With the premiere of HGTV’s newest show, “Botched Homes,” on September 2, 2026, viewers will get up close and personal with the show’s star, home renovation expert Charlie Kawas.
Though the new series was originally intended to follow Kawas tackling major renovation challenges in South Florida, producers wound up following a far greater challenge for the general contractor: tackling cancer.
Charlie Kawas Moved His Family From New York to Florida
Kawas, 44, is a general contractor and master craftsman who owns CK Construction, a “successful remodeling business serving clients throughout New York City’s five boroughs,” according to HGTV. Kawas was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, and has been building and fixing homes for as long as he can remember.
Growing up, Kawas shadowed his uncle, who worked in construction, before joining the New York City District Council of Carpenters Union. Although he became an award-winning carpenter in New York, he wanted a “better future” for his wife,
Seeking a better future for his wife Pierra, 49, and daughters Charli, 14, and Cami, 12. So he moved his family and his business to Jupiter, Florida, “with little more than his truck, tools and years of experience,” per the network, which said he’s known for his “hands-on expertise, passion for teaching and engaging social media presence.”
On his new show, Kawas works with designer Courtney Lauren and his “five-star crew” to fix homes that have been “plagued by shoddy workmanship, dangerous conditions and dysfunctional layouts into safe, beautiful and functional spaces,” per HGTV’s press materials.
Charlie Kawas Learned He Had Cancer at the ‘Worst Time,’ While Filming ‘Botched Homes’
While filming multiple renovation projects for his new show, Kawas went to the emergency room this past spring as he struggled with debilitating back pain. To his shock, doctors discovered a tumor and he learned on April 1 that he had testicular cancer.
With five renovation projects underway, Kawas told People that he couldn’t just halt everything and start treatment, explaining, “I’m the guy on the ladder, on the scaffold, doing the work, dealing with the clients. So how do you just remove the main guy to go take care of treatment? I wasn’t ready for it. It was probably the worst possible time it could have happened.”
Kawas allowed himself two weeks to get organized, ensuring he and his team could continue with their projects and filming the show before he began chemotherapy.
“These homeowners put trust in us and we all worked so hard doing this, so I don’t want to stop,” he told People. “I want to continue the process. I want to continue filming. I want to continue this journey that we’re on and include the cancer into the show.”
According to People, Kawas completed treatment in late July, and it took its toll. He has experienced fatigue, weight loss and hair loss, he said.
“Botched Homes” premieres on HGTV on September 2 at 10 p.m. Eastern time and will be available stream via HBO Max the following day.
