The Popular Home Improvement Shows Brits can binge-watch

With the Covid-19 lockdown now in full effect, many people are relying on their TV to keep them entertained. Whilst movies, shows and documentaries on platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus will undoubtedly be popular, Brits may also consider binge-watching well-known and much-loved home improvement shows.

Home improvement shows do not only offer great entertainment value, but also give insightful tips and tricks on how individuals can best improve their property. With a vast array of high-quality and engaging home improvement shows to choose from, Brits are certainly spoilt for choice. 

Interested in property renovation and restoration, MyJobQuote.co.uk analysed 10 of the most popular home improvement shows in Britain, to discover how long it would take to binge watch each one from the first season to the latest full season during the coronavirus lockdown.

The most popular home improvement shows Brits are binge-watching

The results

It will take the most amount of time to binge-watch Escape to the Country, at an astonishing 34 days, 13 hours and 48 minutes.

To binge-watch season 1-30 of the ever-popular DIY SOS, will require 8 days and 20 hours.

For those wanting to enjoy Kevin McCloud’s innovative Grand Designs, it will take them 4 days, 17 hours and 31 minutes to complete season 1–19.

Contrastingly, it will require the least amount of time to binge-watch the two shows pioneered by the charismatic George Clark – Amazing Spaces (2 days, 4 hours and 28 minutes) and The Restoration Man (1 day and 12 hours).

Overall, if a person decided to binge-watch all 10-home improvement shows included in the research, it would take them a staggering 99 days, 1 hour and 52 minutes to do so – this equates to 3 months and 1 week!

Image Credit: Szefei / Shutterstock

Top tips for binge-watching our favourite home improvement shows

Come prepared:

With so much information to gain from every episode, have a notepad and pen at the ready. Be sure to jot down any names of different building techniques/processes, materials and equipment used in the shows that you may want to use and/or replicate in your home. 

Take caution:

Just because you have seen it done once on the show, don't develop the false-confidence that you can easily do it too – especially if it is something complex like dealing with plumbing and heating – the same goes for electricity and lighting components too. Think of your safety first before taking on any DIY task.

Review premise:

Each home improvement show offers different ways to add value to properties. They all have a unique approach when it comes to important areas such as property type, planning, design, construction and determining valuations. So, take the time to research online which show(s) would appeal to you the most and help you transform your own property into your dream home. 

A breakdown of the most popular home improvement shows in Britain

Escape to the Country

Original release: 14^th October 2002 – Present

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1–19

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 19: 34 Days, 13 Hours and 48 Minutes

Main Presenters: Alistair Appleton, Jules Hudson, Nicki Chapman and Jonnie Irwin

Network: BBC One and BBC Two

Show Premise: The programme narrows down three properties (including a mystery property) in a desired rural location within the UK for prospective buyers to take look at and then decide, which one out of the three most meets their needs/criteria.

Homes Under the Hammer

Original release: 5^th May 2003 – Present

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1-22

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 22: 30 Days and 3 Hours

Main Presenters: Martin Roberts, Dion Dublin and Martel Maxwell

Network: BBC One

Show Premise: The programme focuses on individuals intending to bid on run-down properties that are up for sale at auction. Upon auction completion, the show checks in with the successful buyer to find out what renovations they plan to make. After a certain time period, a presenter revisits the property to see how things have progressed (i.e. improvements, finances, legalities, any problems encountered etc.).

DIY SOS

Original release: 7^th October 1999 – Present  

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1-30

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 30: 8 Days and 20 Hours

Main Presenters: Nick Knowles, Mark Millar, Chris Frediani, Julian Perryman and Billy Byrne

Network: BBC One

Show Premise: The programme helps families in need to completely renovate the inside and outside of their property in a creative and modern way that suits their day-to-day lives. Along with the usual team consisting of experienced builders and designers, the transformation projects are often aided by the generous help of local tradespeople and the friends/family of the recipient(s).

Image Credit: WiP Studio / Shutterstock

Location, Location, Location

Original release: 17^th May 2000 – Present

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1-33

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 33: 8 Days, 11 Hours and 15 Minutes

Main Presenters: Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer

Network: Channel 4

Show Premise: The programme relies on the vast expertise of Britain's favourite television property duo, Phil and Kirstie, to help individuals find and secure the right property for sale in their desired area in the UK. 

Grand Designs

Original release: 29^th April 1999 – Present

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1-19

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 19: 4 Days, 17Hours and 31 Minutes

Main Presenters: Kevin McCloud

Network: Channel 4

Show Premise: The programme gives a platform to those who truly aim to build the house of their dreams. Each project on the show is unique in vision and scale – often incorporating cutting-edge design, custom-made elements, careful craftsmanship and space maximization.

Changing Rooms

Original release: 4^th September 1996 – 22^nd November 2004

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1-17

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 17: 3 Days and 5 Hours

Main Presenters: Carol Smillie, Al Gregg, Brett Lee, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Anna Ryder Richardson

Network: BBC One and BBC Two

Show Premise: The programme involves couples swapping houses with their friends or neighbours to decorate one room in each other's homes. To successfully achieve the transformation of each room in just two days, each couple is given a professional designer and handyman to help them out. 

Property Ladder

Original release: 27^th September 2001 – (Unknown) 2009

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1–9

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 9: 2 Days and 21 Hours

Main Presenters: Sarah Beeny

Network: Channel 4

Show Premise: The programme follows amateur developers who buy run-down properties, to then fix them up quickly and inexpensively as possible and then, sell them for a hefty profit.

A Place in the Sun

Original release: 1^st March 2000 – Present

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1–7

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 7: 2 Days, 14 Hours and 7 Minutes

Main Presenters: Amanda Lamb and Jonnie Irwin

Network: Channel 4

Show Premise: The programme looks at couples who are tired of the rainy and gloomy conditions in Britain, so want to find another home in the sun. Each contestant is shown three to four properties for sale in a sunny foreign location (typically in Europe) they want to move to or frequently visit for holidays.

Amazing Spaces

Original release: 23^rd October 2012 – Present

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1-8

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 8: 2 Days, 4 Hours and 28 Minutes

Main Presenters: George Clarke

Network: Channel 4

Show Premise: In the programme, George Clarke uses his extraordinary imagination and knowledge to help people turn their small spaces into the most stunning of places to live, work and unwind.

The Restoration Man

Original release: 14^th March 2010 – Present

Seasons (till the latest full season): 1–7

Time needed to binge-watch season 1- 7: 1 Day and 12 Hours

Main Presenters: George Clarke

Network: Channel 4

Show Premise: The programme follows George Clarke, who travels around the UK following the journey of Brits aiming to restore a historically/architecturally prominent building (e.g. church, windmill or water tower etc.) into their dream home.

Image Credit: Stock-Asso / Shutterstock