Even with access to the internet’s neverending supply of inspiration and tutorials, home renovation projects don’t always turn out Pinterest-worthy. That’s why Charlie Kawas from “Botched Homes,” the newest HGTV reality series, is here to save a few lucky families from their construction catastrophes.
The general contractor and craftsman, who has been working in construction since the age of 15, will lend a helping hand to South Florida homeowners residing in properties that are less-than-ideal, in the series which hits TV screens Sept. 2.
Accompanied by the trusty crew he “brought down from New York” and skilled designer, Courtney Ibars, Kawas will transform homes that are unsafe, unlivable, or just plain unfinished.
“Every home tells a story and, unfortunately, many of these families were left with unfinished projects, unsafe conditions, and broken trust after hiring the wrong contractor,” Kawas explains in an HGTV statement.
“Our job is to restore more than just the house,” he continues. “We want to give homeowners peace of mind by doing the work the right way and creating a home they can finally feel proud of.”
In an exclusive clip shared with Realtor.com®, Kawas and Ibars get their first look at a black-and-white checkerboard bathroom they were preparing to tackle. In a head-scratching choice, the room was originally constructed without any storage or even a mirror.
“This is the worst I’ve seen,” Ibars says. “This is way worse than I was expecting.”
Kawas had a more comedic reaction, exclaiming, “Are you kidding me? Look at this place!” and noting that it was “Straight out of a ‘Scarface’ movie.”
As the contractor looked at the oversized statement tub in the center of the room, which he described as “traditional drug lord meets modern midcentury disco,” he jokes, about the ways in which one might interact with a bathroom as odd as this one.
“I feel like I’ve got to get a Cuban cigar and sit in there like Al Pacino,” he adds.
In the series trailer, Kawas proudly states: “I won’t sleep until my client’s home is safe and things are done right.”
Completely unexpected personal news would soon prove his dedication to his work.
In April, the HGTV personality received a testicular cancer diagnosis after back pain landed him in the emergency room.
“I wasn’t ready for it,” Kawas told People magazine. “It was probably the worst possible time it could have happened.”
Kawas explained that he was in the midst of managing five separate renovations when doctors recommended he start chemotherapy immediately.
“I’m the guy on the ladder, on the scaffold, doing the world, dealing with the clients,” he said. “So, how do you just remove the main guy to go take care of treatment?”
Kawas went on with the renovation projects and continued filming the show, taking viewers along for the entire journey.
“This is reality… Let’s include it and let the world know that when you get terrible news like I did, that doesn’t mean you stop everything,” he said.
Over the weeks following his diagnosis, Kawas opted to very briefly delay treatment to get his work sorted so that it could be managed while he underwent chemotherapy. From there, he balanced treatment with the renovation projects and filming.
“There were times it was difficult. I was doing video calls from the [treatment] chair, trying to solve problems,” he recalled, noting the experience required he learn to delegate while his energy was low.
Kowas completed his treatment at the end of July, with filming for “Botched Homes” Season 1 wrapping later in August.
Now, he’s ready to tell his story while he continues to regain physical strength.
“I would go from grabbing something with one hand and swinging it around because I do construction,” he said, adding that had become challenging as of late. “I’m eager to get back on the job and start swinging the hammer again.”
Kawas also shared that he is “on the up and up,” and has one remaining PET (positron emission tomography) scan to determine whether he is “cancer-free or not.”
“I want to be an inspiration to people. I want to show people that you can keep going,” he said.
The contractor will begin sharing his journey on the premiere episode of “Botched Homes,” which premieres Wednesday, Sept. 2 on HGTV at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
In the premiere episode, Kawas and his team will take on a DIY kitchen that sounds like a nightmare—it’s has no running water, and the exposed electrical wiring is held together by a stuffed snake.
The season is filled with obstacles for Kawas, Ibar, and team, who will face everything from outdated decor to mold and rats.
“Getting to step in and help transform homes that desperately needed a second chance, alongside [Charlie Kawas], has been one of the wildest, most rewarding experiences,” Ibars reflected in an Instagram post.
“There were surprises. There was demolition. There were definitely a few ‘How did this happen?!’ moments. And of course, some absolutely beautiful transformations,” she added.
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