What It Was Really Like Working on HGTV's Call the Closer
Home renovation shows make major transformations look effortless. Viewers see a house with potential, a few construction challenges, and a dramatic reveal at the end. While the renovations themselves are real, there is often much more happening behind the scenes than what makes it into an episode.
One show that brought St. Louis home renovations into the spotlight was HGTV's Call the Closer. Local real estate agent Lauren Risley helped buyers hung up on not being able to find the right fit purchase a house they liked and transform it into a house they loved.
Hercules Design Build had the opportunity to work on one of the show's projects and gained a firsthand look at the reality behind reality TV.
Lauren Risley's Path to Television
Risley's journey includes a background in finance, a passion for home renovation, and a YouTube channel that opened an unexpected door.
Real Estate and Renovation Experience
Before entering the real estate industry, Risley spent nearly eight years working in finance, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Although she enjoyed the work, she ultimately decided to pursue her passion for real estate full-time.
She purchased her first house at 19 and learned the basics of rehabbing homes from a friend. By her early 20s, she was rehabbing properties, an experience that would later become a key component of Call the Closer.
From YouTube to HGTV
In 2017, Risley launched a YouTube channel to market her real estate business in St. Louis. Working with a friend in videography, she created videos to showcase her work and connect with potential clients online.
The channel caught the attention of St. Louis-based production company Coolfire Studios, which reached out to Risley about doing a TV show. With Risley on board, Coolfire pitched the idea to HGTV. They got the money then to do the pilot, and HGTV liked it, so they got money to do the first season. Eight episodes were filmed, and the season aired in 2021.
Hercules Design Build's Television Debut
That's when Hercules Design Build received the call asking to participate. Eager to experience what it was like to work on a TV show, we agreed, and we’re glad we did. Here is a closer look at our experience working on Episode 4: The Out-of-Towners.
Was the House Hunt Real or Fake?
The episode synopsis reads, “With only one day to look at homes, Lauren takes her out-of-town clients on a speed dating house hunt.” In reality, the clients from Chicago had already purchased the home and were living there months before filming began. They moved their belongings into a single bedroom and kept the door closed, and the one-day house hunt was simulated for the show.
This is not unlike the truth behind HGTV shows House Hunters and House Hunters International. Usually, homebuyers have purchased a home before filming, and the house-hunting is staged.
Who Designed the Renovation?
While the show had a designer, they were not based in St. Louis or heavily involved in working with the homeowners. They selected finishes and color ideas, and we did the drawings and layout work. We also sourced the cabinetry and coordinated where items would be purchased.
Was There an Unexpected Challenge?
No renovation show is complete without an unexpected twist. In this case, a pipe in the wall needed to be relocated.
The issue was real and was missed during the rushed bidding process. However, moving the pipe was not that big of a deal. While the situation was presented as a major challenge in the episode, it was ultimately overplayed for the screen.
What Was the Filming Schedule Like?
A pleasant surprise was how smoothly filming fit into the renovation process. We communicated what was happening throughout the project, and the film crew would identify what they wanted to capture on camera. They typically visited the job site once every 10 days.
Risley noted the film crew worked 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. Even when she was off doing something else, the crew was working hard without her.
Transform the Home You Have
One of the biggest takeaways from Call the Closer is that the perfect home isn't always the one you buy. Sometimes it's the one you create. Careful planning, quality craftsmanship, and the right renovation team can transform an existing house into a space that better fits your lifestyle and needs.
Since 2007, Hercules Design Build has helped St. Louis homeowners create spaces that are both functional and beautiful. Clients benefit from the combined expertise of licensed architects, architectural designers, interior designers, draftspeople, skilled carpenters, and dedicated project managers. With every discipline working together, projects move forward seamlessly.
Contact our team today to learn how we can help bring your vision to life.
