Holmes on Homes - My Take

[kbs2244]

Yeah,
I set myself up.
But it was true.

 

[oldgoat]

While I would much rather watch him than extreme home makeover I do agree that he does seem to come across as Mr. Perfect. To his credit though I understand that many times he has paid for part of the repairs out of his own pocket and gone to court to testify against the contractors.

 

[Crooked Beat]

Not everything Holmes does is correct. In one of his first shows he rebuilt a retaining wall. After the show was filmed, it was discovered that the wall was on the city easement.

Wall had to come down and rebuilt (this was the 3rd time!) . That goof was NOT filmed nor discussed.

Wait to you see the house that was completely demolished and rebuilt with hi-tech energy savings and features. Even included an elevator!

 

[tdkkart]

While I would much rather watch him than extreme home makeover I do agree that he does seem to come across as Mr. Perfect. To his credit though I understand that many times he has paid for part of the repairs out of his own pocket and gone to court to testify against the contractors.

I think he's fairly genuine though. He could go in, tear apart your basement and then say "this isn't bad enough for TV" and walk without doing anything.
As it is, at least by appearances, he really doesn't know for sure what he's gonna find till he rips stuff apart. He finds nasty stuff behind walls that obviously haven't been torn apart before, so he's going in blind in alot of cases.

I like the show, and I admire what he does, too bad his reach can't be wider.

 

[hmbemis]

I've watched several times and I think he comes off a little self-righteous...like he's the ONLY guy in the world who does it right..

I've seen maybe 8-9 episodes total.

In his defense, I think the premise of the show is that he's called in after a botched contractor job... so the theme is that he comes in and fixes someone else's mistakes.

Though I agree, I have yet to see him say that anyone has done a decent job on anything... I recall one show where they tear out a stall shower, basically everything was fine, he was tearing out because he couldn't match up some tile or something silly, but chose to critiqus the heck out of the original shower installers work, taking time to point out all these details during deconstruction, meanwhile if you watch what they did putting it back together it was effectively the same things.

I like his show better then others because I feel like he shows you far more of the technical stuff then other shows.

 

[tfi racing]

That's my one issue with Canada from what I've seen on the show - seems even more heavily regulated than the States. One one hand I know it's about safety, but OTOH I'm gonna do what I want to with my property.

Canada is as varied with rules,inspections and enforcement as it is with its topography and weather.Just minutes away from my house,they are introducing building permits and building inspections for the first time in history,much to the chagrin of the people who live in those areas!You may think that is in the middle of nowhere in the BC wilderness,but on a clear day you can see Vancouver,a city of three or so million people, which is only two hours on the freeway from Seattle...

 

[bop_pa]

Well let me preface my comment by saying I like the show and watch it often. However, I wonder how much of the drama is really real. To me it seems they play stuff way too much to the hilt. Half the sob stories are really stupid people stories. The other half don't even seem like victims to me. And I for one would really like to get the contractors side of these stories. He blasts the contractors religiously, but I often think there is more to the story that either Mike Holmes does not know, want to know, or care to know. Some of these people just seem like con artists themselves. Mike Holmes goes overboard too. I have seen him point about a bunch of stuff and really play it up as some major defect when he could find nothing else. He has a vested interest in finding defects. Then he always over builds and over decorates. I am sure this is far more then what the home owners ever where willing to pay the first contractor for. Heck we all know people that will say "only do the minimium, I don't want to pay for anything more." Heck I wouldn't be surprised if people would even say, "I don't want it done that way, I only want this work done." Again, I would like to see the contractors side of the whole story....but that will never happen because Mike would not be able to claim he only wants to help people....blah blah blah.

 

[Skin]

Well let me preface my comment by saying I like the show and watch it often. However, I wonder how much of the drama is really real.

I'm sure its all real, certainly before he made american prime time tv. Theres a lot of scumbags out there who will take your money and half *** a job. You can see it all the time in auto repair and restoration, not sure why contracting would be any different, especially with who knows who "helping" the contractor.

 

[TOOLS4WORK]

Dont you think the fact of the matter is that if the original contractor went to install a sink , shower ,vanity , ect and did the demo and found major problems that are hidden , it would just cost extra as a added on part of the quote
there are lot of bad or even rip off contractors but alot off the work they get is people just shopping price

 

[Justanoldguy]

There is an awful lot of "Tall Poppy" syndrome in this thread.
Is it really human nature to assume the worst in whoever it is that is helping others.
So what if the guy is making a name for himself and a few bucks on the side.
Do you guys really find it necessary to try and knock him off his perch?
I see it in all walks of live where someone is genuinely trying to do a good turn for someone and there are a bunch of negative nongs trying to diss him.
JM2CW
.

 

[walrus]

I think he's fairly genuine though. .

So do I, seems like a good guy to work for. If you are willing to learn, he is willing to teach. I wouldn't mind working on some jobs with him

 

[gesoffen]

I'm not sure if this is still the case, but one of the earlier shows was a reconstruction of a basement bathroom owned by a cousin of my wife. According to her, the owner had to pay one half of the cost of the reconstruction. I doubt that this is the case in all instances though, especially where the owners are destitute.

The Schluter Ditra you're referring too can be expensive (~$1.25 to $2 a sqft depending on bulk qty an source) depending on your point of view. However, compared to having to rip a tile job up due to cracking grout/tile and repair or replace - its cheap insurance. With modern (post 1970s) north american construction methods, many structures are not nearly as rigid as they used to be so these types of membranes are especially needed on the typical joist & plywood floors to prevent cracking grout and/or popping tiles. I've even found it beneficial on concrete floors as a thermal break (keeps your toes a few degrees warmer).

I've used Schluter products several times and have always thought they were worth the money invested.

Now regarding his show, I do enjoy it. My take is he goes over the top to prove a point and provide a demo for the TV audience. It wouldn't be that interesting of a show of he was called in to fix a slow draining bath tub and all he did was run a drain snake! As with everything on TV these days, there has to be a little showmanship and a little drama to cater to the mass audience. I'm definately not a fan of the drama but I would be lying if I said I haven't learned a few new tricks or design ideas from his show.

If his goal is to increase minimum code as a previous poster mentioned, then I do have to give him a few more props as I too believe the minimum code isn't satisfactory. For example my local county still allows greenboard drywall in wet areas. I can tell you from experience that tile and grout is not an effective water/moisture barrier and you WILL have mold, tile pops and grout cracks with in a few years if not a few months. Do it right, do it once.

To the argument that many of his techniques would drive the basic house up to McMansion prices, I think that would be true if you went over the top on finish materials as he does (granite counters, exotic wood floors, etc). However, I think a lot of the minimum code upgrades he seems to be pushing would probably save a homeowner in the long run due to decreased utility/maintenance costs and less likely hood of having to repair/replace failed systems.

 

[ddawg16]

I did some research on his show.....I lot of people have asked the same question, who pays for the stuff.

Well....the show pays for apx 80% of the work....when possible they get sub contractors to 'donate' their services and materials in exchange for advertising....yea, I know.....that advertising thing.....but if you were a tile layer....and got a chance to get pretty broad advertising for the cost of one job, wouldn't you do it?

Case in point....my wife and I did an episode for HGTV's Weekend Warrior about 9 years ago....I needed a extension table for my Ryobi table saw....buying it would have taken longer to get it than when when the shooting was going to start....I called Ryobi...told them my issue....they sent one out for free.....and Ryobi's name was never mentioned in the show....but everyone who watched it sure saw a lot of Ryobi stuff being used....

Yea, there does seem to be a bit of 'drama' for the benifit of the camera....but, hey, who wants to watch a boring show....I just filter that stuff out and watch the tear down and rebuild....then change channels when the home owners come in to see it all...

I really would like to hear the other side....maybe they should start another show about how they go after the bad contractors.....call it "Contractor Cops"?

 

[ddawg16]

To the argument that many of his techniques would drive the basic house up to McMansion prices, I think that would be true if you went over the top on finish materials as he does (granite counters, exotic wood floors, etc). However, I think a lot of the minimum code upgrades he seems to be pushing would probably save a homeowner in the long run due to decreased utility/maintenance costs and less likely hood of having to repair/replace failed systems.

Agree with you on all points.....kinda like the rebuilt part for you engine...you can use a cheap part from Kragen and replace it 3 times under warranty...or use a quality part and not worry about it.

As far as granit....we actually stoped our kitchen remodel (finishing the counter tops and back splash) after my wife did her mom's kitchen and used granit...the granit was so much nicer that we figured it was better to not spend another cent until we could do it right. Granit is one of those things that might be high end...but you get great long term results. In other words, it's actually a good value over all.

 

[logical]

I'm embarrased for my gender sometimes when the husbands on the show seem completely baffled by even the most simple elements of construction...like a deer in headlights.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I watch the show when I can. Sometimes he does go over the top, but it's only to an added benefit to the homeowner. He does have a good attitude with "make it right"

 

[StingRay]

So he screwed up admitted it and went back and made it right. That makes him human and as good as they come. The measure of a man isn't that he makes no mistakes it what he does about them and what he learns from them.

Not everything Holmes does is correct. In one of his first shows he rebuilt a retaining wall. After the show was filmed, it was discovered that the wall was on the city easement.

Wall had to come down and rebuilt (this was the 3rd time!) . That goof was NOT filmed nor discussed.

Wait to you see the house that was completely demolished and rebuilt with hi-tech energy savings and features. Even included an elevator!

 

[Crooked Beat]

He did not admit the mistake on his tv show. It was never discussed.

 

[R6 Racer]

Why should it have been? He fixed it, no questions.
The true worth of a man is not, does he make mistakes (we all do!) It's how much hassle he does or doesn't cause & how well does he fix it when he does!

 

[BigE]

I like the show Holmes seems like a genuine guy. I, too, believe he goes over the top, but if he were to show up at my door to 'fix' my house, I wouldn't complain about spray foam, etc.
I'm glad you guys mentioned the young girl(s). I swear I've seen at least two different ones. He never identified them as his daughters or anything else. However, I did see him claim his son on one episode. Are these young, hot, seemingly construction-illiterate girls his daughter(s)? Any one know how they would feel about moving down South?

 

[Colin-Roberts]

he talks about his son all the time now, i've never seen the girls? theres different ones besides pinky?

 

[walrus]

theres different ones besides pinky?

Theirs a blond who likes to wear tank tops and she looks good in them

 

[Striker]

So basically the wall was built correct, but somehow it was built on the city's easement? Sounds like someone misread the plans or perhaps the city didn't mark the easement very well.

 

[Dark Horse]

Mikes Daughter works in the office, has been on the behinds the scenes episode, and a cameo in one other episode, Corin ("Pinky") and Kate are the 2 Girls, the rest of the current crew is, Damon, Adam, Mike Jr., Matt, Carl, Peter, & Uncle Bill

 

[lilredex]

I'm embarrased for my gender sometimes when the husbands on the show seem completely baffled by even the most simple elements of construction...like a deer in headlights.

Let's face it, there are guys around that wouldn't know which end of a screwdriver to use, (and really don't want to know). That's them you see. But, they excel in other fields that may not interest us so much. Personally know a few of them....................

 

[Nosman]

Pinky has been gone for a while now, but Mike's other daughter Sherry is with them now, as well as Kate. His daughter Mandy works in the office as well as Admin'ing the website.

 

[DaleK]

Yep. He's sticking with family members more on the Holmes Inspection show (Adam is married to the other daughter that works off camera).

Sherry was also on the finale of the last Handyman Superstar Challenge helping one of the challengers.

 

[Crooked Beat]

So basically the wall was built correct, but somehow it was built on the city's easement? Sounds like someone misread the plans or perhaps the city didn't mark the easement very well.

Wall was very very well built. I used this episode as a guide for my 60 foot long retaining wall. But the Holmes crew misread the lot lines and easements.

He does good deeds:
http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/canada/article/583990--celebrity-fix-it-guy-tackles-native-housing