HGTV remodeling shows have become very popular, with many homeowners tuning in weekly to see the latest project that their favorite host will be tackling. But are these shows based in any reality that translates into any actual home additions in Jackson, MS that you might want to make? Your local remodeling contractor discusses this topic, and just how much tangible information if any, can be gleaned from these types of shows.
Always remember: It’s only entertainment
Because the producers of home improvement TV shows have to keep their programming interesting in order to reach their ratings goals, these shows usually include a construction “surprise” of some sort to keep the entertainment value high. For example, you might have heard the host of the show pronounce that, after starting construction, they ran into a load-bearing wall that will cost thousands of dollars to remove. In an actual home addition, the contracting team will conduct extensive evaluations before any work begins to make sure that they don’t run into these kinds of roadblocks, and thus are able to provide accurate bids from the get-go.
There will be times when certain issues come up after the remodeling project has started, but due to the thorough assessment that has already been completed, they are usually simple and comparatively inexpensive to work around. But because people have seen these “surprise” situations on television, dishonest contractors sometimes use the misconceptions that homeowners have gotten from these shows to their advantage and overcharge customers.
The hosts that are used are another misleading detail that have been the cause of even more confusion. Many viewers believe that these individuals are trained in home remodeling and are knowledgeable about the projects they are working on, but in reality the vast majority of them are paid actors who have very little remodeling experience, if they even have any at all.
Do these shows have any effect on the work actual contractors do?
Unfortunately, as staged as these shows are, they give viewers a skewed perspective of how their own remodel project should go. Although it doesn’t seem like these shows would have much of an effect in real life, they can very subtly create problems for honest contractors who bid their jobs correctly, and complete every job to the highest standard of professionalism. The portrayals are rarely accurate, and as a result, many homeowners have an incorrect sense of the timeline, costs and potential issues their projects may encounter.
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting design ideas from these shows while mostly watching for the entertainment factor, it is important to keep in mind that this is the extent of the usefulness of these types of shows. When it comes to actual home additions in Jackson, MS with trained and experienced professionals, the process and approach will likely not match what you are used to seeing on TV.
Here at Kitchen Kreators Ltd., we have built a reputation for honest, reliable work with the highest level of craftsmanship. While unforeseen occurrences are sometimes unavoidable, we take pride in our in-depth assessments to make sure they are minimal and as non-invasive as possible. For an accurate estimate and evaluation of what it would take to transform your home, give us a call today!