How does it work?

charming old cottage

Curious About The Process?

Every Oak & Willow House History follows the same two-step process.

This ensures your investment is tailored to the records that survive, and that your home’s story is presented in the way that feels right for you.

If you purchase a House History from Oak & Willow, here’s what you can expect.

All house histories start with a Feasibility Check. This is the first step in discovering a home’s history and will give you insights into the depth of historical records that may survive for the address.

All of our ready-to-buy Research Services include a Feasibility Check. This takes 1-2 weeks and looks at whether enough records survive to fulfil your chosen service. If we think a different service would be more suitable, we will let you know early and you will have the option to change.

In situations where there are not enough surviving records to fulfill any of our house history options, you will be provided a full refund (minus the cost of a Feasibility Check – £30).

What happens after you purchase:

  • You’ll receive a short questionnaire where we collect the details we need about your property — such as its address, approximate age, and any known history. If you have purchased a house history as a gift, it’s up to you whether you complete the onboarding form yourself – or share it with the gift recipient to fill in
  • We’ll then carry out a targeted search of key historical sources (census returns, parish records, directories, maps, and more)
  • Within 1–2 weeks you’ll receive a short written summary of what records survive, along with confirmation that your chosen house history is feasible. We will also let you know if we think a different service would be more suitable, so that you have the option to change

What you receive at this stage:

  • A clear picture of how much information exists for your home and either how your printed house history would be focused, or what your house history portfolio may include
  • If you have not already chosen a research service, then a recommendation on which options are best for your property is provided

You can purchase your preferred service upfront, or wait until you have seen the outcome of your Feasibility Check. For customers who book a Feasibility Check first, you will be provided with a £30 voucher to remove this cost when purchasing your house history service.

What happens next:

  • Once your Feasibility Check is complete, it’s time for the deeper research to commence!
  • If you’d like to, you’ll be able to share if there is a certain angle of your home’s history that you would like to focus on or if there’s something specific you are looking for in the records
  • We’ll then begin the deeper research. For Printed House Histories, this includes uncovering what the surviving records tell us, piecing together the timelines, and weaving them into a written narrative. For House History Portfolios, this includes discovering the records, compiling the research notes, printing of your documents, and curating your portfolio
  • Along the way, we’ll keep you updated on progress, especially if new discoveries change the direction of the story or what’s included in your portfolio

Designing your final product:

  • Each house history service includes its own physical products (A4/A3 wall prints, an A5 booklet, or a portfolio of records)
  • For Printed House Histories, when you make your purchase, you’ll choose from a selection of design templates to match your style — heritage patterned or minimalist stripes
  • You will also select whether to have your wall print framed – so that it arrives ready to display
  • All final physical products will be printed & arrive shipped to your door (or to the recipient of the delivery address)
  • Digital products are delivered via email

Current delivery timelines:

Snapshot House History: 4-6 weeks
Heritage Summary House History: 6-8 weeks
Full Story House History: 10-14 weeks
House History Portfolios: 8-10 weeks

Book Your Feasibility Check

Compare Research Services

What Will I Receive?

Choose Your Service & Design

Compare the Research Services and select which is best for your home. You can start with just a Feasibility Check if you aren’t sure.

Choose Your Service

Customer Onboarding

You’ll share some details about your home, it’s potential age, anything you already know about its history, and anything you’re hoping to discover.

Learn More

Research Commences

We research the historical records, maps, and archives to uncover what history has survived for your property, piecing together a timeline of former occupants and their lives spent in your home.

What Will I Receive?

Product Development

For Printed House Histories, your house history narrative is written and thoughtfully designed into your chosen final product.
For House History Portfolios, your historical records are printed & curated.

Pattern Templates

Final
Delivery

Your final product will be printed, shipped, and delivered to your door.
Any digital products are delivered via email.

Customer Reviews

For most old homes, there is enough information available for at least a Snapshot house history – however there is no guarantee that historical records on your property have survived

But, don’t worry.

That’s why we always start with a Feasibility Check first

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HOUSE HISTORY PRINTS & PORTFOLIOS