The Home Project Podcast

Tina Patel & Bart Kolosowski
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

The Home Project Podcast helps homeowners navigate the complex world of architecture and construction with clarity and confidence. Hosted by architect Tina Patel and quantity surveyor Bart Kolosowski, the show breaks down how residential projects really work — from early ideas and budgeting, through design, planning, procurement, construction, and handover. Each episode explains the risks, terminology, and decisions that shape outcomes, translating industry knowledge into plain English. The goal is simple: to help you avoid costly mistakes, make informed decisions, and run a calmer, more predictable home project. Whether you’re planning an extension, renovation, or full refurbishment, this podcast gives you the insight professionals use every day — without the jargon, confusion, or horror stories.

  1. Why Your Design and Budget Must Evolve Together

    Jun 12

    Why Your Design and Budget Must Evolve Together

    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/

    49 min
  2. How Home Projects Waste Money Before Work Starts

    May 21

    How Home Projects Waste Money Before Work Starts

    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/

    53 min
  3. An Architect's Guide to Getting Your Brief, Budget and Plan Right First

    May 7

    An Architect's Guide to Getting Your Brief, Budget and Plan Right First

    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/

    44 min
  4. How to Navigate the Planning System Without Fear

    Apr 30

    How to Navigate the Planning System Without Fear

    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/

    54 min
  5. Planning Permission for Homes: Delays, Risks and How to Beat Them

    Apr 23

    Planning Permission for Homes: Delays, Risks and How to Beat Them

    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/

    1h 5m
  6. Is Permitted Development a Shortcut or a Risk for Homeowners?

    Apr 16

    Is Permitted Development a Shortcut or a Risk for Homeowners?

    Do you really know what your permitted development rights allow? The rules are nationally set, locally interpreted, and full of conditions that can catch even experienced owners out. We cover what permitted development allows: extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, and barn conversions. We explain where the rules get complicated, why the same street can have completely different rights, and how conservation areas, Article 4 directions, and historic planning conditions can strip those rights without you ever knowing.  We also explore the fallback position strategy, how to use an established permitted development certificate as leverage in a full planning application, and why the certificate of lawfulness is worth getting even when it is not legally required.    Get this wrong and you are building unlawfully. Get it right and you may have more options than you realised.    “The onus is on the applicant to prove it’s lawful.”  - Geoff Megarity   You’ll hear about: What permitted development rights actually cover Rear extension limits: three, four, six and eight metres Loft conversions: cubic volume limits explained Outbuildings: the 50% garden rule Why flats have no PD rights Conservation areas and Article 4 directions Finding the original building line What a certificate of lawfulness does The fallback position strategy in planning What happens when enforcement comes knocking Barn conversions under permitted development Why early professional advice saves money   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/

    1h 2m
  7. Planning Permission Demystified: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

    Mar 27

    Planning Permission Demystified: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

    Is planning permission as frightening as everyone says? Planning is a black box where decisions are made arbitrarily, and outcomes are impossible to predict. We cut through the confusion with chartered town planner Aaron Zimmerman of Centro Planning Consultancy. We cover what constitutes development, the difference between permitted development and full planning permission, how the eight-week determination process works, and what your options are when a refusal lands. We also explore how to put together a strong application, when to bring in a planning consultant, how pre-application consultation works, and why a refusal is not the disaster most homeowners fear. Get the process wrong at the start and you risk wasted time, wasted money, and a project that never gets off the ground. Get it right and planning becomes the most manageable part of your build. “Go for gold. Get the planning permission."  - Aaron Zimmerman   You’ll hear about: What legally counts as development When listed building consent is required How permitted development rights work Full planning permission: the process The eight-week determination timeline What to do after a refusal How to build a strong application When to use a planning consultant Pre-application consultation: pros and cons How to choose the right architect Why a refusal is not a disaster Planning reform and the system's limits Connect with Aaron Zimmerman: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-zimmerman-ma-msc-mrtpi-83322b27/ Listen to Aaron’s podcast - Make Planning Make Sense - https://makeplanningmakesense.captivate.fm/ Centro Planning Consultancy - https://centroplan.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/

    57 min
  8. How Home Projects Succeed or Fail

    Mar 19

    How Home Projects Succeed or Fail

    What decisions shape the success of a home build? A residential project can take three to four years, yet many of the most important decisions happen long before construction begins. In this episode we walk through the entire project journey, from setting the brief and budget through to selecting the design team, securing planning approval, tendering contractors, and managing the construction phase. At each stage we highlight where projects typically start to drift and what good practice looks like when the process is followed properly. We also discuss contractor procurement, the risks of poor documentation, how delays and redesigns occur during construction, and why rushing completion often causes unnecessary problems. Follow the process properly and the project is set up for success. Ignore it and the consequences can be expensive.   “Starting a project without a brief is like a road trip without a destination."  - Bart Kolosowski   You’ll hear about: Why projects start without clear briefs The risk of vague project budgets Choosing consultants based only on price Why early design exploration matters Planning approvals and hidden delays Conversations that shape construction costs Tendering mistakes that derail projects Vetting contractors before comparing price Why documentation quality is critical Construction delays caused by late decisions The risks of rushing project completion Why proper handover and training matters   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/

    1h 2m
See All (20)

Trailer

About

The Home Project Podcast helps homeowners navigate the complex world of architecture and construction with clarity and confidence. Hosted by architect Tina Patel and quantity surveyor Bart Kolosowski, the show breaks down how residential projects really work — from early ideas and budgeting, through design, planning, procurement, construction, and handover. Each episode explains the risks, terminology, and decisions that shape outcomes, translating industry knowledge into plain English. The goal is simple: to help you avoid costly mistakes, make informed decisions, and run a calmer, more predictable home project. Whether you’re planning an extension, renovation, or full refurbishment, this podcast gives you the insight professionals use every day — without the jargon, confusion, or horror stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Tina Patel & Bart Kolosowski
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Home Project Podcast