Scott McGillivray & Bryan Baeumler revive their rivalry in the third season of Renovation Resort
There is no question that a return to Renovation Resort is cause for joy. The four new teams exude enthusiasm, as they embark on designing new rental properties, transforming empty shells of a house into the ultimate lakefront retreats. The competitors are not the only ones excited to spend their weeks lakeside — Canadian home improvement legends Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler also have a soft spot for the competition show. “Number one, I love the location. I love being on the lake. I love being in cottage country. I love construction and design and renovation, and all those things are happening at the same time,” says McGillivray. “I don’t love working with Bryan, but I tolerate it because I’m paid to.”
If there is anything viewers have gotten used to by now, it’s the healthy rivalry and constant ribbing between the two contractors. But over the course of their friendship, the dynamics between them appear to have changed — at least onscreen, where the two share laughs and jet ski adventures. “It has definitely evolved,” says Baeumler. “Mostly into a very entertaining, supportive and efficient system. We’ve learned where each other’s strengths are — and more importantly, where to stay out of each other’s way. There is always a little friendly competition, a lot of jokes, and a lot of eye-rolling, but at the end of the day there’s a lot of mutual respect and understanding there.”
The two even spend the duration of the shoot living in trailers, side by side, on the property. “We get up in the morning, we’re having our coffee, everyone’s arriving, and we’re like, ‘Good morning, good morning.’ And then when everyone leaves at night, Bryan and I are there. Sometimes we’ll just fire up the barbecue or cast a rod off the dock,” he says. But that much togetherness can be a double-edged sword, according to McGillivray. “Six weeks is the max I can do with Bryan,” says McGillivray, going so far as to say the two may have reached the end of their television road. “It’s kind of like, is this the last show we’re ever going to work on together? I don’t know. There’s a weird vibe that happens in episode seven.”
Whether or not the potential rupture is just another part of their schtick, viewers will have to wait and see. The show must go on, and viewers who love home improvement are in for a real treat. “I always say season three is when you get to be creative,” says McGillivray. “Season one, you have to establish the format. Season two, you have to solidify it. In season three, you start to switch it up. We bring in some new guest judges. There’s an evolution of the prizing this year. And then we take on more spaces than we ever have.” That means land and sea challenges, as well as building a bunkie. “We had one team put their hands up, like, ‘What’s a bunkie?’ On a vacation property, traditionally, instead of expanding the main cabins, they’ll build auxiliary cabins, like a little outbuilding, or maybe a games room or a little sleeping cabin,” explains McGillivray. “It really was a super-freestyle, anything-goes challenge.”
Luckily these teams are up for anything. “They’re confident,” says Baeumler. “Probably more confident than they should be in some cases, which makes things interesting. They’ve got strong design instincts, and they’re not afraid to take risks. Sometimes those risks pay off, sometimes they create a lot of extra work.” We will quickly discover that one team is bolder than the others when it comes to colour combos, but McGillivray says not to discount anyone. “In season one, we had a competitor who went Granny Chic, with the pinkest kitchen you’ve ever seen. It is the most booked property on that resort by far,” he says. “People aren’t looking for typical when they go on vacation. They’re looking for different. So even though, yes, one of these properties is like a tropical storm, you never know — it might win the whole thing.”
Meet the Teams:
On renovation shows most teams consist of an “ideas person” and the person who must execute that idea. Renovation Resort is no different. “I think every couple has that dynamic,” laughs McGillivray. “One person wants to do all the things and the other person has to do all the things.” But when it comes to this show, the design aspect should not be discounted. “Having that combination is good in practice because you get a great vision and great execution,” he says. “The challenge is that it creates friction, which makes good TV.”
Tatianna & Thomas
What did you learn about yourselves as contractors through the competition?
For Thomas, it was a full-circle moment. Getting back on the tools reignited why he fell in love with creating and carpentry in the first place. For me, Tatianna, the biggest revelation was about trust. When you walk into a competition, there’s this quiet voice that starts asking, “Are we good enough to be here?” The only way to silence it is to lean into your partner completely. What surprised us most was how deeply that vulnerability brought us together. Our level of respect for each other’s craft and skill set deepened our entire working relationship.
Taylor & Mehrdad
What did you learn about yourselves as contractors through the competition?
Taylor: I learned that I could be my own worst enemy. Design is incredibly detail-oriented, which is a strength, but in a competition setting, focusing too much on the details can cost you valuable time, so I had to learn to make decisions more quickly and trust my instincts.
Mehrdad: I loved being back on the tools. It pushed my creativity and reinforced that great construction is about delivering an experience, not just a finished space. Tight timelines and constant decisions highlighted how critical planning and communication are. When those are dialed in, everything else flows.
Chalon & Elizabeth
What were some of the challenges that you encountered while competing in Renovation Resort that felt the most applicable to real-life situations? Were there any that you are happy do not apply readily to your actual life?
The time constraints were the most real — and the most brutal. But in real life, there are always moving parts: delays, material changes and unexpected pivots. On the show, when time is up, that’s it.
The biggest discipline was knowing what not to compromise on. A space can look beautiful, but if it’s not built well, it doesn’t hold up. So, the focus became simple: prioritize craftsmanship and keep moving. That balance of speed and precision is something we’ll carry into every project moving forward.
Marcy & Melissa
How would you prepare future contestants for this show?
Contestants should prepare for long days, a lot of hard work and plenty of running. Have a strategy for when moments get stressful and make sure you’re always supporting and rooting for each other throughout the process. We found it helpful to dance things out or find humour in challenging situations. We truly had each other’s backs. If one of us was having a tough day or moment, the other would step up . . . By the end we didn’t want to leave our lake house!
Renovation Resort airs Sundays on Home Network