471 replies to this topic

[MrWhyt]

Love this show. I wish I had a ton of money to hire Mike to build my dream home. I'd like to know how the reconstruction is financed. I know for some work Mike has said that he needs $X from the homeowners to make it right (like with the Holms for the Holidays episode he needed $100k from the homeowners (who were originally charged $250k for an estimated $750k job)), I'm guessing almost all of the materials are gratis from sponsors but what about the labour and the fees for specialists (structural engineers etc)? Anyone know?

[Sammie5]

Oh, I love this show too, and love Mike. He is such a crusader! I am also very curious about the money part.

On that Christmas special, I thought he said that he needed an extra $100K for materials. He kept saying that the homeowners couldn't afford the "real" price of the construction, it would have bankrupted them. He also mentioned having to hire the new guy for the stucco. So my theory is, they pay for materials. The cost of his guys is covered by the show. And then if they need to call in an extra specialist, that sometimes costs more. I bet a lot of the trades donate time in exchange for promotion. That house was in Burlington, and they gave enough credit to people like the furnace guy, and the stair guys, that I took note of who they were. (I'm in Hamilton, right next door, and kept trying to figure out where that house was.)

[lagendyk]

I like the fact that Mike doesn't just fix shoddy contracting work, he is also trying to change the system that lets crooked contractors get away with robbing their clients. I saw an episode where Mike testified in Small Claims against a contractor who had done terrible work (on kitchen cabinets, IIRC). Also, in another episode, a politician spoke about he and Mike were trying to get the law changed so that contractors who rip people off can be prosecuted.

[tundrachik]

Love, love, love this show. It is pretty much the only show the Mr. and I watch together. We usually note the time in each episode when Mike declares "its all coming down" - high fives in the living room. It could be turned into a drinking game. I usually cheer when Shaun and Benji make their first appearance too. So giddy when this season jumped to 1hr episodes from .5hr ones. Weeeeeeeee

I wish names of the deadbeat contractors could "accidently" appear on air. On the down side, the Mr. and I are leary of buying a house and not having Mike around to give it the once over. I hope there are more "Mikes" out there when we need one. We live in a federal gov't employee rental that Mike would declare "its all coming down" in under 10 minutes (mould, moisture, insulation, electrical etc.). We are learning what not to buy and what to look for.

[bittersweet]

Love the show. Love Mike even more. He looks so huggable. Shaun is cute.(psst girls tradesmen are good catches.) The things you learn about crappy workmanship. Mike also tells you the minimum code and then excedes it. His electrical guy is steamed enough to go hunting down someone to pull their certification in the most recent episode. Unlike most contractors, Mike also has a good sense of esthetics and interior design for the finishing touches. Do our southren neighbours get anything like this?

[sunnish]

This show is excellent. I have a lot of respect for Mike and the way that he just knows the way a house is supposed to be built, and the anger towards rip-off contractors. In the last episode with the guy who wanted his kitchen redone I was hoping we would see a follow-up with the electrician and other workers who left the house as a fire hazard. I believe this is the ep you are referring to, bittersweet.

[BassettCase]

I found Mike's forum!! Yay!!

This and Lost are the only shows that the Mr. will watch with me. Great show, but I thought last night's episode, Two Steps Back wasn't as great as most of the past episodes. I enjoy the home interior issues a lot more.

I also walked past Mike last week when he was in my city and I was just too shy to yell, "It's all coming down, Mike" as I past him in our office building lobby which is under renovations. He probably never gets tired of hearing that!

[tuxedosforhobos]

It must be nice to be Mike Holmes. How can you not love this guy? And I think he's got to be only guy who looks sexy wearing overalls. Those arms! Yowza! I love me some Shaun too. I can never figure out who pays for the work that Mike and his crew does. Does the homeowner cover it all? Or does the show pay for it? Apparently this show is now on in England, New Zealand, and Australia. It was also nice to see Mike on the Canada For Asia Tsunami relief telecast.

[MrWhyt]

, Two Steps Back wasn't as great as most of the past episodes. I enjoy the home interior issues a lot more.

The only problem that I have with the show is that with its switch to a full hour length some of the "stories" still feel like they could be covered in 1/2 hour. This episode was one of those.

Edited by MrWhyt, Jan 23, 2005 @ 9:54 PM.

[tundrachik]

Hi all. Just watched the "Two Steps Back" episode. Makes me wonder.

Did Mike just tack on the whole "piece of crap dormer removal" portion to the concrete stairs project? If a contractor did that to me, I probably would question his motives. Granted they were pieces of crap barely plunked on the roof, but still. Maybe it was a late script change/add-on and just seemed fragmented? How much scripting can go into reality fix-it TV? ::scratching chin, looking skywards and pondering::

Anyway, the reveal looked nice, but did anyone notice the tall skinny tree in the flower bed behind the lantern thingy? The leaves looked all dried and shrivelled up, like it had been frozen or never watered. It really stood out against the green grass and flowers. Hmmm? That is all, as you were.

[feb2772]

Anyway, the reveal looked nice, but did anyone notice the tall skinny tree in the flower bed behind the lantern thingy? The leaves looked all dried and shrivelled up, like it had been frozen or never watered. It really stood out against the green grass and flowers. Hmmm? That is all, as you were.

Yes, I noticed immediately and pointed it out to my husband. It looked to me like it was beyond watering.

[tundrachik]

Just watched "Window well to hell", holy freaking electrical disaster. Mike and Co. spent about 10 minutes pulling out crazy, deadly wiring. That is terrrifying. The Mr and I are surfing for real estate and now when ever I see "new reno" in the property description I cringe. Sigh.

Mike mentioned that Shawn just returned from his honeymoon. Does anyone know what Mike's status is? I know he has a son, cuz he has been on the show. Is there any else to know? Married, other kids, etc. He is rather a mystery.

[feb2772]

Mike mentioned that Shawn just returned from his honeymoon. Does anyone know what Mike's status is? I know he has a son, cuz he has been on the show. Is there any else to know? Married, other kids, etc. He is rather a mystery.

I noticed that Shawn seemed cleaned up a bit more than usual.. clean shaven and all. I told my husband that he must have been at a wedding or something recently. Then about a minute later, Mike said that Shawn had gotten married.. *grin*

I'm pretty sure that we've seen another of Mike's sons in an older episode. I can't remember his name, but I'm sure he wasn't the same son as we saw recently. At the end of that Christmas episode, I remember Mike saying that he was going to spend Christmas Eve with his kids. He didn't mention a wife, so I assumed he's divorced or something like that.

[SimoneX]

'Window well hell' episode - what freakin' colour did they paint that basement? I would go blind if I had to be in that place for 15 minutes. But Mike and crew did a beautiful job. I love this show, I'm really learning a lot.

[tundrachik]

I'm pretty sure that we've seen another of Mike's sons in an older episode. I can't remember his name, but I'm sure he wasn't the same son as we saw recently.

Another of Mike's sons? I have only noticed one ep. that his kid appeared in. How many kids does he have? I watched a re-run of "Kitchen Coleslaw" over the weekend and Mike brings in his son, Mike, to help. Mike, Mike and Benji kind of have a tile install race.

There was a second or two that made me sit up and rewind the PVR. When they were installing the French/patio doors, it appeared that the threshold that would be beneath the doors was all crumbly and rotten. I was shocked that there was no mention of it or its removal and replacement. I get that in the world of TV, with editing and filming, activities are not carried out in the order that they appear on the show. For that renovation I hope the threshold was removed when they ripped up the flooring. If not yikes, bad Mikey.

PS. I love how that they cuss on the show but instead of a "bleep" they run the saw or drill to cover the words - too funny. Really noticed it when they were installing the skylight and Shaun was mimicking Mike in a Bubbles-esque (Trailer Park Boys) voice. heh heh heh with the "construction sounds bleepage".

ETA: Woo Hoo page 2

Edited by tundrachik, Mar 1, 2005 @ 2:49 PM.

[emcc]

HGTV announced during the epi last night that HOH is going to a 90 minute format. I didn't catch what the date is that starts, anyone?

Yay my tv boyfriend will be available for 90 minutes at a time! [/shallowness]


On a serious note, it is unbelievable how much I have learned from watching this show. Especially about when to get permits!

[MrWhyt]

HGTV announced during the epi last night that HOH is going to a 90 minute format. I didn't catch what the date is that starts, anyone?

I think its late April, I forget the date but do remember that it was a Sunday.

Another of Mike's sons? I have only noticed one ep. that his kid appeared in.

He has at least one other son. The one helping him with the tiling was early teens and the other one was late teens early twenties (but i am generally horrible at judging peoples ages). I can remember another episode where he brought in a young son and put him to work screwing down a subfloor, I think it was the same one who helped with the tiling.

Edited by MrWhyt, Apr 1, 2005 @ 10:02 PM.

[tundrachik]

MrWhyt

"90 Minute Mike" starts this Sunday. I just set the PVR tonight for it. Hope it is complete new shows, not shows re-worked to air new footage.

Huh. Last night's epi had no Shaun in it. And, no battle cry of "It's all coming down". Totally screwed with my drinking game!!

[devajd]

YOUR TV boyfriend? Mike is MINE sistah!

I love Holmes on Homes. It's amazing, and it was great to read here that it's been sold overseas. I, too, have learned so much from it. It makes me scared to look for a house now and think of what might be lurking behind the walls.

Is it vapour barriered? What kind of supports did you use? What kind of wiring? Do homeowners even know that kind of stuff? Aah!

[tundrachik]

It makes me scared to look for a house now and think of what might be lurking behind the walls.

Devajd - are you in house hunting mode? One would hope a new house would be good to go, but we know better now. ::sigh:: To bad we can't clone Mike and take him with us when doing a walk through.

"90 Minute Mike" starts this Sunday. I just set the PVR tonight for it. Hope it is complete new shows, not shows re-worked to air new footage.

Turns out it is 1 hour long show followed by a half hour show. All repeats. Bummer.

[emcc]

Turns out it is 1 hour long show followed by a half hour show. All repeats. Bummer.

TundrachikI saw that was the case too, which is too bad but any HOH I can get is a good thing.

I really worry about doing any renovations now at the house, but I have started to check out the show website to see if any of the contractors he uses have people in my area. The show's homes are all in the GTA, but I'm hoping London might be close enough for some of the contractors.

Wouldn't working as an apprentice or gopher on this show be awesome? I would love the opportunity to learn from these guys, not that I would be a contractor or anything but they all seem to enjoy passing on their knowledge.

That would be an awesome contest they could have! Win a chance to work with them and learn about what they do.

[BassettCase]

I could have sworn that I've seen every episode this season. But reviewing the episode list on Mike's website, I see I missed "Best Laid Plan". Oh well, I should be able to catch it in reruns.

Wow, 90 minute shows. I hadn't heard about that. I think Mike could handle the time no problem.

I don't think I've ever seen that orange dimple membrane ever laid down anywhere else. Makes me wonder when my shower and tile floors are going to kick the bucket.

ETA: Just checked the HOH website and there won't be 90 minute shows. It is just a TV line-up gimmick of a 1-hour show followed directly by a 30 minute show.

Edited by BassettCase, Apr 21, 2005 @ 4:17 PM.

[MrWhyt]

Holy crap today's place was a disaster. Hopefully the homeowners have a good lawsuit against the contractor and inspectors.

[tundrachik]

Even more holy crap. The April 24 episode was the first part of a 2 parter. I couldn't believe it - the whole freaking hour was spent discovering the house's faults. From the leaking roof, with snow in the rafters, all the way down to a leaking, sinking foundation.
This Thursday, HGTV is to air the 2nd part. My PVR is screwing up and had listed the title wrong - or it is hooped at the sat. provider's end???

I am getting more and more anxious about buying a house. This will be the first home for either of us and I am ready to go fetal on the floor and eat my hair. There does not seem to be a difference in a used or new home - crap seems to know no bounds. Seeing the crapola that Mike and Co. go in and deal with makes one want to remain a renter!!!

[BassettCase]

So, $125,000 fix-up + $70,000 original cost for complete crap renovation = $195,000. I was almost crying for Mike at the end of the first episode when he realized what a terrible job he was dealing with. If only there was a way to warn other homeowners/potential victims about that particular contractor!

[lostdwarf]

If you're seriously looking for a home, I think the Holmes on Homes website has a list of a few things to look out for. Plus, get yourself a good home inspector from a reputable firm. I remember Holmes saying that you should always get your home inspected. Thank God I listened because I almost bought this place with shoddy wiring and bad duct work. You wouldn't believe the crap people will do to apartments.

My inspector told me that because the duct was vented incorrectly, if any of the lint got stuck, it could burn the entire apartment building down.

And I think we should start a harem for Mike Holmes. Otherwise, we'll be kicking each other's butts.

[Samhain7]

For those of you interested, there is a Forum authorized by Mike dedicated to Mike and to helping home owners by having discussions and answering questions.

www.mikeholmesfanforum.com

Feel free to stop by.

-SH

[Funkycat]

Sticking my nose into this one. Can't resist.

On a personal note...
Mike has two kids - a son and a daughter. The 'two' sons mentioned here are one in the same...Mike Jr. He matured quite a bit in between the appearances, eh? At 6'2", he's taller than his dad, slightly.

Mike is divorced, and is 41. I believe his birthday is in August IIRC. What did he have for breakfast today? Sorry folks, that's confidential.

A special note to Tundrachick - if you are seriously shopping for a house and find something you like, a good home inspector can be your best friend. You should do your research first and check out their qualifications though. They are not all created equal. Unfortunately. Oh, and if you see or hear the words "renovated" or "improvements" and the place holds some promise, it's within your rights to have a work permit search done prior to purchase. I believe you can go back five years. If they list improvements/reno and there aren't any permits on record, back away. Don't get taken.

Bye

[tundrachik]

I rec'd a email today with the HGTV fall lineup. New epis of HOH start in November 2005. No date given at this time , so watch your listings.

Hope y'all had a good summer. We bought a house and the inspector said it is great. The previous owners left behind every possible receipt, invoice and manual for everything in the house. They even left us a letter with the garbage collection day and stuff like that. I can only hope every home purchase will be this good.