TV just isn't the same without the uniquely loveable Fixer Upper.
The HGTV design series wrapped up its fifth and final season in April 2018, but that doesn't
mean you can't revisit the series with us - and take a peek behind the scenes.
Here are some surprising rules homeowners had to follow to be contestants on the mega-popular
home renovation phenomenon.
So many questions
Ahead of Season 5, HGTV posted an open casting call for any who wanted to take a stab at
appearing on the show, and the application included a whopping "71-step questionnaire."
That's a lot of questions!
The questionnaire for the popular HGTV series Love It or List It, by comparison, reportedly
only asks applicants a measly 23 questions.
Jaime Ferguson, a contestant from Fixer Upper Season 3, revealed to blogger Rachel Teodoro
that the application process did not end with the questionnaire.
A Skype interview, several phone calls, and even in-person meetings were required before
Jaime and her husband Kyle could appear on the show.
One long day
It might look like the homeowners are being filmed over the course of several days, but
that's apparently not always the case.
Season 3 contestant Jeff Jones told Apartment Therapy that his episode amounted to one long
day of "exhausting" filming for him and his wife Sara.
That means every moment featuring Sara and Jeff in the episode took place on the same
day, from the opening home tours to the final reveal.
Wait - how does that work?
Here's how it works
Like many - if not most - reality TV shows, Fixer Upper was guilty of basically lying
to viewers about what was actually happening on screen.
In each episode, Chip and Joanna bring the contestants out to view three properties.
After coming up with pros and cons for each home, they pick their favorite and voila!
That's the home they get, right?
Not exactly.
The truth is that the contestants make up their minds long before they even start filming.
Season 3 contestant David Ridley revealed to Fox News that he had actually purchased
the house he chose on the show before he was even chosen to be on the show!
So that means this bit with his dad is technically acting:
"David, where do you think you want to look for a house?”
"I told 'em kinda the Mountain View area.”
"Acting!"
After he was selected, his home was reviewed and approved by the Fixer Upper team, and
the segments showing him touring other homes and laughing it up with Chip and Joanna were
only filmed to inject a bit more drama into the proceedings.
Which also explains how those segments can be filmed on the same day as the dramatic
reveal - it's all just a ruse.
No free lunch
In addition to securing a property in or around Waco, Texas, which is home base for Chip and
Joanna, a contestant on Fixer Upper would also need to secure their own financing for
the repairs.
Yep: those budgets are real, and the show isn't giving away renovations for free.
Just how much were the contestants required to pony up?
At the bare minimum, $30,000, HGTV confirmed to Today.
Furthermore, the application form advised prospective contestants that their "financial
contribution should be proportional to the amount of renovations [their] new home will
need."
Naturally, the folks at Fixer Upper wouldn't want any participants to have their properties
left unfinished.
No control freaks allowed
If you're someone who likes to always be in control, you would've had a difficult time
being a contestant on Fixer Upper.
The exhaustive application informed prospective contestants that, ultimately, the finished
product is going to have that trademark Fixer Upper look, like it or not.
Here's the caveat:
"While the design team will take your thoughts into consideration, you will have to accept
that some final renovation choices may differ from your original decisions or desires."
That's not to say Chip and Joanna simply ignored the participants' wishes.
Former contestant Rachel Whyte, for example, revealed to Country Living that Joanna asked
her to create a Pinterest board so she could get a sense of her individual style.
No peeking permitted
At the end of every episode, Chip and Joanna take their clients out to see their fixer
upper for the first time post-renovation, using a before-picture of the property supersized
to fit two giant posters on wheels to hide the finished product.
In an interview with Glamour, Chip revealed that he came up with the idea when filming
the pilot and asked his buddies to help him put it together.
So, is that really the first time the contestants get to see their home?
According to former participant Doug McNamee, yes.
He revealed to the Waco Tribune-Herald that he and his family were under "strict orders"
not to visit the property.
"They wanted it to be a complete surprise, and it took discipline not to sneak a look."
No free furniture
One of the best parts of Fixer Upper is, of course, the design.
Joanna fills the participants' homes with furniture and arranges everything flawlessly.
But, there's a catch: the contestants don't actually get to keep the furniture.
At least not for free.
Rachel Whyte revealed to Country Living that all of the staged furniture and decorations
- aside from the custom pieces - are taken out of the home after cameras stop rolling.
That is, unless you have the means to pay for it.
"They give you an itemized list of how much everything costs at the end to see if you
want to purchase things at a discounted price.
[...] We did buy some of the decor, but I was excited to fill our home with our things
and make it ours."