Grand Designs' Kevin McCloud shares crucial building advice for prospective house builders
dailyrecord.co.ukGrand Designs host Kevin McCloud has shared the golden rule he consistently offers to aspiring home builders.For 25 years, the now 65 year old Kevin has been the face of Grand Designs a show that charts the highs and lows of ambitious housebuilding ventures.With many site visits under his belt, and involvement in countless construction journeys over the past quarter-century, his experiences range from witnessing great triumphs to the 'saddest ever' episode of Grand Designs.Kevin's key piece of guidance, which he imparted to the Times Magazine: "The first trick of house building is, don't be optimistic." Off-air, Kevin confesses to lacking the urgency he often portrays on the programme, saying: "I don't have a huge sense of urgency in anything.
I'm very slow," reports the Express. Recent episodes followed the notably troubled Chesil Cliff House in Devon. Despite taking 11 years to build and causing owner Edward Short to accumulate a reported debt of £7 million, the property has struggled to sell.Initially entering the market at £10 million, its price has been slashed to £5.25 million.Edward Short, undeterred by the financial strain, plans to raise an additional £2 million for further developments.The upmarket residence was initially listed in July 2022 through Knight Frank, together with Short's neighbouring three-bedroom annex known as The Eye, but two years on, neither have found a buyer.Mr Shorts marriage breakdown was attributed, at least in part, to the notorious cliffside lighthouse.Property expert Kevin McCloud described the abode as still being a "carcass" eight years following the couple's acquisition.
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