Island home stars in Renovate or Build

Former Block Contestants Jesse and Mel help a Phillip Island family decide if they should renovate or rebuild their Cowes home, in the new lifestyle TV show Renovate or Rebuild.

The show airs on 9Life on Monday night, at 8.30pm.

The couple, who starred in the 2019 season of the Block are Victoria’s Renovation Team in the new Renovate or Rebuild show, which aims to “take energy efficient housing to the masses”.

Two teams compete to convince a family they have the best solution to providing more space, comfort and reduce energy bills.

As Team Renovate, Jesse and Mel set out to convince families they should renovate and rearrange their homes.

Team Rebuild – former Block contestants Bec and George – come up with a plan to show the best option is to start again.

The two solutions are judged by an expert panel on style, sustainability, and cost but ultimately the decision will come down to the family – will they renovate or rebuild?

Island visit

In Monday night's show, the two teams help a family in Cowes make a big decision about their house, which involved a whirlwind trip to Phillip Island between lockdowns earlier this year.

“We were only there for two days,” said Jesse.

“We travelled around the island, looked at the neighbourhood and then went away and came up with a plan.”

It wasn’t the couple’s first trip to Phillip Island.

“We love it,” said Mel.

“It’s only about an hour and a half from us, so we try and go when we can. We’re going to try and get down in summer.”

They said the welcome from locals while they were filming the show was special.

“People are really friendly, and we had a ball,” said Jesse.

“We went out to the pub and the locals really welcomed us. It was a nice vibe.”

Without giving too much away, Jesse believes the Phillip Island episode contained one of the most difficult decisions for the home owners.

"It was actually quite a lovely home, and the family didn't want to move. But they'd been there so long and they wanted something more contemporary.

“It was a real coin toss. In other episodes, once the owners saw the designs, it was clear which way to go. But in this one, I don’t think they were any closer to making a decision.”

Find out what they recommend for the Phillip Island family by tuning in to Renovate or Rebuild on Monday night on 9Life, at 8:30pm.

You can read more of our chat with Jesse and Mel in next week’s edition of the Advertiser.