Why We Shifted Our Focus to Larger-Scale Conversions

From BRRRs to Barns: Our Evolution in Property Strategy

When we first started out, BRRR (Buy, Refurbish, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) and flips were the bread and butter of our property portfolio. Fast-paced, relatively low capital requirements, and ideal for building experience and momentum—it’s how many property investors cut their teeth in the industry.

But as we gained more experience and began working with repeat investors, something became increasingly clear:

It was time to scale up.

Here’s why we made the move from small-scale deals to large-scale conversions—and why, for us, it was the smartest pivot we could’ve made.

1. BRRRs Built the Foundation—But They Had Limits

There’s no denying that BRRRs and flips are brilliant for generating capital and building a reputation. They’re how we:

✅ Learned how to manage refurb projects

✅ Built relationships with reliable tradespeople

✅ Understood local markets inside out

✅ Delivered returns that built trust with our investor base

But over time, the model became… limiting.

There are only so many 2-3 bed terraced houses you can do before the returns plateau, the margins tighten, and you find yourself managing multiple sites for relatively small wins.

2. Our Investors Were Ready for More

The real turning point?

Our investors were ready to level up.

They wanted fewer but higher-quality projects—with better returns, more interesting architecture, and long-term potential. We started getting questions like:

“Have you got anything a bit bigger coming up?”“I’d be keen to do something more substantial—maybe a conversion?”

That demand gave us the confidence to go bold.

3. Bigger Projects, Bigger Rewards

We pivoted towards large-scale barn and commercial conversions—and here’s what changed:

🔹 Profit margins grew significantly. Instead of £30–40K profits, we started seeing £150K+ returns on a single deal.

🔹 Fewer projects, more focus. Managing 1–2 big conversions is far more scalable than juggling 6–7 small ones.

🔹 More attractive to high-net-worth investors. Bigger projects mean more capital, which attracts investors looking to place £250K+ in a single deal.

🔹 Legacy value. These developments aren’t just transactions—they’re lasting assets. High-end conversions have long-term rental and resale appeal.

4. The Learning Curve Was Steep—but Worth It

Scaling up isn’t just about more bricks and bigger bills. It meant:

📐 Working more closely with architects, planners, and structural engineers

🧾 Navigating commercial finance and investor structuring

📋 Dealing with more complex planning regulations and building control

It’s not for the faint-hearted—but if you’ve got a strong foundation from years of smaller projects, it’s a natural (and rewarding) progression.

5. Why Now Is the Right Time to Go Bigger

With housing shortages and changing planning policies, barns, former commercial buildings, and rural land are being actively encouraged for residential redevelopment.

At the same time, traditional flips are facing tighter margins, rising build costs, and increased competition.

For us, the writing was on the wall:

Scale strategically or stagnate.

What Next? Still Doing BRRRs - Just Working Smarter

We haven’t completely ditched BRRRs. They’re still in the pipeline—but now, they serve a different purpose. They’re quick wins while our larger projects unfold.

But our focus? It’s firmly on scaling with confidence, delivering higher returns, and building a brand that speaks directly to serious, high-net-worth investors.

💬 Are you a seasoned investor looking to partner on a bigger project?

We’ve got several exciting conversions in the pipeline—and we’re always open to a conversation.

Let’s build something bold. Get in touch.