The Hidden Realities of Celebrity Home Renovation Shows

You've probably watched those celebrity home renovation shows where the stars get to live in a dream home, but have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes?

Reality TV shows often create unrealistic expectations of what it takes to renovate a home. A typical renovation project can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to complete, not the few weeks depicted on TV.

One thing that's often glossed over is the massive budget that celebrities have at their disposal. The average budget for a celebrity home renovation can be upwards of $1 million, which is significantly more than what the average homeowner can afford.

Chip and Joanna Gaines are household names, thanks to their iconic HGTV show, Fixer Upper. They started by flipping homes in Waco and have now turned the show into an empire and a network — Magnolia.

The Gaines have started trends (shiplap, anyone?) and inspired an entire generation of would-be DIY renovators. Their show is now in spin-off mode, with shows like Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse debuting in 2024.

Jonathan Morrill, a former New Kid on the Block member, now stars in HGTV’s Farmhouse Fixer, restoring old New England farmhouses with his wife Kristina.

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Fixer Upper is a household name thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines' iconic HGTV show. They started by flipping homes in Waco and have now turned the show into an empire and a network — Magnolia.

The show is now in spin-off mode, with shows like Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse debuting in 2024. You can watch The Established Home on Discovery Plus, fuboTV, Max, Hulu, YouTube TV, and more.

Chip and Joanna Gaines have inspired an entire generation of would-be DIY renovators, and their show is still one of the most popular on HGTV. They've started trends (shiplap, anyone?) and have a knack for making old homes look brand new.

The Gaines' have also starred in multiple spinoffs, including Fixer Upper: The Hotel, which gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to stay in one of their renovated hotels.

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Tyler Cameron is a reality star who follows his dreams as he starts his own construction company in his hometown of Jupiter, Florida.

He's not alone in his endeavors, as he's joined by house-flipping expert Robb Ritch and Miami-based interior designer Jessica Quintero.

Together, they renovate homes in the area and tackle other exciting projects like vacation rental properties.

The Property Brothers host a show called Celebrity IOU where they help celebrities like Taraji P. Henson, Heidi Klum, and Ray Romano give back to those who have helped them in their careers.

On this show, the Property Brothers work alongside the renovation and design experts to transform the lives of these deserving individuals. Celebrity IOU is all about paying it forward and making a difference in the lives of those who have supported the celebrities in their careers.

No Demo Reno is another great show that shows us what's possible without a major renovation. Hosted by Jennifer Todryk, this show features clever remodeling projects throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area where she makes a major impact without a major renovation.

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Reality show producers would have you believe that you can pick up everything you need for a renovation in one trip to the home improvement store. Unfortunately, this is not the reality. In fact, sourcing materials can take weeks, and items frequently need to be ordered from distant suppliers.

Contractors will tell you that you need to start this process well before renovation begins. Ideally, the materials have been gathered and delivered before workers arrive so the process isn’t delayed by waiting for lumber or fixtures to arrive.

Making your selections in a single trip is ill advised. You have to live with your cabinets, carpet, and paint colors for a long time, and rushing this phase only leads to regrets.

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No Demo Reno is a great show for those on a budget. Jennifer Todryk shares clever remodeling projects on her HGTV show, making a major impact without a major renovation.

You can catch No Demo Reno on various streaming platforms, including Discovery Plus, Max, Sling TV, Philo, Hulu, and more.

Flip or Flop is a popular HGTV show that ended in 2022 after 10 seasons. The show starred Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall, who were married and also business partners in flipping homes.

Tarek and Christina started flipping homes in Orange County, California, following the 2008 real estate crash and were very successful. They turned their flipping work into a hit show.

You can watch Flip or Flop on various streaming platforms, including Discovery Plus, Max, YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Queer Eye is a reality makeover show that features five gay men, known as the Fab Five, who help new "heroes" improve their lives. They focus on fashion, food and wine, interior design, grooming, and culture.

Bobby Berk is one of the Fab Five and his home designs and room transformations are particularly impressive.

Reality shows often make it seem like jobs can be completed in a ridiculously short amount of time. HGTV has even admitted to adjusting timelines to fit the story they're telling.

A new kitchen in 24 hours is physically impossible, and shows depicting super speedy renovations typically have a professional crew working round the clock for days or weeks to get the job done.

The process of a proper renovation involves significant planning and preparation, including meeting with architects and contractors, selecting materials and finishes, and letting the paint dry.

Not to mention the time required for inspections and humane work schedules.