From hoarder house to light-filled family home: A £30K transformation in Paisley
A forgotten property; sitting empty for five years.
A bathroom floor caving in.
Four months later — a spotless, light-filled family home.
Project at a glance:
Type: 3-bed refurbishment (ex-hoarder property)
Location: Paisley
Source: Council Empty Homes Scheme
Budget: ~£30,000
Timeline: 4 months (May → September)
Key fix: Full bathroom floor and joist replacement after leak damage
From army discipline to renovation drive
At just 28, Adam has already reinvented himself once. After nine years in the Army, he traded deployment zones for renovation sites - channelling discipline and teamwork into property development.
“I always had the property bug,” he says. “This lets me solve problems, help people, and build something real.”
Finding the opportunity
The Paisley property was Adam’s second referral through the council’s Empty Homes Scheme — a house that had sat untouched for five years after the owner moved out.
“With homes like this, there’s often embarrassment or overwhelm behind it,” he explains. “Our job is to be human first, practical second.”
That empathy-led approach, paired with reliability, means the council keeps calling him back.
Rip-out, rebuild, repeat
Once the sale was agreed, Adam’s team from Smart Home Improvements and Smart Sales were ready to go. On completion day, skips arrived and the strip-out began.
The biggest surprise came when a contractor put a foot through the bathroom floor, revealing rot from an old leak.
“We had to replace the floor and joists - about £700 - but it was sorted quickly. That’s the key: act fast, keep momentum.”
After clearance, it became a straightforward full-house renovation: new gas heating, rewiring, kitchen, bathroom, flooring, and complete redecoration.
A clean, repeatable spec
Adam keeps his design simple and proven — modern, bright, and market-friendly:
White walls throughout to maximise light
Warm wood flooring with matching skirtings
Crisp white kitchen
Bright tiled bathroom
Neutral staging to appeal to all buyers
“We’re not chasing show-home gimmicks - just spaces people trust the minute they walk in.”
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Purchase price (approx.) | £22,000 (inc. legals) |
| Renovation spend | £30,000 |
| Timeline | 4 months |
| Total investment | ~£52,000 |
| On-market value | £100,000 |
The numbers that make it work
Adam’s recent projects have averaged £37–38k in renovation spend, so this one came in leaner without compromising finish.
“If the deal doesn’t leave a sensible margin, we walk. The numbers have to work.”
Challenges and Learnings
Beyond the bathroom issue, Adam’s biggest learning was about time:
“If you’ve got another job, pay for a project manager. It saves stress and keeps the project on track.”
He also recommends getting two or three quotes for every trade — even with familiar contractors — to keep costs realistic.
What’s next
With the Paisley three-bed now attracting offers, Adam and his business partner are already onto the next project — a one-bed in Edinburgh, currently mid-rip-out and scheduled for completion in November.
“Human first, practical second — and keep the numbers honest.”
The final result:
View the listing here
