12 House Flipping Tips From Scott McGillivray, Host of 'Vacation House Rules'

Ready for your own house flipping project? Real estate pro Scott McGillivray, host of Vacation House Rules, gave us all his best tips.

April 14, 2022

By: Rebecca R. Norris

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Scott's Best Flipping Tips Revealed

We all love a good rags-to-riches renovation — otherwise known as house flipping. Though these renovations are fun to watch (tune into Flip or Flop, Flipping 101 or Windy City Rehab on HGTV if you're in need of a fix), they aren't always easy to pull off. So, we sat down with the host of Vacation House Rules, flipping expert, contractor and real estate pro Scott McGillivray. He gave us 12 of his best tips and tricks.

From: Scott McGillivray

Choose Carefully

According to Scott, some homes are better suited for a flip than others. “A flip shouldn't involve a total gut job or major renovations,” he says. “You want to find the best places to add value, but try to keep it light.” To ensure you don’t get in over your head, schedule an inspection and look out for major structural issues. “These will eat up your budget and your timelines really fast,” he warns. He also stresses the importance of a good layout. “You can replace cabinets and appliances in a kitchen or all of the fixtures in a bathroom for a reasonable price, but as soon as you change the layout, the price goes way up. This is because you have to move plumbing and electrical. So look for a layout you can work with.”

From: Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott

Pay Attention to the Bedrooms, Living Rooms and Dining Rooms

They're the easiest (and the most affordable!) to flip. Scott encourages future flippers to seek out homes with bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms that can be transformed with quick cosmetic updates. “There isn't a whole lot you can do to add significant value [to these rooms], so some new flooring, paint and maybe extra features like applied molding will do the trick,” he says.

see more: 63 Bedroom Decorating Ideas From HGTV Magazine

From: Scott McGillivray

Make Small, Simple Updates

Oftentimes we think flipping a house requires fully renovating a space. In reality, simple updates like adding new flooring, swapping out light fixtures, replacing old white or black appliances with stainless steel or investing in new hardware, makes a big difference. "I always say [these easy updates] are like the jewelry of the room," Scott says. "They can make something plain look more high-end. The other thing people sometimes overlook is a serious deep clean of the entire house. Windows, appliances (inside and out), walls, baseboards, furnace rooms, laundry rooms — these things matter!"

From: Scott McGillivray

Don't Get Hung Up on the Walls

Dinged-up walls or bad paint colors are some of the easiest flip fixes around. "Paint is always going to get you the biggest bang for your buck," Scott says. "A fresh coat of a neutral color makes a huge difference and is an absolute must."

see more: Top 10 Ways to Paint Like a Pro

From: Scott McGillivray

Save to Spend on Kitchens and Baths

The most valuable rooms in any house are the kitchen and bathrooms. As such, Scott says most of your budget should be dedicated to those spaces. “You really shouldn't try to DIY them,” he adds. “Sure, there are certain projects you can take on yourself (like replacing a toilet), but the problems that could arise in kitchens and baths can be very expensive to fix, so get it done right the first time.”

see more: 42 Main Bathroom Ideas From HGTV Magazine

From: Scott McGillivray

But Don’t Be Afraid to DIY

While Scott doesn't recommend DIY-ing plumbing or electrical projects, he admits that there are always places where you can put your DIY skills to the test. “Putting down floors is one — not hardwood that needs to be nailed, but floating click floors, or even laying ceramic tile can be DIY,” he says.

see more: 50 DIY Home Improvement Projects to Tackle This Weekend

From: Scott McGillivray

Assess Your Own Reno Skills

“The most important thing for anyone doing a flip is to be really honest with themselves about their skills,” Scott says. “If you have zero experience, don't try to learn everything at once. It can be a very expensive lesson!” He cites painting and applying molding as two tasks most people don't need to hire extra help to pull off.

From: Scott McGillivray

Leave the Technical Stuff to a Tradesperson

The average flipper shouldn’t take on HVAC, plumbing, electric or anything structural. “These jobs require licensed tradespeople,” he says. “If they're done incorrectly they can put you and your home at risk.” Scott also recommends hiring a professional for roofing, siding, drywalling, bricklaying and waterproofing a foundation. “In some municipalities you can do these things yourself (provided you have the necessary permits), but I don't recommend it,” he says. “Use people who know the industry and the area (this includes real estate agents). It will usually end up making you more money in the long run.”

From: Scott McGillivray

Don’t Cut Corners When it Comes to Budget

Using affordable appliances, fixtures and materials during the reno can save money in the moment, but Scott warns that in the end, your flip might look cheap. “The biggest misconception is that you can make a lot of money by doing an inexpensive flip,” he says. “There's nothing I hate more than seeing people cut corners and renovate with cheap materials. Do a complete budget beforehand, include a contingency for any issues that arise (because they will), and don't cut corners!”

see more: 50 (Almost!) Free Bathroom Updates

From: Scott McGillivray

Keep Your Palette Neutral

Even if you love a colorful aesthetic, it's important to think about the bigger picture. “Let go of your personal design preferences and treat the flip like what it is — a business,” he says. “Keep things simple so it appeals to as many people as possible. Save the things you love for your own home.”

see more: Neutral Paint Shade Ideas We Love: Beige, Taupe, Gray, Black, White and More

From: Scott McGillivray

Don't Add Unnecessary Features

While some vacation rentals tout cool, bold features, Scott says homes with more minimal designs sell better. “It's all about quality, it doesn't need to be flashy,” he says. “In fact, flashy is a bad thing when it comes to flips.”

From: Scott McGillivray

Don't Try Complicated Landscaping

As beautiful as a professionally-installed garden can look, Scott says that outfitting a flip with one can turn off potential buyers. The reason? It can create the idea that the yard will require a lot of work to upkeep — and not everyone has the time to dedicate to such an endeavor.

From: Scott McGillivray