Renovating your home can often seem like a daunting and expensive task, especially when you're inspired by the stunning transformations on popular renovation shows like The Block, Dream Home, and Selling Houses Australia. But what if you could give your home a fresh, new look without breaking the bank or calling in the professionals? That's exactly what former The Block stars Jess Eva and Norm Hogan are showing us in Channel Nine's latest series, Budget Battlers.

The show, which is set to premiere on Wednesday, December 4, is all about proving that a tight budget and a short time frame don't have to be obstacles to revamping your living space. Jess and Norm, who captured the hearts of Australians during their time on The Block in 2018, are back to demonstrate how you can renovate your entire house with just $10,000 in one week.


One of their ingenious cost-saving hacks is as simple as it is effective: updating your kitchen cabinet door handles. This small change can have a surprisingly big impact on the overall look of your kitchen. And the best part? You can find new handles for as little as $4.20 at Kmart or $4.85 at Bunnings.


Norm likens this simple update to a personal makeover, saying, 'With handles and things like that, I look at it like you've got a beard and long hair. If you go and shave your beard and have a haircut, you look completely different and brand new but you’ve still got the same old head. So if you put a coat of paint on and change the knobs around, it doesn't cost a lot of money. Paint doesn't cost a lot of money and door knobs or door handles don't cost a lot of money, but they can make a big difference. They’re just cheap hacks that you can do yourself.'


Jess adds another tip for a kitchen transformation: using self-adhesive film to revamp your bench tops. Available in various colours and designs at Kmart for $7.50, this DIY solution can give your counter tops a marble-like finish or any other style you prefer. 'If you're a parent and you can contact your kids’ school books, you can make marble bench tops,' she shares. 'It’s amazing what a lick of paint or just a bit of a freshen-up can do.'

Budget Battlers is described by Jess as '100 per cent authentic reality TV' or more accurately, a documentary. The show promises to be a raw and real depiction of home renovation, with no scripted drama or producer interference. The participants in the show are real people with real homes, contributing to a ripple effect of kindness as their spaces are transformed.

The challenge of filming Budget Battlers was no small feat. Norm admits it was 'a lot harder' than their experience on The Block, with the quick turnaround, tight budget, and extremely long days taking their toll. 'On The Block, the first couple of days you aren’t doing 20 hours a day and it’s later in the week when you're doing the all-nighters. Whereas on this show, it's every day we do it. There's one or two nights where you’re just doing all-nighters, and then come the end of it, you are absolutely exhausted,' he explains.


Jess, who has been working on Budget Battlers for almost five years, feels 'emotional' and 'very proud' ahead of its release. She believes that the show will resonate with viewers from all walks of life, as each episode presents projects that anyone can tackle, regardless of their budget.

So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and give your home a brand new look? Whether you're looking to refresh your kitchen, living room, bedroom, or bathroom, Budget Battlers is set to provide you with a treasure trove of affordable and achievable renovation ideas. Remember, sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. We'd love to hear about your own budget-friendly home makeover experiences, so please share your stories in the comments below!
Budget Battlers is now on Channel Nine. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your home with simple, budget-friendly hacks that promise to deliver big results.