Charlotte Syeda‑Aguirre Saves £50,000 by DIY Renovating London Garden

Charlotte Syeda‑Aguirre, 36, and her husband Tomal, 37, transformed their Lambeth, Greater London garden after moving into their terraced house in May 2024. The garden, described as a "cat‑poo covered" mess with a broken patio and hazardous steps, was rebuilt over five months from February to July 2025.

The couple designed the new courtyard using Pinterest, did most of the excavation and paving by hand, and hired landscapers for £6,400 to assist with retaining walls. Total spending was £10,509, saving roughly £50,000 compared with a £60,000 quote from professional landscapers. They also used donated paint, gifted plants and built a four‑metre planter for just £45. The completed space now serves as a paved sanctuary for the family, who plan a loft conversion later in 2025.