The HGTV Myth
One of the first things that usually comes up when I mention that I design custom homes and additions is the topic of HGTV. Most people who are planning any level of home improvement project have, at the very least, spent some time watching down-and-out houses impeccably transformed into the homeowner’s dream. It’s hard to argue that these shows have brought the residential design and construction industry to the masses, and even harder to blame anyone for getting hooked.
But, between the lightning-fast turnaround (speedy even for a typical 30-minute airtime slot) and the all-too-good-sounding costs, you just can’t help but wonder - is any of this actually real?
There’s no shortage of articles peeling back the curtains on some of these shows - I just enjoyed reading through this recent one on the rules for people who go on ‘Fixer-Upper’: 35 Rules People Who Go on 'Fixer Upper' Have to Follow. But despite that, I still quite often have to rehash the realities of the process for new and potential clients.
Design Process
Most shows portray the design process as a series of quick (albeit catchy) sketches and animations - often “created” overnight or maybe a couple of days. The homeowners are presented with a few options, they make some decisions, and the next day hammers are swinging.
The reality is that this process can take anywhere from a month to over a year, or more. Proper planning, tailored design refinement, plus detailed drawing and construction documentation do not happen overnight - ever. Even in the least stringent of towns, the permitting process alone can take weeks to months, at best.
Construction
Similar to the design side, the extents of the construction of these projects are grossly misrepresented. Yes, demolition might only take a couple of days in some cases, but there is an ebb and flow to the construction process that depends greatly on everything from subcontractor’s schedules, material shortages (no, that’s not a new thing due to the pandemic - only exacerbated), unexpected conditions, and delays waiting on inspectors to show up, just to name a few. Even the simplest of jobs will undoubtedly take longer than anyone expects or hopes. There is no exact science in the world of construction scheduling.
Costs
This is the one that hits the hardest for everyone involved. One of the key aspects to HGTV shows is their portrayal of budgets and total costs. What they don’t tell you is that many of the costs involved in a typical construction project are either subsidized or waived entirely. I’ve never seen a single number posted on one of these shows that was anywhere near real life. Design fees (architects - if even mentioned at all, engineers, interior design) are usually completely waived, particularly if said services are provided by the show’s hosts. Often, the overhead and profit of the contractors are also removed, as they are providing the construction services at cost, and even many of the materials may be donated - after all, it can be pretty great publicity for the contractors involved! Lastly, one critical cost is almost always neglected. Where do these homeowners stay and put all their stuff while work is being done? Sure, maybe they can stay with family, but the reality is that most people end up having to rent a place and storage until they can move back in.
Let’s be honest, HGTV (and thus, their show hosts) is in the business of increasing viewership and telling stories - if they actually tried to portray the reality of what it’s like to plan, design, build, and pay for extensive renovations, additions, or new homes, they would be out of business. A large portion of the process is messy, stressful, and highly un-glamourous (honestly, half of my job may as well be relationship counseling). While it might make for an interesting documentary, to some, it’s certainly not distillable into a 30-minute TV segment.
Ultimately, it’s not that different from crime shows like CSI, or medical dramas such as ER and Grey’s Anatomy. Ask any real detective, doctor, or nurse and they will be quick to point out the fictional nature of such programming. While HGTV shows are not portrayed as such on the surface, the reality is that they are fictional, in almost every way that matters. That said, and in all fairness to HGTV, I don’t believe they are out to ruin our industry - if anything, despite all the issues and misconceptions, they’ve inspired millions to take the plunge! It’s simply our job as actual practitioners working in the real world to help dispel myth from reality.