Holmes on Homes - Opinions on the show

[hunter001]

not everything needs to be done over code

benefits must be balanced with cost
otherwise we would all be living in houses with steel beams and steel roofing
and granite floors and granite counters and granite bathrooms
with kohler gold taps

reality is renovating mostly to code
and for diy you can build to over code as your labour is yours

all is well when built well

Being over code for structure and insulation likely isn't a bad idea on renos.

 

[Keebler Elf]

However, people just didn't like Jim Carick because he was always bitching about his clients.

I'm less concerned with his bitching, and more concerned with how most of his clients seemed to have issues with him. Always either being late or the cost of extras.

I remember one episode vividly in which Jim was touring a kitchen with the electrician (IIRC) and told him to put in X number of addition potlights. What was so memorable was that in later airings of that episode they added in a voiceover by Jim explaining that this "extra" had been pre-approved by the homeowner.

Riiiiiight. Sure it was.

 

[tboy]

.....otherwise we would all be living in houses with steel beams and steel roofing......
all is well when built well

For the record steel beams aren't the safest form of construction. They don't hold up as well in fires and can warp and collapse faster than wood.

After 9/11 there were a number of programs on about why it came down etc and (UL???) there were tests done on two identical buildings, 1 with steel frameing and joists, and one all wood. The wood one stayed up about twice as long as the steel. What happens is the steel softens and flexes and as it does, it pulls the walls inwards causing a structural collapse.

The wood joists etc maintain their structural integrity. After the tests they pulled out some of the joists and rafters and saw that on many, it was only the outside 1/4" that was actually burnt. The interior was perfectly fine....

 

[FatOne]

One thing I find odd is how some of the ads for the show have him as some sort of superhero that bad contracters should fear. However in the shows themselves, nothing ever happens to these bad contracters, he just bitches about it and thats it.

 

[tboy]

One thing I find odd is how some of the ads for the show have him as some sort of superhero that bad contracters should fear. However in the shows themselves, nothing ever happens to these bad contracters, he just bitches about it and thats it.

I remember reading somewhere that there are legal ramifications if he advertises publicly any names of these bad guys. I do remember one episode where the building inspector saw what one had done (removed all the floor joists running to the front of a house and the front wall was flapping in the breeze) and they did call in the feds (I think it was the feds).

I personally think they should advertise or start a program where they can promote and advertise the ripoff artists. Another idea would be if they could get BOTH sides of the story as opposed to just the homeowner's side. This would help portray a more realistic situation. But according to Mike, there is NO reason for shoddy work but in reality there are always reasons.....

 

[hunter001]

One thing I find odd is how some of the ads for the show have him as some sort of superhero that bad contracters should fear. However in the shows themselves, nothing ever happens to these bad contracters, he just bitches about it and thats it.

As far the contractors go it doesn't really matter because they can change name and be back in business in a few days.

He claims to be pushing for a change in legislation by making noise in his show. I don't see it happening but one can always hope.

 

[hunter001]

My favorite was the one where a "heat company" has cut into a structural beam to extend some duct work.

http://www.hgtv.ca/ontv/titledetails.aspx?titleid=83997

 

[tboy]

........ they have to deal with their 5-year-old drinking Varsol stored in a bottled water container left by one of the subs and is hospitalized.

Whenever I work on a site this is ONE thing that I stop immediately. I used to work for a graphics company and all the artists used to put solvent in glass juice bottles until one day someone mixed up the one with orange juice and the one with lacquer thinners...(they were painting a lot of orange that day)...They wrote it into the company policy and if anyone was caught doing this would be sent home for a day without pay.

That is another problem that homeowners don't realize. If there are kids around they shouldn't be let anywhere near the "construction" zone. It is hazardous enough for us workers let alone a toddler.

 

[tboy]

Okay, one more thing that bugs me. I'm big on doing my own renovations myself and know my way around carpentry, electricals and plumbing. I've helped several ladyfriends out, so I know the allure of the handyman.

But it really bugs me the way the producers sometimes focus on when Holmes "gets the girl" in the end. The lady gives him a huge "My hero!" hug, and her man stands impotently on the sidelines, with the "How I wish I had ordered that Bowflex" look. Ugh.

LOL yeah, I noticed that too....they play it up to the camera all the time...now what about the guys that did MOST of the work??? Don't even get a pat on the head .....

 

[FatOne]

...
But it really bugs me the way the producers sometimes focus on when Holmes "gets the girl" in the end. The lady gives him a huge "My hero!" hug, and her man stands impotently on the sidelines, with the "How I wish I had ordered that Bowflex" look. Ugh.

Some of those chicks are fine looking or at least cute in a real sort of way. So any reason to show them on TV is fine with me.

 

[hunter001]

In the newer episodes he is getting very close with the young female apprentices also.

 

[joker12]

If I have any criticism for Holmes, it's that he doesn't convey what it's actually going to cost to "do it right the first time." If people could afford to pay the true costs, they might not hire such crappy contractors. But for the most part, people can't afford to "do it right" so they end up getting what they paid for. All that "going above Code" costs money. Money the customer might not be able to afford.

I agree with keebler. most people just can't afford to pay to have a contractor like Mike.

 

[hunter001]

I agree with keebler. most people just can't afford to pay to have a contractor like Mike.

Most people can't afford the extra they do on the show but the point is to get the basic structure, electrical, etc correct then finish in materials you can afford.

 

[kitchenguy]

Mike knows his business very well but I think he has a "God complex" that he is the only one that can do the job right. Being in the kitchen renovation industry I have seen the fallout from the popularity of his show. I have had customers that are afraid to hire any contractors because Mike has painted them all as crooks.

 

[hunter001]

Mike knows his business very well but I think he has a "God complex" that he is the only one that can do the job right. Being in the kitchen renovation industry I have seen the fallout from the popularity of his show. I have had customers that are afraid to hire any contractors because Mike has painted them all as crooks.

He certianly does not paint a great picture of contractors for sure. I think he should go into more detail on how to pick good contractors.

I guess dramatizing it for television doesn't help either.

In the end I think it is well intention since a lot of people get ripped of and have very little recourse after the fact.

 

[mmouse]

If only we have some sort of HI contractors review boards since the good old word of mouth thingy is not that reliable at all.

www.tcrb.ca is untaken. There's a business op for somebody

 

[james t kirk]

He certianly does not paint a great picture of contractors for sure. I think he should go into more detail on how to pick good contractors.

I guess dramatizing it for television doesn't help either.

In the end I think it is well intention since a lot of people get ripped of and have very little recourse after the fact.

I tend to do all of my home reno work myself - framing, plumbing, electrical, tiles, drywall, painting, finish woodwork, etc.

I don't do bricks. I won't do a roof (though I did do my garage roof)

Anyhoo, I needed new eaves trough and new fascia boards because the old boards were so rotted out, the eaves were falling off of the house. I had no choice but to call a contractor.

I called 3 contractors from Mikes list of "Approved Contractors" from his website for aluminum siding. I received 3 quotes in the 5 to 6 thousand dollar range from all of them.

I went with the company that you see ALL THE TIME on Holmes doing roofs and siding. (No, not Avenue Road Roofing, (though I did get a quote from them) they no longer seem to be on the show.)

On the show this "Contracting Company" always shows up with 5 or 6 guys in matching T-shirts, including the owner, the son of the owner. They go to town and do everything right. I have even seen them wearing fall arrest harnesses in the show.

Off show reality is somewhat different.

One guy showed up in a white van to do my eaves, fascia boards and siding. He was a jobber that was hired on a square foot basis by the "Contracting Company" HE WAS BY HIMSELF FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.

Try hammering up new 2 x 6 x 12' long fascia boards by YOURSELF. It's dangerous
(no fall arrest harnesses here, just one guy standing on a ladder by himself), it's stupid, and it can't be done well. I ended up helping this guy because he couldn't do it properly himself, and he was going to fall off the damn ladder. He was trying to guess where the rafter tails were and kept hammering nails into air. I told him, "Look, mark the board already and use two nails per tail, not one (like he wanted to)."

I figured that he could handle the rest himself. I came home one day from work and he had boxed around the beam supporting my porch incorrectly. The beam had warped over the years and he started at the ends and followed the warp. I told him that it wasn't acceptable. He told me that my original beam was warped. I told him, I could see that, but if you start in the middle and use that as your low point, you can eliminate the warp by just projecting the box across. Anyway, he didn't get it, so I made him take it apart and showed him how to do it.

I then had to completely clean up for him as he was a slob and left debris everywhere.

The one saving grace was that he allowed me to work with him (I think he appreciated the help) and the "Contracting Company" sent a different guy to do the eaves. That guy was a pro and did a great job.

So, in the end, I was happy and got what I wanted.

However, just because you see a Contractor on Holmes doing everything by the book and spouting off about "doing it right" doesn't mean that when YOU hire him that he will be any different or any better. Talk is cheap and talk on a TV show is downright free.

 

[hunter001]

I guess your milage may vary applies to everything.

 

[FatOne]

I guess your milage may vary applies to everything.

I guess you should make sure you shower and brush your teeth before the contractor comes over. And remember, money is exchanged only for time, whatever goes on is not for money, but the actions of consenting adults.

 

[hunter001]

I guess you should make sure you shower and brush your teeth before the contractor comes over. And remember, money is exchanged only for time, whatever goes on is not for money, but the actions of consenting adults.

For sure and a fresh box of condoms and lube because you might need it.