The people behind HGTV’sFixer to Fabulousare at the forefront of an ongoing lawsuit. The HGTV reality show follows a couple, Dave and Jenny Marrs, who renovate homes in their native Bentonville, Arkansas. Dave specializes in crafting and contracting, while Jenny is focused on creating welcoming interiors. Premiering in 2019,Fixer to Fabulous’s success has launched a spinoff,Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano, and the Marrs also star in another HGTV show,Rock the Block.However, the outcome of the lawsuit against the Marrs could impactFixer to Fabulous.
It’s worth noting that the lawsuit doesn’t directly name the reality show, or Dave or Jenny Marr. However, it does name Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Construction, both owned by Dave Marr, as defendants. Despite media coverage,the Marrs have yet to comment on the lawsuit publicly (viaCollider). However,Fixer to Fabulousis gearing up to air its sixth season in early 2025, when the Marrs are set to be in court. Before season 6 begins, the Marrs will likely need to address the lawsuit so they can tell their side of the story and potentially clear the air.
How The Fixer to Fabulous Lawsuit Started
The Grievances Began On The HGTV Show
The lawsuit arose from a couple whose home was featured inFixer to Fabulous.The plaintiffs,Matthew and Sarah McGrath, are claiming Marr’s companies breached their contract by building a homewith a “critical safety issue" regarding their deck and refusing to complete other repairs.
The home is located in Bentonville, Arkansas and the trial is set to take place in Benton County Court in 2025. Both parties have been trying to reach a settlement for months through court mediation. But, so far, no agreement has been reached. The Marrs claim the McGraths wouldn’t allow them to fix the repairs needed for their home, despite their efforts (viaYahoo!).
The McGraths claim that Marr’s companies breached their contract by building a home with a “critical safety issue" with their home’s deck and refusing to complete other repairs.
A report from 2022 went into more detail regarding the issues found at the McGraths' home. According to professionals who surveyed the property,the home was in violation of over 20 safety codes.The report also found problems with roof framing, main floor framing, wall framing and wind bracing, deck foundations, deck floor modifications and attachment to the home, grading, and drainage issues (viaFox16).
The Lawsuit Escalates
More Damages Are Found At The McGraths' Home
When the McGraths moved into their home, they found even more issues with the property than what was initially outlined in the report. In addition to the safety issues on their property,the couple alleges that Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Constructiondidn’t complete over $10,000 worth of repairs on their home.
The repairs included adding hardwood floors, putting in a different kitchen sink, adding stairs and a railing from the back deck to the yard, and adding windows to a garage panel. In a court report, the McGraths claim that if the repairs remain unfixed, it will have long-term repercussions on their home (viaFox 24).
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However, $10,000 seems like a low figure for the amount of money needed to repair the McGraths' home. In 2023, new details came to light. A letter on behalf of the McGraths, and a report outlining additional damage to their home was submitted to the court. The McGraths paid to have the damage surveyed so they could list exactly what needed to be fixed.
In the letter from January 2023, professionals estimated the McGrath’shome needed nearly $100,000 worth of repairs. Specifically, repairs to the driveways and walkways would cost $38,740, and installing a French drain for landscaping would cost $47,863. However, the estimates don’t include the nearly $1,900 the McGraths paid an Arkansas-based contractor to discover the extent of the damage. (viaPennLive).
Tornado Delays Lawsuit
The Trial Is Now Set For January 2025
During Memorial Day Weekend 2024, tornadoes ripped through Benton County, Arkansas, where the McGraths' home is located. Since contractors in the area were busy with cleaning up the destruction, they weren’t able to properly assess the extent of damage to the home.
On June 4th,the McGraths filed a motion foran extension to their court date because of the damage from the tornadoes. The Marrs protested the motion to extend their court date. In court documents, the Marrs claim the McGraths “will be dramatically prejudiced to the extent of being potentially unable to present the merits of their case” if the McGraths can’t supplement their claims (viaYahoo!).
The motion was eventually granted, and the lawsuit was pushed back to September 2024. As of August 2024,the court date has been pushed back to next year, set tobegin on January 27th, 2025.
Possible Lawsuit Outcomes
The Marrs Could Be On The Hook For A Lot Of Money
In short, the McGraths want the Marrs to pay for all the repairs and issues on their property, in addition to their litigation fees.This lawsuit isn’t the first time the Marrs have been sued.Back in 2018, Tyler and Dana Craddock were approached by Marrs Construction with a deal to renovate their home for the show. In 2021, the Craddocks claimed the construction company failed to complete work on their home. The case was eventually dismissed in 2022 (viaFox 24).
If the Marrs lose their case against the McGraths, they could be on the hook for a lot of money. As forFixer to Fabulous,the show’s fate remains unclear. Sure, a lawsuit won’t be good for the show’s publicity. However, the money used to pay off the lawsuit likely won’t tank the show’s production. The Marrs have acombined net worth of two million to five million dollars(viaCloser Weekly). Since the McGraths are seeking nearly $100,000 in damages plus litigation costs, the Marrs won’t be penniless if they lose the case.
Fixer to Fabulous
Cast
Fixer to Fabulous is an HGTV television series that began airing in 2019. The show features Dave and Jenny Marrs as they renovate historic homes in their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. With a focus on modern amenities and preserving the original character, the Marrs couple transforms outdated properties into beautifully restored family homes. The series highlights their expertise in design, construction, and real estate.
