Don't think about the whole project so much, Just break it down into bite sized projects, focus on one at a time, go slow, get to know your new house! Do those project one at a time, get it done correct, then take a long weekend to breathe, and begin again. You got this! I support you! Look at how many viewers you have now! That didn't happen over night :) Keep going!

Ryan, Remember your still young and have plenty of time to tackle this project. Don't set a timeline and don't get overwhelmed! it's very doable in a reasonable time frame given the manageable size of the project.

“Get your hand away Ryan”! You slay me, I never know what you’re going to say! Sorry that the roof is leaking, and that the toilet made you sad. Just know that we’re all behind you and look forward to seeing this progress into a lovely little home for you. Keep smiling Ryan!

Hi Ryan! I could be wrong but it sounded like you were starting to feel overwhelmed. Let me encourage you by saying that while yes, the new house looks in shambles, do not lose your vision. Do you have what each room should look like in your mind? Keep hold of that and look past what you see in front of your face at the moment. As for the actual work, start with one room, what needs doing first to make said situation safer to be able to work on the other rooms. The roof that is leaking as well as floor/trap door or the floor that is sinking are two places that I would think be worth starting first. Or getting an actual staircase for safer travel down to the basement. Any foundational things as well, I would think. Anyway, you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. One thing at a time bud! :)

Don't give up hope, as watching Dan at Escape to rural France. Anything is possible with a vision and faith ❤ love your channel

The tunnel is amazing and would be awesome to restore it and make it part of a basement kitchen. The tunnel may have been used for coal storage. The trap door may have been used to send the coal to the basement to be used for heating. Just a thought.

As Billy says “A good cleanup” seems to be needed. Maybe clearing out all the debris might make it seem not so bad. Keep up the good work Ryan. ❤❤❤

Remember, every renovation starts off by making things look a lot worse before they can be beautiful! I would start with a good clear out, then tackle the most major job ie that saggy floor. Once that is done, the rest will seem like a doddle! Green with envy here - I’d love to get my teeth into such an interesting project!! Good luck!

Your house has so much potential! You will end up with a great home to be very proud of.

I love your house, daunting as it may seem. Just make a list of priorities and cross one off at a time. I really enjoy watching your journey.

That toilet looks like a cell block or horror movie dungeon

Another well done video, Ryan. Yes, there is a lot of work to be done, but life is an adventure...you got this!!!! My husband & I were wondering what your garden looks like or if you have one? Cheers to you from America 💕

Could you use stair spindles in that opening below the stairs to the lower floor?? It would let natural light into the the lower stairs area...A sort of light well :). Great work on the house!

I see a lot of potential Ryan! One project at a time! This is your timeline not anyone else's. Please don’t get overwhelmed by the task at hand or the negative comments. Unfortunately, some have never done any type of project and can only imagine hiring contractors or help. I can understand the potential you see, and in due time you will start to see small projects get accomplished. Often times, it looks worst before it looks good. You have years of great content to look forward to. Just plug away at it on your own timeframe and ignore the crappy comments! :)

Ryan! If I may offer up a suggestion! Start gutting the place so you can assess the conditions of the walls, electric, plumbing, sewer. Then start addressing those one at a time starting with the framework. Make those repairs with new walls, especially the one you took down by the stairs. I’m not sure how measuring tapes are designed there but in the US we have marks for stud spacing of 16 inches. Once the walls are squared away then get a plumber and electrician in there. Once that’s done it should go by smoothly. Cheers!

When you get this done, your going to feel a great amount of joy seeing all the hard work you did. Nothing like standing back and saying, job well done!! Your doing a great job, and I'm enjoying watching it come together. Much Love.😊

Ryan I love these daily videos! I don't care that you think they are boring or bad quality, I love a little video even if it's just you showing a non functional toilet 😊. Such a great house!

Ryan, don’t get overwhelmed, just one step at a time. Get some help with the electrics, plumbing, safety issues, then a room at a time. You can do it!

Ryan, I don’t know if the soil in France is similar to the soil in the Midwest of the US, but here there is a problem with radon gas coming from the ground. The gas is colorless and odorless. It is, however harmful to your health. It collects in the basement and then can go up into the house where you breathe it in. My advice is that you get a radon gas test kit and perform the test yourself to see if your basement is filling with radon gas. The kits are not expensive. If the test results are negative, no problem. If they are positive, the situation can be corrected by installing a radon gas pump that takes the gas out of the basement and routes it to the outdoors. With a basement such as yours where there is brickwork and perhaps a floor where there is soil, I would definitely do a test.👍🏻

Every time I check in with you it seems that I've logged into a Faulty Towers episode. Keep them coming Ryan and always keep that humour going, always a pleasure to see how far along you've come. Thanks for the time and effort you put into this! It's appreciated!

You couldn’t pay me enough to go down that nasty trap door. I half expected a body. 😂. Ryan you are very brave! That was a 10 on the icky factor.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Ryan. I'm looking forward to watching your discoveries along the way and learning from your vlog! How wonderful to have friends like Billy and Michael who can provide answers for any questions you have. I'm looking forward to your next post!

On the positive side - look at all the new skills you are going to gain while doing this renovation

Hey Ryan how exciting I would love to live in a house like that so many hiding places love it thank you for sharing ❤

Hey Ryan, don’t get discouraged because your house is awesome. ‼️ITS PAID FOR‼️ Maybe try putting together a vision board for each room and that should keep you focused and stir up ideas. Also magazines help as well. Have Fun. Enjoy you channel so much….

I absolutely love your sense of humor! And, when you were searching for a word to describe the amount of work to be done, the word monumental fits quite appropriately! Finally, I think the term for your small room is "anteroom!" Perfect description! Oh, i forgot...to end on a positive note, you actually have THREE lights that work! (BTW, I have my notifications set to "All" so I don't miss any of your videos!)

Ryan, said this before, but the basement is wet, so before you do anything down there, see where the water table comes to when the snow melts. It will need further digging out and wall to wall concreting to make watertight and useable.

Yes massive amounts of work to be done Ryan, but my oh my its definitely worth it. 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Get a concrete floor on that cellar as soon as you are able. It will cut down on moisture in the house and could block radon gas. Then you can jave a good workshop in the cellar.

Ryan, inquiring minds want to know, does your house have a back door, a garden area, a parking space and, last but not least, how big is it. Those rooms look very small and they cant be any bigger than about 10 ft wide. Is the house that narrow? A scematic drawing would help your viewers visualize the space.

I would like to see you first finish the appartement at the convent. Finish something before you go to an other experience.

Hi Ryan. Your house may need a lot of work, But keep your eyes on the prize! Pick one project to work on and write a “Need to accomplish today list” (one or two things a day to start). This will help you stay on task and from feeling so overwhelmed. If you don’t get everything done that day, that’s okay, you begin the next day where you left off. Have you thought about having an architect come over to take a look around and talk about your vision for the house and have a drawing done? It’s a good motivational tool. Just a thought. Looking forward to the demolition and then the transformation. You can do this Ryan!

Dude! You're a braver man than I. This place is quite the disaster. I will enjoy your challenging navigation of this renovation.

One project or one room at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself. It will take a lot of work and a lot of money, however, at the end you will have learnt so many skills, met so many people - and you will have a wonderful house to feel proud of. We will all come along with you.

Potential is definitely there, Ryan. Keep your vision of what you would like it to look like on a drawing that can hang in the house as motivation. Then be methodical and start one thing at a time. Structure first. Gut as much as possible so you can access future electrical and plumbing needs and repair or rebuild areas that need it. (Like Edd and Anna have done with their Bordeaux property that looked beyond hope ). You have the smarts and skills, and many great, talented friends who can provide a lot of ideas. This is your project, and you can take as much time as you want, so no need to feel pressured. Setting yourself up with adequate tools at the house and securing them there will make the workflow easier. BREATHE, and ENJOY THE PROCESS🥰

A large window wall, where the wall was, would be beautiful to close to finished stairway on other side just put up retractable curtains over the window. It would both give you more life and make the room look bigger , at the same time, reflecting the craftsmanship of your home !!!

You need a plan..and stick to it...otherwise you will again start something and not finish. This will be the 3rd renovation i follow you..im on your team but i think if you don't have a plan and a list of what comes first you will drop this project too...please..i believe in you

By the way..im a project manager..i volunteer to sit with you and get you started with the plan..for free

Hi Ryan, I would suggest that you hire a general contractor that you can work with. That way you can do the hands on stuff that you are capable of and the contractor can make sure all repairs are done to code.

Always nice to see your videos!

Gracious, you really should wear a mask to protect your lungs. It will catch up to you eventually working in all these old buildings. So much black mold etc 🙏🏻

Ryan, what's out the back? I am curious to know if its responsible for the high levels of moisture resulting in the rot. Again I would like to warn you about pulling too much asunder without securing or stabilising existing or to be retained walls etc. Every bit of that house relies on the next bit for some of its stability. You probably need to explore the waste and drain situation before too long and check out the rising main, its shut off condition. You've got to get the water (rain damp) out and keep the water out before. Please be mindful of point loading while you strip out and stack tiles around. Do you own a yard space or have access to one. Sometimes in those rural villages you will have rights to an allotment or barn not attached to your property. If not you may want to talk to the maire du village to secure some support for your project. You know. Look around shrug your shoulders look puzzled, compliment his dog.

Ryan what is going to happen to the 2 apartments you started at the convent? When will you start the renovations at the house? do you have a progress plan ? will you be getting help?

I have a suggestion... Find someone who can Smudge (sage and cedar) your house with some clanging (Tibetan Bell or just pot and wooden spoon with windows open) in every nook and cranny! Even realtors do this before putting on the market as part of staging. There is some old stagnant energy. You will feel the difference immediately. 🙂

Dude! That place is *WAY* more interesting than _any_ generic McMansion. So many people would have immediately decided to destroy it. Those people are boring and have no imagination or sense of adventure. Looking forward to following you on your journey. Thanks!

Ryan, you might get some inspiration from Simon's new farmhouse renovation. (1) Grab volunteer labor assistance for a specific 1-day project here and there. (2) Create a living space that can be camped in [or a small RV parked nearby], (3) Focus on 1-room-at-a-time only. If you can stick to that discipline, everything will fall in place on it's own. You can do it!

You hav a lot of work ahead of you…and a fun adventure for you Ryan. I know you are equal to the task, just don’t let it overwhelm yo, and take it one step at a time. I think the small roof and ceiling just became a priority. Much love…🖤🇨🇦

I am soooo glad you have saved the cat poster👍. Not because it's charming beautiful, but because it's goofy charming. I hope everyone gets a chuckle every time they see it. Brilliant.

One of my suggestions is to keep the downstair loo that you have, as I’m sure you don’t want any guests you have , when the project is finished , having to go throu your bedroom on an upper level just to use “ the convenience “ I would incorporate the area into a utility room for kitchen , thus providing you kitchen space for large white furniture , like washing machines, freezer, spin dryer & dishwasher.

Hi there Ryan … looking forward to this particular video. Be interesting once you put the squares down there. Maybe dig a bit of existing floor dirt out for depth?

So much work but so much potential. I am looking forward to many renovation videos.

It is going to be so great when it is all done. I am so looking forward to the adventure and seeing what you do with it.

Ryan, could it be possible that having two entrances into the basement actually have been used during the summer months to help cool the house? With the basement pretty much being at a constant cooler temperature than the structure during the summer months, if both entrances were kept slightly ajar, along with an upper window also being left open, cool air could circulate through the structure and push the warm air up and out of the upper window. Where we live it is called evaporative cooling, since hot air rises, it will be pushed up and out and be replaced with cooler (and damper) air.

Thanks Ryan! Can’t wait to see what project you start with 🎉

I'm looking forward to seeing how this changes and improves. I do love that little staircase.

Wow Ryan. That's a lot of mold. And a broken joist as well. Have you thought of taking it down to the studs? A lot of work but a lot of peace of mind once you secure the foundation. Not impossible, totally doable. I have confidence in you!!

Great video Ryan.. I"m excited about the future progress. Baby steps. Love ya!

Excellent home! Make your list and break it down into smaller tasks. So exciting! Have a great time fixing it up. Can’t wait to see what you do.

This is going to be fun Ryan! I say write a list of what you need to start tackling, like a simple clean up, then bite off little bits at a time. I had to do loads of stuff on my own in each home I moved to, but what I did was visualize what each room would look in the end, then forged on without stopping. I found out that if I stop I won't finish, but if I keep going, it's done. Then I find out it wasn't so bad afterall.

Hello Ryan, All is okay. Don't worry about the work on this place. Take it all down to the structure so that you can replace what you want it to be. This way, you know that it is sound and how you envision it.

Love the videos , a small starcase would look better than a new trap door in that area and would allow more light . That little leak in the ceiling is nothing , because that whole roof needs to come off replace it . 💪🇬🇧

Do think about consulting an architect. They can help immeasurably with ideas, even if you have a strong vision. The fee can be paid for multiple times by cost saving ideas and input! Thank you for the video!

Don't be discouraged, Ryan. 😘💞Billy has only gotten his place done as quickly as he has (years) because he was able to hire all kinds of help. Doing it yourself will take awhile; but it WILL get done! Have faith, brother! I suggest you start by repairing any leaks in the roof, then put in a set of cellar stairs that are safe, and make the repairs in the house from the bottom/ basement floor, up, so you can make sure each floor is truly secure before you do any work on the next level. Deal with the dampness in the basement, then get a strong floor build there. (Slightly elevated off the floor to avoid dampness) After white washing the basement walls, put the beautiful tiles up on all the walls; (not on the floor because they would be too slippery in the damp basement) That area under the kitchen will make a great wine cellar/cold pantry for produce. It would also make a great hiding place similar to what people needed in nazi times. So put a movable wall up to keep it hidden. When you repair the 'kitchen' floor entrance to the cellar at the other end, make sure it is hard to tell that there is a hidden trap door there. When you are working in the basement you will be able to properly examine the ceilings/floors etc for the next level and make them all secure, before you go up to work on the next level, etc. I would also suggest that you do all the wiring and plumbing early on, before you put any walls up; so you don't need to later redo them to get the electric etc, in. Billy has a great electrician (Duncan), who could probably come by and give you an estimate to rewire the entire house for you. (I bet he'd give you a discount as well; would probably even do a payment paln with you ♥) It's probably best to make sure that all the wiring is safe, before you go very far into the project, since you do not want your power tools causing a fire that could burn the place down. Once all all the rotten wood is removed and replaced and the electric and plumbing are in, then you can do your walls and plaster. Do your floors last because they will be a mess the whole time you are working anyway, so do them at the end so they will remain beautiful when you finish them. TAKE YOUR TIME!! Do not put unrealistic time limits or expectations on yourself. That will take all the joy out of the work and make added pressure and stress that you do not need. Have your Dad come by and help you a bit--Get your Uncle to come for a day as well. Make some nice memories with these people while you still have them. Get your Mom to start making you some nice cheery curtains now, so when you are ready, she can come over and put them up for you. 🥰Just plug away one day at a time, one small project at a time. Eventually you will begin to see wonderful progress---but don't expect to see it right away. We will be patient with you (and we aren't going anywhere) just be as patient with yourself as you would be if you were Billy. This is a learning process. Once you get going, your KZfaq channel will start to provide you with more income so you can afford more help, and you will progress faster then. Merry Christmas. 😘💌👊👏🙌💪🎅🤶🫖🗼❄🌨🎆🎄✨

Ryan love your videos. You have alot of work ahead of you. It will be great watching the process ❤

Thanks for sharing Ryan you have got this each job you do small or large is an accomplishment so pat yourself on the back ! You will get through this one day at a time ! Young man !

"Yard by yard life is hard. Inch by inch it's a cinch." Just pick one thing and focus on it and the rest will fall into place eventually. My husband and I have remodeled a crap ton of houses in our 49 year marriage and it's doable.

I had forgotten about the second entrance to the tunnel! What an amazing talking point to have in your home. I wounder what it wad used for, maybe delivery of something, has its not in the main house, it could of at one time been outside, as it seems odd to make 2 indoor entances, over a relative short distance, great fun. I noticed aswell that there's a door in the toilet lol, and what a place to put a letter box 😂. Yes there's a lot to do but who wants a ready made home! Just one thing at a time, concentrate on that and move on. But always keep it fun, if you get bored ,stop for awhile ( if it's possible). You ll enjoy the journey. ❤

Can't see anything but can smell it all the way to Montreal Canada

That is okay ... you will have it easy to replace and install safe electric wires in your home. Interesting trap door, makes you wonder why it was there??? So much fun to see what you have there. Wonder if it was a root cellar? Just take it one day at a time Ryan. Yes your hands are very full, you are young and strong and plenty of time to get on with the restoration and making yourself an amazing home. So glad you have great friends to guide you. All the best.

Ryan if you can make a joke of your house you will make it. "Well it's a fire place" I'm stil giggling. Your sense of humour will get you through. The roof looks like they tried to stop the leak with cardboard and a few planks of wood.🙄 With a lot of love and tender care, you will have your dream home.👍🏡❤

You had me in stitches with this one. Yes its overwhelming, but when completed( even if it takes sone years), it will be yours and the greatest feeling.

I’m glad that you have a great sense of humour. A good way to look at things.

Take the whole place back to the studs and start anew. Once to take things down you’ll know what needs replacing and you can plan the room layout, have new electrics and plumbing installed.

Ryan you can do this. It doesn’t all need to be done straight away. Me and my husband have been living in our house for over 30 years and it’s still not finished! Mainly because children arrived, plans changed, children left and plans changed. Then some children came back and plans changed. That’s life Ryan. Our house has evolved over the years and one day we’ll get it finished or it will finish us. Just get it habitable for now. We’re with you all the way. ❤

Ryan, I can definitely see potential in your house! There's a TON of work to be done, but focus on one issue at a time. Probably a new roof might be the first big job. But you have a much better idea of the condition of the space. You can do it, we're with you ❤

Happy to see you channel is growing you deserve it. Keep up the good work. 🎉

Coal hole? Pour coal in at the top of the slope, pull it out at the archway to take wood up to the kitchen.

Aw those kitchen lights look sketchy. Star Wars. Amazing Basement. It well all come together, you have lots of time to work on it.

Have you shared the age and history of the house?

You're a Brave Soul Ryan, Id think of it like this, it's more than 15K for a year of college in the states! This is giving you hands on Training which you couldn't pay for! You will learn more as u knock down, renovate and rebuild this interesting project..We are following you from Boston and learning with you! Merry Christmas Buddy Best of Luck ...................We love you in Massachusetts

Did I see a mid- century modern paint job on the ceiling of the entry? Amazing to wonder what sorts of decorating has been done over the decades. Hope you find some GOOD features as you go! Carry on....

Ryan, I share your sensitivity as well. I know it's hard to ignore, but one thing I've learned through my years is that true friends don't have to see eachother everyday, but when you do, it's as if you've been with them all along. We all start our journey somewhere. Now you have yours. The Pethericks are wonderful, kind and caring people, and you are very blessed to have started your journey with them. Keep up the good work and keep being you. Merry Christmas🎄

Hi Ryan, I saw another comment where they said take it one room at a time. Any project seems overwhelming but I’m sure you have a plan and can get started once you have demo done. Truly wish I lived over there I wouldn’t mind helping you.

I watched another channel that got a house much like yours. They got the heat and electricity to a room and a toilet set up. They cooked on a stove in that single room and slept on the couch/bed while they spent a year fixing up a room every month or so until it was done. I think it went Living/sleeping room, next kitchen, next full bathroom. then extra bedrooms and a study. Just go a step at a time, and it will eventually be all done. You have to be the tortoise, not the hare. Merry Christmas. Love ur channel!

I realized today that I will not live long enough to see your renovations completed, given the rate so far. How unfortunate as I was looking forward to seeing the transformation. Do you have a timeline?

Ask Sean to come teach you! He’s exactly what you need and the crossover would be good for your KZfaq channels

I think the word to describe what you are finding and the way forward is “daunting”. We are all with you and looking forward to your solutions

Why don't you have a transparent (thick perspex) trap door. You could light up the tunnel and make a feature of it. A friend of ours found an old well in their house and did this. A bit scary to walk across, but looked fantastic!

Ryan, perhaps consider removing the trap door and put a permanent floor in. There really is no need to have the entrance to the basement if you’re going to make that your living room. You dig that tunnel out so it’s deep enough to stand in and make it a quaint bar or wine cellar. Just my thoughts. You’re doing great, Ryan! Get your plan together and follow the plan!! It’s going to be wonderful when you’re done and think of all you’re going to learn!

2:49 Just a suggestion... Consider raising the roof and adding a second floor to this extension. The second floor can be storage for dried goods like food, toilet paper, luggage, etc. Make plans for renovations in the future. Best of luck.

Take inspiration from Dan in Escape to Rural France. Good luck. Just wondering, what's going to happen to the apartment you started renovating at the Convent.

What year was this house built?

The first place I bought looked like this. The main thing is getting it structurally sound and then pick it off room by room.. A lick of paint at the beginning doesn't go amiss just to make it look cleaner. That bog is a horror show so I'd start there.. Best of luck with it!

I bought an old Rectory forty years ago, and that had a tunnel underground ending in the Local Parish Church, 400 yards away. The place had resident ghosts that talked to my children at night. It was huge project, and we expected to take five years to improve the house. New roof, plaster, windows, floors, heating, plumbing, wiring. Make a doable plan, cost it and know your limitations. Good luck!

A journey ahead! Thanks for bringing us along!

Could you take the roof off that ‘room’ with the trap door and that would give you some outside space might be good when it’s hot in the summer for leaving kitchen door open to get air through the house 😁

It's alot to take in Ryan, but 1 step at a time. You need a plan of action and I have no doubt that's what you have been thinking about lately. Very cool discovery of the hatch, and I loved your reaction to the light warming up before coming on in the kitchen😂Thanks for being so YOU!

You are hilarious! Love your droll sense of humor!

You have a HUGE task ahead of you! It'll take a while to fix that house. But, you can do it if you set your mind to! When you get started, don't look back! We'll be here cheering you on! Crack on!!!

...and a lovely house it will be Ryan! We're here to cheer you on!