Reading May 2026 Meeting 

The Formula For A Successful Refurbishment - Martin Rapley 

You can’t do much in property investing without refurbishment. But the reality is that many investors see their profit eroded by delays, vague scopes, and builder issues, which in most cases are avoidable. In this talk, Martin Rapley from Refurbishment Mastery shares a clear, repeatable framework used by experienced developers and project professionals to run refurbishments with more control, less stress, and better outcomes.

It’s a straightforward, practical approach designed to help investors make smarter decisions before they buy, communicate clearly with builders, avoid the common traps that cause overruns, and manage the project without becoming the bottleneck — so that they protect profit, save time, and reduce stress.

What you will learn

• How to appraise a deal using realistic figures (and avoid costly assumptions)  
• Why a proper Schedule of Works is the foundation of a smooth project  
• How to find and appoint a good builder without rushing the decision  
• The key management habits that prevent delays and keep momentum  
• How to increase control, reduce stress, and improve profit on refurbishments

This session delivers immediate, practical value because it tackles the exact points that derail refurb projects; uncertainty, builder risk, cost overruns, and delays. Attendees will leave with a clearer way to think, plan, and make decisions before and during a refurb, which helps them protect profit and reduce stress on real projects. This talk is great for any audience serious about doing property properly, whether they’re approaching their first refurb or looking to scale up with more confidence and control.

ALSO...How to earn money from buildings you don’t own - Max Wright 

Max is going to talk you through his journey from setting up his own Commercial Finance Brokerage to raising £15 million in private equity for a Multi-million pound project he led. Then right the way to where he is today repurposing un-used Commercial or Residential properties into habitable spaces for hard working professionals & key workers.

Max has always been passionate about giving back. During Max’s presentation you will learn:

• The importance of networking
• How he led a campaign to create a £55m Development in Cheltenham
• Vacant property break-ins and Squatting statistics
• How you can earn money from buildings you don’t own.

By the end of his talk you will have received inspiration, education and he offers a way for each of you an opportunity to earn money and to help him continue to deliver much needed temporary, affordable accommodation for hard working professionals and key workers that deserve a better standard of living.