Are HGTV shows like Fixer Upper, Flip or Flop, and Love It or List It your guilty pleasure? While these home remodeling shows are certainly fun to watch, they often give homeowners unrealistic expectations of what it’s really like to remodel a home. In other words, even the most popular HGTV shows tend to gloss over a lot of the nitty-gritty details that go into a home remodeling project. So, it’s time to set the record straight. Keep reading to discover what HGTV gets wrong about the home remodeling process!
Unrealistic Budgets
Setting a realistic budget is crucial. It guides many of the decisions made during the home remodeling process and can determine the areas where you choose to save or splurge. Unfortunately, the home remodeling costs shown on HGTV and other networks aren’t always accurate. Networks often have access to discounted products or may even chip in on materials or labor to move a project along. The problem? Those discounts and other allowances typically aren’t revealed to the viewer. This leads to misunderstanding about what a renovation truly costs.
Design is a Small Piece
Most home remodeling shows are condensed down into bite-size chunks to fit a 30 or 60-minute time slot. So, it may appear as if the planning process happens pretty quickly. In reality, planning is one of the most important elements, especially when it comes to nailing down the design. It can also seem as if the design concept is completed with very little input from the homeowner. However, the design process is typically a collaborative endeavor that undergoes multiple rounds of review. At the end of the day, the goal is to create the best design for the space while incorporating the homeowner’s needs and wants.
Quick & Easy Demolition
Although HGTV makes demolition look easy — and even a little fun — the truth is that demoing a space is hard and time-consuming work. Many things can happen during the demolition phase, including finding unexpected damage or learning a wall you initially planned to tear out is load-bearing. When that happens, it can change the design plan and even put a project over budget.
Unrealistic Construction Deadlines
Quick turnaround times are another unrealistic expectation HGTV home remodeling shows set. Unlike these shows, which have contractors and teams of people working around the clock, completing a large-scale home remodeling project in just a few days is rarely feasible. The construction timeline is influenced by the size and scope of the project and contractor schedules. An array of other factors, such as material shortages, shipping delays, or permit approvals can also impact the expected completion date.
Staged Reveals
Many people go into the home remodeling process thinking their remodeled space will look exactly like the staged reveal on their favorite episode of Fixer Upper. But, while remodeling is a large part of the equation, there’s more to it. The remodel sets the foundation for your home, but it’s the furniture, decor, and other decorative elements that complete the design. Unless you work with an interior designer, how you fill the space is entirely up to you.
Reliable Design-Build Services in Minneapolis, MN
Watching your favorite HGTV shows is a fun way to gather inspiration for your next remodel. That said, it’s important to be realistic about what the home remodeling process is like. Working with a design-build company like Excel Builders ensures you know what to expect. Our experienced team will walk you through every phase of your home remodel, from the initial consultation to the completed project.
Ready to get started? Give us a call at (612) 306-4064 or email trent@excelbuildersmn.com. Excel Builders proudly offers kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, new home additions, and more in Greater Chanhassen and the Twin Cities West Metro, including Minnetonka, Plymouth, Chaska, Excelsior, Eden Prairie, Edina, and nearby.