[Magnettica]

I wish HGTV would quit advertising new episodes of H on H and then show an episode from 5 years ago.

 

[Worm Drive]

I'm not familiar with the Johnsons. Where can I see them?

In 1990.

 

[Tinstaafl]

I'm not familiar with the Johnsons. Where can I see them?

In 1990.

:laughing:

'Scuse me while I fire up my Wayback machine. :thumbsup:

 

[Fence]

just bought a holmes on holmes magazine. havent read it yet but looks interesting.

 

[jfikentscher]

They should show what the true cost of the original job was, and then the retail cost of Mike's renovation. Yeah he makes it right but at what cost. Clients watch this and then want it all for a bargain cost. That's what gets most of the show's homeowners in trouble in the first place, they hired the cheapest contractor and wonder why he cuts corners.

 

[cwatbay]

I like it and here's why

I have just started watching Holmes on Homes for the last 3 or 4 months, mostly cus I'm a C10 in CA, and it's been pretty damn slow. But that is beside the point.

Ok, so Mike's a blow-hard, a lot of stuff is staged, clients don't have to pay for it, he does stuff that may or may not be right cus everyone's got a slightly different way of doing it (while still in code). I really don't care that he's a spokesperson for Home Depot or gets all his stuff for free.

Here's why I like the show: (mostly saying stuff we can't cus no one believes us - and -- it sounds unprofessional to bad mouth other contractors):

1) He runs roughshod over cheap ass contractors and unlicensed hacks that not only take off with the money, the job usually has to be torn down and restarted.
2) It shows how gullible and naive HO's are when it comes to hiring a "professional" contractor. They go strictly by price and false promises, and/or, they go with some unknown guy who was recommended by someone else - no background check, no looking at other work, no asking for references
3)It shows how it takes a hell of a lot more work to fix a bad job, rather than doing it right the first time.
4) His lectures on hiring the best contractor you can, how specialists know their job and how to do it right, and that none of this is cheap.

Yes, the message is repetitive. It does get tiring, especially if you watch shows both in the morning and at night. But here's the thing:

• It's the message that is getting out to HO's
• It's the showing of pro's at work and what the HO needs to look for
• It's the consequences of being a "craigs list" oriented consumer

Regardless of the fact that Mike may or may not be licensed himself, or , the fact that another crew comes in and does all work. Who cares ? Ok, so us legitimate contractors may care about the "real" Mike Holmes and what goes on behind the scenes --- but try telling all that to the HO. They don't care --- they only believe what they see. And, I don't argue with the finished message.

 

[ApgarNJ]

I became a fan of his on Facebook and wrote on his wall, It's ok to use Nails to frame mike! just use ringshanks. much faster too.

he screws everything, that is so lame.

i also so the other day where a garage was under living space, they tore the drywall down from the ceiling and the garage ceiling was framed down so it wasn't so high leaving a dead space between the living space floor joists and the actual ceiling joists of the garage. he spray foam against the living space but never covered it. that is a no no. any fire entering that area would just bring that house down to the ground.

i'd like to see the video of a house burning to the ground that has spray foam in all the walls and roofs. i bet that is a site to see! talk about acceleration.

you should see all the people on his FB page that are asking for help with their house.

 

[scrapecc]

I watched him redo a stoop the other day. Wow. He dug a hole that was 6 feet deep. at least 3 wide and another 5 or six long. Then proceeded to fill it with concrete. What a nightmare thats gonna be. I wonder how long before his "super footing" sinks.

 

[JumboJack]

I watched him redo a stoop the other day. Wow. He dug a hole that was 6 feet deep. at least 3 wide and another 5 or six long. Then proceeded to fill it with concrete. What a nightmare thats gonna be. I wonder how long before his "super footing" sinks.

I saw that..It was a LOT of crete.

 

[scrapecc]

With the steps could be 6 to 7 yards. Not many soils can handle that kind of weight. Lol i was like no way. They are even vibrating it. Why would you do need to consolidate the concrete in that application.

Anyway I am glad more than one person saw that and raised an eyebrow.

 

[Bobby_G]

That dude totally stole my look. I've been rocking the coverall + sleeveless shirt look since '86.

Ahh, who am I kidding. There was probably countless before me that did the same thing.

 

[sean45]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Bravoooooo
the real world is people go with lowest prices and they do not care about licensing tradesmen to do the job.
and after all he runs a TV show. with lots of $$$$$
Sean

Don't get me started on Mike. It's a pet peeve of mine.:furious:

Ok, to be fair, he does fairly good work, uses licensed trades, goes for permits, etc. In other words he runs a legit outfit.

The biggest plus is that he is getting the word out to the public to not hire these "hacks". On that point, I tip my hat to him.

He works in the GTA (greater Toronto area) has his own forum, Dewalt loves him, etc. Mike is doing very well promoting Mike.

Here's my beef - He goes on and on about how important it is to use quality, licensed trades. But he holds no license himself. He is not a licensed carpenter, and actually, he is not allowed to do any work himself.

He probably has a GC license, which clearly states - all work to be done by licensed trades. That leaves him out!

So when you see him swinging his hammer, he's breaking the law.

I went onto his forum and asked about this. Big mistake! They cut me a new one, and wouldn't address the question.

So here, I'll ask Mike again - If you really know your stuff, go and write your exams Mike. I'm betting you don't pass.

 

[sean45]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
%100 agreed
that is first thinking it comes to very tradesmen minds when you watch his show.

They should show what the true cost of the original job was, and then the retail cost of Mike's renovation. Yeah he makes it right but at what cost. Clients watch this and then want it all for a bargain cost. That's what gets most of the show's homeowners in trouble in the first place, they hired the cheapest contractor and wonder why he cuts corners.

 

[within an inch]

My very first day on a framing job I asked my boss where my Impact driver & screws are? I told him how are you supposed to fasten the studs to the top & bottom plates? I will never forget the look on his face! lol Lets just say it was a long walk around the job site trying to find the Goddam board stretcher hahaha I caught on real quick. Holmes on homes is fantasy land. Tv will never show how the REAL WORD IS...

 

[festerized]

 

[woody1]

Anyone else think it's a little funny that every girl that works for him has a tongue ring? I wonder if they were provided by Dewalt...

 

[macc4644]

He does an entertaining TV show. No one can be a jack of all trades. It is as you know how you conduct yourself and who you surround yourself with. I see it educating consumers which some trades-people would find insulting and unfortunately he is educating some trades-people which is alarming as well.

I'm not a carpenter but I had seen a show where he was doing underlayment in a basement and it did not appear to be an ideal solution. But we all can nit pick each others work. But it is a decent show. Beats the amateur designer shows where the TV people are screwing up peoples houses.

I dunno, Gus, I've only seen bits and pieces, but what have seen him is do is questionable at times.

All of those hosts are unwatchable as far as I'm concerned. You can tell when a producer just told them "you need to show the audience how to do this" and it's clear the host themselves have no idea what they are doing.

 

[macc4644]

Great post..........!

I have just started watching Holmes on Homes for the last 3 or 4 months, mostly cus I'm a C10 in CA, and it's been pretty damn slow. But that is beside the point.

Ok, so Mike's a blow-hard, a lot of stuff is staged, clients don't have to pay for it, he does stuff that may or may not be right cus everyone's got a slightly different way of doing it (while still in code). I really don't care that he's a spokesperson for Home Depot or gets all his stuff for free.

Here's why I like the show: (mostly saying stuff we can't cus no one believes us - and -- it sounds unprofessional to bad mouth other contractors):

1) He runs roughshod over cheap ass contractors and unlicensed hacks that not only take off with the money, the job usually has to be torn down and restarted.
2) It shows how gullible and naive HO's are when it comes to hiring a "professional" contractor. They go strictly by price and false promises, and/or, they go with some unknown guy who was recommended by someone else - no background check, no looking at other work, no asking for references
3)It shows how it takes a hell of a lot more work to fix a bad job, rather than doing it right the first time.
4) His lectures on hiring the best contractor you can, how specialists know their job and how to do it right, and that none of this is cheap.

Yes, the message is repetitive. It does get tiring, especially if you watch shows both in the morning and at night. But here's the thing:

• It's the message that is getting out to HO's
• It's the showing of pro's at work and what the HO needs to look for
• It's the consequences of being a "craigs list" oriented consumer

Regardless of the fact that Mike may or may not be licensed himself, or , the fact that another crew comes in and does all work. Who cares ? Ok, so us legitimate contractors may care about the "real" Mike Holmes and what goes on behind the scenes --- but try telling all that to the HO. They don't care --- they only believe what they see. And, I don't argue with the finished message.

 

[Bastien1337]

Theres a show in the UK thats called rogue traders thats been on for about 10 years that shows you the mess some companys can leave you in after the job, ripping you of for the job and so on. they even confront the people who done the work asking them why certain bits are the way they are. Great show.

Check this guy out

I know is old, but I watched this video and I was so shocked. Like The stuff this guy did was unbelievable. I hope he gets whats coming to him. The end was priceless, he knew he'd been had and just booked it didnt even try to explain himself. lol

 

[Bastien1337]

I wish I was part of the forum when this conversation was new. There is so much I want to talk about but it feels irreverent now. most of it has been said in one way or the other.

The only thing I will comment on is the Licensing issue. I was apart of the the apprenticeship program in Toronto, I had done my pre-apprenticeship which gave me a by for basic. I could go straight to intermediate in the local 27 carpenters union. I worked for the Union for awhile. Now maybe it was different in the past or you needed to be lucky, But unless you felt like doing scaffolding or form work the rest of your life there is nothing to learn doing the apprenticeship through the union it is junk!

I was stuck working for or with yo-yos and it wast until a buddy approached me to work with a real contractor that I actually started to learn true carpentry/home remodeling. Which is what I wanted to get into so I said see-ya-later to the union. I believe that the Local 27 is very disillusioning, It is a deterrent for a lot of young aspiring trades people once they see the difference between what they are learning and what work there actually is to do.

I have a friend who finished his 4 year apprenticeship and I wouldn't trust him to build me a wall let alone take on a renovation or new home build. That has more to do with the Unions focus. It is obsolete, they dont give a heck about what you know or what you can do. Its a business, pay your union dues and STFU. If you get to shoot trim for a day well hey great.

There are thousands of Licensed carpenters in Toronto that will click together some scaffolding for you quick fast, but actual carpentry forget about it.