Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

After weeks of hearing from builders, electricians, plumbers, painters, and kitchen designers, we're wrapping up our Trade Secrets series by looking back at the advice that stuck with us the most.
In this season finale, we revisit the biggest lessons from the experts, share the top renovation tips they'll be taking into every future project, and reveal what they think homeowners should prioritise if they want a smoother, less stressful renovation. 
What we cover
 The decisions you need to make earlier than you think 
 Where it's worth spending more - and where you can save your money 
 Why communication is the secret to a smoother renovation 
 The biggest mistakes homeowners make time and time again 
 The advice that surprised us most from this season's trade experts 
 Our own biggest renovation lessons after multiple projects 
 What's coming next for the podcast 
Key takeaways
 Understand the renovation process before you begin 
 Invest in the things that are difficult to change later 
 Don't rush to furnish or finish everything at once 
 Ask questions and attend every important site walkthrough 
 Design your home around the way you actually live, not someone else's Pinterest board 
We'll also be taking a short break during August while we recharge. We'll be re-sharing some of our most popular renovation episodes throughout the month before returning in September with brand-new episodes.
And we'd love your input.
Should we bring back more trades? Or would you like to hear from architects, quantity surveyors, interior designers, mortgage experts and other professionals involved in the renovation process? Or anything else?? Let us know below!
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode of Trade Secrets, we get top tips from paint professional Karena Hyland, Research & Development Manager at Fleetwood Paints. From surface preparation and choosing the right paint finish to how to buy the correct amount of paint and invest in quality products, this episode is packed with practical advice to help your paintwork stand the test of time. 
What we cover
 Why preparation takes longer than most people expect 
 The importance of filling, sanding and allowing repairs to cure properly 
 Where it's worth spending more on paint, and where it isn't 
 Why durable, washable paints are worth the investment in busy homes 
 How to calculate the right amount of paint for your project 
 The value of quality brushes, rollers and masking tape 
 Why different rooms need different paint finishes 
 Common mistakes people make when choosing paint based on colour alone 
Key takeaways
 Great paint jobs are built on great preparation 
 Choose paint for performance as well as colour 
 Invest in quality products for high-traffic areas 
 Don't rush surface preparation or curing times 
 The cheapest paint job is rarely the best value in the long run 
Items mentioned
Wooster paint brushes
Purdy paint rollers
Fleetwood Prestige Multi-surface paint finish
Fleetwood low tack Washi Masking tape
Fleetwood Easyclean Washable Matt (ideal for kitchen areas)
Whether you're choosing a painter, taking the DIY route, painting a single room or tackling an entire house, this episode will help you achieve a better finish, and avoid some very expensive mistakes.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Everyone dreams about their new kitchen, but what does a kitchen designer wish every homeowner knew before they started planning one?
In this episode of Trade Secrets, we hear from Dawn from Savvy Kitchens, the designer behind both Kate's kitchens and Jennifer's own kitchen renovation. Dawn shares the five biggest lessons she's learned from designing kitchens every day, from planning layouts before your drawings are finalised to avoiding the trap of designing for Instagram instead of real life. 
What we cover
 Why your kitchen should be designed before construction drawings are signed off 
 How kitchen layouts influence glazing, door positions, electrics and plumbing 
 Where your kitchen budget is best spent, and where you can save 
 Why expensive features aren't always the best investment 
 The importance of communicating changes early 
 Why every kitchen should be designed around your family's daily routine 
 Common mistakes people make when copying Pinterest and Instagram kitchens 
 Practical examples from Jennifer and Kate's own kitchen renovations 
Key takeaways
 Design your kitchen around how you actually live, not how you wish you lived 
 Bring your kitchen designer in as early as possible 
 Invest in the features you'll use every single day 
 Don't be afraid to challenge assumptions and ask questions 
 A beautiful kitchen is one that works effortlessly for your lifestyle 
Whether you're choosing an IKEA kitchen or a fully bespoke design, these are the principles that make every kitchen function better. 
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Every renovation has a plumber, but what does your plumber wish you knew before the walls are closed up?
In this episode of Trade Secrets, we hear from an experienced plumber who shares the five biggest lessons every homeowner should know before starting a renovation. From planning bathrooms properly to investing in the plumbing you'll never see, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you avoid costly mistakes later on.
What we cover:
 Why bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms need to be planned much earlier than most people realise 
 Why quality pipework matters more than expensive taps 
 The plumbing components worth investing in from day one 
 Why every homeowner should attend their plumbing walkthrough 
 Common bathroom layout mistakes that affect how the space functions 
 The importance of thinking beyond Pinterest-perfect bathrooms 
 How good plumbing decisions save money in the long run 
Key takeaways:
 Lock in bathroom layouts before first fix begins 
 Spend money behind the walls, not just on the finishes 
 Walk every room with your plumber before pipework is installed 
 Good communication prevents expensive changes 
 Design bathrooms for everyday life, not just for photos 
This episode is a reminder that the best plumbing is the plumbing you never have to think about.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines