'That's a lot of colon operations' - Room to Improve viewers shocked as final budget revealed

Viewers of RTÉ's Room to Improve have all reacted in the same way to the final episode's budget reveal. 

The last episode of season 15 of the beloved house transformation show aired last night (January 28), with hundreds of viewers sharing their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter). 

Episode 4 saw host and architect Dermot Bannon head to Santry to revitalise the home of colorectal surgeon Dr Ann Brannigan, her husband David Mooney and son Desmond. 

The couple hoped to change the dysfunctional layout of the house - which has sentimental value to Dr Brannigan's family - and future proof it for Ann's mother and son Desmond as he grows up. 

They presented their own ideas at the beginning of the show, however Dermot revealed the cost of implementing all their wishes would cost almost €800,000. 

Dr Brannigan became emotional when Dermot showed her his own design, which they were delighted with. 

The space. The light. The calm.

What do we make of the finished home? ✨ #RoomToImprove pic.twitter.com/qIpKXy6F32

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) January 28, 2024

They began the renovation with a budget of €400,000, however a very different final figure was revealed at the end of the episode. 

Dermot's design came in at a cost of €596,000 after Dr Brannigan and her husband confirmed their wish list was more of a priority than the budget. 

However, they ended up spending a total €628,000 on the house renovations, excluding the addition of a gym/garden room and landsacaping. 

X users had plenty to say about the final budget reveal: 

A beautiful house, 2 things the big first floor extension is surely taking light from next door , surprised they got planning, the original budget of 400k ended up at 620k PLUS gardens and the famous shed. That's a lot of colon operations #roomtoimprove

— Urlofcork (@urlofcork) January 28, 2024

400k budget, 700k spent. That's got to be the record! #RoomToImprove

— Richard (@abitrich89) January 28, 2024

EXCLUDING…

Never has one word meant so much more money beyond the budget. #RoomToImprove

— Marcus Ó Buachalla (@ohfadabee) January 28, 2024

#roomtoimprove 628k excluding garden room and extensive landscaping. Where do I randomly locate an extra 300k on my budget

— Messer (@A_Right_Messer) January 28, 2024

He's gone over budget...on a 600k extension...#RoomToImprove

— Stevie Cahill (@StevieCahill) January 28, 2024

So basically there is no budget what was the point of saying 400k at the start #roomtoimprove

— Jimboslice (@James81340229) January 28, 2024

Anne: budget is 400k

Dermot: Say no more. Ye it's gonna cost 600k

Anne: Grand, go on. #roomtoimprove

— Sorcha Feeney (O' Reilly) (@ScorchTM) January 28, 2024

#roomtoimprove
Client "budget is 400k"
Dermot "comes it at "585"

Is the man deaf?

— BingoBangoBongo (@BingoBangoBong9) January 28, 2024

#RoomToImprove is wild. The lovely couple on this week have given Dermot a budget of €400k to do up their home in Santry. He came back telling them it’ll cost €600k. There isn’t a single property on Daft in Santry with an asking price of €600k.

— Kevin Doyle (@KevDoyle_Indo) January 28, 2024

What’s more important, your wish list or the budget…. And they said wish list sure they left themselves wide open there .. they gave Dermot a blank cheque.. #roomtoimprove

— Niamh McAllister (@Niamhmcal) January 28, 2024

Ah, this is old school #roomtoimprove … big budget is back!!!

— Colette Ní Chatháin (@CraicAgusCeoil) January 28, 2024

Sorry, did they say the budget was 400k and Dermot said it’s going to cost 600k
Absolutely love this couple - gorgeous humans . #roomtoimprove

— Dee (@DeirdreSweeney) January 28, 2024

“Our budget is 400k”.
Dermot: How’s 600k? #roomtoimprove

— Damien (@cubbycub1981) January 28, 2024

€400,000 and they’re STILL blowing budget WHAT #RoomToImprove

— Sinéad (@neadshin) January 28, 2024