Hilary is supposed to be a professional, but she simply can't make a plan that comes in on budget. It's not realistic. Are we supposed to believe that she's never heard of a contingency fund? This isn't a drama show, so we shouldn't have to see her arguing with the contractors and customers when things aren't perfect when the walks are opened up. Even if you've never done a reno in your own home, anyone who' watched enough HGTV knows that no renovation goes smoothly and you have to leave room for unexpected costs. I don't care about the smarmy competition between the two. That doesn't bother me. What bothers me is when they do dumb stuff and the try to justify it. In the real world, they wouldn't keep their jobs with that behavior. I've only watched about ten shows but that's enough for me.
I'm trying to imagine Hilary being a real designer who has to make a living at it. In every episode she is surprised by a wall that can't come down because it's load-bearing or it contains vital HVAC runs. Or she didn't get the proper permit. Or she's surprising the homeowners with something that wasn't on the plan. She's either much more professional off the show, or she can't be making a living in the real world being surprised by stuff that comes right out of the remodeling 101 curriculum. Proper planning research and homeowner involvement would eliminate every one of her dramatic moments on the show.
Once, just once, I wish they would actually discover the wall they removed was a load bearing wall after they knocked out the last stud. Never again would they think about removing a wall without checking.
I am with you on the capabilities of the designer Hillary. First - they look at the layout. If I hired a designer who did not investigate things like load bearing walls, floor supports and basic electrical and plumbing I would not only fire her I would sue her for every penny of my money she spent while presenting false credential. And like so many other posters, I agree this is so staged. It is worse in that aspect than House Hunters.
Posts: 4 | Location: United States | Registered: Feb 02, 2013
TV producers obviously believe all viewers are drama addicts and won't watch a program that just presents the process and results without dramatic conflicts. So they manufacture the conflicts. They must, because no one could be as inept at foreseeing them as Hillary is.
