Let’s face it, HGTV’s Good Bones captured the hearts of millions, thanks in no small part to its lovable cast. Among them was Austin Aynes, the affable demolition expert who worked alongside Mina Starsiak Hawk and Karen E. Laine for eight unforgettable seasons. Now that the show has wrapped up, fans are naturally curious—what exactly happened to Austin? Let’s dive in and find out.
Who Is Austin Aynes and How Did He Join 'Good Bones'?
Austin Aynes is more than just a handyman—he’s a cornerstone of the Good Bones team. A proud Indianapolis native, Austin initially pursued a career in physical therapy after graduating from Butler University. But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, and in this case, it was a fateful conversation with a coworker that changed everything.
Austin recounted the story on his bio for Reason to Dance: “My coworker, who’s also my demo buddy, told me during my senior year that his sister’s company was filming a pilot for a TV show and wanted me to participate.” So, like any bold soul, Austin skipped a social psychology test to take part. “Season 1 of what would become Good Bones started just as my applications were either being ignored or rejected,” he shared. That moment sealed his fate, and he became a full-time construction laborer, quickly proving his worth on the show.
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While demolition was his bread and butter, Austin’s contributions went far beyond breaking walls. As he told HGTV, “I’m mostly the bookkeeper now, and I handle all city communications. I also assist Karen with small-scale projects and step in as a handyman when needed.” Clearly, Austin was much more than just muscle—he was a jack-of-all-trades.
Fast forward to August 2023, and fans were left heartbroken when Mina announced on her “Mina AF” podcast that Good Bones was concluding after its eighth season. The final episode was bittersweet, with Tad Starsiak proposing to Anna Spiars in his newly renovated home. While the series ended on a high note, it left many wondering about the future of its beloved cast, including Austin.
What’s Next for Austin Aynes?
During an October 2023 podcast episode, Mina dropped a bombshell: Austin was no longer part of the Two Chicks and a Hammer team. The reason? Mina decided to downsize her operation, closing her retail store and putting the company’s headquarters up for sale. But don’t worry—Mina wasn’t just leaving her employees high and dry. She made sure to find them new opportunities.
“I wanted to give as many of my team members as possible a soft landing,” Mina explained. “Since Tad has his own company, I reached out to him and said, ‘I can’t maintain such a large team anymore, but I’d like to offer them options.’ Tad stepped up and said, ‘Yes, I have room on my team,’ and he took on Austin, who’s an incredible employee, along with another one of my team members.”
So, while Austin may have moved on from Two Chicks and a Hammer, he’s still very much in the family business. Working under Tad, he continues to bring his skills and charm to the table, ensuring that the legacy of Good Bones lives on in one form or another.
