User reviews

Scott is a good guy and he does a great job for the clients. I wish they gave more information about these rentals. Canada isn't far, especially for vacation.

This is a fun show to watch. Just wondering why they don't tell you where the rentals are? It would be good business for them and some of the areas look gorgeous and would be fun to visit. Only knock on the show is Scott's screaming. Also the forced laughing by Debra at Scott's not funny dad jokes is a bit obvious. But the screaming??? 🙄. But mostly fun to watch!

I like this show and I especially like Scott. I think he gives really good advice. Debra can be a bit annoying with her high pitched voice and giddy attitude. Overall a good show.

...BUT I just hate it when HGTV specifies a show as "NEW" when it is not new but simply a previous episode with some boring talking points added. I've set my DVR to only record "NEW" episodes, and I'm tired of my DVR filling up with my favorite shows that are not really new! Very disappointing!!!

On the show why is the location NEVER REVEALED for US viewing to locate and rent??

Scott does a great job with renovations...but why doesn't he renovate himself? He always wears those dorky shirts, and he needs an updated haircut. Maybe his wife buys his clothes...bc when she was on the show, she needed some updating herself. They seem like nice people, but not very hip.

I spent a lot of time in my youth camping and fishing in the lakes of Ontario so this show makes me nostalgic even though I am now an old man in SoCal, and it is a welcome relief from most of the other cookie cutter house remodel shows. Scott seems like a nice guy and he is very knowledgeable, specifically regarding lake cottages, and Deb has nice design ideas. The silly banter between the two does not turn me off like it does for some people.

However I have to agree that the rental estimates are way too optimistic. It is just not possible for people living in Toronto to rent out these cottages, two hours away, on a full-time basis. At the very least the owners would have to hire a property manager (which cuts into the profits) to find renters and then clean and make any needed repairs after each renter moves out. And anyone who wants the true outdoor experience (fishing, swimming, water skiing, etc) is going to end up trashing the beautiful design elements, which are better suited to urban houses. White sofas?...with kids tracking in lake water and sand and grass and who knows what else all the time? Nope!

It would also be nice to know exactly where these houses are but I can understand the need for some privacy. But I don't think it would be too difficult to find some of these if they are on Vrbo.

My wife and I watch this show. We like Scott and Debra, the vacation locales and the renovation work done. Our biggest complaint is that NO COSTS ARE GIVEN. We don't know how much the cabin was bought for and how much the renovation cost (and compared to budget). Scott saying the cabin can now be rented for $400 per night versus $250 pre night before the renovation, sounds great but without knowing any costs we don't know if it makes financial sense. On many recent shows, we think tearing down the house and starting again would be cheaper.

Also, we question a 180 rental season and no mention of the ongoing costs - cleaning between renters maintenance of the hot tub etc.

This review applies to both of Scott's shows with a similar title. Completely remodel a kitchen for $20K? Try doing it for less than $50K. Rebuild a lake cottage for $70K? Try $150K. A summer rental going for $500 a night for six months? Try a rental season of three months with less than 100% occupancy.

What planet are these numbers from? It's complete fraud to present to the viewers that they could ever hope to accomplish what the show is doing.

Three stars for the occasional good idea from the designer. A person who, in real life, would consume a substantial portion of the stated budgets on the show.

I would love to know how much these places actually rent for and how long the renovation looks good. Everything looks good on tv. But i have serious doubts because he is always staging non-outdoor furniture in the yard, while claiming it will be super easy to clean between renters. Especially want to know how long that tiki bar lasted.

Really? Worst show ever. I watch renovation shows a lot. Some are entertaining, some i learn from. Not this one. How does this show get renewed all the time. Even had Bryan Baeumler on the show. He's way out of Scott's league. I wish he had of given Scott some tip on how to be a Presenter also. Is he funny? He makes jokes but he could just not, don't think it would be missed. Here he is saying things like you can ask 12,000 a night or 500 a night and so on. Shows an add on what it is. Then what? Does anyone EVER rent these things for what he says they can. $12000 a night? Who's gonna pay that? That place he's asking $12000 a night for doesn't cut it.

Absolutely no diversity in either the hosts or the guests. Seems like the same customers and the same house with a similar design each time. I was hoping to watch for ideas for upgrading properties we own but the lackluster effort to appeal to a variety of viewers is apparent.

It also seems as if this show renovates homes in nearly the same location each week.

It also doesn't take into account the increased push for legislation to preclude many homeowners from engaging in the short term rental process. There's also no transparency in how much money is required to transform these monstrosities into the featured dream homes in each episode's reveal.

Should a viewer take the bait, spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a remodel only to find short term rentals are no longer legally possible in their area, they're stuck!

I find it incredibly irresponsible of Scott Mcgillvary and HGTV to produce a show that encourages people to rent out their properties as short term rentals or create wedding venues despite what the local municipal by-laws may prohibit.

For example the episode titled " Victorian Venue" shows a farm being converted to host weddings - there is no mention if the municipal Zoning By-laws allow such uses or if in the Niagara Escarpment regulated area if the NEC permits such a use.

I have been responsible for the enforcement of municipal by-laws and can tell you that illegal wedding venues such as converted barns and houses to host wedding parties are a huge problem! Everything form traffic issues, noise disturbing neighbours (including those with legitimate farms and livestock or horses) to property owners bringing in illegal fill to create parking lots.

These shows don't make any reference to ensuring that compliance with all local by-laws and the building codes and is completely misleading and irresponsible of Scott and HGTV. It would only take a minute or less for him to state that property owners need to confirm that such uses are permitted and get building permits and inspections for such extensive renovations.

Short term rentals can create major issues for adjacent cottage owners such as noise disturbances, littering, trespassing onto neighbouring properties by drunk or ignorant renters which is why municipalities do not permit them. It is wrong to be doing a TV show promoting such uses and making it seem like such a great revenue source without informing the audience that they need to comply with the rules!

They should also inform the audience that even if they short term rentals are allowed then they should be informing viewers that they need to ensure that their renters behave and not disturb neighbouring property owners.