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The Foundation Series
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We cover the full scope of a home project — from the first idea of extending, renovating or building, through to completion and moving in. Covering topics such as:
preparing a brief, whether in your head or on paper
hiring the right designers and contractors
setting a realistic budget and maintaining cost control
planning, contracts and the formal steps required to complete works lawfully
All episodes arm you with a clear understanding of how projects actually work, so you can avoid common pitfalls and costly misunderstandings.
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Latest episodes
Neil Kahawatte explains how to agree responsibilities, compare fees and make timely decisions.
Episode 23
Compare supports, beams and foundations, and understand the knock-on costs of structural choices, with engineer Alison Wallis.
Episode 22
Understand party-wall notices, neighbour conversations and the information needed to keep your project moving, with Jonny Callard.
Episode 21
Meet your hosts
Despite coming from different disciplines, Tina and Bart share a common view: well-run projects are built on clarity, good process, and informed clients — not on jargon, over-complication or blind trust.
Tina Patel
Architect with over 15 years’ experience working with homeowners.
Tina brings the design perspective. She cares deeply about process, coordination and how early decisions affect both people and budgets. Her focus is on helping clients articulate what they actually need — and ensuring design supports real life, not just aesthetics.
Bart Kolosowski
Quantity Surveyor with over 20 years’ experience.
Bart believes many cost problems stem not from ambition, but from unclear briefs, poor coordination and avoidable complexity.
Known for his direct approach and dry humour, he challenges assumptions, simplifies processes, and helps homeowners get the best possible value from their project.
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Architect with over 15 years’ experience working with homeowners.
Tina brings the design perspective. She cares deeply about process, coordination and how early decisions affect both people and budgets. Her focus is on helping clients articulate what they actually need — and ensuring design supports real life, not just aesthetics.
Tina Patel
Quantity Surveyor with over 20 years’ experience.
Bart believes many cost problems stem not from ambition, but from unclear briefs, poor coordination and avoidable complexity.
Known for his direct approach and dry humour, he challenges assumptions, simplifies processes, and helps homeowners get the best possible value from their project.
Bart Kolosowski
Meet your hosts
Despite coming from different disciplines, Tina and Bart share a common view: well-run projects are built on clarity, good process, and informed clients — not on jargon, over-complication or blind trust.
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