Wayne Smee, an electrician by trade, has renovated properties to live in and sell on since the 1990s – but says it is now too expensive.
“It’s all I’ve ever known for 30 years,” he said.
The increased cost of labour and materials, not to mention the stress involved and new regulatory requirements, have led him to change direction and he buy his first new build property with wife Claire last year.
Shorts
Wayne, 52, bought his first house in 1993 for around £70,000 and upgraded the heating system and rewiring, alongside fitting bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen.
