By Joseph F. Schuler Jr.. Are you one of hundreds of contractors hoping to have your remodel profiled on Home & Garden Television? Convince Mike Brunswick, senior producer at Brunswick Media, that your project will dramatically transform the house and that the story behind the remodel is captivating, and you may get the chance to have your work shown to HGTV's 75 million households in three, 21-minute segments. Not to mention the opportunity to swing discounts from suppliers in exchange for coverage and other marketing opportunities, like Web site links.

HGTV contracted for 26 Before & After episodes from producer Broadview Media for 2003, in seven markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Jacksonville, Fla., Miami, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

A recent project chosen by Broadview Media is the house of remodeling company owner Bruce Bowers, Bowers Construction, McLean, Va. The remodel of his colonial was set to be aired this month. "There are lots of positives with the opportunity and I can't think of any glaring drawbacks," says John Coburn of Bowers Construction Group.

October or earlier is an ideal time to submit projects for consideration, says Matt Welters, Broadview Media's production coordinator. The production crew, none architecturally trained, selects projects before the new year, narrowing the field from 200 to 26. The company signs no contracts with the remodeler, architect, or homeowner. Everyone must appear on TV, over six taping visits -- before demolition to post-construction.

Bruce Bowers, on the jobsite of his remodeled colonial. The project is slated for coverage on HGTV.

Coburn convinced the company to profile Bowers' house because he was homeowner/contractor/designer. To meet taping schedules, Coburn juggled subcontractors' visits so the jobsite would be busy but was little inconvenienced otherwise. He said the show didn't add to the job cost. Taping took about 12 hours over the seven-month project. He declined to disclose how much agreements with seven trade partners discounted the cost of the $650,000 project. More important, he says, the verbal discounts-for-exposure pacts helped build long-term relationships. Here are some other tips from Broadview Media:

  • The project must be submitted for consideration before demolition starts.

  • Submit existing and proposed floor plans in 8 1/2-by-11-inch format; photos of existing exteriors; proposed elevations; descriptions of details not evident in floor plans; and a project highlight page, including the story behind the remodel. To submit projects, contact Before & After at Broadview Media at [email protected].