10 Women Renovators Who Empower Us to Pick up the Sledge Hammer

As an interior designer and host of HGTV's <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/windy-city-rehab/"><em>Windy City Rehab</em></a> and <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/rock-the-block/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rock the Block</a></em>, Alison's signature renovation move is to recognize and restore unique historical features. During a recent HGTV panel discussion, Alison had this to say about her experiences working in a male-dominated field: "Some of my contractors are like, you know, 'I’ve never been talked to like that.' And I’m like, 'Uh, do you mean you’ve never been talked to like that by a woman?'” Nailed it! <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/rock-the-block/photos/rock-the-block-before-and-after-photos-1932903/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Before and After Photos From Rock The Block's Superstar Transformations</a>

No stranger to house flipping, Christina Anstead (formerly El Moussa) has filmed several seasons of <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/flip-or-flop/hosts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Flip or Flop</a></em> buying up rundown properties in LA and turning them into real estate gold. Whether it was cockroach infestations or kitchen demolitions, Christina was down to do what was needed to get top dollar. She's also the host of <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/christina-on-the-coast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Christina on the Coast</a></em>. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.slice.ca/breaktime/photos/iconic-canadian-women-by-zodiac-sign/#!iconic-canadian-women-celine-dion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Iconic Women in Canada by Zodiac Sign</a>

Lifting up people (and crumbling foundations) is Erin’s mission on <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/home-town/videos/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Home Town</a></em>, where she and her woodworking husband Ben rehab old homes in small-town Mississippi with the hopes of revitalizing their community. Trained as a graphic designer, it’s her artist’s eye that makes her a whiz at imagining interiors and putting that sledgehammer in just the right place. <br><br> Get a behind-the-scenes look at Erin Napier's design process on the exclusive HGTV web series <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/home-town/blog/erinspired-home-town-behind-the-scenes-erin-napier-design-1925273/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Erin'Spired</a></em>.

With five seasons of <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/fixer-upper/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fixer Upper</a></em> filmed and more than 10 years running her construction company with husband and show co-host Chip Gaines, it should come as no surprise that Joanna has more than 100 home renovations under her (tool) belt. "I was actually a communications major and had never done design...but we found this little fixer-upper building and tackled that project together in the first year of marriage," Joanna told Glamour.com. Now, Joanna breaks down (gender) barriers and smashes walls alongside the rest of the crew. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/fixer-upper/photos/12-things-you-didnt-know-about-chip-and-joanna-gaines-of-fixer-upper-1052500/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">12 Things You Didn't Know About Chip and Joanna Gaines</a>

After relocating from Sudbury, ON to Nashville, TN in pursuit of a music career, this songbird found a different calling with fellow Canadian Dave Wilson — flipping houses on <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/masters-of-flip/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Masters of Flip</a></em> and <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/making-it-home-with-kortney-and-dave/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Making it Home With Kortney and Dave</a></em>. A licensed relator and design pro, Kortney knows that if you want a job done, you sometimes have to do it yourself — even if it involves a crowbar and lot of wood dust. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/dining-out/photos/great-canadian-restaurants-run-by-women/#!chef-lynn-crawford" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">12 Great Canadian Restaurants Run by Women</a>

In a true Canadian-fashion love story, Linda met her now-hubby Drew Scott at Toronto Fashion Week back in 2010. We got to see Linda’s fashionable flare and passion for crafting on <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers-at-home-drews-honeymoon-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Property Brothers at Home: Drew's Honeymoon House</a></em>, where she worked alongside her then-fiancé and brother-in-law Jonathan Scott renovating their <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/mid-century-modern-living-room-designs-1931568/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mid-century</a> LA home. We are looking forward to seeing more of Linda on upcoming episodes of <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Property Brothers</a></em>!

This dynamic mother-daughter duo doesn’t wait around for others to do the work that needs doing — they step in, hammers raised, ready to take on the tough jobs. On <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/good-bones/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Good Bones</a></em>, they find derelict houses in neglected Indianapolis neighbourhoods and breathe new life back into them. Their relationship shows the power of women supporting women! Mina also was one of the four powerhouse women on <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/rock-the-block/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rock the Block</a></em>.

As a member of the <em><a href="https://www.hometowin.ca/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Home To Win: For The Holidays</a></em> team, this design/DIY expert not only knows how to make a floor plan flow but also welcomes getting her hands dirty with refurbishing and woodworking. At home with a sander or a soldering iron in her hand, Sabrina’s upcycling skills are enviable.

Redesigning and renovating backyards is the name of the game on <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Backyard Builds</a></em>. Enter <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/hosts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sarah Keenleyside</a>, a seasoned designer who studied Environmental Design at OCADU and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty — as in literally digging in the dirt to get the project done on time and on budget.