Tim Lamb wrote
Chris J Dixon wrote

Anybody else watching this series?

Not knowingly. I tend to watch this sort of
programme hoping to learn something useful.

My criticism of Grand Designs etc. is that the format is
focused on the human interest angle rather than exploring
how jobs are managed and what materials are best.

Not always, particularly with the self managed projects.

Each programme follows a couple of small household refurbs.
Three builders quote for each, one is chosen, and does the job.

Chosen on what basis ? Bet the quote is different to what the
general public would get, to get them on the program etc.

Moderately interesting, quite a range of jobs and
builders, and some results better than others.

I reckon that the missing bit is getting those who do the job to
admit what their actual materials cost and man-hours worked
turned out to be, so we could discover if they were simply buying
themselves the job, and judge how representative their pricing was.

True.