Behind-The-Scenes Secrets About The Hit Show ‘Fixer Upper’
For five years, HGTV's cameras followed Chip and Joanna Gaines around Waco, Texas, as the couple transformed dilapidated or boring homes into the best houses on their blocks. But after watching the duo renovate nearly 80 homes for their hit show Fixer Upper, viewers wanted to know: what was it like to have your home fixed up? Recently, some of the lucky families who appeared on the show spilled the beans on what it was actually like to have Chip and Joanna working on their homes — and the truth was a lot different than what you saw on TV!
You Keep The "Picture"
Before the Gaines's revealed their finished renovations, they always obscured their hard work with a conveniently placed poster printout of the old house; then, they'd wheel it away for a big reveal. Show participants were allowed to keep that picture, though who knows where it ended up...
You Don't Keep The Furniture
Guests on the show did not get to keep the beautiful furniture Joanna organized in the house, as it belonged to a staging company. Jaime and Kyle Ferguson, who appeared on the show in season three, bought a few tables and chairs, but everything else had to go back.
They Gave Gifts
HGTV and the Gainses weren't total sticklers, however. Joanna gifted homeowner Kyle Ferguson custom-made items for his music room and Chris and Lindy Ermoian, also from season 3, with a fancy rolling bar (pictured).
Clients Must Pay
It's nice to think that HGTV paid for the renovations (you know, as a "thank you" for being on the show), but that wasn't the case. In reality, clients needed more than a little bit of pocket money—at least $30,000—to put towards renovations.
