Making it easy on The Block

  
  
For the seventh consecutive year, Kennards Hire is again the official hire company supplier of Channel Nine’s longest running reality TV series, The Block. 

The show, which entered its 16th season this year, returned to screens on Sunday night revealing the five teams set to transform the five family homes from five decades in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Brighton.

At a time when we’re all spending more time at home, and renovation and DIY is becoming even more increasingly popular, this season is primed to see strong audience interaction with The Block as people look for practical ways and inspiration to take on creative projects in their own homes.

As returning equipment hire sponsor, Kennards Hire introduced the five contestant couples to their new Kennards Hire man-on-the-ground, Ben McTaggart. Affectionately known as “Benny from The Block” he’s on-hand for all the contestants, and tradies, during the show to help with any equipment needs and advice they need to help make their Block journey easier, particularly with the difficult task of renovating the different period home Block properties.

“I had such a great experience working on the Block. Despite being a competition there was a really friendly atmosphere on the jobsite and amongst the contestants,” said Benny.

“A lot goes into these beautiful homes, and I was onsite six days a week, sun up until sun down helping them out.”

“As the show progressed and the ante was upped, the contestants needed more specialist equipment and it was a pleasure to be on hand to answer their equipment questions. It’s great to be part of something that is ultimately going to give one couple a life-changing win.”

Lance Hawes, General Manager of Kennards Hire in Victoria, said the partnership with The Block has become a great way to show case not only the equipment product range Kennards Hire offers but also the expert service the team provides and their eagerness to go the extra mile for renovators and tradies, whether expert or beginner.

“We saw some extremely tricky times during filming when COVID-19 first hit Victoria, particularly when filming halted back in March. We had to change the way we interacted with the contestants, tradies and production crew. Our ability to be agile and offer real solutions to provide safe, contactless service really came to the fore during this time,” explained Lance.

The Block contestants have been able to take advantage of many tools and equipment from the 3600-strong product range to help them in their pursuit of glory, including; airless paint sprayers, scaffolding, jack hammers, laser levels, plaster screw guns, explosive nail guns, plate compactors, excavators heaters and framing guns – and that’s just the beginning.

“We know that The Block contestants need access to quality and specialist equipment to tackle the challenges that renovating period homes can bring. By providing them with the tools and equipment that tradies and professionals use and sharing tips, we help to make completing each room on such a tight deadline a little bit easier,” said Lance. 

This year Kennards Hire is encouraging audiences at home to tackle their own renovations with ease by taking advantage on an additional day of hire free over the weekends from now until 5 October. Savvy DIYers can also bring The Block home with a interior design consult with 2013 The Block favourite, Bec Douros, or an outdoor garden consultation with Block landscaper guru, Dave Franklin thanks to the Kennards Hire competition which is also running until 5 October. 

The Block airs on Channel Nine in Australia. It will also air in New Zealand come November 2020.