What is wrong with people who go on Grand Designs?

[RobynRB]

Seriously, time and time again it's the same thing. Why do people feel they need to build a house the size of a cinema complex and then moan when they run out money. Most of these things could be 10-20% smaller and you wouldn't even notice. Don't these people understand that materials like wood and concrete cost money so buy less of them and the house will be cheaper.

Speaking of which, last night was a classic case... we haven't got any money, but we bought this copper bath for our bedroom and this (frankly disgusting but I'm guessing ridiculously expensive) gold and black marble for our kitchen.

It struck me the reservoir building was big enough to build a reasonable house in, maybe with a smaller extension to the side. It certainly looked twice the size of my three bedroomed house on it's own.

And of course five minutes after they started they announced they were having a child. What brilliant timing...

I’m going to have to watch last night as it sounds like a potential classic.

Regarding posh boy, Justin Maxwell Stuart, he appears to be now married to the Japanese cook he introduced at the end.

That's what the rich golfer and his Japanese wife did in St Albans.

https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/interiors/breathtaking-romaninspired-grand-designs-commuter-house-for-sale-for-ps5-95m-b1036089.html

As well as licking his lips Kev has a habit of flicking his eyes up and down when talking to the couple on the show - like he's surreptitiously looking at their boobs

Tbh I think it's a difficulty he has with maintaining eye contact he does it when talking to men too

Loved this thread and agree with it all 😁. Been watching grand designs since series 1 slightly shocked I've watched it that long and still enjoy it. Think I've been through about 4 houses and 3 renovations myself in that time!
I also thought this weeks story was a bit odd and unclear where the extra £500k came from and felt slightly sick thinking about the debt they must be in. Can't be much fun owing all that money as your starting out on family life. They just seemed unwilling to compromise on anything, as others have said why didn't they do phases and do phase 1 unitil they could get more money. Interesting to hear they've been travelling in that time too, I'd be pretty peeved if I was a family member that leant money. I also wonder about her grandad friend and whether he had family because he seemed to leave everything to her.
The Devon lighthouse one that broke up the family and cost millions is near where my dh is from. It finally sold recently but I think it's a complete eyesore and may end up in the sea in about 50 years

Oh but you have to play grand designs bingo

@Dulra I know, I meant boobs as in men's boobs too!

I just wish that houses were valued (before if poss but def after) like in ugly house, love it or list it ir the Sarah Beanie one

oh I love this thread 👏💗 I'm getting up right now & going to watch this episode with my cats. Might have to start forcing my DH to watch them so I have someone to be incredulous with. Not sure my cats will be that interested in budget issues & torrential rain. I remember one old episode down on the banks of a river in a wood somewhere with a tiny hump-backed bridge as the only access point and OBVIOUSLY a 5 year old child could predict the huge delivery lorry wouldn't get access to the site that way 🤣🙈 I love shouting at the TV lol

This has just become my favourite mumsnet reply 👏

My husband is a Quantity Surveyor & we live in our self build that he project managed (and we finished without falling foul of this issue). I can safely say it’s rarely, if ever, the size of the house that’s the issue. It’s usually the complexity of the design (several split levels/ridiculous materials/build styles trades aren’t used to) and/or dire planning so things get done in wrong order/need corrected/changed. Included in the planning issue is that their budgets are often entirely unrealistic to begin with. A project of the scale of these houses should have a budget created & managed by someone with the required knowledge & they seem to only work with self builders who don’t have this (suppose they think that’s what makes good telly but we both miss the older series’ where builds were less out there & didn’t lead to financial ruin).

And as someone who waited patiently until the house was built to get pregnant, completely agree about the kids bit. Finishing our build & getting our mortgage at the end would have been a lot harder on mat pay.

I'd never seen this one so looked it up, I think it's brilliant, I'd buy it if I had the money
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.devonlive.com/news/property/gallery/grand-designs-fossil-home-sale-8274322.amp

The very first episode is on YouTube. It was a prettiest normal house. Big, but normal. I think it’s gradually got more extreme over the years.

That house would drive me nuts! My first thought was 'how the hell do I clean those windows' , and then 'what was the point of that long curly bit?'

It reminds me of Oxford Road station in Manchester tbh.

How can they afford all those holidays when they have had to borrow so much from friends and family ?
I'd be pretty annoyed if I had lent them money.

However the holidays might be linked to the sky diving business ?

I also thought she had gone a bit Instagrammy ready, appearance wise.

I quite liked the house.
I'd have to have those electric window coverings though or some window coverings.
I hate the prospect of someone seeing in at night and I not being able to see them from inside - I've watched too many scary movies.

There's an Instagram account called "nocontextgranddesigns" which is hilarious and really highlights the absurdity of a lot of it. Highly recommended.

I too am too aware of the Kevin licky lips and boob glancing. Ugh. Someone once said he looks like a tortoise and now I can't unsee it

To my great sadness, Patrick Grant from Sewing Bee also does that drop his eyes to the chest thing

This post cracked me up as it is absolutely what my partner and I were thinking. That work surface was hideous! Ha ha And the place huge..apart from kitchen lounge and bedrooms they won't use most the space.

Thank you MN people. I have laughed way too much at these comments.

Surely someone on MN must know or be related to this couple and be able to help explain the funding dilemma? And it would be nice to know Grandad Leo's actual role.

I'm another lover of the Surrey Huf Haus. It wasn't like the big, cold, open plan homes, it was modern yet practical and comfortable, and beautiful. It was also the beauty of the German assembly efficiency that made it so wow and the gorgeous couple.

Im wondering whether Leo was perhaps her real father!!! Alternatively her real dad is a multi millionaire somewhere and is just plying her with guilt money!

I wish Rosa was on here to explain. They did look worried at the end but they also looked very well dressed. I can't think how they could possibly afford the mortgage repayments and since it meant so much to them how could they sell? What a mess! Im glad I've found this thread as I have been thinking about it all week!!!

It's the ones who have self sustaining everything, claim no money and live off nettle tea...until Jemima and Jago come back from school for the summer 🤨