Ok, so hate is certainly a strong word, and perhaps not every builder hates The Block, but we sure do in our house. While I enjoy occasionally watching the show to keep up to date with the conversations my friends are having, it is not something we watch really at all. Here are a few reasons why.
Why Builders Hate The Block
The Time Constraints
I do not have enough fingers and toes to count how many times clients have assumed things happen as quickly as the do on the Block. It is simply NOT POSSIBLE to get a bathroom done in a week, not possible at all. It takes a day or two just for the waterproofing to dry, then the tiler will need to screed (or set a concrete base for the tiles) which will also take at least a day to dry, then tiling, hello several days, before finally grouting. Oh and there is plumbing, carpentry and electrical as well. Clearly not possible to be done in a week.
The single biggest issue I have with The Block is the unrealistic expectations it creates for homeowners. This only serves as a negative for them. When their tradespeople are unable to complete a task in even close to what is resembled on t.v, the homeowner is the one left feeling let down.
Quality of Workmanship
While I am all for a bit of DIY, and most certainly supportive and encouraging of anyone and everyone giving some renovation jobs a try, I have a real issue with the quality of workmanship presented often on The Block. Our team of tradespeople have spent 4 years learning their trade, and then further years gaining on the job experience refining their skills, I feel it is an insult that their work is bypassed in favour of poor quality workmanship, all for a rushed job.
I actually know of a few people who have worked on these type of shows, and the corners that are cut in order for jobs to be completed “on time” are terrifying to all tradies alike. There are just so many corners that should never be cut.
Relationships Between The Onscreen Trades and Contestants
I can tell you, that there are a few of the current contestants that I would never work for. Further than that, I can promise that the poor way in which they communicate with their tradies would garuntee they will not be getting the best out them either. Building and renovating is a two way street, as a client, you get as much as you put in. Now by this I mean, if you take the time to communicate correctly with your client you will be far more likely to recieve a better quality service, and isn’t that better for everyone?
It doesn’t take much to be clear and consise, and common manners are a must!
Budgets
The budgets on The Block do my head in. They are always far to short, and set up unrealistic expectations for potential clients. Please let me make one thing very, very clear. Tradespeople do NOT work for free. In fact I do not know anyone that works for free. Those days you see the builder or the tradesperson working on TV shows for free, I can personally guarentee that they are either being paid by someone OR the exposure they are receiving on the show will pay for the time they spend working for free.
In summary, shows like The Block while “reality TV” are also dramas. They are not real life. This is not how it works. As a client, you would be sorely disappointed if this is what you expected, both in the quality of the project and the realities you would face. We work in an industry that manages client expectations, when they come to us with expectations based on TV shows, we know they are in for disappointment.
Are you a fan of The Block? Do you like reality TV? Would you purchase on of The Blocks apartments?
Nicole xxx
All images sourced via The Block website.
