From polishing worn out floorboards to wrestling with double-hung windows, Mr Coates has pretty much done it all.

This Friday night he will share his stories, good and bad, as part of a presentation in support of Friends of Grossmann House. 

“I want to reflect on my crazy experiences, but at the same time I want to offer some practical advice,” Mr Coates said.

“But I will be very much guided by what people want to know. I’m not a professional tradesman ... I’ve just learnt things along the way.

“I’m not the person to talk to about power tools, but I think ­motivation is a really important thing and hopefully I can instil [the audience] with that.”

Mr Coates and wife Ann have so far restored two historic homes – Somerset Cottage in Bolwarra and their ­current home Roslyn in Oakhampton.

Mr Coates has also written columns for the Maitland Mercury on his restoration experiences and is researching a book on early homes of the Hunter.

“I’m very passionate about home restoration and I think there is a real movement, at least locally, whereby people are now appreciating the value of old homes,” he said.

“But you’ve got to adopt a ­certain mindset when you do up an old home. 

“It’s not going to be, in some ways, entirely suitable to a modern, contemporary lifestyle.

“It’s all about fitting in with what’s already there. You’ve got to work with an old home, rather than against it.”

- The talk will be held at Grossmann House from 6.15pm. For more information phone 4932 0518.