HGTV makes it seem like a single team conducts the entire renovation, and while general contractors like Curbio oversee and project manage the home improvement project, we also rely on a network of trusted subcontractors. Finding qualified subcontractors is very imperative, so partnering with a GC that has put in the time and effort to build these relationships is key to home renovation success. HGTV glosses over this important truth.

In shows like Fixer Upper and House Hunters, buyers select their dream home from one of a few listings, have their offers instantly accepted over the phone, and move in within the course of a half-hour episode. Of course, real estate agents know that the contractual logistics of buying and selling a home take more than mere minutes (often more than a few weeks), and buyers don’t always get the house they want, especially when they drag their feet.

HGTV hosts rarely address how the local market shapes (or should shape) homeowners’ renovation choices. Flip or Flop’s Christina and Tarek love using tile or concrete floors throughout the homes they renovate, which would not be a smart renovation choice for homes outside of Southern California. Many shows, like Property Bothers, don’t tell viewers where they’re filming. Without context about the cost of homes in the market, it’s impossible for viewers to understand the value of the renovations completed.