Room to Improve.

LirW · 30-09-2019 10:15AM

Sleepy wrote: »

Have to say I loved it. Dermot was in his element here: a couple with a massive budget who let him focus on good architecture: the space he created for them was every bit the wow factor they wanted. TBH, with a few tweaks (polished copper instead of gold on the island) and some tweaks to the furnishings I'd happily live in it.

The couple were in a fortunate position and the budget didn't seem too wild for their means tbh.

I have to say it again, what they got for the money they spent was brilliant. They didn't have a mortgage on the house and apparently never had, they built the modest house they could afford back in the 90s, love where they are and are now in the position to turn it into something they never had the money for previously. You'll be hard pressed to find a house like that for 575 in such a proximity to Dublin.

I think this episode was a poster example that Dermot is capable of what he does. I hate to admit but for once he seemed absolutely professional. He wasn't a pushy bastard, the build came in on budget - if the couple decides to add finishes, landscape etc for an additional 200k, that's none of his business really. The design worked, it was a spectacular house and I'd move in there in a whim.
I think this was a really good episode, one of the most interesting ones in a good while because everything was right in my opinion.

Citroen2cv · 30-09-2019 10:53AM

Sheep breeder wrote: »

The builders are from cork and no wonder the builder was in a rush and no local worked on site, only one sister lives on the road and runs a tile business, the house is in no way of keeping with any thing in the area and one wonders how planning was got in Wicklow for such a house looking in over the neighbours.

They are from Mullingar actually .

Ottoman_1000 · 30-09-2019 11:41AM

What a lovely house in last nights episode. Would not be entirely my thing but it was very impressive none the less. I do find this forum gas however, what is with Irish people telling others on how they should spend their money without knowing the first thing about them. There is a post a few pages back stating that they would have been better of buying a house in the south of Spain with that money!!! WTF...

the_pen_turner · 30-09-2019 11:44AM

Ottoman_1000 wrote: »

What a lovely house in last nights episode. Would not be entirely my thing but it was very impressive none the less. I do find this forum gas however, what is with Irish people telling others on how they should spend their money without knowing the first thing about them. There is a post a few pages back stating that they would have been better of buying a house in the south of Spain with that money!!! WTF...

come on now . it was 2 houses in spain

Vicarious Function · 30-09-2019 11:49AM

I don't think the builder was trying to get in and get out fast in order to move on to another job, as suggested by some here - hence not paying attention to quality. The feeling I got was that he wanted to hurry up the suppliers such as joinery and windows so that he would not be waiting with nothing to do. Example: he fitted in the famous "bicycle shed" during one gap in time.

Penn · 30-09-2019 11:53AM

Vicarious Function wrote: »

I don't think the builder was trying to get in and get out fast in order to move on to another job, as suggested by some here - hence not paying attention to quality. The feeling I got was that he wanted to hurry up the suppliers such as joinery and windows so that he would not be waiting with nothing to do. Example: he fitted in the famous "bicycle shed" during one gap in time.

To be honest I got more from it that he was essentially trying to advertise his company as being one who'd get the job done quicker than anyone else. I often find with some contractors on it that they set it out like that from the start so that if there is any delay, it's also down to them not being given the information on time (which is fair enough).

I've no issue with either, but I just think the contractor in this instance came across as overly pushy and needlessly aggressive with it

Muahahaha · 30-09-2019 12:26PM

meeeeh wrote: »

I think some people want to be on TV (that Cork horror last year) and some just want architect whose designs they like. It's just as plausible they approached his studio to design them a house and were asked to be on tv because their build was potentially interesting.

yeah thats pretty much how it works, people enquire to Bannons practice about getting work on a house done and if the project is interesting you might end up on Room to Improve. Happened me a couple of years back when trying to buy an old stone cottage on top of a mountain with a spectacular view in Wicklow. I enquired about buying design drawings only and in the process they asked if Id be interested in going on RTI, I ran a mile :pac: I'm not one of those people who wants to be on tv as my privacy is worth more than a free architects fee. Its obviously different for others, the wife who hopped in the jacuzzi with Dermot was definitely someone who wanted to be on tv and for her the free architects fee was just an added bonus.

Penn wrote: »

To be honest I got more from it that he was essentially trying to advertise his company as being one who'd get the job done quicker than anyone else.

Thats exactly it except his cock up was he gave the impression he was rushing the job to get on to the next one. What he should have been saying to camera was that the project was 21 weeks but we are going to try our best to get it done in 15 because we want to get the family back into their home and out of rented accomodation. Then the builder looks like a hero rather than someone rushing to get to the next job.

30-09-2019 12:36PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

yeah thats pretty much how it works, people enquire to Bannons practice about getting work on a house done and if the project is interesting you might end up on Room to Improve. Happened me a couple of years back when trying to buy an old stone cottage on top of a mountain with a spectacular view in Wicklow. I enquired about buying design drawings only and in the process they asked if Id be interested in going on RTI, I ran a mile :pac: I'm not one of those people who wants to be on tv as my privacy is worth more than a free architects fee. Its obviously different for others, the wife who hopped in the jacuzzi with Dermot was definitely someone who wanted to be on tv and for her the free architects fee was just an added bonus.

Thats exactly it except his cock up was he gave the impression he was rushing the job to get on to the next one. What he should have been saying to camera was that the project was 21 weeks but we are going to try our best to get it done in 15 because we want to get the family back into their home and out of rented accomodation. Then the builder looks like a hero rather than someone rushing to get to the next job.

love the sound of your cottage in the Wicklow hills -hope it worked out well

Muahahaha · 30-09-2019 01:10PM

Deleted User wrote: »

love the sound of your cottage in the Wicklow hills -hope it worked out well

It didnt sadly and the sale eventually fell through. Between septic tanks, new water and ESB connections, the need for an entire new roof and having to build a new road over difficult terrain to the top of a mountain it was out of budget. Someone did eventually take it on but it likely cost them over €100k just to rectify all of the above and before the proper renovation got under way.

Akabusi · 30-09-2019 01:23PM

I agree with others that the builder didn't come across great, he just tried too hard to impress, all he had to do was keep his mouth shut and get the job done thus putting pressure on Bannon for decisions. Bannon would surely have mentioned how fast the build pace was going anyhow. That was one thing but the site office would be more in place on a large construction site in Dublin.

Although I have to say the job did look really well in the end and the couple came across great. It is still a pity that more of the building work isn't showed and with regards the budgets at this stage they should just say there isn't one, last week and again last night the budget was totally ignored.

redbuck · 30-09-2019 01:23PM

I actually thought it was the ugliest house of the current series so far, a horrible game roof extension built on to the side of the house, those timber slats at the front of the house do nothing for me either.

Akabusi · 30-09-2019 01:53PM

redbuck wrote: »

I actually thought it was the ugliest house of the current series so far, a horrible game roof extension built on to the side of the house, those timber slats at the front of the house do nothing for me either.

Maybe I'm comparing it to much too last week which i found hideous especially that pebble-dash, kitchen and office.

FFVII · 30-09-2019 04:19PM

Lisha wrote: »

It’s a fantastic sign of them as a couple that he has such a high pressure job and they are still so easy and happy with each other. Guys at that level are under shocking pressure, working stupid hours and travel away, and often their home life can crumble so I like him even more now.

The higher you go up in a company, the more you're paid, the less you do and the less stress you're under.

This is a fact.

Theirs studies on it.

Plus Christ guys I skipped the last 8 pages, ya can't even read this thread anymore with the silly complaining.

IL pop in next to see what crap is posted about small budget.

ShamoBuc · 30-09-2019 06:46PM

FFVII wrote: »

The higher you go up in a company, the more you're paid, the less you do and the less stress you're under.

This is a fact.

Theirs studies on it.

Plus Christ guys I skipped the last 8 pages, ya can't even read this thread anymore with the silly complaining.

IL pop in next to see what crap is posted about small budget.

Tge last 8 pages was mostly peopl complaining about poor spelling.

Be glad you skipped it !!

Galwayguy35 · 30-09-2019 07:38PM

Just finished watching it, 375 k and 195 k for 'extras'.

I built my house for what they used for extras, that's not a dig at them BTW best of luck to them when they can afford it.

Boring episode I thought though, there was no arguing over the budget, they argreed with everything Bannon said and that's the stuff that makes good tele.

iamwhoiam · 30-09-2019 07:51PM

FFVII wrote: »

The higher you go up in a company, the more you're paid, the less you do and the less stress you're under.

This is a fact.

Theirs studies on it.

Plus Christ guys I skipped the last 8 pages, ya can't even read this thread anymore with the silly complaining.

IL pop in next to see what crap is posted about small budget.

Have you anything to say about the actual build ?

LirW · 30-09-2019 08:09PM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

Just finished watching it, 375 k and 195 k for 'extras'.

I built my house for what they used for extras, that's not a dig at them BTW best of luck to them when they can afford it.

Boring episode I thought though, there was no arguing over the budget, they argreed with everything Bannon said and that's the stuff that makes good tele.

For play for building your house for that money!
But could it be that you're comparing apples and pears? Does yours have 5 bedrooms? Does it have a mezzanine level upstairs and a two storey glass front? Is it up to latest insulation and energy standards? Did you do something yourself or did you have builders from start to finish? They also went for a very high standard of finish.
For what they got, their location and the current demand for top tradesmen I think they got a pretty sweet deal there. Compare it with other luxury properties in Ashford, their house is easily nicer than most of the ones that ask over a million.

Muahahaha · 30-09-2019 08:30PM

redbuck wrote: »

I actually thought it was the ugliest house of the current series so far, a horrible game roof extension built on to the side of the house, those timber slats at the front of the house do nothing for me either.

Wasnt keen on the timber slats but can understand why Bannon did it, they had huge windows behind them because that aspect was south facing but it was also pretty close to the road. So he used the timber slats to give them privacy from passing cars but still get the south facing light. One problem though is at nightime cars will be coming in the estate with full beams on shining light into the house. WIth such huge windows that could become a headwrecker.

freshpopcorn · 30-09-2019 08:43PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

One problem though is at nightime cars will be coming in the estate with full beams on shining light into the house. WIth such huge windows that could become a headwrecker.

I have known people to go down the contemapary extension route with large windows and one thing they ended up doing after a while was getting blinds/curtains.

youcancallmeal · 30-09-2019 08:52PM

Only just watched it and thought it was a lovely finished house and a lovely family. Listened to a bit of the Joe Duffy show earlier where some people were disgusted by the amount of money these people spent and saying rte shouldn't be showing stuff like this!? I don't see what the problem is if that's how people want to spend their money

LirW · 30-09-2019 08:54PM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I have known people to go down the contemapary extension route with large windows and one thing they ended up doing after a while was getting blinds/curtains.

My sister rented an apartment for a couple of years that had a huge glass front in the living room, like a two storey one, her view was amazing. Fortunately it was on the second floor on a hillside so you couldn't see into it. But she had blinds that were bespoke and part of the apartment. You could pull them in horizontally, like fabric strips connected with a small beaded string. They were awful, they constantly broke, because they were covering the whole glass front, it super expensive to fix them and they'd get tangled every other day.

Generally as much as I love bright spaces and glass fronts they're sometimes not practical. And in summer you couldn't be in the open plan living room because it was like a literal oven, on a hot summer day I've seen it getting 45 degrees in there.

freshpopcorn · 30-09-2019 08:55PM

youcancallmeal wrote: »

Only just watched it and thought it was a lovely finished house and a lovely family. Listened to a bit of the Joe Duffy show earlier where some people were disgusted by the amount of money these people spent and saying rte shouldn't be showing stuff like this!? I don't see what the problem is if that's how people want to spend their money

He basically got axed from RTE and is working in Waterford now!

Idbatterim · 30-09-2019 08:56PM

youcancallmeal wrote: »

Only just watched it and thought it was a lovely finished house and a lovely family. Listened to a bit of the Joe Duffy show earlier where some people were disgusted by the amount of money these people spent and saying rte shouldn't be showing stuff like this!? I don't see what the problem is if that's how people want to spend their money

what are they talking about? are they the usual suspects with their free "4 eva" homes, worth over a million euro when you factor in loan interest over 30 years. Paid for the likes of the couple that built the house yesterday? probably... :rolleyes:

freshpopcorn · 30-09-2019 08:58PM

Idbatterim wrote: »

what are they talking about? are they the usual suspects with their free "4 eva" homes, worth over a million euro when you factor in loan interest over 30 years. Paid for the likes of the couple that built the house yesterday? probably... :rolleyes:

Some former RTE guy wrote a Tweet last night saying that RTE shouldn't show programs like this because of the homeless crises.

BorneTobyWilde · 30-09-2019 09:00PM

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/21627781

Some arguing about it on radio today.

Idbatterim · 30-09-2019 09:01PM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Some former RTE guy wrote a Tweet last night saying that RTE shouldn't show programs like this because of the homeless crises.

I thought April fools was months away yet! They should just be showing programmes on povery in africa etc I'm sure! RTE should do an investigation into the world class welfare etc here, do some proper investigation for a change. They can delve into the free houses, tenants not even having to pay LPT etc with the free money they get every week :rolleyes:

freshpopcorn · 30-09-2019 09:38PM

That Room to Improve is a disgusting programme. At no time does Bannon question the morality of what he is promoting.

"It's a complete cod of a programme that plays on people's greed, opulence and avarice. And RTE promotes it as entertainment? Pathetic. They should be ashamed."
Damien Tiernan

https://m.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/room-to-improve-is-a-disgusting-programme-former-rte-reporter-damien-tiernan-38549479.html?fbclid=IwAR1PZgR_yBDcInMCqqUMPSUyQEJZHWvKSeN8d8LNk2hzCoXkXsaTGAMdy9E

Calhoun · 30-09-2019 09:43PM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

That Room to Improve is a disgusting programme. At no time does Bannon question the morality of what he is promoting.

"It's a complete cod of a programme that plays on people's greed, opulence and avarice. And RTE promotes it as entertainment? Pathetic. They should be ashamed."
Damien Tiernan

https://m.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/room-to-improve-is-a-disgusting-programme-former-rte-reporter-damien-tiernan-38549479.html?fbclid=IwAR1PZgR_yBDcInMCqqUMPSUyQEJZHWvKSeN8d8LNk2hzCoXkXsaTGAMdy9E

My wife was talking to me about this earlier. I think its a bit rich for someone who has basically fed from the trough for so long to come out with such a rant.

The couple in question lived in the same house for 20 years, the kids had bunk beds and had to share and finally they invested a huge amount, i don't see what the problem was.

Also it was actually nice that we saw a couple invest and be happy to give Dermot a big budget to realize his vision. Rather than the normal fighting and compromising to get it across the line.

smelly sock · 30-09-2019 09:48PM

Calhoun wrote: »

My wife was talking to me about this earlier. I think its a bit rich for someone who has basically fed from the trough for so long to come out with such a rant.

The couple in question lived in the same house for 20 years, the kids had bunk beds and had to share and finally they invested a huge amount, i don't see what the problem was.

Ive no issue. More power to them. But is National TV the right place for this kinda thing. What with a homeless crisis etc. I said it here before and got a lot of stick. These people appearing on the show can obviously afford Architect fees what with their huge budgets so why do they feel the need to go on the national broadcaster? Is there an element of narcissism?

um7y1h83ge06nx · 30-09-2019 09:51PM

Why couldn't that couple know their place and live the life of a couple on the dole for life while also having the decency to pay for the door of others!

On a more serious note why shouldn't people be able to spoil themselves after working hard for it without being ridiculed. If they cannot then why bother working.

Room to Improve.

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