Twin brothers Drew Scott, left, and Jonathan Scott, center, stars of the HGTV show “The Property Brothers” and solar enthusiasts, help install Sunrun solar panels on a newly renovated “smart home” in Las Vegas in 2015. (John Harrington/ Sunrun)

Twin brothers Drew Scott, left, and Jonathan Scott, center, stars of the HGTV show “The Property Brothers” and solar enthusiasts, help install Sunrun solar panels on a newly renovated “smart home” in Las Vegas in 2015. (John Harrington/ Sunrun)

Reality check: Don’t fall for these TV home renovation fibs

Kitchen and bathroom remodels can cost more and take longer than HGTV shows lead you to believe.

We’ve all seen those TV home remodeling shows.

Admit it, it’s put a few ideas in your head, right?

A new kitchen? Ahh, that would be nice.

And isn’t it time for an upgrade or do-over to a bathroom that was built when shag carpeting was a thing?

If such thoughts spark joy within you, get ready for a few reality checks.

First, it’s probably going to cost more than you think after a casual stroll of the aisles in a home store.

Second, it’s probably going to take longer than you think. In short, get ready for some home disruption.

“The biggest task we have, like any remodeler, is to help people understand the scope of the project and your budget,” said Richard Lawrence, marketing manager for Chermak Construction Inc. in Edmonds. “People are shocked at what it costs to remodel now.”

Online checks show wide variations in the projected cost of remodeling projects.

Reality check: Don’t fall for these TV home renovation fibs
These before-and-after photos of this Edmonds home show the just how much a remodeling project can change the look and feel of a kitchen. (Chermak Construction, Inc.)

These before-and-after photos of this Edmonds home show the just how much a remodeling project can change the look and feel of a kitchen. (Chermak Construction, Inc.)

A kitchen remodel, for example, could set you back $20,000 to $80,000, or more, depending on what you want to have done.

Lawrence said he recently priced kitchen cabinets for his own home. “They were $8,000 for the mid-range, and I could easily have spent $18,000,” he said. “People think a kitchen remodel is $2,000 to $4,000. You’re lucky to buy the cabinets for that.”

Extras like taking out a wall to add more space or moving the plumbing add up quickly. “Every little piece you add costs more,” he said.

Remodels are a little more expensive here than in other parts of the country. It reflects the realities of what has happened in the real estate market, Lawrence said. “If the real estate market went up, don’t you think the remodel did, too?”

One option is to break up remodeling projects into pieces, some done now, some later.

Remodeling takes time, often far more than what those living in the home anticipate. “We call it the remodeling roller coaster,” Lawrence said.

A kitchen remodel can take a month or six months, depending on complexity, he said.

Many construction companies have charts or graphs they give to clients depicting the emotions many feel during remodeling — from elation and excitement in the beginning, to the “When-is-this-ever-going-to-be-OVER?” phase as the drywall particles fly and incessant hammering begins, to the “Isn’t this the coolest?” upon completion.

When contemplating a bathroom remodel, consider if it’s a new floor, vanity and sink type project or more complex, like taking out the tub and installing new glass doors and tile.

More comprehensive projects can hit $20,000 and up.

“Tile is expensive, all hand laid,” Lawrence said. As with kitchen projects, if plumbing doesn’t have to be moved, it saves money.

Bathrooms are notorious for “uh-oh” moments of unexpected problems, especially if they are decades-old. Once workers get into the floors or walls “you don’t know what you’ll find,” he said.

Homeowners can ask for a fixed-price agreement on repairs that generally cover everything except the most unexpected surprises.

Design specs spell out exactly what changes will be made, such as the sinks that will be installed or the doors that will be hung.

Remember that local city or county governments have permitting requirements, which also add time to projects. Check their websites to see which projects they require permits for.

Lawrence recalled a conversation he had with someone who works in an architect’s office who told him the most important thing is to educate people on the realities of redo projects.

People watch HGTV shows like “Fixer Upper,” “Property Brothers” and “Kitchen Cousins” and think projects will be done in a few days, he told Lawrence.

If it’s simple stuff, like putting in a vinyl floor over existing tile or installing a toilet “that’s a refresh,” Lawrence said.

When a contractor asks you questions about a project — such as its size, scope and your budget — be honest, he advised.

And remember that more complicated projects can take two, three or four months to complete. Do some checking on the company doing the project. Workers will be in your house all that time.

“You better like them,” Lawrence said.

One more thing might be handy to keep stowed in your back pocket: retaining a little humor for the normal ups and downs that come from the beginning to end of such projects.

Remember, it’s a roller coaster ride.

How to find a contractor

There’s one piece of near-universal advice for anyone contemplating a home remodeling project — do your homework.

Homeowners seem to be following that advice. The No. 1 reason Western Washington consumers went to the Better Business Bureau’s website was to find information on general contractors, said Tyler Russell, marketplace manager for the organization’s Northwest and Pacific region.

The website has information on a number of member businesses, such as how long they’ve been in business as well as verified customers reviews. People can see the details of any complaints and how the company responded, he said.

Don’t be lured into signing a contract for a “today-only” special.

“It’s usually a sales tactic to get you to put down a deposit,” Russell said. “They don’t want to give you an opportunity to do your research, which we encourage everyone to do.”

Here are some other tips he suggested:

Get references from recent customers and ask them what they did and didn’t like about a particular contractor.

Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work, costs of permits, and start and completion dates.

Be sure to have deposit amounts, payment schedules and guarantees for the quality of work and materials documented.

Ensure that the contractor has the requiring permits from the city or county and a commitment to obtain them as part of the job.

“Compare three to five contractors,” Russell said. “Our No. 1 thing is do your research.”

The Better Business Bureau’s website is www.bbb.org.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Snohomish County Dahlia Society members Doug Symonds and Alysia Obina on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How to grow for show: 10 tips for prize-winning dahlias

Snohomish County Dahlia Society members share how they tend to their gardens for the best blooms.

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

The 2025 Audi A3 premium compact sedan (Provided by Audi).
2025 Audi A3 upgradesdesign and performance

The premium compact sedan looks sportier, acts that way, too.

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.