11 Ways Renovation TV Shows Are Lying to You

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Many enjoy renovation TV shows as a guilty pleasure. It’s magical watching a tired, outdated home transform into a picture perfect dream house in one hour. The crew always seems to know exactly what they’re doing and the crew works like a well oiled machine, leaving the hosts teary eyed and speechless at the end. It’s creative whirlwind and problem solving all wrapped up in a nice little bow. However, if we were to tell you that beneath the shiny edits and awesome soundtracks, there’s a whole lot these shows aren’t telling you, would you believe us?

While they fuel thousands of weekend DIY projects and grand remodeling dreams, they also create a picture that is very far from reality. These shows distort the truth from budgets to timelines and how things get decided. So, let’s pull back the curtain and take a look at how renovation TV shows may be pulling the wool over our eyes.

The Budget Isn’t What It Seems

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One of the biggest myths these shows spread is that you can redesign a place on a paltry budget. The truth? A lot of the labor and materials costs are heavily discounted or donated just to be able to film. For the same level of work, it’s very likely that regular homeowners will spend far more. And while that $50,000 kitchen overhaul is impressive, it’s not exactly a realistic price tag for most of us.

The Timelines Are Wildly Unrealistic

Have you ever noticed that on TV renovations are finished in two weeks? Moving that fast on real life projects is rare. You can add permits, inspections and the unexpected like mold or outdated wiring and timelines can extend into months. They omit the waiting periods, but if you’ve ever remodeled, you’d know patience is key.

Before Filming, the Homes Are Prepped

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So you’d think that these shows walk through homes and discover issues along the way, right? Wrong. Before cameras begin rolling, most homes are thoroughly checked out. Potential problems are identified by crews in advance and sometimes fixed off screen to avoid delays. That drama you see about a “surprise” foundation crack? That might just be staged for effect.

Not Everthing Is of a High Quality

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The product might look seamless, but sometimes corners are cut to meet those budgets and deadlines. Work can be constructed out of cheaper materials or not done up to par in the first place and will fail over time.

Over Simplified DIY Projects

Have you ever tried to duplicate a DIY project from one of these shows and find yourself wandering around the hardware store aisle asking ‘what did I get myself into? The truth is, most of these simple projects are done by skilled professionals behind the scenes. Sure, it’s fun to watch someone make a coffee table out of a pallet in five minutes, but in reality, it’s much harder.

Homeowners Don’t Make All the Decisions

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The most heartfelt moments … like when homeowners pick out their paint color or flooring, are staged. The design team has already decided most of the big decisions. Homeowners may have some say, but they’re usually given limited options to push things forward.

Furniture and Décor Are Often Temporary

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That gorgeous sofa or trendy light fixtures? After the cameras stop rolling, they might not stay. For many renovation TV shows, the homes are staged with rented furniture and décor, so the homeowners don’t always get to keep the picture perfect set up you see on TV.

The Team Is Larger Than It Seems

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You’ll see a couple charismatic hosts and a few workers onscreen. But there’s a small army offscreen making everything happen. It’s a group effort, from the designers to the assistants to the contractors, and it rarely gets enough credit.

They Don’t Show the Mess

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Renovations are messy. That process is going to be messy, and you won’t see it on TV, but there’s going to be dust and debris and just the general chaos of construction. You’re not shown the chaos and mess real life homeowners go through.

Strategically Awful ‘Before’ Photos

Those “before” shots you see? They will take them in the worst possible light and angles just to make the ‘after’ look even more stunning. That’s a subtle trick that takes the transformation even more dramatic than it really is.

The Reactions Are Coached

These shows are filled with tearful, jaw dropping reveals, but they’re not always as spontaneous as they appear. They coach many homeowners on how to react for the best results. It’s not fake, but it’s a little guided.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.