When Fixer Upper aired on HGTV, each couple was gifted one big ticket item following the renovation. Although the homeowners were responsible for paying for their own demolition, the network covered the cost of one piece, which could have included anything from a dining room table to a large sectional couch.
By far the most popular funding choice for a fixer-upper is a renovation loan, either through a home equity line of credit or a mortgage. Home equity lines can generally be borrowed against 90 percent of the equity that the homeowner will have in the house after the repairs and remodeling are completed.
Nope. Apart from the HGTV-funded item, the couple is required to either purchase the pieces or return them. This includes everything from the rugs and the tables to the small trinkets Joanna uses to decorate the bathroom.
The homeowners had the opportunity to purchase the furnishings, but it was not included in the renovation budget. If they chose not to buy them, it was cleared out by the production staff. In this Q&A, Gaines also answered questions about the original "Fixer Upper," which aired from 2013 to 2018.
Chip and Joanna reportedly made an average of $30,000 per renovation on Fixer Upper, plus an undisclosed fee from HGTV. With 79 episodes under their belt in the show's first five seasons, Chip and Joanna made at least $2.37 million just from televised renovations alone.
Agent David Vigliano was a third party in original five-book publishing deal, which was later amended. A New York literary agent is seeking millions in damages in a lawsuit against Chip and Joanna Gaines, the home renovation couple who made farmhouse chic a major trend.
Chip Gaines nearly messed up his chances at marrying Joanna, but no, he hasn't been married before. Joanna and Chip Gaines grew to fame after launching their home renovation show Fixer Upper.
Here's why the Fixer Upper stars have been sued in the past and what we know about their most recent legal case. In 2016, Chip and Joanna Gaines' neighbor at the Magnolia Market sued the Fixer Upper stars for $1 million over the property surrounding the market in Waco, Texas (per Country Living).
The house-hunting scenes are staged.
Chip and Joanna kick off each episode of "Fixer Upper" by showing their clients three potential properties for their house flip.
As for Ben, he explained to People, "We approach everything as a team." That may be true; however, they both have their own specific tasks when it comes to renovating and their own skillset. Indeed, Ben tends to take care of the wood-related work, which is why you might have assumed that he's a contractor or carpenter.
A former literary agent took the pair to court over allegations that they tweaked a contract in their favor and cheated the agent out of earnings from the deal. According to legal documents, the agent not only accused Chip and Joanna of making him lose money, but also of having poor character.
Yes, the numbers are pretty different than in the real world. It's no secret to most viewers that the renovation estimates on flip shows like Fixer Upper are almost always lower than what those quotes would be in the real world.
"HGTV pays for some labor or costs to expedite production if needed, but generally, homeowners are paying for their services. And, they may have access to discounted services or goods." So a new kitchen island that costs $1,000 might actually cost $3,000 if the homeowners weren't being featured on a TV show.
Cons: Prepare to go over budget.
In fact, you may want to plan to go over budget – 4 out of 10 fixer uppers do. What's even more startling? Only 1 in 5 come in under their budget. Most experts suggest adding 10-25% to your remodel budget for unplanned, surprise costs.
Not Every Room Is “Fixed Up”
Chip and Joanna work with the budget they're given. That means the duo can't always fix up the entire house. Joanna shared on the Magnolia blog that what was renovated and revealed on the show were a client's top priorities.
They've since turned their TV success into a veritable empire that includes their Magnolia Market shops, a restaurant, books, a magazine, a realty company, luxury property rentals and a product line with Target. Learn more about the home renovation super couple: Net worth: $18 million (combined)
Chip doesn't really do that much demo. He may famously love Demo Day, but Ermoian says she and her family never saw the contractor himself swing a hammer—at least not from the outside view.
"Most of the time when it's the reveal, people wonder, 'What about the other bedrooms?'' Joanna said. "Well, this is one of the bedrooms, and it's finished […] except all of my stuff is in here." It turns out that two or three rooms you don't see in an episode of Fixer Upper are storage rooms.
Why Did Clint Close Harp Design? Harp Design Co. closed on January 20, 2023, after being in business for more than a decade. The HGTV star explained that he and Kelly had reached their “limit” with raising their family and juggling other business opportunities.
Several homeowners are accusing husband-and-wife home renovation duo Candis and Andy Meredith of promising renovations that ended poorly. The Merediths deny the claims and after an internal investigation, Magnolia Network says they “do not believe there was ill or malicious intent.”
Since then, the two have become household names and left the network to start their own, Magnolia, amassing a whopping $50million net worth combined. They also have a homeware and paint line, a magazine, each have written books, and they have their own real-estate company.
8 Chip Gaines Said He And Joanna Will Never Get Divorced
And they definitely don't want to ever get divorced. Chip explained to Access Hollywood, "One thing that I would say is our superpower is that Jo and I are not quitters. Throwing in the towel is not something honestly that ever even comes to mind."
Chip and Joanna still live in Waco with their five children in their beloved farmhouse. The sprawling garden and newly renovated living room have been showcased many times on their Instagram pages.
Magnolia Network is an American basic cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Chip and Joanna Gaines. It broadcasts personality-based lifestyle programs related to topics such as home construction, renovation, and cuisine.