Room to Improve (v2)

Overall I liked last nights house. I think they got value for money compared to last years episodes. I like that Dermot didnt ruin the look of the old house from the outside. A few observations though:

• In the initial plan showed by Dermot there was a guest bedroom next to the utility room and kitchen. This bedroom had no bathroom so anyone staying there would have to go through the kitchen to use the bathroom on the opposite end of this house. This would not be at all practical - in fact would be very annoying. Now it wasnt clear at the end if they went ahead with this bedroom or not.
• The large window on the kitchen - I would have had this looking out over the back of the house which had great views looking over the countryside. Instead they got views of the gravel driveway!
• The pillar things - I get why Dermot thinks they were needed but he could have designed it differently so that they were not needed. The end result of the pillars with the concrete top thing looked a bit silly. It looks like it can be taken down pretty easily and I think thats what the couple will be doing once the cameras left!
• The sitting room in the old house - I hated this. I felt they left no character of the old house here at all. I noticed at the start an old fireplace in the old house which I thought they would use in the new sittingroom but instead they put in a ugly cassette stove with no surround. I get its more practical but they could have made it a bit more in keeping with the age of the house. They did however put lovely fireplaces in the bedrooms which serves no purpose and actually takes up valuable wall space in the bedrooms.
• I agree with others that they will regret not putting in an ensuite. These are practicalities thats Dermot misses - these things make a house work better - he only thinks of here and now and not the future when they possibly have a few kids.
• 2 bedrooms downstairs and 2 bedrooms upstairs - bedrooms downstairs are not useful when you have young kids. They could end up with 3 kids having to share 1 bedroom upstairs beside the master bedroom. They would have been better off having another bedroom upstairs and 1 bedroom downstairs.

Claire was more of a co-host than in previous series; I like her. Must be a feature of the new series that she keeps on top of the budget and controls the overspend. TG Dermot has finally ditched the tracing paper for the plans.

Amy had an engagement ring on in the scene outside the Tullamore Library and it was a few scenes later when they mentioned the couple had just got engaged!.

Also in one of the first scenes of the salvage yard there was a rocking chair 'hanging up', this was one of the chairs that was on a SuperValu stamp-collection offer a (good) few years ago.

Conor's sister Aisling looked well older than him - not that its a crime!

I watch probably one episode per series at most, and its when Im visiting my parents house that I watch it.

I'd never watch it otherwise.

Very apt these

Odd house when finished in that there wasn't a single photo, book or personal item anywhere in the house.

Found the concept good, but the finish was too sterile and cold.

Also no clothes storage upstairs which was strange. I would have utilised the other bedroom differently but also take into consideration that you'll have young kids for a few years.

They will regret the lack of en-suite eventually, but that's a while into the future.

How did they achieve A2? Must be air source heat pump. Great opportunity lost for solar panels for heat or electricity with a south facing roof.

Builder was right about the stud walls, I get the impression he went ahead after a lot of ringing around with no replies to Dermot.

Why are so many people here thinking it was a corrugated iron roof?

Also someone mentioned why have the big windows facing the front and not the back. That's simple. They face the south where they get solar gain. Facing out to the shaded back, would mean they'd be a constant drain of heat all year round. Not everything is a design feature. In fact from a design perspective, Dermot would've much preferred to have the front blocked up to resemble the shed a lot more.

Those big windows are a scam. Sweatbox in the summer, fridge in the winter. Same with these double height spaces - disaster to try and keep them warm. Just common sense like

"A lovely view", all I saw out the window was a shed and a few houses.

Waited 11 years!! She was still his babysitter back then

has the house been empty fir 4 years and have they being paying rent for 4 years.

What is her occupation some job to be funding this with hubby stay at home parent??

"I'm with Catriona"

I'd say that's the most common thing the poor husband says. She's 100% the boss.

Well considering he doesn't have to work and he is punching above his weight I wouldn't blame him for saying it

That’s very condescending for every stay at home parent in the country

Wouldn't like to try keep the mirror back splash plate clean