‘Renovation Resort’ stars reveal how to maximize ROI on home updates

The jury has announced the final round of participants in the “Renovation Resort”. Scott McGillivray And Brian Baeumler‘s seemingly foolproof method for identifying the home updates that will almost certainly guarantee the highest return on your investment.

It’s a method McGillivray and Baeumler rely on every time they look for the best vacation home makeovers for their hit series; the winning design is not only about aesthetics, but also about the designer’s clever strategy to increase profits in the renovated building.

The reality TV judges obviously evaluate the creativity, craftsmanship and style of each cabin to determine a winning design, but the “Renovation Resort” contestants reveal to Realtor.com® that they WHERE An indicator of a successful renovation is how the space feels and functions when it is occupied.

The show, which premiered its third season on Canada’s Home Network on April 5, sees four pairs of builders and designers tasked with renovating one of four brand new lakeside cabins in Havelock, Ontario, Canada.

The teams, consisting of sisters Marcy And Melissa and long-term employees Thomas And Tatiana, Chalon And LizAnd Taylor And Mehrdadhave just eight weeks to turn their allotted empty space into the ultimate waterfront destination.

McGillivray, 48, Baeumler, 52, and a rotating roster of guest judges, including HGTV star Alison Victoriaevaluate the teams weekly. The duo whose work outshines the others will ultimately receive a $100,000 prize.

But when speaking to Realtor.com about the experience, the show’s newest participants admitted that the wealth of knowledge that McGillivray and Baeumler freely spread was perhaps the most valuable prize they all walked away with.

“Working with Scott and Bryan was truly like being in a masterclass you didn’t even know you needed,” says Tatianna.

“It was such an honor to not only be in their environment, but to actually pick their brains, hear their stories and learn from everything they’ve built over the years. That kind of access is rare and we never took it for granted for a second.”

Although teams wanted their designs to impress the judges, McGillivray and Baeumler taught them that keeping future houseguests in front of them while designing most reliably yields the biggest payout.

“Working with Scott McGillivray and Brian Baeumler reinforced the importance of balancing design with functionality and long-term value,” says Mehrdad. “They approach every decision with both the end user and ROI in mind.

“Even judges like Alison Victoria challenge you to take your design thinking to the next level, focusing on details that really impact the final experience,” continues Mehrdad. “Overall, it’s about delivering a space that not only looks great, but also performs well, adds value and creates a memorable experience for the end user.”

Taking McGillivray and Baeumler’s advice into account, participants made thoughtful design choices for their cabins that they hope will improve the stay of future visitors.

“It’s really that layering and that indoor-outdoor connection to the waterfront that makes the space feel memorable,” says Taylor. “It’s not just about what it looks like, but also how it feels when you’re actually in it.”

“Ultimately, what makes a lake house memorable is not just the view, but how you feel as soon as you walk in,” Chalon explains. “For us, that feeling is joy. Everything else builds from there.”

Bringing a project to fruition so that it can sustain the feeling it was intended to evoke is another lesson McGillivray and Baeumler taught the contestants this season.

“What Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler model season after season is that the magic is in the sequel,” Liz explains. “A great concept is simple: executing it at a high level, all the way to the finish line, is where most people fall short. They leave no stone unturned, and when you’re in that environment, you’re forced to rise to that standard.”

Some of the ways the contestants stepped up their design game this season included eschewing tired trends, like the “all gray, all beige safe zone” color palette, in favor of styles they predict will take off in 2026 and beyond.

“What dominates: culturally layered interiors, spaces that reflect a real identity, not just a trendy aesthetic,” says Liz. “People are done with rooms that look like they were put together from one mood board.”

“For a long time, white has been used as the standard to achieve that light, airy feel, but I think people are becoming more open to exploring moodier shades that can create the same sense of ease, but with more depth,” adds Taylor.

“I also think that farm stays are undergoing serious development in the field of hospitality design,” says Tatianna. “People long for an experience that feels grounded and real, and that desire is only growing.”

Fortunately, homeowners who want to spend more time outdoors have plenty of universal design options that apply to all types of homes.

“If there’s one thing that translates to a home anywhere, it’s a great outdoor living space,” says Thomas. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on a lake, in the mountains or in someone’s backyard, people want a place to gather, and if you give them that, everything else falls into place.

“From a construction perspective, the great thing about outdoor spaces is that they are also incredibly adaptable. You can scale them to virtually any budget and structure and still create something that feels intentional and special.”

With summer on the horizon, “Renovation Resort” participants hope to experience the outdoors and the special spaces they have created for the competition themselves.

“It would be so special to go back, experience it as guests and take it all in,” Marcy muses.

“Another stay that wouldn’t do any harm? Bryan and Sara [Baeumler]‘s beautiful resort in the Bahamas – fingers crossed we’ll get there one day! We think we earned it.”

Season 3 of “Renovation Resort” is now airing on Canada’s Home Network and will soon debut on HGTV in the United States.