Mike Holmes has been renovating homes on TV for decades, and The Holmes Group works hard to fix the issues and make the houses beautiful and functional for the families.
Avid fans and viewers of home renovation shows know that things happen quickly and there’s only so much time to squeeze all the content into an episode. In reality, only the main highlights and some fun moments can be revealed. Unfortunately, this creates a false sense of timelines and expectations for the average homeowner looking to do a renovation.
Here are some things The Holmes Group points out when combining TV and construction:
Renovations take much longer than you think. Squeezing an entire renovation into 45 minutes comes down to good story-telling, education, and editing. You might see a few seconds of slow motion hammering or walls being knocked down in time-lapse for effect. However, in reality, demolitions can take several hours or a few days, depending on the scale of the project and the resources. Demolitions need to be well-planned, and done safely.
After the demo, The Holmes Group construction team evaluates the project, sources the new materials and manages the delivery so everything arrives when needed. On TV, it just magically appears when you need it. But even after all the planning, some things still are a surprise and beyond our control – a hidden leak or an electrical disaster behind a wall – it happens. That is why you should always add contingency to your budget and timeline.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z91U3qQWmQ
Projects cost more than you think. Mike Holmes’ entire TV career has been dedicated to educating homeowners, and to help Make It Right. The Holmes Group’s goal has always been to help more than just the homeowner in that particular episode but rather to help as many people as possible through education—as many of the issues we discover in the shows are relatable to their viewers. The Holmes Group, along with Mike Holmes, investigates the home and looks out for potential problems, like old plaster and tiles that could have asbestos or old electrical or signs of mold – all of which are “red flags” that could mean more money and more time!
Highlighting these issues is a cautionary tale for homeowners to stay on top of the maintenance of their homes. Ignoring that musty smell can spell trouble; just like trying to save a buck or two by doing it yourself which typically never turns out well. Always do your homework and get several estimates to understand the costs and what is involved in the renovation. Then, add about 10 – 15% more to your budget – this is a safety net for any surprises that arise. “I’d always recommend you get a home inspection before you start any renovation project,” says Mike Holmes.
Not everything ends up in the dumpster. For dramatic effect, the Holmes crew will toss large pieces of debris into dumpsters. Still, they try to reuse and donate as much of the waste as possible, but the balance of the waste is garbage and must be disposed of properly. Dumpsters or waste bins need to be ordered and often dumped, with the empty dumpster being returned for another load the same day. This all has to be managed and coordinated. It’s essential to maintain a tidy and debris-free work site.
This gets more complicated if The Holmes Group discovers asbestos or mold, as the work must stop and a qualified asbestos or mould removal specialist must be hired. Plus, this waste can’t go in the regular dumpster, it must be safely removed and disposed of correctly.
So, when you think it’s all going to the landfill, much of their construction waste is reused or recycled, they just don’t have the time to show it in the final cut.
We have an extensive support network. Doing what The Holmes Group does means they have access to excellent resources, contacts in the industry, and support, and this means that they have the resources to handle any issues that may arise on the job. You might not have that support when taking on a renovation project alone. However, products, suppliers and resources can often be found on show websites.
Don’t forget about permits. Even professional contractors on TV still need to get permits before starting the renovation. Getting permits from the local building authority doesn’t happen overnight and, depending on the complexity of the renovation, can take days, sometimes weeks. “My team has often been ready to start a project, but is delayed due to waiting on permits. It’s just part of the process, but you need to know this will affect your timeline,” warns Mike Holmes.
Renovation shows are fun to watch and we have fun making them, and they can be a great resource. However, remember not everything is revealed or what it seems due to programming constraints, so be smart and do your research and always have a plan.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-3EbsSUGY
About The Holmes Group:
The Holmes Group, founded by Mike Holmes, is an international media company, producing TV shows on construction and renovations. The Holmes Group, through various industry partnerships, is known for its commitment to quality, safety, and integrity. The company is dedicated to transforming spaces and building trust.