IT REALLY DOES MAKE SENSE TO BRING IN THE PROFESSIONALS...

Words: Kate Thompson

When Zirrinia Austin Dean of Southsea Lifestyle got the keys to her new Southsea terrace home, she could immediately see the potential — and knew she needed a team of professionals to make her ideas become reality.

She could see what difference getting rid of a wall in the dining area would make — transforming the long thin living space into a light and airy living area with good access to the kitchen.

“I liked the house immediately but I could see what needed to happen to turn it into the home I could see in my head,” said Zirrinia.

Having called on Colin McCann of C T McCann Contractors (established since 1979) to help with roof repairs and the like in the past, she knew she could trust his judgement. “With Colin’s vast experience, he knows and understands properties in Southsea. “He has worked with them all from the grandest to the most modest terrace properties. “From the outset he understood what I wanted to achieve and he was able to deal with issues along the way so they didn’t turn into major problems,” she said.

When they were taking down the wall and removing a chimney breast in the living room, they discovered that some of the joists and floorboards were rotten. “Colin took it all in his stride and was able to sort it all for me. If something happened, he was able to expand the team and overcome the issue. From start to finish, we got the job done in under two months and I ended up with exactly what I wanted,” she said.

When it came to the kitchen, Zirrinia created a sketch for the team from SBS Kitchens, and they were able to interpret it and create what she wanted.

“They were quite literally down the road, so I was able to go and choose handles and that sort of thing. They delivered the kitchen with cupboards made up to my home and Colin’s team fitted it for me,” she said.

When the pandemic struck, Zirrinia was so pleased she had enlisted Colin’s help from the start, as trying to find tradespeople was made even more tricky.

“Colin had some great ideas as well that I would never have thought to include. He encouraged me to have plug sockets with USB ports, and they are just brilliant.

“Looking back, when I remember the house that I came to see the first time and what I hoped it would look like when the work was done — it is just as Top tip — Take your trusted builder along to initial viewings of the place you are planning to buy. That way they can fully understand your vision and help you to realise your dream home.