Russell Hewes is the founder of Russell Hewes Limited, a London-based construction company specialising in home renovations and bespoke building projects. With years of experience working on complex home transformations, he brings a grounded, practical perspective to what can often feel like an overwhelming process.

In this episode, host and interior designer Athina Bluff sits down with Russell to explore what it really takes to approach a renovation with clarity and confidence before any building work begins. Russell explains the importance of creating detailed, room-by-room schedules of work, and how these early documents become the foundation for clear communication between homeowners and builders.

The two talk through the process of obtaining accurate quotes, and why transparency and consistency matter when comparing different contractors. Russell breaks down key construction stages, from first fix to second fix, helping to demystify the language of building work and give homeowners a clearer sense of how a project unfolds over time.

The conversation addresses the practicalities of hiring builders, highlighting red flags like vague estimates or missing contracts, and emphasises why written agreements and contingency buffers are essential for successful renovations.

They also touch on the logistical challenges that can shape a project behind the scenes, including material lead times and the importance of ordering fixtures and fittings early to avoid delays that can quietly derail a timeline.

Listener questions explore the complexities of working with listed buildings, from navigating permissions to sourcing appropriate materials, as well as the detail-driven process of designing bespoke bathrooms that balance function and finish.

This discussion covers preparation, communication, and the discipline of building. It explores the foundational groundwork that simplifies complex renovations and makes ambitious projects actually manageable.

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Russell Hewes
Founder of London construction firm Russell Hewes Limited, specialising in home renovations and bespoke projects.
Website: https://russellhewes.co.uk/