Cai and Eleanor’s Victorian Terrace

Birmingham, UK

Victorian Terrace

Building a future-proof family home

Cai and Eleanor's Victorian terrace hadn't been updated in decades. Tired of cold, damp homes and short-term fixes, they saw their new property as the chance to do things properly. With a full renovation already planned, they wanted to future-proof it at the same time, creating a cosy family home to enjoy for years to come, without the burden of managing everything themselves.

Building a future-proof family home

Cai and Eleanor’s home transformation

E > C

EPC

Property value estimate

£2,457

Annual bill savings

Upgrades chosen

The DIY dead end

Having spent years in outdated Victorian houses, Cai, Eleanor and their two young children had put up with constant cold, condensation and mould for long enough. With a new property to renovate, they knew this was their best chance to create a comfortable family home that would stand them in good stead for years to come. But the deeper they looked, the more overwhelming it became. The order of work was a complicated puzzle, and neither of them had the knowledge to confidently choose between materials, suppliers and methods. Without the right support, there would have been months of research and the risk of expensive mistakes.

The DIY dead end

“When I heard about Furbnow, I thought: this is exactly what I've been looking for. It was ideal to work with experts that could advise us, as well as connecting us to the right suppliers and installers.”

Cai

Cutting through the complexity

We started with a Home Energy Plan that gave Cai and Eleanor a clear, costed list of exactly what their home needed and in what order. From there, our retrofit coordinator became the vital link between their traditional builders and specialist eco suppliers, making sure the right materials were used with no installation errors. The result is a home they enjoy every day: warm, dry and completely gas-free, with zoned heating so they only pay for what they use. In summer, the same heat pump that keeps the house warm provides bonus air conditioning.

Cutting through the complexity

A couple laughing outside the front of their house.

"For the first time, we're living in a home that's actually warm and cosy. The heating responds almost instantly, working from home is a pleasure, and the open plan space means we're always close to the kids."

Eleanor