Rock the Block Season 6 Finale: A Nail-Biting End to the Competition and Who Took Home the Big Win

The latest season of Rock The Block brought us a fiercely competitive finale. This year's four teams were split into two groups: veterans who had been on the show before, like Alison Victoria and Michel Smith Boyd, and Jonathan and Jordan Knight. The new teams were Chelsea and Cole DeBoer and Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama. Each team had won at least one challenge in the previous six episodes. The Knights and the Kalamas had even racked up two wins each. But as we headed into the season finale, past wins did not count for the grand prize. The only numbers that mattered were the ones with a dollar sign in front of them.

Ultimately, the winning team would be the one whose house appraised for the most money at the end of the whole competition. To get to that finish line, each team needed as much money as possible for those critical final touches on their homes. While all four teams started with the same $250,000, they certainly did not go into the finale with the same resources. It made for a very interesting setup. It really felt like anything could happen, even with all the money spent. I wondered if the earlier budget decisions would truly make a difference in the end.

All four teams got a nice budget boost in episode six when each received an extra $50,000 to design their huge, one-acre backyards. But only one team, the Kalamas, did not dip into their original budget to add to that amount. Challenge wins also played a role. A winning team got $3,000, and their counterpart, either rookie or veteran, received $1,500. The only exception was episode four, when the teams judged each other, and the Kalamas kept all $4,500 when they won. It added up to some big differences as they went into the final stretch.

Unpacking Each Team's Financial Position Heading Into The Rock The Block Finale

Understanding How Past Wins And Spending Shaped The Teams' Final Budgets

By my own calculations, based on what we saw spent and what they had won, here’s where each team stood as they went into the final appraisal. Alison and Michel, from Windy City Rehab and Luxe for Less, had just $20,000 left for the finishing touches. This was much less than any other team. The Knight Brothers, Jonathan and Jordan, had about $30,000 to get their home ready. Meanwhile, Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama, from Renovation Aloha, had $40,000. This was more money than any other team. Chelsea and Cole DeBoer, from Down Home Fab, had just under $35,000 for their remaining projects. It was clear that some teams had more room to play with those important last details.

The teams quickly got to work, focusing on both interior and exterior details. Many of them chose bold wallpaper for their guest rooms. It was a common thread among the different designs. The Kalamas decided to spend their extra money adding solar panels to their roof. This system included two batteries. The Knights went for low maintenance with stucco and stone on the outside of their house. They also chose a small patch of sod for the front yard, surrounded by white rocks. Alison really went for a striking look. She used a burning wood treatment called shou sugi ban on her front door. It seemed like a risky but stylish choice. However, Michel started to regret the wallpaper they chose for the gym and thought it might need to come down. It really showed the pressure they were under.

The Kalamas found themselves out of money after installing the solar panels. While they wanted to add cabinetry for a coffee bar, they had to settle for open shelving instead. The DeBoers brought in a tiny home to show off their RV parking pad. They admitted they were worried that the Kalamas' solar panels would be tough to beat. Alison announced that after three times on the show, she was not leaving without the win. The Kalamas shared that being on the show had been an "emotional rollercoaster." Chelsea DeBoer felt confident going into the final appraisal. Everyone seemed to be feeling the tension before the judges arrived.

Judges Jonathan Scott And Ty Pennington Examine Each Home For The Top Prize

A Detailed Look At The Design Choices And How They Stood Up To Scrutiny

For the two-hour season finale, Jonathan Scott teamed up with host Ty Pennington to judge the homes. This week, it was not about personal taste. It was all about the appraisal value. The house that received the highest appraisal would win the competition. That team would then get their names on the street sign for the block. The scoreboard was tied going into the finale, with three wins for the Veterans and three wins for the Rookies, thanks to the Knight Brothers' backyard win. It made the final appraisal even more exciting. I was on the edge of my seat to see how the numbers would stack up.

Jonathan and Ty started with the Kalamas’ house. The judging was not blind for the finale, which meant the Kalamas could explain their "moody modern" style and Hawaiian touches. Jonathan loved the warm exterior and praised the landscaping. Inside, he loved seeing straight through the house from front to back, with windows letting in light from both directions. He called it "one of the best things you can do designing a house." He thought the kitchen was "smart design" with its indoor-outdoor window and declared the living room felt like a "show home." He loved the moss wall and called the master bedroom a "calm, serene space." While he found the foyer leading into the bedroom a "strange decision," he loved the master bathroom and kids' room. He called the guest room "classy and sophisticated." Jonathan loved the lower level and especially the movie theater. He said the Kalamas "thought of everything." He called the backyard "a real estate agent’s dream" and thought the solar panels added huge value. However, he did mention the lack of a fenced-in backyard. I agreed the solar panels were a smart long-term move.

Next up were Chelsea and Cole DeBoer. Chelsea explained their "Cowboy Contemporary" design and the work that went into their choices. Jonathan loved the huge island and bold colors in the kitchen, saying he liked it even better than the Kalamas’ kitchen. In the lower level, he loved unusual things like the shuffleboard bar and an arcade with a "Property Brothers" game. He loved the hidden doors to the master closets and the deep red tile in the master shower. Jonathan liked the built-in bunks in the new bunk room but called the balcony "basic." He loved the backyard, saying it was great for families and especially appreciated that it was fenced in. Their house certainly felt very "them," which I always appreciate in a design competition.

The Remaining Homes Are Reviewed Before The Grand Reveal Of The Winner

Alison And Michel, And The Knight Brothers Await Their Final Verdicts

After a short break, the teams got to see each other's houses for the first time. Chelsea DeBoer admitted she felt a little nervous after seeing all the great designs. Then they went to Alison and Michel’s house. They loved the hidden door and were eager to see the kitchen everyone had talked about. Jonathan Scott called the kitchen "incredible," but he admitted the green stone "will not be for everybody." The indoor pickleball court got a laugh, but he liked that they had both a cold plunge and a sauna. He did say the mini-pickleball court was not "totally functional." Jonathan was surprised that Alison and Michel turned the guest room into a home gym but called it a "win." He loved the huge slider doors to the balcony and was amazed by the enormous master closet. He joked, "This still wouldn’t be enough for Zooey," referring to his wife. I wondered if the bolder choices would hurt them in the final appraisal, as sometimes unique designs do not appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Finally, it was time for Jonathan and Jordan Knight's house. Jonathan Knight got a bit emotional, talking about how much he enjoyed working with his brother. He admitted Jordan joined New Kids on the Block first, and he worried he might lose his younger brother. Jonathan got tearful, speaking about what working with Jordan meant to him. Jonathan Scott asked the brothers which was harder: Rock the Block or touring for a year. The brothers said it was about the same, both involving no sleep. Jonathan Scott liked the arched door. He called the overall tone "safer," saying it was "beautiful but a bit boring." He loved the kitchen and the relaxation room. He also praised the hotel feel of the guest room. He called their lower level "a win," though he was unsure how much value a recording booth added. Jonathan praised the screened-in back porch and the different areas in the backyard. He was not sure the goat barn added much value but appreciated the fun of it. He also loved the greenhouse with its fancy dining space. After all the tours, Michel wondered if a rookie team might take the win this season.

The Moment Of Truth: Who Was Crowned The Rock The Block Season 6 Champion?

A Close Race Leads To An Emotional Victory For One Deserving Team

Three independent, unbiased appraisers then came in. They went through each home and ran the numbers. Once their assessments were done, they met with Jonathan Scott to go over the final figures. It was dark and clearly cold on the block when it was time for the big reveal. Jonathan Scott told the teams that the winning house appraised for $1.4 million. The homes each started at $750,000, with about $300,000 in renovations for each. Jonathan Scott walked each team through their best decisions and what added the most value as they waited. I could feel the tension building, even through the screen. It was such a close competition.

Then, 300 drones took to the skies behind Ty to help announce the winner. The drones spelled out "UTAH" and "Rookies vs. Veterans." Ty told the teams that the difference between the winning home and second place was only $35,000. That is an incredibly small margin in a competition like this. The drones began a countdown before they lit up the name of the winner. And it was Alison and Michel! The third time proved to be the charm for Alison, and it made Michel the first person ever to win Rock the Block twice. Both got emotional about the win. Together, they proudly held the "Alison & Michel Ave" sign. It was a well-deserved victory, especially after seeing all the hard work and tough choices they made. I was happy for them, even if I had thought another team might pull ahead at times.