Home renovation television shows offering free makeovers have become cultural phenomena, transforming the lives of families in need, including veterans, disaster victims, single parents, and more.
Sponsored by brands and builders, these programs pay all costs and deliver dramatic reveals and practical designs.
Here’s a comprehensive list of TV shows that remodel homes for free.
1. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Cast: Clea Shearer, Joanna Teplin, Wendall Holland, Arianne Bellizaire
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is the most famous free home-renovation show in television history.
The Iconic show, which initially aired on ABC, debuted in 2003 and ran until 2020, when it returned on HGTV, renovating homes for families facing major challenges like financial hardship, illness, or disability.
Often, entire houses are demolished and rebuilt within a week with donated materials and volunteers. The show has been renewed for Season 2, set to air in January 2026.
2. Home Town Takeover
Cast: Ben Napier, Erin Napier, Mallory Williams
Home Town Takeover offers free full-home overhauls to entire small towns for local heroes, teachers, and first responders who qualify through community initiatives.
The show, which aired on HGTV, renovates homes for residents of chosen towns by local governments.
3. Celebrity IOU
Cast: Drew and Jonathan Scott
Celebrity IOU, which airs on HGTV, is a renovation series in which celebrities give a full home renovation to someone who has made a significant impact on their lives, often a teacher, coach, mentor, or close friend, for free.
In each episode of the show, which premiered in 2020, the celebrity joins the renovation, working with professional designers and contractors and learning hands-on construction skills.
4. Instant Dream Home
Cast: Danielle Brooks, Liz Kloczkowski, Christian Begley, Adair Miller
Instant Dream Home, which airs on Netflix, is a home renovation show in which a team of renovators transforms a family’s home within 12 hours.
In the 2022 show, each episode follows a quick-turnaround makeover in which the crew works all day to reshape or update the home to better suit the family’s needs.
5. George to the Rescue
Cast: George Oliphant
George to the Rescue, airing on NBC, is a home-renovation show featuring George Oliphant, who helps families facing emergencies such as medical crises, unsafe homes, or disasters.
Many renovations are completed free of charge, with support from volunteers and sponsors.
6. DIY SOS
Cast: Nick Knowles, Bill Byrne, Mark Miller, and Chris Frediani
DIY SOS is a BBC home renovation show that renovates homes for families facing disability, major life events, or severe illness, free of charge. Local suppliers and community volunteers are key to each transformation.