While you may have many hobbies, construction and home building may not be among them. That’s why, when many people think about renovating a property by adding a new room, fixing a space, or updating the decor, they usually dream of being cast on a home renovation TV show. These reality shows, like Property Brothers and Fixer Upper, are incredibly popular because they tend to glamorize the home improvement process and make it seem like a relatively easy and fun process.
However, while these shows have some truth, many exaggerate certain aspects to make them more dramatic or exciting. The fact is that renovating a home can be different from what you see on TV. Here are a few differences that you can expect on most of these reality shows.
How Home Renovation Shows Handle Surprise Costs
There’s typically a lot of talk about money and expenses on most home renovation shows. They’ll start with a family that has a specific budget, and then they’ll begin the work. Later on, they may find that certain aspects of the build are more expensive than initially thought, and it creates some good drama as they cut to a commercial.
The truth is that surprise costs can be a reality in home remodels. Some of the more realistic reality shows, like My First Place, show just about every obstacle a family may face while renovating a home, from bidding wars to hidden expenses. The difference between reality shows and real life is that the hidden fees and surprise costs are slightly more exaggerated on TV.
While many shows on HGTV will have the host approach the family and tell them about a sudden issue they found, like a load-bearing wall that they can no longer move or a gas leak that prevents the installation of an outdoor patio, this situation won’t typically occur during an actual remodel. Before accepting any job, real contractors will look at every nook and cranny of a home to find the flaws because they need to add those adjustments into their estimate. Many homeowners would give a bad review if they learned they had to pay thousands more than expected, and contractors don’t need the negative press.
While there may be some sudden costs and surprises, they will likely be more minor issues that won’t push the project way over budget. That’s a good thing, too, because home renovations can already be very stressful, and an unexpected curveball could be detrimental to the homeowner’s mental health.
Things They Don’t Tell You About Certain Properties
There can be a lot of glitz and glamor associated with home renovation shows and the decorators and contractors that bring these properties to life. That’s why many movies have characters that work in the home renovation industry. Along those lines, you’ll see renovators talk about how the changes they make in a house will drastically increase its value and eventually make the homeowner rich. You’ll see that a lot on shows like Property Brothers, and in most cases, it’s true.
However, the fact is that you don’t need a professional TV crew to increase the value of your home because there are many projects you can do with a qualified contractor or even on your own. Ideas that can make a big difference include improving lighting, fixtures, and countertops in your bathroom or replacing and adding windows to increase the vibrant natural light in your home. You don’t necessarily need to remodel your entire house to make it more attractive to future buyers.
You’ll also see many home renovation shows like Beachfront Bargain Hunt and The Hunt For Waterfront feature lavish properties that are along a river, lake, or ocean.
They’ll tell you that living on the waterfront is the most amazing opportunity in the world, and while, in most cases, the view will be gorgeous and it’s an excellent long-term investment, there are some downsides of waterfront living that these shows won’t always disclose. For instance, since living by the water increases your chances of hurricanes, flooding, and storms, you could face higher insurance premiums. The property will also likely require more maintenance down the road because you may need to install storm windows, work avidly to prevent saltwater damage, and potentially maintain a dock and boat. Still, the hosts of renovation shows are generally correct when they talk about the upsides of living on the waterfront.
The Realities Of The Homeowners’ Involvement
Every renovation show is a bit different regarding what the homeowners do while the updates and construction are taking place. Some will show the owners helping with the work, while others will have a host that sends them on vacation so they can be surprised when they return. There are a few things to point out about both scenarios in real life.
As for the shows where the contractors let the homeowners lend a hand with the work, that is generally false. Although you may see them swinging a hammer or helping to demolish a wall, that is typically TV magic. Those scenes are heavily produced, and a supervisor will be there to ensure they don’t get hurt. The reality is that most major renovations require the assistance of a licensed contractor, and you generally don’t want to risk messing up a project that could mar your home forever.
Most renovation shows will include a lavish vacation where the homeowners leave town so they can return just in time to see their brand-new homes. This is mostly done for the dramatic payoff. While some major renovations, such as the complete gutting of your home, may require that you get a hotel, there are many cases where you can remain in your home during a renovation. Basically, if you’re remodeling a single room or a smaller side project where your family members can still move freely about the house, then it’s typically fine to stay. In reality, staying home is a great way to save money, and when you’re there, you can keep an eye on things and ensure everything is done right so you can enjoy the finished product.
As you can see, there are likely many fabrications mixed into your favorite home renovation shows. While they feature a lot of realism, they do tend to stretch the truth. Whether you get a remodel on TV or on your own, we wish you luck and much happiness.