Season 6 was confirmed in June 2017 with Applications for the sixth season of House Rules open between 3 June & 31 August 2017 on the House Rules official network seven website.[2][3] Season 6 was officially confirmed in October 2017.[4]
This season of House Rules consisted of new teams renovating each other's homes and further challenges for the ultimate prize of $355,000.
Format Changes
Teams - This is the first season to include seven teams instead of the conventional six teams like in previous seasons.[5]
Prize Money/Auction House - In a House Rules first, the first challenge of the competition was for the contestants to renovate a home which will be sold at auction, the profit that is made from the auction became the series prize money.[6] The house was bought for $1.25 million and sold at auction for $1.605 million, which made the profit from the auction $355,000, which became the prize money for the winners of the season.[7]
House Evaluation - After each interior renovation, a property expert from Purplebricks valued each teams houses, they told the team evaluation of the house before the renovation was complete and then give them a card with the new evaluation. In the grand final, the final two contestants were given a new evaluation after the renovation of their front yards.
Interior Renovation House Evaluation
Team
Evaluation
Added Value
Before Renovation
After Renovation
Jess & Jared
$570,000
$730,000
$160,000
Mel & Dave
$625,000
$825,000
$200,000
Josh & Brandon
$220,000
$350,000
$130,000
Kim & Michelle
$550,000
$700,000
$150,000
Leigh & Kristie
$540,000
$925,000
$385,000
Chiara & David
$435,000
$585,000
$150,000
Toad & Mandy
$850,000
$1,000,000
Grand Finalists Evaluation
Toad & Mandy
$850,000
$1,100,000
$250,000
Mel & Dave
$625,000
$1,070,000
$445,000
Garden Rounds - The gardens rounds placed in the backyards of the homeowners yards and included six teams unlike previous seasons where it took place in the back and front yards and would only be four teams. It was also held over 3 rounds instead of two and for the first time the homeowners also scored the teams.
Give Back Makeover - Chelsea and Wayde applied into this series, but the latter died from a head injury that was initialised by a cliff fall. This round wa devoted to renovating Chelsea's house as an act of kindness. Even though their house would be renovated had Wayde not died, this format change is temporary (only for this season). The remaining teams did an interior renovation and got a score out of 10 from each of the judges. The lowest scoring team was eliminated and the 2 other teams headed into the final.
Contestant Teams
This season of House Rules introduced seven new teams. All teams are from different states in Australia.
Description — In the first challenge, the teams had seven days to renovate a house which will be put up for auction. The house located in Rosebery, New South Wales was bought for $1.25 million, the profit made from the auction became the series prize money ($355 000). The teams had to follow the rules given by the judges.
Auction House
Rosebery, New South Wales
House Rules
Rule 1
Create contemporary luxury in a "cafe cool" home
Rule 2
Let the Australian impressionists inspire your colour palette
Rule 3
Pay homage to Florence Broadhurst in the master suite
Rule 4
Use art to add colour and urban edginess
Rule 5
Play with spaces
Team
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 30)
Running Total (AH)
Drew
Laurence
Wendy
Chiara & David
Bathroom & Backyard Left
7
9
8
24
24 / 30
Kim & Michelle
Entry, Ensuite & Lounge Room
7
8
8
23
23 / 30
Jess & Jared
Dining Room, 1st Floor Hallway & Laundry
7
8
8
Toad & Mandy
Kitchen & Master Bedroom
6
9
7
22
22 / 30
Leigh & Kristie
Front Facade & Nursery
6
8
7
21
21 / 30
Josh & Brandon
Bedroom 2, Hallway & Stairwell
8
7
5
20
20 / 30
Mel & Dave
Bedroom 3 & Backyard Right
5
7
6
18
18 / 30
Phase 2: Interior Renovation
The seven teams traveled around the country to completely renovate each other's home. Every week, one team handed over their house to their opponents for a complete interior transformation. A set of rules from the owners were given to the teams known as the 'House rules' which needed to be followed to gain high scores from the judges and the homeowner team.
South Australia: Jess & Jared
Episodes 3 to 6
Airdate — 9 to 14 May
Description —Teams headed to Jess & Jared's home in Adelaide, South Australia for the first renovation.
Renovation 1
Adelaide, South Australia
House Rules
Rule 1
Bring NY to the burbs with warehouse style
Rule 2
Colour with dark greens and pale pinks
Rule 3
Find iconic b&w photography
Rule 4
Do something different with feature walls in every room
*^1 Josh & Brandon received the bonus room and decided to keep it. The bonus room was a Movie Room. Jess & Jared judged it as a pass and the team gained 5 points, meaning their score of 23 rose to 28 taking them from 2nd place to 1st place.
Queensland: Mel & Dave
Episodes 7 to 10
Airdate — 15 to 21 May
Description —Teams headed to Dave & Mel's home in Hope Island, Queensland for the second renovation. Two of the bedrooms belong to their children; Billy, three years old & Westin, five years old.
Previous winner's advantage: Josh & Brandon — Ability to allocate the bonus room to another team or keep it for themselves
Previous loser's disadvantage: Leigh & Kristie — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
*^2 Josh & Brandon had the power of the bonus room to keep it or give it to another team, they decided to give it to Toad & Mandy. The bonus room was an Outdoor Dining Room. Mel & Dave judged it as a pass and the team gained 5 points, meaning their score of 23 rose to 28 taking them from 5th place to 2nd place.
Queensland: Josh & Brandon
Episodes 11 to 14
Airdate — 22 to 28 May
Description —Teams headed to Josh & Brandon's home in Maryborough, Queensland for the third renovation.
Previous winner's advantage: Kim & Michelle — Ability to allocate the bonus room to another team or keep it for themselves
Previous loser's disadvantage: Chiara & David — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
*^3 Kim & Michelle had the power of the bonus room to keep it or give it to another team, they decided to give it to Mel & Dave. The bonus room was a Music Room. Josh & Brandon judged it as a fail and the team lost 5 points, meaning their score of 25 dropped to 20 taking them from 5th place to last place.
New South Wales: Kim & Michelle
Episodes 15 to 18
Airdate — 29 May to 4 June
Description —Teams headed to Kim & Michelle's home in Tweed Heads, New South Wales for the fourth renovation. One of the bedrooms belong to Kim and her husband (the master bedroom), one to Michelle, one to her sister Melissa, one to Michelle's children (daughters who are 7 and 6 - Bella and Aaliyah respectively), and one to Melissa's son (10 year old Corey).
Previous winner's advantage: Chiara & David — Ability to allocate the bonus room to another team or keep it for themselves
Previous loser's disadvantage: Mel & Dave — Camping in a tent during the renovation, however due to the high possibility of snakes they were able to book a hotel room for the week
Renovation 4
Tweed Heads, New South Wales
House Rules
Rule 1
Put some pizazz into a dream display home
Rule 2
Give us 50 shades of grey and purple
Rule 3
Go ooh la la with French Provincial style for Michelle
*^4 Chiara & David had the power of the bonus room to keep it or give it to another team, they decided to keep it. The bonus room was a Kids' Playroom. Kim & Michelle judged it as a pass and the team gained 5 points, meaning their score of 33 rose to 38 and came in first place.
Victoria: Leigh & Kristie
Episodes 19 to 22
Airdate — 5 to 11 June
Description —Teams headed to Leigh & Kristie's home in Rye, Victoria for the fifth renovation. Two of the bedrooms belong to their children; Billie, four years old & Kobe, six years old.
Previous winner's advantage: Chiara & David — Ability to allocate the bonus room to another team or keep it for themselves
Previous loser's disadvantage: Josh & Brandon — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
Renovation 5
Rye, Victoria
House Rules
Rule 1
Chill out with "California Cool" style
Rule 2
Get earthy with copper, timber, limestone and concrete
*^5 Chiara & David had the power of the bonus room to keep it or give it to another team, they decided to give it to Mel & Dave. The bonus room was a Guest Bedroom. Leigh & Kristie judged it as a pass and the team gained 5 points, meaning their score of 33 rose to 38 moving them from second place to first place.
Western Australia: Chiara & David
Episodes 23 to 26
Airdate — 12 to 18 June
Description —Teams headed to Chiara & David's home in Yangebup, Western Australia for the sixth renovation. Three of the bedrooms belong to their children; Seth, eight years old, Taya, six years old & Ellie Mae, three years old.
Previous winner's advantage: Mel & Dave — Ability to allocate the bonus room to another team or keep it for themselves
Previous loser's disadvantage: Kim & Michelle — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
Renovation 6
Yangebup, Western Australia
House Rules
Rule 1
Bring the bling with glam luxe style
Rule 2
Be passionate with red, gold and silver
Rule 3
Turn the lounge room into a swanky cinema
Rule 4
Do something dramatic in a sparkly kitchen
Rule 5
Make the master suite like an OTT 6 star hotel
Bonus Room Rule
Style a slammin' wrestling bedroom for 8-year-old Seth
*^6 Mel & Dave had the power of the bonus room to keep it or give it to another team, they decided to give it to Leigh & Kristie. The bonus room was Seth's Bedroom. Chiara & David judged it as a fail and the team lost 5 points, meaning their score of 28 fell to 23 moving them from fourth place to last place.
New South Wales: Toad & Mandy
Episodes 27 to 30
Airdate — 19 to 25 June
Description —Teams headed to Toad & Mandy's home in Candelo, New South Wales for the seventh & final interior renovation. Two of the bedrooms belong to their 18 month old twins, Lenny & Layla. The lowest scoring team overall will be eliminated.
Previous winner's advantage: Mel & Dave — Although Toad & Mandy were the highest scoring team in the previous week, they do not participate in the renovation of their own home, therefore the team to allocate the bonus room to another team or keep it for themselves was given to the second-highest scorer.
Previous loser's disadvantage: Leigh & Kristie — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
*^7 Mel & Dave had the power of the bonus room to keep it or give it to another team, they decided to give it to Kim & Michelle. The bonus room was a Sitting Room. Toad & Mandy judged it as a pass and the team gained 5 points, meaning their score of 25 rose to 30 moving them from last place to fourth place.
Phase 3: Gardens & Backyards
The 6 remaining teams were challenged to transform the gardens & backyards of each other's homes. Two teams were allocated to a home (that belonged to neither of them) whilst the homeowners are away for the duration of the renovation and had to renovate a zone in the backyard, as well as improve the house exterior. They were held over three rounds, covering all houses of the current teams. After all rounds were complete, the three lowest scoring teams were eliminated.
Round 1
Episodes 31 to 34
Airdate — 26 June to 2 July
Description — In round 1 of the exterior renovations, 4 teams headed to Maryborough and Hope Island to transform the gardens and backyards in 4 Days. Teams were allocated to a zone in the back yard of either Josh & Brandon's or Mel & Dave's.
Renovation summary
Round 1
House Rules
Josh & Brandon's (QLD)
Mel & Dave's (QLD)
Rule 1
Go modern Aussie outdoor style
Create a cool coastal vibe
Rule 2
Plunge us into a swim up bar
Make a shipwreck island for the boys
Rule 3
Build a beer garden on the deck
Give us a chill out area by the pool
Rule 4
Give us a games area with a secret cinema
Design a haven for body and soul
Rule 5
Choose your zone
Team
House
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 40)
Running Total (Round 1)
Homeowner
Drew
Laurence
Wendy
Chiara & David
Josh & Brandon's (Maryborough, QLD)
Pool, Beer Garden & Deck Area
7
7
5
8
27
27 / 40
Jess & Jared
Deck, Games Area & Cinema
7
5
6
5
23
23 / 40
Kim & Michelle
Mel & Dave's (Hope Island, QLD)
Kids' Play Area & Body/Soul Haven
8
6
7
7
28
28 / 40
Toad & Mandy
Pool, Deck & Chill Out Area
7
6
6
6
25
25 / 40
Josh & Brandon
—
—
Mel & Dave
—
—
Round 2
Episodes 35 to 38
Airdate — 3 to 9 July
Description — In round 2 of the exterior renovations, 4 teamsed head to Candelo and Yangebup to transform the gardens and backyards in 4 Days. Teams were allocated to a zone in the back yard of either Toad & Mandy's or Chiara & David's.
Renovation summary
Round 2
House Rules
Toad & Mandy's (NSW)
Chiara & David's (WA)
Rule 1
Be bold with blues in a formal country garden
Give us a sparkly Miami pool party vibe
Rule 2
Warm things up with the ultimate fire pit
Give us a sparkly Miami pool party vibe
Rule 3
Create a country cook's veggie patch
Have fun with a kids water park
Rule 4
Turn the old shed into a pub
Calm us with water features
Rule 5
Choose your zone
Team
House
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 40)
Running Total (Round 1 & 2)
Homeowner
Drew
Laurence
Wendy
Jess & Jared
Toad & Mandy's (Candelo, NSW)
Fire Pit & Veggie Patch
8
6
7
7
28
51 / 80
Josh & Brandon
Pub & Entertaining Deck
6
8
8
9
31
31 / 40
Kim & Michelle
Chiara & David's (Yangebup, WA)
Water Park & Outdoor Dining Patio
7
5
5
6
23
51 / 80
Mel & Dave
Pool Area & Grown Ups Escape
8
7
8
7
30
30 / 40
Toad & Mandy
—
25 / 40
Chiara & David
—
27 / 40
Round 3
Episodes 39 to 42
Airdate — 10 to 16 July
Description — In round 3 of the exterior renovations, 4 teams headed to Adelaide and Tweed Heads to transform the gardens and backyards in 4 Days. Teams weare allocated to a zone in the back yard of either Jess & Jared's or Kim & Michelle's. In a House Rules first, the three lowest scoring teams overall were eliminated.
Renovation summary
Round 3
House Rules
Jess & Jared's (SA)
Kim & Michelle's (NSW)
Rule 1
Style a NY high-line entertaining area
Help us chill with a Balinese backyard
Rule 2
Bring the Bronx down the side
Use the colours of a sunset
Rule 3
Make a cool pop up pizza joint
Create a private oasis off the master suite
Rule 4
Add attitude with sculptures and art
Go wild with a play area for the kids
Rule 5
Choose your zone
Team
House
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 40)
Final Total (Round 1 to 3)
Homeowner
Drew
Laurence
Wendy
Josh & Brandon
Jess & Jared's (Adelaide, SA)
Entertaining Area
7
7
5
7
26
4th (57)
Toad & Mandy
Pizza Joint
9
9
10
10
38
2nd (63)
Chiara & David
Kim & Michelle's (Tweed Heads, NSW)
Private Oasis
7
9
10
9
35
3rd (62)
Mel & Dave
Kids area and pool area
7
8
10
9
34
1st (64)
Jess & Jared
—
=5th (51)
Kim & Michelle
—
Phase 4
Give Back Makeover
Episodes 43 to 45
Airdate — 22 to 24 July
Description — The 3 remaining teams headed to Woonona, New South Wales, namely the home of Chelsea and her 17 month old daughter, Koa. Chelsea & her husband Wayde had applied for the series and were successful, however Wayde passed away after an accident whilst fishing. The lowest scoring team was eliminated & the top 2 advanced into the Grand Final.
Previous winner's advantage: Mel & Dave — Ability to allocate the bonus room to another team or keep it for themselves
Front Exterior, Master Bedroom, Bathroon & Lounge Room
8
8
8
24
Chiara & David
Hallway, Guest Bedroom, Kitchen & Atrium
6
7
7
20
Notes
*^8 Mel & Dave received the bonus room and decided to keep it. The bonus room was a Back Deck. Wendy and Laurence judged it as a pass and the team gained 5 points, meaning their score of 24 rose to 29 causing them to move to first place and Chiara & David to be eliminated.
Grand Final
Episode 46
Airdate — 30 July
Description — The final 2 teams had 4 days to renovate their opponent's front yard. The team that received the highest score won the season (thus becoming House Rules 2018 Champion) and received $355,000.
Renovation summary
Grand Final
House Rules
Mel & Dave's (QLD)
Toad & Mandy's (NSW)
Rule 1
Turn '80's brown brick' into 'Hamptons dream'
Restore our charming country verandah
Rule 2
Celebrate the water views
Create spaces to relax and enjoy the farm
Rule 3
Use blues, greens and greys
Be clever with flowers to add colour
Rule 4
Stay together at all times
Rule 5
You have four days
Team
Area
Scores
Total (out of 30)
Final Result
Drew
Laurence
Wendy
Toad & Mandy
Front yard
7
8
9
24
Winners
Mel & Dave
8
7
8
23
Runners-up
Ratings
Colour key:
– Highest number of viewers/nightly rank during the season
– Lowest number of viewers/nightly rank during the season
aRatings data used is from OzTAM and represents the live and same day average viewership from the 5 largest Australian metropolitan centres (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide).