Renovate or Rebuild

Renovate or Rebuild: Episode 7 Recap

Episode 7 Recap: Renovate or Rebuild

Renovate or rebuild a family home in the delightful bayside suburb of Black Rock in Melbourne? That’s the topic of Episode 7 of new reality TV series Renovate or Rebuild.

Subject of Episode 7 Renovate or Rebuild – a Black Rock family home
Subject of Episode 7 Renovate or Rebuild – a Black Rock family home

Homeowners Kylie and Andrew are torn between the amazing designs put to them by Victorian Team Renovate – Jesse and Mel, star contestants on Channel Nine’s, The Block – and Team Rebuild with Block fan favourites, Bec and George.

Kylie and Andrew chatting to show host, James Treble
Kylie and Andrew chatting to show host, James Treble

The brief

Both Team Renovate and Team Rebuild have fabulous ideas on how to meet Kylie and Andrew’s design brief which is:

  • Bigger kitchen with outdoor connection
  • More privacy for the kid’s bedrooms
  • Efficient, comfortable, and healthy home
  • More natural light
  • Utilise backyard
  • Rebuild budget: $1.5-2M
  • Renovate budget: $500-600K

Plenty of scope

Kylie and Andrew are the first to admit that their home is looking a bit tired compared to most of the shiny new homes on their street. With average Black Rock property prices hovering around the $2M mark, there’s scope for Kylie and Andrew to do something special and capitalise on the value of their asset.

And who wouldn’t want to? As a family with 2 teenage kids and gorgeous pooch Millie they love the beach vibe of where they live and proximity to great cafes and shops. Now, as their family’s needs are changing, they want their home changed to reflect their lifestyle and be a delight to live in.

Making the most of the beach vibe
Making the most of the beach vibe

Energy efficiency important

Both Kylie and Andrew want their home to be energy efficient and comfortable. Their current home is poorly insulated and there’s no solar. No wonder it gets so hot in summer, cold in winter and costs a fortune in electricity bills!

Solar tips from Anthony Igmen, Specialized Solar

Jess from Team Renovate met with Anthony Igmen of Specialized Solar and Electrical and Roshan Ramnarain from Energy Matters to check out a home with the latest solar panels system and a Tesla Powerwall 2 – Australia’s most popular solar battery.

Jess chatting to Anthony Igmen Specialized Solar and Roshan Ramnarain from Energy Matters
Jess chatting to Anthony Igmen Specialized Solar and Roshan Ramnarain from Energy Matters

The Powerwall battery ticks all the boxes for households wanting to increase their energy independence, cut their electricity bills, get protection from power outages and reduce their carbon footprint. With 13.5 kilowatt hours of usable battery storage, there’s enough power in the battery to power the typical Aussie home through the night said Anthony.

Of course, a battery like Powerwall needs solar panels to charge it. That’s where working out the right size solar panel system is so important and something Specialized Solar takes the time to get right explained Anthony.

Each household is different in the way they use electricity. Understanding how much power is used during the day, and at night, is important to size the solar panel system correctly said Anthony. Also, thinking about future energy needs and factoring that into the equation.

Powerwall battery ticks all the boxes
Powerwall battery ticks all the boxes

So who’s the winner? Team Renovate or Team Rebuild?

Both Team Renovate and Team Rebuild put forward stylish designs that looked completely different from the current façade and made the most of the wide block and beach views.

As Kylie and Andrew said “both designs are beautiful” and ticked all their boxes.

Judges – real estate expert, Rachel El Deir, building and property expert, Natalee Bowen, and interior designer, James Treble – each gave a score out of 10.

The contest was close with both designs getting thumbs up on many factors. But when it came down to it, all three judges voted in favour of Team Rebuild preferring the design saying that it will grow well with the family.

Kylie and Andrew agreed saying that whilst their hearts said ‘Renovate’, their heads said ‘Rebuild’.

So Rebuild it is!

Winning design Team Rebuild
Winning design Team Rebuild

If you want to watch watch this episode, you can on catch up TV on 9Now.