Why Some HGTV Fans Don't Like The Property Brothers

Everyone has their likes and dislikes, especially when it comes to celebrities. For Jonathan and Drew Scott, fondly known as the Property Brothers, their good looks mixed with boyish charm and energetic personalities might have won the hearts of millions of viewers, but that isn't enough to save these Canadian twins from public scrutiny. While most viewers love this home renovation show, critics point to the Property Brothers' inability to keep costs down and stay under budget.

Although already well on their way to real estate success, the show catapulted the Property Brothers' brand exponentially, eventually leading to speaking engagements, multiple spinoffs, and a furniture line. Perhaps seen as a reflection of the twins' popularity, plenty don't hesitate to vent about the brothers on platforms like Reddit. Ben and Erin Napier of "Home Town" know this firsthand. Some might assume that lucky Property Brothers' participants receive home renos for free in exchange for filming — they don't. 

Participants who apply to be on the show can't come to the table empty-handed. In fact, according to the Property Brothers' newest Los Angeles casting application, those who want to be on the show must have at least $150,000 to spend (up from $90,000 in 2019) on either a kitchen or bathroom redo. And even then, they might have to come up with even more money if unanticipated renovation costs go over that. It's an unconventional arrangement, and the stakes are just as high for homeowners as for the show. 

If you poke around Reddit, you'll find most people like the Property Brothers. But others think their egos are inflated or mention feeling anxious watching them renovate in tight clothes. While these comments are superficial criticisms, viewers mostly focus on how the Property Brothers frequently fail to keep their renos on budget. But are they really at fault for unhappy clients? 

For starters, the show's California application mentions that post-pandemic renovation costs are up by over $100,000. Participants must sign a waiver stating they knowingly understand the minimum costs and sometimes even extra costs with renovating, which leads to the second point. The brothers can't possibly anticipate unforeseen issues that pop up during a home's renovation. In the 2018 "Mad About Plaid" episode, the twins work to manage a couple's expectations and keep them from going over budget by finding budget-friendly designs, especially when an expensive HVAC issue arises. Jonathan and Drew keep the costs down by changing parts of the planned renovation, like deciding not to knock down a wall. 

This episode is just one of the many that highlight the brothers' balance between maintaining a tight budget and giving participants the tools to design their dream homes. The bottom line is that the Property Brothers really aren't to blame. The homeowners have a big say in how they want their house to look, and the Property Brothers are merely the experts who help them do it.