Television series

Ask This Old House

Name: Ask This Old House
Genre: DIY
Released: 2002
Cast: Kevin O'Connor, Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, Roger Cook, Jenn Nawada

Light-hearted
Dip in and out

Ask This Old House distills decades of renovation expertise into bite-sized solutions for the problems that actually plague homeowners: leaky faucets, rotting siding, foundation cracks, squeaky floors. Each episode tackles several viewer questions with the show's legendary crew demonstrating real fixes. It's practical, reassuring, and genuinely useful—television that pays for itself the first time you avoid calling a contractor.

TVMaze rating

3.5

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you like practical, hands-on problem solving where a tradesperson patiently explains why a leaky sill or cracked stone wall fails, and you enjoy learning a little more about your own house each time.

Skip it if you want a tightly plotted show with a clear arc or quick cuts, since each episode is a self-contained fix-it question that moves at the pace of a careful workshop demonstration.

What it asks of you: Each half hour is a short, unhurried answer to one question, so it rewards steady attention to tools, measurements and reasoning rather than constant stimulation or a story to follow.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

This Old House1979

The parent show that launched the crew. Following a single major renovation across an entire season teaches you how all the systems—structure, plumbing, electrical, heating—actually connect and work together as one organism.

But Each project is a massive undertaking. If you want quick answers to small problems, the pacing will feel glacial. Episodes run long and assume patience.

Fixer Upper2014

Chip and Joanna Gaines reveal their renovation process on real houses with real budgets and real problems. Strong production, compelling storytelling, and you actually see the before-and-after transformation across the season.

But Design choices are heavily styled and trend-dependent—some solutions won't age well or suit your aesthetic. Heavy entertainment focus; the practical instruction takes a back seat.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition2004

Dramatic, heartfelt renovations of homes for families in crisis. The scale is thrilling, the emotional payoff is real, and you do see quality construction work executed at speed by genuine professionals.

But Entirely aspirational—nothing here is replicable or practical for a weekend project. More feel-good television than instructional guide. Often maudlin.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Ask This Old House

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Pimp My Ride2004

Both shows are about taking something broken or tired and making it functional and better through teamwork, expertise, and respect for the original structure. The problem-solving framework is identical.

MTV's extreme customization series applies the exact same problem-solving logic as home repair—assess what you've got, identify what needs fixing, collaborate with specialists, execute under pressure. Each episode is a micro-renovation with a completely different challenge and creative solution.

But Focused on cars, not houses. The aesthetic is early-2000s excess that hasn't aged gracefully. Episodes prioritize spectacle over education—you won't learn transferable skills.

Maine Cabin Masters2016

Chase and his team restore remote, derelict properties in Maine with problem-solving ingenuity. Genuine problems (no plumbing, no power, rotting foundations) get real solutions. Workmanlike and genuinely impressive.

But Cabin-specific problems and rustic aesthetics won't transfer to typical suburban houses. Uneven pacing; some episodes meander. Focus on the romance of restoration over practical takeaways.

Barnwood Builders2013

Master craftspeople salvage old barns and repurpose the wood into new structures and furniture. Beautiful work, real skill, and deep knowledge of timber, joinery, and restoration. Meditative to watch.

But Assumes access to rare materials and specialized tools most people don't have. More art than utility. The scope is sculptural rather than practical.

The Repair Shop2017

Same crew mentality: people who have spent careers mastering their craft, approaching each unique problem with respect, explaining their thinking clearly, and taking genuine pride in doing it right rather than fast. Both are fundamentally about care.

British restoration specialists fix beloved but broken objects—furniture, jewelry, instruments, heirlooms—bringing them back to life with patience and craft. The emotional stakes are high (these objects matter deeply), and the expertise is immaculate. Deeply calming to watch.

But Focuses on precious, irreplaceable items rather than fixing practical household problems. Slower paced than Ask This Old House, almost meditative. You'll rarely encounter a problem from your own house.