Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Greenbrook Design, managing day to day operations, marketing, sourcing product and keeping the showroom beautifully designed. Stacey also does interior design & home styling for a select number of clients. Find out more about Stacey here.

They make remodeling look so simple.

We admit it, HGTV’s popular shows like Fixer Upper, Love it or List it and Property Brothers always give us a great renovation. A dreary, dated house is suddenly transformed into an amazing, contemporary home all within a neat, one hour timeline. Even though there have been times when unexpected problems and delays seemed capable of ruining the designated timeline and budget, the renovation reality TV stars always managed to find a way to stay on target, much to our relief. 

Unrealistic Expectations

While these shows are fun and even relaxing to watch they have created unrealistic expectations in the real renovation world and untold headaches for both construction and design teams. Here we share some of the top unrealistic expectations presented in the home renovation reality TV world and how they can lead to severe disappointments in the real world of renovation.

Unrealistic Timelines

While we would like nothing better than to snap our fingers and have your project ready to reveal in a mere four to six weeks, the reality check is that it usually takes longer than that, especially the kitchen. Before a remodeling project can start there has to be a plan which means having meetings with the architect, the contractor, and the designer. Once plans have been laid, tradesmen need to be lined up, materials need to be ordered and sometimes certain items, particularly the specialty ones, can be on backorder or require a longer lead time which may lengthen the overall timeline. After all of this, the plan can finally turn to action. 

This also brings in another point, reality TV has the ability to hire a large crew with many that are skilled in their trade. Though you only see a handful of crew members on the show, you can be sure that there are many more behind the scenes, many of which may very well be working round the clock to meet the insane deadline. Often when you try to push out such a large amount of work in such a short amount of time, there is a compromise in quality. Realistic timelines ensure that you never wing it, but there is a plan in place for the entire project. We want your project to go as smooth as possible which means we plan for every aspect of the project so that the end results are a quality project that you can enjoy for years to come.

Unrealistic Budgets

This is another huge area in the reality TV industry. We have had clients be surprised that we don’t match the remodeling numbers given to the participants on HGTV’s shows. One factor is location; things in Waco, Texas are going to be different in price than Virginia Beach or even Shelby, NC. The condition of the home, the amount of labor to be done, and the type of products that are chosen for the project all have an effect on the budget. Good, quality work comes at a premium price, the old saying, “You get what you pay for” is true. 

It is also important to mention the fact that some of the TV shows will receive discounted rates off of certain materials in exchange for brand endorsement or air time. One last point is products. Those items on your Pinterest board may come with a larger price tag than you realize and that is where we come in. We walk through all your options so that you can stay within your budget and get the most for your money. Our many years of experience in this industry can make sure you get as much as you dreamed about for your project without going over your budget. Read more about staying on budget in this informative blog post.