In general a show great concept, but a big disappointment often, since Hillary the remodeling designer, seems to have a very poor ability to estimate the costs needed for the renovations she proposes. Consequently, the homeowners very frequently do not get the "must haves" on their list for staying in the current home.

This aspect of the show seems very unprofessional; Hillary should be used to running into unforeseen obstacles and extra costs, and budget a cushion for these. Instead there is the frequent littany, "unfortunately.....," or "the bad new is ....".

To me, programmers should:
1) reorganize the presentation so that the anticipated appreciation of the current home is discussed as a matter of the initial budget discussion (to see how much money is, or will be available for renovations) so homeowners can accurately decide how much money they can put into renovations from the outset and
2) Get someone other than Hillary who can estimate costs better without so frequently disappointing the homeowners and not being able to complete all the required renovations

The show is a great idea, if the homeowners are comparing the features of a new house with a comparable list of features needed in their current location. But often Hillary has to go back and revise the list of what she can present, since she doesn't budget enough money for the completion of all of the work, and ultimately, the homeowners are NOT comparing apples to apples. They are frequently disappointed with her constantly changing assessment of what can be done with their original budget. They are frequently disappointed and disgusted, as am I.

Hillary should have a more professional method of determining costs and what can be done, BEFORE work commences. It is not professional to begin a job and tear the place apart, then tell the homeowner she can't complete the job as agreed upon. She needs to get a better handle on the costs up front, and build more cushion into her estimates.

She is the epitome of why people don't like to get involved in renovations, constantly whining about unforeseen difficulties and additional costs. Give me a break. We need someone professional here!

In all, the show is more about the disappointment of what can't be delivered than a true comparison of what can be done in renovations vs purchasing a new venue with similar features. It should not be focusing on the disappointment and what can't happen, and instead focus on what can.

What do you think?

BTW: In "Property Brothers" they too run into unforeseen difficulties requiring extra labor and or materials, but they have built in a cushion most of the time and almost always deliver on what they set out to complete. And, they work with the homeowners advising them, up front, that additional work requested by the owner, added to the original scope of work will 1) add to the time schedule (often) and/or 2) require additional funds .

The sense in the Property Brothers program is that there is much more due diligence regarding unseen issues BEFORE work commences than with Hillary in "Love it or List it". The brothers then go out of their way to work with the homeowners make adjustments to optional materials or construction methods when unavoidable additional expenses, such as fixing electrical or plumbing to meet code, so that the final costs remain as originally stated for the homeowners. Sometimes the homeowners will make a conscious choice to change the original scope of work, rather than to increase the costs. This give and take is not evident with Hillary.

And the Property Brothers take responsibility for helping the homeowners find acceptable solutions, mid-project, for dealing with the additional costs, rather than saying.... "... then, I can't deliver all the renovations you have asked for" as Hillary so often laments.

It is rare for the Property Brothers to have to tell a homeowner than they can't give them the number of bedrooms needed, or remodel a bathroom already on the list, or leave off the kitchen portion of the renovation. These things frequently happen with Hillary, halfway through the project. Generally, she just tosses her hands up and tells them she can't deliver. Not acceptable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kermie,

You ought to send your comments to the HGTV programming staff. So far as I know they don't read these forums.

If you post this up in "favorite shows", which is where it belongs, you will also see a link to contact HGTV.