Holmes on Homes

In response to the review by "tssmith417..." We don't see everything that goes on behind the scenes, so we don't know that Mike is doing all the changes you refer to without the owner's knowledge. For all we know, the owners give him what amounts to a blank check when they call him. I, for one, am fairly certain that the remodeling he does is done with the full knowledge and permission of the owner. Otherwise, he would probably be letting himself in for a series of suits. As far as your statement "If you'd let someone do the job right in the first place you wouldn't need to call Mike Holmes in to fix it later.," I'd like to say that this is the whole point of this show. People don't always know what to look for in a contractor, so they don't always make the best choices.

Although the show could be cut from 60 to 30 minutes, Mike Holmes consistently gives good advice throughout the series. Among that advice is how to find a good contractor, how and when to pay them, do your research and know how much you're going to pay for a specific project, and how to inspect the contractor's work. Here's the full list:

(1) Start with an honest assessment of current situation. (2) Recognize that a temporary fix is just that – temporary. (3) Rip away the external and get to the heart of all problem areas. (4) Return to the basics and focus on a good foundation. (5) Do the hard work in the beginning -- and continue with it until each task is completed. (6) Make sure each layer of subsequent work ties in to the work that came before it. (7) Stop making excuses and do the work. (8) The true cost of any decision cannot be measured simply in dollars, but must also take in to account time. (9) There is little value in appearance if it is only camouflaging structural damage. (10) A job well done is its own reward.

Mike has no tolerance for half-done workmanship and though he doesn't name names, he points out exactly where previous contractors fell short. When something has been messed up, however, Holmes is the guy you want fixing it. There's a guy much like him in my hometown; he's not cheap by any means, but he's a perfectionist and the work gets done right... once.

Okay everyone knows the story, something happens to a house and Mike and company come in and fix the problems.

Does he go out of his way to make the previous contractors look bad? Nope they do an excellent job all on their own. What Mike does however is teach people as he is fixing the problems.

Some of the homeowners it is really tough to feel sorry for, I mean if the contractor starts to ask for certified checks made in their name, or they don't have you sign a contract (contract-OR hello) then you need to be taken for every penny.

One thing I love is that Mike shows that the judicial system will actually protect the contractor regardless of negligence. One would really hope that a contractor who fails to get the required permits would be sanctioned in some way, but NOPE, it's the homeowners responsibility to get them. So when a contractor tells you that you don't need them, then it's your a** if you don't have them.

My brother-in-law was having work done on his house, a kitchen remodel, just so happens that down the street a house was having some work done on it. The building inspector was driving by saw the work being done, took a quick peek and viola, NO permits. He (my bro-in-law) was hit with fines and a cease and desist order until the permits came through. Other than being fired from the job, nothing happened to the contractor.

When he tried to sue the contractor, the court basically tossed the suit. Homeowners responsible for getting permits.

My grandfather was a contractor for over 50 years the best advice he gave me was, you have to know who to call for what you want, there is no contractor who can do everything. Sure in little projects they can do the small stuff, but with remodels, if they are the only ones on the job,something is seriously wrong.

Over the years, I've watched select episodes from various home renovation shows, and contractor shows. And except for "Bob Vila's Home Again", most of them never kept my interest, until Mike Holmes came along. I discovered the series last year (2005), and I watch faithfully every week. "Holmes on Homes" is great because Mike Holmes, his crew and many of the subcontractors clearly explain (in plain English) what they're doing and why, so that a renovation dummy such as myself can understand it.

But what I like most about Mike Holmes, is the fact that he's part of a rare breed of contractors that still care and who are true craftsmen, settling for nothing less than quality work. I love how he prefers older homes to newer homes, but my major beef is when he removes lathe and plaster and replaces them with drywall and removes old windows and replaces them with new. But other than that, he shows people what a contractor should be like. So many people have had their lives salvaged, because he came to the rescue in their home renovation disaster. On one episode, Mike and all the other crew members and subcontractors donated their time (and I think materials) to help fix a poorly constructed addition built for a family's wheelchair-bound son.

He is a true hero and this is one reality show I highly recommend!

I love this show. I especially love it when Mike gets livid at other contractors. Best of all, it's Canadian. I have learned a lot from this show. I now have the confidence to take on projects around my house. Mike also teaches us to beware of contractors and check their references. Often times, he makes mention of "Code". You should keep in mind, as with any other home improvement show, that the codes he is referring to are local to his area, which is Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Although, I am sure that Mike's building practices would meet code in just about any area of the world. Good job, Mike Holmes. I look forward to seeing more of you and your show.