Brett Waterman is a celebrated American television personality, architectural preservationist, and architect best known as the host of the hit renovation series Restored which has aired on the DIY Network, HGTV, and most recently on the Magnolia Network, the streaming platform owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines.
With a passion for historic homes ignited in childhood on his family’s Oklahoma farm, Waterman has spent over 30 years restoring historic structures across Southern California transforming neglected, poorly renovated houses into beautifully preserved homes that honor their architectural heritage.
His signature cowboy hat, commanding 6’4″ frame, and distinctive English accent have made him one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in American home renovation television.
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Brett Waterman: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Brett Waterman |
| Born: | May 18, 1965 |
| Age: | 61 years old |
| Birthplace: | Palm Springs, California, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | TV Host, Architectural Preservationist, Architect |
| Height: | 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) |
| Net Worth: | Approximately $1.5–2 million |
Early Life
Brett Waterman was born on May 18, 1965, in Palm Springs, California. His family roots, however, reach back generations into rural Oklahoma specifically to the area outside Tulsa, where his family operated dairy and beef cattle farms.
In the 1930s, some of his grandparents and great-uncles had relocated from Oklahoma to Los Angeles, where they helped manage Adhor Farms, 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 in Big Cabin, Oklahoma.
It was on that Oklahoma farm that his passion for preservation was born. Working alongside his father and grandfather on farm renovations, the young Brett developed an instinctive feel for restoration learning to read old structures, respect their original character, and bring them back to life with skilled hands.
He has recalled in interviews that a spectacular turn-of-the-century dairy structure on the family property first ignited his imagination about what preservation could accomplish.
His parents were avid admirers of historic architecture, and family Sunday drives specifically to look at old buildings further refined his eye for architectural detail.
From an early age, he displayed a knack for fixing things bicycles, furniture, cars a hands-on curiosity that would define his professional life. His sister reportedly noted his natural repair instincts long before it became his career.
Education
Despite initial reluctance to attend university, Brett Waterman enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he ultimately thrived.
He earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History an academic background that, while not directly architectural, sharpened his analytical and historical thinking in ways that have proven invaluable to a career centered on understanding and preserving America’s architectural heritage. He came to appreciate the university experience deeply by the time he graduated.
Career
Architectural Preservation Career (Pre-Television)
Before his television career, Brett Waterman spent over 30 years restoring historic structures across Southern California quietly building one of the most extensive and respected restoration portfolios in the region.
His projects range from 700-square-foot cottages to 10,000-square-foot mansions, spanning Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Spanish Colonial, Mid-Century Modern, and Tudor Revival architectural styles. He has also served as Senior Vice President at First American Financial Corporation, where he has been an advocate for historic preservation in the financial and property sectors.
One of his most notable pre-television projects was the restoration of the historic O’Melveny House in Los Angeles a landmark property that was purchased by actor David Arquette in September 2014 after Brett had completed his restoration work. The Los Angeles Times described him as “an entrepreneur who likes old houses,” noting his commitment to reversing poor renovations and revealing the original, preserved beauty of a structure.
Television Career
Brett’s television career began in 2015 with a show called Back Flip. His career-defining hosting role came when he was offered the chance to host Restored a DIY Network reality series that premiered in January 2017.
In each hour-long episode, Brett focuses on homes with fascinating histories that have been hidden beneath years of poor renovation, ugly additions, and neglect. He works to uncover and restore their original architectural character, bringing their stories back to life for contemporary owners and audiences.
Season 1 featured 13 episodes covering homes in Riverside, Yucaipa, and Redlands, California. Season 2 followed the same formula, adding locations in Corona. Season 3 premiered on July 10, 2019, with six episodes.
The show subsequently moved from DIY Network to HGTV, gaining a significantly larger national audience, and then to the Magnolia Network owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines where Season 7 premiered in 2023, perfectly aligning with Magnolia’s preservation-focused design philosophy.
By 2025, Brett was working on Season 8, continuing to feature projects in Redlands and Riverside. He has also appeared as a guest judge on Brother vs. Brother (HGTV, 2017), on Property Brothers at Home (2017), and on the Home & Family Talk Show. In 2025, he was honored as the keynote speaker at The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Kickoff in San Bernardino, California.
Personal Life
Brett Waterman is intensely private about his personal life. He has not publicly confirmed his relationship status, disclosed any romantic partners, or discussed marriage or children.
His social media where he has a significant following features his restoration work, personal reflections, and his dog named Max, but rarely anything about his romantic life.
Speculation about his personal life has circulated among fans, though Brett has not addressed it publicly, preferring to let his work speak for itself.
He is known for his signature white cowboy hat, his warm wit, and an accent that fans have described as distinctively English though he was born and raised in California. His dog Max is a consistent and beloved presence in his social media content.
Net Worth
Brett Waterman’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5–2 million, accumulated through his three-decade architectural career, his work as host of Restored across multiple networks, guest appearances on other HGTV productions, his role at First American Financial Corporation, and income from the family farm.
His move to the Magnolia Network has expanded his audience and commercial appeal.
FAQs
Who is Brett Waterman?
Brett Waterman is an American architectural preservationist and TV personality best known for hosting Restored on DIY Network, HGTV, and the Magnolia Network.
How old is Brett Waterman?
He was born on May 18, 1965, making him 60 years old as of 2025.
How tall is Brett Waterman?
He stands at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m).
Is Brett Waterman married?
Brett Waterman has not publicly confirmed any relationship or marriage. He maintains complete privacy around his personal life.
Where did Brett Waterman go to college?
He attended UCLA, where he earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History.
Conclusion
Brett Waterman’s career is a testament to what happens when a childhood passion ignited on an Oklahoma farm, nurtured by a grandfather’s hands and a parent’s appreciation for architecture is pursued with uncompromising dedication over an entire lifetime.
Across 30+ years of restoration work, multiple successful television series, and a growing national audience, he has become one of America’s most respected voices in the preservation of architectural heritage.
In a television landscape often defined by flashy new builds and dramatic before-and-after reveals, Brett Waterman’s insistence on honoring the past, respecting the original, and restoring rather than replacing stands as a quiet but profound counter-argument for what home renovation can mean at its best.
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