 bed house. I have the option of an attached single garage or detached double – which is the best choice in terms of adding value to property?
It’s tough to advise without more detail, but if you already have a dedicated utility space (so won’t require the garage for this) then I’d imagine a separate double would add more value. However if you need to put your utilities in the garage it would be better to have it connected to the house. Also, if having a detached double severely reduces the amount of outside space at the property, or blocks any light, then this is something worth considering. As I say, without more detail it’s almost impossible to accurately advise.
Hi could you just tell me how many children Shara has thanks
Hi Linda, Sarah has three boys, and another boy on the way (he must be due fairly soon I think)
hi i love all your home shows, i was wondering do you no of any property development course. i have found a few home study ones but would rather a classroom based one.
thanx chris
Hi. Having been stuck at home with a broken leg for the last 6 weeks I have become addicted to property ladder and Kirstie’s homemade home. My other half and I have just fallen in love with a barn that we would love to make our ‘forever’ home but are not sure who to approach about trying to get a mortgage on it as we’ve been told it can be difficult to get a mortgage on a barn. Can anyone help or do I need to sign up to Twitter to ask?
Hi Abbie, your best bet is to approach an independent mortgage advisor for help with this – any advice you’d get from the 4Homes presenters would be very general
I am in a dilemma and hope someone can help! I live in a 2 bed ground floor flat in Walthamstow, that has had a fair bit of work over the last 2 years. I’ve decided to go travelling, I intend to sell my east london flat and buy one in cambridgeshire, nearer the folks so they can keep any eye on it whilst I wander the world. I have 3 options:
1) Sell as is
2) finish improvements, ie carpark, patio doors from bedroom to garden etc etc then sell
3) lease is 69yrs, extend it to 100yr (£14K!!!) then sell.
Does anyone have any advice or can point me in the direction of someone inpartial (estate agents don’t count) who could give me some sane advice!
thanks Amanda
I am having a major renovation done to my property, basically converting an 1950s bungalow into a full size house. I am seriously considerinf skirting heating for my home but can’t find anyone who has installed it to see if it lives up expectations. Has anyone installed or know soemone who has? If so does it do what it says “on the tin”?
Hi my husband and I have some money to spend on our house and are worried that we may be making a mistake by extending rather than moving we are unlikely to have the money to send again and want to spend it wisely. We are considering adding a new kitchen downstairs and utility/shower room as well as upstairs a fourth bedroom and ensuite to our 3 bed semi. Is this a mistake. Please help before we make a start just in case.
Many thnaks
Lesley
Hi Lesley
You need to do a bit of research and then it’s a case of simple (ish) maths. 1) how much will the extension cost (include new furnishings etc – in other words, probably double any estimate you get for it from a builder) and 2) how much will your house be worth once it’s done (ask a local agent). 3) will the extension make your house the most expensive in the road/disproportionately bigger than all the other houses in the road – and therefore potentially more difficult to sell on in future? 4) How much will it cost you to move (include everything you can think of – mortgage costs, transaction fees, renovation costs) and 5) assuming you did improve your new home, how much would it be worth once done (reckon it at today’s prices, because the market is unsure that the moment. 6) what will suit your family best? A bigger garden? A new cloakroom, an ensuite, bigger rooms?? At the end of the day, if you’re going to be happy in your old house or your new house in 10 years time, that’s the most important consideration – potentially more important than the money side…
Hope that’s helpful!
Hi Karen
The type of heating you decide on will really depend on a whole heap of factors – and I’d suggest you speak to a qualified heating engineer about this to find out what will work out the most economical for the space you’re building. It might be that underfloor heating will work out a better choice for you downstairs, for example. Good luck!
Hi Amanda
Actually, estate agents do count. See if you can find out which is the most respected in the area and have a chat with them – then it’s a simple case of doing maths. In other words, if unrenovated flats are selling better than renovated ones in your area, then you shouldn’t finish the improvements. However, if only top quality flats are selling and unrenovated ones are sitting on the market for ages, you’ll need to do the improvements. It’s also worth asking them to price the flat for you as it is – and asking them how much it would go on for if it was renovated, so you can weigh up the costs. Lastly, ask them about the asking price difference with the flat going on with a 69 year lease and a, say 99 year lease. You may need to ask more than one agent to get a clear picture, but it’s worth doing the research.
Hi,
My wife and I are considering purchasing a property in the Peak district with a planning ‘local occupancy restriction’ on it. We qualify to purchase the property as my wife has lived in the parish for most of her life – however the property has been on the market for over four years and has had no other viewers due to the restriction (it is in a very small parish!). We are not interested in making money from the property but would be very worried about selling it if our personal circumstances were to change – what advice can you give on properties with occupancy restrictions and are our worries justified?
Many Thanks,
Nick
im looking at getting into the world of property as a career and want to know the best place to start. i want to do somthing like project managing, but there are probabley hundreds of other roles out there i dont even know exist. anyone had similar experience or have and expertese they would help me with ideas. thanks
We live in Pembrokeshire in West Wales & have lived in our house for nearly 6 years. We’ve got planning permission to convert a 3 bed, 2 bed annexe into 2, 3 double bedroom houeses, 2 of each will be ensuite. There is alot of demolision work to do first, but just wondering if you wanted to come down & have a look!!!!!!! Pop in and visit Anna while your down here LOL
Sarah
Your advise please.
We are having a small extension to the rear of our garage to bring it in line with the house and create a utility room which we both want. I would like to take it up to two storey to create a larger bathroom.
Our house is a 4 bedroom detached with a shower ensuite.
There is no shower at present in the bathroom.
By creating a bigger bathroom and having a jacuzzi bath and shower installed would increase the value and if & when we come to sell it would appeal more to a family.
However, my husband is unsure.
Your advise/ comments would be appreciated.
Hi Karen & Ian
There are a few questions to ask yourself, assuming that the planning dept have already given you permission for an extension of this size:
how much will it cost versus what will your home be worth afterwards?
will your home be the biggest in the street/area and therefore perhaps too big for the price brackets with for your area?
Both of these questions require a certain amount of research with builders (always add on extra to whatever you’re quoted, builders ALWAYS under price), and with estate agents, who will be able to tell you what your home might be worth in future (do try to get a senior valuer round and not a very young, new to the market agent – they might not give you the very best advice).
Once you’ve weighed all this up, you should be able to come to a better decision.
Hi Kirstie and Sarah I own a mid terrace house with a entry between us and the adjoined house. Above the entry belows to our house however the fence dividing the 2 properties is looks as if it is halfway through the entry but the property above is is our. who has the right to use the washing line which is in the entry. the walls that it is connected to belong to our house. petty i know, but we have lived here for 4 years with no problems and then the new tentant came to my door telling me that is was using their line? If thougt that access was shared but the line was ours. Please help tentant is getting very nasty over a washing line… Thanks for your time.
Hi there
If you own the house, you should be able to have a look at your deeds – they will tell you where the boundaries for the two properties lie – and who has rights to the line!
Lucy
Hello,
Is it only Rich Payne who replies occasionally to questions? I do not see any replies by the experts. If so, I will not bother to put my question to them
The only way to contact the experts is via Twitter. Lucy Searle is highly qualified, although not a presenter, and may be able to help if you post a question here.
hi kirsty, me and my husband are about to have our lounge diner knocked through, and we have chosen some lovely colours… on our two chimmy breasts,, in either room, we have chosen potters wheel from the dulux range. and then on either of the side of the chimmy breasts e.g the alcove, we are using melon sorbet also from the dulux range. as we saw this featured in the dulux book and it looks fab!!!!! the rest of the walls are going to be white as we need as much light as possible.we have brought some large white square ceiling lamp shades for either room .i would love some bright lime green canvas to go around the room,and also ome black and white prints of our son too!!!!. and really make this look very modern but cosy, as we have a 14 month old boy. it would be so nice if u could get in contact with me via e mail then maybe i could send u pics of our space we have , then u might like to give us some ideas or send some designs.. thank you kirsty for reading my message i appriciate very much. yours jackie xxxxxxx
Hi Jackie
This is not something Kirstie can get involved with at the mo’ – she’s filming the next series of Kirstie’s Homemade Home. However, we’d love to see the pics at 4Homes! Send them to me at l.searle@mavericktv.co.uk
Hi Kirsty. Was wondering about converting an old barn which we have just purchased. We want to extend to the east and west side, however on the east side the ground is unstable. Can you advise who to approach in order to make sound for new foundations as every builder we have approached doesn’t want to know. the propety is in Lesmahhagow. If you do not know then it’s no problem. Thanks.
Hi there
I’m assuming you’ve spoken to a structural engineer or foundation specialist already? If not, I’d start there – it might be that you have to get this part of the build sorted separately (ie, the foundations). Your architect should be able to help with contacts. Good luck!
A big thankyou from Western Australia for Location Location. We all love Kirstie and Phil and find the real estate industry in the UK fascinating as it is all done very differntly here in Oz. Of course the english countryside is gorgeous too. Keep up the amazing work you two.
Love your programme and we are regular viewers.
We are thinking of buying a nice tudor style house in Istead Rise, Kent. I’m told prices in this area should rise because of the new high speed rail link to London and its near Bluewater and Ebbsfleet.
Would you agree that its a good time to buy in this area as the market seems to be on the up?
P.S. I understand a Times article did suggest this was a good place to invest.
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