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Holmes Inspection Show

36K views 151 replies 55 participants last post by  rusty baker 
#1 ·
My search came up nothing on this. Maybe I used wrong search terms or it's archived. Anyone know if there already is a Thread on this TV show.
Much appreciated, I wanted to see what you guys thought of it before I commented.
 
#14 ·
There are some home inspectors - I'm thinking specifically of some who contract with the FHA - who should have their licenses revoked and be flogged on the spot.

One such genius forced my son & his wife to paint a patio in the middle of their back yard, but he completely missed 6"x10" hole in the roof. I'm talking, "through the shingles & sheeting and down into exposed insulation" hole.

What is wrong with these people?
 
#7 ·
Some of this comes from him being in Canada. Iglooland does things differently than some of the states.


The only thing I don't like about that show is his answer to just about everything is "it's all coming down." Your livingroom is painted an ugly color? Well, we'll just tear down your house and build a new one, then paint it a better color.

It does illustrate the ultimate incompetences of some DIYers and contractors though.
 
#8 ·
Some of the TV contractors, like Holmes, Vila, This Old House etc. , do far worse jobs than many DIYers. My father was a GC, who built houses himself from the ground up. He could do everything including plumbing, HVAC and electrical. So I know how things should be done. Some of those shows give really bad advice.
 
#9 ·
I watch the shows for one main reason....it's entertaining. Some things are clearly overdone but "IT'S TELEVISION" And he's far less annoying that Bob (know it all) Villa. Some good ideas come across in the show, some not so good. But all in all it's just another home improvement show. And I do agree with the general statement about home inspectors. Just haven't figured out why the Canadians like the electrical panels sideways. Those panels aren't allowed as is in the Us
 
#11 ·
Rusty, Holmes is there to point out what is bad, and how he has the problem fixed. You have to remember, that he is not there to teach you the law, just to show you techniques, and point out why a situation is dangerous. Vila is a hack, pretty much all of the shows on DIYnetwork is garbage. If you want to learn how to do something right, follow the rules, understand the NEC, and the building codes for your area.
 
#12 ·
I'm just saying, people should not take everything they see on these shows as the absolute right way to do things. Holmes is one of the better ones, but not even he does everything right. Vila was the worst I ever saw, with Dean Johnson a close second. DIY network had a series on flooring a few years ago that had many good ideas but went about many of them wrong.
 
#15 ·
I haven't watched Home Time since Dean & Robin were doing it years ago. When Steve Thomas left, I quit watching that show also.

I just started catching Holmes maybe 3 or 4 months ago. My feelings are mixed.
Are these homeowners calling the lowest bidder inspectors or are they really getting screwed?
HGTV must be supplying his budget. What looked like a minor plumbing problem,
turns into a brand new kitchen with all new appliances and tile work.$$$$$
I really just keep watching it for when Damon(?) and his crew come in. It's entertainment and I learn things. They sure do use a lot of cordless drills/drivers........ can't say I've seen them using airguns before.
 
#16 ·
After watching last weeks show, looks like they have a new sponsor.
I did not see one dewalt tool.

I think that some of the items he finds, a blind inspector should have found.

The show with the termites was the worst example I have seen to date.
 
#17 ·
I watch too cuz Damien is not hard to look at. Neither is Mike on second thought....oh ya I watch cuz I'm supposed to be learning something. Seriously though, as a Real Estate Agent I can tell you that our Canadian laws and building codes do differ from our American neighbours, AND I've seen plenty of incompetent home inspectors kybosh the sale of a perfectly good house as well as neglectfully miss red flags. It works both ways. I don't wish to slam all home inspectors, as I'm sure there are some excellent ones out there, but I personally have yet to find one I really trust, and now refuse to refer any of them. Often a good contractor will do a great job at inspecting your new purchase for a good chunk less cash to boot!
 
#18 ·
Personally, I don't think Holmes goes far enough on either of his shows. I think he should out these incompetent inspectors and other contractors that leave these people's houses in the shape they are in. Of course, they would probably be too concerned with litigation to ever let that happen on TV.
 
#19 ·
Creeper, that is why I do not take referrals from Realtors, when it comes to contractors & inspectors. Same when it comes to having my mechanic work on my car. I will tell others about my guys I keep on my calling list, but if someone asks for their number, I tell them my history with either guy.
 
#23 ·
That would mean, that someone did not read the instructions about the product. When we did the bathroom, my wife thought that getting the dustless compound was better. Guess what, the husband should always purchase the materials, and just tell the wife to wait for a better end result. Goes along with the lines of her asking when she should paint, while you are still trying to sand out he compound, and come home to a painted bathroom. Now I have to deal with going into every day and staring at three walls that never got completely final sanded.

You know, sometimes Wallpaper sounds great to hide the imperfections, that wives cause.
 
#25 ·
No need, since she understands now when I say something needs to be a certain way, or a procedure needs to be done a certain way, it gets done by the book. The worst thing is, who ever tries to pull up the tile in the bathroom, will be better off just cutting the 1x4 sub pine flooring out, since it was done by the instructions from the manufacturer.
 
#26 ·
I saw a show on DIY channel (not Holmes but some pretty boy) doing a kitchen remodel. They cut PEX pipe with a hacksaw (so much for a clean square cut) and joined everything with Sharkbites. :(
 
#28 ·
I have learned a lot of things from this show.

However, the hard part for me as a DYIer is sorting out his advice and techniques. He makes it seem like it is his way or no way. He is not very tolerate of other building techniques other than his own.

In the end, if a DYIer is following his advice, then it is certainly much better than following some fool with no experience in the trade.

My two pennies worth.:thumbsup:
 
#29 ·
Chris, actually the framing that they do with screws is not structurally, second, look at it to the point, that they have to correct what the crook builder did. Quit defending the crooks, because without them, people like Holmes would not be around to fix the problems they create.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Chris, actually the framing that they do with screws is not structurally, second, look at it to the point, that they have to correct what the crook builder did. Quit defending the crooks, because without them, people like Holmes would not be around to fix the problems they create.


Actually it is structural framing-when installing floor joists that support the live and dead loads of a floor, this is referred to as structural framing. I've seen them do this several times.

I've also seen them build a garage-this one takes the cake-banged their walls together with screws, then sat there with impacts and screwed the plywood sheathing on:laughing:

I'm not "defending the crooks" I see some of the work they do, and it's worth criminal charges. However the other end of this is ensuring that you hire a real pro, not the cheapest bidder. He sends a good message, do your homework on who you hire, and bring in the right trades for the right jobs.

please read my posts before responding


That aside, other than his fascination with screws, I think he is quite knowledgable and does good work. My main problem with him-as Willie mentioned, everything seems to have no cost attached, I don't see it as a realistic relationship.

The show i prefer is real reno's. They do great work, and you get a much more realistic idea of the reno process.

Bottom line is if I don't dig holmes as much, thats my opinion... I think his heart is in the right place, I just find him a bit arrogant, because nobody is perfect, including him, and sometimes watching all his different shows on HGTV, superstar challenges, just takes himself a bit too seriously. The guy from real reno's is more humble, that's all.

My advice to anyone wanting to avoid a nightmare scenario like you see on Holmes on Holmes, is do your homework and be aware of anyone who is much much cheaper than the competition.
 
#30 ·
Actually novanel, he does it from the point of the codes, but also, he is a perfectionist, and has stated that he does it like he would like the same work done on his own place. How many times have you heard of someone going back and correcting problems at a place that has had Mike Holmes have his sub's fix some crooked contractor did to the structure.
 
#31 ·
Holmes isn't supposed to be a DIY show. There are a few out there, but I doubt many if any home owners would attack the problems that Holmes does. It's more about pointing out problems and getting them fixed than a tutorial.
 
#32 ·
This has been mentioned, but it seems to keep on being ignored.

Not a single one of those homeowners is paying for the enormous amounts of time, expensive materials and money Holmes expends.

I seldom work for anyone who wants me to do something the most expensive way I can possibly find. They, just like most of you, (and me too) want a good job at as reasonable a price as they can find.

This is not Holmes. He basically has Carte Blanc to spend as much as he desires.
 
#34 ·
I have watched many of his shows, and he is way over the top. In regards to his budget (which he does have one) he is almost always over. In fact in 2009 he was so far over budget on his jobs, he owed the network money, even after his paycheck. He makes more money with his books and other endorsements. When he does someones house, they are expected to pay what ever they can, some have money, and some do not. Up here in Igloo land we do have some differences, first of all NO igloos, but if we did.... it would mean we would have a whole lot of cheap ( I mean affordable housing) for Holmes to work on. Like to see him work on an igloo, now that would be coool. Sorry for the pun but had to put it in there.
 
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