Mike's Busy Friday

Mike Holmes definitely earned his weekend today. In fact, as I type, I'm listening to Mike live on an Ontario radio show. From Mike's Facebook minutes ago:

Posted 12PM EST:

On @CBCOntarioToday now! Call in with your questions. You can listen online at http://CBC.ca/ontariotoday

 

 

Apart from the CBC radio interview, Mike was also busy supporting team Canada for the World Skills competition in Ottawa.

 

 

Posted 10AM EST:

Here with 35 Skills Canada Champions who are heading to world Skills 2013 in Leipzig, Germany in July. Good looking team!

Posted 7AM EST:

In Ottawa for the @Skills_Canada Champions Breakfast. Had some interviews this morning - heading to the event soon!

 

Still listening LIVE to Mike on the CBC radio show. Hopefully they'll archive it and I can post it tomorrow or the next day. Cant wait to hunt down all those interviews! This should make the next couple of days fun for me :)

Ramblings...

Ok, so there's not much to blog about today. It's kind of been a slow couple of days on the internet. I figured that that there's no time like the present to remind everyone that Mike's brand new show Holmes Makes It Right will be airing soon in the US on HGTV. The date? Nobody knows as of now. Mike has said that he'll announce it as soon as he knows. Currently Mike is busy filming yet another season of the show. As of yet, only our Canadian friends have had the privilege of seeing it. Apparently nobody told the networks that Mike Holmes has a HUGE fan base outside of Canada, and we're all waiting in anticipation to see the show!

Long story short... keep your eyes and ears peeled if you live in the US. The show should be premiering any time now.

I also realize that I haven't posted an update on the birthday present I'm creating for Mike's 25th-times-two birthday this August. That's a BIG birthday, so my present is going to be equally as splendid! I'm chipping away at it day by day in hopes that by August, it will be finished! I announced a couple months ago that the project is entitled "Canadian Rhapsody." That's pretty much all I'm going to reveal as of now, along with these pictures...

Poor Mike doesn't have a head, feet, or arms yet, as he's currently undergoing an extreme makeover. Since his body and style have changed a bit since the last time I did one of these things, so has his avatar.

Bet you can guess who this is! You're going to have to, because I'm NOT telling ;-) Not yet, anyways.

 

Last but not least... another new character. Not telling who this is either. Could be anyone I guess, but's not just anyone, it's someone we all know and love!

 

So that's it! It's going to be a nutty crazy epic tribute to my hero Mike and his awesome crew, AKA the latest victims of my artwork.

 

 

Mike Holmes Makes The Case For A Career In Skilled Trades

This is an older interview, but it's one I hadn't seen before, so chances are you haven't seen it either! This video was part of Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2009 at Humber College in Ontario. In the interview, Mike talks to the youth of Canada about becoming a skilled tradesman or tradeswoman. He talks about the importance of mentoring and internships in the field, and finding something you love to do. Great interview!

Here's some screencaps from the interview. To see the complete interview, go here.

The Sonne Side of Life

While perusing Mike's Facebook page, I found this video, posted by All American Handyman contestant and grand prize winner Sonne Shields. Sonne was judged by Mike and Scott Mcgillivray to be the "All American Handy[wo]man" on season three of the show, which aired last year on HGTV. Part of the prize package was a development deal... so where's the Sonne show? I'd love to see one! In the meantime, I guess Sonne's been busy showing off her skills on YouTube. Here's a video that Sonne posted to Mike's Facebook a couple days ago, with the added question "did I make it right Mike?"

In the video, Sonne and Dave replace a door that was damaged by a burglar.

How To Find The Right Architect

For many people, hiring an architect for a home renovation is a scary process. Not only do you have to pick a good architect with the skills to complete your project, you also have to choose one who works well with your contractor. The bottom line for Mike Holmes: "Don’t let it come down to cost. Choose an architect whose skills you trust and who you can work with. Because in the end it’s your project. Hire someone whose best interests are in making it right and keeping you happy." In this article, reposted from the Montreal Gazette, Mike discusses finding the right architect for your renovation project.

 

 

From the Montreal Gazette:

Mike Holmes: How to find the right architect for your reno job

Don't let fee fears deter you from hiring a true professional for house projects

By Mike Holmes, For Postmedia News January 18, 2013

Many construction or renovation projects require the help of a professional architect to get the job done right. Don’t let your choice of architect come down to cost.

Anyone thinking about doing a major renovation will probably work with a professional architect at some point. Not everyone understands the relationship among homeowners, contractors and architects. But in my line of work I depend on these pros all the time.
Any time a renovation requires building permits, plans need to be drawn up, submitted and approved by your local building authority. And you have a couple of options when it comes to the plans.
Your first option is submitting plans that aren’t stamped, signed or sealed by any professional — not something I recommend. Because if something goes wrong, you are 100 per cent liable for fixing it — plus any damages.
Then there are times when the plans must be prepared and stamped or sealed by a professional engineer, or architect, or both, for example, if you’re building an addition that’s bigger than 600 square metres or three storeys in height. And this can vary from province to province.
Sometimes when I mention bringing in an architect, homeowners start to get nervous — they think the job will be too expensive. Permits mean plans, plans mean architects and architects mean architect fees. Or they think the architect won’t listen to them and design whatever they want. But what I always tell homeowners is hiring the right professional is worth every penny.
For a construction project to be good, it needs to do three things: work for you and the environment, look good and be built to last. Architects help turn dreams into reality by guiding you through the design and construction process. Usually their services include designing, preparing construction documents and construction administration. But it varies. As a bare minimum, they should make sure your project abides by local zoning bylaws and building codes.
Architects are consultants. But they’re also co-ordinators and technical managers trained to deliver a project on schedule and, hopefully, within budget. Most architect agreements stipulate that the project must come within 15 per cent of the budget; if it doesn’t, they have to revise the plans at no extra cost. But this isn’t a standard rule so always read the agreement carefully.
Finding the right architect can be tricky. Sometimes you find the right contractor first and they will recommend an architect. But this could be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you know the contractor and architect can work together—that’s good. But if the architect depends on the contractor to get referrals, the risk is they might be more concerned with keeping the contractor happy than you. If you find the architect first, you don’t know if they can work with the contractor you end up hiring. So do your homework.
If you really like a contractor’s work, ask them about architects they’ve worked with and how happy they were with the final results. Then talk to the homeowners and get their take on the entire process. For instance, how quick was it for them to get the right building permits based on the architect’s drawings? How many modifications had to be made to the original plans? These are all clues that tell you how easy — or difficult — it will be working with a particular architect.

So how do you find the right architect?
Canada has a directory of architects called the Architecture Canada Electronic Directory. It might include information on past projects an architect has worked on, commissions, awards and so on. But your best bet is to talk to people who have worked with an architect in the past.
No matter what architect you decide to work with, you need to have a clear understanding of the obligations, responsibilities and expectations.
What services do you expect them to deliver? What are you responsible for? When do you expect certain milestones to be completed? How much are you willing to pay?
And once you know what these terms are, put them in writing. There should be a separate contract between you and the architect — in addition to the one you have with your contractor — that clearly outlines the terms and conditions of the entire project, including a payment schedule.
One helpful document is called the Canadian Standard Form of Agreement Between Client and Architect. There’s also a shorter version. You could use the shorter version when you don’t need an architect’s full services — maybe just their input for one small aspect of a construction project, like a modification to renovation plans.
Either way, you can find these documents through provincial architectural associations, although they might need to be adapted for use in Quebec.
Architect fees
Most clients pay a deposit once they sign a contract with an architect — usually a percentage of the architect’s total fee.
There are two main types of fees: architectural services and out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs and the cost of reproducing documents. Some architects will charge a lump sum, hourly rate or a percentage of the total cost of the construction project. Sometimes it’s a combination.
Bottom line: Don’t let it come down to cost. Choose an architect whose skills you trust and who you can work with. Because in the end it’s your project. Hire someone whose best interests are in making it right and keeping you happy.
Catch Mike Holmes in his new series, Holmes Makes It Right Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

Mike Holmes Helps The Deaf Community

From Mike's Facebook yesterday:


Day 1 on a new project for Holmes Makes It Right. Walking through the house with the homeowner and her interpreter. First time working with a deaf homeowner - hopefully I can pick up on some sign language by the end of the project!

As most Holmes on Homes fans know, this is not Mike's first run in with deaf people and interpreters. In the 2007 episode "Country Kitchen" Mike helps rebuild a kitchen for a sign language interpreter and her husband, who requested an open floor plan to better accommodate the visual needs of their deaf friends. Along the way, Mike learns how to fingerspell his name M-I-K-E and also how to sign the phrases "make it right" "nice to meet you" and "thank you very much." This episode is a fan favorite because country music star Charlie Major also makes a guest appearance and performs a special song at the end (see Mike Holmes and Charlie Major Make It Right for more information).

I think one thing that Mike probably doesn't know about himself is that he is a very big star in the Deaf community! I went to school to be an interpreter, and was in a deaf theater company for four years. I even met my husband at a deaf picnic, and started dating him after attending a deaf bowling league event. My husband is not deaf, but my brother and sister in law are both deaf. I sign, my husband signs, and most of my family signs, so sign language has been a big part of my life for many years. I do know that Mike is just as iconic in the deaf community as he is in the hearing community. The reasons why are simple. First, many deaf people gravitate towards the trades as a career choice, because the trades better suite their communication and skill sets (although I do have deaf friends who are college professors with Master's degrees, so I don't want to characterize all deaf people with the same broad brush). Secondly, his shows are visually entertaining - Mike explains by doing, not just by talking. Not to mention that Mike is easily recognizable visually with his overalls and buzzed hair cut. Deaf people like that! And last but not least, Mike has recently and in the past expressed a willingness and an interest to learn more about deaf people. I don't think he fully realizes that by working with members of the deaf community, he's pretty much securing his place in the hearts and minds of deaf people around the world. Like any group, deaf people appreciate when anyone brings awareness to their community.

Renovations That Worked With Mike Holmes

If I lived in Canada, without a doubt the one show I would watch there that we don't have here in the States is George Stromb... Stro... Strombolo.... STROUMBOULOPOULOS. There it is, I knew I had it in my notes somewhere. It appears to me, a mere observer from afar, that George Stroumboulopoulos is the Greek god of Canadian late night television. From all that I've gathered via clips on the internet, he's just like Conan, only he has Mike Holmes as a regular guest, which instantly makes him that much better!

In this little short, made for George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, Mike Holmes talks about renovations that actually worked. I don't know about you, but I could stare at Mike's happy smiley face for hours, which unlike the Sphinx, is very handsome.

Here's some screen caps from the video, which can be watched here! Enjoy!

 

 

 

Mike Holmes Inspections Partners with iVerify

Mike Holmes' company, Mike Holmes Inspections, has formed a partnership with iVerify, an Ottawa company which provides detailed Home History Reports to potential home buyers. "This is crucial information for anyone buying a home," states Mike in the below article. He adds, "It gives you essential facts that every homeowner has a right to know. You should know if the home you're buying was a grow-op, or if there was a fire. That could mean thousands of dollars in repairs." In these articles, one from Canada Newswire and one from the Ottawa Citizen, MHI's role in providing iVerify reports with every inspection it conducts is discussed at length. Read on...

 

 

 

From Canada Newswire:

Don't buy a lemon! Protect your investment with a Home History Report from Mike Holmes Inspections and iVerify

TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Mike Holmes Inspections (MHI) is proud to announce its partnership with iVerify™. iVerify™ is the company behind the first Canadian Home History Report service. The partnership means MHI clients will receive a detailed Home History Report with their home inspection. Interested homeowners can also purchase the report without a home inspection.
The report is based on data from municipal, provincial and federal records and includes information on any insurance claims and municipal building permits associated with the property, potential clandestine labs and drug operations formerly on the property, as well as previous sales price(s).
"This is crucial information for anyone buying a home," stated Mike Holmes. "It gives you essential facts that every homeowner has a right to know. You should know if the home you're buying was a grow-op, or if there was a fire. That could mean thousands of dollars in repairs," added Holmes.
MHI Director Ashley Shojaie is responsible for developing the partnership. "This service is most valuable to homebuyers because it helps them make a smart investment," stated Shojaie. "But it can also help current homeowners understand underlying issues in their home and develop a strategy for necessary repairs."
iVerify President and CEO Alexandre Morin targeted MHI as a strategic partner to help bring additional transparency to real estate transactions.
"I am very proud of this partnership," stated Morin. "MHI has established itself as an industry innovator. We are confident that this agreement will allow iVerify™ to position its Home History Report as an essential tool for all parties involved in real estate transactions. iVerify™ couldn't be happier to have partnered with the most trusted name in the industry," added Morin.
The iVerify™ Report is a complete home due diligence report on any Canadian property, generated by searching the address of a property against millions of records from key sources and obtaining the most current data available.
About Mike Holmes Inspections
Mike Holmes Inspections is an independent home inspection service company providing thorough, fair and educated assessments of building structures and systems by integrating advanced technologies with sophisticated industry techniques. It invests in the development of industry standards through collaborations and third-party ventures with educational institutions and industry associations.
SOURCE: Mike Holmes Inspections
For further information: For more information on Mike Holmes Inspections, please visit
www.mikeholmesinspections.com.
For all queries regarding Mike Holmes Inspections, please contact:
Ashley Shojaie, Director
contactus@mikeholmesinspections.com
For all queries regarding the iVerify™ Report service, please contact:
Alexandre Morin, President and CEO
amorin@iVerify.com

 

From Ottawa Citizen:

Home shopping without surprises

 

History Report aims to do for real estate what Carfax has done for used car buying

By Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen January 16, 2013 10:02 AM

Alexandre Morin is CEO of Ottawa company iVerify. The company produces reports about a home’s history.

Photograph by: Bruno Schlumberger, Ottawa Citizen

OTTAWA — An Ottawa company called iVerify hopes to forever change the way Canadians buy houses — and it’s enlisted the help of Canada’s best known handyman to get the word out.
Mike Holmes will help promote the firm’s Canadian Home History Report, which details all of the insurance claims, building permits, previous sales prices and other municipal, provincial and federal records that will be of interest to a potential buyer. The report also flags homes that were marijuana grow operations or used as clandestine drug labs.
“It’s not until you talk to your new neighbour that you learn the truth about why the previous owner really wanted to sell the property,” said Alexandre Morin, chief executive of iVerify. “Or, you try to insure (a home) and the broker tells you, ‘We can insure it, but it’s going to cost you $1,000 more because its prone to flooding and it’s happened before.’ ”
Buyers of resale homes are supposed to be informed about significant renovations, fires, flooding or other issues. However, a real estate agent is only privy to the details a home seller is willing to share. If the seller doesn’t tell the agent about problems with repeated flooding, that information may never reach potential buyers.
Morin said that until iVerify launched in March 2012, it was difficult to collect all historical information about a home. His company negotiated deals with insurance companies and municipal, provincial and federal governments to gain access to the details needed to provide historical reports to potential home buyers. It also created and maintains a cross-country database of grow ops and clandestine labs so it can flag those homes to prospective buyers.
“Realtors have been able to hide behind the fact that they didn’t know and they didn’t have any resources to find that information. Therefore they didn’t have to disclose it,” said Morin. “We wanted to come up with a solution for industry professionals and home buyers to lean against, at an affordable price, so they can make an informed decision.”
The company hopes to become like Carfax, which has changed the way people buy cars by presenting a vehicle’s ownership, accident and insurance claim history.
Reports from iVerify range from four to six pages and cost between $49 and $99, depending on how much information a person wants on the property. Real estate agents and other professionals who plan to be heavy users of iVerify services are offered discounted rates.
The company, which started out under the name HomeProof, employs six and is privately funded. Despite being relatively unknown, the firm has already caught the attention of one of the country’s most vocal proponents when it comes to increasing accountability in Canada’s real estate industry.
“This is crucial information for anyone buying a home,” said Mike Holmes in a release. “It gives you essential facts that every homeowner has a right to know. You should know if the home you’re buying was a grow-op, or if there was a fire. That could mean thousands of dollars in repairs.”

Holmes, the star of popular television shows on HGTV Canada, has for years been crusading for better building codes and encouraging homeowners to be extra vigilant when it comes to hiring contractors, buying a new home or performing renovations.
Under the agreement with iVerify, Holmes’s company, Mike Holmes Inspections (MHI), will provide iVerify report to all of its clients. Holmes is not receiving any financial consideration for endorsing the Ottawa company.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Got A Question For Mike???

Ten years ago, the world was introduced to Mike Holmes via HGTV Canada, and the world has never been the same since! HGTV Canada is celebrating ten years of Mike with an anniversary special in which Mike will be answering select viewer submitted questions. If you have a question for Mike, you can submit them to HGTV Canada via their Facebook, Twitter, or email.


From HGTV Canada:
Behind the Overalls: Ask Mike Holmes

Posted by Tina Taus, Web Producer Monday, January 14, 2013 1:00 PM EST

How time flies! We can’t believe it’s already been nearly 10 years since Mike Holmes first joined our airwaves. His 10-year anniversary is fast approaching, and to help kick it off we’re asking his fans to submit questions that you’ve always wanted to ask him.

Ever wondered how Mike got his start in TV? Or, what does Mike like to do when he’s not busy Making it Right? Now is your chance to submit those questions! Either email us at webmaster@hgtv.ca or simply post a question in the comment section below, Facebook or Tweet us.

You just might see the answer to your question from Mike himself in our 10 year anniversary special airing this Spring.

So get started, ask away!

What Scares You About Renovating?

I found this blog entry by Mountainside Build and Design, a Vancouver based custom home builder, interesting and a little bit funny too! While it's not about Mike per se, it touches on how Mike's shows such as Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection have changed how many people approach home renovation. Watching copious amounts of Holmes on Homes without any kind of reference or perspective can turn people into homeowner hypochondriacs who fret and worry about what could be lurking behind their own walls! Not to worry, though. In the spirit of Mike Holmes, this company is using education to combat homeowners' fears. They don't dare promise a bunch of good looking men (and women) showing up on your door step with jack hammers and nail guns, but they do promise to earn your trust, and that sounds pretty good to me.

 

 

 

 

January 10, 2013 | by Jake Kostelyk

What Scares You About Renovating?

{Image courtesy of HGTV}

Mike Holmes is the leading name in Canadian Renovations. He can renovate an entire home in 21 minutes (plus commercials) and rescues homeowners from deceiving, dishonest contractors on a daily basis. Joking aside, he's a very good spokesman for our industry, and knows his stuff!

I get to meet with many home owners considering renovations. Many of them have watched HGTV. Most of them watch Holmes on Homes, which leaves them with many questions;

Are all contractors crooked?
Is there really that much rot in every house?
Are the guys that show up to renovate going to be that strong and good looking?
The answer is no, no, and sometimes (depending on who you hire).

Fear of crooked contractors and rot/mould issues almost always lead to more fears:
- fear of aesbestos
- blowing the budget
- improper workmanship
- not knowing what's happening

A renovation is a large investment, and naturally, causes people to stress.

Here at Mountainside, we've implemented specific systems and programs to ensure that we can address these fears and concerns BEFORE any construction starts:

1. We now offer firm commitments on cost AND scheduling. This way you'll know how much the project is going to cost, and how long it's going to take.
2. We use offer written contracts, as well as a detailed design and scope of work and specifications document. This means you'll know what your project is going to look like, what products are being used, and what the terms of the agreement are BEFORE we swing the first hammer.
3. We offer a written warranty program for both renovations and new homes.
4. We use an online Project Management system which keeps you, the home owner, informed and connected at all times.
4. We crawl around your house BEFORE the project starts. By reviewing your existing plumbing, checking out your electrical panel and sampling the wall and flooring for aesbestos, we can start construction without major questions or unknowns.

But what about the problems hidden BEHIND the wall? Occasionally, we find a large patch of mould behind a shower. On other occasions, we'll uncover improper wire hidden behind the drywall. There are certain things that are, as we call it, unforeseeable. If we can not possibly find out something before we start construction, we will bring up any suprises to you directly, and provide you with the best course of action.

Surprise birthday parties are fun. Surprise mould and rot is not fun. Our goal is to earn your trust, and provide you with a stunning home, and just as importantly, a stress-free (and even ENJOYABLE) process.