Alex Jones reveals the unexpected home renovation advice Kevin McCloud gave her to save her 'sanity'

Home renovations and DIY projects are all good in theory, but there’s always more to it than meets the eye, as Alex Jones is learning.

Alex has been sharing the progress of overhauling her retro 1980s home, and while she’s excited about the prospect of getting started on the huge project to transform her dream home, she realised she has to face a very ominous question: "Where are we going to live?"

In a new social media video, she revealed the dilemma she’s facing contemplating living in a caravan as the colder months draw in – and the surprising yet 'very helpful' advice she’s received from Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud, who has overseen his fair share of renovations and transformations.

Alex Jones home renovation advice shared by Kevin McCloud

Alex explains in the video, “We are rewiring, we're replumbing; it's a year's project at least. Do you want to hear [her husband] Charlie's idea? We should hoist a static caravan over the trees and put it here."

She reveals she went straight to Kevin to ask for his frank, professional advice - and his insight may be useful for anyone contemplating their own home projects in the future.

Kevin called it a "great idea" and his top tip is to "always stay on site if you can" when a renovation project is taking place.

He told Alex that what he would personally do to elevate the experience is add a cheap shed as an extension to the static caravan. That way, you keep "your coats, your wellies, your washing machine and a tumble dryer in the shed", and keep the caravan relatively decluttered and a home away from home.

Alex sounded relatively unconvinced, even by Kevin. And there’s something she absolutely won’t do: "I am not living in a static caravan for Christmas." We’re not sure even the expert tips to make a space feel cosy will be enough; stocking up on electric heaters might be wise, Alex.

Ending the video, Alex currently thinks they might move into the caravan in the early spring to avoid the coldest winter months, and asked her followers for any advice or input; there were many who were quick to offer their own experiences.

One wrote, "We did it when we renovated with a 2 and 4 [year old], they loved it! My advice, though, is to get a double-glazed one if you will be in it during colder months. We hired a container for all the extra ‘stuff’”.

Another who was on team caravan shared, "We loved our statics - nearly 3 years in them whilst we totally renovated the house. Actually, I was sad to leave them. A simple life altogether. We had one to live in and one to sleep in. Joined by a deck made of pallets!”

Of course, not everyone is as sold on the idea. “No, don’t! We’ve built a house, we know! Just the paperwork/plans, etc will take up a whole caravan. Rent somewhere within 10 minutes of the house/schools.”