RTE Room to Improve viewers in disbelief as Dermot Bannon pulls off a rare triumph

Dermot Bannon returned to our screens on Sunday night for a new series of RTE's ever-popular Room to Improve.

The show follows architect Dermot as he tries to improve his clients' living conditions by renovating their homes without spending excessive sums of money.

The first of four episodes featured Karen Mulligan, who lived in London for many years, but dreamed of transforming her family’s former butcher shop in Charlestown, Co Mayo, into a modern three-bedroom townhouse.

With an initial budget of €290,000, including grants, Karen hoped to keep costs within reason. Dermot’s initial design came in at €287,499 - excluding the third bedroom, which would require an additional €50,000 and push the total to €342,000.

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However, quantity surveyor Claire Irwin reworked the numbers to stretch Karen’s budget by €30,000 and fully utilise available grants. After navigating a tough journey to complete the build, Karen was thrilled with the finished home.

The final cost landed at €345,000, nearly spot-on with the revised budget.

Viewers were stunned by this rare Room to Improve budget success - and many took to social media to express their disbelief and admiration.

One person said: "Ok, @DermotBannon has just delivered a #roomtoimprove house in Mayo bang on budget…. They are winning Sam this year, aren’t they?!"

Another joked: "Bang on budget ?! Is this a sign of the apocalypse?!"

A third wrote: "The last time #roomtoimprove came in budget was the 1951........ Is this a sign???? Amazing family came across exactly as you would expect... Place looks unreal. Great episode and wonderful family."

Someone else shared: "Love the renovation! Love she put the bed where she wanted! Love the family name retained on the front & love it’s not over budget!"

Another asked: "Bang on budget. Is that a first?!", while someone else summarised the episode: "Budget. Bold colours. Exposed beams. Trip to London. Espresso Martinis. This first episode has it all!! Go on @DermotBannon."

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