Foreman Keith’s big problem with this season’s Block contestants

The Block’s longtime foreman Keith was on the warpath during Tuesday’s episode, complaining the process had become unfair.

The Block’s famously grumpy foreman Keith Schleiger was on the warpath during Tuesday’s episode of the hit reno show, fuming that this year’s contestants are leaning too heavily on he and fellow foreman Dan Reilly.

As foremen, the duo are tasked with inspecting builders’ handiwork, giving it the sign-off and confirming that key elements of the build have been done properly.

But according to Keith, this year the team – several of whom have little prior reno experience – are instead coming to he and Dan before those elements have even been built, seeking advice every step of the way.

His tempers flared when Queensland couple Leah and Ash checked in with them about this week’s build, asking him if he thought they were progressing well – in particular, if he liked their between-room transition from a wooden floor to a marble step.

Keith gives Leah a piece of his mind.

“Keith was on one this morning. This week I said, ‘We’re going to be on top of it. We’re going to ask him every step of the way,’” Leah explained.

“I said to Keith, ‘How are you feeling about the tile meeting the timber?” He just … cracked it.”

Indeed, cameras showed Keith blasting Leah for asking him the question.

“That’s got nothing to do with structure. What’s happening at the moment, is Dan and myself are putting every piece in for every contestant. It’s not the way we do it. You build to regulation, then we inspect,” he told her.

“But we’re holding every builder’s hand for every piece that goes in. It’s not fair. You guys have got to start building, then we’ve gotta start inspecting what you’re building.”

Keith continues the lectures with Steph and Gian.

“I asked him one question, and he gave me so much ‘tude,” Leah said. “He spat the dummy.”

Later on in the episode, he also cracked down on Sydney couple Steph and Gian, who were shown seeking advice over a “one-day setback” requiring them to rebuild the floor structure of their upstairs bathroom.

“We’ve got to stop helping. It’s up to you guys to work this out,” he lectured them. “Dan and I are holding your hands through this entire build … it’s got to be a competition.

“You guys have got to [build this], and we’ll come and inspect it when you’ve built it. We’re not going to keep holding your hands through every piece of this build. It’s not fair.”