The Beeney is back!

MM · 2005-04-05T20:42:16+00:00

Another one of Sarah Beeney's makeover shows on Channel 4 and it isexactly the same formula as before. We sit through 10 minutes of Sarahadvising the punter on what not do do, how it's all going to go overbudget, and why, basically, the whole idea is crap. We are seduced byclever computer graphics that show cutaway views of the awfuldownstairs loo or the equally awful lean-to. Then we are furtherreminded throughout the programme with little digs here and nudgesthere. Meanwhile, said punter, in this case, a knowitall from the EastEnd backed by some geezer with more money than sense, wouldn't listen,didn't do a budget (she 'guesstimated'), went totally over budget,exactly as Sarah had predicted, and ended up flogging the house to herson for no profit at all.So, what on earth is the point of this programme and ones like it anymore, now that the housing market is on the slide? Builders, plumbers,electricians still want their pound of flesh, so doing up a propertyis going to cost just as much, irrespesective of the market. But thedifference is that now you can no longer just wait a few months forthe market to chuck another few thou on the asking price and dig youout of your financial black hole that way. In fact, in the currentclimate I don't see how anyone can make any money doing up propertiespurely as a business. I have properties on my RightMove shortlist (Ikeep them there so that I can monitor the market) and some of themhave been there, the price *still* the same, since last September!If only we could see Sarah Beeney do up an identical house on herterms so that we could see how she would end up making a profit, butwe don't. The programme has become tedious and pointless and is lessabout renovating property than exposing the idiocy of the average man,or woman, on the street.MM

Apr 05, 2005 28 Replies

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Rick 21 years ago

And if the did what she said, it would be very boring very quick. We only ever watches Justin & colin attempt to make a million because thay were so useless at it .......

And what would Dr Who be like if Tom Baker just waled up and said "go on be nice chapes and go away" and the darleks went away ? Thats the point we want someting where we can shout at the TV cause we can do better. There must be a reason fat lads watch football on TV ...

Personally I think this "budget" stuff is junk, once you are in you have to finish, no matter what it costs. having a buget, and cost control are not the same thing.

Rick

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Rick 21 years ago

There silicone anyways - yuck

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MM 21 years ago

Right-o. Do you know, I would never have come up with that idea by myself. Just goes to show what benefits there are in participating here, as one's enlightenments just never cease.

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MM 21 years ago

So why don't we get to see the evidence? Giving away too many tricks of the trade, perhaps?

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Mark S. 21 years ago

That'll be why on the C4 trailers things they have on she said she'd prefer smaller ones...?

Mark S.

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[

[news] 21 years ago

what 'tricks' ? the tricks she uses to advise the punters on the programme which they ignore that winds you up that makes you rant ? those ones ?

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MM 21 years ago

No, the ones she DOESN'T tell us about!

Why doesn't she tell us:

- where and how to find dilapidated properties

- how to convince the seller that his price is too high

- how to estimate the cost of refurbishing

- where and how to get the best builders/plumbers etc

- how to get the best from solicitors, estate agents

- how to get the best from architects, inspectors

- how and where to get all the bumf on various regs

- problems with listed buildings

- where/how to find firms to 'dress' the house temporarily

- what to do when things go badly wrong

- auctions as a last resort

See, there's LOTS she COULD tell us, but all we get is, "I wouldn't put the bath there, if I were you." And so anyone contemplating this activity ends up doing all the research on his own, by himself, continually reinventing umpteen wheels, making the programme actually a total waste of time when it could be a vehicle to help us on our way. Otherwise the programme makers might as well just open the programme with a picture of The Beeney astride a pile of Yellow Pages, pointing at them with a speech bubble saying, "Get on with it!" It could be one of those three-minute fillers that come on after Channel

4 News.

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Dave 21 years ago

You'll find most of that is/has been covered but then what idiot(s) would enter into one of these 'investments' without knowing these things? Just about ever comment she makes is qualified with an explanation, most of which are common sense

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Lobster 21 years ago

Look at

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gives contact details for all the suppliers used in the programme, including:

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