Rico Leon, known for his HGTV series ‘Rico to the Rescue,’ shares his expertise in home restoration and renovation at the San Antonio Home & Garden Show, offering valuable insights to attendees.
Rico León, known for his HGTV series Rico to the Rescue, will be sharing his expertise in home restoration and renovation at the 38th annual San Antonio Fall Home + Garden Show. Taking place at the Alamodome from September 27–29, the event promises a wide variety of attractions, from porch décor ideas and nursery displays to cooking demonstrations and even a dog fashion show.
One of the biggest highlights of the event is Rico León himself, a real estate and construction expert who resolves conflicts between homeowners and builders on his hit HGTV series. León will take the stage on the first two days of the event for a fireside chat and a moderated Q&A session with attendees. During these sessions, he plans to share advice on choosing the right contractor and avoiding common pitfalls in home renovation projects.
“A lot of people during the pandemic … were doing renovations … and just choosing contractors right off the cuff,” León explained in a recent interview with MySA. “They think, ‘This person is charming’ and feel confident and pull the trigger when maybe they should’ve taken longer to vet them.”
León emphasized the importance of careful vetting to prevent issues like budget overruns, missed deadlines, or substandard work. He cautioned attendees to avoid being swayed by contractors offering significantly lower prices, as this often leads to compromised quality.
“As a homeowner, you’re thinking, ‘Hey, we just saved $25,000,’” León said. “That’s the mindset of a lot of homeowners. They’ll settle for a contractor who gives them the price they want. I’m here to show them the good, bad, and ugly of it all.”
To help attendees avoid such scenarios, León offered the following advice:
- Hire licensed contractors: Licensed professionals adhere to industry standards, understand building regulations, and typically carry liability insurance.
- Check references: Take the time to verify contractors’ past work and confirm they have the necessary licenses and credentials.
- Avoid paying upfront: Break the project into milestones and pay only upon successful completion of each phase. For instance, pay for countertops and drywall first, then release more funds for insulation and flooring once those tasks are completed.
León also warned homeowners to be wary of manipulative contractors who play the victim card or use verbal tactics to make clients feel guilty.
“Sometimes contractors will play the victim card and make the homeowner feel like they’re wrong,” he said. “It’s this verbal jiu-jitsu manipulation type of thing they do. These are situations that happen, so you have to watch out for things like that.”
Grateful for the opportunity to educate homeowners through his HGTV platform, León expressed his passion for helping people navigate the complexities of home renovation.
“It feels great to help out people and to be recognized for doing the right thing,” he said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, contractors, do the right thing and keep your good reputation, and more work will come!’”
The San Antonio Fall Home + Garden Show will run:
- September 27: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- September 28: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- September 29: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information about the event, visit sanantoniofallhomeshow.com.