Discovery in a lawsuit against companies owned by the hosts of the HGTV show Fixer to Fabulous is being pushed back by bad weather
The case against companies owned by the HGTV stars could be “dramatically prejudiced” by the aftermath of tornadoes in their Arkansas location. The weather issues are delaying a “critical” inspection, according to a new court filing, and constuction contractors are hard to find.
A lawsuit filed in February 2023 contends companies owned by Dave Marrs, who stars in the HGTV show with his wife, Jenny, did work that led to problems, including what was described as an unspecified safety issue.
Marrs Construction and Jupiter Rentals were hired for work on a house for a couple in Arkansas, Matthew and Sarah McGrath, a husband and wife who claim that they entered into a contract with the Marrs companies that was later broken.
The suit claims that the defendants agreed to perform upgrades to the McGrath’s property both before and after purchase, but never completed the work.
Needed repairs claimed in the lawsuit included installing missing cabinet hardware, repairing or replacing broken windows, and repairing hardwood floors in the kitchen.
The defendants said they could not gain access to the property to repair the home, but did try to get in.
Now, the weather is being blamed for a delay in discovery.
“Because of the tornadoes that recently affected Benton County, the plaintiffs have been unable to coordinate a final review and report of their property detailing the extent and cost of repair to the property,” the filing said. “Concerned about the upcoming deadline, and anticipating that contractors in the area will be unusually busy for the next few weeks to come, the plaintiffs sought an agreed extension to the current deadline by three weeks.”
The new proposed deadline is July 15.
As of now, the five-day jury trial is still scheduled to begin on Sept. 23, 2024.
Last year, HGTV renewed Fixer to Fabulous, for a 16-episode fifth season. The network also ordered a new four-episode spinoff series Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano, also featuring the home renovation and design experts.
Fixer to Fabulous has generated strong ratings, according to the network upon its 2023 renewal.
