This is purely from memory, but I do remember getting a chuckle when he did the house here in So Cal.

The images of Holmes and his crew trying to drive nails were classic. Over and over and over, they all whined about not being able to use screws, and about how inefficient the nailing was. I can still see them bending nail after nail.

This was particularly ironic in light of his incessant mantra about everything "being to Code". I was hoping that at some point someone would point out to him, or that he would figure out himself, that screws aren't rated for structural value in shear-resisting elements.

Yes, Simpson makes hangar and SDS screws, but by IRC or IBC (or their predecessor the UBC) requirements, you can't use screws in wall framing. Screw are certainly less likely to withdraw, but their shanks just don't have shear value.

The next time Mike decides to help out in Seismic Zone 4, he might want to more fully understand what "building to code" means.

 

Licensing

To Katoman, About the licensing of carpenters it's a great idea BUT go to states like florida where the Gc test is very difficult to pass on the first go around and I've seen so much poor workmanship it makes my head spin. And I'm not talking just after hurricanes where it's obvious you have that. Florida enforces that law too and the workmanship is awful. As far as the licensing, there are guys who can pass tests all day long but until the tool belt goes on you don't know real carpenters from guys without a clue.

 

To Katoman, About the licensing of carpenters it's a great idea BUT go to states like florida where the Gc test is very difficult to pass on the first go around and I've seen so much poor workmanship it makes my head spin. And I'm not talking just after hurricanes where it's obvious you have that. Florida enforces that law too and the workmanship is awful. As far as the licensing, there are guys who can pass tests all day long but until the tool belt goes on you don't know real carpenters from guys without a clue.

Can't comment on the US. systems, I know each state is different. But up here you need to serve a four year apprenticeship, in school training each year, and on site most of the year.

So the apprentice learns both the book end of the trade, and the hands on stuff under the direction of a 'journeyman' carpenter.

So the idea is that if he can last the four years, and pass all 5 exams, then he will not only have the knowledge of a journeyman carpenter, but also the pride in his accomplishment. This leads in most cases to good work.
This system dates back to the first carpentry training in England, we adopted their system, as did other commonwealth countries. My license is recognized in England and all other commonwealth countries.

I have no idea why the US has not adopted this nation wide, it would definitely be to everyone's advantage, both for the carpenter and the employer.

If I'm not mistaken some States do do it like this, but mostly union work, I think, not positive though.

 

Licensing

To apgar, Actually there is a license required in NJ. The home improvement contractor license. Requires no felonies and license numbers on trucks, stationery, etc. SUPPOSEDELY a huge fine if caught working without. So the state actually wrote a great law and they DON'T ENFORCE IT. How many trucks of builders and remodelers in nj have you seen with license numbers on it? All they do is if you request a permit app you must show your license. Big deal, the hacks just get the HO to get permits. In some towns they put a note in with permit paperwork warning homeowners they should use licensed contractors anyway.

 

thanks SLS. I am probably so hesitant about the product after being burned by a similar product. I would love to use the stuff especially around windows and doors. Maybe you can help me get over my concern by directing me to a safe product that won't expand to a point binding the fixture.

 

thanks SLS. I am probably so hesitant about the product after being burned by a similar product. I would love to use the stuff especially around windows and doors. Maybe you can help me get over my concern by directing me to a safe product that won't expand to a point binding the fixture.

Actually the blue can of Great Stuff works fine (you don't want to know how hard it is to get other products here) - some people swear by Hilti & others which I haven't used, just make sure it is the minimal expanding foam & go easy - you can always go back and add a little bit more.

Dean's assistant is his wife, she is a nice looking woman and she is pretty knowledgeable about construction and they both seem to know when they are not capable of doing something themselves.

I saw a show a few months back where she was pregnant and was pretty far along, it didn't seem to slow her down.

Where's the buzzer - none of Dean's assistants have been his wife. Miriam, while she may have the same last name is married to another Johnson.

Dean & Joann L? started the show off acting like they were married to show others what a typical remodel by DIYers was like. Over the years he has had 4 assistants (if memory serves me correctly) and the show has progressed from there.

 

vapor barrier??

i watched an episode last night, not sure if it was up in canada or not, but what is up with this guy mike, and putting plastic right behind drywall?? i thought that was done in the 80s? but they realized it wasn't the correct way and the walls would not breathe because you had tyvek on the outside or some other vapor barrier and then plastic on the inside, not a good combination.

this guys loves his spray foam as long as the show is paying for it, it's great to use, but it's hard to convince people to spend the extra money on it these days. i use the black cans for big gaps but the blue cans for around windows. i rarely ever use regular insulation for around windows and doors anymore. this is much easier than carrying around a small roll of unfaced r13 fiberglass in the truck. i was at a trade show last night in eastern pa, and seeing a display of the reusable trigger/tip and bigger cans seems like the way to go. as long as you keep the trigger on the can, it won't dry out and they have a cleaner can that you blow through your reusable trigger so it doesn't dry up and clog inside.

i'm not 100% that is cheaper than buying 4-5 dollar cans of great stuff from a home center. one thing i feel kinda bad about is throwing away all the cans the job we are on now, we used almost 2 full cans of black big gap filler around the frames we built inside a stone (1700's house) wall opening. there were huge gaps to fill between our new studded frame for the marvin windows, and the stones/mortar. once the window was installed we used the light blue can of great stuff around the frames. also locks the shims in nicely.

 

New episodes this Sunday.

 

yeah. looks like he rips up a huge tile floor where the installer didn't do it his way.

 

Probably wasn't level. Who wants cracked grout lines and broken tiles 12 months later?

I wouldn't want to buy that and I definitely wouldn't sell it.

 

i am not sure about the level, i think the way they laid the tile wasn't the way he would do it.
homeowners never talk about how much it's costing them, they are happy the show comes in and pays for it all.

 

Is this a fact, or an opinion?

For how it all gets paid for..

 

any many times we get asked to do things we don't like to do, but the HO is asking us to do it that way. they don't want to pay to do it right. i try to stay away from jobs like that. just not worth it to leave behind a headache for someone else. i hate half assing jobs. if i can't feel good about it when i'm finished, then I don't want to do the job.

 

And that's the reason hacks are finding more and more work for less money. Those of us in the know, understand what it takes to do it right, the long term effecs of half azzing stuff together for liablity purposes to us. So when homie has $X of money to do a job that in reality costs $XXX, we walk since we dont need to get into trouble, taint our names with shoddy work that will surface soon enough. The sad part is, since 90% of residential consumers are concerned with price first and foremost, the hacks will walk in because they dont give a chit about what they leave behind.

Wanna cash in on current market direction:

Get a seperate rig (truck, trailer, van, etc...) and go under the radar work wise, no insurance, no taxes (cash price), cut corners (even though you know it's wrong), and get into the new work for hire market...do whatcha gotta do to get a paycheck/cash. or the contract/bidding phenominom of bid it lower as a mofo to win it, and in fine fine print about "unforeseen" things. "oh, I forgot we needed lumber, drywall, subcontractors, etc..." and then double/triple the price at the end so your in line with the guys bidding legal..

Sad to say, but schisters will be prospering in the future. The phrase "nice guys finish last" was'nt the figment of somebody's imagination:laughing: I look at a few of the well known crooks in town and the millions they're sitting on along with the looooong list of disgruntled customers that helped get them to where they're at today, and they just laugh without a care in the world.

 

I thought there was an episode where he claimed the show pays for the fix...the implication was that the HO was not paying for the work.

I also recall a TOH episode where they discussed the budget process w/ the HO, who does pick up all the tab.

 

I thought there was an episode where he claimed the show pays for the fix...the implication was that the HO was not paying for the work.

I also recall a TOH episode where they discussed the budget process w/ the HO, who does pick up all the tab.

Could be because on some of the shows Dean and Miriam Johnson were doing work on their house, that is one reason why I thought they were married, not sure if it was his or her house.

 

I loved the HoH episode where Mike was out of town.His "lead" guy wanted to impress him so he went ahead and framed the roof.
Mike gets back and say's "Looks good.What pitch did you build it?"Lead guy say's "4/12 like it said on the plan"....Mike say's "That's not 4/12"....:laughing:

It was way flatter than 4/12..They had to rip the whole thing off....
Mike kept his cool saying something to the effect of "Well,that was a 10,000.00
learning experience"....

 

That was the episode in California and he kinda battled with the other GC on the job. Maybe "battled" is the wrong adjective so let's just say he was a bit uneasy working with a vice-president shall we say. The HoH crew also got a lesson on REAL BUILDING in an earthquake vulnerable zone like California.

 

yeah. let him try and pull out ring shanks out of any framing.

 

I caught one today...they constructed a set of open concrete steps into the basement with an 8 foot drop...no rails around the pit ...

 

I saw that one. Then he goes and forms the back of it with pine forms that are permanent and will attract termites. When he could have just layed up 4 or 8 inch block behind the steps and poured against it.

 

I saw an older episode tonight at 6pm, and there was a blonde working on the crew. wonder what happened to her. maybe they are giving her, her own show. haha

 

i wanna say i remember a blond on an episode and she was wearing pink pouches.

 

ah thats why they use screw gun...so they don't smack thier thumbs as she is walking past:whistling

 

Well guys I like the show and am happy they are exposing the hacks in the biz. Thus giving us guys the ones who charge to much for quality and craftsmanship that cant compete on the same level as those who are just lookin to make a quick buck and establish a professional relationship and the next project.

 

What they DONT address on the show is that sometimes its just as much the clients fault for choosing the lowest possible bid.

 

yes. you are correct. many times homeowners see a few bids and the guys doing the lowest bid are mostly likely going to be cutting corners and using crappy material. HO's just as much to blame. I don't like doing things the wrong way. I never have a good feeling when someone wants me to do a less than perfect job just to save a buck.

 

I don't like doing things the right way

hopefully you mistyped here

 

Im here in ontario and I went to see him speak at the home show here in windsor. He actually finances a good deal of those reno's with his personal funds.

 

Watch Real Renos with Jim caruk...thats a real look at the construction world:thumbsup:

 

I did see one of his shows that brought a tear to my eye...He went in and fixed an attic bedroom addon...the previous contractor took the money, did a crappy job and ran off without finishing...They were out 25 K plus they would have had to pay to get it all redone...After the holmes guys did what they do, the couple that owned the house were able to afford to adopt another orphan child...The women was really touching :thumbsup:

 

I remember seeing that one. I'm surprised he was able to cut & frame up the stairway. His right-hand man was left in charge of framing the roof up I believe they framed it on 2/12 pitch and were measuring each rafter. That poor kid did not have a clue on how to frame a roof.
They had to tear it apart raise the microlam then frame it right. I think he hired a subcontractor to come in and cut the roof but he did not show that.
Don't get me wrong I like the fact he's bringing to light some of the bad construction practices out there. But at least he could do it right and not be so adamant about it.
My pet peave is the mirrors and backslashes or side splashes in the baths. Don't they use them on countertops in Canada.
For the most part I like the guy I just wish he wouldn't beat his chest so much. I really think they should've hired a right-hand man that really knew what he was doing. Not some kid that's just learning. He is funny when he finds something amiss it's like a puppy bringing the ball back to his master he is so happy, he is probably the producers son.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.