0:00:02 > 0:00:04We're all obsessed with having lovely houses.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- Wow.- Do you like? - What a difference.- Yeah.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- It looks great, doesn't it? - It does. It's so impressive.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13But the road to perfection isn't an easy ride.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Whoa, what have you done?!
0:00:16 > 0:00:18I've had enough. Literally...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20SHE SCREAMS
0:00:20 > 0:00:23How do you choose the right builder for the job?
0:00:23 > 0:00:26That's another seven years' bad luck, as if I need it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28We've scoured Britain for pairs of builders...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31I really hope we get this job, because we're nearly out of fuel.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34..who think they've got what it takes...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36We will go in full guns blazing, I think.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38..to pitch against each other...
0:00:38 > 0:00:39The job's in the bag.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41..and win work.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Can you come round and pull me out?
0:00:43 > 0:00:45That's what happens when you get to 40, mate.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Only one pair will win each job.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Woohoo! Told you.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Got one in the bag, brother.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- But...- Oops.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56..they're going to be put through the ultimate wringer.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- DRILL SQUEAKS - Hello.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02The losing pairs will be scrutinising their work.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Can anyone else hear the sucking of builders' teeth?
0:01:12 > 0:01:14First building job up for grabs today
0:01:14 > 0:01:16is on the edge of a major city,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19bordering an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23where the average detached family home will set you back more than
0:01:23 > 0:01:25three quarters of a million quid.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29We're down south in Purley, a suburb of south London.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Whee!
0:01:32 > 0:01:34It's home to the Dalglish family,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37who bought this four-bed semi nearly three years ago.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42But Caroline and James have spent the last 12 months transforming it
0:01:42 > 0:01:44into their dream home.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47We've just recently had this big extension done in the back,
0:01:47 > 0:01:48so it's been very, very chaotic.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52I was actually pregnant during the build, so, bit difficult.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Yeah, ultimately, we're pleased with the result, so...
0:01:55 > 0:01:58They created a spacious living area with a big,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01open-plan family kitchen-diner and lounge.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04It's hard to fault, so what's left to do?
0:02:04 > 0:02:09So, what we'd like done is to have some bespoke shelving put into the
0:02:09 > 0:02:12alcoves in our living room, similar to what we have in the dining room.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16- The decor we've gone for is very neutral, white.- Yeah.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20It's a small job, but one that will make a big difference.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22And then we'll have a place we can go,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25a little sanctuary to have moments of calm
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- when the children have gone to bed. - Yes.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- What's this?- So, in order to reclaim some precious adult space,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36just how much cash have Caroline and James got to splash on the job?
0:02:36 > 0:02:39I had in my mind for a budget 2,000,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43including cost of the materials and ideally also the cost
0:02:43 > 0:02:46of painting the shelves white.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50There's a few things to keep in mind when preparing for builders coming
0:02:50 > 0:02:52to quote for any job.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55If you need help with the design, tell your builder,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58they'll tell you how to achieve the right look and keep the cost down.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Before a builder comes out to quote, make sure you think about
0:03:01 > 0:03:03what you want the finished product to look like,
0:03:03 > 0:03:04and make sure you can get that across.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06You're bound to have questions through the process,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08so make sure that you jot them all down
0:03:08 > 0:03:11so you ask the builder for everything you need.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Well, today's trio of builders are raring to go...
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Right, Mick, let's nail this.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20..and are full of ideas.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Got the legs out, which I like to see.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25They all know they've got to knock up some bespoke shelving.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- Are you ready?- I'm ready, babe.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32And it's their individual designs that will set them apart.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- Cold today, mate, isn't it? - Proper fresh.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37First up, it's burly bears Simon and John.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- How are you? I'm John.- Hello. Caroline.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Hi, Caroline, nice to meet you.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42They'll need to wow Caroline and James
0:03:42 > 0:03:44with their idea to beat the other builders.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It's very modern, I think, in here, isn't it?
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- Yeah.- So I think, got to keep it clean.- Yeah.- Clean and sharp.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- A bit like yourself. - A bit like myself!
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Just in time for lunch, John. I thought that'd be the case.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57Better late than never!
0:03:57 > 0:04:00These best of buddies are masters at multi-skilling.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I started out life as a bricklayer many years ago.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Ever since then, I've just done extensions and refurbs,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07sort of multi-trade.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Are you messing about, Si?
0:04:09 > 0:04:11If you've got to get a job done...
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I don't even have to think, he'll just be there.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16You love it!
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Simon and John will need a killer shelving idea
0:04:18 > 0:04:21to win over Caroline and James.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24So I think it needs to obviously complement the room
0:04:24 > 0:04:26rather than stand out.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Yeah, because everything we've seen in the house so far
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- is all one colour.- Yep. Does it blend into the walls?
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Yeah, I think blend it into the wall.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Simon and John's plan to use plaster to blend the shelves in
0:04:36 > 0:04:41sounds smooth, but what will Caroline and James think?
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- We thought about making some really big shelves...- OK.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46..actually plastered.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48And they're big, chunky shelves, so it looks a lot different
0:04:48 > 0:04:50to having a very thin shelf.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- Yeah.- And just doors along the bottom, oak top.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Maybe some LEDs hidden in the shelves?
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- Yeah.- Or some little spotlights in the shelves.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01They obviously like very neutral.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05And then you paint the walls, obviously white is the main colour.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- OK.- And we'll put some LEDs underneath here to highlight that.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10They'll shine off the back.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12And we just thought it was a bit of a different,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14contemporary take on your general idea.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- More in keeping with... - What you've got.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- ..what you've got.- Yeah.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22John and Simon's modern white design majors on chunky shelving up top
0:05:22 > 0:05:26and built-in cupboards underneath, with an oak work surface.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28But what's it all going to cost?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- The price of that was 1,850. - OK.- OK.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37That's £150 under budget, but Caroline and James
0:05:37 > 0:05:39are giving nothing away.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41This'll be different to what anyone else will have.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- Yeah.- Yeah.- OK.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Simon and John seem confident, but there's still two pitches to go.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Next up is upcycling pair Charis and Chris.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52- Hi.- Hello.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Right, let's have a look here, then.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It's a two-hour round trip for them to get here,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59so they won't want to lose this job.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I'm not blown away by white wood on a white wall.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05My kind of style is to make a cabinet
0:06:05 > 0:06:08out of a tea crate, or something that looks like something, you know,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12that's reclaimed, that's kind of washed off a shore, kind of thing.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13What have you got for me to do today?
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Well, I need to get tidied first.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- Charis and Chris... - Oh, that's hot.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21..have been great buddies since they first met over 20 years ago.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24At the time, we worked in a bank together, and it was well boring.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27So we both went off on our own little angles.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30He went and did plumbing, which was actually my idea.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33You can thank me later. Stand aside, please.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36And I love playing with wood and metal and stuff,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38so it works quite well.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41So, you'll be banking on a winning idea, then, chaps?
0:06:41 > 0:06:45My vision is lovely, beautiful, characterful wood.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47I mean, if we go with scaffold boards,
0:06:47 > 0:06:48the old kind of reclaimed ones,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51something that's got some character, you know?
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Can they convince Caroline and James to ditch the neutral colours
0:06:55 > 0:06:57in favour of recycled wood?
0:06:57 > 0:07:00What I think would look really, really nice
0:07:00 > 0:07:02would be to have some kind of rustic wood shelves,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06either scaffold board shelves or maybe waney edge oak,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08and you can either have it quite rustic-looking,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10or you can bring it up to a kind of gleaming shine,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13and you've just got that beautiful detailing of the wood.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Will it all be one unit or will they be separate?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17The cabinets would be units.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- If we emptied the van out... - And the shelves would be lengths,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21wouldn't they? But it's not that long, is it?
0:07:21 > 0:07:25So, yeah, what I was thinking was more of making you some cabinets
0:07:25 > 0:07:26- out of reclaimed wood.- OK.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30And then having the shelves as separate shelves going up the wall.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Maybe with metal...
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Some kind of metal brackets, and doorknobs the same as well.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37We could even make them out of wrought iron.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- All right, that's one to mull over. - Go and have a lie down!
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- That's fine.- Crazy woman.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Charis and Chris want to take Caroline and James
0:07:45 > 0:07:49out of their cream comfort zone by using reclaimed materials.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51As well as scaffolding plank shelves,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Charis wants to use pallet wood to line the alcoves
0:07:54 > 0:07:56and make the base cabinets.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59But what does using recycled materials mean for the price?
0:08:02 > 0:08:06It would be around the £2,000 mark.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Around 1,400 for the labour, and then materials, give or take,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12should bring us up to about the 2,000 mark.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13- OK, yeah.- OK.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17That's bang on budget, but it's not decision time yet,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20as there's still one more pitch to go.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Finally, bidding against the other two teams...
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- Very nice.- ..are smooth operators Martin and Mick.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32I know for a fact Charis and that are going to go in there
0:08:32 > 0:08:35and try and upcycle something, because that's what they love doing.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- We've got to go radical, mate.- Yeah. - We've got to think outside the box.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42This odd couple always look on the bright side of life.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45What am I thinking? Disaster.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I like Mick's positivity that he brings.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Michael, I have a sink for you.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- About time. - Officially, I'm in charge, yeah.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57He's in charge, but once he's gone, I don't take no notice anyway, so...
0:08:57 > 0:08:59I think I better go home now.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02But seriously, chaps, it's time to get your thinking caps on.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I think we could change it up a little bit.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08A 45-degree diagonal shelving system.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- Yeah, the lattice.- The lattice. - The lattice.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- It's something different. - Lattice shelving?
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Better explain yourselves, boys.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20There's something called, like, a lattice effect, a diagonal,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22which would be this section.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24So, just to give you a bit more of an image
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- of what that would look like... - Mm-hm.- It's quite a cool effect.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32What about using something like this on that top?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34White doors underneath.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38I mean, what I really want to do, as well, if you were going all out,
0:09:38 > 0:09:40would be to put some sort of feature wallpaper behind it
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- and have it open-backed.- Yeah.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46We're thinking of some of the furniture you've got in there -
0:09:46 > 0:09:48of solid wood. We're not talking about veneers,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50we're talking about doing a solid wood.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52I mean, I actually wanted to go all out...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- He wanted to do a featured wallpaper wall.- Wallpaper behind it.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Oh, right, yes.- So it was soft, with swirls and some flowers.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Martin and Mick are pushing the brief with patterned wallpaper
0:10:03 > 0:10:06and a crisscross lattice shelving design.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It's a radical move, so what's the price?
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- So we're at 2,150, all in. - BOTH:- OK.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18That's the highest of all three pitches, but Caroline and James
0:10:18 > 0:10:20don't have to go with any of them.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- So how did it go for you guys, then? - How did it go?
0:10:23 > 0:10:24I think it went all right.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Well, we know there's a little designer on the firm, so we, like...
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- We just went for it, we did. - Yeah.- We went it 2,150.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- 2,150.- That's all right. - We put in 18...- 1,850, yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Oh, under.- We went for two, but using a lot of reclaimed wood,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39making cabinets that would go underneath,
0:10:39 > 0:10:40but the shelves would be...
0:10:40 > 0:10:43You didn't nick the pallets, did you, on the way here?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46THEY LAUGH
0:10:46 > 0:10:48The builders can't do any more.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Now they have to wait.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- I think we are both in agreement. - Yep.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- There's a clear winner.- Yep.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- Let's give them a call. - Yeah, let's give them a call.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Will it be Charis and Chris's on-budget upcycling idea,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Simon and John's cut-price modern clean look,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09or Martin and Mick's top-dollar lattice shelves?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12MOBILE RINGS
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Only the winners' phone will ring.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- Hello?- Hi, we're just calling to say we really loved your idea
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- and we're going to go with you guys. - We'd like to go with you guys.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Really? Oh! Brilliant. How exciting.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- OK, cool.- Oh, thank you. I didn't know what you were going to say then
0:11:34 > 0:11:37because there was quite a little pause. Oh, brilliant.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- I'm really excited about this. I think it's going to look fantastic.- So are we.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- All right, then, I'll see you soon. - Cheers.- Bye!
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- Wow.- Told you.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46I like the idea of upcycling.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48We've had so much waste throughout the build.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52So, yeah, I'm just excited. Something different.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- Get out of our comfort zone. - One step at a time!- Yeah.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58The brief, obviously, was just white on white and it wasn't...
0:11:58 > 0:11:59Do you know what I mean?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I basically went in there and turned it on its head, and winning!
0:12:02 > 0:12:04The job's in the bag for Charis and Chris,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07but it's sour grapes for the losers.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Congratulations, chaps, we hate you! - Yeah, well done.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15I'll be watching with a very fine eye, Charis and Chris.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24There's a few things to consider if you're thinking about upcycling.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Make sure you agree the design before you start,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30because making adjustments can cost more, because of more materials,
0:12:30 > 0:12:31and it can also delay the job.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Sourcing reclaim materials can be quite time-consuming.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Make sure you know what you want and that it's available.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Charis and Chris are building the shelves in two stages.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46They'll do all the cutting and cabinet-making at Charis's workshop,
0:12:46 > 0:12:51then head to Caroline and James's house for a day of installing.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Let's hope it all fits, because the losing builders are watching on.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Well, I can't wait for this job. This'll be good.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- Yeah, let's have a little look. - I'm looking forward to this.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- Oh, mind your fingers in the old Workmate!- Oh!
0:13:02 > 0:13:06With plumber Chris busy elsewhere, it's down to craftswoman Charis
0:13:06 > 0:13:08to start work without him.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Right, so I've got my plans over here.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14So I always work out everything to scale.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15- Wow.- God, she's an architect.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- Look at that.- Look at that!
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- She's got plans as well.- Yeah.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Pallet boards along the back here and that's where the little unit's
0:13:22 > 0:13:25going to go and I've marked out things like skirting as well.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The thing is, though, by the time she drew all that...
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- She could've made it. - ..she could've made it.- Yeah!
0:13:31 > 0:13:32So I'm going to build...
0:13:32 > 0:13:35And she also has an ingenious way of creating a template
0:13:35 > 0:13:39to make sure the bits of wood will be exactly the right size.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43What I've drawn out is basically the length of their wall.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Nice. I've used pieces of wood on the floor,
0:13:47 > 0:13:48which I'm going to screw down,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51so that my planks that I'm laying down to make the panel
0:13:51 > 0:13:53cannot move and go off elsewhere.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Good idea, Charis.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58So we go with these for now.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Now she's marked out the floor,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Charis moves on to the soundproofing for the alcoves by fixing together
0:14:03 > 0:14:08strips of wood from old pallets, at a cost of £1.50 per metre.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10As reclaimed wood, it's already had a life somewhere else.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- It used to be a tree.- Yeah.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16They are slightly warped and defected.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19But, for me, I really like that and I like the character.
0:14:19 > 0:14:25I just cannot get my head around all this scaffold planks and stuff.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27It's just not what we're used to, that's all.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It's debatable whether it will fit or not.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33No, it should do. There you go.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Charis has cut the boards to fit the width of the alcoves.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Now she's got to fix them together using three plywood slats.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45There is actually an old carpenter's saying - measure twice, cut once.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Not easy when you're working alone.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51This is why I need Chris. Chris!
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Where's your mate?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57So what's that going to be, like, maybe the back of the shelving bit?
0:14:57 > 0:14:58Yeah, it must be.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Caroline and James wanted it painted white...
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Yeah, I think it's nice.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06..but Charis has decided to put her own spin on it.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11To get this beautiful rustic effect, I leave it unsanded and paint it
0:15:11 > 0:15:15and then I'm going to sand it afterwards.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Because then... You see all these bits that are sticking out?
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Those bits will come off with the paint
0:15:20 > 0:15:24and give us that nice rustic effect where it's all kind of, you know,
0:15:24 > 0:15:26looks like it's washed up on a beach or something.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Distressed look, I think she's looking for.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- Yeah.- I'm distressed stood here watching it.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35The next day, things have moved on.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Charis has started to knock up a couple of cabinets,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40the paint's dried on the panels,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and look who's finally turned up - Chris.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46And she's got big plans for him.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Chris, today, is going to sand every bit of wood that I give him,
0:15:49 > 0:15:50and I've got a lot of wood in here.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Eight shelves to do and then I'm going to give him the pieces of wood
0:15:54 > 0:15:56for the cabinet to sand as well. Then...
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Bearing in mind I'm here for half a day.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- Oh, my word!- He's a typical plumber, isn't he?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Half a day plumber! - Half a day, hour...
0:16:02 > 0:16:05You've got to be here for as long as it takes, Christopher.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- Christopher!- Crikey, mate.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I'd get on with it, if I was you, there's still a lot to do.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Too much work and not enough hours in the day.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Charis?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Something's wrong with that.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Right, you're going to have to learn how to do this, now.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- Oh!- She's even got to change the sandpaper for him.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29She's got to do it, look!
0:16:29 > 0:16:31We've got a cabinet over there that doesn't have any feet on,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34doesn't have any doors on because the doors still need sanding.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38The other cabinet, at the moment, is just several pieces of two parts
0:16:38 > 0:16:39of scaffold board glued together.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40Very time-consuming, isn't it?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42A lot of work in that, mate, isn't there?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I think it's going to look brilliant when we get it there and I'm sure
0:16:45 > 0:16:47that they're going to be really happy,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49and that's the main thing at the end of the day.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Charis is confident the cabinets will be finished in time.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Good job someone is.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00For our next job, we're just outside a major city in the north -
0:17:00 > 0:17:02a trendy area full of independent bars,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05restaurants, and plenty of green spaces.
0:17:05 > 0:17:11The average semi here will set you back just over 340 grand.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15We're in Chorlton, on the south-west edge of Manchester.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21It's home to Salma, who bought this three-bedroom 1930s semi
0:17:21 > 0:17:23eight years ago.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I live here in this house with my two dogs, Benji and Bella.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31The house is perfectly tailored now to my needs.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34It's been very customised and I love living here,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37and I do feel that there's a few frustrations in my life
0:17:37 > 0:17:39and one of them has to be the driveway.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43It was OK when I moved in, but we had to fix the drainage,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45so we had to pull up all the flagstones.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Once the drainage was fixed, the driveway got left.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51As if that wasn't bad enough, three months ago,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Salma had a fall and shattered her kneecap,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56making day-to-day life even more difficult.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Just trying to get the bins in and out over broken flagstones
0:17:59 > 0:18:00is just absolutely chaotic.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It looks unattractive.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04I feel like I'm letting down the neighbourhood a little bit.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Extensive driveway or garden work gets costly very quickly,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11so just how much has Salma got to spend?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The budget for doing the driveway is £5,000.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18For me, that is a large chunk of my savings, so it's a big job.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It's something that's going to cost me a lot of money,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23but enough is enough, I need to get this sorted.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24If you need a driveway makeover,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28here are a few things worth keeping in mind.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29Think about the time of year.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Bad weather can really delay a driveway,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33so best get it done in the summer.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Once the driveway's completed,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37make sure you check with your builder to see if it needs
0:18:37 > 0:18:40time for it to settle before you can use it to park your car.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41Decide on the finish you're going to want,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45because the paving might need to be ordered.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47This is a big job to pitch for,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50as it involves digging out tonnes of earth before rebuilding
0:18:50 > 0:18:51Salma's driveway...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Get me pad and pen.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56..and they've all got their own ideas on how to approach it.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- It's a nice day, today. - Nice day to win a job.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01And they're determined to beat each other.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Yeah, I think it is the second one along, Daz.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07First to quote are family firm Tracy and Daz.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- Hi, are you all right?- Hello.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- I've come to have a look at the drive. I'm Daryll.- Hello.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- Hello, I'm Tracy, Daz's mum. - Yeah, help yourselves.- Thanks.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15They've spent hours coming up with
0:19:15 > 0:19:18what they hope will be a winning design.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- This is a mess. - Do you want to do some measures?
0:19:22 > 0:19:23All right, Mother.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27This mother-and-son team like to keep it in the family.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30I am proud. Without Daz, he's my right-hand man, I couldn't...
0:19:30 > 0:19:31I couldn't run this business.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33We rely on each other.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Admittedly, not the greatest morning person. I like my quiet.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39Mother!
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Because they're moving in soon, so we need to get it sorted.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44I'm doing it!
0:19:44 > 0:19:45Mum knows best, eh?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48And she's not short of ideas for this job, either.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50It's quite a decent-sized space, really,
0:19:50 > 0:19:51it's just you don't realise it, do you,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53because of all this stuff that's in the way.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55The driveway doesn't need to be the main thing
0:19:55 > 0:19:57that gives you the wow factor.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00If we put in the extras, like the bamboos and some nice gravel
0:20:00 > 0:20:03and we marry it up and match it with the nice well-established plants
0:20:03 > 0:20:05that are at the side of the property,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07that would give it a nice, modern feel.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11But will Salma go for their bamboo bonanza?
0:20:11 > 0:20:13I'm suggesting maybe a bamboo,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15because bamboo will give you privacy,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18easy to maintain, it looks very modern, it looks very fresh.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- There's drains everywhere.- I know, that's what I was going to say.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Obviously, there's going to be quite a bit of work in terms of
0:20:23 > 0:20:25sorting out any issues we might need to do with the drains.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Obviously, levelling it, hard-coring it,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29getting it ready for a driveable surface.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32We would remove all the existing driveway that's here,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34sort the drains out, because the levels of the drains need dropping.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38But then I'm suggesting laying a buff 600-by-600 flag
0:20:38 > 0:20:40all the way down the front, and the gravel's down,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42laid on top of a membrane,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44so you'll not have any weeding or anything like that,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47so it's very low-maintenance.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Daz and Tracy want to create a modern look
0:20:49 > 0:20:53with bamboo foliage and uniform square-slab paving,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56both in front of the house and along the side.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59So, what's all this going to cost?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03We're struggling with your budget slightly,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06so we're coming in at £6,100.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09That's more than a grand over budget.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13But their rivals are still to pitch.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Next up against Tracy and Daz are young guns Faiz and Tom.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Make a nice rapport, see what she wants, good price,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- and the job's in the bag, mate. - That's it.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Just the first thing, we need to get an idea of it, whip it all out.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29When you say whip it all out, what do you mean, like...?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- I get the spade out, you go to the shop, get the butties.- Yeah!
0:21:32 > 0:21:34I'll make the brews, you get the spade out.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I wonder how many times you're going to bang your head
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- on this today, Tom. - Over the last few years,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42these two have built up a great working relationship.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Tom, to work with on site, he's calm.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47That's going to be a bit of an issue!
0:21:47 > 0:21:50We bring ideas that are different and outside the box.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53HE HUMS A TUNE
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Plan of action, Tom, go on, what are we doing?
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Hopefully we can talk her into having the lights down
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- the edging, I think. It'll look nice, won't it?- Yeah, yeah.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Put a few downlighters on the side of the door.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Now they've got to convince Salma that their idea
0:22:06 > 0:22:08is better than Daz and Tracy's.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11The big thing that we think will make your driveway
0:22:11 > 0:22:14stand out from the rest is the addition of driveway lighting -
0:22:14 > 0:22:17at certain intervals along the driveway, as well.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21We pull this out, get that sorted, move towards the front.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25Get rid of all this shrubbery, the trees down the side.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- We know what the customer wants. - It's in the bag.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- We'll have it, no problem. - It's in the bag, innit?
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Well, we were thinking of surfacing the whole thing
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- with block paving...- OK. - ..or flagstone.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Whatever you like, it's all going to be the same right the way around.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- The same the whole way round? - All the way round.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41OK, that's clear.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Faiz and Tom have opted to keep things simple and streamlined
0:22:44 > 0:22:48by removing the shrubbery and laying flagstones throughout,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51using clever lighting to show it all off.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52So what's it going to cost?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Well, we've got a couple of quotes for you.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59On the lower range of the block paving at £4,500,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03and the flagstones at £5,400.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08One quote comes in 500 under budget and the other 400 over budget.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11It looks like Faiz and Tom are hedging their bets.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14But it's not over yet.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19Bidding against the other two teams are grafters Alex and Chris.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22You must be freezing without a hat on!
0:23:22 > 0:23:23- My shiny head?- Yeah.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25These two buddies have been working together for three years
0:23:25 > 0:23:28and they think they're the perfect team.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30We complement each other very well.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Chris tends to be a lot more artistic than I am.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I suppose I'm a little bit more the practical side.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I think with me, as well, because I'm older, not that you can tell...
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- A lot. A lot older.- No, not that you could tell, or anything, but...
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Four and a half inch drain there.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Just make a note that we are going to have to lift
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- some of these drains. - Oh, yeah, I know.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Nothing that we can't get round.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Having sized up the job, they've now got to win Salma over.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57We'll move the gate two metres further up,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59a bit more room for the car.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00So all this is all block paving.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02We take it up to your new position on the gate.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05It's a concrete grey block.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Right.- From there, we'll do it in a slate pebble.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12We could build a timber frame for her.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13So we could hide the bins behind.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16It's an eyesore, isn't it? Get a nice new drive and you've got...
0:24:16 > 0:24:17You've got four bins on it.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19When we initially looked at it...
0:24:19 > 0:24:22We think obviously the wheelie bins are extremely unsightly.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Yeah.- What we can actually do is make you a nice platform
0:24:25 > 0:24:27to store the bins.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31We'll have a fence up at the side so you won't see them from the road.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35So Chris and Alex will hide Salma's unsightly bins,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37but their piece de resistance is a plan to shift
0:24:37 > 0:24:40the gate and iron fencing further back,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43to make more room for Salma's car.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Big ideas, but how much will it cost?
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- So that's coming out £4,950. - OK.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53That's 50 quid under Salma's budget.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- You said an estimated five days? - Yeah.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59- And what happens if that slips? - Our price is our price.- Right.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02So that's it. So if we go over by a week, then that's fine.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04You know, that's just a week off our life.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- Right.- So you'll be all right.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07They've all pitched.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10But Salma doesn't have to go with any of them.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11- Who's having it?- We're having it.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I think you're in the middle, aren't you?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16I think the good looks and the bald head's probably swung it.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Not like... Hey!
0:25:18 > 0:25:21I think the only thing that goes against us is the Scouse accent.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Got a difficult decision to make.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27I need to pick one of the three quotes
0:25:27 > 0:25:29and for sure I'm going to pick one of them,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32because I can't wait another six years with the driveway just
0:25:32 > 0:25:34being dug up and a building site.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37All three teams have done all they can.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Now only the winners' phone will ring.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44Will it be Daz and Tracy's bamboo-inspired design,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47top price at £6,100,
0:25:47 > 0:25:53Faiz and Tom's lighting design at £4,500-£5,400,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57or Chris and Alex's block drive with bin storage,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00below budget at £4,950?
0:26:08 > 0:26:10MOBILE RINGS
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Oh, here we go.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Good afternoon, Chris speaking.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Hi, Chris, it's Salma here.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29- Hi, Salma.- I've decided to go with you for the job.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- Oh, that's great.- That's fantastic. Thank you very much.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Thanks, Salma. We really appreciate that.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- Cheers, guys.- Happy day, mate.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40In the end, I decided to go with Chris and Alex
0:26:40 > 0:26:42because they'd thought about all the considerations
0:26:42 > 0:26:46that I had and I liked that they came in on budget.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49The job's a good 'un for Chris and Alex,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51leaving the losers spitting feathers.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I got the feeling that she was quite confident with us,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55but maybe it was down to cost.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57It'll be interesting to see what she ends up with.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- Yeah, it will be, yeah. - We've all put our prices in.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02She's gone for the old boys, so no hard feelings, eh?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Yeah. It doesn't add up to me, but...
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Whatever floats your boat.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14- Come on! - I'm coming, love!
0:27:14 > 0:27:16It's day one on the building of Salma's drive
0:27:16 > 0:27:20and the losing builders are watching Alex and Chris's every move...
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- Come on, then, what've they done?- Let's see.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26..and they've turned up on the job with their secret weapon.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31It's Billy... Billy the star. He makes up for two of us.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Everybody needs a Billy.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36First, they need to completely dig out the old driveway
0:27:36 > 0:27:39and make the ground level. They've opted to do this entirely by hand
0:27:39 > 0:27:43to avoid damaging any unseen water or gas pipes.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45- Eh-up.- Oh.- Look at that. That's brave of them.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48And it's a tough job.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- I think I'd have had to get a digger in there.- Yeah.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53A messy day, really. At the end of the day,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56it's just ripping out and exposing everything that's underneath.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58We don't do problems, we only do solutions.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00We get round whatever... Whatever we come up against.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03It's not long before they come up against problem number one.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- Kerbstones. - What, going all the way across?
0:28:08 > 0:28:09Uh-oh.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12The gate they have to move is set in a concrete kerbstone
0:28:12 > 0:28:14that goes right across the drive...
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Oh, we've dodged a bullet there.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Yeah, I'm telling you, mate, I'm telling you.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21..and the whole lot has to be dug out.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24It's a shame we can't leave that in.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Do you think we can renegotiate?
0:28:26 > 0:28:28There's a lot of concrete in it.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30I mean, it's not even budging.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33HE GROANS
0:28:33 > 0:28:35TOM GROANS
0:28:35 > 0:28:36HE GROANS
0:28:37 > 0:28:39They need some young blood.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41There's only one thing for it.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Time to bring in the Billy.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46OK, try that.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Give him a hand, then!
0:28:49 > 0:28:51- Hey!- There you go.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Ta-da!
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Team effort.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58- Just needed a pensioner to get it out.- Is that it!
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Got there in the end, lads.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03With the whole drive finally cleared,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06all the lads have to do next is build a new one.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08- What are they going home for? It's still daylight!- Yeah.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13We'll be back to see them finish the driveway later.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Back down south in Purley,
0:29:15 > 0:29:19Caroline and James have spent 12 months doing up their home,
0:29:19 > 0:29:21but it's missing some little finishing touches.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Right, this is the one for the smaller side.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30Upcycling buddies Charis and Chris have been building bespoke shelves
0:29:30 > 0:29:31for the lounge.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34So I presume that's going to be the backdrop for the shelves, is it?
0:29:34 > 0:29:35- Do you think?- Yeah, must be.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Now they've just got to make sure it all fits.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41I'd be disappointed if someone turned up at my house with that.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Lucky it's not your house, then, Mick.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48First, Chris puts up plywood slats, so the back panels can be secured
0:29:48 > 0:29:51to the wall, and Charis is lining the back of the panels
0:29:51 > 0:29:54with cork sheeting to help with soundproofing.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57So do you think that this thin bit of cork
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- is going to make it any quieter? - Well, yeah.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01That's the whole point of it.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Everyone knows that cork does soundproofing.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Chris is the brains, obviously, in that pair. Not!
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- Yeah, but...- It's because there's tiny little molecules in it
0:30:10 > 0:30:12and they bounce the sound off all into different directions.
0:30:12 > 0:30:13It's very thin, though, isn't it?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15I tell you what, I should wrap your head in that,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17then I wouldn't have to listen to you.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Oh, they've got that funny relationship.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20There's a little bit of, you know,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22a little bit of atmosphere there, John.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24With the soundproof backplate up,
0:30:24 > 0:30:28all they need to do now is fit the shelves.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30I'm going to trim a little bit off to make sure they're all flush,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33but because they're reclaimed, they're all different.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35They're all different depths, obviously,
0:30:35 > 0:30:37because I like to make things difficult.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40I thought the whole idea of doing it in the workshop was so they weren't
0:30:40 > 0:30:41doing a load of work on site.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Come on, Mick, it's only a few tweaks...
0:30:45 > 0:30:46..and bangs.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50The shelving is twisted because we've reclaimed the scaffold boards,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53so as soon as you bang that side down, this side comes up.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55But I think that's just the feature, isn't it?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Part of the appeal is that you don't use these shelves,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00because you can't put anything on them.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03- What?- Did she just say they've done shelves
0:31:03 > 0:31:04you can't put anything on?
0:31:04 > 0:31:05- I think she was being... - Did she say...?
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- I think she was being sarcastic. - Oh, right.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10With night drawing in, it's now a mad dash to the finish.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14- Give me strength. - Where have the screws gone?
0:31:14 > 0:31:16SHE HUMS A TUNE
0:31:19 > 0:31:22SHE GROANS
0:31:22 > 0:31:24I'm starving hungry, I'm extremely tired,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I've been working late every night, now I'm here late,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30I hate hinges, I hate doors, I hate life.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I've had enough. Literally.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35I'm like that. I want to go home.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Oh, she doesn't sound like a happy bunny, mate, does she?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- Definitely not. - The screws are the worst screws
0:31:41 > 0:31:43in the whole entire world ever created.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47And the last piece of the jigsaw - some super-silent doors.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49CREAKING
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Sorry, I had beans for lunch.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I think that might be a bit tight, Charis.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Well, we're all done, it looks brilliant,
0:31:59 > 0:32:01- were absolutely knackered, we want to go home.- Yeah, very.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Really tough, a very long week, in fact, getting it all ready.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08And I think we should have charged more, probably.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15Caroline and James had spent a year doing up their house,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19but the lounge was let down by bare walls and no storage.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21- An empty space, wasn't it? - Like a bare lounge...
0:32:21 > 0:32:22A little chest of drawers.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24They had a little chest of drawers in there, didn't they?
0:32:24 > 0:32:27What will the losing builders make of Charis and Chris's hard work?
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- Oh!- I tell you what, John, I'm...
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- I'm quite excited about watching this.- I am as well.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33It should be good, this.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37- It looks nice, though. - It looks nice, it does look nice.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Charis and Chris's upcycled bespoke unit
0:32:40 > 0:32:43has completely transformed the space.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- That... That looks good. - That does look good.- Lovely job.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52A very good job.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56The rustic shelves and cabinets contrast well
0:32:56 > 0:32:58with the light and airy extension.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00It's given a lot of character to the room, innit?
0:33:00 > 0:33:03They've ruined it, though, they've put things on the shelves!
0:33:03 > 0:33:06The builders like it, but now Charis and Chris are
0:33:06 > 0:33:10about to find out for themselves what Caroline and James think.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Oh, wow!
0:33:14 > 0:33:17I'm really excited and kind of nervous about what they're going
0:33:17 > 0:33:20- to say about the job.- Oh, I think they're going to love it.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22They're smiling, they're smiling.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- It looks really different. - Oh, different.- Really different.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- That is super. - Oh, they do like it.
0:33:35 > 0:33:36Oh, they like it!
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Just a bit more rustic.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40I love the worn look to it.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Yeah, yeah. I think it makes this room feel more cosy.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- Yeah.- Yes, then! Cosy, that's what we're going for.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Yeah, it's a great addition to the room.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- Are you having an explore?- Yes.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54It did look good, though, didn't it? We done well there, babe.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Back up north in Chorlton, Salma's got the builders in
0:34:01 > 0:34:04to transform her neglected driveway into
0:34:04 > 0:34:07something much prettier and safer.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11Alex and Chris have cleared the old drive entirely by hand.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12HE GROANS
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Oh!
0:34:14 > 0:34:18And with losers Faiz and Tom and Tracy and Daz watching like hawks,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21they now need to start building the new one.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25- To be fair, they got stuck in there. - They have got stuck in there.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27But there's a problem.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Alex and Chris knew that the drains needed moving.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34What they didn't know is that they were encased in concrete.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Well, we need to drop this drain
0:34:36 > 0:34:38because it's going to be higher than the drive,
0:34:38 > 0:34:40but it's all been concreted in.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42- You just would not have known, would you...?- No.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43..that those were there?
0:34:43 > 0:34:45That was what was so difficult about this job.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49The plan is to try and get it out in one piece, slowly,
0:34:49 > 0:34:51so it doesn't smash everything up.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53I would've got a digger in there.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57A mini-digger, honestly, and done all the drains at the end.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00With the problem drain safely removed in one piece,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04ready to be positioned lower later, they can crack on.
0:35:05 > 0:35:11Next, the boys need to lay down a 17cm sub-base of stone and sand.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Ten tonnes worth, in fact.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17So, after taking a couple of tonnes of dirt out of here this morning,
0:35:17 > 0:35:21we're now filling it back up with more dirt, basically, and rubble.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24But it feels good. It actually feels like something's getting done now.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- A lot to move, that.- A lot of earth, isn't it, that?- Yeah.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Just holding the wall up.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44One man's pain is another man's pleasure.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47With the sub-base flying down and Alex making a new step
0:35:47 > 0:35:50up to the doorway, things are moving on.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57But then Mother Nature throws a spanner in the works...
0:35:57 > 0:35:58I think it might pass...
0:35:58 > 0:36:01In about two hours, yeah!
0:36:01 > 0:36:06..just as approximately 1,000 paving blocks for the drive turn up.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08There's got to be an easier way of making a living, surely.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11You've got to be prepared to get wet, haven't you, lads?
0:36:11 > 0:36:12Yeah.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15You don't want to stop, because then you don't want to get back on.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17- Yeah.- Crack on, your skin's waterproof.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19It doesn't earn you bags sat in that shed, does it, lads?
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Bags, mate!
0:36:21 > 0:36:25With rain stopping play, the boys are behind schedule.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27- It was a horrible job, that. - Yeah, it was.- A horrible job.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29They still need to move the gate,
0:36:29 > 0:36:33lay the block driveway and build the bin store.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Let's hope the weather improves tomorrow.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42Next day, the boys are keen as mustard.
0:36:42 > 0:36:43But...
0:36:44 > 0:36:46No!
0:36:46 > 0:36:48At least it's not raining.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51Hmm, the weather's not so good today.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56The impact on the job now, obviously it's setting us back even further.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Come on, lads, get your waterproofs on.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03Time to go home, get a bit dry. Bye!
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Get on with it.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13With the sun finally out, the boys can get going again.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Today we're going to crack it, try and catch up,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and we're all raring to go.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19A bit of luck, at last.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22The ground is now level and Alex starts laying the dark grey stones
0:37:22 > 0:37:25that will border the entire drive.
0:37:25 > 0:37:26I'm just getting them roughly in place
0:37:26 > 0:37:28and then we can adjust them after.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31We'll backfill it with a bit of cement as well.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Having already removed the gate,
0:37:34 > 0:37:36it's time to put it in its new position.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38But there's a problem.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40It was narrower at that end.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41It's wider at this end,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43so we've got to accommodate both sides
0:37:43 > 0:37:45and get the distance between the gate...
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Yeah, make sure... - ..and the catch.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Otherwise it might be a bit embarrassing.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- Indeed.- The new position is wider than where it was,
0:37:55 > 0:37:57leaving a gap of four inches.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05They should have probably measured that gate before they moved it,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- shouldn't they? - But then, Alex has a brainwave.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11I tell you what, what about we put a...
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- A four-inch post in.- A four-inch post, yeah, at that end.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17A four-inch post that will also be part of the bin-store structure!
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Almost as if they planned it like that from the beginning.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25And the path leading to Salma's front door is starting to go down
0:38:25 > 0:38:28and take some shape.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30So he's got a lot of finishing touches to do.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32It needs cleaning off and then we need to...
0:38:32 > 0:38:35It needs kiln-dried sand in between it all.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40A well-earned cup of coffee.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49Day ten, and the build has taken almost twice the budgeted time.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53On a clear run, it was going to be about five or six days.
0:38:53 > 0:38:54It's all about the end product.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57We're not going to cut corners just to get the job done,
0:38:57 > 0:38:58get it in on time.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00That's something we have to swallow.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02It comes out of our pocket, at the end of the day.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Your quote's your quote, isn't it?
0:39:04 > 0:39:05You can't add more because it rains.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Yeah, that is it. You either crack on with it, or not.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11It feels good, it feels good.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12The end is in sight.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16All being well, we'll all be done pretty much by the end of tomorrow.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- Really?- Really.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23- At least he's still smiling.- Yeah. - I'm not sure I would be.- No.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27The blocks on the driveway are almost down.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29I can see why they thought it was going to take them
0:39:29 > 0:39:31- five days to do that.- Yeah.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34It's like a big jigsaw!
0:39:36 > 0:39:39And it's time to see if that gate actually fits.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41It'll be a miracle.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44It will be, you've done it!
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- Ey-up, moment of truth.- Yep.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- HE CHEERS - Get in there.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51Suits you, sir.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- Made for it, that, wasn't it?- Gosh. - It grew there, that.- Yeah.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Just the other side of the gate to do, then.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Time to tackle that bin store.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Going to put four down cos they've got four bins,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09and then this just hides it enough to...
0:40:09 > 0:40:12You know, I just hate bins out on display,
0:40:12 > 0:40:14so just a little idea we came up with.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16And before the slate pebbles go down,
0:40:16 > 0:40:20there's one important thing to do.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22It's pretty essential to put a membrane down.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23It just stops the weeds coming through.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Although you will get the same amount of weeds,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28they'll just seed in the stone anyway.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30But at least you'll be able to pick them up.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33And it allows the rain to drain through as well.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35So, you know, that's the main point of it.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37You don't just go putting a sheet of plastic on it
0:40:37 > 0:40:39and hoping for the best.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43After 11 days' hard graft through rain, sleet and snow,
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Chris and Alex have finally finished.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Typical, innit? Last day of the job, all done,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- and the sun comes out. - The sun comes out. I know.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56But I can take my hat off now.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Anyway, well done, mate.- Yeah.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03For the best part of six years,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Salma's driveway was in a shocking state.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08So much concrete down there.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Odd, them drains, weren't they?
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- All sticking out everywhere. - Yeah, everywhere.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16So what will the losing builders think of Alex and Chris's hard work?
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Let's see what the craic is.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25- Bit of a difference, that, innit? - Oh, it's a massive difference.- Yeah.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29There you go, from what it was to what it is now.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Well done, fellas. Looks nice.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33The entire length of it has been levelled out
0:41:33 > 0:41:37and the old slabs and weeds have been replaced by paving block.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Look. Oh, my goodness.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Good. Decent, that.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44A better pathway leading to the front door has been created.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46That looks so nice.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49The bins that were an eyesore are now well hidden,
0:41:49 > 0:41:51and the gate has been moved back
0:41:51 > 0:41:54to give Salma much more space for her car.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- That looks nice. Well in.- Yeah.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00The builders like it, but now Alex and Chris
0:42:00 > 0:42:03are about to find out for themselves what Salma thinks.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08Come on.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17When you look at it from how it was, and what she's got now, it's...
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- That looks good.- Yeah. Let's hope her reaction's good, then.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Well, fingers crossed, mate.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I love it. I think, yeah, they've done an ace job.
0:42:32 > 0:42:33- Yeah, baby.- That's good.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37The driveway just seems bigger, I've got more space to park on it.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Before, the bin situation that I had
0:42:41 > 0:42:44was a complete nightmare to get them out onto the road,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47and it was quite a challenge, especially with the broken leg.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51Whereas now it's an absolute dream.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- Looks good.- Yeah.- Doesn't it? - Pleased with that, mate.
0:42:53 > 0:42:54Really pleased with that.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57The difference is just night and day.
0:42:57 > 0:42:58Got a tear there, mate. Got a tear.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02It's almost like it's not the same house.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05To me, they've completely transformed it.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07Another satisfied customer.
0:43:07 > 0:43:08Last word from the boys?
0:43:08 > 0:43:09Absolutely mint.