Scott's Vacation House Rules

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.