24 of the Biggest Controversies in HGTV History

If you’re a home improvement and decor lover, you have most likely watched at least one of HGTV’s many reality TV shows.

HGTV is a popular American television channel that airs reality shows featuring home improvement and design. From flipping old, dilapidated houses to giving away dream mansions, there is no shortage of exciting lifestyle entertainment to binge on the channel.

While the series featured on HGTV aren’t as dramatic as notoriously drama-filled shows like The Kardashians or The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, they’re no stranger to their share of scandalous moments.

1. Property Brothers Renovation Gone Wrong

In 2021, a Las Vegas couple sued Property Brothers‘ production company after being disappointed by their home renovations. The couple felt “bamboozled and tricked,” as they were led to believe the work was done well for the final reveal. In reality, there were several issues.

The couple shared that their actual reveal took hours because they constantly asked what was wrong with different aspects of the home. While this wasn’t included in the episode, the couple had many questions about the renovations that the show didn’t address.

2. Fixer Upper Duo Criticized for Their Beliefs

The public slammed Fixer Upper hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines after they filmed a conversation with a pastor who openly opposed same-sex marriage. Their involvement with the pastor led to harsh backlash and questions about their beliefs.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Joanna opened up about how the allegations and rumors were hurtful and didn’t represent them. “The accusations that get thrown at you, like you’re a racist or you don’t like people in the LGBTQ community, that’s the stuff that really eats my lunch — because it’s so far from who we really are,” she explained. “That’s the stuff that keeps me up.”

3. Windy City Rehab Sued

Alison Victoria, the host of Windy City Rehab, and her co-host, Donovan Eckhardt, were sued for fraud by a Chicago couple who bought a $1.36 million home featured on the show. The couple claimed the house is riddled with leaks, poorly installed windows, and countless other dodgy renovations, which they weren’t aware of until after filming finished.

Donovan left the series shortly after, and after being faced with a second lawsuit, he filed one of his own against Discovery Inc. for defamation and emotional distress.

4. Love It or List It Drama

A Vancouver couple, Norman Waine and Jeanine Almeida, sued the makers of Love It Or List It after they were less than impressed with their home renovations. The two claim their general contractor was not qualified for the job and left the house with defects.

While the crew of the show has adamantly denied liability and says the house renovations were all done properly, the couple was far from agreeing with them. They say the house is now prone to mold, carbon dioxide leaks, water leaks, and fire.

5. Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack Fight on Screen

Have you ever had to work with an ex after your relationship ended? If so, you know just how awkward and uncomfortable it can be. Married real estate agents Tarek and Christina began hosting Flip or Flop in 2013, and the show became quite a success.

After announcing their split in 2016, they continued to host the show, but not without their share of issues. The two allegedly got into an intense yelling match, where Tarek erupted at Christina while on set, claiming she was a “washed-up loser.” Less than a year after the famed argument, they announced they would no longer continue the show together. Talk about a bad breakup.

6. Property Brothers Bar Brawl

Jonathan Scott, one of the brothers and hosts of the hit TV show Property Brothers, got into an altercation with a bouncer while enjoying a night out in a bar in Fargo in 2016. Photos from TMZ revealed a bouncer holding the host in a headlock, but it’s unclear as to what sparked the fight.

Just before 2 a.m., Jonathan called the police and claimed that the bouncer had assaulted him. Police later told TMZ the bar staff denied any assault took place, despite the photos.

7. Is Beachfront Bargain Hunt Real or Staged?

If you’ve ever wondered if some of the reality shows on the network are staged, you’re not alone. In 2017, a realtor revealed that the producers of the TV show Beachfront Bargain Hunt contacted her to find someone under contract for a beach house that cost under $400,000.

The realtor had a difficult time finding someone who was eligible, and since she couldn’t find anyone, she offered herself for the position. She was filmed pretending to look for a beach house to purchase on the show, making many question whether the entire show was staged.

8. Flip or Flop Sued Over Unpaid Wages

Flip or Flop couldn’t stay out of the headlines for long, with endless scandals emerging from the show. In 2017, Jonathan Schmier filed a lawsuit against the exes and HGTV, alleging the show didn’t pay him for work as a house finder.

Schmier claimed he delivered on finding homes for the couple to flip but that the show still owed him $12,800 for back wages and an additional $25,000 commission. He claimed he hadn’t seen any of the promised money from his commission, leaving the show in hot water once again.

9. Love It or List It Sued for Damages

A North Carolina couple, Deena Murphy and Timothy Sullivan, filed a lawsuit claiming the production company and contractor of the series Love It or List It irreparably damaged their home. The couple invested over $140,000 to renovate their home with the show but were extremely disappointed with the results.

They not only claimed their house had windows painted shut and “irreparably damaged” floors but said the products used for the reno were “low quality.” While the finished renovations often look beautiful and glamorous, not everything may be as it seems on these reality TV shows.

10. Fixer to Fabulous Sued

In 2021, an unhappy couple sued Marrs Construction, who approached them with Marrs Developing to renovate their home for the show Fixer to Fabulous. Tyler and Dana Craddock claimed Marrs Construction breached their contract, which stated no structural work would be done to the house.

Once the house was revealed to the couple, they saw balconies installed, noncompliant vents installed in the kitchen, and modified electrical, water, and plumbing circuits. The couple was left to deal with the improper work and renovations independently without any help from Marrs Construction to rectify the issues.

11. Fixer to Fabulous Sued, Again

Dave and Jenny Marrs, the hosts of Fixer to Fabulous, found themselves caught up in controversy yet again. In 2023, a couple sued Fixer to Fabulous, claiming the show breached their contract. Matthew and Sarah McGrath paid over $10,000 for repairs to their Bella Vista, Arkansas home, which they claim were never completed.

Their contract stated they could inspect the home before closing and submit a list of repairs to be completed, which the couple did. However, according to the McGraths, not a single item on the list was performed, leaving them to handle the repairs on their own.

12. House Full of Spouses Abruptly Cancelled

This controversial home renovation show centered around a couple who helped polygamist families renovate their homes. After just one episode aired, the show received serious criticism and backlash from viewers and was canceled.

While it’s one of many HGTV shows canceled, it’s left many questioning why the network suddenly halted the show. “House Full of Spouses is one of many innovative pilot concepts that HGTV tests regularly as part of its rigorous development and evaluation process,” a network representative told Newsweek.

13. Renovation Impossible Disaster

Ron Onyon and his family had their home upgraded by Russell Holmes, the host of Renovation Impossible. Their renovation quickly became a nightmare after racking up $150,000 in expenses and even more money to fix shoddy work, including dangerous plumbing work and unsafe balcony doors.

Ron Onyon shared the mishaps on his TikTok to document his disastrous experience. One of his video’s captions warned, “HGTV ruined my house. We lost over $150,000. It will cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix the work.”

14. Chip From Fixer Upper Under Fire by Former Partners

Chip Gaines’ former business partners accused him of encouraging them to sell their shares in Magnolia Realty shortly after he had signed a contract with HGTV. The lawsuit alleged Chip tried to get rid of his partners so that he could solely profit from Fixer Upper.

The plaintiffs, Richard Clark and John Lewis, requested $1 million in damages, but the judge dismissed the case in 2020. Chip hit back at the allegations, claiming he never received calls or emails from his so-called “friends.”

15. House Hunters Exposed for Being Fake

It turns out Beachfront Bargain Hunt isn’t the only show accused of being fake. The people looking for homes on the HGTV show House Hunters are often pretty far into the home-buying process.

Despite what the show depicts, some people already own their homes before filming. They’re shown touring houses and choosing the home they’ve previously purchased at the end. Viewers, of course, don’t know they already own it!

16. Flip or Flop’s El Moussa’s Biggest Flop

Tarek El Moussa had big plans for his most significant flip ever. His investment firm and his wife’s company planned to buy and demolish a large community of family bungalows in the Los Angeles Art District to build a massive 138-unit complex.

Renters were left frustrated after receiving a 120-day notice to leave their homes and being offered a payment of $12,000 per home. Tarek suddenly abandoned the project after facing backlash from furious tenants — and tenants were still asked to leave their homes without seeing any of the $12,000 previously promised.

17. Ellen DeGeneres’ Design Challenge Cheating Scandal

Ellen DeGeneres’ show, Ellen’s Design Challenge, lasted just two seasons and was no stranger to controversial scandals in that short time. Tim McLellan, a contestant on the show, was disqualified shortly after winning the competition for plagiarizing his idea.

A week after winning, producers learned McLellan had stolen his table idea from European designer Simon Schacht. Katie Stout, the contestant’s runner-up, was crowned the winner and received the $100,000 prize. While McLellan denied stealing the idea and couldn’t fathom how something like this happened, it left a bad taste for viewers.

18. Flip or Flop Las Vegas Fraud Scandal

A couple from Henderson, Nevada, filed a lawsuit against Flip or Flop Las Vegas and hosts Aubrey and Bristol Marunde, accusing them of fraud. The lawsuit alleged that Flip or Flop fraudulently sold their home after renovating it, and it was not up to code.

Once the couple purchased the home, they discovered hazardous renovations and shoddy plumbing that would cost them over $150,000 to repair. Fortunately, they settled the lawsuit in 2019 for an undisclosed amount.

19. Fixer Upper Accused of Glamorizing Unsafe Neighborhood

A couple’s dream of living in a Magnolia-designed home became a nightmare after moving into their house in Waco, Texas. Kelly and her husband, Ken Downs, were chosen to appear on Fixer Upper, but the initial excitement was short-lived.

Kelly said she felt deceived by Magnolia Realty and felt they didn’t accurately portray the realities of the neighborhood. Since moving in, she’s experienced harassment and intimidation from neighbors, noisy commotion from nearby bars, and a drunk driver smashing into the home.

20. A Dream Home Win Not What It Seems

Winning a lavish house in the Dream Home sweepstakes sounds like a dream come true, but not everything is as it appears. According to Country Living, out of the 21 people who have won a home, only six lived in their home for more than a year.

The show’s grand prize typically comes with an income tax bill of $700,000, a steep price many contestants can’t afford. Most winners opt for the cash prize to avoid the taxes, maintenance, and utilities costs that come with the home.

21. Curb Appeal: The Block Makeover Goes South

Getting a house makeover is a dream for many homeowners, but for some, it ends up being a nightmare. Cenate and Wendy Pruitt’s home received a $20,000 makeover on Curb Appeal: The Block, which they say did more harm than good.

In an interview with AV Club, Cenate shared that a retaining wall built around the basement entry trapped water inside, which led to flooding. This isn’t the first time homeowners have expressed being unhappy with the final renovations made to their home by an HGTV show.

22. Dream Home Sinks Couple’s Finances

Don and Shelly Cruz thought they had won their dream home in the HGTV sweepstakes but faced a financial nightmare instead. The couple won a Denali SUV, $250,000, and a stunning, fully-furnished mansion. While it may sound like a dream, the network didn’t share all of the hidden costs.

After facing enormous maintenance costs and electricity bills, the couple took out a loan to pay their tax bill, which helped them stay afloat. After three years and foreclosure threats, the couple auctioned the house off in 2008.

23. House Hunters Outed for Paying Low Wages

If you’ve ever wondered how much money people receive to appear on HGTV’s shows, it’s probably less than you think. Many would assume that the appearance comes with a hefty paycheck, but it’s completely the opposite.

Kim Christenson, who appeared on House Hunters, claims the show paid her $500 to participate. Despite filming for over 30 hours and the show’s $45,000 to $50,000 budget, House Hunters gave her a disappointing paycheck for her time.

24. Fixer Upper Causes Tax Hikes

It’s called the Fixer Upper effect, and many residents and store owners are unhappy about it. When Fixer Upper fixes homes in various neighborhoods in Waco, Texas, it also raises property taxes for residents.

Property taxes have allegedly risen in Waco, Texas, after Joanna and Chip’s renovations, causing frustration for residents. The show has failed to show how their renovations impact these communities, and so far, most residents are not fans of how their lives change once the show finishes filming.