Watching HGTV and Planning a Remodel in North Idaho

Watching HGTV can spark great ideas. Planning a remodel in North Idaho begins with a clearer look beyond the reveal.

I’m hooked from the very first shot.

The decrepit house is shown in quick sways of the camera. Then it pulls in tight on the concerned shock across the host’s face. “I don’t know, babe … this one might be a money pit.”

👏🏼Every. 👏🏼Single. 👏🏼Time.

And I’m a sucker for every HGTV remodel!

Termite damage is inevitable, a foul-smelling refrigerator will make someone gag (including me), and she falls in love with the tile that costs double their budget.

Then comes the emotional reveal. I tell myself I’m not going to cry because it’s dumb, but the lump in my throat is inescapable, as this network knows how to build its episodes. It’s like the Hallmark Channel for remodelers. Same plot, different people.

However, I have one issue, and it’s a big one: the budget.

This is where the TV magic pays off, literally.

What You Don’t See on HGTV

Those beautiful reveals are real, sort of. But what’s behind them usually isn’t.

Here’s what’s hiding behind the curtain:

1. Sponsored Everything

Cabinets, tile, appliances, lighting, and more are often donated or discounted for exposure. The homeowners might only pay a fraction of the total cost.

2. Editing Magic

A full kitchen renovation typically takes at least six weeks, yet you’ll see it condensed into a two-minute montage. Deadlines look miraculous when you skip waiting for permit approvals before construction begins, scheduling inspections, coordinating trades, or reordering items that arrived damaged. Even with perfect planning, human error still happens, just as it does in any other profession.

3. Free Labor

A trade we know was asked to participate in an episode of one of these remodeling shows and was offered exposure on the network as payment. And yes, advertising on television, especially during prime viewership, is costly and probably more than covers the value of our acquaintance’s time and labor. But that isn’t reflected in the homeowner’s budget.

What Remodeling Costs

When you factor in licensed labor, proper permits, and the materials you actually choose and pay for, remodeling starts to look different.

Here’s what’s typical:

• Kitchen remodels: $60,000–$120,000+ (a minor refresh might start around $20,000)

• Bathroom remodels: $25,000–$60,000+ (smaller updates from $10,000)

• Whole-home renovations: $150,000 and up

Those are real numbers. No sponsorships. No edits.

Planning a Remodel in North Idaho

Before any project begins, the best thing you can do is prepare. Understanding where you stand financially, whether you are ready to make a lot of decisions, and whether remodeling now makes sense for your lifestyle will make every step smoother. A great remodeler will make these areas easier for you, but no matter how full-service, this will still be an addition to your life.

1. How Ready Are You to Make Decisions?

Remodeling comes with dozens of choices, from cabinet styles to fixture finishes. It helps to know whether you enjoy making decisions quickly or prefer time to consider options. Neither approach is wrong, but awareness helps your design-build team plan the right pace for you.

2. How Ready Are You Financially?

Clear budgets create calm projects. Think through how you plan to pay for your remodel, whether through savings, home equity, or financing. Build a small cushion for unexpected discoveries so you are not surprised later. A project feels more enjoyable when you already know the financial boundaries before you start.

Unbiased Numbers

One of my best suggestions is to review a trusted cost resource, such as Cost vs Value on JLConline. You should have some unbiased numbers in front of you so you can confidently analyze the quotes you receive. This also relieves the pressure of worrying about numbers and allows you to focus on the differences between remodelers’ processes and personalities. You will be working with them for a few months, so I suggest you like them.

3. How Ready Is Your Lifestyle?

Life does not pause during a remodel. Consider how your routines might change, where you will cook if the kitchen is under construction, how noise might affect your workday, or whether pets or kids will need temporary adjustments. Planning for those details keeps your household grounded while the transformation happens around you.

Your Schedule: You might take longer to get ready due to shared bathrooms, needing to find a temporary office for making calls, or planning short weekly meetings with your contractor.

Your Meals: Find workarounds for a range that isn't accessible, such as a toaster oven or a portable cooktop. The microwave quickly becomes overused, but so does take-out, so have a meal plan. (Air fryer, slow cooker, electric skillet, waffle maker, and paper products will help.)

Your Living Space: You might decide to rent a home during construction. While this is a calmer option, proximity to work, school, and grocery stores can still affect your schedule. Possibly planning for earlier mornings and adding drive time for errands.

4. How Ready Are You to Confidently Partner With a Remodeler?

The best remodels happen through collaboration. Look for a team that values what you value. Pay attention from the first contact with their website and social media. Websites can promise a lot, but do they match what they advertise in person? Is their process clear? Do they respect your home? Do they rely on fear-based explanations, or do they calmly discuss your options?

Planning With Confidence

Every homeowner starts from a different place. Some know exactly what they want and how they plan to get there. Others are still gathering ideas and deciding when to begin. Both are good starting points. What matters most is being honest about your readiness and working with a remodeler who can guide you through the process with clarity and patience.

Take a few minutes to find out how ready you really are:

TAKE THE 10-QUESTION REMODELING QUIZ

I’m not done watching the HGTV magic (I just enjoyed watching Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House), but I’m also not done helping you step into your own remodeling story with confidence. 

Shandra McCracken

Owner, Administration & Design