Despite a gruelling week which saw tempers flare, our new teams delivered Fil and Joe a dream home in just seven days.
As the first team to hand over the keys to their Melbourne home, they returned to find their 1950s weatherboard transformed into a modern stunner. “It’s completely different; it’s unbelievable,” Fil said. “It’s beautiful; this is better than I ever thought we could have.”
The married couple had wanted the makeover to entice their children – Jayden, 18, and Celeste, 15 – to stay at home for as long as possible. And with the judges declaring it the best first renovation in the show’s history, they weren’t disappointed. “Celeste was over the moon with her bedroom and Jayden’s room was fantastic,” Joe said.
Queensland country brothers, Luke, and Cody, struggled to navigate their way through the rules and on the roads, but they surprised everyone, including themselves, with a convincing win.
Their zone – which included 18-year-old Jayden’s bedroom, adjoining deck and master ensuite – top scored with the judges and homeowners on 26 points out of a possible 30. Judge Joe Snell said: “I’ve never seen anything this damn good for a first reno.”
WA Navy parents Rose and Rob finished in second place following a heated week which saw Rob go to war with SA over where to put their linen cupboard in his grand entry. The judges commended their design choices in the master bedroom and deck. “I thought your style was simple and elegant which was great to see,” judge Wendy Moore said.
SA’s Brooke and Michelle came in third for their work in the kitchen, Celeste’s bedroom and linen cupboard. Losing out to WA in the zone wars cost them valuable points. “I’m really disappointed you didn’t fight harder for Celeste,” Wendy said. “Her room was so cramped and she didn’t have nearly enough space.”
With absolutely zero experience, renovation rookies Nancy and Daniel struggled all week. The NSW team tried hard, but delivered a dining room, teenager’s retreat and laundry below par according to the judges who called some of their design choices “painfully inadequate” and “disappointing”.
Victorian hairdresser and plumber Claire and Hagan locked horns with each other and it showed in their scores. The homeowners had asked for a five-star wet room but they delivered a “five-star stuff up” according to Joe who said their decision to divide the bathroom with a wall was a mistake. “It meant half your bathroom was really dark,” Joe continued. “I just don’t know what you were thinking.”
Their hallway and living didn’t fare any better. “The finish was appalling,” Joe said. The last place means the duo will be camping in the tent next renovation.
Melbourne homeowners Fil and Joe scored the teams out of 10:
QLD Luke & Cody (Master Ensuite, Jayden’s Bedroom and Deck) – 9
WA Rose & Rob (Master Bedroom, Walk-in-Robe, Entry and Main Deck) – 8
SA Brooke & Michelle (Kitchen, Celeste’s Bedroom and Linen Closet) – 7
NSW Nancy & Daniel (Dining Room, Teenage Retreat, and Laundry) – 6
VIC Claire & Hagan (Bathroom, Hallway and Living Room) – 5
When combined with the judges’ scores, the leaderboard stands as:
With the first renovation completed, the teams will now head to South Australia to transform Brooke and Michelle’s trackside bungalow into a dream home. Who will win the ultimate prize – their mortgage paid off in full?
HOUSE RULES airs Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm with a whole house transformation revealed each week at 7pm Sunday.
