Damon Bennett: "Getting Ready To Host His First Solo Renovation Show" Featuring Military Vets

In December of this year it was officially announced that Damon Bennett and the Holmes Group would be parting ways. Damon was one of main staples on Mike's shows, so the announcement was pretty shocking to say the least (see Damon Bennett and Mike Holmes/Holmes Group Part Ways for more information). If you're a fan of Damon Bennett, there's good news. In an article from the Saskatoon's paNOW.com, it seems to indicate quite strongly that Damon will hosting his own show very soon! The article also talks about his work with veterans and what he's doing to provide good jobs for vets when they return home from duty. In fact, since leaving the show, Damon has been busy running a construction company that specifically hires vets looking for work. His new show will presumably revolve around the construction company he founded and the veterans he's hired to work within that company. What a great concept, I'm looking forward to seeing the show if it airs in the States!


From paNOW.com:

Damon Bennett brings veteran work program word to Saskatoon

Submitted on March 22, 2014 - 4:16pm

By Lasia Kretzel

paNOW Staff

When he's not getting ready to host his first solo renovation show, contractor and HGTV network star Damon Bennett is working to create job opportunities for Canada's working veterans.
The construction celebrity, famous for being the right hand man of Mike Holmes, was in Saskatoon Saturday to discuss his new project.
"Our last troops have come back (from Afghanistan) and there's a huge work force that needs to get to work,” Bennett said. “Part of dealing with PTSD is getting back to work."
The project, which is just starting up in Ontario, involves working with local government agencies to get veterans the training and employment they need. One example is a website where trades employers can search a list of unemployed veterans.
Bennett also runs a construction company that specifically hires veterans. He said veterans ranging from ages 20 to 60 are looking for work.
“Senior officers are going to find work, they’re educated. But the grunts on the ground, they’re probably educated too, but they’re going to have a harder time finding work. There’s no specific work base they can put on a resume.”
Bennett said a construction site is a great environment for veterans.
“They’re coming from a group dynamic where everyone has each other’s backs. They all of the sudden come into a construction industry where you’re also in a group dynamic where you have to have each other’s backs,” he said.
“These men and women aren’t afraid of hard work. They’re sleeping in the ground half the time, they’re working their butts off in the field.”
Once his show gets up and running, Bennett said he would like to have a rotating group of veterans come on and help with his projects.
Advanced Education minister Rob Norris said with a government reported 15,800 available jobs, the province will consider every option to plug the labour shortage and get veterans back to work.
“We’re certainly willing to roll up our sleeves and look at just about any option we can to help our returning veterans,” Norris said, adding the province does provide at $5,000 scholarship of honour to Saskatchewan veterans for post secondary education.

Hashtag Mike Holmes

We all know what they say about all work and no play. One thing's for sure, there's plenty of play to go around on Mike's jobsite, judging from the dozen or so short videos that have come out in the past month on Mike's official YouTube channel. In this video featuring Glen and MJ, with Sherry laughing and snorting in the background, Mike and his crew talk in social media "hashtag" speak. #waytoocute

All New MAKEITRIGHT.ca Website Launched

Some pretty big news today about Mike's website... MAKEITRIGHT.ca has been redesigned and new content has been added. I've spent a good 10 or 15 minutes navigating the new page, and I've got to say, the improvements made were greatly needed! The new website is sleeker and functions much smoother. Accessing the website on a mobile device such as an iPhone has improved, which is a major plus. I have vocalized my criticism of Mike's website in the past. I felt (and still do feel) that a public figure of Mike's caliber ought to have a website that reflects his status and professionalism. I think the new website is a step in the right direction. Mike announced the relaunch of his new website on Facebook a few hours ago:

I have big news! For the past year my team has been working on the new Make It Right site. It's finally launched!

You can find our broadcast calendar, resources, construction info, news and more. It's also my one-stop shop for all my projects.

Check it out and let me know what you think!


I'll have to check it out a bit more thoroughly, but from what I can see, so far so good. I'm digging the new content and resources. One thing that I think is still missing... a public appearance calendar. Every public figure should announce in advance where they will be making their public appearances so that people can come out to appropriate venues to say hi, as opposed to bugging Mike while he's trying to eat his dinner. Perhaps this feature can be added later, but bravo to the web crew for the new site! It looks great!
 

Mike Holmes: How to Hire the Right Plumber For the Job

March 11 was World Plumbing Day. Did you forget to thank your plumber? Chances are, unless you're married to one, you did. Plumbers are some of the unsung heroes in this world that make civilized living possible. Indoor plumbing allows us to bring clean water into our homes and take the dirty water away. Could you imagine what life would be like if you couldn't take a shower or flush a toilet? Plumbers literally make the difference between living in the first world versus the third world. This is all the more reason to be selective when hiring one to do work in your home. So how do you hire a good plumber? Most of us aren't plumbing experts and wouldn't know how to spot a good job or a bad job even if we were looking right at it. First things first, Mike Holmes states that a good plumber pays attention to detail. When examining a job, look to see if the job is done neat. Look for sloppy or dripping glue from the ABS joints. Is the soldering on copper pipes clean and neat? If it's not, then you should probably move on. Talk to your potential plumber and ask him questions, and don't be afraid to ask for examples of his work, because as Mike always says, a good tradesman is proud to show off his work. Lastly, always make sure that if you're moving lines, you get a permit, because a good plumber will always get all necessary permits for the job. Follow Mike's advice, and you'll be sure to avoid disaster down the line.

 

From the Montreal Gazette:

 Mike Holmes: What to look for when hiring a plumber

Be proactive, don't wait for a disaster

By Mike Holmes, For Postmedia News March 13, 2014

After a decade, Mike Holmes still cares because he knows the work he, his crew and others do makes a real difference to the people they help.

Photograph by: Alex Schuldt/The Holmes Group, Postmedia News

World Plumbing Day was on March 11 — a day those of us who know a good, licensed plumber should take a moment to thank our lucky stars.
Don’t know one? To avoid a bad hire, add a licensed plumber to your contact list long before you need one. Don’t wait for disaster to strike when you have an emergency. It’s these kinds of situations that can lead you to hire the wrong person — someone that could make an even bigger mess of your plumbing.
If you are new to a neighbourhood or plan to move soon, check out local plumbers and talk to past clients. Ask them how happy they were with their service and work. And how fast was the plumber on the scene when they needed them?
Here are some other tips to help you find the right plumber:
No. 1: Check their insurance. A licensed plumber does not need to carry insurance, but the company he works for does. The minimum liability coverage for most plumbing companies is $2 million, but the pros I work with carry $5 million.
Companies that take on bigger jobs will need more coverage, but more liability coverage also gives homeowners more peace of mind and security because they know they’re covered if something goes wrong that was the plumber’s fault.
Regardless of the amount, always call the insurance company to verify the coverage and make sure the company’s insurance hasn’t expired.
No. 2: Always do a background check and look at their work history. This applies not just to the jobs they do for the company they work for, but side jobs as well. Look at recent jobs, jobs they finished a month ago, a year ago, five years ago. Older jobs tell you the durability, quality and longevity of their work.
Ask them about the different kinds of jobs they do, and how many they personally (not just their company) do each year. A full-house plumbing reno can take a week to two weeks. If the plumber you’re checking out does these types of jobs, they shouldn’t be doing more than 25 a year.
Most homeowners will check out their general contractor, and go see their past jobs, but they won’t vet a potential plumber they’re thinking of hiring. It might be that they think plumbing isn’t something you need to go see. Or maybe they wouldn’t know how to judge the work of a good plumber; here are some clues:
A good plumber pays attention to details, so you should too! You can judge the technical knowledge and skills a plumber has by looking at the details of her work.
For example, look at the strapping on the pipes, and how the pipes are supported. Are they strapped nicely and level? Straps and supports cost money, so it’s an area where a plumber can go cheap.
Is the glue around the ABS joints clean? Is there any glue dripping? Also, look at the quality of the soldering around copper pipes. It should be clean and neat.

What about the slope of the pipes? Pros will slope their pipes to prevent water from sitting in the pipe and possibly freezing — which we know isn’t good.
And we can’t forget permits. You don’t need one for plumbing repairs, but you do if you are moving fixtures — and a good plumber won’t do the job without a permit.
Just like any other good contractors, good plumbers are proud of their work, so ask to see some examples.
Thanks to smartphones, plumbers can take photos of their work as soon as it’s done, giving them more references (all my service guys take pictures of their workmanship).
The last thing to remember is that good plumbers explain their work. When they meet potential clients, they are clean and presentable, and can explain the job in great detail and in a way you can understand (layman’s terms).
But if a plumber says, “Ya, don’t worry, I can do the job. It will cost you this much,” and they don’t explain what they’re actually going to do — for example, how they plan to reroute plumbing lines — then they’re not the right plumber and it’s time to move on.
Watch Mike Holmes on Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV. For more information visit makeitright.ca.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

Mike's Earth Hour Challenge

This year, Earth hour takes place on Saturday March 29 from 8:30 - 9:30 PM. It's a time when participants sacrifice one hour of technology and turn out the lights to conserve power and resources. Mike Holmes announced that he is teaming up with Pure Energies to support the solar energy movement. Solar is of course something near and dear to my own heart, as I proudly work for the largest residential solar company in the US (and by the way, 1BOG is one of our channel partners). I know all about the enormous financial and environmental benefits of going solar. I've seen energy bills slashed by 80% to 100% or MORE. Betcha can't imagine the utility company paying YOU for electricity! With solar, that's entirely possible. Perhaps the survivalist in you wants to go completely off the grid. With a battery backup, you can store your excess power and use it during times when the sun isn't shining. It's really as amazing and exciting as it sounds (do I sound excited?)

In an effort to spread the word about cleaner, greener energy, Mike is challenging 5000 people sign up at makeitright.ca/earthhour. If they hit their target, Mike will donate $5000 to the World Wildlife Fund. Now that's a bright way to make it right, go green, and maybe put a little of that green back in your own pocket!


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Mike Holmes Partners with Rinaldi Homes

The family of Holmes-Approved services and home builders grew this week as Mike Holmes announced that he would be partnering up with Rinaldi Homes. "The construction in these homes goes above and beyond code," Mike stated. What can a person expect when buying a Holmes Approved Home? For one, you can expect quality from the foundation up. You can expect products used that not only meet but exceed the minimum code, making the home mold, water, and pest resistant. "They shouldn't be optional, they should be the standard," said Mike when speaking about these above-code features. With a Holmes-Approved Home, you can have a home that's build to Mike's standard.

If you have some time on your hands, you can also watch this 20 minute video, which sandwiches segments of Mike demonstrating some of the quality features of a Rinaldi home in between some informative slides narrated by a lovely mechanized voice with a British accent.

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From the Rinaldi Homes Website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIKE HOLMES PARTNERS WITH RINALDI HOMES
Toronto, ON (March 7, 2014)

—Trusted contractor and popular television host, Mike Holmes welcomes Rinaldi Homes into his Holmes Approved Homes program as a Partner Builder.

The Holmes Approved Homes program launched in 2011 as a way to implement Mike Holmes’ mandate in new-home construction and sustainable building. It currently has Partner Builders in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

To ensure homes are built right from the ground up, the Holmes Approved Homes program includes only the best homebuilders in the industry. To date, only a handful of Ontario builders have been invited to participate in the exclusive program.
All Holmes Approved Homes are built with specific building products, installation methods and building practices to ensure enhanced durability, energy-efficiency, fire- moisture- and mould-resistance, sound protection and higher indoor air quality.

"I partnered with Rinaldi Homes because they understand real craftsmanship," stated Mike Holmes, President of The Holmes Group. "They know what it means to build homes that last for generations—the way we used to build. And they’re a family business. That tells me they care. Because at the end of the day, it’s their name on these homes, too. When it’s your name on the line you stand behind it," added Holmes.

"We take pride in the homes we build. We believe in building homes right the first time—that’s why we are very excited to partner with Mike Holmes on our upcoming Coyle Creek Townhome project in Welland," stated Jerry Rinaldi, President of Rinaldi Homes. "With the Holmes Approved Homes stamp of approval, it will give new homeowners peace of mind that they have bought a long-lasting and healthy home."

Rinaldi Homes’ award-winning home designs incorporate innovative and practical construction features that support healthy lifestyles. Their excellence in home building and design has been recognized at the highest level—locally by the Niagara Home Builders’ Association, provincially by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, and nationally by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. Rinaldi Homes is also a recipient of the Tarion Award of Excellence for customer service.

The Rinaldi Homes Model Home is located at 493 Gaiser Road, Welland, ON. Model Home hours are Monday to Thursday from noon until 5:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00pm.

Additional details can be found at www.rinaldihomes.com and on Facebook by searching Rinaldi Homes.

For more information on the Holmes Approved Homes Program, please visit www.holmesapprovedhomes.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Danielle Rinaldi
Rinaldi Homes
daniellerinaldi@rinaldihomes.com
905-688-1283


Amanda Heath
The Holmes Group
amandaheath@makeitright.ca
647 253 0300 ext. 410

ABOUT RINALDI HOMES
As one of the most trusted and respected homebuilders in the Niagara area, Rinaldi Homes has made its mark throughout the region with high quality and innovative homes. Rinaldi Homes currently builds in St.Catharines, Welland and Niagara-on-the-lake.

For more information on Rinaldi Homes, please visit
www.rinaldihomes.com.

ABOUT THE HOLMES GROUP
The Holmes Group is an international brand with operations in independent media production, new-home building and home inspection, as well as expansion into product development. The Holmes Group is entirely owned by Mike Holmes and responsible for developing and managing all HOLMES branded entities, including Make It Right Productions Inc., HOLMES Communities, HOLMES Approved Homes, MIKE HOLMES Inspections, HOLMES Referred Contractors, HOLMES Products, HOLMES Workwear and The Holmes Foundation.

For more information on Mike Holmes or The Holmes Group, please visit
makeitright.ca.

Welcome to Facebook MJ and Sherry!

If you're on Facebook, there's two more friends to add to your list. Mike Holmes Jr. and Sherry Holmes now have public figure pages! Visit MJ's and Sherry's page and show your love! And by the way, the brother-sister duo will be making a live guest appearance at the Greater Hamilton Home & Garden Show tomorrow, March 8. For more information, visit thehomeshow.ca.

 

Mike Holmes: Women in the Trades Inspire Change

March 8 is International Women's Day, and although he's definitely not a woman, Mike Holmes is celebrating. Why? Because in his eyes, women (who make up a measly 6% of those employed in the skilled trades in Canada) work hard and inspire their male counterparts to be honest. When it comes to employing women in the trades, Mike doesn't just talk the talk, he actually practices what he preaches and puts women in key positions on his crew, including his daughter Sherry who is a skilled tile layer. Mike makes a great point when he says "the truth is [the skilled trades] was never a man’s world. The world of trades belongs to everyone — it always has, and that’s the bigger point." Mike is spot on -- there is absolutely nothing about being a master plumber or electrician that makes these jobs inaccessible to women. Jobs in the skilled trades are not only lucrative, but are becoming increasingly in demand as people in Mike's generation begin to retire. With a labor shortage on the horizon, Mike continues to bang the drum, encouraging both men and women to consider the skilled trades as a viable career opportunity.

 

From the Ottawa Citizen:

Women inspire change

Let's make the trades accessible for everyone

 

By Mike Holmes, Postmedia News March 5, 2014

 

 

 

Sherry Holmes works on her father’s construction site as a member of his Make It Right Crew, and she inspires others to consider non-traditional careers.

March 8 is International Women’s Day. I’m not a woman, but I’m a dad of two daughters, have one granddaughter, and I work with women on the job site — one of my daughters included. So it’s important to me that women get the respect they deserve and the support they need.
Every year International Women’s Day has a different theme. For example, last year it was to end violence against women; the year before that was about ending hunger and poverty. This year’s theme is inspiring change and, as someone who knows a thing or two about women in the trades, I know that they inspire change every day.
But unfortunately, only 6.4 per cent of Canadian skilled trades workers were women in 2009; only one in 10 apprentices are women. Women are usually in the top 10 per cent of their class, but they’re still the last to get hired, and when they do, men are twice as likely to get a better job offer.
I hire women, and it’s not just for TV appeal. I believe them to be better workers — they keep the men honest.
Anyone who works in the trades is already a hero to me — girls, boys, young, old — because the work isn’t easy; it’s underappreciated, undervalued and, bottom line, it’s tough work that requires even tougher skin. But every time I go to a trade show or trade school and I see more and more women there, interested, engaged and dedicated to doing the best at what they do, I’m hopeful about where this industry is headed.
They say the trades are still a “man’s world,” but that is starting to change. The truth is it was never a man’s world. The world of trades belongs to everyone — it always has, and that’s the bigger point.
It was a woman who invented the first electric water heater — Ida Forbes. Women were also responsible for giving us the first circular saw used in a sawmill, windshield wipers, the dishwasher and Kevlar, the stuff used to make bulletproof vests.
And who knows how many other inventions women had a hand in creating or developing that we will never know about? Remember, there was a time when women couldn’t own property, and that included patents. If a woman wanted a patent, it belonged to her father or husband.
Women might not have always received the credit they deserve, but they have definitely influenced the skilled trades and continue to do so.
Inspiring change starts with people brave enough to step off the “traditional” path to do what they love — for real. But it’s not just women on the front lines; it’s also the institutions that support them, employers who will hire them, colleagues who will work with them, and educators who train them.
I know women are ready. But is everyone else? Are we welcoming change, or resisting it and making it harder for anyone who dares to be more than what we expect them to be?

My daughter Sherry brought up a great point: “You can have a powerful opinion, but it’s only powerful if you do something about it.” And for her, equality in power is not having to explain herself. If everyone can do what they want to do, why should she have to explain herself just because what she is doing isn’t traditional, for her. “I’m just going to do it,” is what she says.
I can’t agree with her more.
I’d like to see the day when a woman working as a plumber, electrician or carpenter isn’t something out of the ordinary, when she can walk into any trade, on any campus and in any classroom and not worry about being treated differently because of her gender — because, yes, it still happens — and more importantly, not have to explain herself for the choices she’s made.
Women working in the trades today are doing more than just their job. They are changing the world and the future — not just of other women, but for everyone.
Watch Mike Holmes on Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV. For more information, visit makeitright.ca.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Mike Holmes on the Todd Shapiro Show - March 4, 2014

This morning, Mike Holmes appeared on the Todd Shapiro Show which airs live on SiriusXM Radio. During the show, Todd wasn't shy one bit about his very obvious man-crush on Mike, whom he met on an airplane a couple of weeks ago as the two were flying to Costa Rica. Amongst other topics, Mike spoke about his near brush with death last year while vacationing in Costa Rica in late 2012. He explained that during an ATV excursion with good friend and go-to electrician Frank Cozzolino, he got dust in his eyes, which he later washed out using the local water from a sink. Later that night, he came down with a severe case of E. coli. The illness left him clinging to life (and presumably to the side of a toilet bowl) for nearly 36 hours (see Feel Better Soon, Mike... for more information). They also discussed Mike's work ethic and dedication to the trades, as well as his "amazing dance moves" in the club.

To listen to the segment, which begins around the 10:30 mark, visit TheToddShapiroShow.com/ and click "Listen Now" or download the March 4 podcast on iTunes.

Pictures:

 

Charlie Major Speaks of His Experience on Holmes on Homes

Yesterday, March 1, country music artist Charlie Major performed in the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Why is this relevant? Because as most Holmes fans know, Charlie Major and Mike Holmes go way back. In 2007, Charlie Major made an unforgettable appearance on Holmes on Homes in the episode "Country Kitchen." On this episode, Major wrote and performed a special song with Mike and his crew. There was even a music video made in support of the Holmes Foundation (see Mike Holmes and Charlie Major Make It Right for more information). Mike then returned the favor and appeared with Major at the Canadian Country Music Awards, clad in overalls. In an interview with the Nanaimo News Bulletin, Charlie spoke of his friendship with North America's Most Trusted Contractor and talked about his experience on Holmes on Homes. He describes Mike as "nice" and "busy." I won't post the whole article, which can be read here, but here's what Charlie had to say:


Charlie Major performs in Nanaimo

Charlie Major performs on Saturday (March 1) at the Queens with Nanaimo's Jayden Holman.

— image credit: Photo Contributed

...

In 2006, Major was on the HGTV show Holmes on Homes.
"It was fun actually," he said. "I got on the show through some people I knew. I got to meet Mike [Holmes] and it's funny it was Mike's birthday right around the time I was suppose to be on the show. So I wrote a song for him for the show and so he ended up using it for the show."
Since then Holmes and Major have become friends.
"He's a real nice guy, and a busy guy. It was a great experience and a lot of fun," Major said.