But they can do that on 'The Block'! - Understanding the difference between a TV show and a real-life renovation.

Have you been watching “The Block”" on telly and now you are inspired to embark on your own renovation? There are some things that you need to know before you start comparing your reno to those you see on the telly. Reality TV is FAR from reality when it comes to renovating a house.  Let's break down the main difficulties, I mean- differences: 

Time Frames: 

Reality TV: They race against the clock and Scotty's call of 'tools down' like their lives depend on it. Contestants have just a few weeks to turn their homes into architectural wonders. It's like a renovation marathon on steroids. 

Reality: Real-life renovations give you all the time in the world (or at least a few months) to turn your home into a masterpiece. There will still be times when you are racing a clock to get the tiles on before the painter arrives, but no one is going to lose a million-dollar payday if they take a little longer. 

Manpower: 

Reality TV: There is a reason why you don’t see much of the actual renovation work. That's because there is a whole bunch of experts and tradesmen behind the scenes, like the secret agents of renovations, ensuring everything gets done just in time. There are hundreds of people on site at any one time- labourers, tradesmen even cleaners!  

Reality: It's just you, your builder and maybe a tradie or two. You're in charge of the 'tools down’ whistle and whilst you might still have to paint yourself, at least you won't be forced to make your own dining table!  

Work Done Off-Camera or in Pre- and Post-Production: 

Reality TV: It's the magic of tv! They do some off-camera wizardry to conjure up the renovations. Often the toilets aren’t plumbed in on reveal day, and the curtains are hiding all manner of mess off screen. There are hundreds of hours of work done in pre and postproduction too. There have been instances of whole rooms of plastering being re-done after the show has finished before auction day.  

Reality: No smoke and mirrors here, folks. You're the real magician, making things happen in real-time. And you have to do everything at once. In a real-life renovation, we don’t work on one room at a time. Sometimes there are defects to repair, but in general, we try to get it right the first time.  

Budget and Resources: 

Reality TV: Is sponsored by all manner of companies. Contestants get a budget to splurge on the best materials. And who doesn't love a good deal, thanks to those sponsors and discounts? 

Reality: Time to break out the piggy bank! You've got a budget, but it's all up to you to save pennies and make those wise spending decisions.  

Stress and Pressure: 

Reality TV: The stress and pressure is real. The tears are real.  

Reality: The stress and pressure is real. The tears are real. At least at the end of everything you get a beautiful home to live in yourself!  

So, here's the deal: "The Block" and real-life renovations are like comparing apples and, well, a really complicated fruit salad. On "The Block," it's all glam, drama, and tight budgets with a camera crew cheering you on. But in the real world, renovating your home is like entering a wild jungle with no script, no crew, and a budget that seems to vanish faster than your favorite snack on a cheat day. 

Sure, "The Block" is entertaining and full of great design ideas, but it's about as real as a unicorn riding a skateboard. Real-life renovations? They're the unscripted reality show where you're both the star and the producer, dealing with unexpected surprises, dust, and probably a few meltdowns! So, while "The Block" is a fun watch, remember that real-life renos are where you earn your stripes as a DIY champion.