With the new trend of reality home shows on television, we have access to advice from top experts on redesigning every possible room in your house. We are able to watch shows that include endless ideas on kitchen and bath remodels, extraordinary material selections, and creative color schemes. Does all of this information from these reality home shows hurt the remodeling industry or can it actually help? The answer is both.
Through the aid of PBS Television and the broadcast of This Old House, the television remodeling program business began over 25 years ago. The showÂ’s original premise was quite simple: a couple of Northeastern yuppies armed with a substantially large budget and a team of the finest contractors and trades people available producing an exceptional finished project. Th is Old House has stayed valuable because the show has never pulled any punches. In contrast, the new breed of reality shows on home remodeling illustrate projects that appear to be completely finished in a 30–minute segment with an abundant workforce, low budgets, high–end materials, and a glitch free process. Can this programming create unrealistic expectations for its viewers? You bet.
In the real world, remodeling is expensive, timeconsuming, and requires a host of skills from everyone involved. The unfortunate aspect of these shows, although quite entertaining, is the fact that viewers considering a remodel may learn that the remodeling process is quick and easy, costs little, and is noninvasive. Although the show is labeled reality programming, it is far from reality. We get the pleasure of watching fabulous kitchen transformations and become inspired to do our own kitchens but never see the part of the design and planning process, which is time consuming in and of itself. Because these remodels are typically done at such a fast pace, we also donÂ’t get to see the quality of the finished product. Furthermore, quality work is not done by a swarm of semi–skilled laborers working as fast as they can. A good remodeling contractor can certainly bring a project in on time but it isnÂ’t going to happen in a weekend.
It truly is one thing to watch a major renovation on television, but itÂ’s another to live through it. The home reality shows neglect to show how people survive during a remodel. Even while progress takes place and dust is kept to a minimum, people have to relocate to other parts of the home to eat, sleep, bathe or dwell. One room may take on storage for the room that is being remodeled so youÂ’re now out two rooms. A makeshift kitchen is imperative when going through a kitchen remodel but the reality shows never show the families going out for dinner the 4th night in a row for pizza or using their microwave oven in the living room.
Reality home programs rarely show the unexpected problems that can occur during a remodel. Unfortunately, it is common for unwanted situations to arise so plan for them, budget for them, and try not to get too worked up if they develop. You donÂ’t really know what you will run into until you start ripping out cabinets and sheetrock, revealing your infrastructure and old electrical and plumbing. ItÂ’s not uncommon to make unwanted discoveries such as old wiring needing to be replaced which could mean more money and more time to get it right. These types of things go unmentioned during a home reality show. There are also the joys of unexpected delays with pre–ordered products not arriving on time. The reality home shows have all appliances, tile, countertops, cabinets, faucets, flooring, etc. ready to be installed. This is the ideal situation but itÂ’s not uncommon for one of those items to hold up another being installed if it hasnÂ’t arrived from the factory yet.
Now letÂ’s take a look at how the reality home shows are beneficial. All of the exposure to unique ideas for home design can sink in on many levels. Your former vision of owning a beautiful country kitchen has now been replaced with the inspiration of new contemporary designs. The programs have provided you with not only the ideas for materials you now want to use in your future remodel, but have also informed you of the maker. This information is extremely helpful to bring to the table when sitting down with your remodeler and discussing what you want to do. Your favorite home reality show may shed light on how to tie your ideas together and can be critical to speeding along the remodeling process.
Remodeling programs truly can help with your material selection process from quartz countertops to the latest faucets. You may even find your tastes raise a few notches once educated about what is available to you. Make note of these items, discuss them with your contractor, and order them ahead of time. Researching the products shown on these shows and ordering the products early on in the remodeling process can help keep your extreme makeover on schedule.
Take heart. An outstanding remodel is extremely gratifying. Let these reality home shows inspire you but be realistic. Nothing good comes that easy.
Source: Remodeling Magazine. Publication date 1–1–05.
