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Does The Block create unrealistic reno expectations?

December 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

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Thereโ€™s no doubt that a large part of the appeal of The Block is the swift pace in which viewers get to see pretty spectacular transformations take place. But itโ€™s easy to forget that itโ€™s a TV show, and not real life. According to many trades, it has created unrealistic expectations of the renovation process; especially when it comes to timelines and budgets.

Matt Menichelli is the hipages tradie that worked with Tess and Luke on their winning home on The Block this year and he was also the builder behind Josh and Elyseโ€™s winning home in 2017. We caught up with him to get his take on yet another โ€˜Block-effect.โ€™

Matt Minichelli
hipages tradie Matt Menichelli

โ€œI think viewers definitely get caught up in the glamourous side of renovating and forget about theย amount ofย time and hard work that goes intoย a project of that kind of scale,โ€ says Matt who nonetheless thinks itโ€™s up to the viewer to be mindful of the editing process and to remember that ultimately the show is a piece of entertainment.

โ€œThe onus is on the viewer to understand that it is TV and the production team arenโ€™t going to showย allย the ins and outs of the renovation process. Their priority is keeping people interested and maintainingย an enjoyable and engagingย storyline,โ€ says Matt.

The Block 2019 winners Luke and Tess celebrating their win
Matt worked on Luke and Tess’ 2019 winning property

The Block vs real-life
According to Matt, the main difference between renovating in real life, as compared to renovating on The Block, is that trades are willing to work around the clock to get the job done, and suppliers provide materials on-time and within short timeframes.

โ€œOn your average project, this isnโ€™tย alwaysย the case. In reality, trades are often juggling multiple jobs and suppliers, butย the majority will try to manage your expectationsย andย work with you on a realistic timeline,โ€ says Matt.

Tess and Luke's dining and kitchen
Tess and Luke’s dining and kitchen

Budget vs expectation
Another key area in which Matt has noticed a rather massive disconnect between The Block and real-life is when it comes to budgets.

โ€œWe see a $250k cash budget onย The Block, and think that covers the entire build!ย In reality, thatโ€™s solely for trade labour, and a few bells and whistles. Time and time again theย โ€˜budgetย versusย expectationโ€™ย conversationย is the first one that needs to beย had when new clientsย reachย out to me,โ€ says Matt.

Tess and Luke bathroom
Tess and Luke’s main bathroom

Mattโ€™s top tips for renovating with reasonable expectations

  • Have a budget set and from thereย createย a look book of inspirationย and styles youโ€™ve taken a liking too.
  • Prior to pouring money into the design process,ย itโ€™s important toย find a registered builder that can help in the preliminary stages of the renovation, rather than engaging a draftsman or architect who might design a project that isnโ€™t within your budget.
  • Be aware that the design and preliminary stages are arduous โ€“ from working and structural drawings,ย to satisfying council requirements.ย Plan for this in your timeline.
  • Donโ€™t be naive about the multiple hoops youโ€™ll need to jump through to get the project off the ground.
  • Learn what theย planningย process is in your area,ย so you can be mentally prepared and not be disheartened when six months passes, and your project is yet to start.

For more on hipages | Block buyer’s advocate: Renovating for your demographic

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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