The Home Project Podcast

In this episode of The Home Project Podcast, hosts Bart and Tina are joined by Sebastian Aronovitz, founder of The London Kitchen Company, to demystify the process of designing, sourcing, and installing your dream kitchen without blowing your budget.
Whether you're embarking on a full home extension, a kitchen renovation, or simply trying to choose between off-the-shelf cabinets and bespoke joinery, Sebastian shares insider knowledge on how to avoid costly mistakes, select durable materials, and steer clear of passing social media fads.
00:00 - Teaser & Episode Overview00:28 - Welcome Guest Sebastian Aronovitz (The London Kitchen Company)00:50 - Sebastian's Journey: From Cabinet Maker to Kitchen Specialist02:24 - Kitchen Designer vs. Kitchen Supplier: What's the Difference?04:39 - Comparing Options: Off-the-Shelf, Made-to-Measure & Bespoke05:57 - The Power of Independent Kitchen Consultations07:48 - Designing for Real Life: Family, Cooking Habits & Ergonomics09:15 - Budget-Friendly Customization: Hand-Painted Kitchens10:17 - Why Specialist Trades Beat General Builders for Kitchen Fitting11:07 - Why You Need a Kitchen Designer (And Common Architectural Mistakes)12:40 - Avoiding Pinterest & Instagram Design Traps15:23 - Inside the Cabinets: Melamine, Plywood, Veneers & Solid Wood21:19 - Door Styles Demystified: Flat Panel vs. Traditional Shaker26:15 - Longevity & Maintenance: Hand-Painted vs. Factory Spray Finishes32:11 - Choosing Worktops: Quartz & Porcelain vs. Wood & Natural Marble37:26 - Appliance Planning & The Island vs. Dining Table Debate46:00 - Extraction Mistakes: Ducting Sizes & Infrastructure Early-On48:43 - Why Early Kitchen Planning Prevents Costly Site Delays55:36 - Episode Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts
Connect with Sebastian Aronovitz:
LinkedIn -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-aronowitz/Website - https://www.thelondonkitchencompany.co.uk/
Connect with us:
Tina Patel -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatelBart Kolosowski -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski

An expert project management approach is essential for a successful home renovation. In this episode of The Home Project Podcast, hosts Tina Patel and Bart Kolosowski sit down with Neil Kahawatte, an architect specialising in private residential projects. Together, they unpick the misunderstood role of a project manager in domestic builds, exploring why professional guidance is the ultimate key to avoiding costly pitfalls, keeping timelines secure, and maintaining peace of mind.
 
00:59:59 - Introduction & Guest Welcome
01:01:23 - The Reality of Home Projects vs. Media Myths
01:05:02 - Shifting the Dial to Enjoyable Builds
01:07:21 - Navigating Fees & Choosing the Right Professional
01:10:10 - Defining the "True" Project Manager
01:16:45 - The Threat of Unsolved Site Problems
01:18:48 - The "Cockpit Analogy" & Unintended Consequences
01:22:45 - Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
01:29:17 - Choosing a Lead for Small Scale Projects
01:33:04 - The Explicit Appointment Process
01:36:24 - Procurement Routes & Contract Administration
01:40:14 - The Cost-Benefit Breakdown
01:43:51 - "Think Slow, Act Fast" (Lessons from Pixar & Megaprojects)
01:47:43 - Managing Consultant Gaps & Sequenced Delays
01:58:12 - Final Takeaways
 
Connect with Neil Kahawatte:
 
LinkedIn -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkahawatte/
Website - https://www.neilkahawatte.com/
 
Connect with us:
 
Tina Patel -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel
Bart Kolosowski -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski

Why does your structural engineer cost you more than expected?
Engineering fees often take the blame, but the real cost drivers lie elsewhere.
This episode unpacks what a structural engineer does on a residential project, from foundations and load paths to deflection and embodied carbon. We look at the design decisions, not the fees, that push steel tonnage and construction costs up.
We also cover underpinning, why it is one of the most expensive interventions a homeowner can make, and how to tell which cracks in a wall need attention and which are simply a house settling. A £40 soil test can save thousands off a foundation bill.
Get these decisions right and a project runs efficiently. Get them wrong and the cost, and the carbon, only grows.
"A good engineer should be trying to find efficient solutions." - Alison Wallis
You’ll hear about:
 
What a structural engineer does
Which building elements engineers design
When engineers join a residential project
Why efficient load paths cut costs
Explaining deflection in plain terms
How architects and engineers share options
Design decisions that drive up costs
Beam shape versus material weight costs
Foundations, clay soil, and tree roots
Embodied carbon in concrete and steel
Cheap tests that reduce foundation depth
Underpinning costs and cracks worth worrying about
Connect with Alison:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-wallis-a5302919/
 
Weave Engineers - https://www.weaveengineers.co.uk/
 
Connect with us:
 
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Do you know if your renovation actually needs a party wall notice?
Most homeowners assume the Party Wall Act exists to stop them building.
In this episode, we unpack the Party Wall Act with a chartered party wall surveyor, covering exactly which works trigger it, from loft conversions and rear extensions to basement digs and chimney breast removals. We explain the notice periods, the difference between consent and a formal award, and why early, open conversations with neighbours nearly always save time and money.
We also get into the practical traps: building too far from the boundary line, serving notice before planning permission is secured, and letting too many surveyors get involved on a single job. The episode sets out how the award process actually works, who pays for it, and what genuinely causes delays.
Get the process right and the act works in your favour. Get it wrong, and a simple extension can turn into a costly, drawn-out dispute.
"Consent trumps everything" in the party wall process. — Jonny Callard
 
You’ll hear about:
 
What the Party Wall Act actually covers
Notice periods for different types of work
Why consent overrides the statutory process
Common works that trigger the act
The three and six metre excavation rules
Party structures in flats and leasehold buildings
Why moving closer to boundaries can help
Sharing a wall with your neighbour
How the surveyor and award process works
The role of the third surveyor
Who pays for surveyors and consultants
What really causes party wall delays
Connect with Jonny Callard:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnycallard/
 
Thomas & Thomas Surveyors - https://ttsurveyors.com/
 
Connect with us:
 
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Are your renovation decisions quietly draining your budget?
The advice to get a structural survey is well established. The advice to get professional input before you even make an offer is not.
In this episode, we dig into the decisions that add cost without improving your home. Buying a property without the right professional input, skimping on surveys, engaging contractors before there is anything to price against. We cover what to check before you purchase, why a measured survey is non-negotiable, and how developing the brief properly shapes both the design and the budget.
We also look at how contract terms, unrealistic timelines and late design decisions quietly inflate construction costs in ways that are almost impossible to see coming.
Get these decisions wrong and you will spend more, build less, and end up with a home that does not work for you. Get them right and every pound goes further.
 
"The best projects are done in partnership." - Uwe Schmidt-Hess
 
You’ll hear about:
Why buying without advice adds hidden cost
Planning history and freeholder risks
Building Safety Act and tall buildings
Pre-purchase architect advice explained
Why cheap measured surveys cost more
How early contractor quotes mislead you
The danger of skipping cost consultants
Contracts, bonds and unrealistic timelines
Brief development versus chasing an aesthetic
On-site changes and abortive work costs
Why partnership makes projects cost-effective
Connect with Uwe Schmidt-Hess:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/uwe-schmidt-hess-4a868383/
Patalab - https://patalab.com/  
 
Connect with us:
 
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Should budget or design come first?
The assumption is that a design can always be scaled back once the costs land.
We explore why setting a budget and developing a design in isolation is one of the most costly mistakes in residential projects. We cover what happens when design runs ahead of budget, why early-stage cost planning is essential, and how hidden costs, from structural work and party wall obligations to long lead-time materials and contractor delays, can derail even well-resourced projects.
We also look at why the full project team, including quantity surveyors and contract administrators, should be engaged from the outset, and why timely decision-making is as critical as the design itself.
Get this wrong and you face a tender bomb. Get it right and your project stays coherent from brief to build.
 
"There's nothing worse than a tender bomb." - George Charalambous
 
You’ll hear about:
Budget vs design: the chicken and egg
Why cost and scope must evolve together
Hidden costs beyond the build price
What happens when design outruns budget
Early-stage cost plans and QS involvement
Structural work and its cost impact
Planning consultants and associated fees
Party wall: the most-overlooked cost
Long lead times and material delay costs
Timely decision-making on site
Choosing the right contractor: cost vs value
When to prioritise specialist expertise
Connect with George Charalambous:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-charalambous-mrics/
T&T Surveyors - https://ttsurveyors.com/
 
Connect with us:
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Are you spending money before your project has even begun?
The assumption is that the sooner works start on site, the sooner the project is finished. In reality, a premature start is one of the fastest ways to waste significant money.
We cover where the real pre-construction money traps are, from missing permissions and party wall awards to CIL charges, overcomplicated building management systems, and the VAT savings most homeowners never know to ask about.
We also look at why cutting corners on fees and structural elements almost always costs far more than it saves.
The right advice before a spade goes in the ground is not a cost. Getting it wrong almost certainly is.
"You need checks and balances on bigger, more complex projects." - Sam Wiseman
 
You’ll hear about:
Why rushing to start costs more
Getting the right team early
The true price of cutting fees
Hidden permissions people routinely miss
Party wall awards explained clearly
Risks of overcomplicated smart home systems
Spatial planning: building for how you live
Community Infrastructure Levy explained
VAT reductions most homeowners overlook
Why contracts protect everyone equally
What actually goes wrong on site
When a QS can save a stalled project
Connect with Sam Wiseman:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-wiseman-634ba313a/
Stockdale Project Management & Quantity Surveying - https://stockdaleuk.com/
 
Connect with us:
 
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Is your renovation idea as viable as you think it is?
The figure in a homeowner's head and the layout they've settled on are rarely either accurate or final.
We explore how to properly stress-test a project before it costs you serious money. We cover how the brief-writing process uncovers what you need, why hand-drawn sketches outperform any online room planner, and how to approach budget conversations honestly from day one.
We also get into planning risk, building regulations, and the unexpected costs that regularly blindside homeowners who haven't done the groundwork. Fire consultants, redundant sewers, and trees in the garden are just some of the hidden factors that can reshape a budget before a spade goes in the ground.
A great design doesn’t just look special it feels special; this episode will help you design the home you’re dreaming off.
"You can tell a great space when you walk into it." — Andrew Dobson
 
You’ll hear about:
Why the brief rarely starts clearly
Using sketches to stress-test ideas
Hand-drawn sketches versus online tools
Budget as control, not just aspiration
Why clients hide their real budget
Sizing extensions realistically from the outset
Assessing planning risk early
Building regulations and fire consultants
Hidden site constraints adding cost
When to bring in a QS or cost plan
Treating the existing house as an asset
The step-by-step design development process
Connect with Andrew Dobson:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-dobson-architect/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrewdobsonarchitects/
Website - https://www.andrewdobsonarchitects.co.uk/
 
Connect with us:
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Is the planning system really as unpredictable as everyone says?
Plenty of homeowners treat a refusal as a catastrophe and an approval as a green light to break ground. Neither assumption holds up.
We walk through the entire planning process from first principles. That means understanding whether your project needs full planning or permitted development, how to structure an application that makes it easy for a planning officer to say yes, and what a robust set of supporting documents looks like.
We then get into what happens when things do not go to plan. Refusals come with reasons and those reasons are a roadmap. We weigh up resubmission against appeal, look at the real cost of each, and explain why front-loading surveys and preparation at planning stage almost always produces a faster, smoother project than rushing in underprepared.
Only one in three planning appeals succeeds. Prepare properly at the start and you are unlikely to need one.
 
"Starting early doesn't make you finish early." - Bart Kolosowski
 
You’ll hear about:
Full planning vs permitted development explained
How to choose the right planning route
Pre-application advice: is it worth it?
Preparing a robust planning application
What happens when planning is refused
Resubmission vs appeal: cost and risk
Planning conditions that delay your start
Outbuildings and the 30m² controversy
Using permitted development as a fallback
Front-loading surveys and due diligence
Needs vs solutions: getting design right first
Why preparation is the only risk management
 
Connect with us:
 
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
Mentioned Episodes:
 
Planning Permission for Homes: Delays, Risks and How to Beat Them with Geoff Megarity - https://shorturl.at/WqqXw 
Is Permitted Development a Shortcut or a Risk for Homeowners? with Geoff Megarity - https://shorturl.at/6h05I 
Planning Permission Demystified: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know with Aaron Zimmerman - https://shorturl.at/ehERW 
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

What if you could see every planning delay coming?
The delays most homeowners fear are more predictable than they think.
We sit down with Geoff Megarity, planning consultant at Bell Cornwell, to map out exactly where delays hide and what you can do to get ahead of them. From the validation checklist to ecology survey seasons, Geoff explains the preparation that separates a smooth five-month process from one that drags on for eighteen.
We cover how to build a validation checklist that gets your application through the door, when pre-application meetings are worth the time, how to challenge planning conditions before they slow your build, and how a simple red, amber, green framework can help you assess risk at every stage.
The right preparation means you go into construction with the right permission, the right conditions, and no costly surprises on the other side.
 
“Death by survey is something that comes up quite often.”  - Geoff Megarity
 
You’ll hear about:
How the planning system creates delay
Why validation is the first real hurdle
Reports that are mandatory versus optional
Ecology surveys and seasonal timing risks
Biodiversity net gain and who it affects
How planning conditions add post-permission delay
Pre-commencement vs pre-occupation conditions
When pre-application meetings are worth it
How planning committees work and when to use them
Managing refusal risk and appeal strategy
Red, amber, green risk framework for homeowners
Banking a permission and amending later
Connect with Geoff Megarity:
 
Geoff Megarity at Bell Cornwell - https://www.bell-cornwell.co.uk/team/geoff-megarity/
Bell Corwnell - https://www.bell-cornwell.co.uk/
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-megarity-a075676a/
 
 
Connect with us:
 
Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/
Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/