The Property Brother’s formula usually takes on two letdowns per show. The first is when the potential buyers are played into thinking they could actually afford the first house the twins show them, although, as stated before, the buyers know this is imminent. The second disappointment usually happens halfway through the renovation process when the poor couple learns that something has gone terribly awry regarding the project.
A Reddit thread post by a prospective show contestant indicated that a 20 percent, in-case-of-emergency contingency fee is a non-negotiable requirement for any and all participants on Property Brothers. When the buyers make their wish lists at the beginning of the show, they are likely made aware in advance they probably won’t be getting everything they’ve asked for no matter how much they beg or look destroyed in front of the camera when Jon notifies them of the bad news.
The sidekick is a setup
Notice how every potential buyer on the show is actually a couple, even if only one of these people is actually buying the home? That’s because when it comes to casting on the Property Brothers, singles in need of a home need not apply unless they have a camera ready wise-cracking, a hard-headed friend with loads of opinions that everyone (no one) wants to hear who can enhance their friend’s decision-making process.
The “sidekick” is someone to banter with, collude with, consult with and, as each show is required to have, someone to turn to and complain, “This is a total gut job.” This a non-negotiable part of each show to which all applicants must comply with. Most of the time, it’s not a concern, as most home buyers are couples anyway and yet, the episodes when a parent, sibling or friend have been dragged onto the program are always a treat.
They don't renovate the whole house
Don’t get us wrong, the Property Brothers do finish the renovation projects they started. All the houses are of sound foundation structure and are definitely livable the twins are done with them. But only about half of the house-maybe three or four rooms total-gets remodeled, renovated and decked out with the bells and whistles with assistance with the brothers help. The big reveal at the end shows more than what’s just on camera, with the camera shot going into a few choice places and avoiding what is still in shambles.
The buyers get to pick which rooms the brothers renovate, but there are rules to this. For example, buyers can get either the kitchen or bathroom redone but not both, which means if they want to appear on the show, clients must make some tough decisions before the cameras are even rolling. Buyers will have to decide where they want all those luxury touches to go: either where they eat or where they, well, do the opposite?
Jonathan Doesn't Really Do All The Work
Jon is definitely the figurehead on the Property Brother’s renovation side of their show, but he does hardly any of the heavy lifting or at least not the real heavy stuff.
Although Jon makes appearances at the show defining and pivotal moments throughout the show, like on demo day when the cameras are rolling, the Reddit poster who was in the process of being on the show claimed the vast majority of the work is done by local contractors who aren’t as “TV” friendly as Jon and his brother but who have the manpower, resources and time to do the job correctly.
The Property Brothers don't spend every minute with their clients
If you know the show as so many others do, you wouldn’t be the first person to think that the Property Brothers bring a suitcase and basically move in with you during the renovation and filming process. They don’t become your best friends either. The reality is that the buyers on Property Brothers apparently only see the hosts about once a week whilst their house goes from zero to hero.
As in the show’s casting call, at the time the renovation is completed, you’ll have spent a little more than a week and less than ten days with either Drew of Jon. But you know, most people won’t get to spend a single minute with them, so you’d be one of the lucky ones.