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Fixer Upper: Tackling The Beast, Pt. 2 - Behind the Scenes

Go behind the scenes with Chip and Joanna in this snapshot gallery as they tour three potential homes and help furniture designer Clint Harp and his wife Kelly take on one of the biggest Fixer Upper projects yet. (Also, be sure to check out the the companion gallery: Tackling the Beast Pt. 1 - The Makeover.)

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September 09, 2015

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Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson for Getty Images

Photo By: Sarah Wilson/Getty Images

Behind the Scenes; Behind the Mask

Chip and Joanna don dust masks in preparation for demo day on one of their most ambitious Fixer Upper undertakings ever.

The Beast: Before the Renovation

This 100-year-old colonial was beyond run-down. It was badly water damaged, critter infested, and would prove to be one of Chip and Joanna's most challenging renovations.

The Belly of the Beast

This 'before' shot of the kitchen conveys the basic idea behind nicknaming this house "The Beast" and is representative of the overall state of the property before the reno.

Chip and Jo

Joanna and Chip pose for a pic outside the front entrance of the home prior to the renovation. Aside from the heroic scope of the project, this renovation was particularly special for Chip and Joanna in that, in this case, their clients are also their friends and work associates, Clint and Kelly Harp.

Clint and Kelly

Clint and Kelly Harp took a gamble when they committed to this remarkably daring renovation. They purchased the badly distressed property for just $10,000, then spent ten times that to renovate the home with the help of Chip and Joanna.

Masked Avengers

Chip referred to this project as their biggest fixer upper to date. Piles of debris had to be removed before actual demo and repairs could even begin. Joanna described the project as having "the longest demo...ever."

If I Had a Hammer

Chip picks up a serious claw hammer as he prepares to rip into damaged drywall in the kitchen.

Behind the Scenes: Demo Day

Down to the Studs

The renovation of the kitchen, dining area and living room was essentially a gut job. Removal of entire walls would require additional structural support beams to be added.

Wildlife Alert

The crew films as Chip uncovers where squirrels had built nests in the space behind the kitchen walls.

Solid Footing

Demolition in the kitchen revealed that, though the floor was warped and rotted, the floor joists were in good shape.

A Romantic Interlude

A Romantic Interlude

Safety First

Chip provides an impromptu lesson in the proper use and operation of a fire extinguisher.

Chip the Valiant

Chip appears satisfied with the progress after a full day of demo work.

Chip the Thinker

A Chip Gaines take on the Rodin classic

Portrait in Blue

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Barn

The Muscle

Fixer Upper superhero Chip Gaines

The Visioneer

The other Fixer Upper superhero, Joanna Gaines

The Bold Adventurers

With the house they selected, Clint and Kelly set the stage for one of the most dramatic makeovers yet undertaken on Fixer Upper. Clint is a skilled carpenter and furniture designer, and his creations have been featured in numerous episodes of the series. He and his wife Kelly are the founders Harp Design Co.

Behind the Scenes: House #1 - The Charmer

Chip and Joanna took Clint and Kelly to three potential new homes prior to their decision to take on "The Beast." This one, dubbed "The Charmer", was built in 1915, is refurbished, restored and essentially move-in ready.

Behind the Scenes: House #1 - The Charmer

The Charmer had a historic period feel and would require only modest upgrades. But, at only 1500 square feet, it was smaller than what the Harps were looking for, and the asking price was at the top of their budget would preclude much in the way of a renovations.

Behind the Scenes: House #2 - The Beast

The crew films as Clint and Kelly get their first look inside house #2 on the tour -- the home they would ultimately agree to purchase and renovate.

Behind the Scenes: House #2 - The Beast

"Frightening" was the word that Clint Harp used to describe his first impression of this house. Clint and Kelly's wish list included a large kitchen, four bedrooms, two baths and a large living space. This house could fulfill all of those requirements, but only after a massive renovation. Their total budget was $110,000.

Behind the Scenes: House #2 - The Beast

Renovation estimates for this house included $29,000 for a complete kitchen redo, $23,000 in exterior improvements, $17,000 to upgrade plumbing and electrical, $18,500 for the living and dining rooms -- and a few other things.

Behind the Scenes: House #3 - The Purple House

The third house on the tour was built in 1915, is partially restored and has several working fireplaces.

Behind the Scenes: House #3 - The Purple House

The Purple House is 2500 square feet, has four bedrooms, two baths, some original woodwork and craftsman touches.

Behind the Scenes: House #3 - The Purple House

The Purple House had a lot going for it, including already upgraded plumbing and electrical.

Behind the Scenes: House #3 - The Purple House

The asking price for this house was $89,000, and it needed an updated kitchen as well as a few other improvements. Chip and Joanna estimated minimum renovation cost at around $23,000, with more like $40,000 required to do a really first-rate upgrade.

Behind the Scenes

Clint, Kelly and the crew between takes

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes: The Reveal

Behind the Scenes: The Reveal

Behind the Banner: After the Renovation

At a purchase price of $10,000, and after a $100,000 renovation, a conservative appraisal for Clint and Kelly's new-and-improved home would be around $135,000, for an instant equity of at least $25,000.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

See the Complete Makeover">

See the Complete Makeover

That's a wrap for this behind-the-scenes look at this episode of Fixer Upper. But be sure to check out the complete makeover gallery from this amazing project for a room-by-room tour and lots more before-and-after pics.

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