Brett Waterman Wiki-Bio, net worth, Gay? marriage, children.
Unlike most house renovators out there, Brett Waterman doesn’t just tear up your house. He does it in a way that it retains its originality and novelty. One of the many house restoration experts in the business, Brett’s works are instantly recognized. Over the years, Brett has made numerous appearances in the DIY network. Brett has worked as a host in several TV series starting from Back Flip which aired in 2015 to Generation Renovation in 2019, but he is most famous for his work on Restored. In this article, we take a closer look at the wiki-bio of Brett Waterman.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Background
Brett Waterman was born on May 18, 1965, in Palm Springs, California, but his roots trace back to rural Oklahoma. His family came from outside Tulsa, where they were engaged in dairy and beef cattle farming. In the 1930s, some of Brett’s grandparents and great-uncles relocated to Los Angeles to help manage Adhor Farms, which was one of the largest dairies in Southern California at the time.

Growing up, Brett split his time between California and Oklahoma, spending summers working on the family farm. These experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work, traditional craftsmanship, and rural architecture. From an early age, he showed a fascination with old structures—particularly a spectacular turn-of-the-century dairy complex near the family farm. Featuring silos and barns, the complex captured Brett’s imagination when he was just six or seven years old. He often dreamed of owning and restoring it. However, by the time he was in college, the entire complex had been demolished—a moment that left a lasting impression on him and fueled his passion for historic preservation.
From a young age, Brett also developed a strong inclination toward fixing and restoring things. Whether it was bicycles, furniture, or cars, he enjoyed bringing objects back to life with his hands. His sister would often remark that Brett had a knack for repairs long before it became his profession—a reflection of his innate curiosity and craftsmanship.
Brett’s appreciation for architecture was also nurtured by his parents, who were avid admirers of historic design. After Sunday church services, the family would take drives specifically to look at old buildings and homes, further enriching Brett’s visual vocabulary and sharpening his eye for architectural detail.
Professional Career
College Years and Early Influences
Although initially reluctant to attend college, Brett Waterman ultimately enrolled at UCLA and came to appreciate the experience. While there, he majored in political science and history. His time at UCLA was instrumental in expanding his design sensibilities—especially through exposure to the campus’s Romanesque and mid-century architecture, which deepened his interest in architectural styles and preservation.
Early Corporate Career
Following graduation, Brett entered the workforce during a difficult economic period. His first job was with Wang Computers in Boston, where he received training in computers and sales. He later joined Toyota during the launch of its luxury brand, Lexus, in the United States—a formative experience in branding and customer engagement.
Over the years, Brett also worked across several industries, including automotive, dot-com, banking, and securities. While these roles helped build his professional foundation, his passion for historic preservation eventually drew him into a full-time career in restoration and design.
Breakthrough in Renovation:
Brett’s first real test in house renovation was the O’Melveny House in Los Angeles. He worked on the house before selling it to David Arquette in 2014. Since then, Brett has worked on several high-profile houses. His growing fame brought him exclusive contracts from several TV series. His first appearance came in 2015 when he hosted the reality TV series, Back Flip. A veteran house renovator, Brett also made an appearance as a judge in the series Brother Vs Brother. He has also worked in Property Brothers at Home in 2017 and Home & Family in 2018. He also appeared as a host on Generation Renovation in 2019.
His most enduring role has been as the host and preservationist of the TV series Restored, which premiered in 2017. Over six seasons, he has led the thoughtful restoration of historic homes, bringing out their original character and charm. The series originally aired on DIY Network and transitioned to Magnolia Network in 2023.
TV Work: Restored
Restored stands out not just for its design focus, but also for its behind-the-scenes production standards. Each episode typically takes 6–8 weeks to film, while the actual restoration project spans three to four months. The production operates with 2–3 crews and general contractors simultaneously to meet tight network timelines. Daily filming costs range from $15,000 to $20,000, underscoring the scale and complexity of each shoot.
Brett is deeply hands-on with every project—personally involved in tasks such as stripping paint, restoring original tile, and refinishing woodwork. His insistence on authenticity is one of the show’s hallmarks. He once refused to film a house reveal because the project wasn’t fully completed, a move that earned him long-term trust from the network.
He is also vocal about avoiding scripted drama. Brett often emphasizes that every home comes with its own authentic set of challenges—there’s no need to fabricate drama when the restoration process naturally reveals real and compelling issues.
Style of Restoration
Brett’s works are often recognized from afar. While he likes to add modern touches to a house, he is also interested in preserving the traditional nuances. More often than not, Brett tries his level best to protect and polish the originality of the building. When asked about his unique style of renovation, Brett mentioned that he has a deep appreciation for architecture and landscape and prefers to take a holistic approach to restoration. And while the approach is different from other restorers, it seems to be working for Brett who is finding success with his approach.
TV Timeline (Notable Projects)
| Year | Show | Role | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Back Flip | Self – Host | Brett Waterman flips a 1905 Craftsman bungalow in Redlands, California. |
| 2017 | Brother vs. Brother | Self – Judge | Brett Waterman judges the brothers’ living room makeovers in a 1920s Spanish-style home. |
| 2017-2023 | Restored | Self – Restoration Expert / Self / Self – Preservationist | Brett Waterman restores historic homes with fascinating stories and unrealized potential. He uncovers hidden features and returns them to their original glory. |
| 2019 | Generation Renovation | Self (2019) | Brett Waterman joins other renovation experts to transform a lakefront cabin in Maine. |
Net Worth
As of 2025, Brett Waterman has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. He accumulated this wealth through his successful career as a television host and architectural preservationist, with most of his income stemming from his work on Restored and related restoration projects.
Personal Life
Gay or Married to a wife?
Brett Waterman is a man of many talents. He is a television personality, a passionate architecture designer, and a former political science and history major at UCLA. But there is one thing that he is not: a husband or a father, or at least it seems like that.
The 60-year-old reality star has never confirmed his relationship status, wife, children, or sexual orientation. Though he chooses not to publicly address questions about his romantic life or relationship status, his social media occasionally offers subtle insights into his personal world beyond the screen.
One consistent presence is his dog, Max, who frequently appears in Brett’s posts. Whether relaxing on a MasterCraft boat, sitting beside him on the dock at Lake Arrowhead, or lounging at home, Max is clearly a beloved companion. Brett often describes Max’s personality with affection and humor, noting, for instance, that Max enjoys the boat but not the water. In one post, Brett wrote that Max “always makes everyone in my family smile,” suggesting a close bond with extended family as well.
Brett also appears to maintain a strong connection with his family. In a 2022 post from Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas, he shared a picture with a woman he identified as his sister and described her as his “best friend.” He expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying she had always been there for him and that he wanted to share the full Magnolia experience with her. In another lakeside post, he documented a summer gathering that included friends and family, highlighting the appeal of his Redlands, California, lifestyle—proximity to Palm Springs, the beach, and the lake without traffic.
Though he avoids addressing speculation about his sexuality or personal relationships, Brett’s social media reflects a fulfilling personal life rooted in family, quiet moments by the water, and his love for dogs. His posts emphasize gratitude, relaxation, and appreciation for nature and companionship over the need for public disclosure.
He continues to live in Redlands, California, and often spends time at Lake Arrowhead, enjoying the outdoors and sharing moments from his downtime between filming and restoration work.
Faith and Philosophy
Beyond his close ties to family and a love for peaceful outdoor living, Brett Waterman’s worldview is also shaped by a lifelong spiritual foundation. In a reflective moment on the Who Cares podcast, Brett Waterman opened up about the role of faith in his life. He shared that he has been a practicing Christian his entire life, and while he doesn’t often speak in-depth about religion, his beliefs offer him strength and perspective:
“As a practicing Christian my whole life, I will tell you—regardless of your faith—that knowing that in the end everything is going to be okay gives you a lot of solace and comfort… knowing that someone’s got your back—family, friends, God.”
Waterman explained that his faith influences not only how he copes with fear and adversity, but also how he approaches restoration, community, and service. He believes that many of the values important to his work—such as a sense of community, family, and purpose—are deeply tied to his spiritual foundation:
“Sense of community, sense of family, sense of purpose—all of those things come together to make a healthier human being and, in doing so, a healthier community.”
In the same interview, he emphasized the importance of acknowledging others, instilling confidence, and helping people discover value in their struggles. His broader philosophy connects personal growth, empathy, and historic preservation into a meaningful and purpose-driven life.
This combination of spiritual grounding and craftsmanship offers insight into the deeper motivations behind Waterman’s thoughtful approach to restoration and television work.
Physical Traits and Dressing Style
Brett Waterman stands 6ft 4ins (1.93m) tall, and weighs around 172lbs (72kgs). He has blue eyes with short hair. His dressing style is mostly casual and comfortable. He often wears jeans, T-shirts, button-down shirts, sweaters and jackets in neutral colors like black, gray, blue and brown. He also likes to accessorize with hats, scarves, glasses and boots. Sometimes he wears a suit and tie for formal occasions or when he hosts his TV show “Restored”.
Wiki/Bio Facts
| Full Name | Brett Waterman |
| Birthdate | May 18, 1965 |
| Age | 60 years old |
| Birthplace | Palm Springs, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity/Race | White |
| Parents | N/A |
| Sexuality | Unconfirmed |
| Profession | Television Personality, House Restorer |
| Net Worth | $1.7M (estimated) |
| Marital Status | Likely Unmarried |
| Children | Unavailable |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) |
| Weight | Around 172lbs. (72kgs) |
| Known for | Restored |
| Zodiac | Taurus |
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