Watch Renovation Raiders

Renovation Raiders was a home renovation show that originally aired on HGTV in 2013. The show was hosted by Amy Matthews, a licensed contractor and television host who is best known for her appearances on various DIY and home improvement programs. Renovation Raiders followed Matthews and her team of designers and builders as they performed surprise home renovations for unsuspecting homeowners.

The basic concept of the show was that homeowners would be led to believe that they were being filmed for a completely different type of show, such as a documentary or reality program. However, when they left their homes for a day, Matthews and her team would suddenly show up and completely renovate their homes, often adding new rooms, upgrading fixtures and appliances, and completely transforming living spaces.

One of the most unique aspects of Renovation Raiders was that the show was filmed in real-time. This meant that viewers could watch Matthews and her team work through the various challenges of each renovation, from unexpected issues with plumbing or electrical systems, to missing or damaged materials. This was a departure from many other home renovation shows, which tend to focus on the before-and-after results rather than the process itself.

Each episode of Renovation Raiders typically followed a similar structure. After the homeowners were led to believe that they were filming for a different type of show, Matthews and her team would arrive and explain the scope of the renovation. Then, they would get to work, usually encountering at least a few surprises and setbacks along the way. Throughout the renovation, Matthews would offer tips and advice to viewers on various aspects of home renovation and design.

The reveal at the end of each episode was always a highlight for viewers. After the renovation was complete, Matthews would bring the homeowners back to their home and reveal the finished product. This often led to emotional reactions from the homeowners, who were typically thrilled with their new and improved living spaces.

Throughout the show, Matthews' expertise in home renovation and design was on full display. She had a wealth of knowledge on everything from materials and building techniques to color schemes and furniture placement. Her friendly and approachable demeanor endeared her to viewers, who appreciated her practical advice and down-to-earth personality.

Renovation Raiders was not without its criticism, however. Some viewers found the surprise element of the show to be a bit gimmicky, and felt that the renovations themselves were not always practical or realistic for the average homeowner. Additionally, some criticized the show for its lack of diversity, both in terms of the homeowners featured and the members of Matthews' team.

Despite these criticisms, Renovation Raiders was generally well-received by viewers and helped cement Matthews' status as a popular and respected figure in the world of home renovation and design. Today, the show is often remembered fondly as an entertaining and engaging example of the home renovation genre.

Renovation Raiders is a series that ran for 2 seasons (22 episodes) between May 30, 2013 and on HGTV