Michael James Holmes (born August 3, 1963) is a Canadian builder/contractor, businessman, investor, television host, and philanthropist. In his first television series, ''
Holmes on Homes
''Holmes on Homes'' is a Canadian television series featuring general contractor Mike Holmes visiting homeowners who are in need of help, mainly due to unsatisfactory home renovations performed by hired contractors.
The series originally aired ...
,'' he rescues homeowners from
renovation
Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving broken, damaged, or outdated structures. Renovations are typically done on either commercial or residential buildings. Additionally, renovation can refer to making something new, ...
s gone wrong. He usually discovers more serious problems, such as dangerous wiring, asbestos, mold, inadequate insulation, structural damage and more, concealed behind pristine surfaces. He and his team promise to "Make It Right," even if it means stripping a house down to its bones. He has continued in several successive TV series.
Background
Mike Holmes learned his craft from his father, who started teaching him construction work 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. He has three children: Amanda, Sherry, and Mike Jr., who have all appeared and worked on his shows.
In 2006, Holmes started
The Holmes Foundation after seeing a renovation that was so poorly done that he felt it was necessary 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. Holmes works with
SOS Children's Villages
SOS Children's Villages is an independent, non-governmental, nonprofit international development organization headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria. The organization provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children in need and protect ...
.
In 2006, Mike Holmes was recognized in the
House of Commons of Canada
The House of Commons of Canada (french: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada.
The House of Common ...
for his promotion of skilled trades and for his advocacy for improved building standards. He was acknowledged as an "extraordinary craftsperson" and "an accomplished master builder with a social conscience".
Holmes is the author of two successful books: the national bestseller ''Home Renovation with Canada's Most Trusted Contractor'' () and ''Holmes Inspection: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy or Sell Your Home'' (), as well as a weekly newspaper column.
He is the national spokesperson for
Skills/Compétences Canada and for
WorldSkills Calgary 2009, and is often invited to speak by professional organizations, such as the
Canadian Safety Association of Ontario, the
Ontario Building Inspectors Association
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic Eastern Canada, eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located ...
, and the
Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors.
In May 2010, ''
Reader's Digest
''Reader's Digest'' is an American general-interest family magazine, published ten times a year. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, it is now headquartered in midtown Manhattan. The magazine was founded in 1922 by DeWitt Wallace and his wi ...
s second annual survey named Holmes as the second most widely trusted person in Canada behind
David Suzuki
David Takayoshi Suzuki (born March 24, 1936) is a Canadian academic, science broadcaster, and environmental activist. Suzuki earned a PhD in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961, and was a professor in the genetics department at th ...
.
Television career
HGTV Canada
Mike Holmes' first starring series was ''
Holmes on Homes
''Holmes on Homes'' is a Canadian television series featuring general contractor Mike Holmes visiting homeowners who are in need of help, mainly due to unsatisfactory home renovations performed by hired contractors.
The series originally aired ...
'', which premiered in 2003, on
Corus Entertainment
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian mass media company. Formed in 1999 as a spin-off from Shaw Communications, it has prominent holdings in the radio, publishing, and television industries. It is headquartered at Corus Quay in Toronto, Onta ...
's
HGTV Canada
HGTV is a Canadian English-language Category A cable and satellite specialty channel owned as a joint venture between Corus Entertainment (which serves as managing partner and owns 80.24% majority control through licensee HGTV Canada, Inc.) and ...
.
[
]
Bell Media
In June 2019, Bell Media
Bell Media Inc. ( French: ) is a Canadian company formed by the amalgamation of several companies.
Establishment (2011–13)
On December 9, 2011, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan announced the sale of its majority stake in Maple Leaf Sports ...
announced a new development deal with Holmes, ending his relationship with HGTV Canada
HGTV is a Canadian English-language Category A cable and satellite specialty channel owned as a joint venture between Corus Entertainment (which serves as managing partner and owns 80.24% majority control through licensee HGTV Canada, Inc.) and ...
. His library of programming moved airing to Gusto, which was rebranded as CTV Life Channel
CTV Life Channel is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel primarily broadcasts factual and reality programming on lifestyle topics such as cooking, home improvement and real estate, along with scripted dr ...
, and two new series were announced, including '' Holmes 911'', and the ''Holmes Family Rescue
Michael James Holmes (born August 3, 1963) is a Canadian builder/contractor, businessman, investor, television host, and philanthropist. In his first television series, ''Holmes on Homes,'' he rescues homeowners from renovations gone wrong. He ...
'' for CTV in 2020.
Television series
''Holmes on Homes''
Broadcast on HGTV Canada
HGTV is a Canadian English-language Category A cable and satellite specialty channel owned as a joint venture between Corus Entertainment (which serves as managing partner and owns 80.24% majority control through licensee HGTV Canada, Inc.) and ...
, ''Holmes on Homes'' first started in 2001. ''Holmes on Homes'' was first conceived when Holmes approached the producers of the ''Just Ask Jon Eakes
Just or JUST may refer to:
__NOTOC__ People
* Just (surname)
* Just (given name)
Arts and entertainment
* ''Just'', a 1998 album by Dave Lindholm
* "Just" (song), a song by Radiohead
* "Just", a song from the album ''Lost and Found'' by Mudvayne ...
'' 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, Holmes stated that he received hundreds of e-mails a week from people asking him for help. As the show evolved, it generally focused on bad renovation
Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving broken, damaged, or outdated structures. Renovations are typically done on either commercial or residential buildings. Additionally, renovation can refer to making something new, ...
s and the results of bad contractors.
In Canada, ''Holmes on Homes'' airs on HGTV Canada, BBC Canada, and Casa for the French version. It airs in the US on HGTV
HGTV (an initialism for Home & Garden Television) is an American pay television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The network primarily broadcasts reality programming related to home improvement and real estate. As of February 2015, appr ...
and DIY Network
Magnolia Network is an American basic cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Chip and Joanna Gaines. It broadcasts personality-based lifestyle programs related to topics such as home construction, Home renovation, renovation, and cuisi ...
, in New Zealand on The Living Channel
Living is a New Zealand television station. The channel focuses entirely on programming relating to lifestyle and is similar to The LifeStyle Channel in Australia or HGTV in the US. It broadcasts on Sky in New Zealand and features local progra ...
, in Australia on Lifestyle Home
Lifestyle Home (stylised as Lifestyle HOME) is an Australian subscription television channel dedicated to home and property programming. It ranges from home improvements to home investments, renovation, gardens and property.
Programming Origina ...
, in the United Kingdom on Discovery Shed
Discovery Shed (Also simply known as Shed) was a TV channel in the United Kingdom from Discovery, Inc. which replaced Discovery Real Time Extra. The channel launched on 20 March 2009.
The channel featured programming covering fishing, DIY, co ...
(formerly Discovery Real Time), in Germany on DMAX, and in South Africa on the Home Channel.
''Holmes in New Orleans''
Between the end of ''Holmes on Homes'' and the start of ''Holmes Inspection'', Mike Holmes starred in a one-season series, '' Holmes in New Orleans'', on the construction of a new home in the Lower Ninth Ward
The Lower Ninth Ward is a neighborhood in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. As the name implies, it is part of the 9th Ward of New Orleans. The Lower Ninth Ward is often thought of as the entire area within New Orleans downriver of the Industr ...
of , to replace one destroyed during Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused over 1,800 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. It was at the time the cost ...
.
''Holmes Inspection''
Holmes began a new series in 2009 called ''Holmes Inspection'' that profiles home inspection
A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such ...
s gone wrong. The series started airing in fall 2009 on HGTV Canada. In the United States, the series debuted on HGTV on Sunday, December 19, 2010. Holmes inspected the houses while checking up on the construction, leaving long-time crew member Damon Bennett as the lead site manager and backup host.
''Best of Holmes on Homes''
''Best of Holmes on Homes
''Holmes on Homes'' is a Canadian television series featuring general contractor Mike Holmes visiting homeowners who are in need of help, mainly due to unsatisfactory home renovations performed by hired contractors.
The series originally aired ...
'' is a 2012 remix TV series featuring clips from ''Holmes on Homes'', brought together on a common theme, to illustrate home problems. Holmes narrates the show.
''Holmes Makes It Right''
Holmes started a new series for 2012 called '' Holmes Makes It Right'', that profiles disaster-stricken homes, and renovates them. The series focuses on natural disasters and bad home inspections or bad contractor work. The name of the series revolves around Holmes's personal motto, "Make It Right". While Holmes visited the construction sites, he had long-time crew member Damon Bennett in charge and mostly hosting.
''Mike's Ultimate Garage''
For the fall 2014 TV season, '' Mike's Ultimate Garage'', a mini-series about building a man-cave garage for Holmes Sr. (Big Mike) by son Mike Holmes Jr. and daughter Sherry Holmes aired on HGTV Canada. Holmes Sr. guest stars in the series, while it starred Mike Jr. as the construction lead and Sherry.
''Holmes and Holmes''
For the fall 2016 TV season, ''Holmes and Holmes
''Holmes and Holmes'' (stylized as Holmes+Holmes) is a Canadian television reality show, which premiered on HGTV Canada in 2016. The show features contractor Mike Holmes and his son Mike Holmes Jr. renovating homes.
History
The first season of the ...
'' premiered. In this series, Holmes stars with his son Mike Jr. The show premiered on HGTV Canada
HGTV is a Canadian English-language Category A cable and satellite specialty channel owned as a joint venture between Corus Entertainment (which serves as managing partner and owns 80.24% majority control through licensee HGTV Canada, Inc.) and ...
, produced by Make It Right Productions. Now in its third season, ''Holmes and Holmes'' aired on the DIY Network (USA) in October 2019.
''Holmes: Buy It Right''
For the fall 2016 TV season, '' Holmes: Buy It Right'' premiered. In this series Holmes stars as an advisor to new home buyers, showing them how to choose a house. The series premiered on DIY Network
Magnolia Network is an American basic cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Chip and Joanna Gaines. It broadcasts personality-based lifestyle programs related to topics such as home construction, Home renovation, renovation, and cuisi ...
(USA).
''Holmes: Next Generation''
''Holmes: Next Generation'' premiered in April 2018 on DIY Network
Magnolia Network is an American basic cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Chip and Joanna Gaines. It broadcasts personality-based lifestyle programs related to topics such as home construction, Home renovation, renovation, and cuisi ...
(USA). Mike Holmes assists two of his children, Mike Holmes Jr. and Sherry Holmes, as they take on remodelling projects.
''Holmes Makes It Right: Retooled''
''Retooled'' premiered during the spring 2019 TV season on DIY Network
Magnolia Network is an American basic cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Chip and Joanna Gaines. It broadcasts personality-based lifestyle programs related to topics such as home construction, Home renovation, renovation, and cuisi ...
(USA), where Holmes revisits ''Holmes Makes It Right'' (2012) episodes that have been "retooled", and examines construction issues.
''Holmes 911''
''HOLMES 911'' premiered on September 17, 2019 on CTV Life, in which Holmes returns and examines the results of unscrupulous contractors, unhealthy homes, and DIY projects gone wrong and is joined by his son Mike Jr. and daughter Sherry. Over 12 one-hour episodes, the Holmes family takes on five different houses, and repairs them.
''Holmes Family Effect''
''Holmes Family Effect
''Holmes Family Effect'' is a Canadian reality television series, which premiered on February 7, 2021 on CTV. Hosted by Mike Holmes with his children Mike Holmes Jr. and Sherry Holmes, the series features the trio working with service organizat ...
'' premiered in Canada on February 7, 2021, right after Super Bowl LV
Super Bowl LV was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2020 season. The National Football Conference (NFC) champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the American Football Conferen ...
. The series debuted a month later in the United States on March 16 on FOX
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
. It features Mike Holmes, his daughter Sherry and his son Mike Jr. helping homeowners, schools and businesses in need of improvement. They work to overhaul not only houses, but commercial and public buildings.
''Holmes Family Rescue''
''Holmes Family Rescue
Michael James Holmes (born August 3, 1963) is a Canadian builder/contractor, businessman, investor, television host, and philanthropist. In his first television series, ''Holmes on Homes,'' he rescues homeowners from renovations gone wrong. He ...
'' premiered in Canada and the US on December 4, 2021 on HGTV and later on CTV Life. It features Mike Holmes, his daughter Sherry and his son Mike Jr. helping homeowners who have had improperly done construction work on their homes.
TV judging and hosting
''Handyman Challenge'' franchise
Holmes was a judge on all seasons of ''Handyman Superstar Challenge
''Handyman Superstar Challenge'' (also referred to as ''Superstar Handyman Challenge'' from the show's first season logo) is a television game show on HGTV Canada, hosted by Karen Bertelsen. The show seeks to find the best handyman in Canada, with ...
''. He was also a judge on '' All American Handyman''. He was a judge on season 1 of ''Canada's Handyman Challenge
''Canada's Handyman Challenge'' is a Canadian reality game show. The series premiered on January 10, 2012, on HGTV Canada. ''Canada's Handyman Challenge'' is the successor to HGTV's previous series, ''Handyman Superstar Challenge'', similar in fo ...
''.
''Home Free''
In late April 2015, Fox announced a new eight episode Holmes-hosted show entitled ''Home Free,'' which premiered on July 22. The show featured nine couples who spend each week renovating a different dilapidated home. At the end of the week, the couple with the worst handiwork is eliminated, until the final two teams compete for a prize home. Unknown to the contestants as they were competing, each eliminated couple was awarded the home that they were working on in the episode they were eliminated in.
Eight-episode unscripted competition series ''Home Free'' premiered July 22, 2015 on Fox. "A home is way more than brick and mortar," says ''Home Free'' host Mike Holmes. "So being part of this new series and partnering with Fox is truly exciting for me. I'm ready to break ground with these couples." ('' Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'').
Guest appearances
Holmes was a guest builder on ''Home to Win
''Home to Win'' is a Canadian home renovation reality television series, which premiered April 24, 2016 on HGTV Canada.[The Ellen DeGeneres Show
''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' (often shortened to ''Ellen'' or ''The Ellen Show'') is an American daytime television variety comedy talk show that was created and hosted by its namesake Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it was prod ...]
'' twice during a season 4 episode in December 2006. The first instance led to a two part episode on ''Holmes on Homes''. He helped the Tiu family who bought a new house, a bungalow
A bungalow is a small house or cottage that is either single-story or has a second story built into a sloping roof (usually with dormer windows), and may be surrounded by wide verandas.
The first house in England that was classified as a b ...
, in the Los Angeles area which he had to fix a shoddy renovation left by a clueless contractor. The second guest spot was to show Ellen the completed construction of the Tiu's newly renovation house, which Holmes, his crew and local contractors worked together to finish the project.
Holmes also made a guest appearance on an episode of the Canadian series ''Corner Gas
''Corner Gas'' is a Canadian television sitcom created by Brent Butt. The series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. Re-runs still air on CTV, CTV2, CTV Comedy Channel, Much, MTV, E! and are streaming on Crave and Amazon Prime. The serie ...
'' as Wanda's ex-boyfriend.
In October 2019, Holmes made an appearance on HGTV
HGTV (an initialism for Home & Garden Television) is an American pay television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The network primarily broadcasts reality programming related to home improvement and real estate. As of February 2015, appr ...
's renovation competition series ''Rock the Block
''Rock the Block'' is the fourteenth studio album by Swiss hard rock band Krokus, released in 2003. The album peaked at No. 1 in the Swiss Album Chart and was certified Gold in Switzerland.
Track listing
All songs by Fernando von Arb and Marc ...
'' when he was a guest judge for one of the projects. For the series' second season in March 2021, Holmes was one of the contestants. He teamed up with designer Alison Victoria of '' Windy City Rehab'' whom he judged in season one. She says, "I'm a designer and ike'sa genius in the build. It's a partnership like no other."
In July 2021, Holmes was a guest judge alongside Mina Starsiak of ''Good Bones
''Good Bones'' is a collection of short fiction (most stories only a few pages long) by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The collection was originally published in 1992.
The collection explores the sinister side of classical myths, traditional ...
'' on the HGTV
HGTV (an initialism for Home & Garden Television) is an American pay television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The network primarily broadcasts reality programming related to home improvement and real estate. As of February 2015, appr ...
renovation competition series '' Battle on the Beach'', where contestants team up with a star designer to battle it out renovating their outdated beach houses in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores is a resort city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 9,741.
Geography
Gulf Shores is located on the Gulf of Mexico at 30°16'4.069" North, 87°42'5.285" West (30.267797, −87.70 ...
.
Business activities
The Holmes Group
The Holmes Group is the conglomerate and holding company for Mike Holmes' companies.
Mike Holmes Protection
In 2021 Holmes launched Mike Holmes Protection to offer Home Services Contract to help homeowners protect their homes against the normal wear and tear on the systems and appliances in their homes. The company is based in Boca Raton, Fl and services over 30 states.
Mike Holmes Inspections
In 2009 Holmes launched Mike Holmes Inspections, a residential home inspection company based in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Holmes Approved Homes
Holmes has partnered with several home builders and renovators in Canada and the United States to develop the Holmes Approved Homes program. The goal of the program is to raise the bar for home building above minimum industry standards. Each home is inspected by Mike Holmes Inspections several times during the building process. A lawsuit was filed in December 2021 by Tarion, a consumer protection organization established by the Ontario government to help ensure new homes' defects under warranty are repaired, due to several homes built with partner companies that had numerous defects, in Meaford, Ontario
Meaford is a municipality in Grey County, Ontario, Canada. Meaford is located on Nottawasaga Bay, a sub-basin of Georgian Bay and Owen Sound Bay, in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in southern Ontario. The municipality's ...
.
Mike Holmes Approved Products
Holmes has licensed his name and logo for various products, including tools, appliances and work clothes in his Holmes Approved Products.
Make It Right Productions
Make It Right Productions is Holmes's television production company. It has had a hand in the production of his renovations shows.
Other activities
His company is developing ''"Wind Walk"'', the first Holmes Community, in southwest Alberta
Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...
, a community of eco-friendly and sustainable homes with high standards for residential construction and design.
Several magazines with Mike Holmes' brand and image have appeared on newsstands. ''Holmes: The Magazine to Make It Right'' ran for two years, and ended after a dispute between the publisher Dauphin Media Group and the Holmes Group. It had run from 2009 to 2011. ''Make it Right'' magazine, a collaboration between publisher TC Media and the Holmes Group was published in 2013.
Endeavors
Holmes Foundation
Mike Holmes founded the Holmes Foundation to improve the education of tradespeople, to prevent shoddy work from lack of knowledge. The foundation grants scholarships and bursaries to students in residential construction studies.
Awards and accolades
*2004 Gemini Awards
The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in the United States a ...
: Viewers' Choice Award
*February 21, 2008 Holmes was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (also referred to as BCIT), is a public polytechnic institute in Burnaby, British Columbia. The technical institute has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with its main campus in Burn ...
(BCIT).
*2009 Gemini Awards: Holmes in New Orleans: Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Series
*June 18, 2012: The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (french: Médaille du jubilé de diamant de la reine Elizabeth II) or The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2012 to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's ...
*December 2013: Holmes was appointed as a Patron of The Royal Canadian Regiment
, colors =
, identification_symbol_2 = Maple Leaf (2nd Bn pipes and drums)
, identification_symbol_2_label = Tartan
, identification_symbol_4 = The RCR
, identification_symbol_4_label = Abbreviation
, mar ...
.
Publications
*
*
*
*
*
See also
* Scott McGillivray
Scott McGillivray (born April 7, 1978) is a Canadian entrepreneur, investor, television host, author and educator.
McGillivray is the host and executive producer of the series ''Income Property'', a home renovation show on HGTV Canada and the D ...
* Bryan Baeumler
Bryan Baeumler (born 18 April 1974) is a Canadian television host on several HGTV/HGTV Canada shows. A former handyman and businessman, he translated those careers into a series of TV shows about home renovations in Canada and expanding to hote ...
* Paul LaFrance
Paul Lafrance is a television personality on HGTV Canada. He is from Ajax, Ontario, Canada, with his business located in Pickering, Ontario.
Lafrance has been a host on several shows, including ''Decked Out'', ''Deck Wars'', and is a cele ...
References
External links
Make It Right
from The Holmes Group
Holmes Makes it Right
Official HGTV Show Site
*
Video Interview With Mike Holmes for AOL Television
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holmes, Mike
1963 births
Living people
Businesspeople from Ontario
Canadian builders
Canadian business writers
Canadian construction businesspeople
Canadian people of Scottish descent
Canadian philanthropists
Canadian television hosts
Participants in Canadian reality television series
People from Halton Hills
The Holmes Group