My favorite home improvement show on TV is now Holmes on Homes featuring the likable, knowledgeable and photogenic Canadian contractor and home expert Mike Holmes. The show Holmes on Homes has been playing in Canada for a couple years and could be found on cable in the United States here and there, but HGTV just picked up a new season of Holmes on Homes and is featuring his shows prominently in their Sunday night line-up.
Who Is Mike Holmes?
Mike Holmes is now a mass media home improvement powerhouse with a newspaper column, several different television shows and specials, DVDs, books, a magazine and even some construction work clothing.
A typical episode of Holmes on Homes starts out with a desperate homeowner who was usually wronged by a home improvement or remodeling contractor. Some of the jobs are done poorly, some left incomplete and some are just done completely wrong. Sometimes a simple problem like a small leak quickly balloons into a total room demolition as Mike Holmes and his crew follow one problem to another.
After taking a good look at the job done by another contractor Mike Holmes usually sits down and explains some of the problems and then bashes the contractor for leaving the homeowner in the lurch or cutting corners or simply not doing the job the right way. The contractors in question are never actually named because, according to Mike, the show is “not about finger pointing.” That being said, the show will also sometimes feature legal experts who explain what recourse a homeowners have to get their money back or have things corrected.
Then comes the demolition part. Mike and his crew come in usually end up ripping out all of the previous contractor’s work. During the demolition Mike and his crew poke around for further problems and then explain what’s wrong and what’s right about the previous contractor’s job. Mike does give credit where credit is due and does point out the good things a contractor might do as well.
After fully accessing the project Mike and his crew get together and the rest of the show details how to really do the job correctly. So if it’s a botched bathroom job you’ll see Mike and his team gut the bathroom and then upgrade all the plumbing, install top of the line bathroom fixtures and finish it all off with professional tile work. Some episodes start out with a sort of “mystery” such as a leak that can’t be diagnosed or a structural problem that doesn’t makes much sense. Eventually, of course, Mike figures out the problem and then corrects through in the rest of the show.
The last part of Holmes on Homes is the “reveal” in which Mike brings in the homeowners to show them the completed project, which is usually complete with the requisite ooo’s and ahhh’s. It’s also the first time the audience gets to see all the work that was done while Mike explains exactly why the job was done that way.
The Holmes on Homes episodes are mostly formulaic but within that formulas there’s a lot of different interplay and personality. Each job is unique and it’s often interesting to see what unexpected challenges the crew finds.
Holmes on Homes is not a show in which the typical do-it-yourselfer will learn any details of how to actually complete a job. Instead, this will give you the “big picture” of all the work involved in a major renovation and it shows what can go wrong when homeowners blindly put their faith in contractors. Mike usually spends a fair bit of time warning people about the dangers of using shoddy contractors, but it really doesn’t always seem to be the fault of the homeowners who often have checked references and done everything in their power to get the job done correctly.
Who Pays For The Work on Holmes on Homes?
Mike often comes into a home to fix a few small problems but quickly finds lots and lots of larger issues to correct. He’s famous for essentially gutting a room and starting from scratch, which leads people to ask about who actually pays for all the materials and construction work you see in Holmes on Homes, especially when these people have often just spent thousands of dollars on the original contractor’s job. Generally, the labor of Mike and the entire Holmes on Homes crew is paid for by his television production company, but new materials are often bought by the homeowner. That being said, the materials used are often bought “at a deep discount” and in at least one case a supplier came in and said he was going to donate it all to the show because he felt bad for the homeowners.
Mike Holmes Criticism
There aren’t too many people jumping up to say bad things about Mike Holmes. He seems to be every bit as nice and genial as he is on TV, but insiders say he does tend to play things up for the camera. If anything, Mike Holmes seems to be guilty of “over-correcting” problems sometimes. Along those same lines he’s been accused of confusing “his own code” with the actual building code. In several episodes he has actually complained about the “minimum code” and then gone ahead and fixed something above and beyond what was actually required. Mike’s a perfectionist and I have to wonder if he’s really all that easy to work for.
Mike has been known to rant about how the Do-It-Yourself show he was working on was giving people the idea that they could do anything, but that professional contractors were often needed to fix the mistakes of amateurs. There is, of course, a fair bit of truth to that. As a guy who does a lot of DIY home improvement, I can honestly say that one of the best things you can learn is your own limits. If you’re uncomfortable doing something or not sure about attempting a job that could cause some real damage or hurt yourself, then hire a professional. No amount of money is worth getting hurt or putting yourself in a dangerous situation.
Mike has also received some criticism from animal rights advocates for attending a stampede and he reportedly had to take media sensitivity class early in his television career in order to clean up some of his salty language.
If you watch enough episodes of Holmes on Homes you begin to believe that all contractors are bad (except Mike Holmes, of course) and that you’d be crazy to ever have anyone other than him work on your own house. That’s not the case, of course, but since every show revolves around a home contractor or home builder doing something wrong you do begin to get a bit paranoid about exactly whom you can trust.
People who have seen the work done by Holmes on Homes firsthand have good things to say. They say that his work is professional, he does try to keep cleanliness and the homeowner’s schedule and family life in mind and he generally sticks to their wishes. It’s actually fun to watch him deal with a design decision that he doesn’t agree with. He won’t outright say something is ugly but he’ll say things like, “Well, I wasn’t sure about that color but it works, I think…”
Mike Holmes Crew and Cast
Mike’s crew changes slightly from season to season with different people coming in and others dropping out. Almost all of the crew members are qualified trade men and women who are either specialists such as plumbers and electricians or have construction and trade experience. Some crew and cast members regularly have conversations with Mike on camera, while some are mostly just seen in the background and labor montage shots. Some of the more recognizable current crew members:
Damon Bennett – Mike’s right hand man and senior contractor. Damon is often the guy who Mike first shares his ideas for the room with.
Shawn Morren – He served as Mike’s senior contractor during the first five seasons and often has a mischievous look in his eye. In one episode he mentions he was late for work because he was attending his pregnant wife’s ultrasound appointment. Shawn’s younger brother Micah Morren also appeared in some episodes of Holmes on Homes.
Adam Belanger – Another senior contractor who isn’t seen as much and seems to have a mischievous side to him. He’s also close to Mike, though in a different way than Damon. His wife is none other than Amanda Holmes, Mike Holmes’ daughter.
Mike Holmes Jr. – Yes, that tall lanky guy with the short blond hair is none other than Mike Holmes’ youngest child and son.
Carl Pavlovic – Carl is usually the go to guy for tile and drywall work, so he’ll often appear more in the later part of the show. Carl often plays up the humor which makes him fun to watch on TV at times.
Corin “Pinky” Ames – She is not just a pretty blond woman hired to make the guys happy. She was an intern who was hired on-air during season 5 and is a graduate of the Women In Skilled Trades (WIST) program.
Kate Campbell – Also a graduate of the Women In Trade Skills (WIST) program, Kate was the second woman to join the Holmes on Homes crew.
Mike Holmes Biography
Mike Holmes born in Canada on August 3, 1963, has home improvement contracting his his blood and started his own construction company at the tender age of 19. At age 6 Mike started apprenticing under his father (who has passed away) in the building, electrical and plumbing trades. His father, a “jack of all trades” in his words used to tell him to do things right the first time. Mike has taken his father’s advice to heart. The phrase “Make It Right” has become a mantra that he repeats in almost all his projects and tries to employ in everything he does. And, yes, Mike has that phrase, “Make It Right” tattooed on his right bicep, right above a tattoo of a bulldog. He supposedly has the nickname of “Holmesy” but he’s a pretty big guy, so I’m not sure you’d want to call him that to his face!
Mike got started in TV when he was hired to do some work for the Just Ask John Eakes home improvement show. Mike Holmes had an idea for a new show in which he would take his crew into homes that had construction and remodeling problems and make them right. His first show went on the air in 2003, but it wasn’t until he teamed up with Michael Quast and Pete Kettlewell that his entire show and the “brand” of Mike Holmes took off.
In 2006 Mike Holmes launched The Holmes Foundation which is a charitable institution which helps train young men and women in the skilled trades. In 2008 the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) gave Mike Holmes an Honorary Doctorate of Technology. In addition to keeping busy with various speaking engagement, publications and working with other building organizations he is working on a new environmentally friendly and completely sustainable housing project known as Wind Walk.
Because Mike is pretty easy on the eyes a lot of women want to know: Is Mike Holmes married? Mike Holmes does not seem to have a wife at the moment. He’s a divorced dad of three, but has reportedly been in a steady relationship with girlfriend Anna Zappia for a number of years.
Mike Holmes’ Family
As for the other members of his family, he has three children. Mike Holmes’ children are all in their 20′s and have all appeared on his show at one time or another. He has two daughters and a son. They are:
Amanda Holmes – His oldest daughter. She is married to Adam Belanger on Mike’s crew.
Sherry Holmes- His middle daughter. She was first seen on the New Orleans special and has appeared as a regular part of his crew.
Mike Holmes Jr. – His youngest child and only son. Mike Jr. has been seen on the show for several years and is now a regular part of the crew. In one episode Mike Holmes surprises his son on his birthday by giving him a new truck.
Mike also has an uncle, Bill Bell (known as Uncle Billy), who works as a truck driver and general equipment manager on the show. He’s the oldest regular crew member and often plays the role of father figure to the other younger cast and crew members.
Mike’s Life After Holmes on Homes
Overall, Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection are fun to watch for several reasons, though they all have to do with Mike Holmes himself. The show’s informative and Mike Holmes proves that he knows his stuff. He finds things most other contractors wouldn’t find (or at least leads you to believe that), he points out the errors of other contractors but he explains himself in such a way that you can’t help but learn a little something in the process. Mike is a natural in front of the camera with his gentle but firm demeanor, big biceps and muscle shirt. He plays the role of a superhero who arrives in the nick of time to help desperate homeowners with their homes.
Mike has new show called Holmes Inspection which examines bad homes inspections. It’s nearly the same concept as Holmes on Homes with just a few small changes. In Holmes Inspection Mike visits a house, usually finds some problems and there’s usually a need to rip apart or gut at least a few rooms to “make it right” again. Again, it’s a show about home improvements, remodeling, and fixing houses, but in Holmes Inspection Mike doesn’t actually do much, if any, of the work. He has Damon Bennett come in with his crew (which just happens to include Mike Holmes Jr. and Sherry Holmes) and they do all the work. You even see Uncle Billy from time to time. Mike makes appearances at middle of the show to see how progress is going and then he is still part of the ending “reveal” to the happy homeowners.
The first season of 26 episodes of Holmes Inspection did very well, but a lot of viewers voiced the desire to see more of Mike Holmes himself. The second season hopes to remedy that criticism by actually appearing in the episodes more. Mike will be doing more of the work and will be on the job site more in order to solve problems as they arise.
Mike is also working on yet another television project, but this one is a little different from his previous shows. He’s working with an unnamed animation company to develop cartoon show with a “Mighty Mike” character for kids. Mighty Mike will be a kid that’s between the ages of four to eight who will be loosely based on Mike as child and will obviously have some handyman in him even at that young age. There aren’t many firm details yet but viewers in Canada may get the opportunity to see Mighty Mike as early as Christmas 2011.
Contacting Mike Holmes
Mike Holmes has made lots of guest appearances on various shows in Canada and the United States and many people remember him as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He still shows up various specials and projects for HGTV, the latest one being the show the All American Handyman which aired in Fall 2010. It also starred Scott McGillivray, another popular Canadian contractor who has his own show, Income Property. Mike Holmes has an official Make It Right Twitter page, though it’s unclear if he’s actually sending his own tweets or not.
Episodes of Holmes on Homes can be seen in the United States on HGTV on Sunday nights. You can also check out the Make It Right Production company to read more about what Mike Holmes is up to now.
just wanted you to know that you are our HERO! we dvr all your showes and love all that you and your crew do .keep up the good work and God Bless, fans forever gary and kathy lee Hiddenite N.C.
Just wanted to let you know that I think your show ” Holmes on Homes ” is the greatest. I try to watch it evry Sunday night here in Illinois but if I don’t get a chance, I record every episode and what it later haven’t missed one yet. I am an electrician by trade and have been for better than 25 years and some of the electrical work you come across is totally unbelievable. Keep up the good work and keep the shows rolling on.
“Do It Right The First Time” simple concept!! I have 10+ yrs in framing and remodeling and would love to have someone like you to work for!! I work for a guy that, hurry up get it done and don’t worry about what it looks like, is the way he works. I really enjoy your show it’s nice to know that that I think like you do. Informing homeowners the way you do to help educate them and feel confident about the project is important and respectful. Your a incredible role model for up coming people in the construction field. You have a impressive crew and show! Thanks for all you do and keep up the great work!!
i,m from Québec, canada andi,m french woman and i like it so much watching your program make me learn some tricks how to do things because i always worked at my house i know many thing but i alaways learn with your fantastic program I wish you could come in Quebec to repair couples problems at my house because now i,m separated and getting older 60 soon and need help
Don,t stop your wonderful work as helping many peoples are in troubles.
Just want to say his show is the only one i will watch. I have my own home improvement business, (it is just my father and me) and I do my very best to go the extra step to do the best job for all my clients. I have seen so my bad jobs, especially in newer homes. Just dont know how they get away with it. Out of all the DIY shows his is the best one.
Watching your show inspired me to take the challenge and remodel most of my 1980′s home. I found a finishing contractor that I utilized as my G.C., he rode shotgun whenever I was at work on ‘selected friends’ that I choose that are in the business for the electrical and tile, and the most amazing transformation took place in one month’s time. My husband didn’t think I could do it, but I did! Thank you and good luck!
I need help……my basement flooded and they cut the gyprock 2.5 feet up the wall, there is an electrical problem we keep getting shocks when plugging things in ………my basement is a mess I can’t sleep and I don’t know what to do……Insurance is covering the damage but we don’t know where to start!! HELP
I love watching Holme on Homes!!! Mike is so knowledgeable about so much…a great contractor. Anyone who gets to have him and his crew do anything for them are fortunate. I am sure you can’t find many contractors and subcontractors who have as much pride in their work who want to do the right thing by their clients. I will continue to watch his shows as long as it is on air. I am even re-watching episodes. His great looks sure makes it a plus.
All hope is not lost. Someone who takes pride in their work and does the job right. Thank – you! Your show gives me hope. I wish you were in Ma. I’d call you in a minute to do work on my old house. :-) Keep up the great work!
My husband watch all the time. Really like Mike and his whole crew. We have a problem. My husband recently had
a heart attach and we are unable to finish the work. I have pictures and can send them to you via the internet. We
now have a new grandchild and she can’t be safe in the house, we do not have inside walls. It’s cold and windy.
Can Mr. Mike help? Hope to hear from someone soon.
Mrs. Phyllis Strong & family
How do I reach him with Job from hell story. My Brother-in-laws dog kennel in New Jersey, U.S.A. He may even be interested in coming to help him.
HELP!!!!! Mike will you please give me your ideas on the best way to redo a leaking flat roof. Why oh why would anyone install a flat roof in rainy Seattle burb??????
Love your show, watch as often as I can. Was wondering about that spray on insulation you guys use, is that stuff available for the DIYer’s? Anyway keep up the great work you and your crew do.
I watch Mile Holmes for awhile. He really does great work. I just wish I could get him to help my brother out as he has a pasemaker and a defibulor as well. His house os falling down around him. As I am older than he I try to do what I can for him but to no real help. But that is our problems. We really enjoy the show keep up the good work.
Love the show++ watching them this Sunday and believe they need to wear safety glasses ..With all the debris falling its for their safety.
I enjoy watching Holmes on Homes, he reminds me of my brother. My father was born in 1921 and done alot of things the old way and they were done right, my brother helped him in many jobs and went on to do his jobs. He and Mike are so much alike. They are both very straight forward and want things done right and their ways. I watch Mike as often as I can. I have learned alot from him. I have helped my dad many times and I understand what Mike is talking about. I have actually used some of the things I have learned him his tv shows. Keep up the work Mike, you are a life savor for us good ole country girls that do the work ourselves.
Mike, I am glad to see that you do not have a woman on your crew. We do not have to be in everything.
love your show. my husband is a retired contractor with the same mantra “do it right the first time” and has turned down jobs where the homeowner wanted him to use cheap materials and cut corners. I hope all of these home owners go after the contractors who scammed them. To keep them from scamming anyone else, they could put something in the newspaper or on the local news and keep them from making money off of someone else.
I am a big fan of Mike however this show is not realistic. Owner expectations rarely match the original budget. I am a contractor and 99% of the time, clients bid there work to several contractors without a plan. Without plans it’s impossible to competitively price the job leading the owners to chose price over quality without realizing it. I can tell you that to do a job like Mike Holmes portrays would cost Big Money that most customers won’t consider. Mike should tell viewers what these jobs realistically cost.
after the contractor messes up a family’s house and you come in to make it wright who pays for you to finish the job?
i need HELP HELP bad for my brother and I need to get ahold of Mike Holmes. His basement is collasping in the last few weeks, he has lived there for over 20 years and when he bought it he did the repair that was needed we have had a very bad dry summmer. No one around here will touch his house. My brother is 66 years old with Leukemia and the Doctors have told him to quit work but, he can’t because his wife has medical problems and needs insurance as she can not walk very weel now. He took his 401-K out last year ro pay off his house because he is not sure how long he can still push himself to work having taking kemo this year. The stress of his house about to fall in is about all he can take with his medical problems and not having money to get another place to live. If anyone out there knows how to reach Mike PLEASE HELP ME!!!!
I love your show Mike
Mike being Canadian born and now living in the USA- I hope the contractors that do very bad workmanship and take homeowners to the cleaners are reported and never work again, I watch your show as often as I can and enjoy it.
I enjoy the show and the character you show. Are you currently accepting any apprentice or labor workers? If so, how can I be considered?
I wanted to let Mike and his crew how they were my dad all time favorite show. The whole time my dad was in icu and hospice we all ways had the show on hoping he would wake up to sound of Mike. Sorry to say he never did but hospice told me that the hearing is the last to go so we know he did hear it. He always would do project after he watch on how. He never got the chance to finish his place with my mom who he was married for 56 years. He was a very active man at the young age of 76. I just wanted to let you know how you change his and our lifes with you up beat and make it right. Thank You will a big hug
Just recently discovered your show and quickly became a fan. I now DVR all of
your shows and don’t miss a one. I have alot of catching up to do. The only criticism I have Is that sometimes the Music is so loud I can’t hear what you
say to each other but other than that I love the show and your crew and the way you bring in the pro’s to do it right. I also enjoy seeing the woman working as hard as the men and makes the show even more attractive. You are a man of integrity and honesty and it comes across. I applaud you and want to say, keep up the great work.
Am having problems finding Mike Holmes’s book “Make It Right”. Please tell me where I can get it. Would be nice if it was autographed. thanks. Enjoy watching the program. It’s great.
DESPERATELY NEED YOUR ADVICE For the last 30 years I have had problems with
a leaking roof or ice damming. The house is a semi detached backsplit. The problem is in the valley over the kitchen area. The entire Darlingside Street in the Scarborough area starting from lot 125 to the very end of the street is experiencing the same problem. Over the years we have all reshingled this section of the roof. I just had a new kitchen put in due to this problem.
Eaves troughs have been changed twice in one year and new valleys installed.
We are in 2011 now and it has started all over again. Is it possible to have someone assess this problem. Thanking you from the bottom of my heart.
Desmond
My wife and I love your show, I am also a home improvement contractor, I get calls all the time about how the customer thought they were getting a good deal and this is what happened! The unfortunate thing is at that point they have spent all this money and now want me to fix it at half the price and make it right. I am glad that you do this show to help inform the public that “good deals” aren’t always a good deal. The problem with remodeling are the unforseen problems that need to be solved. Bad thing is, some customer’s just want us to cover it up which usually isn’t the answer and creates a bigger problem later. So everytime I see one of your episodes, I know im not alone. I recently had a customer come to me with a project in which the other guy spanned 23′ with two 2x6x16′ rafters spliced together with no beam support below. These rafters were to be both rafter and ceiling joist to create a tall ceiling without the expense of beams and supports. Our job is never dull especially when we have “The Other Guy” out there doing this.
My comment is just like comment number 29. The best of everything Mr. Holmes and for your family. Good job Mr. Holmes. I liked the episode where you gave a woman a new kitchen. Go Holmes crew!
Your program remains the sole consumer source for information. Have you thought how to enable people to address their “Contractor misadventures?”
Not just by magazine, TV Show and Lectures? A service or advocacy program?
In N J In the USA without going to the courts no avenue exists to address the mess a home owner finds himself after a misadventure with a Building Contractor. Attorneys want to sue the Architect because they have ” deep malpractice policies,” not the “Contractor or Sub contractor”. Consumer agencies within the state are no help, place a complaint and it will be considered when the same company or individual applies for a license provided they use the “same” name on their new application. Worse the governmental-private relationships often lead to an Attorney telling a would be complainant, code enforcement officers only look to see if the work is to code, i.e. not if its done right. Our case the plumbing was never “glued”! Oh, but it passed inspection. The Attorney then said if we proceeded to sue the Building department, we might not be able to reside locally. Legal action, however doesn’t address the “reconstruction of a contractors mess”. Where can one find help? Before a major catastrophe (failure of a new heating system) destroyed our just completed renovation; we through friends sought out another contractor to review the plans and inspect the final job. The result was 24 pages long, which we ran by the Architect and returned to the Contractor who then defaulted, disappeared and our mysterious flood occurred. No other contracting firm in the area wanted to come in to repair and the disaster repair companies recommended by the insurance wanted only to do “cosmetic, minimum repairs to code”. None of the other victims nor I can work through the system. We did help one another find a contractor willing (because of the economic downturn) address and fix our botched jobs. In a recent trip of the 12 couples, all 12 replied they all had poor or botched renovation experiences. One couple required by a Condo board to use only “registered approved companies” were victims over and over. A company that specialized in helping the blind consumer through this in these situations well the market is huge.
We just paid 2.5X our original budget and the renovation now nearly 6 years old lives on. Help, Mike.
Mike, If you ever need a REAL CHALLENGE, THEN I HAVE ONE FOR YOU. My husband and I have a single wide trailer on our lake lot, which we are going to expand in order to make it big enough to live in because we can no longer afford our home and will be forclosed.If we don’t get this trailer remodeled, then I will also lose my job for a prominent insurance company because I work at home.My husband will have to drive over 90 miles one way to continue his job.My husband is very handly with tools and I can also help. We watch the miracles your preform SO PLEASE HELP US. SAY OUR LIVES …
In 2003 I got a job as a contractor for the 101st, and deployed with them as a civilian. Making some extra money, My wife and I decided to put an addition on our home. We hired a local guy and he seemed to do a decnt job by putting the addition over the garage. Now I am deffinately worried. I am noticing cracks on one side of the house, and the main floor bathroom dorr is now closing by itself. I am now deffinatle afraid that the house on that side is leaning little by little and am afraid of major damage. I had a few contractors look at it and they all said its good. Im not thinking that. I have a bedroom where my stepson is using, and my home office. Its also colder that side, and had a bigger HVAC system put in but still the same. More and more I am having concerns. Mike Holmes Help me Please!!!
Love the program but the background music is tooooooo loud. When the construction crew is explaining the problems & how to solve them — music is NOT necessary to enhance the scene.
I love the Mike Holmes show; but not so much with the recent Holmes’ Inspection. I love Mike to be in the show where he’s doing the demolition as well as rebuilding it. Where and how do I find a contractor as awesome as Mike in the good old US of A?
How can we get help in the USA. Does Mr. Holmes ever go to the US? I live with my sister and she needs help, her house is one unfinished project after another all made by handymen. At this point she has been told it will cost thousands to correct/ finish everything. She doesn’t trust anyone. I would love to help her but have no clue where to start. Please help.
Hi Mike!
My step-daughter is crazy about you. I was wondering how I would go about getting a picture of you, to give to her. I wouldn’t mind a picture too! Whenever I have a contractor come in to do some work, I threaten to report them to you if they don’t “make it right!” Love watching your show and we do learn a lot from the show.
Hope we are able to get a couple of photos.
Thanks,
Marg
Is any action ever taken against home improvement contractors who do not pull permits and/or do work that is illegal and not up to code?
I recently moved to Boston from Texas. I need to find a good contractor to do some stuff to our home. Does Holmes or anyone have any recommendations.
Thanks,
Hey Mike,
Watching your show made me actually get up and inspect some parts of the house that I didn’t think twice about looking at when I bought it in Aug of 2010. I have since figured out NO WAY to get to the attig. What I thought was a cement floor under the sunken living room is dirt – no insulation and floor. My shower on the main floor wouldn’t drain and had a plumber come over, because I couldn’t get to the crawl space under it. We ended up tearing out some of the wall and found a home made disaster of an s-trap. Short Rigid 90′s with a rigid coupling. I’m getting married and we don’t have the money to “Make it Right” all at once, so I’m just going to have to hope that it all holds up tell we can correct individualy and will do so by watching your shows for clues.
Thanks
Luke
I would have liked to ask this question to Mike Holmes directly: I am in the process of putting tiles around the new bathtub. Replacing the tub was not a “fancy”, the 15 year old jet tub leaked. QUESTION: Why is a house literally built around a bathtub? Taking the old tub out is one thing =- one can cut it in half. Putting in the new tub is impossible between studs 60″ apart other than making a hole in the wall and sliding the tub in from the adjoining room. What if it was an outside wall???? Since most tubs are 58 to 59″ – either the bathroom should be big enough or the studs further apart to allow a tub being slid in or tilted at an angle and then lowered.
In other words: make the bathroom big enough and put in a clawfoot tub!!!!
Comments on this subject would be appreciated. Thank you.
Help mike is all I cam say floors sagging , bad wiring, mold no ciling pipes keep braking , we have three kids and one passed away. This is very stress full we will help we are not lazy just tired of the stress this is pretty rough 706-633-9102 thanks
Mike–please come to upstate NY!!!! We need you!!
Mike, I watch your show all the time and have learned alot. I have done several projects around the house, but my question for you when you check out a house after an inspection has been done and find so many mistakes, some that could be dangerous to the family health and welfare, is there any criminal liability for the people responsible? Is there a legal follow up?
this is not mentioned in the show. Hope to hear from you, thanks.
Mike Ilove your Show I especially got a special channel on my T.V so I wouldn;t miss any of your shows I watch you every night from 11pm-to- Midnight I live in Etobicoke a division of Ontario Canada My Daughter and her husband Tash could use your help They bought an Older home in Port Credit Ontario Tried to do most of the renos by themselves and help from us My Husband and I are up in age but we tried our best 63 and 65 yrs old He’s done pretty good on his own that is my son-in-law but now has ran into some trouble when it came to the basement it is full of mold and my daughter as since had 3 Miscarriages over all the work she has help him with demos and so on and so on Now they could really use your expertise .As for me I think your an Angel sent from Heaven the way you help all these unfortunate people that have been hurt by crooked contractor So if you can help Please contact my Daughter Tanya @the above E-Mail Thank You very much for listening to a Mom that would Love to help her children get into their home They have a 3 YR OLD THAT IS BEING GOING BACK AND FORTH FROM IN-lAWS AND AS SHE CALLS IT IS DADDY BUILDING ME MY CASTLE THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO A MOM WHO THINKS YOUR AMAZING
First…thank you for speaking out for the children of Africa! I have spent time in Ethiopia and know how desperate it is for children there.
I have a friend with litle income and is in a mess with an unethical man who did the most apauling work for her (without a contract)who is hounding her for money despite the fact that all his work has led to unbelievable disasters including a flooded basement! He refused to listen to her about digging out the foundation and waterproofing, he laid wood flooring down directly onto the concrete floor despite her objections. Everything he did was a monstrous error. She’s a single mother of three boys, here from Wales on a Student Visa, but wanted to have a home for her sons despite the financial hardship. Emotionally she has been through the ringer and I’m afraid this might be the last straw. This unconscionable man is now threatening her. What would you suggest? She is a gentle and wonderful woman who has been the victim of a domineering con man. Please Mike…any advice. Peterborough, Ontario
I have been in construction all my life, and have raised my children from it. I have always helped and done more than the bid required. Too often when bidding jobs, the homeowner only cares about the final cost, then often asks for more to be completed than the original bid. NOT ALL CONTRACTORS are crooks. Also Mike often portrays a show in a “perfect world” and has unlimited budjets. In the real world, hidden problems are not revealed until actual work starts. Mike says that all the contractor has to do is explain what is wrong, and magically the homeowner will come up with the extra money. Too often people expect a contractor to “eat the difference”. personally, I explain situations, and people comprimise. But I have seen the opposite. For those who beleave a license of any kid guarantees the work…. think again…. it’s the individual.. There are as many good licensed contractors as bad, and the same goes for any unlicensed, there are good and bad. Again, it’s the individual… BTW, I have experience in renovating homes built between 1850 and as new as 2004
Love your shows – if you ever come to Australia would love you to work on my house. Keep up the great enthusiasm for “making it right” and encouraging young people to belieive in thisn philosophy. Wish more people would take this to heart. – Annette Nelson, Lethbridge, Vic. Australia
6 th April 2011. Hi Mike, Thanks for a great show. I enjoy watching it every week from North Croydon, Victoria,
Australia. To you and all the team, keep up the great work, Cheers Diane & family.
hi mike and team,
i watch your show and its amazing!! my landlord/friend has this house and apartment its a disaster and constantly hires this man who is a man with “lots” of “construction/carpentry” knowledge and he is ruining this place!! he doesn’t have a clue to what he is doing, the more he does the more needs to be repaired and i can’t get her to listen to me to STOP having him do work. i would love for you to come here to potsdam, ny and help!!! maybe then she will see what a REAL contractor is about. i do my best to do what i can with what my dad taught me but im not a professional. please help!!!!!!!
Mike, after watching your show, my husband and I really respect your opinion. We are having a deck built on our house in North Carolina. We were going to go with one of the many composite decking materials. After reading other people’s comments, we are torn. Which would you use: Trex – or – pressure treated wood? Thanks Mike.