5 Home Renovation Shows We Love That Aren’t Secretly Evil

If you’ve got a tv in your house, chances are you’ve been sucked into binging on HGTV home renovation shows on more than one occasion. Of course, the question inevitably comes up – how realistic are these shows?

Often, the answer is unfortunately, not very. The process of buying or fixing up a home can be incredibly complicated, and these shows can often set up unrealistic expectations for homeowners or prospective home buyers. What’s worse – participants on these shows often recount horrific experiences once the cameras stop rolling. 

“Nightmare” Experience

Most recently, homeowners who were part of the Magnolia home renovation show “Home Work” alleged that the show left them on the hook with costly repairs, and delayed construction. It’s just one new chapter in a long history of home renovation shows leaving families worse off than they started.

So which home renovation shows get it right, and don’t end up costing the participants more in the long run? After some marathon viewing sessions, we’ve come up with a list of our top five favorite home renovation shows we love – that aren’t secretly evil.

1. This Old House

There’s a reason that This Old House is still on the air after nearly 40 seasons. This Old House debuted in 1979, and still regularly draws 2.3 million weekly viewers. It’s won 17 Emmys, and introduced the world to Bob Vila, who was with the show until 1989. He’s been followed by Steve Thomas, and now Kevin O’Connor, as he follows home-renovation experts Norm Abram, Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, and Roger Cook. The show details how they overhaul an entire house from start to finish, and has realistic timelines and budgets, all while educating the viewer on the process and products needed for the job at hand. 

2. Good Bones

Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak are a mother and daughter duo with a fantastic family dynamic and incredible work ethic. They work hard to transform and renovate run-down homes in their hometown, Indianapolis Indiana. Not only do they work to renovate these houses, but their long term mission is to rebuild neighborhoods and restore them to their former glory after these homes are met with foreclosure. “Good Bones” is all about preserving history, and restoring the classic elements of old houses, of course, aiming to finish home renovation projects on time and within budget. When our homes and neighborhoods thrive, so do our communities, and we love the message this show sends that fixing up a home is not just a personal endeavor, but one that can raise up the community around the home as well.

3. Hidden Potential

Jasmine Roth started this show to prove that just because you live in the suburbs doesn’t mean you have to live in a cookie cutter house. Roth sets out to add fun and surprising features that transform basic houses into custom dream houses. “Hidden Potential” does an excellent job illustrating just how transformative a good renovation can be, and how any space can be personalized if you have the right vision and team to execute it. 

4. The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project

The latest offering from designer couple Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent follows in the footsteps of their previous shows, “Nate and Jeremiah by Design” and “Nate and Jeremiah: Save My House”. Their design work is incredible, and we love this statement by Jeremiah in Architectural Digest “I’ve always believed the ultimate form of luxury is personalization. It has nothing to do with budget”.

5. Home Town

Home Town is the go-to show for restoring old homes and honoring their history. Ben and Erin Napier help families in Mississippi renovate gorgeous old turn-of-the-century houses, and do a fantastic job restorying the character and class to these historic properties. Doing a renovation of an old house that updates it to be functional and modern, all while still retaining some of the original character, is no easy task, and one that we pride ourselves on at Interior Excellence. 

Renovate The Home Of Your Dreams

Of course, if your house hasn’t been featured on one of these shows yet, that doesn’t mean your home renovation dreams are over! Call the New Jersey Home Renovation professionals at Interior Excellence today for all your New Jersey interior design and home remodeling needs. At Interior Excellence, we will always complete your project on time, with an artist’s eye to detail and perfection. Whether you want bathroom or basement remodel, or more delicate design such as painting, wallpaper and faux finishes, we’re the contractor for residential and commercial real-estate throughout Central New Jersey. Contact us today for your quote by filling out our online form, or by calling (908) 218-0200