Restoration Project: Una O'Carroll spent months restoring a three-bed house in the city centre, but hadn't banked on moving to the country. Now the finished house is on the market with a guide price of €630,000

After spending most of 2002 looking for a home in good condition close to the city centre, I was becoming completely disillusioned by the property market in Dublin. I fail to believe how houses described as "beautifully restored" could have the bathroom or kitchen needing renovation. Finding a decent garden and house with parking was also impossible.

Then I saw a friend's renovated house and saw how rewarding and viable it can be to refurbish a period property. So last autumn I looked for such a house and found 53 Clanbrassil Street Upper. It needed refurbishment, but I didn't mind getting my hands dirty. Money would be better spent gutting an old house and doing it up to my personal spec than buying something that someone else tried to do up but didn't do it properly.

When I bought the house there was no central heating, poor electrics, damp and dry rot throughout. The rear garden was substantial but overgrown. This was what I was looking for . . . I just didn't realise quite how much work needed to be done. It is a listed house so I had to apply for permission to renovate, regardless of any extension. But, given the large garden, I opted for a reasonable rear extension. While waiting for planning permission I cleared the garden. Indoors, we went about clearing out and then the fun started. Jobs kept appearing that were not on the "to do" list, such as taking plaster off the walls.

I asked a number of builders to quote for the work. The quotations seemed expensive. I asked a friend who had renovated his house about builders. He put me in touch with two guys, one for the physical building work, and the other for carpentry. After meeting these men and discussing the work, they took the job. Knowing my budget, they worked on a daily rate, with one condition - that I source and supply all materials to the site. I also contracted a plumber and electrician.

This was the most cost-effective way of carrying out the work but it meant I'd have to be very hands-on and available. I got a pick-up truck from a friend so I could transport material to and from the site. To say it has been a challenge is an understatement. Challenges meet you at every corner when renovating. You have to work with an old structure - walls don't meet at 90 degrees and floors are uneven. When you ask for advice you get differing opinions from every expert, so you decipher what's most appropriate for your operation. Sourcing material, that was easy. T McCann's builders providers was the best find. They have a great selection of stock and were helpful and patient with me every time I went.

As the house was being completely gutted and we had to put in new floors, we installed underfloor heating. I also incorporated an integrated vacuum system. I had to replace all the windows with new sash windows, which are beautiful. I got the same joiner to make a teak replica of the front door, which was falling apart. The kitchen was the biggest challenge - it has a low ceiling and walls that don't run square so getting a fitted kitchen to fit was difficult and expensive. I decided to use free-standing kitchen units made by the Victorian Salvage and Joinery company.

Upstairs I converted the smallest bedroom into a good-sized bathroom and have been able to install a bath and large shower. The extension includes a diningroom and utility room off the kitchen, plus a bedroom / study and shower room off the diningroom. To the rear there is a patio leading up to the garden which has been landscaped.

My goal was to renovate the house from start to finish before moving in. Unfortunately, about two months ago I realised that I was going to have to move out of Dublin (due to a change in personal circumstances). So when I decided to sell this house in order to secure a new home in the country, I finished the house in colours and textures appealing to the majority of people looking for a house in turn-key condition.

I wish I didn't have to part with No 53 because I have turned it into my dream city house. Hopefully something equally rewarding will turn up down the country.

53 Clanbrassil Street, a three-bedroom house, will be auctioned by Gunne Residential on November 6th. The guide price is €630,000