The infamous home designing and renovation show Fixer Upper, is a reality show aired on HGTV. The show stars Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines, who are married and run their home renovation and decoration business in Waco, Texas.
Fixer Upper gained its popularity right after its debut, and the show was credited with Rising in Popularity of Farmhouse-Chic interior design in the late 2010s. Zillow stated in their 2018 report that the houses with architectural features that were mentioned on the show sold at rates 30% higher than the original value. Apart from this, the show managed to generate an increased tourism rate and source economic development in Waco, Texas.
Inception
The show’s pilot episode was aired in May of 2013. The first full season began in 2013, followed by the second in January of 2015, third in December of 2015, fourth in November of 2016, and the fifth and final season on November 21, 2017.
Fixer Upper is produced by the High Noon Entertainment producers Jim Berger and Scott Feeley. They also produced the infamous cooking show Cake Boss. Before starting the show, Chip and Joanne used to work with clients across the country, helping them design and remodel their homes. Over time, the couple has worked in designing and remodeling over 100 homes.
On Fixer Upper, the couple starts by showing three potential homes to their clients for buying. Each home requires a certain amount of repair and renovation. Once the client has chosen their home, Joanne starts working on the design while Chip is the lead contractor. Overall the buyers are faced with a typical budget of spending $200,000 on buying and around an additional $30,000 in renovations.
Evolution
The first season aired thirteen episodes starting from May 23, 2013, to July 10, 2014. The second season had 13 episodes as well, beginning from January 6, 2015, to March 31, 2015. The thirds season had 18 episodes from December 1, 2015, to March 28, 2015. The fourth season they aired 17 episodes from November 29, 2016, to March 28, 2017.
The final season had 18 episodes from November 21, 2017, to April 3, 2018. In March of 2017, Joanne and Chip announced that their show is getting a spin-off titled the Fixer Upper: Behind the Design. The half an hour show portrayed the process of designing Joanne followed on the show. The spin-off season premiered on April 10, 2018.
Fixer Upper got widely credited for its rise in popularity of Farmhouse-chic interior design in the late 2010s. Zillow stated in their report that the models said on the show, such as shiplap, wainscoting, clawfoot bathtubs and barn doors, homes having these designs sold at prices much higher than their original values. Credits to the show’s popularity, the homes that were featured were more comfortable to purchase and rent. Homes listed on AirBNB or VRBO were being rented even for $250 or $300 a night.
After the show, those homes were much more comfortable to sell. The Bicycle House featured in the 12th episode of the first season was sold for a whopping $350,000 even though it was purchased for under $50,000, and it was also listening on VRBO for $250 a night. The Barndominium featured in the 6th episode of the third season went up in the market in April 2017. It was sold for a massive $1.2 million.
On April 27, 2017, Chip Gaines was served a lawsuit suing him for fraud by his former businessmen. His former business partners stated that they were persuaded by Chip to sell their interest in the Magnolia Realty to him for $2,500 each. This was done while the partners had no idea of the show’s development taking place.
In June 2017, it was found that the Gaines had violated the environmental protection guidelines regarding the safe handling of lead paint during their renovations. The couple had to pay a fine of $40,000, but they stated that they are still committed to their cause in raising awareness within the community and across the country.
Awards and Achievements
The show was nominated on the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2018 for Outstanding Structured Reality Program and also in 2017, chosen in the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards in 2018 for Best Reality Show Host, People’s Choice Awards, the USA in 2018 for Favourite Reality TV Star and nominated in the Women’s Image Network Awards in 2015 for Outstanding Actress Reality Series.
Net Worth of Fixer Upper in 2024
As of December 2024, The show has a net worth of $20 million. Apart from this, the show owners Chip and Joanne Gaines made cash flow through various other businesses they own at the moment that includes the Magnolia Journal, Target Collaborations, Magnolia Realty, and many more.
The showrunners have proven to their audience that success comes to those who show dedication and hard work towards their dreams. Over the period, they were faced with numerous challenges, but those did not let them sway from their path. Hence the show we all binge today claimed their success by merely sticking to what they do best.