Mike Holmes is a Canadian celebrity contractor on HGTV who helps homeowners by fixing botched up renovation jobs. His shows are broadcast internationally.
Holmes on Homes was first aired on HGTV Canada in 2001 and it has been gaining international popularity over the past few years. Most home renovation shows are targeted at teaching homeowners how to do a job. Mike Holmes shows the audience what went wrong with the job and the steps he takes to do the job efficiently and according to building code.
Mike Holmes' Background
At a young age, Mike learned many aspects of the construction business from his dad who believed that a job had to be done right the first time. By age 19, Mike Holmes started his first company and two years later, formed a renovation company.
By working as a contractor for the last 20 years, he has become thoroughly knowledgeable of the ins and outs of the building trade. His mission: to expose the work of inept contractors in order to help homeowners make informed decisions on choosing skilled and ethical tradesmen.
Holmes on Homes History
Mike had the idea for a television show back in 2001 after seeing too many people experiencing financial ruin through hiring unskilled and unscrupulous renovation companies. He wanted to find a way of making the public aware of this problem. Mike Holmes was doing behind the scenes work on the show Just Ask Jon Eakes and decided to pitch his television show idea to the producers. The rest is history.
For the first two and a half seasons, Holmes on Homes was a 30-minute show. Because of the time frame, his renovation jobs were usually restricted to one room or job. Due to popular demand, the show expanded to 60 minutes where more extensive projects could be featured. Since 2004, Holmes on Homes has been rated the #1 show on HGTV Canada.
Mike’s first international appearance was on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and he ended up helping a couple rebuild their home in California. He has appeared several times on Ellen’s show. He has made guest appearances on shows such as the U.S.-based 20/20 and Canada AM and CBC Television’s Marketplace plus several commercials. Mike has completed his 3rd season as a judge on HGTV’s Handyman Superstar Challenge.
Holmes on Homes now airs in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Germany, South Africa. The first four seasons are available on DVD.
Mike Holmes’ Accomplishments
In April 2006, Mike launched The Holmes Foundation which is a charitable foundation that supports the training of youth in the skilled trades by offering apprenticeships, scholarships and bursaries. This is to encourage young people to enter the trades and learn how to do the job properly. Donations can be made at the Holmes on Homes website.
Mike’s first book, Make It Right—Inside Home Renovation with Canada's Most Trusted Contractor, was released November 23, 2006 and has been a very great success.
Mike was acknowledged by the Canadian House of Commons as an "extraordinary craftsperson" and "an accomplished master builder with a social conscience".
Mike writes a weekly renovation column in Toronto’s Globe & Mail newspaper.
In 2008, Mike was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Mike’s latest book Holmes Inspection is being released on May 31, 2008.
Mike Holmes continues to make speaking engagements at professional organizations for home inspectors and for building trades. Mike and his crew also make special appearances at home renovation stores.
In a recent behind-the-scenes episode of Holmes on Homes, Mike says that his job will never be done and he will continue to expose shoddy workmanship. Mike says he considers himself a contractor and not a celebrity.
The copyright of the article Holmes on Homes Makes it Right on HGTV in Home & Garden TV is owned by Maureen K. Fleury. Permission to republish Holmes on Homes Makes it Right on HGTV in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I watch Mike Holmes all the time up here in
Powell River, B.C I would really like to get in touch with Mike to
talk to him about a friends Ramp that was Built a few years back. It was
approved I believe by HMAC Morgage Inspector.
Sincerely Yours Ms. C. McKiernon Tiny_tina@yahoo.ca
Dec 21, 2008 1:39 PM
Guest :
How do you submit a story for review to get Mike to consider it for
renovations
Patrick Campbell hnw@cogeco.ca
Dec 23, 2008 1:05 AM
Maureen K. Fleury :
I looked at the HGTV website for casting calls and there's nothing listed
for Holmes on Homes.
I think to contact Mike, you would have to
go to his own website which is www.holmesonhomes.com
Jan 27, 2009 12:17 PM
Guest :
not so much a comment as a question, when is Mike going to do the Katrina
rebuild sponsored by Brad Pitt? Did that fall through? I remember that he
mentioned it on either the Ellen show or "The Hour",but have
heard nothing since Art. Kirby arthurkirby@rogers.com
Jan 28, 2009 6:37 AM
Guest :
We moved into a 3 year old home in August of 2008. We noticed right away
that the master bedroom was very warm. Alot warmer than the other rooms. No
that its winter the maste bedroom and bathroom is very cold. When the
furnace is on you can't feel any heat blowing out of the air vents. I have
Scoliosis and arthritis and the cold makes it worse. We sank all the money
we had into this house. We need help.
Feb 15, 2009 9:34 PM
Guest :
Hi. I need help for my cousins wife. my cousin just passed away dec.31 2008
and now his wife is in trouble. they had just bought a brand new home,
thinking the could get their old house fixed to sell. they bought their old
house 4 years ago and found they had been sold a lemon. the house inspector
didnt do his job right because he told they the house was fine. within the
first year, their basement flooded several times, distory the floor and
leaving a really bad odor. now his wife and daughters are force to move
back to this unfinished smelly house, because of his death, and sell the
new house to have means to live. she is not a healthy person and can do
only so much. we help where we can but she needs someone who knows what
they are doing and fast. she is a nice lady who helps others, and now she
needs help. i have started to watch mike homes and really like how he helps
people and if he could help her, i know she would be so happy as well as my
mom and i. please contact me. thank you. cathy mackinnon puppiejoe@hotmail.com
Feb 16, 2009 11:01 AM
Maureen K. Fleury :
I do not represent Mike Holmes in any way. It would be best to direct
your questions to his own website www.holmesonhomes.com
Jun 19, 2009 4:15 PM
Guest :
I just watched the first program ever of Mike Holmes and was so totally
impressed with not just his talent and skill of what he does but his
personality and real caring for people. I watch HG all the time and I can't
believe you don't put him on prime time in the evenings so more people can
enjoy the show. Let's see more of him. Thanks!!!
Jun 20, 2009 10:46 AM
Guest :
i dont get it,here we have one man who uses the skills of others to amp up
his oversized ego of a great carpenter and all i can see is one numbshull
who does nothing but insult the work of others and that your home is not
fit to live in unless holmes has renovated it. well just alittle waky call
for all you ppl holmes has a entire crew who helps make those decisions.
and as for you holmes,dummy up and do the work dont complain about other
ppls work they ve done, what they feel to be work that was completed on the
time given to them by the house owners. so the short and skinny is dont
throw stones until you ve cleaned your own door step.
Aug 29, 2009 10:53 AM
Guest :
Good Afternoon, I have watched Mike Holmes since his show started in
my area. I really think i need Mike Holmes help!!!!!!!!! I live in the
house i grew up in with my 2 sons and believe me if i could i really think
i would gut this house and start over again. The house is 60 years old and
needs everything. Just the other day i noticed that water spots are
forming on my ceiling in the bathroom downstairs and its because of the
bathroom upstairs there are problems with the tile and grout. I have
so much that needs to be done that its amazing. My life has come to a stand
still because 3 1/2 years ago i lost my job and then i was in a car
accident that has left me with alot . So most of the work i was trying to
do came to a stop. I really really need help............ Please call me.
Thanks.
Sep 15, 2009 7:03 AM
Guest :
i would like to send a letter to mike holmes is there an address he can be
written to
Sep 25, 2009 9:07 AM
Guest :
Dear Mr. Holmes I need help fast Iam a retired Officer of the NYPD a single
parent who found an affordable palace. I want to take my 87 yr old mom and
13 yr old son to a more confortable place. I have to take a FHA loan for
the home/repairs and fear getting in to deep. I have no real cash. However,
I could take out 10,000 from my Pension before taxes in order to purchace
this home I need a contractor to access/complete the home repairs.The home
is a very large victorian with half the plumming/electrical and most of the
windows done. Its unbeleiveable beautiful. This house is beyond my wildest
dreams. The seller is probably not going to wait to long therefore I need
help fast I will never have an opportunity like this ever again. I
trust that you an crew would be fare and honest with me. I have never seen
anyone project integrity and fare play as will as you do . I honestly
don't beleive there is anyone else in the world who could do this for me
and do it right; than you sir and your crew. The house is in
Connellsville, PA. I was a nine eleven resucue worker just short of two
months before retiring after serveing twenty years from the NYPD. I want to
get out of the city I get a little stressed being here its to crowded,
noisy and very impersonnel here. I want my son to have an
easier/quite/friendlierenvironment to grow up in . I also want my mom to
have a small garden before its to late. I never lived in a house. I grew up
in housing project on the nineteeth floor. got married and lived in a small
tenement for fourteen years. Now I live in complex with over 30 thousand
people, My building has two side with four hundred families. this
neighborhood is slowly getting bad I really have to move. The writing is on
the wall, so to speak. Please help my family. I want to have peace. If I
could have a laundry room and not have to go wash with my four hundred
neighbors would be my best dream come true. I had one once and never
stopped longing for one again. I do not know if my request is at all
possible. I see how very popular you are.However, I had to give you and
your crew a go,.I mentioned a laundry room would be a dream. I was was
wrong meeting and working with you guys would be the best thing that has
happen to me since the birth of my wonderful son. Thank you for your time
and this opportunity to say I really respect you for being an honest man
irregardless of being able to help me or not. I hope your show reigns
supreme. Ms Melba Martinez MJMRHlm7@aol NY
Oct 10, 2009 6:14 AM
Guest :
Mike, I watch your show all the time and really enjoy it. BUT the
music over rides your voice. It makes it very hard to hear you or anyone
else talking. It's like a 2nd rate movie. Please take the music away...
It is very irritating to try to hear what is being said, so you turn up the
volume and the music blasts. This is real disappointing to me, I would
rather hear you Mike than the music. Thank you, Deb
May 16, 2008
