Ep 9. Additional Problems

Tarek and Christina tackle a new flip in Irvine, California, in season 8 episode 9 of Flip or Flop titled "Additional Problems." This episode continues following the two house flippers as they take on aging homes and transform them into stunning properties for resale. As usual, they run into some challenges with this latest project.

After a preliminary investigation, Tarek and Christina realize that the house requires more work than they initially thought. The property was in desperate need of a facelift, with rusty old pipes, outdated electrical wiring, and a battered foundation. They initially planned on getting rid of the usual dated features, installing new faucets and washing, giving walls new paint and switching out some hardware. However, with such severe damage to the infrastructure, they will need to focus solely on updating all these system issues before they move onto the rest of the renovations.

Working hard to get the house back to livable conditions, their general contractor, Frank, brings in a team of skilled tradespeople to help with the demolition. Tarek and Christina detail the damage, and Frank walks them through the stages of repair. This job is more extensive than they've been accustomed to, but they're confident they can make it work.

However, as work progresses, other issues arise, and the repairs become costlier than expected. The pair learns that more damage had been done by rodents, and they will need to hire professionals to get rid of the pests and guarantee the safety of the house's future occupants. It is clear that when working with housing renovations, surprises can pop up at any time, and being able to call in experts in various areas is key to overcoming unanticipated challenges.

Moreover, they encounter some setbacks with their contractor's miscommunication when they are attempting to move a wall. The line between the living space and the dining room needs to be displaced to boost the home's flow, but Frank misinterprets their specifications, making the layout much too small. This is a complication that Tarek and Christina hadn't previously encountered, but the incident reminds them of the importance of clear communication when working with their team.

As the completion date for their flip approaches, the race is on to push it to market quickly. With mounting expenses, the need to get the house triaged and the cost of labor, the couple is invested in getting the house on the market for the highest possible profit. The value of the house is increasing every day, but if it stays on the market too long, the profits will begin to dwindle.

Flip or Flop season 8 episode 9 "Additional Problems" serves as a reminder to viewers that renovation work is not always a bed of roses. House flipping comes with its ups and downs, and surprises are a part of the job. Nonetheless, in the end, Tarek and Christina put in a lot of effort creating a stunning home with updated systems and decor. Even with all the setbacks, they continue to manage to stay on track and push the project through - ultimately leading to a beautiful, functional, and profitable flip.