House Rules, the new addictive reality television show on the block, renovates for keeps
House Rules premieres tommorow night at 7.30pm, up against the Channel 9 perennial, The Block.
The new state-versus-state renovation series, from the makers of My Kitchen Rules, aims to deliver true home renovations.
The six contestant couples have put their entire home on the line promising an emotional return to their new homes after the seven-day renovation.
The teams have to work independently on their own zone within each house but they also have to work as a team to ensure each room complements the other when it's completed.
Michelle & Steve (Collaroy Plateau, New South Wales)
Amy & Sean(Nundah, Queensland)
Carly & Leighton (Warradale, South Australia)
Jemma & Ben (Melville, Western Australia)
Jane & Plinio (New Town, Tasmania)
Nick and Chris (Preston, Victoria)
Each of the six House Rules teams hand over the keys to their homes and allow their competitors free reign to transform their house, so the host Johanna Griggs expects lots of passion and pride in the way teams tackle the renovations.
"It's a bunch of likeable Australians with amazing back stories," Griggs said.
Apparently the teams have longed to be able to renovate, but not been able to accomplish it until now because of large mortgages.
As there's a "life-changing prize on the line," Property Observer guesses it may well be having the winner's mortgage paid off in part or maybe even in full.
Perth local papers have been quick to identify newlyweds Jemma Blenkinsop, who runs a spray-tan business and builder, Ben Van Ryt as recent first-home buyers in late 2011, but with the Perth property market the way it is, they couldn't afford to renovate their 1950s Melville home. Property Observer notes it cost $555,000.
The Tasmanian couple paid $355,000 in 2010 for a house initially listed at $380,000-plus.
The so-called Sydney battlers Steve and Michelle Ball who live at Collaroy Plateau on the northern beaches paid $650,000 for their house in March 2012.
The South Australian couple paid $450,000 for the house which had been listed with $485,000 hopes in May 2012.
Johanna Griggs, the presenter of Better Homes and Gardens, is herself a keen home renovator, currently building her fourth home with husband, builder Todd Huggins.
“I’ve been in this industry for 20 years now and this is the first time I’ve had a go at this style of show.
"Because we are dealing with people’s own homes, I’m expecting the stakes to be high, the competition to be tough and the results incredible.
"We are the rare combination of two people who absolutely love home renovating.
"Even though this is something we love to do, I’d be lying if I didn’t say it can be extremely stressful.
"There are so many things you can’t control on a building site; not to mention the tension that usually arises around budgets, general fatigue and soreness when you are working towards a deadline.
"But the upside is that most days you can actually see tangible change.
"I love the fact you can look at a room and feel a great sense of satisfaction at what you can achieve.
"You put your heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into what you produce and when you realise you’ve done it together it’s an incredibly satisfying and addictive feeling."
Chester Drife is the House Rules building supervisor.
With its catchy theme song, "Change Your Life" by Little Mix, House Rules airs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30 pm on Seven.
