TV property shows, would you go on one?

[beanstalk]

I've just seen an advert for a new Sarah Beeny programme, our circumstances fit the bill but haven't contacted them. Would you do it? DH says we should, I wonder what we get out of it. Do they pay you for these programmes?

no way. Especially not a Beeny one as she always seems to try to make the homeowner look small, especially if they don't take her, ahem, excellent advice (which is not her advice at all but advice given by a panel of genuine property experts).

I'd consider a Kevin McCloud Grand Designs one but otherwise no.

I don't think they pay you to appear.

That's what I thought sausage! Also, surely it just adds more stress to your development knowing there is a tv crew coming to film it periodically! I just wondered why other people do go on if they don't pay you, is it just for their 15 minute of fame so to speak? I would avoid that like the plague anyway, but might have been tempted if there was any tangible (financial!) benefit.

Good point about Sarah Beeny's attitude to the homeowner too, I think you're absolutely right.

George(The Home Show) could come and redo my house any time! Trouble is you have to put up the funds. I suspect the expertise is all you get thrown in.

cat - yes if they did the work for you then great! But this is a show about taking on problem houses and Beeny does just stand back and criticise a lot! It just struck a chord as we have just bought a house that has rising damp, woodworm, needs a new roof, new boiler, etc etc and we are stripping it back to fix it and do it up. at some point in the distant future it will be a fab family home. I can't see channel 4 paying for that work

If you're employing tradesmen, I would. They'd have a huge incentive to make sure they did a good job, on time and to budget. National prime time tv coverage, plus looped repeats on More4, would tend to guarantee a decent level of service.

And the researched advice from shows like Property Ladder would be really valuable - hardly Beeny's fault when people want to look a gift horse in the mouth.

No. As don't own a property and never will.

I know an architect who tells me that if you are chosen for Grand Designs then the 'suppliers' you use knock shedloads off their quotes for you, so you can potentially save a lot of money.

That is only second hand info though, no idea if it is true.

We nearly contacted Houses From Hell when we still didn't have a weatherproof roof in December after 5 months (ds born in Sept...)

Fortunately MrNC took over project managing it all himself and is excellent at DIY too, so we got it OK for Christmas and secure in Jan.

Might still dob our ex-builder in to them though, in case he's tried to start trading again after going bust.

I would have done location, location

Tis my dream to go on Grand Designs.....all I need is to win the lottery..!

I used to produce interiors programmes, and what you need to decide is whether what they are offering is worth the (considerable) hassle of being filmed.

They're unlikely to pay you, but, as someone said, you can almost certainly get materials (esp posh things like nice bathroom fittings) much cheaper if they will be on the show. You may also be able to get discounts on work, particularly from big national chains. And they may also be able to help sourcing materials and so on.

But - and this is a big but - they want some drama. Sooo, they will be looking for projects that they think will go wrong in some way - over budget or time or just plain horrible. And at various points they will probably be trying to wind you up to get a reaction out of you as well.

So I would contact them and see what the deal is, then decide - but it's worth asking.

Oh, and also look at which production company is doing it. If it's Talkback, who've done lots of property shows with her and do Grand Designs, it will probably be OK and they will treat you OK. If it is some small company who's only done trashy stuff for BBC3 before, beware, as they won't know what they are doing and will be more likely to stir things up to create drama...

I'd do Grand Designs, Location, Location and A Place In The Sun. They don't seem to go out their way to make the people look silly. I'd be wary of anything else.

I think Location Location Location could be good but I know I would get on Kirtie's nerves b/c we are already having to make compromises to get a house in this area & I do not want o compromise further than that. I cna already imagine Kirstie with her head in her hands Plus, I would be worried how podgy & wrinkly I look on TV

As others have said you will get big discounts on work and fixtures. Plus Beeny does pass on expert advice that is usually very sensible IMO. If everyone listened to the Beeny there would be alot nicer houses about.

I would do it, but then I am a media whore not adverse to exposure.

i'd love to. we got asked to submit further info for LLL, then asked for some photos, which we sent. then heard nothing... too ugly for tv clearly... :-(

my husband loves SB... whats her new programme. is it more of the same "fools who try to renovate but only make money because of the rising market.."

Definitely would do Place in the Sun. Always seems to be full of people who are "thinking" of buying a new home in Mauritius, USA, Australia or somewhere else lovely... but then decide to "stay at home and think about it some more" But thanks for the free holiday chaps!

I'd do DIY SOS.

I do know someone who was on House Doctor and Ann Maurice changed the colour of one wall and then changed it back when she agreed with the owners as to why they'd used the colour they originally had. House still took ages to sell though.

I Sarah Beeney pregnant again?

I dont think id ever go on any of them, but if you fit their criteria then at least you would be getting some fantastic professional advice free of charge. She certainly knows her stuff.

Our house was on "To buy or not to buy" about 3 weeks ago . Twas a load of tosh, but gave us a nice DVD of our old house to keep (we moved out the same week as the programme aired). We didn't sell to the the people in the programme though.

I'd do Grand Designs...if only!

I think the Home Show must throw in a lot of the fittings and furniture as there is always a long list of credits at the end. I bet most of them get a Howdens kitchen with a Corian worktop as they seems to appear every week.

Her new show is a 'house rescue' programme, seems to be about serious repair. As I said, we are taking on a 'project' which fits their description and trying to do it on a tight budget and whilst I am pregnant. So plenty of drama for them! I am slightly tempted if we could get discounted kitchen and bathroom, but no point adding to the stress without an incentive!

Well see whats in it for you, she seems nice, well I like her!

Id do Sarah Beenys or the Home Show. The home show is great - he does seem to make the houses soooo much better.