I have seen this TV show on the discovery channel. I am concerned that “Holmes” is spreading some bad and potentially dangerous advice. He says things like “you should always install a vapor barrier behind the sheetrock”
This may work in his location…but could be a disaster in a hot humid climate.
He also likes to waste wood. He seems to think that overbuilding is the way to go.
Replies
It is TV, just like the internet...don't take it seriously. Seriously.
Parolee # 40835
When Holmes says "you", don't take it personbally
;)
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Well, Holmes is in Canada, so that may explain his vapor barrier theory.
But even in Canada I don't think it's right to hang Kerdi with mastic. Doh!
I have to defend HOLMES, looking at the cluster-fuxks he gets involved in, I have to cut him some slack if he makes a minor mistake solving the major problem, BTW, I'm not sure he is making a mistake; not my expertize.
I agree with you about the potential danger of blanket statements. Some people watch TV shows and take them for "gospel".
But on the whole the show is very good. He's trying to educate consumers about residential construction in general. He points out work good and bad, shows people what to look out for, and by his example shows them what a contractor with a good attitude looks like.
I see things that he does that I don't completely agree with, but they're usually small points.
On the other hand, I'd let him build for me and not be worried, I think you could do a lot worse...buic
I have to defend Mr. Holmes also. I think the fundamental thing a program like this does is to teach people to ask questions and become informed. Most watching will not know the specifics, nor do they really need to, but they do need to pay attention and not just assume its all wonderful. Too many times I have listened to home owners that thought their realator was their friend (after only knowing them for a short while that is), listened to un-qualified opinions or people claiming to be professionals when they should be quiet. A pro such as yourself will know the local conditions and will understand what is necessary to build for the situation and can explain to a home owner why, but their are some scary characters that throw on a tool belt and claim to be a carpenter that don't even know that it is a ticketed trade. As far as how he builds, well many could build to the same standard if DeWalt was picking up the tab. I have watched him do some very nice things for some very unfortunate people. Most recent being a family who went through a fire, lost two family members and were getting screwed by a an insurer in combo with a builder. Totally re-built the home, thats character.
I've never seen the show, but I understand that we in Canada can largely blame him for the misconceived notion now spreading that screws are better than nails for all applications all the time.
Ron
Saw him one day say that that all homeowners should get a minimum of 20 quotes for a job. Minimum 20!Give me a break.I think he's ok, but a bit preachy, as if he might be the only one who can put this stuff right. Good for me, pat me on the back. Rod
I musta missed that episode. I've heard him say get at least 3 quotes. Never heard him say 20.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
definately some things he should try to tone down. I do agree that he tears a lot of things down needlessly and rarely is there any mention of cost implications that everyone must face. 20 quotes is crazy. First thing I would think is here comes a royal pain.
Personally I like watching the show. Yeah, I don't agree with everything he does, but overall, it's pretty good.Remember, most of these homes he goes into to work on have something WRONG with them, have problems that a few contractors (or hacks) have failed to fix, etc.On the other hand, it IS television so there has to be some drama to stir up some interest.I think in the end though, his preaching is his (or the show's) way of trying to get the message across to the general public who, for the most part, have no clue whatsoever (regarding construction)! Just think about it, how many times have you worked for someone who makes a ton of money, has everything else going for them, are incredibly intelligent in many other matters, but they are clueless when it comes to the "how's" and the "why's" of building or fixing a home?? I think it happens a lot.
I wonder how many of his customers got twenty quotes befored glomming onto him.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I suspect if you get him to do your work and get featured on TV DeWalt picks up the tab. If not, I would suspect there would be a lot more discussion of cost because most you see on the program do not appear to be high rollers.
Anybody else think DeWalt might have suggested he learn to love screws?? Can you imagine how many of those drills he has sold???? Watch how careful they are to make sure the DeWalt logo is clearly visible in TV shots.
Holmes on Homes is a foundation with many sponsors and donations. I believe Hme Depot ,Dewalt, Stanley are just a few of the many who help promote the show.
I think the show is O.K. but his tool belt is gay. :)
Awwful. Stop watching. He screws everything literally.
Every home owner is the inocent victim, and you never get to hear the other side of the story.
How many home owners are willing to change their morals, when Mike slides in on site after the first 3 companies hav'nt been paid.
This couldn't be more unjust. I can't wait to go on t.v. and talk about how the things he does in Toronto don't mean nothin in Vancouver....
I take it back, the worst is" Shell Busy" the Know it all handyman. Yah I'm bitter, when I was first year apprentice my instructor told me to go to him with an Idea I had. To make a long story short, the guy laughed at me and then told me how carpenters never install windows, that's for the window guy's. This after I stood in a line-up for two hours at a trade show to meet the guy.
Now my idea is plastered on the Ad pages of Finehomebuilding, go figure...
Gotta agree with you on 'ol Shell. For some reason he just rubs me the wrong way. Though I have to give him credit in that he made a niche for himself and he's made a lot of money.
roger
Mike Holmes was a judge in the carpentry competiton of our national (Canada) skills competition in Halifax last year....I was the host for the cabinetmaking competition right beside them. My college also had him doing some ads talking about how important it was to get certified tradespeople....kinda funny considering he doesn't have any tickets. The guy has star power.....all kinds of tradesmen I knw were lining up for an autograph. Two middle-aged female college employees got a kiss on the cheek and they were over the moon. I've only seen one episode I think, my FIL watches him though.
There are some funny stories going around about what he got up to after hours in Halifax.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Ol shell,,,,,whats this all about?
If you are not Canadian and 200 years old and you always wear a safari jungle vest and constantly giving out pearls of wisdom and promoting yourself on T.V. then I'm talking about someone else :)
roger
Good thing, not enough posts @ BREAKTIME to be known as trouble.............yet
The part I love is when he is occasionally referring to his sponsorer, but CONSTANTLY referring to his company as the best referral group. I wonder if he is picking up part of the tab for the 3+ hour show.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
Thats bogus! most of the shows that I've watched the contractor was paid and they wouldn't repair the garbage they installed! What I see is that the original installations shown on the show are crap! Unjust! these people should be put in jail!, I don't think you have a clue what you are looking at!
Sorry Mike,
I did not intend to start Mike Holmes Bashing. I am sure you are a nice guy.
I was taught in school that the vapor barrier goes under the sheetrock...thats what my textbooks said. The books were written in the North ...I live in Texas .. I did not know better. I used to think that if a 2x8 did the job then there is nothing wrong with using a 2x10 or a 2x12.
I used to think that if a house needed 2 tons of air conditioning then what would be wrong with installing 3 tons?
Building Science and "Right sizing" is advancing and I want to learn more.
John Brooks
Edited 4/23/2007 10:08 pm by homedesign
So let's give them an oprtunity to tell their side.
Have you ever, once heard their side?
I'm not sayin their all innocent, but he picks out the worst things and works them to death.
How many times have you left a job unfinished because the owner decided he didn't want to pay for doing it "The right way"?
If Mike slides in to repair it for free, the homeowner never has to worry about the cost. So of course their all gonna dump on the first guy who isn't there to defend himself.
Edited 4/22/2007 9:25 pm by 1muff2muff
Mike doesn't repair these homes for free. The owners pay his cost for time and materials. Granted he does get those at steep discounts
I find it hard to believe that the homeowners pick up any of the work that Holmes does. Heres a family that just got shafted out of tens of thousands of dollars and Holmes is putting in the best of everything .
If I just lost thousands on a kitchen remodel and he put in a granite counter with out me knowing just because he thought I would like it I'd freak.
He is sponsered by Home Depot here in Canada and all the labour done by subs is free. They get free advertising when their company name appears on the bottom of the screen, you can't pay for that type of exposure.
He has no worries about a deadline, when I see him screwing in studs in a basement redo I just have to laugh because he has no worries about getting it done not just right but quickly so he can move on to the next job and get another check.
That said I enjoy the show and cringe at all the bad contractors here in the GTA
Mark
holmes
One of my biggest gripes is he brags about professional behavior then you see his crew working shirtless and shorts on remodel jobs.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Check out his website. I wonder about this too and read through his site. It states in FAQ, I believe, that the homeowners pay for the work. I would also add that they have no say it what is done...both layout and materials. I have seen a few episodes that where the bath fixtures were definitely contractor grade...no bells and whistles.
I would also add that he has all the time in the world because filming allows him to...If he was doing this minus the cameras and lights he would have to move quicker. His current purpose is to produce a show for profit, not run a remodel business for profit. Can you imagine having a film crew doing make-up, then having you shoot a seen half a dozen times...all while you work!
Edited 4/23/2007 9:12 pm ET by mcf
I still think you are watching a different show then I am. Most of the shows I watched the contractors were paid and then refused to come back and fix the illegal, illogical, and unsafe hook-ups they installed. Most of these jobs require a permit, witch they don't pull. There are whats called acceptable practice standards they didn't adhere to. Once they have your money they dissapear. I stick to my original post.
I just wish he would call it "toe moulding" or "shoe base" or even "quarter round"
but he calls it THREE QUARTER ROUND !
I guess because it's 3/4" thick. If it were truly 3/4 round, wouldn't the profile look like a PacMan?
Eaves-troughs instead of gutters, that's fine with me.
Just some regional language differences, I'm sure.
Overall, I like the show's intent. Make it right.
Although I did see him install a toilet tank. He said it's always a good idea to caulk the tank bolts under the washers. Then he proceded to use what looked like a siliconized latex caulk, like you'd use for windows. I don't think it would hold up sitting in a toilet tank full of water. But then again, if it's installed right, the rubber washer should do its job.
Pete Duffy, Handyman
He seems to think that overbuilding is the way to go
Well, it's good to remember that he's operating in Canada, so, his southern-most climate concerns are around the 38th parallel or so.
It's also good to remember he's on tv complying with Canadian and Provicincial building codes, as well as practices. So, he knows his local "stuff." Which makes some of the substandard things he works on even more scary.
Usually, at least as I watch, he's only sizing up one size from minumum codes--middling reasonable. Which does not mean I'd be happy letting him recommend things about or for my local construction (but his crew would likely be close to melting down here, even now).
NOw, my gripe with his producers is that they don't seem to spend anytime on waiting for paperwork. It gets mentioned, but, it's not always a focal point, like perhaps it ought to be. The house on saturday where the "builder" underpinned his own fondations to put a two-story addition on, probably had more "professionals" stamping drawings than a person might glean just by watching the episode.
True dat about the paperwork. He does, however, keep on about permits permits permits....and based on what I've seen on the shows, there's an awful lot of shysters operating in Toronto.
Some of the things he says I don't agree with, and "3/4 round" drives me nuts, but overall, the show is probably helpful...he often points out that the homeowner should have realized that the budget or timeline that they were given by the contractor were nuts, and therefore a red flag...
Like others, I've only heard him suggest getting 3 quotes...never 20.
Some of the things he says I don't agree with
Which is easy enough to do; but better than some of the tv-types out there by a long stretch <g>.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Do you suppose FHB would be interested in producing a TV show with Piffen as the host? I'm not sure how photogenic he'd be but the advice would be good.
FHB would be interested in producing a TV show with Piffen as the host?
Hmm, makes a person wonder about a regional "Ask Us" national show. We have folks from many regions, many with manifold qualifications to answer questions. Being regional might prevent some of the gaffes, too.
Mind you, we get Piff on tv, and the secret that he's really Tom Wolfe would be out, though . . . <g>
Hmm, rez could do the segues and links <g> . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Was piffin ever a male stripper? I've heard that Mike Holmes was, at one time.
I love that show!