Architect Dermot Bannon is back and building again with a new series of Room to Improve, returning on Sunday 7th January, 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Joined once again by quantity surveyor Claire Irwin, series 15 will feature builds of all different shapes and sizes, with varying budgets, grants and tight deadlines. There will be some heartbreak, and some incredibly compelling personal stories of the challenges of building in a cost-of-living crisis along the way.

Some of the homeowners are struggling with the increased costs of construction, from the cost of materials skyrocketing to rising labour costs. This series also features homes that are eligible for various home improvement grants including the vacant homes grant, the derelict homes grant and the SEAI grant, which will help to educate viewers on the opportunities that are available to prospective homeowners.

First stop for Dermot and Claire is Urlingford, Kilkenny, where Gráinne Murphy and Ivan Williams have been dreaming about renovating Ivan’s forefather’s old farmhouse for many years. With the help of the vacant homes grant and the SEAI grant, Ivan and Gráinne aim to bring the personality and character of this old house back to its former glory. Their total budget is particularly tight for this ambitious project.

In episode 2, Brian Carrigg and Kate Molony attempt to renovate a bungalow with a view of the Rock of Cashel that Kate has dreamed of owning all her life. As their budget is limited, the derelict and vacant homes grant and the SEAI grant have been integral to making this home build possible. The house needs a complete renovation, and the only view of the Rock was through a frosted bathroom window, so Dermot has been challenged to create a new design that captures the stunning view. Will Kate get the home she has always wished for?

In episode 3, Dermot and Claire meet Sandra and Daniel Davey in Knocklyon, Dublin, who bought their dream home there over four years ago. However, a conservatory added by its previous owners is leaking and as a result, the house is so cold that Sandra, Daniel and their two young children spend most their time in the front room. The Davey’s main aim is to make their home more liveable, and to increase its energy efficiency. Will Dermot be able to make their dream a reality within a very tight budget, and working with a one-stop-shop for the construction?

Finally, in the series finale, Ann Brannigan and her husband David are attempting to give Ann’s former family home in Santry, Dublin a complete renovation. Ann bought the home from her grandfather, so it is hugely sentimental to her, and her sister Emer lives next door. Ann and David have a big vision and a sizeable budget for this project. However, Dermot and Claire try to communicate that their growing wish list will increase the cost of the build significantly. Will they be able to compromise?

Room to Improve returns for the first of four episodes on Sunday 7th January, 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player 

SERIES NOTES 

Episode 1 – Kilkenny 

Gráinne Murphy and Ivan Williams have been dreaming about renovating Ivan’s forefather’s old farmhouse which is based near Urlingford in Co.Killkenny for many years.

Gráinne is a schoolteacher and teaches yoga and Ivan is a full-time farmer. They have two boys, Senan (6) and Luan (10).  When Dermot first visited the house, Gráinne and Ivan had started renovating the exterior of the farmhouse with a limestone render, with the help of a local council grant. Inside, they were working on the preliminary demolition of the interior of the farmhouse in their spare time.

Gráinne and Ivan managed to attain the vacant homes grant due to the fact the house had not been lived more than two years. Given that the house needed structural work they were able to attain a top up, as well as an SEAI grant. Their budget was very tight, but the grants have really helped them with this project, as well as their mortgage.

Episode 2 – Cashel 

Brian Carrigg and Kate Molony met on holiday in Spain seven years ago.  They married during the pandemic with a tiny ceremony, so when their house is complete, they hope to have a big party to make up for their wedding. In November 2022, they bought a bungalow on the outskirts of Cashel that Kate had dreamt of owning since she was a child.

The house had been vacant for many years and needed a complete renovation, including rewiring and replumbing. Kate and Brian naively moved all their furniture in, but quickly realised that the house was cold, damp and uninhabitable, especially with two young children. They have been living with Kate’s sister Ruth and her family for over a year, so the pressure is on for them to move into their own home before they overstay their welcome!

The derelict and vacant homes grant and the SEAI grant have been integral to making their home build possible. The house has a view of the Rock of Cashel that Kate adores, but when Dermot arrived, the only real view of the Rock was through a frosted bathroom window. Dermot was challenged to create a new design that captures the stunning view of the Rock.

They want an A-rated home, but will their budget be able to cover the large rear extension, along with converting the upstairs of the bungalow to a fourth bedroom too? They also want to convert an exterior building into a gym for Brian.

There is only so much money in the pot, so Dermot and Claire have had to rein them in to ensure they don’t spend money on the wrong things. Will Kate be able to compromise, and will they get the home they always dreamed of?

Episode 3 – Knocklyon 

Sandra and Daniel Davey are both from the same community in Tubbercurry, Sligo. Their lives went in different directions after school, but their paths reconnected during a visit home to Sligo, and there has been no looking back since. They married during Covid and are now parents to their young daughters Penny (2 and a half years old) and Bel (11 months old).

Sandra and Daniel bought their dream home in Knocklyon, Dublin over four years ago.  However, a conservatory added by its previous owners is leaking and as a result, the house is so cold that they can barely use the kitchen and other rooms. They spend all their time in the front room.

The Davey’s got in touch with Dermot with an incredibly tight budget and their main ask was to create a more functional, energy efficient home. With a total budget of €130k and the SEAI grant, QS Claire had brought in the expertise of a one-stop-shop, Larkrock Ltd to complete the entire build.

The Davey’s have a clear vision of what they want to bring some warmth back into this home, but will Dermot be able to create that within their restricted budget and the SEAI grant?

A design was made that they loved but Claire really had to give them warnings about sticking within their incredibly tight budget. An extension is not an option, but Dermot has some very clever design ideas to stay within budget that will allow their home to function properly for them. Once the build has commenced, Daniel and Sandra realise that they also want a home office for Daniel, as well as an outside kitchen that Daniel can use for his business.

A functioning kitchen with use of light, an upgrade on the energy efficiency and most importantly, to make the house warm are the Davey’s main asks. The Davey’s have a clear idea of what they want, but can Dermot create that within their restricted budget? Claire certainly has her work cut out for her to keep this budget in place!

Episode 4 – Santry 

Ann Brannigan and her husband David Mooney found love later in life. They now live in Ann’s former family home in Santry with their son Desmond.

Ann bought the home from her grandfather, so it is hugely sentimental to her, and her sister Emer also lives next door. This house is all about family and community for Ann and David, which is so important to them, but they feel it’s time to give the house a complete renovation.

Ann is a colorectal surgeon at the Mater Hospital and David works for an international tech company, mainly from home. They have always felt that the layout of the house doesn’t function well and that it’s too small. Ann also wants to future proof the house for her family’s needs, including the possibility of looking after an elderly relative. David really wants the house to work as a home, and to include a workspace for him.

This project is very ambitious and will be a huge transformation. Dermot presented his design, but Ann and David really needed to realise that their list growing wish list for the house was going to bring the price of the build up considerably. Prior to the build, Dermot and Claire met with Ann to discuss the extras she wants, including levelled floors and vaulted ceilings in the bedrooms. These will add a significant amount to Ann and David’s initial budget. Will they be able to stay within their budget?