You’re sitting on a sofa that’s seen better days, staring at a lime-green wall you’ve hated since 2018, and watching a couple in Waco or Indianapolis turn a literal shack into a farmhouse masterpiece. We’ve all been there. You think, "I could do that. My house has 'good bones.' If only I could get the be on hgtv page to actually load and accept my application."
But here’s the cold, hard truth. Most people approach the HGTV casting process like they’re applying for a mortgage. They’re stiff. They’re formal. They focus way too much on the crown molding and not enough on their own personality. HGTV isn’t looking for the best house in America; they are looking for the best characters who happen to own a house that needs work.
The dream of a "free" renovation is also a bit of a myth. If you want to see your face on the network, you need to understand the gears grinding behind the scenes at Discovery and the various production companies that actually make the shows. It’s a job. A weird, high-stress, very dusty job.
The Real Deal with the Be on HGTV Page
If you head over to the official HGTV website, you’ll find the be on hgtv page. It’s basically a central hub that redirects you to independent production companies. HGTV itself doesn't usually produce the shows. Instead, they hire companies like High Noon Entertainment (the folks behind Fixer Upper) or Big Table Media.
When you click a link on that page, you’re often sent to a Typeform or a Casting Crane application. It looks simple. They ask for your name, location, budget, and photos of your messy kitchen. But don't just breeze through it. This is your first audition. If your photos are blurry or your descriptions are boring, you’re already out. They get thousands of these.
Honestly, the most important thing to realize is that casting is regional. Most shows have a specific "hub." Help! I Wrecked My House usually looks around Los Angeles and Orange County. Married to Real Estate stays in Atlanta. If you live in a rural town in Wyoming and the show you love is filming in Nashville, the be on hgtv page won't help you. They won't fly a crew out just for you. They need a cluster of 8 to 10 homes in the same zip code to make the math work.
Your Budget is the Elephant in the Room
Let’s talk money. This is where people get grumpy.
Except for a few rare "sweepstakes" shows or massive giveaways like HGTV Dream Home, you are paying for the renovation. You. The homeowner. Most casting calls explicitly state that you must have a minimum budget—often starting at $50,000 for a kitchen or $100,000+ for a whole-house remodel.
Why bother then?
Because you get the expertise of world-class designers and the "labor" is often subsidized by the production. Plus, things move fast. A renovation that would take a local contractor six months might get squeezed into eight weeks because the filming schedule demands it. You’re paying for speed and style, but you’re still paying.
I’ve talked to people who thought the network covered everything. They don't. Sometimes they throw in some high-end appliances or furniture through brand partnerships—those "product placements" you see the host raving about—but the drywall, the plumbing, and the structural beams? That's on your dime. If you don't have the cash liquid and ready to go, the production company will drop you faster than a hot brick.
What Casting Directors are Actually Looking For
I’ve seen dozens of casting reels. The people who get picked are "high energy." That doesn't mean you have to be a cartoon character, but you can't be a "yes/no" person.
- The Conflict: If you and your spouse agree on everything, you are boring for TV. The producers want a couple where one person loves "Modern Industrial" and the other wants "Grandmillennial." They need a little friction to create a "story arc."
- The Stakes: Why does this renovation need to happen now? Are you expecting a baby? Did you move across the country for a dream job? Is your current bathroom literally falling through the floor?
- The Look: Not yours, the house’s. They want "before" photos that look terrible. If your house is already "okay," there’s no dramatic reveal. They want dated wallpaper, cracked tiles, and floor plans that make no sense.
When you fill out the forms on the be on hgtv page, tell a story. Instead of saying "We want a new kitchen," say "We’ve hosted Thanksgiving for 20 people every year for a decade, and I’m tired of cooking the turkey in a toaster oven because our stove died in 2022."
The Logistics are a Nightmare
If you get selected, your life is over for two to three months.
You usually have to move out. The production crew moves in. Cameras are everywhere. You’ll be asked to wear the same outfit for three days straight because of "continuity." You’ll have to react to things multiple times. "Okay, now look surprised again, but with more 'wow' in your eyes."
It’s exhausting.
There’s also the "reveal" factor. You usually don't get to see the progress. You have to sign over design control to the host. If you’re a control freak who needs to approve every grout color, HGTV is not for you. You have to trust the process, or at least pretend to for the cameras.
Current Shows Looking for Homeowners
While the list changes weekly, some heavy hitters are almost always looking for fresh meat.
- Property Brothers: Drew and Jonathan Scott are usually casting in specific cities like Calgary, Toronto, or Nashville. They usually require a massive budget and a very specific type of "fixer-upper" house.
- Love It or List It: They’ve historically filmed a lot in North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham area). You need a clear reason why you're ready to leave your house.
- Local Spin-offs: Keep an eye out for shows focused on specific niches, like "renovating historic cabins" or "beachfront bargains."
How to Increase Your Odds
If you’re serious about this, don't just wait for the be on hgtv page to update. Follow casting directors on Instagram. Search for hashtags like #HGTVCasting or #HomeRenovationCasting.
Oftentimes, a show will post a frantic call on social media because a homeowner backed out at the last minute. If you’re "camera-ready" with a budget and a project that’s ready to permit, you could jump to the front of the line.
Also, record a short video of yourself and your partner (or whoever you’re renovating with). Walk through the house. Be funny. Be honest. Be a little bit frustrated with your living situation. If a casting associate watches that video and laughs or feels bad for you, you’re halfway there.
A Quick Reality Check on "The Reveal"
Don't expect the whole house to be done.
Usually, the show only renovates three or four rooms. The "reveal" you see on TV is carefully staged with furniture that might not even be yours. Sometimes the production company lets you buy the furniture at a discount, but often, it’s just there for the "after" shots. You walk back into your house the next day and the living room is empty again.
Actionable Next Steps for the Hopeful Homeowner
If you've read this and you're still nodding your head, here is exactly what you should do right now.
First, get your finances in order. You need a "renovation fund" that is liquid. No "I'm thinking about a HELOC." You need the cash or the pre-approval ready. Production moves too fast to wait for your bank to process paperwork.
Second, take high-quality photos of every room in your house—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Especially the ugly. Take a video tour on your phone. Keep it under three minutes. Introduce yourself, show the "pain points" of your home, and show off your personality.
📖 Related: Why Country Singer Terri Clark Still Matters (and What She’s Up to Now)
Third, go to the official be on hgtv page and look for shows filming in your city. If you don't see your city, don't waste your time applying to those specific shows. Instead, look for "General Casting" calls or wait for a show that fits your geography.
Finally, be prepared to say "yes" to some weird stuff. TV production is a circus. If you can't handle a crew of twenty people in your driveway at 7:00 AM, stay off the screen. But if you want a professional-grade renovation and a cool story to tell for the rest of your life, get that application in. Just remember to be the version of yourself that people actually want to watch on a Tuesday night.
Summary Checklist for Applicants
- Verify you live in a current filming location.
- Confirm a renovation budget of at least $50k-$100k.
- Take "ugly" photos of your home's worst features.
- Film a high-energy 3-minute personality reel.
- Submit via the official casting links or production company sites.
- Prepare to move out and cede design control for 2+ months.
The process is grueling, and the odds are slim, but someone has to be on those shows. It might as well be you. Just don't expect the network to pay for your new marble countertops. That's the biggest secret of all.