Buying and Renovating in Surrey | Property Potential

Buying a house that needs work can be a dream come true—or a daunting challenge.

At Property Potential, we understand that finding a house in need of work is only one piece of a much larger, more complex puzzle. That’s why we chose our name—to reflect our commitment to uncovering the hidden potential in every property and ensuring that your journey is guided, not left to chance.

We know this could be one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and we’re here to ensure that it’s not a leap into the unknown. From transforming a vision into reality, to introducing you to trusted partners, we provide the guidance and connections that make your project achievable.

We generally find that that our clients who are open to taking on work fall into two distinct groups. Half are actively searching for a project, inspired by shows like Grand Designs or driven by the desire to create a bespoke home, while the other half are drawn to properties that offer the perfect location but not the perfect house, so they are prepared to take on necessary renovations to make it work.

Finding Hidden Gems in Prime Locations of Surrey

Being situated in the heart of our search area, and with a wealth of local contacts, we give you a competitive edge by uncovering unique properties that you might not have considered if you had seen them online. With over a decade of experience in buying houses, we have an instinctive ability to assess whether a location is ideal for a renovation project or a redevelopment plot.

Our expertise allows us to see beyond what a property brochure might offer. It could be as simple as recalling that neighbouring houses boast stunning views, or knowing that a particular road has seen multiple significant renovations—meaning planning permission is more likely to be granted.

Navigating Planning Permission

One of the biggest challenges in any renovation project is ensuring your ideas comply with local regulations. At Property Potential, we work closely with expert, local planning consultants to establish if your proposed alterations are feasible within the restrictions of national and local planning policy. Nobody wants to to buy a house only to find out that their renovation dreams are not planning compliant and therefore not possible.

To further support our clients, we organise comprehensive overview reports before an offer is even made. This ensures that when your offer is accepted, you can move forward with confidence, knowing there won’t be any hidden covenants or unforeseen objections that could derail your plans.

Designing Within Budget

Understanding the costs before diving in is crucial. Property Potential works with a number of local architects and builders who can provide pre-purchase quotes and make design suggestions to establish the feasibility of bringing your dream to life within the constraints of your budget. If the budget starts to feel insurmountable, they can help explore alternative solutions—like switching to a more cost-effective architectural style, reducing the size of the build or breaking the build down into stages—ensuring your vision remains intact without breaking the bank.

Creating a Support Team

We’ve found the house, but who can you trust to bring your vision to life? That’s where our little black book of trusted contacts comes into play. Over the years, we’ve built a network of professionals who come highly recommended by people we know and trust.

Our extensive directory is brimming with experts who can match your design style, budget, or specific needs. From architects who specialise in renovating period properties to designers who specialise in transformative exterior makeovers, we can connect you with the right professional for the job. We also have a pool of reputable builders that we can recommend to you, so you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re working with the very best team.

We Have Proven Experience of Undertaking a Full Renovation

Taking on a renovation project is one of those things you truly understand only after you’ve lived through it—the endless decisions, timings, the financial strain, and the impact on family life. Maranda has first hand experience of this journey. She and her family purchased a home, only to later demolish it and build a new one in its place, drawing on the lessons learned along the way, which she can share with clients.