HGTV shows usually present people's renewal budgets, but renewals sometimes cost more than the shows indicate. Sometimes producers use discounted goods and services, which is not clear to viewers. Visit the Insider homepage for more stories. So how do reality designers work out the budgets they present on television? Your guess is as good as mine.
Maybe they use a random number generator or maybe there's some truth behind it and the few things the program can't get for free add up to create the budget. Each program probably has its own method, but the important thing to remember is that they all have big holes in them. In reality, there is a cost associated with every part of your remodel. Those costs will vary depending on the part of the country you live in and the products you select, but whatever they are, they will actually be more than what you saw on HGTV.
Cost isn't the only aspect of HGTV reality shows that isn't as realistic as viewers believe. So what is the truth? Read on to learn the differences between the TV and reality versions of your home renovation. In fact, Steve Ford, the co-host of Home Again With The Fords, said that people who go to HGTV shows are getting more for their money than they should, as reported by The New Yorker. In addition, once the work is finished, you are responsible for repositioning your items and redecorating the renovated space.
While some emotional aspects of home renovation are dramatized for television programs, they reflect the many ups and downs of carrying out large housing projects. In reality, home renovations take much longer than the schedules set on television programs due to scheduling restrictions with your contractor, mandatory inspections throughout the project, and potential slowdowns along the way. Yes, designers can be expensive, but for the most part with designers, you pay for the service while receiving most products at a near cost price. However, you can plan for unforeseen (and often costly) problems by setting aside part of your total budget for problems that occur during the renovation.
From surprise wiring problems to outdated plumbing fixtures, it's common to find hidden problems once the renovation team removes the walls and floors of a home. When you hire a contractor for your renovation, that person and his team usually work on several jobs simultaneously. Homeowners doing their own renovations probably don't have a large team of people overseeing their project. The price varies not only according to the size of your home, but also depending on its location, the state of its exterior, the level of accessibility of its exterior and the material from which it is made.
These discounts aren't discussed on shows, leaving viewers with a misunderstanding of what a renewal would actually cost. Then consider paint, drywall, frames (since they always have to use the words line of sight or open concept) new cabinets (which are easily another 7-10 thousand), an electrician, a new splash guard, new bathroom fixtures, etc., and your claimed budget would cover around 50-65% of your renovations.
