What You Need To Know About HGTV's Renovation Island

Have you ever dreamed of hopping on a plane and starting a new life on a tropical island? Well, on the show "Renovation Island," you can follow along as Bryan and Sarah Baeumler do just that. They pack up their lives and four children and head to South Andros, a lush island in The Bahamas. They've purchased a dilapidated beachside resort on a leap of faith. They plan to renovate the resort and turn it into secluded and luxurious accommodations for vacationers seeking relaxation.

According to IMDb, the show began airing in 2019, and viewers have been hooked on watching the resort rebuilding process since. While the couple has experience in both design and construction, renovating and running an entire resort is a whole new world to them. This leads to lots of surprises, challenges, and more than a few arguments along the way. The process is also complicated by the couple's four children, who are along for the ride. However, the couple takes on one challenge at a time, using their expertise, supportive employees, and native island contractors to rebuild their new resort one villa at a time. Check out these interesting insights into the complex world of "Renovation Island."

Bryan Baeumler's heart seems to have always been in the construction industry. This passion for renovation combined with business began at a young age. As SunSigns reports, Baeumler's dad was an aircraft engineer who taught his son the world of business. He gained construction skills by working on his family's cottage and used them to do work for neighbors as a teen. The budding entrepreneur started a business doing odd jobs, likely not realizing the long and successful career taking root.

Bryan attended college, majoring in Political Science and Business at Western University in Ontario. The school has a large campus with a wide variety of majors and is ranked as the 10th best global university in Canada (via U.S. News). Bryan graduated with a dual bachelor's degree and ambitions to enter the legal field. However, his deep-rooted passion for building and construction took over, and he instead founded his own contracting business (via Bryan Baeumler).

Today, Bryan's business is a full-service construction and project management firm equipped with staff to tackle a wide range of projects. Baeumler Construction works with clients to build their dream properties, add additions to their current ones, and complete major home renovations and remodels. With Bryan as the president and leader of the business, the company has spent 15 years growing, completing diverse projects, and developing a client-focused process (via Baeumler Quality Construction).

Bryan and Sarah Baeumler were both born and raised in the same Canadian town of Oakville. The picturesque city sits on Lake Ontario and is just an hour from the U.S. border, as per Visit Oakville. It's a family-friendly community with many parks, restaurants, and attractions to enjoy. The town was also the backdrop for filming the movie "The Santa Clause" and the series "The Handmaid's Tale."

Bryan was born in Oakville on April 18, 1974 (via IMDb). Almost four years later, Sarah was born in the same town on March 26, 1978. The two grew up in Oakville and even went on to attend the same high school. However, they wouldn't start dating until a decade after they both graduated (via IMDb). Finally, in 2001, the two reconnected through a mutual friend and met for coffee, which led to their first date. As Sarah tells Streets of Toronto, "Bryan had planned an evening out on the town for us. First we went and saw 'The Lion King' theatre production, which was fantastic. Afterward, we went for a lovely sushi dinner. He definitely pulled out all the stops, and it was a very exciting first date."

She goes on to describe their eventful proposal — complete with a flat tire –, but she still said "yes." The couple eventually married in Toronto in September of 2004 and went on to have four children. Their shared hobbies and hard work ethic bond them, but nothing comes before their family. She describes their strategy for work-life balance, saying, "Family first and everything else second. We love what we do, and we work hard so we can enjoy time with our family and watch the kids grow up."

Many people have wondered after watching the show how much the Baeumlers spent on Caerula Mar Resort. According to Forbes, when they originally purchased the run-down resort, it cost them $2 million, and the estimate for the renovation was $4 million. However, the Baeumlers ended up spending more than $10 million on the renovations, not to mention all the setbacks. Hurricane Dorian hit in 2019, affecting friends and employees, but the resort itself was missed. Then there was the pandemic, so they've had their share of financial setbacks and struggles along the way.

Interestingly, the FAQ-Blog talks about the Baeumlers' pay during the lockdowns. Bryland Entertainment, not HGTV, actually produces the show itself, and that's owned by Bryan Baeumler! When they started out, Bryan owned a successful construction company in Oakville, and Sarah was a successful designer. According to Bryan Baeumler's personal website, his other businesses include: Baeumler Construction, Baeumler Approved, Baeumler Productions, Baeumler Media, and Baeumler Family Foundation for Kids. Bryan Baeumler is also a published author, which means they likely had a nest egg that helped them buy the property.

Anyone who has watched "Renovation Island" can see that Bryan and Sarah adore their kids. And despite their busy lives and soaring careers, they take a very hands-on approach to parenting. This includes prioritizing their children's education and teaching them critical life skills. The couple has four children living with them on the island: Quintyn, Charlotte, Lincoln, and Josephine. They began with homeschooling, but as Sarah shared in a "Renovation Island" episode, "Given the state of the property, we are in full construction mode, and to have the three youngest ones running around, it just isn't safe. So they will all be going to a local school because, for them, they need a proper school environment." They're sending their oldest child to a boarding school so he can have the same high school experience they did. But as Sarah points out, "Quintyn's only a 20-minute flight away."

The couple is also committed to teaching their children about financial literacy. They share the economic basics that they are sharing with their kids with the Royal Bank of Canada, including earning an income, building up savings, and the concept of compound interest. Sarah explains, "Giving your kids some measure of responsibility can teach them the concept of working for money. And when they work for cash ... there is more weight and significance attached to the item purchased."

The couple also taught their son to earn interest by investing his cash instead of spending it. They promote saving early on and keeping an eye on big financial goals. Bryan notes, "Having a savings account might not be as cool as having the latest toy, but understanding the value of things in the short term versus the long term is important."

"Renovation Island" is far from the couple's first brush with television fame. The two are actually reality show vets with several series under their belts. Each revolving around construction, design, and their passion for renovation. Bryan got his start in 2007 with "Disaster DIY," a show where he swooped in and saved the day when DIYers became overwhelmed with their projects, as per IMDb). The show filmed 64 episodes over five seasons. Then, Bryan and Sarah went on to film "Leave It to Bryan" for two seasons, and he also served as a judge on the construction competition shows "Home to Win" and "Battle on the Beach" (via IMDb).

According to Distractify, the couple's other vastly popular show, "Renovation Inc." follows the couple in the years leading up to their time on "Renovation Island." It covers them building their business and learning to work together on various renovation projects while juggling their growing family. The show originally aired in Canada as "Bryan Inc." but was renamed for airing in the United States. Bryan said in a statement, "Now, we're even more excited to go back in time and show you what we were up to before moving to the island and how it all got started."

Bryan Baeumler isn't just an accomplished business owner, reality TV star, and skilled contractor. He's also a published author. His book "Measure Twice" was released in February 2015 by Harper Collins, as per Goodreads. The 352-page guide covers everything from the best materials to purchase, which tools to invest in, and what tasks need extra care. It's full of illustrated step-by-step guides to help DIYers complete common projects around the home.

The book has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon, with reviewers singing its praises. One reader says, "For someone who has limited knowledge of remodeling or construction, this book is an excellent place to start. It is filled with really good tips." While another says, "If you are DIYer, this is the book for you ... As good as you will find on advice in reno'ing your home. Almost like having Bryan looking over your shoulder." The book is available in both paperback and Kindle form, allowing readers to tap into Bryan's decades of knowledge in whatever format they choose.

Sarah Baeumler is truly a Jack—or Jill—of all trades. She has had a diverse career that spans several industries. Her experience spans different creative outlets that have combined to make her a talented designer today. The foundation for her career began at Appleby College, where she and Bryan attended boarding school. According to Our Kids, the institution teaches grades 7 through 12 and focuses on a top-notch curriculum and global learning. According to the Appleby Alumni page, she went on to earn degrees in Political Science, English, and International Business after graduation.

Gossip Gist reports that the reality show star's first job was as a camp counselor at Camp Totoredaca. She also got certified to teach ballet, theatrical, and jazz dance. Sarah used her entrepreneurial spirit to found her own dance studio, Balletomane Performing Arts, in her hometown.

Before designing amazing spaces, Sarah was mixing up cocktails at The Spaghetti Warehouse. She worked as a bartender, creating her own concoctions and unique cocktails. Sarah tells Fame10, "I can make a mean cocktail ... I'm a martini girl, so all different flavored martinis I love. So apple martinis, chocolate martinis, that's what I'll experiment with."

One of the show's most famous stars outside of the Baeumler family is project manager Adam Weir. As Bryan's right-hand man, he helps the contractor keep his cool and problem-solve tough situations. So given their awesome dynamic, viewers were surprised when Adam stopped appearing on the show. According to IMDb, Adam appeared in 22 episodes of "Renovation Island." He also appeared in the Baeumler couple's other two series, "Renovation Inc." and "House of Bryan." However, his seemingly abrupt departure from the limelight was totally on good terms.

Adam didn't return to the island during the start of the third season. However, there's a clear explanation. Bryan shared in a Season 2 episode, "Adam has found himself a nice girlfriend, and he wants to stick it out here in Canada for a little while and forge his own path a little bit, which I think is great, but I'm gonna miss him, so I hope we can get him down for a visit, just to have a fun."

Today, Adam is a licensed real estate agent in Canada (via Distractify). He's also the Chief Marketing Officer of Generational Wealth Properties INC and owns his own business, EZ Dock Kawartha (via LinkedIn). But his relationship with the Baeumlers is likely to last. Sarah said during that same episode, "Adam is part of the family. As we say, he is our fifth child. So I think he will always be in our life [sic] in some capacity."

Sarah Baeumler has built up quite a social media presence throughout her career. She has amassed tons of followers across her platforms. Her posts are an adorable mix of her family, project updates, and glimpses into her brand. On Instagram, Sarah has over 300 thousand followers that she regularly updates with fresh content. She often posts down-to-earth candid shots of her, Bryan, or their four kids. She also posts inspiring decor images and insight into her own design process. Many of her posts ask her followers for feedback on design elements or their hopes for future getaways.

Checking out Sarah's Pinterest boards is sure to give you design inspiration. With over 72 million monthly views, she treats users to well-organized images of her design projects and her own product lines. She also has carefully curated and color-coordinated photos of nature, architecture, and even food that inspire her process. Her collection even features a Dry Rosé board full of soft pinks to pay homage to her favorite wine.

Sarah's TikTok page is an extension of their show and highlights her adventures in short and quirky clips. She takes viewers on adventures as she styles spaces and completes DIY projects. But, she also keeps it real with fresh takes on family life and being a working mom.

Viewers see Bryan Baeumler supporting the island's economy and warmly interacting with locals on nearly every episode of "Renovation Island." So, when a tragic weather event struck the area, it's no surprise that he jumped into action. In fact, he's no stranger to helping residents in the wake of a natural disaster. According to the Natural Weather Service, Hurricane Dorian was the first major hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic season. That September, the storm raged through the ocean, strengthening to a Category 5 before making landfall in The Bahamas. In addition to the hurricane winds, tornados wreaked havoc over the islands. The results were catastrophic, with extensive property damage, major flooding, and residents being rescued by boat and aircraft.

Bryan quickly launched a GoFundMe page to support the relief efforts. As he tells Global News, "When disasters like this happen, people often want to help — but they're not sure where to start." The Baeumlers planned to return to South Andros to finish their resort renovation. However, they also planned to help with rebuilding efforts and support local families, with Bryan saying, "The first thing we have to do is make sure our employees and people there are taken care of, and hopefully we can help the neighboring islands."

He learned that financial support was the best asset for these relief workers when he assisted in efforts after Hurricane Irma in 2017. He went to the Florida Keys with supplies and realized that experienced agencies were already on the ground. So instead, he raises funds. "A lot of times, the knee-jerk reaction [is] let's jump in the boat and get over there, but you end up taking valuable resources yourself, the food, water, and shelter that people there need."

As you might imagine, the worldwide pandemic affected not only the show "Renovation Island" but the business at the Caerula Mar Club resort. The List did an exclusive interview with the Baeumlers, and Bryan talks about the impact of lockdowns and travel bans on them just six weeks after their grand opening. "It was kind of terrifying to dump your life savings into a hotel and six weeks later basically the world says nobody's allowed to travel." This, of course, was a huge setback for their resort and the travel industry in general.

Still, Sarah spoke about their impact on the community and their obligation towards their staff. "Like, it's a very different situation when you're on a small island and you're the people's only opportunity and it's been over a decade with zero employment opportunities, so we really felt this urgent sense to be able to keep our staff." The couple could not bring themselves to lay off the people they had just hired, and though they had to close the resort, they kept paying their staff what they could. The couple also talked about how they decided to go ahead and start filming Season 2 during quarantine. This meant they had to get special permission to bring the film crew back and follow strict protocols, including quarantining everyone singularly and then as a group. In the end, Bryan said they felt like they were "all living in this little bubble at the hotel and life seemed pretty normal."

While the Baeumler family is jet-setting the world and creating a private island oasis, their hearts still live on in Canada. Bryan tells The Vancouver Sun, "Canada is home and always will be, but the world is our home, too. For now, we'll just say we're taking the Canadian flag and carrying it with us on a little adventure." In fact, the family is involved with various charity events and non-profit organizations across the country. They have also started their own foundation to help the community.

According to CanadaHelps, The Baeumler Family Foundation was founded in September of 2012 to support the health and well-being of Canada's youngest residents. They are dedicated to helping children thrive in safe home environments. The foundation also focuses on improving access to mental and physical health services by supporting organizations.

Bryan Baeumler tells Toronto Star a story about a specific situation their foundation was able to assist with. They met a family with a water-damaged home and inadequate space for their sons, both with autism, to receive physical therapy. Working with their partners, they rehabbed the basement playroom to create a safe and functional space. Sarah adds, "The boys were thrilled! The family goes through the entire project with us and we make sure the renovation is what the kids need from a medical perspective."

Now that the resort renovation has finished, the Baeumler family has settled in South Florida. The couple tells Cityline that their home in Florida was chosen for its impressively low price. Of course, they plan to renovate their new home as well. And in true Bryan and Sarah nature, small planned upgrades have turned into a major home renovation.

The couple also chose their Florida property for the close proximity to the resort on the island and the ease of traveling back to Canada to deal with their businesses. Getting back and forth is now much easier with the family's plane stored right on the property. Bryan tells Winnipeg Free Press, "One fun thing I've done this year is finally taken the time to finish my pilot's license and get a small airplane to help us get back and forth."

Devoted viewers can catch up with the Baeumlers and all of their latest happening in the new season of the show. According to Heavy, the third season of "Renovation Island" will premiere on July 24, 2022. Viewers will get treated to eight more episodes of the Baeumler family and their adventure in making their resort, Caerula Mar, a reality.

If you're a fan of the show, you may have drooled a little bit over the opulence of the Caerula Mar Club Resort, but did you know you can book your own stay there? According to the Caerula Mar Club Resort website, the resort closes from mid-August to mid-October for yearly maintenance, so you can't book your late summer vacation here. But after that, it's considered the low season until mid-November, so the rates are lower! They are advertising Clubhouse Suites from $385 to $505 per night, and Signature Collection Suites and Villas from $625 to $1,145 per night, with a three-night minimum stay for each. In addition, there's a 12% tax and a 13% service fee, and meals and excursions are not included. However, these rates do include transportation to and from the airport to the resort, free Wi-Fi, and use of water sports equipment that's not motorized.

If you want to see what's available, you can visit the website, and once you click on a date that you're interested in, you can view each room and its amenities and choose the one you want. One review on Tripadvisor by a woman who stayed in February 2022 was 5-stars, and she wrote how wonderful the resort is. Along with mentioning a "welcome tray with candies, nuts, toasted coconut, dark chocolate, and a bottle of Prosecco," she advises people to bring coconut or baby oil to combat bugs and mosquitoes. Other than that, it was a glowing review.