Real Life Renovations Season 1

[@letlive8014]

Thanks for your candid portrayal of what can happen with multiple major renovations. The lack of quality initially performed and the rectification and solution(s) to them spoke well to the would-be D.I.Y. Not to discourage someone, but to know one's limits. Your video was more informative and interesting than those shows on television. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@Merces69]

OMG! I WENT THROUGH THE SAME NIGHTMARE FEW YEARS AGO!I CAN UNDERSTAND OWNER FEELINGS! HAPPY ALL GO WELL AT THE END!

[@ellenthorne1168]

I love watching renovation programmes and what I've learned from Mike Holmes is - 1, get references from your contractor & check them out by visiting the properties in question, 2, make sure you get a contract,, 3, all permits required for electrics, plumbing etc, 4, with hold final payment until work is completed and your satisfied with the work. Good luck to anyone who is renovating their home, I wish you a trouble free experience.

[@Wolfsheim23]

Ha! "We need extensive remodelling and have NO money." What's your budget. "We've got to be under $100,000. " WTF!??!... What can't you do for $100K? In what world do we live in that $100k is considered No money.

[@DolceVita]

Yes I agree, i would like to see a FULL HOME renovation for £25K (or the $ equivalent), its piss easy to renovate for $100K

[@shrugger1]

She ended up at $140k. Where I live that's an nice new built home with 3 bedrooms and a 2 car garage.

[@Kelly101Girl]

mizzmolly i had to gut reno my home and required EVERYTHING including foundation work and garage ..since my contractor was a friend he gave me a good deal and qouted at 70k and we went 10k over budget and finishing the basement (small) had to be cut out. first fixer upper home and definitly the last lol. 100k for an entire renovation is an ok starting amount depending on ur home size and what all has to be done, but i would say pull out as much as u can for a full rehab because them google estimates sure led me off. had we went with other contractors we were looking at over 100k for my place.

[@rtaylor3350]

no, it's not easy for completely renovate a full home for $100,000. I'm doing my kitchen, appliances alone, including new washer and dryer, french door fridge, range, dishwasher, microwave were about $9500. Then you buy the kitchen floor tile and have someone install it, another $5 to $10,000 depending on the size of your room. Then kitchen counter tops another $3-8,000 again depending on how many counters you have. She is also including some furniture. And she is doing landscaping. With the equipment that is shown in the video, plus the cost of paying all those people and the hours spent doing it, easy another $4-5,000, kitchen cabinets will be about $10,000 that included cabinets for the laundry room. I also saved about 25% on the cabinets by buying unfinished high quality RTA (Ready to Assemble) cabinets. I stained them myself and bought a paint spraying and spray painted those I was doing in white myself. You also have to realize, she was replacing most of her windows, easy $500-800 per window and that might not include the labor of installing them. I've been tracking what I've spent since 2013 when I was gradually buying things to do the reno for the kitchen, and even though I spent a lot of time looking for the absolute best price for the products I chose, it still at the end will hit close to $40,000 that includes all the little things like roll out shelves, handles, spigots, sinks, other accesories for better kitchen organization. If I didn't have to replace falling apart cabinets and a new floor, the costs would have dropped dramatically.

[@inspire734]

So bogus. I have to rebuild a childhood home and hopefully will get $50,000. from an FHA fixer upper loan and $30,000. on equity in the property. It will be under 2,000 sq. ft. Everything has to be removed and rewired down to the structure. I am doing most of the work. Only using people for parts I can not do. That is what is expensive, help. Plumbers, electricians and roofers are where the most money goes.

[@richardkipper8785]

THANK YOU THANK YOU! !!!! For explaining to everyone out there TV remodel is unrealistic to real life... I'm a contractor in STL. And this is a big issue with clients

[@terrywalker2437]

My new obsession. So glad I found you before I get started on my reno!

[@peterdeane4490]

I'm sorry, but that house is hideous - gloomy colours, garish walpaper, curtains and rugs that look like they're from a dated hotel. With all the money she sank into that ostentatious kitchen, I hope she at least cooks.

[@dr.valandherbookofknowledge]

+Peter DEANE I was shocked with the outcome, as well. Sadly, a much worse out come than an unprofessional decorator. below average, for so much money.

[@josephine5809]

The house kind of matches its owner, so... meh. She said she "came into it," so I guess she inherited it or something, so I figure she's working with what she has.

[@Jeff-xy7fv]

Vici M More like she TOOK it from her newly ex-husband! Remember she said she's recently divorced.

[@terrywalker2437]

I had to look at when this was published to determine why it seemed so dated. And the rooms do match. Style and decor does not flow from room to room. But, if she likes it that's all that matters. Her house, her money.

[@KidsandKittens217]

I dislike that they spray painted orange onto the cabinets & appliances they weren't keeping. Why destroy them? They could've been donated to a charity such as Habitat for Humanity! (and those lovely vintage 50s metal cabinets in the kitchen were adorable!)

[@DolceVita]

totally agree, totally unnecessary as the cabinets looked in great shape!! Id take them! Hopefully they can just paint over the orange??

[@KidsandKittens217]

Much better to let people buy vintage items with the patina. Sanding and repainting destroys the original finish, just as the video-makers' orange spray paint does.

[@omt07]

I am almost done with my kitchen (DIY) renovation (cabinets, counter top, and tiles). I kept all my old cabinets to be use in my garage and I donated some to my friends. I also kept the counter top to be use as a working table.I hate when ppl destroys things for no reason, when someone else could use it. Btw, I am not an environmentalist. It is just common sense.

[@johannak1983]

Maybe it's some "marking" paint you can remove with water? Just a guess... If that's not the case, then I'm 100% with you on that.

[@mandylewis8201]

The homeowner did that!

[@c.mechellebanks2072]

my friends grandparents added rooms on their house. with every child their house kept getting smaller. it seems way to difficult at first. But when u get a walkthrough of how it's done from start to finish it's mind blowing.

[@anayacerinaryu7690]

I can't take rich people calling themselves poor seriously....

[@jz400]

Well that is why they are rich though. The know how to budget when needed.

[@rtaylor3350]

100,000 for a house is not considered a rich person, especially in 2017

[@anthonydiamond2681]

AGREED!! I kept thinking, "really Princess?"

[@sherrycohen1824]

That $100,000 is for the renovation! That's a lot.

[@dustykeele]

She bought a house she didn't like, and spent $140K to UPGRADE everything she possibly could. Sorry, but this chick isn't poor. She's a spoiled, rich, twat.

[@AFAskygoddess]

Who worries about landscaping when the inside of your house is so screwed up and you're out of money? Bizarre priorities!

[@BlendedBarbieDoll]

AFAskygoddess I see so many homes that have beautiful landscaping amazing decks and the inside of the home has not been updated for decades. I'm talking hunter green carpet, floral or school house wallpaper, dirty base boards and tile. It's ridiculous.

[@susandupree3751]

It's television people - all made up

[@dustykeele]

Shallow people who only worry about outward appearances, that's who.

[@Prancer1231]

I don't understand why she defaced perfectly good things with red paint. I also don't understand why bars and parties are such a priority for someone with a toddler. And $100,000 is a TON of money for people in the real world. It's more than enough to buy a house outright.

[@hazelmarsh7317]

She could have resold alot of the appliances and cabinets and tubs, light fixtures to a secondhand dealer, that would have helped her on her budget.

[@rtaylor3350]

there aren't many places you can buy a home with 3-4 bedrooms for $100,000. Last small house I had purchased 1986 was $68,000. Sold in 1994 for $120,000. She has young kids, so she has to be in a neighborhood close enough to good schools. You also don't know where in the US she lives. The further South you go, the houses tend to be cheaper in price. The further North, they tend to be more expensive, sometimes double for a smaller house than what you can get down South.

[@Jeff-xy7fv]

Notice that she mentioned being recently divorced. The $100K is probably a settlement from her ex-husband that she left, so she took all his money like ex-wives always do.

[@dustykeele]

+Ruth Taylor They said at the beginning of the show that she lives in St. Louis. She has ONE child, who isn't even of school age. "Good" schools? Does that mean exclusive, private schools for people too good to go to public schools? Give me a break.

[@dustykeele]

+Jeff "Took" ALL his money? Doubtful. More like they reached a settlement and the Judge signed off on it. Don't worry, this chick will never be satisfied, no matter how much she achieves in life.

[@lunaluck1060]

We all see something different with decorating. I absolutely love every room in the house and would jump at the change to live in it. What some of you see as dark and depressing, I see as warm and cozy. I think the living and dining rooms were my faves, but I wouldn't change a thing. This is the first time I've seen this show. In the U.S. you can find some very cool accessories...I live in Canada and we don't have nearly as much selection.

[@KarrBickKitchenBath]

thank you so much for your kindness and grace, most people here are nasty and hateful. We appreciate a bright light every once in a while!

[@Kinkkittenlv]

Why did she put the red dots on everything she wanted to change? Seems to me if you were on such a tight budget, maybe you'd want to try and sell some stuff or at least donate to to a place like habitat for humanity .

[@Dirtnap1986]

She could have still donated those cabinets. They weren't in terrible condition. She could have used bright colored sticky paper. There was no need to use orange spray paint!

[@Dirtnap1986]

***** Haha!! Yeah she most certainly does not!

[@Jeff-xy7fv]

As an electrician by trade, my biggest concern is the electrical wiring. Look at the outlet at 3:04. It's obviously 2-prong, which means that the wiring is not grounded. I wonder when the house was built. If I were the buyer, I would have a complete electrical re-wiring job a priority, complete with lighting upgrades and a new 150A service.

[@icancommentnow]

A profesional designer, profesional landscapers, a built in refridgerator, granite countertops: these are the things that eat a $100k budget quickly.

[@Kinkkittenlv]

Hmmm. Maybe if I played a drinking game and took a swig every time she mentions her "budget" I'd be drunk enough to like the end results...

[@chucknorrissmustache2089]

Hahaha! Best comment! If only I had her problems!😄

[@GoodKarma1020]

lol 😂

[@flatmls6183]

Wow Renovations can make all the difference. Great Job!!!

[@khrazy5150]

How come flippers can renovate a complete stinker of a house for around $40K, and this woman spent 140K and STILL not have her home finished???

[@michelleonuorah7142]

Keith Harris Because they know what they're doing.

[@Kelly101Girl]

Keith Harris becayse most of the actual labor is done by them and their small team. contractors/investors get deals on material as well. regular folks are paying for the labor and materials which can be very expensive in the end

[@rtaylor3350]

house flippers also don't put in quality products that will last 20 years. I no longer buy something just because it's cheap in price. It has to be high quality built or I won't buy it. Cheap is way too expensive because you have to replace it a few times within the time you live in the house. Take time to search quality sturdy products, then find the absolute cheapest price for that quality product.

[@jeff-dv1eh]

Because flippers are just that. Cheapest means to an end in order to sucker a new buyer into thinking they got a great deal. 40K is not a realistic number for a full house renovation. Not when having the work done by others and using quality products. Remember, not everyone has the skillset to do the work themselves nor the knowledge to make good design decisions and pull it all together.

[@dbeazrn3934]

I was so saddened that the cabinets & other recyclable items were not donated to Habitat for Humanity, such a waste which represented her mindset from the get go. I liked the bedrooms & bathrooms. Although I would not have chosen to live in the dark with a bar in my living room, to each their own. She is happy, it's her home & that's all that matters. I did hate that she burned $20K using a horrible contractor.

[@PropertyVlogsUK]

I would never advise someone to carry out external works i.e. landscaping when the interior of their home is still unfinished!

[@dianamurtaugh1291]

OriginailzUK - My thoughts also.

[@karenlalaniz]

Stopped watching when I heard she "only" has a $100,000 budget. Geesh! I wish!

[@jz400]

In her defense maybe they work hard for their money. Poor people in Africa would gasp at our 20K budget.

[@kelliebenner]

i AM BUYING AND REMODLING MY WHOLE HOUSE FOR LESS! Our cost of living in Missouri is not that high!

[@scouser2010ify]

Karen Alaniz right ? This woman is so annoying

[@jasonfrost2487]

She wishes to be seen as a victim who had an enormous burden placed on her due to divorce and having a child to support. I can't stand to watch!

[@Jeff-xy7fv]

Jason Frost Exactly! Women these days divorce their husbands for no good reason, take all their money, then play "victim". It is sickening and appalling, to say the least.

[@interludeadventures508]

Personally I do not like the dark colors on the walls and the dark furniture. I do think the kitchen turned out nice altough granite countertops are not my go to. I like the master bedroom and the bathroom (couldn't do without a shower curtain though, at least). I also think I would have saved some money by doing more myself. Painting walls can easily be done by oneself, even deconstructing the kitchen doesn't need a handyman and I would have done the landscaping myself.

[@bunnymad5049]

Agree entirely. =)

[@Itsandreamb]

100K for this disaster?!

[@reversemoustachecat8127]

I don't understand why people hire professional decorators. They just tell you what's cool basically. You couldn't look up some pics on the net and chose from for free!

[@aw4417]

reverse moustache cat Exactly my thoughts. They just want you to follow trends not choose a timeless design because then they can sell you more stuff when the next trend comes along

[@naynesia4953]

Not that easy, even thou everybody has access to any decor idea on the internet, still some people has no taste to understand what is good what is not. If you find it easy, you're lucky that you have taste. Especally to mixed things, what will pair well and what's not. I'm a professional wedding decorator so i know what i'm talking about

[@sandraweiler5971]

True 😊

[@lindakincaid4530]

love all the Mackenzie Child's stuff in the room.

[@josephcarr6133]

ive seen hundreds of fix up shows but this house inside has got to be the worst

[@liusherry8576]

looks like a place my grandma would like to live, not me

[@TexPR1]

+Liu Sherry Your grandma has excellent taste!

[@DrLisaDeG]

True. So fugly

[@igorstratulea9992]

I know right , she is 30 😂lol

[@genchilal]

😂

[@jescaanatory6121]

She said she has recently devorced..It makes sense to have atleast one dark room.. The daughter won't see her crying when she revisit painful moments.. The house is beautiful though just like how she wanted

[@prettienini]

The decor is HORRIBLE!!!!

[@tanquantwal]

I would have cried at the reveal. It really is ugly imo. Rebecca Robeson and AtHome With Nikki are more my style. But she likes it so I guess that's all that matters. REPLY

[@josephine5809]

Lol, I can image Rebecca's face if she walked into this woman's home.

[@morganawyze7738]

I don't usually like wallpaper but the original yellow wallpaper and curtains were classic.

[@teargarden]

There is one thing money can NOT buy... and that is taste. She turned an adorable mid century home into a Victorian funeral parlor.

[@katrinascreationscrafting]

A $100,000 can go a very long way...if you don't spend it on high end finishes. I'm in my 50's and we have moved 4 times in our 33 year marriage. I still don't have most of the upgrade "must haves" that are in this home. I also don't understand why the woman wasn't advised by the design team to get a written contract and why the design person wasn't overseeing the original contractor closer.

[@rockshot100]

+Katrina Clutterfree So very TRUE! She CAN and will do without a damned ice machine in her living room...for goodness SAKE! She did get shisted though with that contractor, but doesn't she know not to write checks every day, with just "promises"??? You would think that she would have woke up after the first MONTH...She went 50% OVER her budget and it was HER FAULT! The other thing, is why do these women look like they are wearing wallpaper in every scene? Scarlet O'Hara at least wore the drapes!

[@thecure3982]

I see we have a hater.

[@kelliebenner]

I live in Missouri and I am buying a house and doing my own renovations. I have owned and fixed up several others. THIS GAL WAS A SPOILED BRAT! I have knocked out walls and floors and done them with 5 or more kids hanging off me.(AND HAD A FULL TIME JOB) So much so, that 2 of my sons are now general contractors with their own business. I started watching a 2nd episode of this show and it is ANOTHER STUPID WOMAN!! I CAN'T WATCH THESE! ****AND NO CONTRACTS - ARE YOU KIDDING ME - NO WAY THIS IS REAL!

[@skullsaintdead]

Kellie - why be so rude to a woman that has not affected your life (nor who intends to affect your life) one bit? Just because you can handle physical work, children and a full time job doesn't mean everyone else wants to do that. Why be so mean? Do you just want to praise yourself, while devaluing this ladies own struggle? Does that make you feel better? Why?

[@jeff-dv1eh]

I'm with you Skulls. And as for contracts, do you really think the professional business people, let alone the end customer, signed no contracts with the exception of the "friend" contractor? People do this sort of unwise thing all the time in the industry and the possible outcomes are illustrated well here. Lastly, a budget regardless of whether or not you viewers have that much money is vital and work done within that amount is a skill. Full renovations such as these are costly. Not everyone can afford them but for those who can, why hate on them? If people stopped spending money like this many of you would be out of jobs. It's all connected.

[@dawndennis1512]

What a nightmare! The homeowner was scammed BIG-TIME!

[@bunnymad5049]

Funny how the contractor was so icky with the designer, and it turns out he was scamming the home owner. He obviously didn't like having someone watching his dishonesty.

[@Newstart1988]

Ugly dark entrance! it feels suffocating just looking at it!

[@zeynepp71]

i dont understan who gives the idea of having a room completely dark with everything.wall is dark floor is dark ,furniture is dark,curtans are dark the whole room is dark .SEriously if u wanna have a dark wall u should NOT make your floor and furniture dark that dark .Her rooms are kind a rooms that only a dracula can live lol

[@novelist99]

I thought the same thing. It seems like Dracula's home.

gothic style

[@josephine5809]

Maybe it matches her soul? Lol jk, I think she tried to go with some kind of vintage doll house, Victorian look. It's part granny tea room, part dark corner of an absinthe bar. Unusual approach, but she's into it.

[@HouseHustlers]

interesting episode. My wife and I are also in to real estate investing. are there more renovation vids coming?

[@ashleym7433]

I’d say they used marking chalk for the orange markings. I've used something similar and it is erasable.

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

The designer always saves the money in the end!

[@sophielegacy1648]

It was so much brighter before!!!

[@JazmyneDrakeford]

bruh the wallpaper, colors, and decor is hideous! The lady at the store was finessing the hell outta her lmao

[@fulltank1861]

I love how all these yuppies want designer kitchens with $12,000 refrigerators and 8-burner stoves, but they can't cook --- they can barely heat up a hotpocket in a microwave!

[@rtaylor3350]

I don't think she went with that refrigerator. I agree, way too much for a fridge. I bought higher end appliances, all SS (first time ever buying all new appliances) and my 6 appliances were I think 9,000

[@nonayobiznez5311]

We are on a very strict budget .. we have no money .. we've got to be under $100,000. I'm confused. Who the fuck are these people?!

[@rtaylor3350]

you have obviously never had to rip out bathrooms and redo all the windows. She did go a little overboard, but I think the reason was, she is a single mother with 2 young kids and does not have the time to gradually get things done around the house with young kids in the way. She probably bought the house really cheap, and instead put the money she probably made from the sale of her previous house, into the reno of the house badly in shape.

[@helenaw9533]

You're reading a lot into this woman's life. She has 1 child. She's divorced. Who said she sold her old house? Maybe the ex got it. Who said she bought the new house "cheap"? Who said all the windows "had" to be replaced? The house wasn't in bad shape. Old, dated, but certainly livable with paint and new flooring.

[@abrooks713]

100k and that’s what she got! 😱 Almost finished with my remodel and my budget was only 20k I wish I could have had more but couldn’t imagine spending 100k

[@lavernejackson2055]

Older homes sometimes have issues with electric plumbing crooked walls and ceilings.

[@spicynomad]

if she didn't hire you then the $100,000 would have finished the house. that contractor got $20,000 to do a crappy job. she could have done the reno herself and saved $20,000.

[@香港心-y7t]

Watching this $100,000+ stressful renovation to just have such a granny looking and gloomy house.... I now appreciate my bright and cheerful little rental apartment so much more. I guess if the spending makes the homeowner really happy, it's worth it.

[@ivane.degonzalez7520]

Love the choices of wallpaper. Everthing looks wonderful and well put together. Great job.

[@NurseEmilie]

I'm surprised you chose to make the rooms dark. It's pretty but I'd think you'd want more light.

[@ricog8209]

Looks great but the dining area is too dark for my taste.

[@heatherhoward5286]

So..real life question...... what kind of warranty did your appliances come with, if any? So.. does it really save you money in the end?

[@Lilmiket1000]

lol omg. her contractor needs to be put on blast on national tv! horrible work!

[@petebeauds7181]

I`ve yet to see an interior designer, on any show I have watched, that I would like to hire to finish a room for me....sorry, they all sound the same and have the same ideas...they focus on what is fashionable at the time. I`m not interested.

[@staceykersting705]

Yes...thet just follow trends, sometimes paint everything in the same color Usually white, then pick the darkest or most garishcolor/wall paper for the room.

[@clorox1676]

If I had to find one, I would check interiors I like and contact the designer, instead of trying to get any random one to do something I like that is not their style. They will always have their own vision and preferences, so It's easier to work with one that has similar tastes to your own.

[@happydays1336]

I'm too stubborn to hire someone because I wouldn't want to be pushed around and overridden. I know what I like.

[@lookinggrl]

Are you suppose to paint a room before you install new windows?

[@onicamoruwane5360]

So amazing job well done i

[@kelliebenner]

I am a woman and I live in Missouri and after watching this video I can honestly say I hated this episode - she was so stuck up....she wasted so much money - I could have got that remodle done for at LEAST HALF of what she did and the fact that SHE DID NOT GET CONTRACTS AND WRITTEN ESTIMATES IS FREAKING UNBELIEVABLE! She makes women look stupid! Obviously she has some sort of education to have a job to afford all this - what ever she does she doesn't KNOW to get a contract. She could have saved so much money doing some painting and stuff herself.I watched this because I am watching tons of videos on remodling because we are buying a new house and I will be doing the renovations myself. And the next one is coming on and it is another woman......ARE ALL THESE SHOWS ABOUT STUPID WOMEN GETTING SCREWED?????

[@turuanu]

I suffered and empathized with the homeowner for 40 minutes waiting for the reveal, but it was horrendous....

[@sumayabenhossen6105]

her family room is bigger than my whole house!

[@freebirdincage]

I have been watching a lot of renovation videos , and this is by far the worst there is . 140,000 dollars spent on this ????? and still unfinished ????

[@kathyl6677]

The house is unfinished, and she bought NEW furniture. what?

[@planesense7390]

Ppl dont realize that construction is EXPENSIVE and almost ALWAYS goes over budget $100K is alot of money but not for renovating an entire house

[@Samantha-jb6ln]

Such a big house for 1&half person. A small ready to move in apartment would be better choice, less stress

[@szorohov85]

why to buy ahouse in this condition from the start?

[@lakeboww]

Was it necessary to mention her age(30ys) explicitly while it's so obvious she leans more on 40 if not more?!

[@f.a.bentley3736]

Why so harsh?

[@Dirtnap1986]

Even I didn't believe she was 30 years old!!!

[@reinae.rodriguez212]

Dirtnap1986 same here. she looks way older

[@lakeboww]

Faith Ann Martin-Bentley why lying?!

[@UsmanKhan-sz3rv]

Reina Yadhira Rodriguez defcxxse

[@dawndiegidio5952]

Helpful Hint: If you're going to show before and after pictures, at least take them from the same place, as in facing the same wall or direction. Horribly deceiving.

[@amathest62]

No money, only $170.000 to renovate and you have contractors. You have more then others.

[@144Jacob]

+jojo Wow, Thank you for the truth. Absolutely! Can't stand when people like this act like they have nothing and have no money! People like this need a rude awakening. How provided people like this our and are so dam entitled! Crying like you have no money. Don't understand how someone can be proud of being "newly divorced. It takes a family to raise a child. That's what is wrong with females now a days. No loyalty and all about themselves! Guess she has good alimony coming in. God will judge her when time comes. Arrogant ass people!

[@chipmhandle]

spoiled! me me me

[@Ann-eu1qn]

And you are a stupid old-fashioned woman-hating arrogant whiny religious-fanatical old person.

[@sissyrayself7508]

Heaven Earth. don't be so judgemental.. just because someone is newly discovered doesn't mean she is proud if it.

[@rtaylor3350]

knock it off with the God will judge her because she is divorced. Would you rather her live in what might have been an abusive relationship with kids? you have no clue why she was divorced. Stop judging people as if you are far better than they are.

[@liusherry8576]

I can understand the why choosing the wallpaper by looking at the clothes designer was wearing when showing the house

[@TexPR1]

+Liu Sherry The designer did not choose the wallpaper the homeowner did.

[@1AEROSOL.1PUFF]

SHE SHOULD HAVE FIRED THE CONTRACTORS LONG AGO, I WOULD NEVER PUT UP WITH THAT INCOMPETENCE.

[@shoneemcnair7912]

They owe her 90K!

[@soniaslater8909]

From the distance of year 2018, I can safely say that the decor aged and dated badly and very quickly.

[@kathyl6677]

They never do show what happened to the built-in (bookshelves).

[@Jilleyful]

I really like the finished product! There are some elements that I wouldn't choose for my own home, but over all, I think they did a really good job with a not very big budget!

[@paulanomundo]

I am blown away! I really didn't get the decor!

[@Concreteinsulationsystem]

These contractors are super incompetent. There are two reasons you should buy a house like that and fix it up. One is if you don't care about money and just want something customized the way you want it. Two is if you're looking for a return on investment. If that's the case then it pays of HUGE to learn how to do most of the basics yourself and then just hire contractors for the things you absolutely must like an electrician to hook up wiring. It's definitely worth learning how to do most things yourself as it's really not that hard most of the time.

[@PurdyBear1]

$100K budget isn't enough, a little budget, who is she kidding! The Americans have some really strange ideas what no money means.

[@bri3449]

No not all Americans are the same lol

[@norahgilbert1679]

PurdyBear1 don't generalize all americans please thankyou

[@josephine5809]

Well, her home definitely looks better. I don't love it, but she worked with what she had. My question is how the heck does she figure showering without a curtain or a door won't make a mess?

[@kathyl6677]

I also learned not to have friends do the work. In my case, it wasn't too bad, but I did have to have a real plumber come in and repair something, that, even at the time, I'd commented that I didn't want the thing jimmy-rigged, but he did anyway. It cost me about $145.00 in repairs, that easily could have been avoided. And the tub faucet is off center to the drain. :/

[@animalier2949]

Other than wallpaper/painting and carpets, I really do not see anything wrong with the house. She should have spent her 100,000 on her child's college education. I have never lived in a house larger than 1000 sq ft, so I have no idea of what those people who live in mcmansions think. To me, this is a huge house.

[@Reesicup]

Wait this is a real life view of renovation?! when they said they were under a real strict budget, Im thinking "oh ok I can relate to that." Wait $100,000?! She said it gets eaten up quickly and yes thats true. . . especially when you gravitate towards a $12000 refrigerator (wtf! I don't care if it has a personal chef living inside it, no one needs to spend more than $1300 on a refrigerator). . . but Im looking at my reno budget of not even $15,000 (which has to be stretched across a whole year) 😅 and p.s. I do NOT like the dark paint colors they are choosing.

[@JackDuran]

Guys guys guys... this is television. It is entertainment and not real. What would they have filled the second half of this episode if the first crew hadn't been a total disaster?

[@aaronimpossible]

No way Kristen is 30 yrs old...

[@JhonathanFree]

organiccorn No way you have any manners.

[@raymondchisiuc3330]

Man that remark is just ....low and wrong on so many lvls.

[@robynw6307]

Can't see the toilet from the front door now. WTF? Just shut the bathroom door.

[@paulacassianodias7990]

That original yellow wallpaper in the Master Bedroom was gorgeous. The Wallpaper in the bathroom was also very pretty. If she had a tight budget she could have kept those. The dark wallpaper in the hallway is MUCH MUCH uglier than anything that was originally in the house!!!! Her tastes, my goodness..... :(

[@DallasBall]

Paula Cassiano Dias That's just a difference of opinion though. I thought all original wall paper was ugly. But I don't like wallpaper in general.

[@BigGen222]

Why don't they show the before and after pictures from the same spot? It's so annoying when it's from the other side of the room, you can't see the results properly!

[@memeelooker1416]

Beautiful

[@mrdavidtran]

Is it bad that the bathroom is the best room in the house!?!?

[@rorik.3842]

you could buy a whole new house with $100,000 budget xDDD

[@AndriaGG]

not a good one. *Depending on where you live*

[@SFBear]

a house with 3 bedroom 2 bath in SoCal goes around $550,000 minimum... it's so expensive here :/

[@rorik.3842]

xAndria GG ShellBellezz yes I agree with you guys it depends on so many things xP I generalized that too much . :)

[@nick8126]

ShellBellezz It really is amazing how home prices vary so widely based on geography. 500k will get you a nice 3500 square foot house in great neighborhood with excellent schools here.

[@SFBear]

.

[@sherrylong3613]

I agree

[@zszs2882]

She has used so many colors. Dark entry, flower patterned carpet, light green wall then dark green wall, brown wall, white wall, pink room....... too much of everything. It is not calming the eye. But at least she likes it. :-D and she spent a lot of money.

[@richardfote4083]

just another reality show about people who lie about their age , their ability to save money, real contractors, real costs, real building inspectors, building permits, dumping fees, a single mom should teach her kids to live with in there means. 100 k is more than ill ever see.

[@WendellsCat]

I'm not even 5 minutes into this video and I am already 99% sure that this "real life" reno is not going to be that realistic. What drives me nuts about these reno shows is when the designers want to tear out everything and do it ALL over again. "Everything needs to go"....no! It doesn't NEED to go. Some of what I saw in the b-roll of the house in the 'before' stage, looked fine. These designers push onto these homeowners that they have to change everything. NO! you don't. Case in point- the curtains. The designer said they have to go because she doesn't have furniture to match. Good lord!! In reality, homeowners on a tight budget would simply say no to some of these so-called "needed" changes. I've bought places that had dated looks and old stuff. I didn't go hog wild and completely gut everything. Why? Because in reality, to do all that is insane!!!

[@justjacqueline2004]

She had a stressful time?Well here in Lancashire,England,we were stupid enough to buy and renovate a Grade II listed house,even more stupidly we picked up an interior designer with a worldwide reputation and a leading architect firm-all with the right accent and right social cache.What enfolded has been a disaster,a taupe house with poorly executed products and finishes and a very irate English Heritage.We have been told repeated its our fault,but how do you pick an interior designer,architect builders and landscapers if they all come with gushing reviews in periodicals such as Country Life and Elle Decor.We have no talent for home making yet we also know when we have been duped-a lot!We run businesses and employ a lot of people yet we fell for the faeces that was establishment directives.So how do you really choose a designer,architect,landscaper and more to produce a home you can be proud of?

[@chs75]

Just proper due diligence.

[@PropertyVlogsUK]

Maria das Santos Sorry to hear that. Media reviews are hit and miss. I think word of mouth usually is the best bet, but even that is hit and miss.

[@novelist99]

I can relate. I have a three story Victorian mansion. Renovating it has been nothing short of hell. I've been ripped off a lot too from supposed professionals. I don't think there's a way to avoid it when it comes to designers and contractors.

[@dianneedwards2491]

Renovations are really tricky and I understand completely where she was coming from. Budget somehow goes out the window.

[@voiceofunreason5153]

The house looks very dark inside in the end result

[@amel2784]

I'm not into her decorative aesthetics, for sure. Lots of people calling it ugly but it's her house to color as she likes...so what does it matter whether anyone else likes it or not or how much it cost her? Somebody put food on their table because she spent money on her choices. We're remodeling our home on a much smaller scale with the tiniest budget you can get by with and it still costs a TON of money. Let me assure any critics, you get much more done and protect your pocketbook better if you firmly and consistently get into your contractor's face, insisting on explanations for everything. They don't like it and they'll try to make you look like a jerk and if you're a woman, you'll get called a b., but you've got to do it. If they don't have the time or willingness to hear you out or to compromise on negotiable topics, you've got to replace them. The handwriting was on the wall re: this contractor right from the beginning. I'm guessing she went with a friend because he gave a cheaper quote. Seems like she was trying to have it all without being being willing to spend what it cost...so maybe she thought she could cut corners on the contractor in order to buy more? If that's true, then she may have sabotaged herself; however, I've heard of people who spent BIG money on their contractor to try to avoid this and they still ended up with the same results as she got! It's a pain to do the research necessary to get the best contractor available and it takes time but Mike Holmes' advice on selecting a contractor is the best there is. Even then, it helps to be educated on the process of remodeling, check prices for yourself, visit the site regularly, stay on site as much as possible, ask for explanations, and get it in writing. (Or do it yourself. Often we've found that we can buy the tools, teach ourselves and make it for ourselves for a lot less money and drama and still end up with something better.) OR! LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS! That thing you think you "have to have" may be outdated or broken by the time you sell your home and buyers are talking about having to replace it. The Problem we've found about "get it in writing" is this......as soon as you ask for it, there are contractors who look at you sideways, say "Sure" and "I'll email it to you." and that's the last you hear from them. A small per cent will turn aggressive at that point, trying to control and bully you into accepting their bid. People like that will bully you the whole way thru the job. I've had a few laugh mockingly and make claims that "it can't be done" or begin by making fun of competitors while talking up their abilities. All such people should be shown the door while you keep looking for the right contractor. If you're in a hurry, you may pay the price of bitter experience over and over. The real problem is that anybody can go into business for themself as a home contractor. There is no licensing standard that ensures the home owner of skill and talent or truthfulness and honesty. The lesson? Home remodeling is not for the faint of heart or for folks with unrealistic expectations. Going thru remodeling targets both tendencies with ruthless precision.

[@jenniferneal9729]

She's gonna have to put a lot more $$$ in if she ever sells, because the decor' is so bad no one will ever make an offer! The wallpaper, the paint colors and I seen some lighting that all looks to come out of a funeral home! I don't understand why someone would put this much $$ into a place just to make it look dark and out dated! CRAZY!!!!!

[@irinanemet5168]

I think it too dark and old fashioned.

[@rockshot100]

Landscaping is the ONLY ONE thing that APPRECIATES in the entire project. Although it looked like a VERY bad design, some of the original plants looked to be salvageable. Hire a professional designer or a landscape architect that has NO stakes in the cost. PAY for a professional design, then install in phases if need be. Often PAY the designer to oversee the installation! SAVE money AND get it done properly.

[@herewegokids7]

Family photos in the bathroom lol

[@dogcatparty7371]

Ideally, she should have donated amap as much as possible to Habitat for Humanity. They have a 're-use store' that is very popular with all kinds of people. Many women (and men) would love to use what is 'garbage' here for their own projects. Every county in America has a dump filled with quality items that should have been given away free to Habitat for Humanity. I hope that future builders will consider this option. You might also put it on Craig's List for free or try to make some money on some items. Or you could ask the buyers to donate the cost/potential worth, to your (or his/hers) favorite charity.

[@peitakreegher4326]

it it a local accent the way the women grate their voices?

[@MsDianaJean]

They sound like a bit like they're from Chicago! STL seems to have a mixed accent- some people have a more Great Plains country accent and then there's this more sharp Chicago-style accent. But who knows where they lived before moving to STL.

[@ignatiustable]

Way to pass the buck Karr Bick