Sophia Michaels
“Fixer Upper,” the popular HGTV series featuring Chip and Joanna Gaines, continues to captivate audiences with their remarkable home transformations. Despite the common knowledge that reality TV often involves scripted elements, “Fixer Upper” stands apart due to its genuine moments, though a few behind-the-scenes truths have come to light.
In September 2017, after five successful seasons, Chip and Joanna revealed that they would be ending the show. They expressed their emotions in a blog post, which left fans heartbroken and wondering why the beloved program was coming to an end despite its apparent popularity.
However, excitement returned in March 2024, with the announcement of “Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse,” a limited series celebrating the show’s tenth anniversary. The trailer hinted at a familiar format enhanced by breathtaking lake views. As Chip and Joanna make their comeback, let’s uncover some secrets about “Fixer Upper” that HGTV may not want you to know.
Opening Scenes Are Staged
While “Fixer Upper” is often praised for its authenticity, elements such as the opening scenes are not entirely genuine. The show makes it seem like homeowners choose a property they have never seen before, but in reality, they’ve already toured the property and begun the purchasing process.
David Ridley, a participant from Season 3, revealed that candidates must be under contract before appearing on the show. He shared his experience with Fox News, stating, “You have to have already chosen a home. They showcase other properties, but you already have your choice.”
Homeowners Fund Improvements
One lesser-known fact about “Fixer Upper” is that the homeowners themselves are responsible for funding their renovations. As reported in February 2014 by the Waco Tribune, while HGTV pays Chip and Joanna a hefty fee of around $30,000 per episode, participants must pay for the renovations themselves.
The renovation budgets go through prior approval with the “Fixer Upper” team and should be at least $30,000. Participants including Rachel and Luke Whyte confirmed in an interview with Country Living that they never encountered unexpected costs during filming. Their budget discussions were extensive and focused on what their home would require for an impressive television-worthy renovation.
As stated in earlier interviews, every participant meticulously collaborates with the Magnolia team to ensure clarity regarding their renovation budget. Jaime Ferguson, another Season 3 participant, reassured that the budget she signed off on was indeed real and not subject to surprise amendments during the filming process.
Limited Interaction with Chip and Joanna
Many participants of “Fixer Upper” enjoy the opportunity to work alongside HGTV personalities Chip and Joanna Gaines. However, it’s important to note that the show’s renovation budget, exceeding $30,000, does not include personal interaction with the stars. While Joanna actively engages in design choices and staging, Chip is mostly absent from the hands-on work.
Design blogger Rachel Teodoro noted that as the show’s popularity grew, Chip and Joanna shifted to a more hands-off approach. Former participant Lindy Ermoian from Season 3 revealed that they only interacted with the couple during filming and had a designated designer manage their project.
Lindy and her husband Chris were fortunate to monitor the renovation process from nearby while staying at her parent’s home, but they never witnessed Chip actively working on-site.
Not every room in the “Fixer Upper” houses gets remodeled
While the grand reveal on “Fixer Upper” delights fans with stunning home transformations, not every room in these houses has undergone renovation. Chip and Joanna often focus their efforts on spaces that will be captured on camera.
They cite budget constraints and the extensive requests from participants as reasons for not renovating entire homes. With limited funds, they must make tough choices on which areas to enhance while managing the participants’ expectations.
In a February 2023 interview with Elle Decor, Joanna explained her approach to budgeting. Faced with a $5,000 budget for a living room, she had to decide between investing in new flooring or repainting the space with new lighting. She opted for the latter, emphasizing the value of adding rugs to enhance a room’s look on a budget.
Furniture is not kept by the participants
Staging furniture plays a crucial role in creating stunning interiors for “Fixer Upper” homes, giving them a magazine-worthy aesthetic. However, once filming ends, the furniture is removed — unless participants are willing to purchase it, which can be a challenge after investing a significant amount in renovations.
Participants often face tough decisions about which staged items to keep due to limited budgets. Season 3 participant Jaime Ferguson shared that they had to carefully select the items they loved after the show, keeping only a few key pieces due to financial constraints. Occasionally, Joanna surprises them with gifts of selected custom pieces, which adds a special touch to their experience.
