About
The Renovators is an Australian competitive reality renovation game show that premiered on Network Ten on 24 July 2011. The basic premise consists of 26 contestants who initially compete to become the head renovator of six run-down houses in the suburbs of Sydney, with challenges and eliminations taking place whilst the renovations are in progress. The last remaining contestant responsible for the property that has made the most profit when sold at auction wins the series. Network Ten announced in August 2011 that it had commissioned a second season of the series, but indicated that it would modify the program's format in order to address poor ratings, but to date no second season has been produced.
Cast
Brendan Moar
as Himself
Robyn Holt
as Herself
Peter Ho
as
Barry Du Bois
as Himself
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
The 48 Hour Challenge
26 Renovators contestants – the Jacks and Jills of all trades – arrived at the warehouse to be greeted by host Brendan Moar and judges Robyn Holt, Peter Ho and Barry Du Bois. Introduced to six houses from hell, the hopefuls learnt that the first selection would be awarded to the best performer of the first Challenge – which then arrived on the back of a truck. The contestants were given 48 hours to renovate the dilapidated house in question, inside and out. Phil adopted the role of project manager, dividing the troops into their areas of expertise and setting them to work. The house was completed on time, and spectacularly, with the judges giving special mentions to Keenan, Michael, Peter and Natalia. Joanne was judged to have contributed the most overall, giving her first pick of the houses, as she choose the Sixties Suburban.
The Hammer Challenge
A new day in the warehouse began with a Basic Skills Challenge – the contestants taking it in turns to hammer in nails. Those bending their nails were eliminated from the first stage of the Challenge, and subsequently whoever missed the nail and hit the wood was also sent to the sidelines. The winners went through to the second round, which involved picking a chair from the storeroom and restoring it. Bob, Christie and Luke made the final round, the White Room Challenge, in which they had to renovate a room and base it around their chair. Luke’s striking monochromatic room secured him the overall win, and he selected the keys to the Inner-City Terrace.
Off-Site Challenge
The contestants competed in an Off-Site Challenge, all except for Joanne and Luke, who already held house keys. Split into two Teams – Black and Gold – each worked on renovating houses that carried the same purchase price. Whichever Team was able to add the most value to their house in a day would win their captain (Kathy for the Blacks, Jason H for the Golds) pick of the keys to the remaining houses. The captain of the losing Team would sit out the following Challenge, and have to pick a fellow member to join them. Both Teams produced exceptional results, but the Golds managed to add $30,000 more value to their property. Jason H chose the keys to the Weatherboard, while Kathy selected Bob to join her on the sidelines for the next Challenge.
Car Parts Challenge
With another house key up for grabs, the action kicked off with a White Room ‘Car Wars’ Challenge. Teams of three were required to renovate a room based around a car obtained from the wrecker’s yard, incorporating as much of the car into their design as possible. The ideas all showed immense creativity, but it was the Formula One-inspired executive suite produced by Peter, Chris, Lisa, Laura, Tina, Christie and Samantha that won the judges' vote, sending them through to the Basic Skills Challenge. The first round was wallpapering, with Peter, Chris and Lisa the standout performers. The final round saw the trio painting walls, which had to be completed to the judges’ satisfaction. It was a closely fought battle, but Peter narrowly took the win, and selected the keys to the Half-Done House.
Street Appeal Challenge
With keys for the last two remaining houses up for grabs, the ‘Street Appeal’ Challenge stakes were high. Contestants arrived at the warehouse to find a row full of houses with lifeless facades and dirt yards. Breaking off into pairs and picking houses, the Teams had four hours to transform their property frontage into something appealing to a buyer. With a striking black and white colour scheme, Michael and Fiona were voted the winners by the Challenge’s guest judges – 250 members of the general public. To decide who would get first pick of the remaining keys they competed in a Flat Pack Challenge, won by Michael. He decided to go with the Fibro Cottage, leaving Fiona to take The Shop.
Double Elimination Challenge
The contestants were informed that a double elimination would be taking place. First they competed in a Basic Skills Challenge, which required estimating the correct length and sawing a replacement table leg, with Barry judging the results. The unsuccessful contestants went through to round 2, a White Room Challenge where the task was to express themselves. As the judging began Phil made a shocking announcement that he would be withdrawing from the competition for personal reasons, leaving only one elimination spot to be decided. The judges gave Christie’s room the nod over Laura's, sending her home. The Renovators’ key holders then took it in turns choosing the renovation teams for their houses.
Building Plans
The teams finally left the warehouse for their houses, but not before learning that when they returned they would need to present their renovation plans, and the team judged to have the most profitable blueprint would be awarded a $10k Bunnings Gift Card. Walking round their respective properties the teams realised the gargantuan task that lay ahead of them, but attacked their renovations with enthusiasm. Once the presentations were done back at the warehouse, the judges announced Jason H’s Green Team as the winner, giving them a massive early advantage in the competition.
Challenge - Coffee Table
At the Warehouse the contestants are introduced to respected Australian Interior Designer, Greg Natale who will be the guest judge for a special coffee table challenge. In their teams the contestants must design a table, using a specific material, to compliment a White Room decorated by Greg. The coffee table that is deemed most original and well suited to Greg’s room wins a working bee on their house, where all the contestants pitch in and renovate for the day. The losing team faces an elimination challenge. The teams design and construct their coffee tables in a tense five hours. Back at the Warehouse they reveal their designs and Greg decides the winner – The Shop team!
Similar Shows
Shows like this one
Recommended for You
Based on this series
