Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A couple and their young son move into a fixer-upper. Their new home becomes the setting for the family’s repair efforts.

Family Moves Into Fixer-Upper — A couple and their young son move into a house that needs fixing. Location: Fixer-upper house

The house requires repair work after the family moves in. The condition of the home creates the central practical challenge.

The House Needs Repairs — The family's new home requires substantial repair work. Location: Fixer-upper house

The family attempts to fix up the house. Their efforts form the main source of activity in the story.

Repair Work Begins — The family tries to repair and improve the house. Location: Fixer-upper house

The repair attempts do not proceed successfully. The family’s work produces mostly disastrous results.

Repairs End Disastrously — The family's attempts to fix the house produce mostly disastrous results. Location: Fixer-upper house

Story Breakdown

Family Relocation — The family begins its story by moving into a new fixer-upper home.
- New Household — A couple and their young son move into the property.
- Fixer-Upper Setting — The new home is defined by its need for repairs.
House Problems — The condition of the home establishes the central challenge.
- Repair Needs — The house requires work after the move-in.
- Domestic Challenge — The family must deal with the condition of its new home.
Repair Attempts — The family tries to fix and improve the property.
- Work Begins — Repair work is undertaken inside the fixer-upper.
- Family Effort — The couple and their young son are connected to the household repair effort.
Escalating Failure — The repair process develops into increasingly unsuccessful results.
- Unsuccessful Work — The attempts do not produce a satisfactory improvement.
- Disastrous Outcome — The family’s repair efforts end mostly disastrously.