Reality AF: 3 New and Unique Home Renovation Shows and Where to Watch Them

By Terry Terrones  |  June 17, 2024 | 11:05am
Photos Courtesy of HGTV and Prime Video
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Reality AF: 3 New and Unique Home Renovation Shows and Where to Watch Them

Back in 1979, the only home renovation show on television was the Bob Vila-led PBS series, This Old House. The series would become so popular it would turn the host into a celebrity and, in the 1990s, the frequent foil of Home Improvement star Tim Allen. Fast forward 45 years, and everybody and their brother seems to have their own home renovation gimmick. 

Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block fame (Farmhouse Fixer), Vanilla Ice (The Vanilla Ice Project), and Lil Jon (Lil Jon Wants to Do What?) all have their own programs. You know home renovation shows have become as ubiquitous as Starbucks when entertainers view it as a solid option when their first career fizzles. 

While it’s nice to have so many viewing options for a genre that has turned Ty Pennington, Paige Davis, The Property Brothers, Chip and Joanna Gaines, and multiple others into household names, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. To remedy this, I’m recommending three home renovation shows that offer a unique premise with charismatic hosts. Also, all of them are new, so you can get in on the ground floor and watch each series and their hosts evolve over time. 

Renovation Aloha 

home renovation shows

Watch on Max

Premise: Set in Oahu, Hawaii, the husband-and-wife team of Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama take on home flipping projects across the island. Because of Hawaii’s remote location, the couple, who were born and raised there, have to renovate in one of the most expensive states in the country and deal with frequent supply chain disruptions. 

Why it works: Move over Chip and Joanna Gaines, Kamohai and Tristyn are HGTV’s next home renovation power couple. Tall and lanky Kamohai, the definition of Hawaiian chill, finds and buys the most dilapidated homes on Oahu. Meanwhile, Tristyn, his diminutive and feisty wife who doesn’t take crap from anybody, has a brilliant eye for design. If I had to pick one celebrity designer to update my house, it would be Tristyn. 

One episode to watch to see if you’d like it: In Episode 3, “House Held Up by Car Jacks,” Kamohai and Tristyn buy a home with a deck being held up by a rope, a foundation held up by car jacks, and termite damage so severe they have to replace significant portions of the house. You’ll also meet the couple’s adorable kids, their project manager Travis (Tristyn’s brother), and as he does at the end of every episode, watch Kamohai’s dad, Corbett, perform a Hawaiian ceremony to bless the house. The episode showcases the pair’s close family, love of community, and excellent renovation skills. 

Going Home with Tyler Cameron 

home renovation shows

Watch on Amazon Prime

Premise: Tyler Cameron, who shot to fame on The Bachelorette, is following in his father’s footsteps and pursuing his dream of starting his own construction company in his hometown of Jupiter, Florida. To get his fledgling company off the ground and help him learn the business, he enlists the help of his lifelong friend and house flipping expert Robb Ritch and Miami-based interior designer Jessica Quintero.

Why it works: Since being dumped on The Bachelorette, Cameron has been known more for his looks and dating history than anything substantial, but Going Home proves he’s more than just a pretty face. It’s a contemplative Tyler Cameron that moves into his mom’s home in Jupiter, which has been neglected since her passing from a brain aneurysm in 2020. When not lovingly renovating his mother’s house, he’s slowly growing his business with an earnest desire to learn, a self-deprecating sense of humor, and a sincerity rarely seen on a reality show. Having a beautiful dog doesn’t hurt either. 

One episode to watch to see if you’d like it: For some, one of the biggest draws of Going Home will be seeing stars from The Bachelor franchise making cameos, and viewers will get plenty of those. This includes Hannah Brown, The Bachelorette who broke Cameron’s heart. She appears in the eighth episode of Season 1 and helps with the design of a client’s home. The episode also features the final reveal of his mom’s house, an emotional moment for Cameron and his family and friends, who viewers will come to know well during the season. 

Rico to the Rescue 

home renovation shows

Watch on Max

Premise: Set in the Denver area, general contractor Rico Leon helps resolve conflicts between homeowners and builders to turn renovation and construction nightmares into dream homes. Rico became an advocate for homeowners after watching his parents get taken advantage of by crooked contractors. In this series, he helps desperate families get their home renovations completed.

Why it works: Pretty much every homeowner can relate to the issues families in this series face. Cost overruns, underpriced bids, delays, and miscommunication lead to plenty of homeowner frustration. Rico comes in, reaches out to the original contractor to see if issues can be resolved and if not, completes the job himself. Rico’s advocacy for homeowners getting screwed over is incredibly admirable, but he also has a silly sense of humor as well, especially when bantering with his talented designer, Poonam Moore. 

One episode to watch to see if you’d like it: In the fifth episode of Season 2, “From Ex to Extra,” Rico helps a single mom named Virginia. A hairstylist with a passion for music, she was left high and dry by her ex-boyfriend, who started to renovate her kitchen but left it a mess when the couple broke up. With a budget of only $25,000, Rico revamps the kitchen and bathroom while building a deck that doubles as a stage. He even gifts Virginia a mic from singer Marc Anthony. The episode exemplifies Rico’s creativity with a limited budget and generosity with his clients. 

Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not wondering why Hannah and Tyler can’t eventually get back together, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.

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