Mike Holmes is well on his way to being my new idol.
If you’re reading this from Canada, you already know Mike: the contractor who arrives at the scene of botched renovation jobs and works his magic.
So why do I love this guy?
1. He seems to know everything there is to know about construction. We’re talking deep knowledge of every subdomain of home renovation. It’s knowledge (and wisdom) that only comes from years of experience.
2. His mantra is “Make it right [the first time].” Fellow software developers, you know this story, right?
3. The concept for his show is an entrepreneur’s dream:
Take an existing idea: shows about home renovation, which are a dime a dozen.
Make a clever addition: start on a site where the contractors screwed up.
Suddenly, look at this innovative format you’ve got:
a show with conflict (in the dramatic sense only – Mike has a policy of not naming and shaming)
episodic story arcs that are much more engaging
(most importantly) a useful tweak to the format that gives Mike and his crews ample opportunity to relay relevant information about a reno to the audience, without relying on awkward asides.
More information: Check out the Holmes on Homes Website.
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Maryanne Legere says
Dear Mike,
My name is Maryanne Legere, I am in my early 50’s.
I live in Burlington, Nova Scotia
My husband & I lived in a mobile home for 10 years & just bought our first home
together 3 years ago which we hope to be our retirement home.
We have been together a total of 12 years & are both starting over after being
divorced. After we moved in, to our horror we found out that the basement
flooded because the weeping tile was bad, the roof leaks in one spot, there is no
insulation in two walls & it is in desperate need of new siding & windows!! We
already fixed a few bad holes in the floor ourselves & have started a rec room
downstairs , but we don’t want to finish it until we fix the leaking problem
We contacted the reality that we bought through but they would not give us any
satisfaction so we contacted a lawyer but found that we just can’t afford to hire one.
We have two wonderful granddaughters that spend a lot of time here & only have one
Tiny room for them to share. Our plan was to bring the laundry room up stair to their
old room since I have fibormyalgia & I find running up & down the stair to do laundry
bother my knees. At the rate we are going ,with the limited funds we have because I am
no longer able to work, it will take us years to complete the work & we want to be abl
to have a descent home to enjoy our golden years ahead & to leave to my son &
granddaughters .I have lost three homes in the past…..one through co signing a loan for
someone & one by fire & the last one through divorce.
It seems that we take one step forward & two back & I am becoming so disappointed
that I just feel like giving up….I am getting too old & sick to start over again!!
Even if we had help with some of the work it would be a big help & very much appreciated. My husband & I watch your show every Sunday & we believe that you are the best at what you do, we wouldn’t trust our home to anyone else!!
Sincerely : Maryanne Legere
January 4, 2009Doris Bennett says
Dear Mr. Mike Holmes,
Just want to say I really enjoy your shows. I know you get many request for rescue on bad renovation jobs. I am no exception when it comes to asking for your help. I realize by watching your show and other shows on HGTV that there’s people that care about you having a decent home to live in and enjoy. My story…. my family live in Washington State and have lived in our home for 12 years. We recently had some repaires done to our bathrooms (2) and at first and for some months everything looked on the service done well until several months went by and I have noticed where grout lines are not complete. I am starting to see black spots in the grout lines in the shower. I am also noticing the grout from the tiles are seperating on the floor. I am not pleased with the work now that I see remodeling work can be done right if you have the right person to do the job right the first time. It is very difficult to trust these days but I know there’s good people you can put your trust in. If you have the opportunity to come to Washington state…..please help. My heart is filled with joy when I see how you help so many deserving families to enjoy their homes. Thank you for what yu do.
Sincerely, Doris Bennett
March 13, 2010Debbie Clayton says
Dear Mike
In 1993 my husband and I brought a house. At first I thought it was to small for the four of us. He promised he would add on and finish the house. We started working and did one room at a time living in the other rooms in the middle of the constructions. This continued with him almost finishing a room and then going on to another while he was not working outside of the home.
In 1995, he was called back to the mine company that 13 year earlier was fired due to mine closing. He took the job but the job was 125 miles away. He would not move to southern Illinois where the job was. So I stayed in Harvel living in the mess and he stayed in Sesser for the week coming home for the “weekend”. He worked 6 days a week so coming home for only 24 to 36 hours depending on the shift he worked. I wanted to hire a contractor but he would not let me. Needless to say the house was never finished.
On May 12, 2000 all things changed for the worst. He was in a head on collision that left him with closed head injuries. This left him not remembering how to finish the house, physically unable to complete the work and very angry. His anger became such an issue that I became afraid for me, my two children’s and one grandchild’s safety. Without going into details one day my fears were realized. My husband angerly lased out at my family. I told him that was it and divorced him. That was 2006.
Through the divorce I kept the house thinking I could get a contractor, finish it and sell it. This would allow me to move closer to my grandchildren (now there are three) and work. However the house is still not finished and no contractor wants to finish my ex-husband’s work. (He told me he knew what he was doing but in talking to contractors it was done wrong) I also have no money to finish the work.
So here I sit in a house that leaks between the original house and the additions. Nothing is finished and I have no tools to finish or the knowledge to finish. I constantly fight mold because of the leaks. After surgery to remove a tumor from my lung, I have little energy left to fight anymore. Can you please help a women that has been left with a mess and has run out of energy or faith that things will get better?
Debbie
May 8, 2010Anna perkins says
Dear Mike, I am writing this letter for my mother. she is 68 years old and was married to my dad for 42 years . She has always taken care of the whole family. She took care of dad the last 10 years he lived.took care of her mother and sisters and brother. she had to buy 4 old traliors to rent to pay the bills, she remodled all of them for the renters she had 8 foster children she cared for was only paid for 3 the other 5 she felt sorry for and just gave them a home.My home burned dec 6 2010, My mother gave me her home . She hired a carpenter to finish the basement for her. all he done was make a big mess out of everthing, cut a big hole in the basement floor. sewer runs out into the basement . Mom gave him all her money all he had to do put the 2by 4 up and put sheet rock on and finish it put a bath room in set the cabnets. for 30,000 dollars all she got 40 2by4 and a damm big mess. she has helped so many people and no one will turn a hand to help her. she is so depressed she has gave up there is a lot more to this story. please talk to me please. ANNA Perkins Help make it right please. I love my mother I do all I can do.
August 1, 2010