The brand-new series of Room to Improve is back. First stop for Dermot Bannon and Claire Irwin is Urlingford, Kilkenny, where Gráinne Murphy & Ivan Williams have been dreaming about renovating Ivan's forefather’s old farmhouse for many years.
This season features builds of all different shapes and sizes, with varying budgets, grants and tight deadlines. This series will feature some heartbreak and incredibly compelling personal stories, of the struggles of building in a cost of living crisis. Some of the homeowners have been very much bitten by the increased post pandemic construction costs and must grapple with various challenges including the cost of materials skyrocketing as well as rising labour costs.
The series also features a number of homes that are eligible for various home improvement grants including the vacant homes grant, the derelict homes grand & the SEAI grant.
Four new episodes of Room to Improve will air throughout January starting on RTÉ One on Sunday January 7th.
Episode 1 – Kilkenny
Gráinne Murphy and Ivan Williams have been dreaming about renovating Ivan’s forefathers old farmhouse which is based near Urlingford in Co.Killkenny for many years.
Gráinne is a school teacher and teaches yoga, and Ivan is a full time farmer. They have two boys Senan (10) and Luan (6). When Dermot first visited the house, Gráinne and Ivan had started renovating the exterior of the farmhouse with limestone render, with the help of a local council grant. Inside, they were working on the preliminary demolition of the interior of the farmhouse in their spare time.
Gráinne and Ivan managed to attain the vacant homes grant of €50,000 due to the fact the house had not been lived more than two years, thus derelict. Given that the house needed structural work they were able attain the top up of €20,000, as well as a SEAI grant. Their budget was very tight, but the grants have helped them with the project, as well as their mortgage of just under €250,000.
Their request from Dermot was to add an extension to the side of the house of a kitchen & open plan living area, as well as a utility room & a boot room, as well as renovating the old farmhouse. They hope to have a four-bedroom home with a den, along with modern contemporary timber frame extension with a beautiful view of their green fields and Aoife’s Castle.
Ivan and Gráinne’s wish is for the personality and character of the old house to be brought back to its former glory but keeping the old style in the farmhouse. The total budget, including grants was particularly tight for this ambitious project, Ivan and Gráinne have been managing the budget themselves for the project without a Quantity Surveyor which has added extra stresses to the project for them. Will they get everything that they have dreamed of on this tight budget?
Episode 2 - Cashel
Brian Carrigg and Kate Molony attempt to renovate a bungalow with a view of the Rock of Cashel that Kate has dreamed of owning all her life. As their budget is limited, the derelict and vacant homes grant and the SEAI grant have been integral to making this home build possible. The house needs a complete renovation, and the only view of the Rock was through a frosted bathroom window, so Dermot has been challenged to create a new design that captures the stunning view. Will Kate get the home she has always wished for?
This season of Room to Improve features builds of all different shapes and sizes, with varying budgets, grants and tight deadlines. The series will also feature some heartbreak and incredibly compelling personal stories of the struggles of building in a cost of living crisis. Some of the homeowners have been very much bitten by the increased post pandemic construction costs and must grapple with various challenges including the cost of materials skyrocketing as well as rising labour costs.
Episode 3 - Knocklyon
Sandra and Daniel Davey bought their dream home in Knocklyon, Dublin over four years ago. However, a conservatory added by its previous owners is leaking and as a result, the house is so cold that Sandra, Daniel and their two young children spend most their time in the front room. The Davey's main aim is to make their home more liveable, and to increase its energy efficiency. Will Dermot be able to make their dream a reality within a very tight budget, and working with a one-stop-shop for the construction?
Episode 4 - Santry
In the series finale, Ann Brannigan and her husband David are attempting to give Ann's former family home in Santry, Dublin a complete renovation. Ann bought the home from her grandfather, so it is hugely sentimental to her, and her sister Emer lives next door. Ann and David have a big vision and a sizeable budget for this project. However, Dermot and Claire try to communicate that their growing wish list will increase the cost of the build significantly. Will they be able to compromise?
