Mike Holmes
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| Michael (Mike) James Holmes | |
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| Born | August 3, 1963 Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada |
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| Occupation | General Contractor |
| Children | 3 |
Mike Holmes (born 3 August 1963) is a Canadian professional contractor best known for his television show Holmes on Homes where he rescues homeowners from renovations gone wrong.
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[edit] Background
Mike Holmes learned his craft from his father, who started teaching him construction work (ie. electrical, plumbing) when he was 6 years old. By the time he was 19, Holmes had started his first contracting company, with a crew of 13 employees. At 21, Holmes founded his own renovation company. He has run two companies during his 20-year contracting career.
In 2006 Holmes started The Holmes Foundation after seeing a renovation that was so poorly done that he felt it was easier for him to tear the house down and start again rather than try to repair the damage. The purpose of The Holmes Foundation is to encourage young people to enter the building trades as well as to assist those who have been impoverished by bad renovations. Also in late 2006, Holmes published the book Make It Right containing his advice on renovations, finding contractors, permits, and inspections.
Mike has 3 children: Amanda, Sherry and Mike Jr. Amanda is a production assistant for 'Holmes on Homes', while Mike Jr. is a member of his father's construction crew.
[edit] Holmes on Homes
Broadcast on HGTV Canada, Holmes on Homes first started in 2001. Holmes on Homes was first conceived when Holmes approached the producers of the Just ask Jon Eakes home improvement show on HGTV with the idea for a new kind of home improvement show. Although there were few submissions to the show initially, their number had ballooned by the fourth season. In one fourth season episode of the show, Holmes stated that he received hundreds of e-mails a week from people asking him for help.
In Canada, Holmes on Homes airs on HGTV Canada and BBC Canada. It airs in the US on HGTV, in New Zealand on The Living Channel, in Australia on The How To Channel, and in the United Kingdom on Discovery Real Time, in Germany on DMAX and in South Africa on the home channel.
[edit] Holmes Inspection
Mike has just begun production on a new series called “Holmes Inspection”, that profiles home inspections gone wrong. “Holmes Inspection” will start airing in Fall 2009 on HGTV Canada.[1]
[edit] Other media appearances
- Holmes was a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on October 4, 2006, during which host Ellen DeGeneres made a mock marriage proposal[1]. Holmes returned on the October 6, 2006 episode to introduce a young couple whose home renovation project had gone poorly. He appeared for a third time on the December 7, 2006 episode and delivered an update, complete with photos, on progress with the renovation. Holmes later stated that he paid for over $300,000 of the cost, because the homeowners were nearly bankrupt and could not afford to fix their home.[2]
- Holmes appeared as a guest expert on CBC Television's Marketplace January 10, 2007 episode called "How Not to Get Nailed" in which the television show used hidden cameras to show unethical and illegal practices by home renovators.
- Holmes made a cameo appearance in episode 4-06 "Jail House" of Corner Gas.
- Holmes was a judge on the HGTV reality show "Handyman Superstar Challenge".
- Holmes is also the TV spokesperson and supporter of SOS Children's Villages. He was part of a TV commercial that encourages Canadians to sponsor a child.
- Holmes built a treehouse on the children's television show "This is Emily Yeung".
- Holmes appeared on ABC's 20/20 September 28, 2007 episode discussing how to find a good contractor and how to deal with renovation problems.
- He appeared on "The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos" February 27, 2008, and did a 2-minute Q&A session.[3]
- Holmes appeared as a co-host on "Entertainment Tonight Canada" on February 27, 2008.
- Holmes appeared on "Canada AM" on February 28, 2008.
- Holmes stars in Charlie Major's "Make It Right" music video.
- Mike appeared twice on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. On June 3, 2008, Holmes talked about his views on home inspectors, regulations, his latest book "The Holmes Inspection" and his future plans with his show Holmes on Homes and Make It Right productions.[4] There was also mention of an entire community that he is in the process of developing in Okotoks, Alberta.[5] On October 22, 2008, Holmes elaborated on the Okotoks project -- 450 sustainable homes to be built to LEED Platinum standard, incorporating geothermal and solar technologies, and costing 15-20% more than conventional homes.[6]
- He has appeared in commercials promoting Nescafe instant coffee.
[edit] Awards and Accolades
On February 21, 2008 Holmes was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).[7]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.holmesonhomes.com/makeitright/Mike_Holmes_Online/ Accessed January 20, 2009
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=1990 Accessed February 28, 2008
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=2000 Accessed February 28, 2008
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=759992083 Mike Holmes on The Hour - Accessed June 3, 2008
- ^ http://calgary.cityguide.ca/mike-holmes-proposing-development-in-okotoks-020390.php Holmes develops an entire community in Okotoks, Alberta (Calgary - CityGuide.ca)
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=900158491 Mike Holmes on The Hour, October 22, 2008
- ^ http://www.bcit.ca/news/releases/newsrelease02210800000001.shtml accessed February 23, 2008
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Mike Holmes at the Internet Movie Database
- Holmes on Homes
- Holmes on Homes at HGTV Canada
- TV Interview with Holmes on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos (June 3, 2008)
- Toronto Sun interview with Mike Holmes
- Calgary Sun interview with Mike Holmes
- HarperCollins Canada, publishers of Make it Right
