Holmes on Homes

[dlenkewich]

I enjoy the show.

However, I've got a few tradesmen in the family and a couple of tradesman friends and they hate HoH.

Their complaints are 3-fold:
1) The show generates a lot of mistrust towards contractors and tradesmen.

2) They hate getting told "I saw Mike do this and he did it this way". HoH shows the Cadilac of renovations. Jobs that would cost 2x as much as a normal reno. In 99% of applications minimum code is perfectly acceptable. Mike is always saying the minimum code is inadequate.

3) To be competative, they need to quote based on minimum code requirements and hate it when the homeowner expects them to do much more work or use much more expensive materials. The homeowner no-longer trusts them to do the job they've been doing for 20years because of something they saw on TV. My Tyler buddy also thinks there may be some sponsorship side-deals going on. The orange plastic material Mike uses under most tile jobs for example: It's a very expensive product and is rarely needed....and it is only sold at Home Depot who are a major sponsor of the show.

What Mike does is top quality work using top quality products. The problem is that if homes were buld this way they would literally cost 2x as much.

I like the show, but like anything in life you need to take it with a grain of salt.

Very well put.

Here's my take on mikes show although I think Everything mike does is overkill every job I've seen him do looks absolutely amazing when it's finished. It must be nice to have no limit when it comes to the products he uses so that doesn't surprise me.
I have learned many things from his show from building codes to the proper procedures when doing such project.
Just for that reason alone I will continue to watch as you never know when I will pick something up I had no clue about. Don't get me wrong I don't love the guy but I do think there's alot of people out there like me who do learn from the show.

A good example of objectifying what your watching, thats one of the biggest issues, a lot of people don't question what they are watching.

 

[BBQ&Love]

As far as Mike Holmes...I think he does hell of a job. We need more contractors like him. By the way Im a contractor and don't feel offened by anything mike has to say. He's does it right in my eyes. Any contractor who takes offence is in the wrong trade and should hang up thier tool Belt!

Thanks for sharing your opinion. Now I will share my opinion. Your statements are offensive and an insult to all the best in class contractors I have been privileged to know and who all despise the HoH show and who have nothing good to say about Mike either.

 

[Bruce4310TX]

I think the show shows a lot of typical hack work and overall he does a great job............if he ever comes to Texas he wont believe his eyes Texas has the worst home construction practices in the country. All the good contractors are out numbered 10 to 1 from all the crappy ones..

 

[tfi racing]

Love it,or hate it-you have to give old Holmes and his partners/producers the credit they deserve.They did pioneer a new style of DIY'er television programming,a brash,no holds barred,fast edited,rock and roll soundtrack program nobody ever saw before with an bare armed host who wasn't afraid to call 'em as he see's em-the hell with sensitivities and the PC BS.Almost overnight,HoH became HGTV Canada's most watched and popular shows when it debuted,now he is one of Canada's most recognized and popular celebrities.At times I do roll my eyes and question Mike's opinions,his arrogant swagger and some of his processes,but I'll take that over the whiny,pussified apologist drivel that the rest of the North American media is trying to cram down our throats.

 

[juiced10]

The shows that I viewed I was least impressed with his choice of Plumbing talent.
The one episode had a situation where he was taking the valve body apart for re use. No safety glasses no cleaning of the valve body just melt heat and reslag the stuff together, real animal stuff. The other episode was a laugher to me, The hose bibb was running out to the exterior, the piping feeding it was going too close to the electrical panel. the decision was made to move it. So the "plumber" puts a pex adapter on it and more or less straps it out of the way, essentially not even resolving the issue and potentially not even solving the problem. The whole fixture should have been relocated. It was rather sad.

This is a really good impression of Mike! So I can assume this is the real you and not playing up to the camera? Who knows who the real Mike is. It is all in the editing the producers put out.

 

[allinon72]

If customers are demanding more from their contractors due to this show, seems some better communication from contractors to their customers is likely all it would take to solve that.

 

[dirttracker18]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

If I communicated with the parents of my students the way many contractors have communicated with me I would have lost my job by now.

Make your intention and concerns known to the homeowners and educate them as to why things need or should be that way. Much less issues down the road.

 

[paranoid56]

Thanks for sharing your opinion. Now I will share my opinion. Your statements are offensive and an insult to all the best in class contractors I have been privileged to know and who all despise the HoH show and who have nothing good to say about Mike either.

i just dont get your issue here. he calls out bad contractors. bfd. all your statements make me feel like you are one of those bad contractors

knowing a few contractors myself, some dont like him and others do. the ones that do are great contractors and do things right and never cut corners. usually tell the customers straight up on costs and dont shaft people. the others, well, they are your typical contractors that you hear about on tv.

 

[BBQ&Love]

i just dont get your issue here. he calls out bad contractors. bfd. all your statements make me feel like you are one of those bad contractors

knowing a few contractors myself, some dont like him and others do. the ones that do are great contractors and do things right and never cut corners. usually tell the customers straight up on costs and dont shaft people. the others, well, they are your typical contractors that you hear about on tv.

I should have clarified that it was his last statement that I found offensive. My apologies for not being clear.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I like the show and will keep watching it. I believe there is times when Mike goes over the top on a few things and does get a bit arogant. I take that in stride as I'm sure he does get tired of finding crappy work and "more things to correct".

I think it's entertainment and educational. I would think for the most part,that a contractor would strive to never have his work appear on HOH or Holmes Inspections.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

i just dont get your issue here. he calls out bad contractors. bfd. all your statements make me feel like you are one of those bad contractors

knowing a few contractors myself, some dont like him and others do. the ones that do are great contractors and do things right and never cut corners. usually tell the customers straight up on costs and dont shaft people. the others, well, they are your typical contractors that you hear about on tv.

One of the problems that the construction industry suffers from is the invasion of sales peoples.
I'm not saying that salesmen are bad, it is the disconnect between the salesman and the true professional installer that is bad.
The salesman could give two sheets to the breeze whether a job is done correctly or not, his aspect is sales. Myself, Rifle and several of the other professional installers here are truly safety and quality driven, we choose to let quality, true quality drive the deal.
We do not sell percieved value, we want you to consider us a friend whom you can call again, we develop a relation ship with our customers.

Pay attention to how modern marketing is done. Every item from a candidate to a car to a washing machine uses next product marketing. Next product marketing uses the disguise of perception of value to compare one item to another.
In many cases they use a bash standard, if you say something ***** long enough people will just mentally associate **** with that product.

The reason a contractor would have problems with this strategy is due to the fact that you want to instill a positive relationship with the client. It is poor salesman ship to enter a long term client relation ship based upon the mistrust and hatred of another.

From the professional installers stand point it is far healthier to the over all friendship that you create with a customer to be a happy caring person. One who hopes to win the affection of the client by bashing another leaves a poor feeling with the client.

My problem with this show as it is formatted is that it leaves me with all of that negative aspect. It truly has nothing to do with Mike, it is the wording that has been designed to sell the show. I would be personally much more accepting of the show if it rearranged it's verbage towards a more positive marketing strategy. It promotes a happy world.

I could sell a car a few ways:

Buy my car because it is better than this car, look how poorly this car is built. Mine is better than this one, Blah. This other car is a hunk of ****, it's red, mine is better, it's blue blah now I show a wad of cash burning, see how much cash that other car will burn blah.

Or I could sell a car like this:

"boy Johnny this new model X is one of the best cars I have ever owned, the feel of it is great, it gets excellent fuel economy, it has plenty of zip. I just love driving it, come on by and take a test drive in it for yourself and see what I mean. And Tommy has a big happy smile on his face.

 

[texasguy]

I like the show and believe in most cases, he is correct in his assessment(s). Yes, he's a drama queen at times and my wife has not only perfected his "big sigh" but his "ok, tear it out". While he is critical of contractors, I have also seen him at times compliment the contractor or at least state it appears the contractor attempted to do it right.

I do believe in many cases, the homeowner is as much at fault as the contractor. It amazes me how often people will state they questioned the work while it was going on, knew there wasn't a permit, paid the contractor, etc. and still allowed the work to go on.

Again, it's made-for-TV and one measure of success can be by the discussion it creates. This thread alone shows the show must be reasonably successful.

 

[csp]

The reason a contractor would have problems with this strategy is due to the fact that you want to instill a positive relationship with the client. It is poor salesman ship to enter a long term client relation ship based upon the mistrust and hatred of another.

I see your point, but HOH isn't trying to sell themselves at a long term contract.

The homeowners are already unhappy and know they have a problem with prior work. They don't know how to fix it so they are looking for help. HOH isn't trying to convince them that they can come in and find problems with prior work.

The homeowners' already know that their situations are FUBAR, but usually don't know why! How in the world are they to know the specifics of their problems if it isn't explained/shown to them?

The good guys truly are few and far between, at least where I'm at. I've had to go back and correct/remove/replace plenty of work done for me by "professionals", so call me a skeptic. I don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt based on their word. Results speak volumes.

 

[venom50svt]

I like the show, I take him for what and who he is so it doesent bother me how dramatic he gets..

I feel the problems he uncovers are the result of the owner.. People give money to the contractors prior to the job.... To me that tells me the contractor does not have any money to buy supplies and or pay employees.
They are a job-to job contractor.
I feel any contractor should have sufficient funds to do a job or cover the expences for each phase. After completion of each phase he gets paid and moves onto the next phase.
Above all, The owner should be more involved in the progress. Inspect the job every day and question anything he see's that looks incorrect or just plain question the contractor... A real contractor will explain what he is doing and why, a scammer will shut the door and open it up after he has cobbed the job-----to late!!!!!.....stevo

 

[cdseven95]

People give money to the contractors prior to the job.... To me that tells me the contractor does not have any money to

Why would a contractor buy materials for a customer upfront... The customer is there to fund the job.. Not the contractor. If you are going to start a five phase job with 20k in materials for just the first phase wouldn't you need at least 20k upfront from the customer?

Easier to keep at least materials paid over cost then having to file a lein to get money back.

 

[neverenoughtools]

I like the show and will keep watching it. I believe there is times when Mike goes over the top on a few things and does get a bit arogant. I take that in stride as I'm sure he does get tired of finding crappy work and "more things to correct".

I think it's entertainment and educational. I would think for the most part,that a contractor would strive to never have his work appear on HOH or Holmes Inspections.

Well stated !

 

[venom50svt]

Ya missed the point.. That what is happening to these people. They give up their money so freeley and get a rotten job...... They don't get what they pay for, and then they say "well we need more money to continue". They have the customer by the balls because they used that money probably for the last job because they did a sucky job they probably just walked away from it.... Meanwhile the walls/rooms are gutted, which was only the cost of labor and a trip to the dump. So say thats 1500.00 or so for the removal costs-----the contractor doesent even have that!!!!!!!!! He is either pricing his jobs wrong and not making any money or he is not a business man....
There is whats called a "mechanics lean" works just like the gas station guy who doesen't get paid for the honest work. You either pay or he takes the car and it is his in 60 or 90 days..
The owner of the house has to settle with you at the time the house is sold. Usually there is an agreement before it goes that far and the contractor gets his money.....
Ever had your car fixed with a major repair???? Did you pay for the repair UP FRONT---- I don't think so........You wait for the bill AFTER the job is done...same thing.......................................................................

 

[Holedgr]

Ya missed the point.. That what is happening to these people. They give up their money so freeley and get a rotten job...... They don't get what they pay for, and then they say "well we need more money to continue". They have the customer by the balls because they used that money probably for the last job because they did a sucky job they probably just walked away from it.... Meanwhile the walls/rooms are gutted, which was only the cost of labor and a trip to the dump. So say thats 1500.00 or so for the removal costs-----the contractor doesent even have that!!!!!!!!! He is either pricing his jobs wrong and not making any money or he is not a business man....
There is whats called a "mechanics lean" works just like the gas station guy who doesen't get paid for the honest work. You either pay or he takes the car and it is his in 60 or 90 days..
The owner of the house has to settle with you at the time the house is sold. Usually there is an agreement before it goes that far and the contractor gets his money.....
Ever had your car fixed with a major repair???? Did you pay for the repair UP FRONT---- I don't think so........You wait for the bill AFTER the job is done...same thing.......................................................................

NO....NOT THE SAME THING...

You are cleary misinformed. The mechanic and the "shop" can hold the car until the mechanic's lean is paid. And can possibly be sold to pay the bill in some cases.

The contractor cannot "hold" the house and not let the homeowners use it until they pay...

This "Lien" you speak of is pretty much useless and rarely do people who actually want to stiff the contractor settle prior to the lien or threat of it. Regardless of a "judgement" against the homeowner to pay the bill due, regardless of the quality of the job, should the matter have gone to court, the contractor then has to pay a separate lawyer to COLLECT the debt, and that is usually a percentage. At least in Michigan it is this way.

In California, according to GJ member, Blue Dog, if you deliver materials to job, they IMMMEDIATELY become property of homeowner, installed or not. Blue, step in here if you please, to clarify. In Michigan, if the materials are installed, I cannot remove them for nonpayment. I could actually be charged for trespassing, destruction of private property, and theft for trying.

So......you expect contractors to front materials on every job?? Wow.

Of course, certain trades and projects should be handled differently, but to expect a contractor to front everything is unrealistic and based on the laws being written to favor the homeowner, not too many SMART, EXPERIENCED contractors are willing to do this. Hungry ones will do it to "get the job". You are the type of customer that I leave the competition to feed on.


Kind Regards,

Tony

 

[familytruckster]

I'm completely renovating a 700 sqft foreclosed home I bought to live in (not flip). Since seeing his show I keep in the back of my mind what would Holmes think of my work. I even pulled permits.

The best thing about the house is the new 1100 sqft garage that came with it.

 

[volvo]

..
...Make It Right.............................Obviously most contractors on the show couldn't.

 

[toyotadriver]

I enjoy the show.

However, I've got a few tradesmen in the family and a couple of tradesman friends and they hate HoH.

Their complaints are 3-fold:
1) The show generates a lot of mistrust towards contractors and tradesmen.

2) They hate getting told "I saw Mike do this and he did it this way". HoH shows the Cadilac of renovations. Jobs that would cost 2x as much as a normal reno. In 99% of applications minimum code is perfectly acceptable. Mike is always saying the minimum code is inadequate.

3) To be competative, they need to quote based on minimum code requirements and hate it when the homeowner expects them to do much more work or use much more expensive materials. The homeowner no-longer trusts them to do the job they've been doing for 20years because of something they saw on TV. My Tyler buddy also thinks there may be some sponsorship side-deals going on. The orange plastic material Mike uses under most tile jobs for example: It's a very expensive product and is rarely needed....and it is only sold at Home Depot who are a major sponsor of the show.

What Mike does is top quality work using top quality products. The problem is that if homes were buld this way they would literally cost 2x as much.

I like the show, but like anything in life you need to take it with a grain of salt.

The "orange plastic stuff" you mentioned above is Ditra. It is NOT only sold at Home Depots (although that's the biggest home improvement store that I know of that sells it). The parent company, Schluter, is a Canadian company so that's probably why the show uses a lot of it. It's a great product. It's expensive to purchase but it saves quite a bit of labor so it's not really much more expensive to use than using backer board.

 

[neverenoughtools]

The "orange plastic stuff" you mentioned above is Ditra. It is NOT only sold at Home Depots (although that's the biggest home improvement store that I know of that sells it). The parent company, Schluter, is a Canadian company so that's probably why the show uses a lot of it. It's a great product. It's expensive to purchase but it saves quite a bit of labor so it's not really much more expensive to use than using backer board.

When I reno'd my main bathroom, I used Kerdi on top of cement board then ceramic tile in the shower area as I doubt I'll be redoing it in the future.

 

[toyotadriver]

When I reno'd my main bathroom, I used Kerdi on top of cement board then ceramic tile in the shower area as I doubt I'll be redoing it in the future.

That's supposed to be some good stuff. I have not actually used Kerdi myself although a lot of people swear by it.

Ditra is SO easy to use and makes SUCH a stable tile surface. I love the stuff.

 

[scarrylarry]

Don't know if it's been mentioned yet but Holmes has a magazine out now.Haven't bought one yet, but it's glossy with lot's of ads.

We just recently got the DIY channel.I found a few shows on there that are decent.That guy who does the landscape one, I don't care for that guy nor the guy who hosts the Cool Tools show.What's with all the ****** drama and attitude.Makes Mike look even better.I like that Brian B. from HGTV and I think it's John DeSilva from Ten Grand in your Hand on DIY.
scarrylarry

 

[BwBrown]

I try to watch his program as often as I can. It enjoyable, especially so since I am smarter than he is...

It is always easy to trash someone who is trying to teach by example.

Truth is, I recently went through a home with the home inspector prior to being purchased by my daughter... and I found a couple items the HI would have missed - and so would I had I not just seen a couple episodes of HOH.

It's surely not gospel, but fun to watch - even get an idea or two along the way.
Bob

 

[JMartel]

I enjoy watching the show as it's educational. I've heard he's also doing a lot of work to get teenagers in Canada to consider going into the trades as there is an assumption of "not good enough for college" for trades.

Personally, I like watching Renovation Realities more because of the sheer stupidity of people who try to do their own work and get in way over their head.

 

[MScott]

Don't know if it's been mentioned yet but Holmes has a magazine out now.Haven't bought one yet, but it's glossy with lot's of ads.

He has also written a couple of books. I'm not sure of the titles, but I'm sure a search could find them.

 

[Jefflitzy]

I have watched the show. I don't anymore he pushes code so much but even he breaks it at times. Prime example - door from garage leading into basement going down stairs - not allowed in Ontario - Any door leading into house from garage must be higher due to fumes. I have seen other examples as well over the years.

 

[socapots]

are existing builds grandfathered in??
not like they are going to make thousands of people block off doors because of a new code..
Unless they were doing major structural work i can see code saying to take it out. But i have not watched the show that much.

 

[dlenkewich]

Don't know if it's been mentioned yet but Holmes has a magazine out now.Haven't bought one yet, but it's glossy with lot's of ads.

We just recently got the DIY channel.I found a few shows on there that are decent.That guy who does the landscape one, I don't care for that guy nor the guy who hosts the Cool Tools show.What's with all the ****** drama and attitude.Makes Mike look even better.I like that Brian B. from HGTV and I think it's John DeSilva from Ten Grand in your Hand on DIY.
scarrylarry

Brian Bombler(sp?), I forgot about him. Now he's fun to watch.

Quirky, knowledgable, and doesn't act like he's king Tutt. I love that show.

Bottom line, I do my best to go by 'Speak softly and carry a big stick." (Like most, I can get carried away on the web), It's a phrase I doubt Mike Holmes would know the meaning of.

A prior boss (Not the most trustworthy one) told me he went to lunch with Mike Holmes. Said he was quite 'colourful' (Likes to swear and BS), sounds like Mike would make a good drinking buddy as I like to swear and BS too. The boss said he was an alright guy, (assuming he was telling me the truth.) but his 'act' on TV is just too abrassive to watch over and over.

 

[seagravedriver]

Heck, it is TV I would love to see what ends up on the cutting room floor, so to speak. All with a grain of salt like someone else said.

If I sat back and critiqued all the fire/rescue shows on TV I would go bananas. You just can't go by what you see. And hey, I like Canada! Good beer, hockey, nice folks!

 

[dirttracker18]

I have watched the show. I don't anymore he pushes code so much but even he breaks it at times. Prime example - door from garage leading into basement going down stairs - not allowed in Ontario - Any door leading into house from garage must be higher due to fumes. I have seen other examples as well over the years.

Sorry but you are wrong on that one.

My buddy just finished his new house with an attahced garage with a door down some stairs into the basement. All done to code. Also has another leading into the main floor. Door must be fire rated and self closing.

They are getting pretty common now in new builds.

Also, welcome neighbour, well about as neighbourly as it gets in NW Ontario

 

[scarrylarry]

Here's his name-Hgtv's-Bryan Baeumler
scarrylarry

 

[SuperSocket]

I enjoy the show.

However, I've got a few tradesmen in the family and a couple of tradesman friends and they hate HoH.

Their complaints are 3-fold:
1) The show generates a lot of mistrust towards contractors and tradesmen.

2) They hate getting told "I saw Mike do this and he did it this way". HoH shows the Cadilac of renovations. Jobs that would cost 2x as much as a normal reno. In 99% of applications minimum code is perfectly acceptable. Mike is always saying the minimum code is inadequate.

3) To be competative, they need to quote based on minimum code requirements and hate it when the homeowner expects them to do much more work or use much more expensive materials. The homeowner no-longer trusts them to do the job they've been doing for 20years because of something they saw on TV. My Tyler buddy also thinks there may be some sponsorship side-deals going on. The orange plastic material Mike uses under most tile jobs for example: It's a very expensive product and is rarely needed....and it is only sold at Home Depot who are a major sponsor of the show.

What Mike does is top quality work using top quality products. The problem is that if homes were buld this way they would literally cost 2x as much.

I like the show, but like anything in life you need to take it with a grain of salt.

1) I don't trust contractors, no one should. When investing a large portion of money into a property you should always be on guard and make sure that everything is done to your satisfaction... after all, you're paying for the job. With a lot of contractors if you do not babysit them they WILL cut corners.

2) Home owners are always right. If they want it done the 2 x more expensive way, then so be it! I would rather pay twice the price than to be screwed by some minimum code.... Imagine everything in this world worked to minimum specifications.....

Oh, I'll give you some examples of minimal specifications in real life... fukushima nuclear plant.

Minimal isn't always better, you can can glue tile to bare drywall and grout over it... yes its minimal... will it hold in water time after time? No.


Mike Holmes always states that what he is doing is a lot more expensive but he would rather have it this way than go the cheap route.


3) I run from contractors giving me minimal job spec quotes.

Sponsorship? Damn, don't you guys watch any tv? These products are given to the contractor to do the builds... how else do you think he does it for free?


Oh and that orange product you're talking about, ditra, is AMAZING stuff. You wouldn't know the value of it if you have never used it or never encountered a bad leak.

 

[FilthyZ]

I find it hilarious that so many people are so hurt over one man and a tv show. It's almost as if their work has been shown on tv and has a personal vendetta against Mike Holmes. My wife and I watch his show all the time. I enjoy seeing him go out of his way to make a house "right". Yes he may use the best of the best, but what else should he use? I was always taught to do it right the first time. If you or anyone has the money for the best, why not use it?
Just like some who would gasp if you suggest they used Craftsman tools over their high prices Snap On/Mac tools. Their excuse, oh the quality is so much better. Well, the materials he uses is the Snap On of building material.

People say to do it at minimal code, WHY! Might I ask? He does it his way and it is one of the right ways to do it. Bad contractors litter the country and globe, that's inevitable. Mike preaches 1. Do your research 2. Is he licensed 3. Does he have permits, insurance, etc. 4? Referrals.

What is wrong with that? It's almost like people are out to hate on anyone that turns his trade or normal job that people do day in and day out into a successful business. People live to tear people apart, whether physically or mentally.

I think it may be time for some people to grow up and quit being a modern day scrooge. I know if I had a chance to have him and his crew inspect and fix my house, I would def jump on the chance.

I love how people want to see "cheaper" materials and minimal code performed to show the "lower" cost method. Well, make up your own show that focuses on how to do it the "getting by" way. I'm sure it will be a hit.

I'm by no means a fan boy or a nut *******; I give people credit where it is due. Truly a great show with some useful information that people can take in (vs.) other HGTV shows that basically staple fabric to everything and throw up some paint.

 

[dlenkewich]

1) I don't trust contractors, no one should. When investing a large portion of money into a property you should always be on guard and make sure that everything is done to your satisfaction... after all, you're paying for the job. With a lot of contractors if you do not babysit them they WILL cut corners.

2) Home owners are always right. If they want it done the 2 x more expensive way, then so be it! I would rather pay twice the price than to be screwed by some minimum code.... Imagine everything in this world worked to minimum specifications.....

Oh, I'll give you some examples of minimal specifications in real life... fukushima nuclear plant.

Minimal isn't always better, you can can glue tile to bare drywall and grout over it... yes its minimal... will it hold in water time after time? No.


Mike Holmes always states that what he is doing is a lot more expensive but he would rather have it this way than go the cheap route.


3) I run from contractors giving me minimal job spec quotes.

Sponsorship? Damn, don't you guys watch any tv? These products are given to the contractor to do the builds... how else do you think he does it for free?


Oh and that orange product you're talking about, ditra, is AMAZING stuff. You wouldn't know the value of it if you have never used it or never encountered a bad leak.

Perfect example of why contractors don't like the show, people pick up and spread this slanderous filth.

You're lumping a whole crowd together, but like anything else, there's more good then bad.

I certainly hope if you feel this way that you just do your own work.

BTW - A lot of people want "better" but aren't willing to pay for it.

 

[Jazz]

I have learned from the show, especially things associated with tile and bathrooms. Some of what he does might be overkill, but I have some of the problems in my house that have been seen on the shows. When I bought the house the tile in the kitchen and laundry room were brand new. In less than a year it had cracked completely across. I now know it wasn't properly installed.

Based on what I've seen I'll be doing the Ditra material in that area as well as in my new upstairs bath. I can't afford to do it twice.

Also, I'm sure some of the complaints are legit about the show, but if you do good work you shouldn't be having problems. Isn't it better to have consumers be suspect than to assume that "professionals" are always doing the right thing. I can't count the number of times on the show that no permits were issued for major additions and remodels. If people simply understand what the permits are for and how they protect the consumer that alone is worth having watched the show. Many people will find that some of the people who say they are skilled tradesmen are only slightly better than your average home DIY'er are are not professionals. Permits protect people from the few dishonest contractors giving everyone else a bad name.

 

[pprince]

I have watched the show. I don't anymore he pushes code so much but even he breaks it at times. Prime example - door from garage leading into basement going down stairs - not allowed in Ontario - Any door leading into house from garage must be higher due to fumes. I have seen other examples as well over the years.

When did that happen?

My house was built in 1989 and I have a stairwell leading to my basement in my garage. I have seen others built in the last 10 years with them.

 

[sneezer41]

I think he is pretty clear when discussing 'minimum code' He wishes they would do more, but I don't see that he trashes contractors for it.

As for the contractors complaining, have you seen the work he takes apart? Wire splices inside walls? Drains without traps? shower drain with the ABS sticking up through the tile? Supporting beams cut?

If that is work you are defending, keep on going, just please put your business name in your post so we know who to avoid. I am confident this is not what you mean.

There is no excuse for doing something wrong. Holmes rarely rips things up because they were done cheaply, but because they were wrong. He will restore to better than code. I think he is trying to lead by example in this regard, I doubt if you had a conversation with him he would say that things 'must' be done 'his way'

BTW many of his 'customers' state they did not go for the low bid. Many who have had work done know that high price has little to do with high quality.

Low price, well, there is usually a correlation there.


Truthfully, a smart contractor would give a quote for what the customer asks for, and one that is what he thinks should be done, then the decision is the customer's

 

[SuperSocket]

Truthfully, a smart contractor would give a quote for what the customer asks for, and one that is what he thinks should be done, then the decision is the customer's

Exactly.