My Reno Rules: How Mitch and Shaz Pulled Off a Stunning $1 Million Comeback
Australian renovation television delivered one of its most dramatic finales in recent memory when My Reno Rules crowned Queensland couple Mitch and Shaz as the winners of a life-changing $1 million prize. What made the victory even more remarkable was the fact that the pair entered the decisive final stage of the competition sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard before producing an extraordinary turnaround.
The Channel 7 renovation series quickly established itself as one of Australia’s most talked-about home transformation competitions. Hosted by Dr. Chris Brown and judged by renovation and design experts Neale Whitaker, Julia Green, and Simon Cohen, the show challenged four teams to renovate and transform rundown homes while competing for substantial prize money and national recognition.
A Competition Built on High Stakes
My Reno Rules brought together four teams with different backgrounds, skills, and renovation styles:
- Mitch and Shaz (Queensland)
- Franky and Isaac (Victoria)
- Emma and Michelle (Queensland)
- Nathan and Julia (Victoria)
Throughout the season, contestants renovated, furnished, and landscaped homes while receiving scores from the judging panel. The competition featured twists, budget challenges, and dramatic room reveals that continually reshaped the leaderboard.
For Mitch and Shaz, the competition carried special significance. The couple, who share a teenage son named Lenny, viewed the show as an opportunity to improve their family’s future. Mitch brought professional landscaping expertise to the competition, while Shaz operated her own interior design business, making them one of the most technically skilled teams in the field.
From Front-Runners to Last Place
The road to victory was far from straightforward.
Earlier in the season, Mitch and Shaz were among the strongest performers and earned praise for several of their renovation choices. Judges even described one of their living room transformations as among the best they had seen on television renovation programs.
However, their momentum collapsed late in the competition.
A controversial kitchen design received harsh criticism from judges, causing the couple to tumble down the leaderboard. Entering the Grand Finale, they sat in last place with only 70 points, creating doubts about whether they could recover in time.
The setback left the pair needing a near-perfect final performance if they hoped to challenge for the top prize.
Landscape Week Changes Everything
The final challenge centered on landscaping, a discipline that played directly into Mitch’s professional strengths.
Knowing the importance of strategy, Mitch chose to focus on the front yard rather than the larger backyard space. The decision appeared risky, particularly when billionaire entrepreneur Adrian Portelli introduced a major twist by providing swimming pools for the backyard renovations. The pools instantly increased the visual appeal and competitive potential of those spaces.
Rather than panic, Mitch developed an ambitious concept.
The team created a striking architectural front yard featuring:
- A statement paved entrance
- Bespoke landscaping elements
- A curved copper-and-timber front fence
- Architectural detailing designed to create a premium first impression
The bold approach distinguished their property from the competition and impressed the judges during the final evaluation.
The Emotional Grand Finale
When final scores were revealed, the comeback was complete.
Mitch and Shaz finished with an overall score of 99.5 points, narrowly defeating Victorian friends Franky and Isaac, who scored 97 points. Emma and Michelle secured third place with 96 points, while Nathan and Julia finished fourth on 95 points despite beginning the finale as leaders.
Grand Finale Results
| Team | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Mitch and Shaz | 99.5 |
| Franky and Isaac | 97 |
| Emma and Michelle | 96 |
| Nathan and Julia | 95 |
The moment victory was announced, emotions overwhelmed the winning couple.
“I think I’m going to vomit!,” cried Shaz after learning they had become millionaires.
Mitch admitted the reality of the achievement had not yet sunk in.
“It hasn’t hit home that it’s real.”
The most touching moment of the evening came when their son Lenny joined them on stage.
“I’m so proud of my parents,” he said.
“They did a really good job.”
Prize Money for Every Finalist
Unlike many reality competitions where only the winner receives a significant reward, My Reno Rules distributed substantial prizes across all finalists.
- First Place: Mitch and Shaz — $1 million
- Second Place: Franky and Isaac — $250,000
- Third Place: Emma and Michelle — $100,000
- Fourth Place: Nathan and Julia — $50,000
The expanded prize structure ensured every team left with a meaningful reward for months of hard work and sacrifice.
Viewer Giveaways Add Extra Drama
The finale’s excitement extended beyond the contestants.
As part of the show’s broader competition, viewers also had the chance to win major prizes. During the live event, two Australians walked away with an astonishing $2 million each. One winner, Nathan B from New South Wales, nearly missed his opportunity after failing to answer the initial phone calls during the broadcast. After repeated attempts, he finally answered and chose to take the cash prize.
The giveaways reinforced the program’s unique format, which combines renovation competition with audience participation.
Why the Finale Sparked Debate
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the finale generated discussion among viewers.
Some fans questioned the judges’ scoring decisions, particularly regarding the final backyard evaluations that ultimately determined the winner. Social media reactions reflected differing opinions on whether the rankings accurately represented the quality of the renovations.
Such debates are common in renovation competitions, where design preferences are inherently subjective. Nevertheless, the controversy demonstrated how invested audiences had become in the competing teams and their projects.
What Makes My Reno Rules Different?
The series entered a highly competitive renovation television market but differentiated itself through several unique elements.
Unlike traditional renovation programs where renovated properties are sold at auction, My Reno Rules focused on transforming homes that could ultimately benefit viewers through prize giveaways. The series also emphasized everyday Australians rather than professional influencers, helping audiences connect more deeply with the contestants’ stories and financial motivations.
The combination of renovation challenges, large cash prizes, emotional family narratives, and audience participation helped the program build momentum throughout its inaugural season.
A Victory Built on Resilience
Mitch and Shaz’s triumph will likely be remembered as one of the defining moments of the show’s first season.
Their journey captured many of the qualities that make renovation competitions compelling: creativity, perseverance, strategic thinking, and the ability to respond under pressure. After enduring harsh criticism, falling to the bottom of the leaderboard, and facing long odds in the final week, they transformed adversity into a remarkable victory.
For their family, the $1 million prize represents more than financial success. It symbolizes months of determination, teamwork, and belief in a vision that ultimately convinced the judges when it mattered most. As My Reno Rules concluded its debut season, Mitch and Shaz’s comeback provided the perfect ending to a competition built around transformation—not just of homes, but of lives.
