What To Learn From HGTV Star Alison Victoria's Unhappy Clients

HGTV renovation shows are far from strangers to controversy, but "Windy City Rehab" is easily one of the channel's most criticized programs. There are a few reasons why Alison Victoria's hit TV show has come under fire from neighbors, unhappy clients, and even the local government. First, Victoria and her builder ran into trouble with the city over permit-related violations during the renovation process (per People). On at least one occasion, they were served stop-work orders from city officials. In 2019, Victoria's builder, Donovan Eckhardt, had his general and property development licenses suspended (per House Beautiful) for 45 days.

Beyond the show's permit troubles, some clients have reported having issues with their completed "Windy City Rehab" homes. Victoria and Eckhardt were sued by the Morrissey family, who purchased one of their renovated properties (per Chicago Sun-Times). The list of problems they experienced following the purchase was lengthy, with the most notable being a leaking shower that damaged the ceiling of the kitchen below. Victoria fought back against the claims, stating that she would love to live in the house and was even considering buying the property back from the Morrisseys.

Learning how to navigate renovation permits can be challenging. The best place to start is researching your county and city's regulations — which can vary between municipalities. Your property may fall under multiple jurisdictions, meaning you might have to apply for permits through more than one office. The rules can also change year to year; staying up to date with the latest regulations is essential. Permit applications take time to process, with city, county, or state government often asking for amendments to your plans or additional materials. Build a cushion for this back-and-forth into your renovation timeline. The types of home renovations that require permits before starting include patios, sheds, tall fences, new windows and doors, solar, home extensions, swimming pools, and extensive interior renovations.

HGTV shows don't just provide inspiration on how to create your dream home, but also how to avoid costly mistakes. In addition to the sketchy work that Eckhardt completed for "Windy City Rehab," Victoria discovered he was mishandling their company's finances (per TV Insider). He was profiting on work he never finished, while she made little to no profit from the renovations they did together. It's not surprising, then, that Alison Victoria says that the biggest renovation mistake you can make is not hiring a reliable contractor. Always check the credentials of anyone you plan to work with: Make sure they hold active licenses and ask for references you can contact personally. Never hire the first contractor you find, either. Instead, get quotes from multiple local contractors and make your decision based on price and experience.