The WORST episodes of House Hunters Renovation
Every episode of House Hunters Renovation ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of House Hunters Renovation!
In this new weekly series, HGTV's House Hunters Renovation follows potential home buyers as they tour three for-sale homes and choose the one that is the perfect fixer-upper. In a House Hunters first, HGTV cameras also capture what happens after the home is purchased and the renovation project begins. Each episode features the new homeowners as they renovate and then reveal their new space.
#1 - The Reno on the Lake
Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/19/2016
Andrew and Robin are searching for their dream home in Maine. The couple wants something big enough for their four growing children and right on a lake, but they agree on little else. Once the family decides on a house, it's all hands on deck as they tackle a massive renovation with a new design idea emerging around every project. Things only get harder, and more expensive, when they discover they may need to spend $8,000 to expand their septic field. When everything is completed, however, the family will have the lakefront retreat they've always dreamed of.
#2 - Three Generations, One Big Makeover
Season 10 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/4/2017
Austin, TX, native Brittney is looking for a home where she can raise her nine-year-old daughter, and she knows just who to turn to for help. She enlists her real estate agent mom Sandra to find a fixer-upper. House hunting with her mom proves to be a challenge when their tastes collide, but they finally do pick a house. From rotting wood to electrical upgrades, along with a very headstrong daughter who takes her grandmother's side, Brittney faces many challenges in becoming a first-time homeowner.
Watch Now:Apple TV#3 - Vintage Reno, Vintage Problems
Season 10 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/11/2017
Jen and Jeff rent a small apartment in Glendale, CA. While the couple feels they don't need a huge amount of space, they want a house that would give them a little more room for Jen's baking and Jeff's outdoor entertaining. After they decide on a home, they roll up their sleeves and start the renovation. Their vintage house turns out to have lots of vintage problems hidden beneath the surface, but Jen and Jeff hope to get the house up to date while keeping its charm.
#4 - Surf, Sand and Reno
Season 10 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/14/2017
After years of renting in Manhattan Beach, California, Veterinarian Assistant Deb is ready to purchase her first contemporary condo to share with her pets. But once she locks in a place, she soon discovers that her budget doesn't go as far as she had hoped. Deb and her pets live through the dusty renovations and face several challenges along the way from costly plumbing issues to crumbling backsplash tile. It's a struggle to the very end, but it's all worth it when Deb ends up with a beach-chic home to call her own.
Watch Now:Apple TV#5 - Military Family Reno Battle
Season 10 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/7/2017
Rick and Kasey are relocating to Austin, TX, because of Rick's job in the military, and they're eager to find a 4-bedroom traditional-style home for their 3 kids as soon as possible. Rick wants a huge, two-story home, but Kasey's ideal home is a small, one-level place with less upkeep. When renovations begin, they face a number of issues, from hidden mold to design problems. For Kasey and Rick, the end can't come soon enough, because Kasey can't stand living without a kitchen, and Rick's allergies are affected by all the dust and debris.
#6 - Saying I Do During Renovation
Season 10 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/28/2017
Ready to become first-time homeowners, an engaged couple dives into their first big purchase before tying the knot. But they soon find out that there are many joys and perils of home ownership. From surprises in the flooring to losing the roof over their heads, it's a race to the finish line as they struggle to complete the renovations before making it down the aisle.
#7 - Renovation in the News
Season 10 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/21/2017
A Silver Lake, California, couple searches for a home with a more spacious, suburban feel for their growing family. But after they sell their house, they only have 30 days to take on a massive kitchen renovation before their move-in date. Right away an expensive abatement sets them back both financially and time wise, and it doesn't get any easier when they run into one renovation after another. In the end, however, they wind up with the perfect home for their family.
#8 - Getting a Home of Their Own
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/14/2014
A young couple buys their first home and builds their dream kitchen.
#9 - Rustic Vs. Modern
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/7/2014
A couple can't agree on a home since he wants rustic and she likes modern.
#10 - Eager to Renovate
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/31/2014
A couple purchases a fixer-upper they can put their own stamp on.
#11 - Buying a First Time Fixer
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/24/2014
A pastor and his wife buy and renovate their first home together.
#12 - Mid-Century Dream Kitchen
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/17/2014
A couple searches for a home that they can renovate to make their own.
#13 - We're Doctors, Not Designers
Season 10 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/10/2016
A husband-and-wife medical doctor team looking to purchase their first home together quickly learn that finding the perfect place will be trickier than they expected. Their real estate agent is on hand attempting to find a home that combines his hope for an industrial-style house with lots of brick and her desire for a cozy bungalow with a farmhouse feel. Their designer and contractor struggle to keep up with the renovations while second guessing the couple's design decisions and frequent mishaps. Will they be able to get it together in the end so they can finally relax and enjoy their beautiful new home?
#14 - Puppets and Problems
Season 10 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/26/2016
A puppeteer and his fiancee have moved from New York City to West Hollywood, CA, and are eager to find their first home. They're hoping for something move-in ready but their budget is going to require them to seek a fixer-upper. Their real estate agent is helping them find a house that can bring together their opposing style requirements and they have a designer and contractor on hand to help with the necessary renovations. Will they be able to overcome all the nasty surprises that await in the house's old walls and wind up with the perfect new home?
#15 - An Eye-catching Renovation
Season 10 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/3/2016
Laura and Steve are eager to get out of their cramped Austin, Texas, rental and buy their first home so they can start a family. With their tight budget, they're looking at homes in need of a little TLC. Once the lock is in place, they quickly make big renovation plans for every room in the house. The couple faces one costly issue after another as well as some bold design decisions, but in the end they'll have a beautiful home with an eye-catching new kitchen, perfect for raising a family.
#16 - Renovating the American Dream in Granada Hills
Season 18 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/26/2024
After years of saving, a father and son look to buy their first home and tackle a reno near Granada Hills, California. With project surprises, delays and mounting costs, their dream home project may turn into a nightmare.
#17 - A Natural Renovation
Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/21/2015
Jason, Eleiza and their young daughter Lily have moved all over the world for his career as a physics professor, but they're ready to set down roots and buy their first home near his current job in the Hartford, Connecticut area. They both want a home that uses very little plastic and instead features natural elements like stone and wood. Their combined wish list creates quite a challenge for their real estate agent Lisa Ogren as she lines up houses throughout the Hartford area. After finally agreeing on a home, Jason and Eleiza launch into their projects, including gutting the kitchen to bring in organic materials like granite and bamboo. Everything from unexpected structural issues to over sized doors will delay their progress, but in the end, with help from designer Lorey Cavanaugh and contractor Mike Shelto, they create a beautiful, natural home that their family can enjoy for years to come.
#18 - A Russian-American Revolution
Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/12/2015
Plenty of green space is sought in Buffalo by a Russian-born woman who has her heart set on a single-family Colonial home, even though her husband is campaigning to buy a multi-family Craftsman that they can rent to offset mortgage costs.
#19 - A Little Help From Family
Season 6 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/29/2015
Writer Steven and singer Sam are searching Los Angeles for a perfect home where they can raise their young son Lazlo. But while he loves the area's popular Spanish style, she's got her heart set on a Craftsman house. Helping them find a place that blends their styles and also has plenty of indoor and outdoor space for the whole family is their agent John Bertolli, who also happens to be their brother-in-law. And once they get the keys, John will switch hats and sign on as their contractor as well, seeing them through a renovation that's more overwhelming than they expected. They'll struggle through the stress of design decisions, delayed timelines, and unexpected costs, but it will all be worth it when they settle into a house that exceeds the whole family's expectations.
#20 - Brewing Up a Renovation
Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/22/2015
Recently engaged, Matt and Leslie are searching for their first home in Buffalo, NY. And they have very unique needs. As a brewer, he wants space for a kegerator where he can chill his homemade beers. And she wants a yard with enough room to grow her own vegetables and have her very own chicken coop. Their agent Robert Blake will have his hands full trying to find all that in a place that also combines Matt's Pacific Northwest industrial style with Leslie's farmhouse style.
#21 - A Five-Alarm Renovation
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/7/2015
With two growing boys, Eric and Linda are ready to get out of their small Somerville, Massachusetts rental and into a home with more space. Eric's job as a fireman requires him to find a home within the city limits, but the area's soaring real estate prices are making that a challenge with their first time buyers' budget. Not to mention that Eric wants a two-family home that can provide extra income from renters, while Linda dreams of a single-family home where they can have a space that's all their own. Their agent Marc Ouellet will need to find a place that's not only the perfect compromise, but also has at least three bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, and a yard for the boys.
Watch Now:Apple TV#22 - Youngest Takes on Big Reno
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/14/2015
Miggy, a police diver with Homeland Security, is ready to move out of her parents' La Palma, CA home and into a place of her own. She has up to $400,000 to spend, and her heart is set on finding a Spanish style place near her family. Her mom Barbara comes along to look at houses, and while she thinks that Miggy should focus on kitchen potential, Miggy's more concerned with having a master suite she can relax in. Once Miggy finds a place to call her own, renovations start off with a large, unexpected expense that taxes not only the budget, but the timeline. She embarks upon extensive overhauls of the master suite, kitchen, and living room- enlisting the help of family and friends along the way.
#23 - Raising the Bar on a Ranch
Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/28/2015
Eric, Dana, and their young son have outgrown their Simi Valley, CA condo. They are ready to buy a single-family home, and are targeting ranch-style places near their condo. While Eric wants a rugged Craftsman look on the inside, Dana is more traditional and clean-lined. They have a budget of up to $525,000 to spend, and are open to making improvements to the space. With the help of family friend and real estate agent Karen Betacourt, they see several ranch style homes to consider. Once they choose a place, they waste no time making updates, tackling the kitchen, master bedroom, dining room, and living rooms- all ambitious updates for their $33,000 renovation budget. With Eric on a work trip to Europe during part of the renovation, Dana is left in charge and takes it upon herself to update even more rooms in him absence. While they experience the ups and downs of renovation, after nearly six weeks of hard work, the effort pays off and then can now enjoy their new home.
#24 - Cozy Country Meets Cape Cod
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 10/24/2014
A competitive couple with a diverse wish list takes on a major renovation.
#25 - Buying a House for a Fridge
Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 11/17/2013
Karen and Diana are ready to buy a place of their own in California's San Fernando Valley. Diana wants a Craftsman-style place, while Karen has her heart set on something with Spanish flair. They also have different priorities for what's important in their house hunt: Diana is focused on finding a kitchen to accommodate her new refrigerator, while Karen's more concerned about finding a backyard with a pool. When it comes time to renovate their new place, the learning curve is steep for these first-time homebuyers. They focus on re-doing their kitchen and master bedroom, but second guessing their design plan throws a wrench in the renovation. Watch as they work together to create a house they can call home.