MovieChat Forums > Love It or List It (2011) Discussion > High-end finishes on the remodels

High-end finishes on the remodels

posted 9 years ago by CrispyChemistry
4 replies | jump to latest

I imagine companies must pay the show to feature certain products. Otherwise, I don't understand why Hillary sometimes puts in very high-end finishes and then complains about how she just can't "stretch the budget" any further. Her remodels always look great, but it seems like there are often things that could have been cut to save money

Things like radiant flooring in the bathroom, raised sinks, custom-built bed frames and closet organizers would balloon any budget...

[–] LadyMarysHat 9 years ago

It's ridiculous when you think about how often--like EVERY EPISODE---Hilary simply cannot provide the homeowners the actual work they need and ask for. Some of these people put in 100k or more into a remodel but Hilary always has to cut out stuff they really need, like bathrooms or an extra bedroom or finishing a basement because of 'surprise' structural problems. I would be so MAD if I were one of her victims I mean clients! Yes, absolutely there are always hidden costs when you start remodeling but then the sensible thing to do is you cut corners on the finishes not the necessities. But 'designers' like Hilary and the one Property Brother gets all snippy and unreasonable when their 'designs' are tampered with. If I were on the show I wouldn't care. I'd tell them to cut out the FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR farm house sink and the THREE THOUSAND DOLLAR lighting fixtures and give me my GD BATHROOM. The homeowners must sign some kind of binding contract to keep their mouths shut about this effery because otherwise I have no idea how Hilary keeps getting away with it!

[–] easjr1991 9 years ago

Other posts on this board have talked about how the show is fake and staged and scripted and manipulated. I read on a forum post that it seems as though only certain rooms are truly planned to be renovated, and that the decision to love it or list it is already made before the taping of the show even begins. The show then says that the couple wants more rooms renovated, and then invents "unforeseen complications" that will result in them not getting everything they "want" wither because of cost limitations to fix plumbing or electrical wiring or because they need a permit.

Let's say that there is Alice and Bob. To love their house, they want an extra bedroom, an extra bathroom, an open concept kitchen, a redone master bathroom, an enlarged master bedroom, a guest room, and office. Hilary gets to work, redo the master bathroom yet because there is a serious plumbing issue that will require half of the budget to fix, the bathroom can't be re-done. In actuality, the bathroom was always going to stay the way it was.

[–] LadyMarysHat 9 years ago

If this is truly an accurate portrayal of the amount of staging/fakery that goes on then all the more reason to hate it! What reason does Hillary, the realtor, and for that matter the homeowners to be so RUDE? Ugh I hate this show.

[–] nannyjo 9 years ago

Hilary simply cannot provide the homeowners the actual work they need and ask for.

What bothers me the most, is that she never asks (at least not on screen) the client to prioritize their wish list. "What is most important to you?" That way, she could start at the top, and when she is out of money she should be closer to the bottom of the list and the, hopefully, less important things.

... but I guess that would take all of the drama out of the show.