Response to Mike Holmes Home Inspection Show

What looks good for TV is not always in the best interest of a home buyer. In this video response to an episode of "Holmes Inspection", Andrew Christie (Registered Home Inspector and owner of Safe Homes Canada) sheds light on the questionable practices and advice demonstrated by the Mike Holmes team. Save time and lots of money by learning about sensible, real-world solutions to problems found during home inspections.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• mike holmes
• home inspection
• tips
• advice
• asbestos inspection
• foundation inspection
• water damage
• safe homes canada
• andrew christie

[ferretluv9]

The world of home inspection is a crock. I would never hire this guy or his company with the comments that he has made. If he is trying to say that people need to spend as little money as possible, is not what I want to know when purchasing a house. I need to know what is wrong with the house and what I expect that to spend as this is the most expensive item that you will ever purchase and you want as few surprises as possible.

This guy obviously doesn't care much about the buyer.

[SafeHomesCanada]

@ferretluv9 I think you've missed the point entirely. We don't tell our clients they need to spend as little money as possible, we recommend reasonable solutions that fix the problem without spending more than is necessary. Contractors will often try to sell you far more work than is actually needed, and most people don't have big TV budgets to pay for the ultimate gold standard in repairs. In the real world, you can safely address many building problems without breaking the bank.

[powershop1903]

I made the mistake of buying a old house. However the home inspector from CASTLE ROCK HOME INSPECTIONS in NIAGARA, ONTARIO was horrible. I paid this guy $330.00 and he could not see rotted out floor joists in the crawl space? I would rather trust a tradesman like Mr. Holmes than some engineer who posts a crappy video on youtube!!!!! Don't tell us; show us what you can do.

[SafeHomesCanada]

@powershop1903 We'd love the opportunity to do so. Give us a call! :) 1-888-270-7275

[ColZander]

Itss nooooo secret that most "home inspectors " can not point out any problems if they want to have any buisness thus keeping there jobs as slaves to the realestate agency they work for . They are about as honest as a car salesmen now days and are a disgrace to what used to be an honerable occupation.

[SafeHomesCanada]

@ColZander I run an independent business and we have a long list of Realtors who won't refer their clients to us because we tell it straight. Fortunately, there are still many Realtors who care about their clients and understand the value of how we do inspections: thoroughly and without any bias.

[jamuss77]

Mike never once has said he is doing a home inspection, he does a HOLMES inspection. Yes some of the issues on his shows are probably fixable without going through all the work and money but, his motto is "if your gonna do it, do it right the first time!" So he tears it down to the point where he can have it done right, from square one. Mike knows what he is talking about even though he is not an engineer or have a degree.

[POISEDME]

I would never hire this Inspector. My son bought a home and I spent $15,000 fixing the problems that the inspector missed. open junction boxes and undersized ceiling joist. I am a big fan of Mike Holmes

[TomZentra]

The main problem with any of these shows -- Holmes On Homes, Holmes Inspection, This New Old House, etc -- is the average homeowner does not have the budget as shown on TV. This is no different from watching Martha Stewart recommend $5,000 patio furniture. Few people can actually spend such an amount. The bottom line is that the show provides entertainment you can learn from and quality work to admire. Just don't expect perfection.

[HomeSweeetHome]

I like mike and think he's a decent guy, but people act like he's superman. Any decent contractor can build just as good of a house....as long as there's someone willing to pay for it. People want a "quality" home within reason, and Mike does go overboard. Not that there's anything wrong with what he does, but it's not really practical for most people...even if they do have the money, usually the added benifit just isn't worth the huge marginal cost, and their dollars are best spent elsewhere.

[TeriTreeHugger]

To Safe Homes...re the asbesthos; One of Holmes' principles is that the homeowner deserves the best. He also believes in the doing-it-right (the first time) so why not get rid of the asbesthos when you find it? By wrapping and hiding it...you only leave the problem for the next guy...which is THE problem with industry attitude towards workmanship and customers. That is why we trust him...regardless of theatrics. It's about a shift in attitude. I am grateful for it.

[dfapetrie]

As a home remodeler and owner of a fixer house, I am very familiar with the needs v. wants debate. I like the Holmes on Homes show but is not very realistic. I can't even count how many homeowners choose the cheap way out when given an estimate outside their ability to pay even if they really want the Holmes style fix. One day I will find a money tree and this won't be as big an issue as it is now. Until then I will temper my wants with my need to see my son in a good college.

[kerry1053]

i have noticed mr holmes makes things a lot more theatrical..than it needs to be..but it brings him viewers and money money

[wiz1997]

The home inspection industry is not perfect, but it does work. I see many people complain about their home inspectors. Should we believe that most home inspectors have no clue what their doing or is it that most buyers have false expectations which is solidified by watching a Mike Homes entertainment show?

[HomeEnergyNow]

God I hope holmes fans (morons) watch this! That guy is just a home depot, lowes tool that sells overkill and diy confidence. He is a good salesman and showman, but he is the dumbest carpenter I have ever seen.

[ATTACKaMAC]

big Mike Holmes fan here ... and of his shows are "Good Television" which of course means slickly produced, flashy, fast-paced , with exaggerated scenes & actions. That's what makes "entertainment" - shots of 1 house burning down - not the 100,000,000 that did NOT ... BUT he's got a good point -- spend $20,000 fixing something ("the best") and increase your homes value by maybe $100 or use caulk/patching good for 20+ years - again, $ 20K's a 'better' fix - but is it PRACTICAL? invest the $20k