Maine Cabin Masters

[goodgoalie]

Anybody watch this on the Travel Channel? Really enjoy it (and The Tree House Guys), but I'd love to know the real cost of the extensive work they carry out on the cabins. When they come across unforeseen problems, rot etc, the owners never seem to be asked for more money - six guys working for six weeks doing all they do including materials on a budget of only $30,000? I think not - do you think there are unseen other workers involved?

[goodgoalie]

Must be just me then...

[sapelesam]

I have a friend in the States who works for a large TV production company that does programmes like these. Often the home owner will pay for materials and the TV company pays all labour costs. Any over runs and extras usually come from the TV Co's budget.

[goodgoalie]

Hi Sam. Yes, that doesn't surprise me. When they meet the owners of the cabins "for the first time" there is no discussion at all about the nitty gritty of what they will actually do in the remodelling, they just hand over the keys and say 'make it really nice'; of course, as a TV company is involved, there must be contracts signed, and all the lumber etc would already have been ordered, permissions sought and so on. Still enjoy it, though

[sapelesam]

You just have to remember that they are entertainment programmes. They have to make shows so have to find projects. I would imagine that some owners contribute nil so have little input.

[sapelesam]

Just a quick thought goodgoalie, convert the dollars to pounds, it's easy to forget how little the budget can be.

[goodgoalie]

Exactly. The budget always seems so small for new roof, new sidings, painting, internal remodelling, solar power, new dock on the lake, paths and on and on. If only I had a 'camp' in Maine that needed work.....!

[sapelesam]

That's the thing about the USA, every where you look there is potential for a TV programme.