Holiday rental, if you provide a little welcome pack from the farm shop, pack of bacon, few sausage, 4 pt milk etc always goes down well. Get a bbq built in the back too
Definitely do bunk beds, allow people to pre order a meat/meal box from the farm shop for arrival so they have something for tea/breakfast when they get there, also I’d go artificial grass so kids have a little bit to play on
I would say do bunk beds. IKEA so some great ones. Really strong and cheap. Also check requirements in terms of fire blankets, extinguishers, fire alarm etc. there’s loads of great info out there. Also don’t forget to cater for the kids. Stair gate, cot, high chair, plastic plates and cups etc. can store them all in the garage and slap them in if people need them. Don’t underestimate the commitment needed for cleaning on change over days. Something I saw in a holiday house was itinerary on the back of cupboard doors for quick checks. Also don’t allow stag or hen!
Put together a little info book/coupon for what there is to see and do in the area. It may even be a chance to collab with local merchants and attractions to send business your way in exchange for their highlight. Make sure to include a basic map in the book to guide them to all the nearby places. Too bad I am in USA--would love to be a guest! Most importantly, make sure it always brings you joy!
Don’t do fake grass in the garden it can get very smelly with dogs weeing on it, you might get complaints from next door let alone people coming to stay. Gravel it with some nice stone but make sure you put down weed proof membrane. We’ve done this in our garden and my golden retriever is happy to wee on the gravel. Difficult to see how big the little room is, but I would go for bunk beds in there. It’s really only for sleeping in for a short time. Make sure you have provision for a safety guard for the top bunk for smaller children. If you know someone with a dog is coming how about a welcome gift for the dog of a few biscuits and a soft toy or something and some poo bags for clearing up your garden😉. Have a good and updated list of things going on around your area, good dining places with menus and links to websites, visitor attractions and of course your farm shop. Do you have a promo leaflet for the shop? Why not get one made for the holiday home with a token on there for a percentage off at the shop. Have you thought who will be doing cleaning and laundry between visitors? It can be quite an arduous chore. Also for the dog owners suitable walks in the area and a list of beaches where dogs are permitted That’s all I can think of for the moment😁👋 I’m not a holiday home owner but we have caravanned/motorhomed most of our married life and these are the things I like to see at good campsites. Hope they are of some help
I agree with Gillian Tovey, having a little binder with info on things to see, do, shops, promos from other merchants in area, map, finding your farm. All the most recent trips I’ve had include this info, takes the work out of holiday. (Oahu, Sunshine Coast, etc). Info on what you’re selling, on sale, photos including farm, calves, lambs, highlands, tiling? More or less info.
Congrats guys. A BBQ in the garden then sell like bbq packs they could order from the house and be delivered from farm shop. Same can be done with breakfast. Also a good welcome back with Information on where to visit around the area. Looks so good tho !!
Good luck with it all.Just a few things to consider. Make it easy for you to clean on changeover days Provide a selection of cleaning products to encourage a tidy clean house plus sweeping brush etc. Homely yes but not too much ( stuff) otherwise it's all to be cleaned,may get broken or in some cases stolen. So therefore pick up bargains (b n m) for kitchen and living room items Have good quality bedding and towels. Astro turf still needs to be maintained swept /hoovered/ washed to keep it tidy Be ready to meet a variety of people.!!! Small gestures go a long way so yes a pint of milk in the fridge ,hand written welcome message,the local newspaper etc. All the best
The box room I would definitely say bunk bed is the way forward. I have a static in North Wales and it sleeps 8 keep everything simple kit the kitchen out make sure you have everything for the renters to cook a Sunday roast (especially if they can buy the meat from the farm). Have some board games available in there as well as books for both adults and kids. It's just the little things that make the biggest impact. Good luck guys I really hope your holiday home is forever full. Xx
Hey Tom I'd advise against the astroturfing as you still have to maintain it by putting sand on it, raking it in and if any animals do their business on it will stink for ages, also you seem to have quite a few hedges that will need trimming anyway so some garden stuff will have to be done at some point regardless. If you're against grass I'd go for gravel/stone chipping stuff, that way it's better than astroturf and can put potted plants to spice things up if you wanted to down the line and it'd still look good.
Definitely do the bunk beds. Try and avoid the artificial grass if you have a dog. Natural grass temperatures are much lower in direct sunlight compared to artificial grass, which can become very hot, unless it's in the shade. Stone or page it!
We have astroturf in our back yard. The ONLY complaint is it gets ridiculously hot. I love that it’s always neat, no mowing. If you use astroturf be aware that the stuff they put under it can come out.
Hi Tom, Personally i would keep the grass as grass, if you are allowing dogs in the house, some dogs mine included will not do toilet duties on slabs/ hard surfaces, dont ask me why tho, and dog wee can stain surfaces like slabs so leave the grass there!!
Astro turf looks nice but if you allow dogs to stay it will be a pain poopy scooping on astro🤣, when i stayed at a cottage on a farm in the west country we had a greeting bowl, teabags coffee,milk sugar biscuits and dog biscuits, it was a home from home we loved it..I love your new holiday home. Good luck x
Lights in ? dining area, I can see people walking into them, so suggest a "think" about height/ can they be raised??; backyard - if looking at stones (over current lawn) suggest you put weed mat down first; painting walls in bedrooms - suggest you look at "feature wall [each room] and paint a different colour - usually done behind head board of the bed. Wish you well in your new venture - no doubt we will now have a second vlog channel - ?Tom's Holiday Home.
Greetings from the USA! The rental is a great idea. All the ideas in the comment are well thought-out. Be sure to add cable and computer connections to your new property. I'm so excited for you and I'm ready to put my name on the waiting list! :)
Tom and Jo, congratulations on the lovely new house - it’s a wonderful investment. My preference for the backyard is beachy-looking gravel - off white, rounded stones (I’m not a fan of astroturf). You could dress it up with some beach themed items like shells and whatever else is commonly seen at the nearby beach, which in New England it’s lobster trap marker buoys, anchors and old marine whatnots, etc.
How beautiful people will be so excited to stay there! You could absolutely put bunk beds in the room that's single now. Families look for the most amount of space well used so it's great. The Peacock room may be able to go with that blue-green color pattern? I love that radiator it's so cool. That along with that beautiful kitchen is going to sell itself! Devils in the details so they say right? Like she said if you book there or for a certain time you can get vouchers for the Farm Shop. Possibly even leave a little care package for them from the shop and entice them to head over! Either way whatever y'all decide it's amazing and y'all so deserve it when you put good out you get good back in! Congrats enjoy the process lol have a wonderful day Tom
Now Tom, I clean some properties that have astro turf laid down. The ones with dogs absolutely reek of ammonia on even slightly mild days. People don't notice the smell, they get used to it. Not easy to clean either. Use gravel, 20mm. You can always top it up. All the best.
Spend on the sofa bed, it makes or breaks it for your clientele. Also do fake turf rock is so cold. Pre orders and delivery from the farm shop is a perfect idea! Bunk beds in the single room! Congratulations!!
I run my brothers Air BNB here in NZ - we sleep 7 in all with a pullout bed - so we have a king size bed, queen size bed and in the 3rd room 3 beds two king singles and one single that pulls out when needed - you will need a port-a-cot, highchair and port a cot blankets - we have colour coded bed linen all Queens are white, king are blues, and king single is tan's and single bed is purple which makes like easier when working out what linen you need because it is a pain in the ass when you think you have the right sizes and don't and have to go back to your house to get them and get them - have a good washer and dryer at the Air BNB - I was sheets and linens as I clean and towels I tumble dry and put back - put the underfloor heating on 20 degrees C and put a note on them to keep them their as people will turn them up to 26-30 degrees and your power bill will be massive - a note in a plastic stand that goes on the dinning table - gentle rules about parties for the sake of your neighbours, out by 10 am please, how different things in the house work, your phone number and name - if you have bunks in the box room think about bedding as bunk beds are crap to make - so a fitted sheet and a European style duvet folded at the end of the bed and maybe a throw - if the bunk beds are singles then the duvet is a king single - a turn around clean of that property should take no longer than 2 hours including washing the linens - I would not promote the pull out couch for a bed - to many people and problems with the neighbours, just have it as a couch
My mother in law makes up a welcome package, home made bread, butter, tea, coffee, milk etc and her guests love it! I would defo do bunk beds then it’s open to family’s with kids. The 10% off at the farm shop is a great idea. I would go to various information centres a pick up brochures if places to visit! We went to one place and they had a book to write in restaurants or places to that we would recommend so we got some great ideas from that! Good luck, I will be following on Joanna’s channel! 😀
Defo bunk beds and look at turning the garage to a games room, with maybe a couple of dog crates so visitors could leave their dogs safely when visiting none doggy places. WiFi camera for them to keep an eye on pooch would be the icing too
Well done guys. Definitely go for bunk beds. May aswell maximise revenue and booking opportunities. Many families have 2 children at similar ages who will suit a double bunk room best. Let us all know where you get listed and perhaps we’ll book a holiday with you next summer!
Of course breakfast in a wicker shopping basket 🧺! Eggs bacon sausage etc from farm :::::rule of thumb normally is if you sleep eight can you sit eight comfortably at table Sofia etc and can the water shower etc cope with eight people ….. look fabulous,best of luck 🍀
You can literally get grass/ ground cover that grows to the length you want and never needs mowing, better for doggos. That’s a really nice property, great kitchen! Y’all done good.
Hey Tom just want to tell you I really enjoy your video and I listen to your book and really enjoy it I hope you will do a other book soon and I hoping to come over for Lincolnshire to see you and the ginger guy
House looks great. As for the outside, what about carrying the patio round and flag it? Easy maintenance, doesn't get too hot or smelly for the dogs/kids and you have enough room for hot tub, BBQ and chairs/table. Not sure about where you live but people in my area are always giving flag away on marketplace. Converted the garage into another bedroom/downstairs bathroom/storage for cleaning items as it may not get much use as a holiday home garage. 🤷♀️ I'm a sucker for a leaflet box on holiday with ideas for days out and local places to visit! Information packs with details of local amenities, pharmacy's, cafes, shops etc. 😀
great news guys diversifying into rental business great for you and potential new clients. such a power couple you are investing and making some amazing ideas together. Heres to great success for the property and all best to you and your family tom. Keep up great work on the videos also
Tom, great bit of advice, invest in a hottub trust me, it will add a third to the rental price of your holiday home and there’s a really big market for poeple that want holiday homes with hot tubs
Congratulations on the new adventure. I would put in a bunk bed for the added sleeping count. I would see if you could find a Gardner in the area to maintain hedges and the turf.
Great move and the house looks fantastic. Bunk beds great idea and make sure an excellent welcome pack of your fantatic farm produce. Chill out area in garden and BBQ.
Dig out that gras, make a hot tub or small pool which levels with the ground and cover the rest with sanded wood planks, a sunbathing area and maybe a small bbq corner with a roof. Make it a afterwork chillout area. A nice bench or something like that. Thats what I would do. ;) I am exited and looking foreward for the result and wish you all the best with your new home.
Looks great! In holiday let’s have a good stash of spare bulbs and paint for touch up and a heating control through your phone can prevent guests cranking the heat up to 30.
If you do put in a hot tub make sure you get as much insurance as possible since people who have never used one could get hurt, (drink too much drown! Fall ad hurt themselves, ect) and you’ll get sued. I know several B&B’s took theirs out because of the personal liability. Of course that’s only if you rent it out
Definitely bunk beds. Lovely 🏡 small but perfectly formed 😁. Gravel of some sort for the garden would look lovely. Low maintenance. Glad that you're allowing dog's. Very good idea. 🔑👍😀
I think your hard working wife has the inside on lock, definitely bunk beds! Outside for low maintenance, do some hard scraping, no astroturf, yuck! Maybe a wooden cover in that back corner with seating and a big table underneath, for outdoor dining. Add some lighting and poof!! No grass to mow! I thought your idea of a small hot tub was brilliant. People love to relax in it after a big day of holiday trips. Find a reasonably priced wine and leave a bottle for them, and they get another bottle each week that they are there. You can also leave cute comment cards for suggestions going forward. I’ve stayed in Airbnb’s for many years all over America, and these are things that kept me going back to the same places!
Congrats Tom to both of you. Diversification is so needed now in farming and if you’ve got the capital/ means to borrow you’d be stupid not to! Best of luck with it, My parents live in Elswick and I’m only in Manchester myself so maybe a bit close for us to rent it out but I’ll keep it in mind! 🙌
I'm ready to book! Being able to make an order from your farm shop for when you arrive would be perfect, everything you need for your stay. Proper food, yum yum and a wood burner defo.
WOW! That is a nice holiday home, better than the house I live in now. I'd put astro turf down down in the garden because if you have people with dogs there it gives them a place to go and lay down. It's easy to wash up with a hose too if dogs pee or poo on it. Or I'd just extend the patio area with the flag stone. I'm not a fan of gravel because it gets everywhere and weeds always grow up into it but it is a good low cost alternative. Congrats on your new investment!
Good luck to you both! Bunk beds is a must to maximise. Love the kitchen unit layout. Building on top of the garage is a great idea for in the future but think about converting the garage to suit people in wheelchairs with a long bath with taps on the side and just a battery bath chair to lower and raise and slightly wider doorways. Just a thought as holiday houses I've found, are hard to find and it opens another avenue for you.
A Girl in the Woods (USA) channel built a neat cabin that has a bunk bed that hangs from the wall and swings up out of the way if you dont need it. Another idea is to make a rope hammock bed/frame...kids love those.....good for storage if you don't need the bunk...no head bonking either.
Great idea! I do agree on the bunk beds for the smaller room. There are tons of cute ideas on Pinterest to help you there. As for the grass in the backyard, I’d go with a continuation of those cement tiles you already have out there. You can use the space better and no upkeep. Just leave a bit of the bushes along the side to give it privacy like it has now.
Bunk beds yes, sofa bed in lounge no. Keep the downstairs living space simple, a nice place to chill. We have a snug in our holiday home with a sofa bed and it’s such a nicer environment kept that way with that extra space for people to relax in.👍
A nice little welcome hamper. Leaflets for things to do in your area. Definitely a visitor book always nice to see other people's comments. Hot tub will increase appeal but will increase Hassel and overheads! Some nice toiletries to.
The only thing with the astro turf of gravel and you go pet friendly is cleaning up the 💩 🤣 The he bunk bed idea is a good one then it always an option.
Astro turf ends up stinking of dog piss and shit. Get a weed barrier down, and cover with gravel. You are right to buy second hand furniture. Keep costs down.
