Salvage Hunter Drew Pritchard's Restoration Nightmare

Image credits: Quest/Warner Bros

Drew Pritchard, the star of Salvage Hunters, has been facing a huge challenge in restoring his five-storey Georgian townhouse in Bath, Somerset. The project, which was initially budgeted at £200,000, has turned into a financial nightmare, with Drew having to sell his most treasured antiques and collectibles to keep the work going. The restoration process has been documented in a five-part series on Quest, called Salvage Hunters: Georgian House Restoration, which shows the ups and downs of the project.

Drew's problems began when he ran out of money 10 months into the rebuild, and his loan application was rejected. With no bridging loan available and his credit cards maxed out, Drew had to find alternative ways to raise funds. He decided to auction off his personal collection, which he had built over 30 years, including 600 items such as a fossilised skull of an Irish elk and a rare 18th-century vice bought in Italy. The auction was a gamble, but it was necessary to keep the project alive.

The financial pressure on Drew grew worse when he realised that plumbing and electrical work would cost at least £150,000. He had to make tough decisions, including stopping work on certain parts of the house and focusing on completing the top two floors, which would house his bedroom, bathroom, and guest rooms. The basement, ground floor, and first floor would have to wait until he could find more funds. Drew's situation was made worse by the fact that he is unemployable in any other field, having confessed that he is only good at finding antiques that he can sell on to others.

Despite the challenges, Drew was thrilled with the results of the renovation so far. As he walked through the newly renovated rooms, he said, "I'm fizzing with excitement. It's better than I imagined, and it's exactly what I wanted." However, he knows that the journey is far from over, and he may soon have to make the ultimate sacrifice to see the restoration through to the end. The project is still in need of more funds, and Drew may have to part with his most valuable possession to complete it.

The Salvage Hunters: Georgian House Restoration series has been screening on Quest TV, and it has given viewers a glimpse into the challenges of restoring a Grade I-listed property. The series has also shown the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Drew's story is a testament to the fact that even the most difficult projects can be completed with hard work and dedication. The series has been well-received by viewers, who have been following Drew's journey and rooting for him to succeed.