Do you love sitting back and binge-watching home renovation shows? You start the program to learn some great renovation tricks or to simply get some design tips. Suddenly, you’re invested in the lives of the homeowners on TV. You’re worried they may not love the renovation or worse it won’t be finished before the program ends.
Did you know that home renovation shows are an international hit? Some of the top home renovation shows in Canada are the same ones being streamed across the globe. How cool is it to think you may be falling in love with the same bathroom renovation tips as someone on the other side of the world?
While these shows make for great TV, they’re not always painting a realistic picture of what a home renovation really involves.
Reality TV vs. Real Life
You expect a lot of editing on a TV show, especially if it only runs for 30 minutes or so. However, you still expect a home renovation show to give you a good idea of what to expect.
While most shows cover the basics, they can still be misleading. Here’s a look at some of the things you’re probably not going to learn from a home renovation show.
Expect Project Delays
You’re probably aware that it takes more than the time allotted for the show to finish a home remodeling project. Even replacing kitchen countertops takes longer than 30 minutes. What these shows don’t usually go into are unexpected project delays. If you’re not anticipating a potential delay, it can leave you feeling frustrated and angry.
Delays on remodeling projects are common and can be caused by several factors. Did you know around 58% of projects experience at least one delay? The materials can get hung up in shipping. Workers can take unscheduled days off. Some workers may even walk off of a job. The demolition or construction crew can run into unforeseen issues.
For example, an undisclosed underground utility line can bring some remodeling projects to a halt. Being prepared to deal with delays can help you stay sane throughout the project.
Costs Can Increase
Watching shows like Fixer Upper and Property Brothers can give you some great home remodeling ideas. You may also think you can get a good idea of what a home remodel will cost you. This can be true, up to a point.
The costs for remodeling projects tend to stay the same, regardless of your location, with a few exceptions. If you’re remodeling a home on a cliff without easy access, your remodeling project is probably going to cost more than someone living in a developed area.
Before the contractor starts your project, you should receive an estimate. Remember, this is only the estimated cost of the project; it’s not a final bill. The final cost of your project can be significantly higher than the estimate. Your costs may not even be close to what you see on TV.
What you don’t always learn on home remodeling shows is the hosts often have agreements worked out with others like general contractors. The work crew does the job for a steeply discounted price. In return, the crew receives plenty of free advertising on the show. For the hosts and contractors, it’s a winning agreement. However, it can leave viewers with an inaccurate expectation of what their home remodel should cost.
Don’t forget these shows also keep costs down by handling a lot of DIY projects. From handling the demolition to painting, the show’s hosts also work to keep overall costs down.
All Project Materials Aren’t Always In the Same Location
If you watch home remodeling shows, it’s easy to get the impression that one store sells everything. Guess what? This isn’t always true. Remember, there’s a lot of editing going on behind the scenes before the show hits the air. You often get the impression it’s a one-stop shopping trip. However, in reality, the hosts and their crew are heading off to multiple locations.
Why is this a misconception you need to be aware of? Having to source materials and supplies from multiple sellers can affect everything from the project’s timeline to its cost. Before you sign an agreement with a contractor, find out where they get their supplies. This is also a good time to discuss any potential delays.
For example, are you using granite mined from Italy for your countertops? If so, the countertops may not arrive at the scheduled time. Finding out this information before the project starts gives you a better idea of what to expect.
There’s No Winging It in Real Life
Granted, home renovation shows are strapped for time. Typically, they only have 30 minutes to start, complete, and reveal the finished project. As we already mentioned, this timeline is ridiculous to try and emulate in real life. The project seems to move right along with very little chance for discussions with the homeowner.
The show’s hosts are sort of winging it and guessing what the homeowners want from the remodel. This does make for fun TV but it’s not a good idea in real life. Your contractor isn’t going to come right in and start tearing down walls simply because you mentioned the idea of a more open floor plan.
You should expect to sit through plenty of discussions and even review several project idea books. Winging it may get the job done faster but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll love or even like the final results.
You Can’t Keep the Staged Décor
The final reveal is always the highlight of the show. You get to see the furniture in place, along with some stunning décor. These items tie the room together and give you plenty of inspiration for your home.
Have you ever thought about whether the homeowner gets to keep these items? The answer is usually no unless the homeowner is willing to pay for the furniture and other items.
Remodeling Your Home in Real Life
Hopefully, unveiling these misconceptions about home remodeling shows doesn’t take away your enjoyment. The programs are fun to watch and you can get some great ideas for your home.
However, make sure that you have realistic expectations going into things—Reality TV shows are never an accurate depiction of real life.