Room to Improve returns for its 13th season with Dermot Bannon who certainly has been very busy since the series aired last in 2019. This season feature builds of all different shapes and sizes. Dermot has designed a brand-new home for Marc and Lisa Daly in the suburb of Dublin near Stillorgan. This is a brand-new build from what was originally a plot of land on the side of Marc and Lisa's old family home. Dermot has also completely renovated the home of Jim and Mary Moloney from Thurles. Jim and Mary’s plan of the build was to completely retrofit the home they built over 30 years ago and to reconfigure it for their next stage in life since both their children have flown the nest. Back in Dublin, Dermot has redesigned the home of Kenny and Laura Brown in Howth, who were hit by the construction closure due to the pandemic. Kenny and Laura’s dream of renovating turned into a nightmare early on in the build, but the finished property is something to behold! Finally, Hilary Fairbrother and her husband, Paul, called on Dermot’s expertise to completely renovate her childhood family home, which is overlooking the Blessington Lakes in Co Wicklow.
Episode One: Kilmacud
Dermot Bannon has certainly been very busy since the series was on air last in 2019. This season features builds of different shapes and sizes. Dermot has designed a brand new home for Marc & Lisa Daly in the suburb of Dublin, Kilmacud. This is brand new build from what was originally a plot of land on the side of Marc & Lisa's old family home. Marc & Lisa had specific needs for their dream home for themselves and their three boys, Jake, Liam & Alex.
Episode 2 - Howth
Kenny & Laura Brown live in the beautiful suburb of Howth in North Co Dublin. Their home was in a bad state when Dermot visited them at first. It was run down and in need of a serious renovation for the family of five, with another baby on the way. Kenny & Laura had huge expectations from the build but for what they wanted, their budget was extremely tight. They needed to completely re-work their home to make it work for their family's future. Dermot's plan was to break into the attic and utilise the stunning views from the house but make it future proof for the Brown family.
Laura's expectations from Dermot were high but to get the build to construction stage was tricky due to the tight budget. Denis McGlynn the contractor who took on the job had his work made out for him when the build started after the second construction lockdown in April 2021. With rising material & labour costs, it was stressful for all involved. Kenny & Laura were renting but when the delay of the lockdown just kept going, money was being spent on rent that they simply couldn’t afford. Claire the QS really had a tough job managing the budget but also keeping in line with the homeowners expectations. Would Laura & Kenny's dreams and expectations be delivered by Dermot?
Episode 3 - Blessington, Co Wicklow
This week Dermot Bannon is in Blessington, Co Wicklow. Hilary and Paul Fairbrother are moving back to Hilary's family home. Hilary is buying her childhood home from her parents, Hugh and Carmel O’Neill. The house is in need of a massive renovation, it needs to be retrofitted and also Dermot has the task of being able to capture the stunning views of the Blessington Lakes that the house overlooks. Hilary and Paul are also building a new home for her Carmel and Hugh, who are really looking forward to downsizing – they will be able to stay on the 4 ½ acre site they love so dearly.
Paul and Hilary really want to modernise the house that was built originally in the 1970s but they have to be clever with their budget – considering they have two house projects for their budget. The Fairbrothers are living in a 2-bed apartment in Castleknock with their two children Finn and Evie. They are just living for the day that they will be moving home for good. There will be some testing times trying to stay within budget but Clare Irwin is there to watch every move and make sure Dermot doesn't go wild.
Episode 4 - Thurles
This week Dermot Bannon travels to Thurles in Co. Tipperary, to transform the home of Jim & Mary Moloney. Jim & Mary want to bring their home up to the 21st century and do a deep retrofit of their home, as well as make their home meet the outside for these passionate outdoor people. Jim and Mary built their home 30 years ago and have not really changed it in anyway since 1990. Both their adult children have flown the nest and they want to make the house ready for the next chapter in their lives.
Dermot has a challenge though as the budget is tight. The budget of €210k has a lot to do for what Jim & Mary want. Clare the QS is clever though, she has presented options of spend to them, so the Moloneys have tough decisions to make – and that is before the build even starts!
They hire the services of Paul O'Brien from Sola Construction to bring their dream to a reality. Dermot knows that he has to be careful with the couple as they do not make decisions easily enough – they need time, but unfortunately due to the demand of sub -contractors in the construction industry at the moment, decisions cannot be delayed. Dermot has to bring them on a journey and see that if they don’t make decisions – it will inevitably cost them money.
The garden is a huge part of Jim & Mary's life – so they really want to bring the garden into their home as much as possible – they have hired Patricia Tyrell as their landscaper but being a tight budget it is not always possible to get what they want. There are tough negotiations that happen but will Jim & Mary’s dream be lived up too?
