Grand Designs returns....

[Scotty C]

watch the watertank last night.

Amazing what you can get for £2m+

[GregR]

I wasnt convinced by that at all, maybe it was the annoying wee fella that put me off.

[Scotty C]

I wasnt convinced by that at all, maybe it was the annoying wee fella that put me off.

He put me off to start with but then I started to like him ( not in that way ) but then again if you double your build budget and blow lots of money then no wonder he was happy.

Wonder what the place would be valued at?

[vet111s]

Did anyone catch his program about building his man shed?

[ikarl]

So, anybody watching the new series?

Enjoyed last weeks episode with the cinema facade and actually though I could live in a house like that.

Last night..... not so much I love the idea of building down and having some subterranean living but that didn't inspire me at all, it just looked way too cramped!

[Dominic]

Yea, I liked the cinema project too. Although I'm not so sure it is the location that I'd choose to put that much cash into.

Not seen last night's show yet.

[Shug]

Loved the Cinema - also admired that they were willing to try and put something back into a community they loved. Selfish bit of me agrees with Dom though, that they might not ever see that back - not an issue if they really are planning to stay there the rest of their years though. Nice to see something done for a romantic ideal.

Last night I was convinced I was going to hate them ('eco' taxis and a failed actress, FFS...) but actually ended up coming round. He really did have a vision - went that extra mile with the neighbours (in stark contrast to some of the other w*nkers that appear on this show) and they got a proper kicking along the road with their luck. Worth a watch - the house was a lot better than I thought it'd be, but probably not my thing in the end. That said, if it's in Camden, probably going to make them a lot of money if they sell it.

[renmure]

I enjoyed last nights and thought they both came across fairly normal (for London)
Didn't like the house tho, but I think that's because I have no real vision to imagine how folk live in something that is less than conventional. My loss really, but hey ho.

My mates project is being shown during this series. The guy owns Srathaven Airfield and microlight school and the house is built adjacent to the runway and next to the hangar. They did the last filming about 3 weeks ago. I anticipate car-
crash tv tho

Edit to add.. It is on on wed October 2nd

[Corranga]

The cinema look incredible, a great decision to save that building and a perfect contrast of old and new for me.

Last night i though it was really interesting to see how someones dream can be brought to life in such a compromised space. The commitment to keeping the neighbours happy was refreshing, if required considering what they were asking, not something I'd consider taking on!
I loved the use of light, especially in the underground pool / gym area, and the show not focusing too much on the eco nature, despite the pairing.
Turned out to be a really interesting building imo, though I agree the proportions are maybe a tad small.
Not convinced there is much money to be made either tbh, surely the market for a house costing a million with a tiny and barely usable garden, no off street parking, small rooms and 17 houses overlooking it is pretty restricted, even considering the location..

[Doc883]

What surprises me is how these Projects seem to spiral out of control cost wise Take last night's initial build budget of £640k (on top of £400k for the plot). It cost them almost £450k just to get to ground level with a basic shell. He also seemed fairly relaxed regarding the spend, although not sure the wife had the same sentiments . Not my cup of tea but I guess if you want to live in Central London then that's the cost.

[Dominic]

What surprises me is how these Projects seem to spiral out of control cost wise Take last night's initial build budget of £640k (on top of £400k for the plot). It cost them almost £450k just to get to ground level with a basic shell. He also seemed fairly relaxed regarding the spend, although not sure the wife had the same sentiments . Not my cup of tea but I guess if you want to live in Central London then that's the cost.

There does always seem to be some question of the budget when it is initially mentioned, along the lines of "it will never come in under budget"... and sure enough, it usually doesn't!.. but often by a massive amount! Would be interesting to find out why the budgets are do inaccurate - or where the money is lost.

I have also seen quite a few of the "restoration home" programs recently. They are similarly interesting, although I am not too interested in the history segments. There was one recently where it came in under budget!! There was also the 110 room castle in Ayrshire that was good to see.

[Corranga]

The budget thing is strange, it certainly seems that everyone assumes the project will go over budget, which does make me wonder why there is a budget, and not an estimation.

The builder in last nights episode which ended up in administration did mention that they quoted fairly low for the job to get the work, and that it was a fixed price job. I presume that is a fixed price for the man hours rather than the materials though, and the material costs are where the increases come in?

I also got the impression that last nights costs were over budget from a very early stage from miscalculating the effort in digging the hole, digging too small a hole, and paying off 17 neighbors for using a metre of their garden for 6 months..

[pete]

Last night I was convinced I was going to hate them ('eco' taxis and a failed actress, FFS...) but actually ended up coming round.

I only saw the start before I went to work but, how the hell does an actress and an eco taxi owner have a couple of million quid!!!

[BiggestNizzy]

Last night I was convinced I was going to hate them ('eco' taxis and a failed actress, FFS...) but actually ended up coming round.

I only saw the start before I went to work but, how the hell does an actress and an eco taxi owner have a couple of million quid!!!

I'm guessing that in it's hayday a job on "the bill" paid big money. Either that or is it a taxi / drug dealer thing

[tut]

Just watching tonights.

Would definately slip her one.........

tut