I've been restoring windows for 10 years and still can't afford to get a mortgage

Interview conducted by Liz from *Homes for Britain

Liz: Hi Ben, thank you for joining us today. Could you share with our readers a bit about your background and experiences?

Ben: Hi Liz, thanks for having me. I’m Ben Gringerh, and I’ve been working for Surrey Sash Window Specialist for the past 10 years. My job is to restore and maintain period wooden windows, which is a very specialised niche. I take a lot of pride in what I do because it’s about preserving the historical integrity of beautiful residential properties, and it requires a high level of craftsmanship.

Liz: Ten years is quite a long period of time to stay in one line of work. What drew you to restoring windows, and what keeps you in this profession?

Ben: Honestly, I love the work. There’s something incredibly rewarding about restoring a beautiful old sash window and seeing it come back to life. It’s also a niche skill, and not many people can master it perfectly. I enjoy working with my hands, using traditional materials, and ensuring that these period features are preserved for future generations. The satisfaction of seeing a homeowner happy with their newly restored windows makes it worthwhile. But despite being well-paid for the work I do, it's still not enough to afford a mortgage in today’s market.

Liz: You’ve mentioned that your work is well paid and highly specialised. Despite this, you’re still unable to afford a mortgage. Could you share more about the challenges you’re facing in getting on the property ladder?

Ben: It’s incredibly frustrating, to be honest. I work hard, and my job pays well compared to many other trades, but the reality is that the cost of living and energy bills have just skyrocketed. Even though I’m earning a decent income, the deposit needed for a mortgage is so high that it feels almost impossible to save up for it. House prices, especially in the South East where I work, keep climbing, and the deposit requirements from mortgage lenders keep getting steeper.

It’s not just the deposit, either. The affordability checks that mortgage providers carry out are really tough. They take into account every little detail of your expenses, including credit cards and monthly bills, and even though I can comfortably afford my rent, which is quite high, it’s like they don’t believe I’d be able to pay a mortgage that’s roughly the same amount of monthly payment. It feels like the system isn’t set up to help people like me, even when we’re doing well-paid, specialised work. It’s disheartening because no matter how much effort I put into my job, the goal of homeownership keeps moving further out of reach.

Liz: Have you looked into any alternative methods of homeownership, like shared ownership schemes or help-to-buy programs?

Ben: I have looked into shared ownership and help-to-buy programs, but even those aren’t always accessible. The shared ownership schemes require you to still save for a significant deposit, and there are additional costs like rent on the share you don’t own, which makes it feel like I’m still just renting, only with extra responsibilities. Help-to-buy can be useful, but the house prices that qualify are often still too high for someone like me who’s trying to balance rent and saving. I’ve even spoken to a mortgage broker for expert advice, but the options available still feel out of reach.

Liz: If you had the opportunity to speak directly to policymakers about your struggle to buy a home, what would you say to them?

Ben: I’d tell policymakers that the current system simply isn’t working for people like me. I’ve been working in a specialised trade for a decade, earning a decent income, yet buying a home is still out of reach. The high deposit requirements and affordability checks don’t reflect the reality of what we’re capable of paying. I’d urge them to introduce policies that recognise consistent rental history as proof of affordability and provide more support for saving deposits. Tradespeople are the backbone of maintaining the heritage and infrastructure of this country — it's only fair we have a chance at homeownership too.

Liz: That’s a powerful statement, Ben. Thank you for sharing your experience. I think it’s important for people to hear stories like yours, especially when we talk about the housing crisis in the UK.

Ben: Thanks, Liz. I really hope things can change, not just for me but for the next generation of tradespeople who deserve the chance to own a home after years of hard work.