0:00:02 > 0:00:04For us Brits, our home is our castle.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- Wow.- I know.- Oh, my goodness!
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Amazing.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Amazing!
0:00:10 > 0:00:11But keeping it how we want it...
0:00:11 > 0:00:14I've got the complete DIY manual.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16..takes a lot of work.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- You've been up that chimney. - Human sweep, I am.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19LAUGHTER
0:00:19 > 0:00:21And getting the builders in...
0:00:21 > 0:00:23What time do you call this?
0:00:23 > 0:00:24..can be a daunting task.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27To be fair, John, I think they built the Great Wall of China quicker.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28LAUGHTER
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It's a work of art, that, look.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31We've got a Banksy.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33SHE GRUNTS
0:00:33 > 0:00:36So we've asked tradesmen from all over the country...
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Still alive. I feel like a doctor.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40..to go up against each other.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42If you get it, you can give it to us, all right?
0:00:42 > 0:00:44- Yeah, we'll sub it out, but I want it painted. - THEY LAUGH
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Each homeowner hears three quotes...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49£1,650.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- Yeah.- Need a stiff drink yet?
0:00:51 > 0:00:52- Get in.- Get in.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54..before picking the best one for the job.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55- Ya-hey!- Told you.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59But there's a sting in the tail for the winning builders,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02as their rivals get to watch them at work.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03We haven't got a key.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05SHE MIMICS A DONKEY BRAYING
0:01:05 > 0:01:07I don't like the idea of this at all, no.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- Do you feel sorry for the boys, John?- Yeah.- No!
0:01:09 > 0:01:11THEY LAUGH
0:01:13 > 0:01:15For our first job today,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19we're heading to a town just six miles south-west of Manchester.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23100 years ago, it was a place where city workers could escape
0:01:23 > 0:01:27the smog and dirt to live in a rural setting,
0:01:27 > 0:01:32but anyone looking to make that move today will need around £230,000
0:01:32 > 0:01:33to pick up a typical semi.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37We're up north, in Urmston.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43This 1930s three-bedroom detached belongs to Carl Rhodes.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47He moved in back in 1997 with his late wife, Pam,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49and their two small children.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53It has a large garden at the back that was Pam's pride and joy.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Pam loved being in the garden.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58She was the gardener, along with my mum.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01She knew every plant and absolutely adored it.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Everything out there is all down to her doing it.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2013,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11just shortly after her birthday.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Unfortunately, she died in April 2016.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Since Pam passed away,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Carl hasn't had the know-how to take care of this garden and it's been neglected.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25I've got no idea what I'm doing.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28It's too big for me. I just want to simplify it,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30make it a little bit more manageable.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33The extent of my gardening is mowing the lawn,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35drinking beer and barbecuing.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Carl may not have green fingers, but he still wants to enjoy the garden
0:02:39 > 0:02:43with his two grown-up children and other family and friends.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Pam loved entertaining and we still want to do that,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50so I'm after having a covered pergola so we can sit out there in the evenings
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and still be fine, warm and dry.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Bringing the garden back to life is clearly an important job for Carl,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01but pergolas don't come cheap, so how much has he set aside?
0:03:01 > 0:03:03The budget for the job is £12,000,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06but I am prepared to stretch a little bit further if needed.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Carl's garden is a big job with a big budget,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14so which three teams are in with a chance of winning it?
0:03:14 > 0:03:16You had a nice little sneeze on the way in, didn't you, Tom?
0:03:16 > 0:03:18I've got my tape measure.
0:03:18 > 0:03:19Ready for action.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22They've all got to come up with a plan for
0:03:22 > 0:03:26a weatherproof garden structure and low-maintenance upkeep,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29but there's plenty of room for creativity within this brief.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- A bit nippy.- It is a bit nippy.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35First to arrive are trendy twosome Sian and John.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Sian hopes being a designer will give her the edge over her rivals.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Do you know, it didn't look like this in the picture.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- Isn't that weird?- No, it's funny, isn't it, you've got to see these things.- I know, I like it.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Sian and John have worked together for over 20 years -
0:03:52 > 0:03:54she the designer and he the builder.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56I wouldn't say I have a particular style,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00although when I've finished a house, people often say my stamp's on it.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01DRILL BUZZES
0:04:01 > 0:04:05It tends to be something a little bit quirky or a little bit different.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06Quite a lot of attention to detail.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09What do you think of your boxes?
0:04:09 > 0:04:10In terms of winning the pitches,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- if John just lets me do a lot of the talking, everything will be happy days.- Yeah!
0:04:14 > 0:04:15THEY LAUGH
0:04:15 > 0:04:16Cheeky.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21So, the idea is to have a really beautiful pergola somewhere...
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I presume near the bottom.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24And then lots of decking.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29It can get very slippy and slimy in the wet Manchester months,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32so I think what we discussed about using a modern composite decking,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34but a really good quality one,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36and maybe break it up by using two different colours,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38run it in different directions.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- Yeah.- Just try and lift it a little bit so it doesn't just look like
0:04:41 > 0:04:44one big mass of boring decking, which it really could do.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Having surveyed the scene, Sian and John are ready to pitch.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50Are you ready for our ideas?
0:04:50 > 0:04:51I am. Yeah.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54We would advise you to use a composite decking.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56That's what I'm after, composite.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Excellent. We're going to go for a dark charcoal or black.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00- My thoughts exactly.- Perfect.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- I was going for the grey. - On the same wavelength.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Carl's wife passed away last year and I think it was really special
0:05:06 > 0:05:07to her, it was her space,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11so I think when we think about the pergola and the design,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- we just have to be quite sensitive. - Yeah.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19We're going to actually paint the pergola structure in soft cream,
0:05:19 > 0:05:20so the top of it,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- you'd want the top of it covered so you can sit there if the weather is not great.- Yeah.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28John is going to use a grey tile to pick up the grey of the decking,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31but then the underside and the timbers underneath will be
0:05:31 > 0:05:33in the cream, so it will be very elegant,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36it will be very stylish looking and quite unusual as well,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38cos a lot of people just have the pergola and leave it in the bare timber.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Yeah.- And it can start looking a bit kind of rustic.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Sounds different.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Sian and John's modern design incorporates a large pergola
0:05:48 > 0:05:50in shades of cream and grey,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54with a cobbled sandstone path and composite decking.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57There's a brick-built barbecue and raised beds.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Carl's budget is healthy, but this is a lot of work.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- John will do the pricing now.- Yeah. - I'll leave the difficult bit to him.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10That comes to £14,640 inclusive of VAT.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11- Yeah.- OK.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16Wow, that's more than £2,500 over budget.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Could this be an opportunity for their rivals to swoop in with a lower quote?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Next up...
0:06:23 > 0:06:26You all right, Tom, ready for this one, lad?
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Battling the elements as well as their rivals...
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- It's a bit windy today. You feel that one?- Yeah.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Glad it's not a roof job.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35..are young guns Tom and Faiz.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39I think the main problem we're going to get is getting the rubble out.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43We could possibly have a scaffolding built so we can go straight over there.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- Are you being serious?- Well, how else are you walking round this house?
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Are you actually being serious?
0:06:48 > 0:06:51These two are confident going for any building job.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53We're both good at the grafting.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54And we're both good at the sales side.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57We want to make a bespoke wall out of slate.
0:06:57 > 0:06:58It should be really good.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02That's why we take on everything, from full house refurbs to small jobs.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I know I'll make it look good,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07it's just whether people like a roof in the bathroom.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- Does that look like a roof? - It's got similarities.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11THEY LAUGH
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- We'll go the oriental theme on this garden.- Yeah, yeah.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17I think we'll strip everything out.
0:07:17 > 0:07:23Nice pagoda, which is the more curved spars, to give the oriental feel.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Nice traditional solid timber structure,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29handcrafted slates to put a nice feature on the roof.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33This is the one, this is the one with our names written all over it.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35I think that's up to Carl, Tom.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36We've had a few ideas.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38You do want a pergola, you did mention,
0:07:38 > 0:07:43so we're thinking of adding a special touch and making it a pagoda.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45So a Japanese-style oriental.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50Basically what this means is the spars are going to have a curve at the bottom rather than the straight.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- OK.- So, what we have here is some different kinds of slate.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56We intend to...
0:07:57 > 0:08:01..handcraft some shapes into a couple of courses on the roof.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- OK.- It's just to give you that extra traditional look.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07We'll go for a nice big three-section barbecue and obviously we can't
0:08:07 > 0:08:11forget a bit of garden lighting, always does the trick.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- Standard.- Yeah, standard procedure, mate.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17We'd incorporate a three-section stone barbecue.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20We'd put in an outdoor heating system.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Press a button and the heating comes on for you,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25so, you know what the weather is like round here, don't you?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27That's fine, cos I was thinking of putting a fire pit.
0:08:27 > 0:08:33Faiz and Tom's oriental design features a tiered pagoda with a built-in heating system.
0:08:33 > 0:08:39There's a three-section stone barbecue and lighting incorporated throughout.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40But what's the quote?
0:08:41 > 0:08:47What we have got for costing for the whole project from start to finish is £14,000.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49OK. Sounds good. Off the top of your head,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51have you any idea how long it will take?
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Three weeks.- Yes.- Three weeks. - Sounds good.- Yeah.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57That's less than Sian and John's quote,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59but still £2,000 over budget.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Time for the last pitch.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09Can no-nonsense lads Mark and Chris grab the job from under their rivals' noses?
0:09:09 > 0:09:10Is it pergola or pergolia?
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I have always been under the impression it's pergolia.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- We could have this argument all day, though, cos you talk funny, anyway. - You know that.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Ah, you say tomato, I say pergola.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23Careful not to scratch...
0:09:23 > 0:09:27This pair have known each other for eight years and they're very close.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Yeah, what makes us a good team is the fact
0:09:29 > 0:09:31that we are like a married couple, isn't it?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33What time do you call this?
0:09:33 > 0:09:34THEY LAUGH
0:09:34 > 0:09:35Better late than never!
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- We've laid a lot of gardens now. - A lot of stone.- A lot of stone, a lot of driveways.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42You know, some tricky ones as well.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- So, we're going to build a pergola. - HE LAUGHS
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Traditional roof. Either slate or we'll go for shingle.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- Yeah.- I think we should promote composite decking,
0:09:53 > 0:09:58the brick barbecue and we're going to do our best to try and get a fire pit involved in it,
0:09:58 > 0:10:04depending on the safety involved in the composite decking and being so close, etc, etc.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Carl's already mentioned the idea of a fire pit,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09so this pitch should go down well.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13The main object here would definitely be the fire pit.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Yeah, I have contemplated a fire pit.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Yeah. In the same construction as the border wall,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19so it's rendered with a circle.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It's quite difficult to do.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23The only problem with this is obviously the access.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Access, yeah, with no...
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- There is no way of getting out of this garden that I can see.- No, no.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31You've got very, very little access on this job.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Yeah.- Are you friendly with your neighbours?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Absolutely. They're great.- OK.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Mark and Chris want to go for a traditional pergola with a slate roof.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Like Sian and John, they're planning composite decking,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47but the stand-out design feature is a rendered fire pit.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50So far their rivals have both come in over budget,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53so what will their price be?
0:10:53 > 0:10:59We'd be happy to complete the job completely for £13,900.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Sure. And what's your estimate timescale for the build?
0:11:02 > 0:11:03I'd be aiming at 12.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- OK.- But we just need three days at the end of that just to make sure that everything's perfect.- Sure.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12That's it. The builders have sold their ideas as best they can.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Now it's down to Carl to pick the best man or woman for the job.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18What was your big idea?
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Fire pit.- We didn't come up with that idea. Well, I think you've won it. There you go.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- A fire pit. Everybody wants a fire pit, don't they?- Well done, mate.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25- Yeah. Well done. - LAUGHTER
0:11:25 > 0:11:27See you later!
0:11:27 > 0:11:28I don't know.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33I think I've come to a decision.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35And I think it might be the right one.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Will it be Sian and John's top-price contemporary design?
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Faiz and Tom's mid-price oriental theme?
0:11:44 > 0:11:49Or, cheapest of the three by just £100, Mark and Chris's fire pit plan?
0:11:50 > 0:11:51DIALLING TONE
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Only the winning builders' phone will ring.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58DIALLING TONE
0:11:59 > 0:12:01PHONE RINGS
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Hello. John speaking.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- Hi, John, it's Carl.- Hi, Carl.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10I really liked your pitch. You're on the same wavelength as me.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11And...
0:12:11 > 0:12:13And I'd like you and Sian to do the job if you'd like, please.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16Wow!
0:12:16 > 0:12:17HE LAUGHS
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Oh, fantastic news.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Wow! Yeah.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- I'm actually really surprised.- Good.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It'll be a lovely job.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28I hope that we will help you realise your dreams for it, actually.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30So, yeah, that's really nice. Thanks for choosing us.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31No problem.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34It's a big job for Sian and John to win.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38I am actually... I'm actually gobsmacked.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41And the losers are sore to have missed out.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I'm wounded about this one, cos it was a nice job.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44A little bit gutted, really.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46I would have liked that one.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48But we've got to try and stay positive
0:12:48 > 0:12:50and we'll hopefully bag the next few ones.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- On to the next one. - You win some, you lose some.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54That's the spirit, lads.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Is this the, erm, "You've not won a job yet..."
0:12:57 > 0:12:59HE LAUGHS
0:12:59 > 0:13:01..with the violins in the background?
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Sian and John have set aside three weeks to complete Carl's garden,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14and as they get started on day one, the losing builders are all eyes.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Well, most of them, anyway.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21OK, so as you can see, Chris isn't here. We can pretend, though.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24But he's with his son today, so it will just be me.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28But getting access to the garden is proving awkward, to say the least.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30Just pull that round there.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Matt is moaning a lot, because we've got a gap about that big to get into this garden.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38SHE LAUGHS
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Scaffolding. That was the way, remember taking the rubbish over the top?
0:13:42 > 0:13:43Wasn't a bad idea, though.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Very small gap. We always knew that was going to be problem.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Carl wants to keep as many of the existing plants as possible,
0:13:50 > 0:13:55so to make way for the pergola, John is very carefully digging.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58A little bit of gardening.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01I think John's putting a bit of timber on.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Put your back into it, John.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03SHOVEL SNAPS
0:14:03 > 0:14:04And snap.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Whoops.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09Oh, there we go.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10Shovel's gone.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16Inside, Sian's making some final adjustments to the design.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17When we pitched to the client,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I pitched a sort of cobble affect on the path,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22which is fairly traditional.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23But having spoken to Carl,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27he's gone for a really cool Italian tile in a hexagon shape
0:14:27 > 0:14:30and also we've added in a design feature on the edge of the deck,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32somewhere to put a brazier, like a fire pit,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34which I've nicked off Chris, the other builder,
0:14:34 > 0:14:36cos he suggested a fire pit.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38I thought it was a really good idea, so I nicked it.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41- SHE LAUGHS - Sorry, Chris.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- Mark. - HE LAUGHS
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Oh, a little sly one there.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Oh, yeah, cos they were going to do a big fire pit into the ground, weren't they?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Could I have a willing assistant, please?
0:14:51 > 0:14:56Plans drawn up, Sian and her glamorous assistants can measure it out.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Right, on the floor, on the floor.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01Oh, oh, oh.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03This is an outdoor kitchen.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05This is where Carl is going to be flipping his burgers,
0:15:05 > 0:15:10so I'm marking up so the guys can get it dug out a little bit,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13get a solid base so the brickie can start putting the blocks on tomorrow
0:15:13 > 0:15:18to build up for, like, an outdoor brick kitchen with a surface and a barbecue.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Excellent.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21Outdoor cuisine.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27But, as the retaining wall for the raised bed goes up and the barbecue
0:15:27 > 0:15:31starts to be built, some changes from Carl.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33We are now going for a gas barbecue,
0:15:33 > 0:15:38so Brian is here to do the bricking for the brick barbecue
0:15:38 > 0:15:40and then we had a little bit of a wild card from Carl this morning.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44This gas barbecue is bigger, so Brian might shout at me in a minute,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47because I might have to get him to knock one of his little walls down.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49HE LAUGHS
0:15:49 > 0:15:50Goalposts moved.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56One of the main features of Carl's garden design is the pergola.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58How's my outside room looking, Bri?
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Is that a pergola or a bus shelter, Tom?
0:16:00 > 0:16:01THEY LAUGH
0:16:02 > 0:16:04This is all going to be the outside room,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07so this area will have a roof on it,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09lower at the back and higher at the front.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13So, it's going to be a big space for sofas and wine drinking.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- So, yeah, we might move in. - SHE LAUGHS
0:16:16 > 0:16:21So far, so good, and the build seems to be running smoothly,
0:16:21 > 0:16:22but then again, it needs to,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27as Carl has a very special garden party planned in a few days' time.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Sian and the team know that the garden has to be finished by the back end of April
0:16:32 > 0:16:34for Pam's first anniversary of her passing,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36cos we've got a big party arranged for it.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39We hope!
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Yeah, yeah, we hope it's going to be ready.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43No pressure, then.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50For our next job, we're heading to a place world famous
0:16:50 > 0:16:53as the location of the Royal Military Academy,
0:16:53 > 0:16:58a small town where house prices are over one and a half times the national average.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01We are down south in Sandhurst in Berkshire.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04So, who's getting the builders in here?
0:17:05 > 0:17:08This four-bed detached is home to Donna Hunt,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11who lives here with her husband and two teenage children.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13We've lived here 20 years.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18We are a very, very busy family, so we haven't done masses to the house.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23And there's one room in particular that's taken the brunt of 20 years of clutter.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28My study has always been left as my space, which is chaotic.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31I'm a personal travel advisor working from home,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33so I like to have maps on the walls,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36I like to have holiday brochures where I can look for things.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Oh, I've got 50 Shades there.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40You don't want that seeing in there, do you?
0:17:41 > 0:17:44It's an office which has been made from a bedroom,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47it's got lots of furniture from other places within the house.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51I'd just like it to be a nice, tidy, calm space.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55I don't have a massive great imagination of these things,
0:17:55 > 0:17:56so I'd love someone to come in and say,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59"This would look fantastic and this would work really well."
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Donna might not have the job spec completely worked out,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05but she does know what the budget is.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09I would like to spend less than £2,000.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12My husband would say he'd like to spend as little as he can get away with.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Converting your spare room into a home office can be a practical space solution.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21So, what do you need to consider in advance?
0:18:22 > 0:18:25You need to bear in mind things like are you going to want to soundproof
0:18:25 > 0:18:27the room, are you going to need more power points
0:18:27 > 0:18:29than what you've already got?
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Storage is key, you know.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Thinking about how you're going to set a room out
0:18:33 > 0:18:35and how you're going to make use
0:18:35 > 0:18:40of every tiny corner is definitely paramount.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43So, let's see which builders are bidding for this job.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47I think she wants a new desk and a new office area all painted up.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- No sinks though, Chris.- No sinks.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51I'll just carry on with whatever you do.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55They've all got ideas for Donna's boxroom, but only one home office design
0:18:55 > 0:18:57will be kept on file.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00First to quote are smooth operators Martin and Mick.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Well, this is an office job, Martin.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05I've always fancied myself as a bit of a pen pusher.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- Hi, Donna.- Hi there.- Hello. - I'm Martin.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12But will their small space solution be the one that Donna goes for?
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- Ooh.- Right.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- Lots of...- Green and purple going on at the moment.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22An office in need of storage should be right up this pair's street.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25We both have carpentry backgrounds.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28We are passionate, you know, about wood and about creating things.
0:19:28 > 0:19:29DRILL BUZZES
0:19:29 > 0:19:33We hate each other. We put up with each other.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34Just making a bit of plinth up.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37As I can't get in there, cos Martin's in the way,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39moaning about doing a little bit of grouting.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I like Mick's positivity that he brings.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43HE LAUGHS
0:19:44 > 0:19:45First and foremost,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49figure out how we're going to best lay this out for this storage.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53A wraparound desk round the corner.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Storage, not much different position than it is now.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I think this could be the feature wall.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Yeah. She's a travel agent,
0:19:59 > 0:20:04so I'm thinking of involving a map of the world, a photo mural in,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08something even with a magnetic background where she can throw magnets on.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13It's a theme that fits in with Donna's job, but can Martin and Mick make it stick?
0:20:13 > 0:20:14What we were thinking of doing
0:20:14 > 0:20:17was to actually bring in an L-shaped worktop
0:20:17 > 0:20:20that we'll actually make to go along the back here.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22So we're going to redecorate the whole room,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26really brighten it up with some sort of pastel colours with a dark floor.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29But on the back wall, it's going to be a full photo mural wall,
0:20:29 > 0:20:30so it'd be a world map.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It will literally cover the whole width of the wall.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Yeah, fabulous.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Martin and Mick plan to build a wraparound desk
0:20:38 > 0:20:41along two walls with built-in cupboards and shelves above.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46They'll lay a new floor and redecorate the whole room in pastel shades,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49finishing it off with a wall-sized map of the world.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52So, now the fun bit. Price.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58With everything we've put in, we're basically at £2,250.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59OK.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01How long do you think the job will take, guys?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Three days max.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08That's £250 over budget, but will Donna think it's worth the extra?
0:21:10 > 0:21:14No need to decide yet, as next to pitch are clean-cut Wayne and Steph.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Mmm.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I don't know why you'd want a different colour.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23They know they'll need more than just a new colour scheme to beat Martin and Mick.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25We've got the complete DIY manual.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27WAYNE LAUGHS
0:21:27 > 0:21:28We can't go wrong in this house!
0:21:30 > 0:21:31That's handy.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Wayne and Steph met two years ago and think they are the perfect team.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Steph's got an amazing design eye and working with copper,
0:21:39 > 0:21:40you're an expert at that.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43I do a lot of carpentry stuff, so anything to do with wood.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49When we combine our skills, you get the best of everything, really.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51We can bring much more to the table.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52And we're a complete package.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53We can make the table.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58And hopefully the shelves and cabinets needed in here, too.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02We've got a minty skirting board and a minty radiator and a minty windowsill.
0:22:02 > 0:22:03Yeah, they'll have to change.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05And it is a dark room, isn't it?
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Yeah.- So you want to get as much light in here as you can.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10I'm almost sort of thinking...
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Scandi it, maybe brighten it up a little bit?- Yeah.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15A Scandi-style office.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16Will it appeal to Donna?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20The style we thought we'd come up with, which is quite calming,
0:22:20 > 0:22:21is Scandinavian style.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25So using birch ply, just so it's quite light,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27cos it's quite a dark room up there at the moment.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32We'd like to do a pale grey wall and keep the skirting
0:22:32 > 0:22:36and all the woodwork the same so it sort of just opens up the space, it'll make it feel light.
0:22:36 > 0:22:42OK, well, you've got a good wall to put a desk or units or something, and shelving across there.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45So, this is a quick sketch of the desk.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47This is freestanding with a double shelf inside,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49so you can put your printer in there if you wanted.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53It's quite simple and sleek, cos you've got so much stuff to put away and put on shelves.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Fabulous, yeah.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01Wayne and Steph's Scandi-style design features a plywood freestanding desk,
0:23:01 > 0:23:06with plywood shelves above as well as a display cabinet for Donna's travel brochures.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08All set off with a grey colour scheme.
0:23:08 > 0:23:14It's a simple design, but can they do it within Donna's £2,000 budget?
0:23:14 > 0:23:17So, we anticipate about three days.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20And we came in at £2,000 all-in.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- OK.- For that theme.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28That's bang on-budget and £250 less than Martin and Mick's quote.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32But it's not over yet.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- It's this one, I think, isn't it? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Bidding against the other two pairs are upcycling duo Charis and Chris.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39Nice to meet you.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42They know they are last in and up against stiff competition.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48This room's going to be cleared out before we start work, isn't it,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51cos if we clear this out, it's going to add about half a day on.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- Yeah, I can't be doing with that, my back.- No, "With my back," he goes.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Always has a back problem.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Over the last two decades,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02it's fair to say that these two have got to know each other pretty well.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05My strengths are designing with wood and metal
0:24:05 > 0:24:07and Chris's strengths are plumbing.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08Anything to do with pipes.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Chris's weaknesses...
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Um, he's old and decrepit, mainly.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14- THEY LAUGH - His back, he's got bad knees.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Have you got knee joints?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I know, I can't bend, my knees are not working properly.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- Yeah, that's me. Thanks for that, Charis. - CHARIS LAUGHS
0:24:23 > 0:24:26I'd like to put an old desk in here and maybe upcycle it.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31Couldn't you put, like, a storage thing up the side there, and with a desk off of it?
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Oh, you've come up with an idea, Chris.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I know. Up here for thinking.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Ah, so you're not just a pretty face, Chris.
0:24:40 > 0:24:41Let's see what Donna thinks.
0:24:41 > 0:24:46What we'd like to do is make it nice and bright in there
0:24:46 > 0:24:47and bring in some natural wood as well.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52- Yep.- So what I would hope to do is get you a nice reclaimed natural wood desk in there.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I think we need to come up with lots of little ideas to get
0:24:55 > 0:24:59all these bits and bobs in their own little places so this is tidy.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02I've been thinking about lots of different little storage solutions,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06so maybe putting, like, a metal grate up on the wall that you can clip things to.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Maybe jars on the underside of some of the shelves.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11Fabulous.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Charis and Chris are brimming with upcycling creativity,
0:25:15 > 0:25:19with plans for a reclaimed natural wood desk next to a tall storage unit.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Other storage solutions include jars under the shelves and a metal grate
0:25:23 > 0:25:25with clips on the wall.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Sounds practical and stylish, but what's the cost?
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Well, I think we can bring it in at about £1,950,
0:25:33 > 0:25:38but depending on what Charis sources with her special design unique ideas,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40it may go up or it may go down.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43So that's possibly £50 under budget,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46if Charis can sources reasonably priced materials, but if not,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48the price could skyrocket.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52All three pitches are in.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57But it's up to Donna to decide if she wants to choose any of them.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58Right, guys.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00- How do you reckon it went?- Medium.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03So-so. I like the job.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Do you know what, I felt like she played it quite close to her chest.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Yeah, she definitely kept her powder dry, didn't she, on what she wanted?
0:26:11 > 0:26:12My money's on us two.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14LAUGHTER
0:26:14 > 0:26:18- Oh, we've smashed it, so... - I think we've given her everything she wanted.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Wayne and Steph had a bang-on-budget Scandi idea.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Martin and Mick came up with a more expensive travel-themed space.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37And Charis and Chris proposed an upcycling look which could be under budget.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Only the winner's phone will ring.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45DIALLING TONE
0:26:53 > 0:26:54Hello.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56- Martin speaking.- It's Donna.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I just wanted to let you know I'd love you to come and do this job for me.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02- Oh, brilliant news.- Wonderful.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05We'd need to arrange some dates and definitely come and see you again.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- That sounds great. - All right, Martin, that's super.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- Speak soon, then.- Cheers, Donna. - Bye.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Oh, exciting.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16It's a job in the bag for Martin and Mick.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Are the other builders going to be good losers?
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Ah.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Martin and Mick.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24I can't remember what they said.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- What was it?- There's nothing you can do about it. I don't take it personally.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31He does a little bit. I think he's going to cry in a minute.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Ah, someone pass him a hankie.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Before Martin and Mick get cracking, come on, builders,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42let's hear your tips for the job.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46It's always good to prepare the area first, make sure there no clutter
0:27:46 > 0:27:48or mess or anything in the room, it's a blank canvas.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53As builders, we can't guarantee that were not going to drop that plate
0:27:53 > 0:27:54or drop that, you know.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56If you've got prized possessions,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59the best thing to do is get them out of the way first.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06It's day one of the build and the losing builders are ready to see how it goes.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Right, I'm looking forward to this.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09Yeah, this should be good.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12The box room has been cleared of all furniture
0:28:12 > 0:28:16and clutter and Mick is working hard to make sure those old purple walls
0:28:16 > 0:28:18are a distant memory.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22We've put a first coat on, give it a good rub down,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25cos it's probably going to take at least another two coats.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Good job it's a small room, then.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31Then we're going to put the floor down, then we'll cover the floor up.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Rub down and do our skirtings.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37And knock this horrible green radiator and window wall down.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39We've only got two days, it's including today,
0:28:39 > 0:28:43so we need to what we call...
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Yeah, take the back out of it, basically.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Just get on with something and uncross your arms, mate.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- He's going to say, "I'm going to go, and I'll leave you to it, Mick." - Yeah!
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- Two days is tight, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58And that time constraint means Martin and Mick need a quick-fix floor.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Laminate flooring is pretty much as easy as you can get.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04You know, you don't need a lot of tools for it.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07For us, it's an hour tops, really.
0:29:07 > 0:29:08Well, that's good news.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11I haven't really got a favourite bit about laying floors,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13because it means getting on my old hands and knees.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16And these are quite old knees, you see.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17Where's your knee pads, mate?
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- Kneepads.- Get some kneepads for those old knees.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21THEY LAUGH
0:29:23 > 0:29:27To finish laying the floor, the door will have to be taken off its hinges.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29But there's a small problem.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33Hinges filled with paint.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- Oh, nightmare.- Oh, no.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Before you do any painting...
0:29:39 > 0:29:42..of your doors, masking tape your hinges.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Don't try and go at it with a drill.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45This is a real tip now.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50Flathead screwdriver, clean it out first.
0:29:51 > 0:29:52Then go manual on it.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Old school. Old school.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55- Old school.- Old school.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Well, that's pretty obvious, isn't it?
0:29:57 > 0:30:00I mean, everybody knows that. He's just teaching someone to suck eggs.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Going to be really silly and take the top hinge out first so the door falls down.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06I'm just going to loosen them all up first, Mick.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10- Then I'm going to go down to the bottom hinge.- Don't you worry, I've done one before.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- Lovers' tiff. - THEY LAUGH
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's just paint holding it now, Mick, it's just paint.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- Hooray.- Yay!
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Once they've finished winding each other up,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26they can actually get on and finish the floor.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Next, it's the turn of those mint-green skirting boards to feel the wrath
0:30:30 > 0:30:32of Martin and Mick's paintbrushes.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33It's all in the preparation.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37And not forgetting the minty radiator.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39But watch your new floor!
0:30:39 > 0:30:42I just hope I'm not getting any drips.
0:30:42 > 0:30:43But something underneath it.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- He's going to have to have a lot of paint for that.- I would have painted them first, surely?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Yeah, before you put the floor down.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- I think I might have taken it off and sprayed it.- Mmm...
0:30:52 > 0:30:58Who walked in here and went, "I know what this room needs, purple walls and green radiators"?
0:30:58 > 0:30:59THEY LAUGH
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Yeah, I tend to agree with you there.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Well, a few finishing brushstrokes later
0:31:03 > 0:31:06and nobody would believe it was ever any other colour.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14It's the final week of Carl's garden build in Urmston, Greater Manchester.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17It's an ambitious project with a fast approaching deadline,
0:31:17 > 0:31:21and it hasn't all been plain sailing.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25The barbecue was finished, and then, because the client is always right,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27the client wanted it moving.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28So we've dismantled it,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31and moved it forward by about two feet,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34which obviously went down an absolute treat with the boys.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35- Good move. - HE LAUGHS
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Have to get Brian back today to rebuild it.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42It's good practice, cos every time he builds one he just gets better.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- Cos obviously he's at that age where he needs to keep learning. - SHE LAUGHS
0:31:45 > 0:31:46- Hey.- Hey what?
0:31:48 > 0:31:51And with a to-do list as long as Carl's garden,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54it's a good job the decking fitters have turned up.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Right, slide that frame over there so I can get this next one in. Please.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01He's very bossy for a little one.
0:32:02 > 0:32:03Nearly as bossy as me.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05No-one's as bossy as you, Sian.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09- Anyway, you. Come on. Chop, chop, this has got to be done for Friday. - SHE LAUGHS
0:32:11 > 0:32:12It's quite high pressured.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16Carl's got a big family barbecue, which is a really important occasion for them this weekend.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22So, we're under pressure to get the job finished and the garden looking really nice for them.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Starting to come together, though, Sian.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- That's the last one, that one.- Good.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Sometimes you just need brute force, don't you?
0:32:31 > 0:32:32Manic.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Things are moving on at a pace.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38The barbecue's been rendered,
0:32:38 > 0:32:43the pergola is up and painted, and Sian is putting up decorative shingle tiles.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47I'm putting two layers of the shingle and alternating them.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50If water falls on them, a bit like a roof tile,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53the water won't go down the edges and get into the structure below.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55They're quite random as well.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57They're not supposed to look uniform.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59I suppose the beauty is in their irregularity.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03We need to rough that end so it runs tighter.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Come on, chop, chop.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08More, Martin.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12More. Oh, my God.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14- Third time.- It's like Oliver Twist.
0:33:14 > 0:33:15Third!
0:33:16 > 0:33:18LAUGHTER
0:33:19 > 0:33:24Homeowner Carl has asked for a hexagonal tiled pathway.
0:33:24 > 0:33:29About a week and a half ago, we laid the concrete foundations.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32The moisture content in those now is below 8%.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35So it means we can tile onto the concrete.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40John first lays a stabilising membrane...
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Just making sure that this side close to the wall is going to be the highest point,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46so that the water runs off.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48..before moving onto the tiles.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Not a job he's looking forward to.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Tilers generally like rectagonal and square tiles.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Hexagonal tiles are a bit of a pain in the posterior.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00You're so good at hexagonal tiles, though, John,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03and that's why I'm getting you to do them again.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Well, let's see. The proof's in the pudding.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- I've seen your pudding already and I know you're good at them.- Hey! - SHE LAUGHS
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- Oh, hey! - WHISTLING
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Several hours later...
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- They look all right, them.- They do, don't they?- They're nice.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- I think John hates me right now. - SHE LAUGHS
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- It's not funny.- I'm not laughing.
0:34:23 > 0:34:24I'm going to be here all night.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27John looks very stressed out right now, doesn't he?
0:34:27 > 0:34:28He looks like he's at breaking point.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- He's in the zone.- He's in the zone?
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- Leave him alone. He's in the zone. - He doesn't want to put hexagonal tiles down.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Get me some more adhesive on here.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39Quickly.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Stressed or not, John's a professional.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Right, let's get these down.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46I like. Of course I like.
0:34:46 > 0:34:47I designed.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48HE LAUGHS
0:34:49 > 0:34:52And even he's got to admit...
0:34:52 > 0:34:54I think they look very good.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56But that doesn't mean that I would choose them.
0:34:56 > 0:34:57LAUGHTER
0:34:59 > 0:35:02With the deadline of Carl's party looming...
0:35:03 > 0:35:05..it's all hands on deck for the final push.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08It's absolute chaos here today.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Absolute chaos.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12There's about a million people in the garden.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16The last bits of decking are laid.
0:35:16 > 0:35:17- That will do.- That it?
0:35:17 > 0:35:19The tiles are grouted.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21And the job is done.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Friday night and I haven't got a gin and my hand, which is not good.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28But the garden's looking fantastic.
0:35:28 > 0:35:29Where's John? In the pub!
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Three sets of builders pitched on Carl's garden.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37But only one pair got the job.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Now it's time to see what the losing builders think of Sian and John's work.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44Let's see what the finish looks like.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49It's certainly a transformation.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52It took Sian and John, and an army of helpers,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55three weeks to complete the job.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Get in. Well done, Sian, well done, John.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- It's come together well, hasn't it? - Yeah, nice little chill area.- Yeah.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04There's a fully decked and furnished outside room.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08- Decent.- Yeah, it is.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13And a Scandinavian fire pit sitting on designer Italian tiles,
0:36:13 > 0:36:15which match in with the tiled pathway.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21The existing plants have been kept in raised beds.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25And the barbecue area is big enough for the large family party Carl has planned.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Great job. Absolutely great job, the pair of you.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- Even if you did steal our fire pit. - HE LAUGHS
0:36:33 > 0:36:35It looks neat and tidy, they've done a great job, as always.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Fair play to youse.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38It's unanimous.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40The builders like it.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44But what about the really important opinion - Carl's?
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- Mmm.- Come on, Carl. - Will Carl like it?
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Sian and John are about to find out what he thinks.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Ooh, that face. He did that face a lot, you know.
0:36:58 > 0:36:59He came out and sort of looked.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01And you weren't quite sure what he thought.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10It's brilliant.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Oh, brilliant! Brilliant.
0:37:13 > 0:37:14That's good.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Pam would have loved it as well.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Nice and easy garden for her.
0:37:18 > 0:37:19Or would have been.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Yeah. We've done this in her memory, because she loved the garden.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Aw.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29We've got a little sign up there, still saying, "Mum's garden".
0:37:29 > 0:37:32She's still here, she's still part of her garden.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Absolutely love it, it's great.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39She'd have been in her element.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43I think Carl is going to spend a lot of time in that room.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51Carl's garden is now a very fitting place to hold Pam's commemorative party.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55So, I wanted some nice coloured room,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58a new barbecue area with great decking.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03And they've absolutely delivered.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05The twins, they love it.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Families love it. My friends love it.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11I love it. I think the cat loves it.
0:38:11 > 0:38:12It's ace.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Another happy customer.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15- Yeah!- Whey.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Let's go and do it.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24Back down south in Sandhurst,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Martin and Mick have been working to give Donna a clutter-free office space.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Just squeeze this.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34It's the final day of the build and they're making good progress.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38Martin is fitting some flatpack cupboards for storage.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40See, we offered everything bespoke made.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- Yeah.- That's where we went wrong. Should have done flatpack.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48While Mick's fitted some floating shelves.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51The whole point is you can't see any fixings, basically.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54It looks like it's just floating on the wall.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55All it is is a metal bracket,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59fix that to the wall and then there's two screws.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01Depending on what you're fixing to, obviously,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04bit limited of how much weight you can put onto them,
0:39:04 > 0:39:08but it is still capable of carrying everything that we need to put on it.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Well, I just hope he told the homeowner that.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13You'd get the kids climbing up that in my house.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15I'd be like, "Aah!"
0:39:15 > 0:39:19And today, Mick has one eye on the schedule and the other on Martin.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23I've just cleaned that. Whoa, whoa, whoa, watch the end of that on there.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24SHE LAUGHS
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Oh, dear!
0:39:27 > 0:39:29He just carries on, he doesn't even listen to him.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31As part of their pitch,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34Martin and Mick offered Donna a full wall map mural,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37but she's decided to ditch the idea and save some money.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Brought in some accessories like the map.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44It's all about functionality for an office, but if it looks nice, too, it's a bonus.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45For Donna's desk,
0:39:45 > 0:39:50Martin and Mick have spent £150 on a wraparound worktop which Mick is oiling.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55Purely this is just to seal the surface and it just protects the top of the wood.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Mmm.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59That's kitchen worktop, I reckon.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00I like that. It's a good idea.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- That looks nice.- Yeah.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- I like the wood.- That's quite a good way of doing it, I guess, as well, to get a bit more for your money.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07With everything else done,
0:40:07 > 0:40:12the last job is shaving a little off the door to accommodate the new floor height.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Oh, he's putting in that nice bit of edging, but he's taken a bit of paint off,
0:40:15 > 0:40:16I saw that!
0:40:17 > 0:40:18Before refitting it.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Job done.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24And the finished job has surpassed even Martin's expectations.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29I think it's great. I mean, I wasn't sure about all the colours to start with.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33We went grey, black, beech, white, you know, but it's all come together, hasn't it?
0:40:33 > 0:40:35It's really nice.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39I think this is a place that you'd actually look forward to doing a bit of work in.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42I don't think you could get a digger in here.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43- Well, not us! - MICK LAUGHS
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Right, Mick, better go on to the next one.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49All right, the next one.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51"Oh, we've got so many jobs to do!"
0:40:51 > 0:40:52THEY LAUGH
0:40:55 > 0:41:00All the work in Donna's office has taken place over just two short days.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05It was like being inside a unicorn, like, one that was ill.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07- Yeah.- Yup. Pur-r-rple.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12But what will the losing builders make of Martin and Mick's work?
0:41:12 > 0:41:13Here goes.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I mean, it's a million times better than what it was.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Oh, of course it is.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Now, the room looks professional.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28There's a smart new wooden desk with handy floating shelves above.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31It does look professional.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- The finish is great, they've done it and executed it well.- Yeah.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40There's much-needed storage, a new grey floor,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43and the white walls have brightened up the space.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Really like the desk.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47She got exactly what she wanted.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Sounds like a seal of approval from the losing builders,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54but now Martin and Mick are about to find out whether Donna agrees.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03I enjoyed doing this one. It's going to be interesting to see what she thinks.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12- She's taking a long time to make a decision.- Mmm.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21I'm really pleased with the outcome.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23It's obviously much lighter, much less cluttered.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26The furniture is fantastic.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Ah, I'm glad she's happy, Donna.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31I've got the fantastic shelves, loads and loads of storage, so it's perfect.
0:42:31 > 0:42:32Just what I needed.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37All works well, doesn't it, in there?
0:42:37 > 0:42:38The desk is fantastic.
0:42:38 > 0:42:39It's given me a lot more work space.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42I love the beech block wood top.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44I'll look after that carefully.
0:42:44 > 0:42:45No coffee mugs on this desk, no.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50At least now if she brings a client up, she's got anyone coming over,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52it's a professional office now.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57Donna's office is now a pleasure to work in and, even better,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00the final cost came in at £1,850,
0:43:00 > 0:43:04that's 400 less than Martin and Mick's original quote.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07It was one of my favourites.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09We went in there, we did the job.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Two days, bish, bash, bosh, knock it out, she loved it.