The Worst House on the Worst Street: Nineteen Years in Renovation Hell

by Todd Alexander

Todd and partner Jeff have been at the renovation game for nearly twenty years, but they've only ever been able to afford the worst house on the worst street. It hasn't been easy, but it has been hilarious.

In The Worst House on the Worst Street, Todd chronicles their journey from optimistic home buyers to self-taught, weary home renovators. Beginning with humble rental refreshes, they've tackled and transformed collapsing apartments, damp-infested terrace houses, acres of overgrown vineyards and off-the-grid homesteads - with a growing tally of injuries, floods and menacing neighbours thrown in.

But nothing could have prepared them for the very worst a small-town, dilapidated fibro shack on the wrong side of the tracks. Asbestos, mould, rotting timber, vermin, crumbling walls, shoddy repairs, holes in the roof, floors and windows . . . This house has it all. Amid Covid-19, near-bankruptcy and multiple DIY-related hospital visits, Todd and Jeff put their hard-won knowledge to the test. Jeff brings his dogged determination, obsessive quest for perfection and super-human DIY skills, while Todd brings a sense of humour to his roles of Jeff's labourer, painter, shopper, cleaner and site health and safety manager.

Part inspiration and larger part cautionary tale, Todd Alexander's The Worst House on the Worst Street will help any home renovator keep laughing along the way. It's a comedy, a book of how-to (and what-not-to) and a bloody good yarn for anyone who's survived a renovation or those who don't even intend to lift a finger.

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

Todd Alexander was born in 1973 and has been writing for over 20 years. His work has been published in magazines and periodicals and his first novel, Pictures of Us was published in 2006. How to Buy and Sell on eBay.com.au – The Official Pocket Guide has sold in excess of 30,000 copies.

In 2010, an advanced guide to eBay How To Make Money on eBay was published by Allen & Unwin, followed in 2011 by Why Pay Retail (also Allen & Unwin). Hachette Australia released Get Your Business Online... Now! in March 2012, followed later in the year by Every Day Internet at Any Age. 2013 marked the release of Todd’s fully comprehensive guide to The New eBay followed in 2014 by Check 100: Tips for a Successful eBay Business (both published by John Wiley).

In 2015 Todd returns to fiction, his first love, with the release of Tom Houghton (published by Simon & Schuster).

Todd has 6 years' experience as a bookseller and head office buyer and spent 12 years working at eBay, one of Australia's most recognised brands. He lives in the Hunter Valley of NSW with his partner (cat, pigs, chooks and ducks) where they run a boutique vineyard and accommodation business, Block Eight. Todd has travelled to Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. A graduate of Macquarie University, he has degrees in Modern Literature and Law.

Reviews

[Thomas Martiniello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda like watching 4 grand design episodes but without all the fluff in between and straight to the good bits. Was a nice read and didn’t require too much energy or concentration.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has ever renovated or is renovating a house will re-live every dusty sneeze, bad smell, unexpected setback, and diy inflicted injury mentioned in this book. Extremely relatable!

[Ashleigh Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a BG fan of Todd's books. Love his candid humor and fancinating stories

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, enjoyable and humorous

[Deb Kingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read from Todd Alexander.