Renovation Reality Check: What HGTV Doesn’t Show You
We all love a good before-and-after transformation. There’s something so satisfying about watching a dated kitchen turn into a dreamy space in under an hour, complete with a chipper host, zero dust, and a seemingly endless budget. But if you’ve ever lived through a renovation in real life, you know the HGTV version leaves a lot on the cutting room floor.
Let’s peel back the curtain on what you don’t see on TV—and what to be prepared for when planning your own renovation.
1. The Budgets Are Often... Fictional
You’ve seen it before: "We remodeled our kitchen, knocked down two walls, added custom cabinets, new flooring, and high-end appliances—all for $25,000!" Sounds magical, right? But here’s the truth: most of these shows receive significant discounts, free materials, and gifted labor from sponsors and vendors looking for airtime.
In reality, custom cabinetry alone can eat up a large portion of that budget. Add in professional labor, demolition, electrical work, and plumbing, and that "$25K kitchen" quickly becomes $75K or more. A good designer will help you build a realistic investment plan that matches your scope and vision—and explain where to splurge and where to save.
2. Timelines Are Way Too Good to Be True
That full-home transformation that magically wraps up in six weeks? Let’s just say the magic part isn’t too far off. While production schedules are incredibly fast-paced and coordinated behind the scenes, that’s not reflective of real-life permitting processes, product backorders, inspection delays, or contractor availability.
Depending on the scope of your renovation, most projects take several months from start to finish—especially if you want to do it well and not just fast. A thoughtful timeline includes room for decision-making, ordering, unforeseen issues, and changes. And when done right, the process is just as rewarding as the result.
3. The Mess and Stress Are Very Real
TV doesn’t show the three weeks you’re cooking in the laundry room. Or the day your contractor hits a pipe no one knew was there. Or the mental fatigue of making what feels like a thousand tiny decisions—tile grout, cabinet hardware, lightbulb temperature.
Renovations are exciting, but they’re also disruptive. And that’s why it helps to have a plan—and a partner. A designer helps you make decisions with confidence, coordinates trades, and keeps the process as smooth and organized as possible so you’re not alone in the chaos.
4. Not Every Decision Happens in the Blink of an Eye
On TV, homeowners make a few quick choices, and boom—design plan complete. In real life, it’s not always that simple. You may fall in love with a tile but later realize it’s backordered. Or you might choose a paint color only to find it looks completely different in natural light.
Design is a process. It takes collaboration, clarity, and time. One of the most valuable roles of a designer is helping you stay focused, avoid decision fatigue, and get it right the first time.
5. It’s Not Just About Looks—It’s About Function
TV loves a dramatic before-and-after, but they don’t always explain why certain design decisions were made. In reality, a well-designed home doesn’t just look beautiful—it works beautifully for your lifestyle. That means rethinking storage, flow, lighting, and how each space supports the way you live.
A professional designer isn’t just focused on aesthetics—they’re thinking about long-term value, comfort, and how to make your home feel like it was made just for you.
If you’re feeling a little disillusioned by the HGTV version of renovating, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. A real renovation takes time, thoughtful planning, and the right team.
