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Not every renovation show on HGTV reaches Fixer Upper-level fame, but the new series Renovation Island is well on its way. The show follows contractor Bryan Baeumler and his wife, Sarah, as they renovate a beachfront Bahamas resort.

Baeumler is a familiar face on HGTV, especially in Canada. He has a reputation for doing high-quality work and cracking jokes the whole time. Renovation Island fans like Bryan well enough but many can’t stand his wife, Sarah, and her many demands.

‘Renovation Island’ shows Bryan and Sarah Baeumler renovating an island

Bryan and Sarah Baeumler
Bryan and Sarah Baeumler | Sarah Baeumler via Instagram

Renovation Island is new to the U.S. market but became a hit in Canada when it first aired under the title Island of Bryan. The series documents the real-life story of Bryan, Sarah, and their four kids taking a huge gamble by purchasing a dilapidated resort in a stunning location. Their goal was to transform the property into an upscale oasis in true HGTV fashion.

According to a press release, HGTV Canada called it, “the most-watched individual episodes of any program on the network in over 10 years.”

Some fans question Sarah Baeumler’s decisions

Every HGTV host has a different technique for completing large-scale renovations — that’s part of what makes them so interesting to watch. But Renovation Island fans aren’t thrilled with the way Sarah keeps changing her mind on the show when it comes to costly renovation choices.

The bickering between Sarah and Bryan serves as part of the appeal of the show. However, many viewers blame the tension on Sarah and her constant last-minute changes to the design plan.

“I liked Bryan until his wife appeared on the scene. She is whiney and has ridiculous taste and is generally not likable as a TV personality,” one Twitter user wrote.

“Sarah is such a spoiled brat & beatch,” another person agreed. “It’s all about her- what she wants, when she wants it, how she wants it. I’d like the show if she wasn’t on it. How can her husband even stand to be on an island with her is beyond me. Renovation Island needs her voted off the island.”

Sarah and Bryan Baeumler have different approaches to renovations

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On the show, Sarah wants everything to look perfect while Bryan is more focused on getting the work done quickly so the resort can open for business and they can recoup their costs. Neither approach is right or wrong — but the constant tension between the couple leads to some hard conversations.

And some fans are firmly on Sarah’s side of the fight. “I’m watching #RenovationIsland but most of the time I just feel bad for Sarah,” one Twitter user wrote. “Bryan constantly belittles her and mansplains. It’s hard to watch because of the tension.”

Ultimately, this couple gets their work done because of their unique strengths and willingness to compromise. And even if they have some criticism for both Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, HGTV viewers do love the show overall.

“Renovation Island is the best show #HGTV HAS HAD IN A LONG TIME!!!” one fan gushed.

Renovation Island airs on HGTV Sundays at 9 .p.m. ET.

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