Vacation House Rules Season 3 Episode 5 Four Season Funhouse

In season 3 episode 5 of Vacation House Rules titled "Four Season Funhouse," contractor and designer Scott McGillivray helps a family transform their rundown lakeside cottage into a beautiful and functional year-round retreat.

The episode starts with Scott meeting the homeowners, Katie and Rob, who purchased the cottage as a fixer-upper with the dream of creating a vacation home for their family of five. However, the cottage is in a state of disrepair with a leaky roof, outdated kitchen, small bedrooms, and no central heating or air conditioning. Despite its flaws, the family loves the location, which offers endless outdoor activities, including swimming, boating, skiing, and snowmobiling.

Scott's plan is to transform the cottage into a four-season funhouse with efficient heating and cooling systems, modern amenities, and plenty of storage space. He starts by gutting the interior and replacing the roof to prevent further water damage. He also adds insulation to the walls, ceiling, and floors to keep the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Next, Scott tackles the outdated kitchen by replacing the cabinets, countertops, and appliances with modern and functional ones. He also installs a large island with a built-in sink and dishwasher for more counter space. The new kitchen is open to the living and dining areas, creating a bright and airy space for the family to gather and entertain.

Scott also addresses the issue of limited storage space by adding a mudroom with ample cabinets and shelves for the family's outdoor gear. The mudroom also doubles as a laundry room with a washer, dryer, and drying rack. To make the most of the small bedrooms, Scott installs custom bunk beds with storage underneath and a pull-out trundle bed for overnight guests.

One of the biggest challenges of the renovation is the lack of central heating and air conditioning in the cottage. Scott solves this by installing a Mitsubishi Electric ductless system that provides heating and cooling to each room individually, ensuring maximum comfort and efficiency. He also adds a gas fireplace to the living room for cozy winter nights.

Now that the inside of the cottage is complete, Scott focuses on the exterior. He updates the façade with cedar shingles, a new front door, and a spacious deck that wraps around the house, offering stunning views of the lake. The deck is equipped with a barbecue, dining area, and lounge chairs, making it the perfect spot for outdoor entertaining.

To complete the four-season funhouse, Scott installs a hot tub on the deck, which can be used year-round, and a fire pit in the backyard for cozy summer nights. He also adds a water slide to the dock for the kids to enjoy during the summer months.

At the end of the episode, Katie and Rob are thrilled with their newly renovated cottage, which now offers all the amenities and comfort they need for year-round vacations with their family. Scott's design has transformed the space into a functional and beautiful four-season funhouse that will be enjoyed for years to come.