A couple who sold most of their belongings to purchase the dilapidated Duncombe House in 2024 are now undertaking building courses to complete its renovation themselves after exhausting their initial budget. Jack and Jazzy Sayers acquired the Victorian mansion in the Staffordshire countryside with the aim of restoring it to its former glory, but discovered extensive disrepair upon taking ownership.
Early Challenges and Unexpected Hurdles
The project has been further complicated by a series of personal and logistical challenges over the past two years. These include Jack's cancer diagnosis, the death of their cat, a building-related injury, and a burglary. Jack described the state of the house upon purchase as "crumbling, abandoned and mushroom-filled," noting that ceilings were collapsing and mice were prevalent.
The couple's initial budget and timeline were quickly deemed unrealistic. They began by removing numerous antiques and personal items left by previous owners, storing them for later assessment. Their immediate focus then shifted to making the house watertight and installing a heating system, a task that consumed their summer.
Restoring the home's windows proved particularly labor-intensive, with the bay windows alone requiring over 1,000 hours of work. This effort also resulted in Jack sustaining torn ligaments after a fall from a window. He detailed the extensive process of cutting out rot, sanding layers of paint, and preparing the timber for protection.
Budget Constraints and Self-Taught Skills
By Christmas 2024, the couple had nearly depleted their renovation funds. This financial pressure necessitated a shift towards completing as much work as possible themselves. The first winter presented harsh conditions, with the house remaining extremely cold.
During interior work, they determined that the entire house required replastering. To manage costs, they enrolled in building courses to acquire the necessary skills for this extensive task.
New Obstacles and Gradual Progress
A significant recent setback involved an unexpected increase in property taxes imposed by the local council. The couple reported that their monthly taxes were quadrupled, leading to financial panic and an overdrawn bank account. The council's justification was that the property had been vacant for too long, despite the couple's ongoing renovation efforts. In response to these financial pressures, Jack moved into the house just before Christmas 2025 to mitigate costs.
Despite these difficulties, the couple achieved a milestone by successfully heating the home properly for the first time in years, an event Jack described as emotional. They have now begun restoring antique furniture and interior spaces, although Jack noted that many rooms remain untouched. 
