Happy New Year, luv! Oh, I’ve missed this so much, and I can’t wait to get back in the swing of things. I guess that may be why I’m starting the year off with this doozy, but I promise I have my reasons. If you’re like the majority of people who tune in, HGTV holds the master key to all things design. And you love it specifically for that reason. The homes make you look at your own space and want to change everything, and all the inspiration is there to get started on your project or buying your next home. All that said, the reality of a relationship is often different from what’s really going on. What I mean is this: while everything looks wonderful and beautiful, HGTV does not represent the industry. And what does that mean for everyone else? Some misconceptions are created and designers are frequently having to reset misguided expectations. So here’s why you should start separating yourself in 2022.

Ok, I’m just going to rip the band-aid and say it: the numbers don’t add up, ya’ll. I don’t care how you slice it, mix it, fix it, or twist it, the costs they list to upgrade some of these spaces are missing some figures. Because the shows cater to a national audience, labor is sometimes less because of the exposure for the company, and materials can be donated or priced low for the same reasons. Even the amount of workers on the job can consist of additional volunteers to help get work done faster. That means the final costs aren’t as reliable when it comes to calculating costs for your own project.

And then there’s the time piece that comes into play. What you see as a viewer is a renovation process cut, edited and delivered in a 20-45 minute tv show package (not including commercials). What may look like days, maybe even a couple weeks usually takes months of designing, planning, and completing. And that’s on the short end. Right now, a lot of projects are averaging annual timelines due to issues we still face because of the Pandora. Now, some shows do better than others on mapping out timelines, but we still need to get y’all to understand that design in general is not fast. You are not signing a contract with a designer and having your house demo’d a week later. You are also not getting your bathroom remodeled in a weekend. All the preparations take time, so reset your expectations because, at some point, you’re gonna have to wait.

Here’s what you can expect from your designer and us here at Quinn Interior Solutions: information that helps set the expectations for your specific project, a project budget that makes sense for your area and scope, and a timeline specific to your project needs. It’s all a part of the process, and we make it a point to be as open and up front about what’s happening with your project as much as possible. With that said, am I saying you should never watch HGTV again? Absolutely not. It’s still a place that showcases great design and inspiration, and can show you a bit about what’s going to happen in your project. Just keep in mind that you’re not seeing everything, and you’ll need more information to help define your personal design journey. Let you design pro take on that job.

And with that, I have now removed myself from my soapbox and return to the everyday. Before you go, do me a favor and sign up to receive my free Prep Your Coins guide. In it, I share my two favorite methods of helping clients find their project budgets. Until next time!