Mike Holmes is an Idiot....

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Pete Cobb

If my "field" is to critique shoddy inspectors, then I would think I'm in my field right here.

Hy Mr. Cobb.
I do hope you have noticed your posts are still here for all to see .

If I go to Mr. Mike Homes site and post there like you have here that is not allowed .
Looks to me like the Mike web site is run like a dictatorship .
Mikes Group seems to me to not agree with fare play .
Fortunately most people can see mike is not a builder he is a TV star Just like the Perry Mason was played by Raymond Burr who was not a lawyer.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Originally Posted by kwood

Just noticed how many views to this thread.

This thread is what I walked into when I first joined InterNACHI Kevin.
I do not mind the message but the narrative is all wrong.
Stick to your building UNDER CODE OR JUST CODE narrative Mike and leave the home inspection industry alone.

[pceli]

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and will have a happy and successful new year!!

I do not comment much on this forum but as for this thread about Mike Holmes, there is not much point in continuing the argument.

"Homes Inspection” has officially wrapped up and is no longer in production.

http://makeitright.ca/Holmes_Media/casting_call.php

“Holmes Inspection has officially wrapped and is no longer in production. But Mike's picking up where he left off and strapping on his tool belt yet again.
Mike's starting a new series, Make It Right®, and this time it's not just about making a difference for homeowners, it’s about helping the people who need it most. He's determined now more than ever to do what he does best - and the projects don't just stop at residential homes”
Whether you liked it or not he did bring attention to the industry, good and bad.

• He has raised awareness to the consumers who watched, listened and took notes.
• He provided home inspectors with some additional in-site on real world conditions and some not so obvious conditions that are the result of changes to an environment, codes and construction practices over the years.
• He truly helped people who needed the assistance to survive the financial ruins of the hidden crap that does go on in these related industries

Yes, he did go overboard with his “mightier than thou” attitude but if he didn’t the show would have been even more boring than it was.

I for one am tired of the whining and complaining that has remained his mantra. He does not promote constructive conversation within the industry, but only increases the negativity and distrust he defines as we can clearly see here in threads and forums like this one.

Anyhow I hope his new show is truly more about making it right for people, than slamming and degrading others in the process. If not then there are plenty of other new shows on HGTV and elsewhere that will tell the same story but with a better attitude towards people, practices and situations.

All the best to everyone in 2012!!!
Paul

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

I applaud you tact and savvy Mr.Celi.
Diplomacy was called for long before this.
Bravo on your effort.
PS: You work for the GUY?

[Andre Michael]

Here in Quebec we have terrible problems with home renovation quality and home inspectors. I think that the profesionn should be under the compete control of the government or a government body. And I hope Mr. Holmes good work will make many homeowners like me aware of the many problems with the industry and that we demand an overhaul of this mess..

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by Andre Michael

Here in Quebec we have terrible problems with home renovation quality and home inspectors. I think that the profesionn should be under the compete control of the government or a government body. And I hope Mr. Holmes good work will make many homeowners like me aware of the many problems with the industry and that we demand an overhaul of this mess..

Mike Holmes cares only about Mike Holmes.

He is a grandstander and sensationalist.

Government control will not bring you what you desire and probably make it worse.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Originally Posted by Andre Michael

Here in Quebec we have terrible problems with home renovation quality and home inspectors. I think that the profesionn should be under the compete control of the government or a government body. And I hope Mr. Holmes good work will make many homeowners like me aware of the many problems with the industry and that we demand an overhaul of this mess..

You are far off base with reality of government control Mr. Michel.
The lobbers will control the regulation and licensing.
Alberta was a great effort by INACHIAlberta.
It was rewarded.
Ask Vern about the situation there now before passing judgement.
BC was a good example of things going right and I doubt that will happen here.
MCIQ Quebec chapter is trying to gain a foothold on working with OACIQ.
You are welcome to join.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Agreed Michel.
On both statements.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

I wonder will mike make it right????

http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1151842--mike-holmes-feels-terrible-over-lost-subscription-money-after-magazine-stops-printing


Mike Holmes feels “terrible” over lost subscription money after magazine stops printing.

Paul Irish





The publisher of a defunct home improvement magazine — that had ties to TV handy man Mike Holmes — has apparently closed its Toronto office leaving thousands of subscribers waiting on refunds and owing its landlord rent money.
Rubbing salt into the wound is the fact the same company — Dauphin Media Group — has recently launched the new NFL Magazine out of New York City with subscriptions at just under $20 for 12 issues.
The high end, glossy football magazine — with contributors such as former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason and high profile sports writer Jason La Canfora — is a monthly publication that launched in Dec. 2011 with its March edition on magazine racks now.
It bills itself as the official magazine of the National Football League.
Kevin Laforce, the NFL VP of media strategy and development and overseer of NFL Magazine, did not return phone calls and emails to his office for an interview to the Star.
Attempts to reach the New York office of Dauphin or its principal, Mike Dunphy, were not successful.
Calls and emails to the Magazines public relations group, DKC New York, by The Star were unanswered.
The home improvement publication — Holmes, the Magazine to Make it Right — ceased late last year after the Mike Holmes Group had a dispute with Dauphin.
Liza Drozdov, director of communications for the Mike Holmes Group, says the actual day-to-day business was farmed out to Dauphin with the Holmes group regulating a portion of the editorial content.
Drozdov says that due to the nature of the business agreement the Mike Holmes Group is not responsible for recompensing payments
“Mike feels terrible about it,” says Drozdov. “But it’s not his fault … he didn’t get any of that money.”
She said her company had some issues with what was happening in the magazine — that started in Nov., 2009 — and decided to part ways.
“We had hoped to continue with them for a while during the transition to another publisher, but they just pulled out,” she says.
The last issue was Dec., 2011 but subscribers had just purchased 30 issues over 3 years for $60.50.
Drozdov estimates there could be as many as 40,000 individuals owed a total of $500,000 in prepaid subscriptions.
The group is looking for a new publisher and wants to “make it right” with the subscribers.
“We have a few ideas (regarding compensation), but nothing is settled,” says Drozdov. “I wouldn’t want to say anything and then have people disappointed.”
A visit to what used to be Dauphin’s headquarters at 50 Galaxy Blvd. in Etobicoke found an empty storefront office with a notice from their former landlords — Esbin Property Management Inc. — stating they owed about $5,000 in past rent.
A spokesperson for Esbin said they’ve been unable to contact any representative of Dauphin and are uncertain of their whereabouts
An announcement released by Dauphin Media Group on its website on Oct. 28, 2011 stated that the publisher “fully intends on fulfilling its subscriber obligations” and will be posting information on the same site, www.dauphinmedia.com.
A new (undated) message appeared recently on the site asking for subscription information to be sent to info@dauhpinmedia.com advising it could take six to eight weeks to receive a refund.
But Belinda Cooling of Toronto says its basically the same information and email address the company posted last fall and she wants to know why her check for $60.50 — which she wrote in Oct. 2011 — was cashed by the company.
“I’m still waiting for the money,” she says. “I keep phoning and emailing, but I don’t get a response. Nobody picks up the phone.”
She said her initial demand for a refund was met with a request to provide proof of payment and/or an account number.
“Why did they need that . . . they had my cheque,” she says. “This is so frustrating.”

[Bill Johnson]

What do home inspectors actually do rather than what home buyers errantly and ignorantly believe that they do.

Just wondering, trying to find out if I should hire one when I buy a house or not? I know it's not much money but damn if you can't tell me why I might not want to buy a house then. Do you at least write in the report that there was black substance on wall or ceiling it could be mold or it might not be?

Thanks guys.....

[Claude Lawrenson]

There are variations in experience, skills and ability. So your mileage can vary. You cannot trust credentials alone without really knowing who you are dealing with.

On that topic re- black substance or the "M-word" disclosure - generally you would see something to the effect of pointing the client to "seek expert opinion" or "further evaluation and testing required by (fill in the blank).

The other good point you raise is the inspector not only has a "duty of care" to report the significant conditions, but also to provide the client with the impact on the client, be it health, safety, costs, complexity, and even normal wear and tear, etc.

[Shane Goguen]

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

What do home inspectors actually do rather than what home buyers errantly and ignorantly believe that they do.

Just wondering, trying to find out if I should hire one when I buy a house or not? I know it's not much money but damn if you can't tell me why I might not want to buy a house then. Do you at least write in the report that there was black substance on wall or ceiling it could be mold or it might not be?

Thanks guys.....

Mike, in all seriousness it would cost you more to rent my equipment then to hire me. This goes with most HIs here. As far as mold goes, only a scientist can confirm mold.

[Shane Goguen]

A home inspector is like a family doctor, they can refer you to a specialist if they find indications of something serious. A home inspector is the same. Some are like doctors that just give you pills, some like a good doctor go deeper and do more diagnostic testing. Both doctors went to medical school but both are very different in their approach to medicine, home inspectors are the same way. Hope that helps.

[KEVIN WOOD]

Wow Shane that was a very good analogy and one we can all sure appreciate.

[Mike Auger]

Nice Shane, great analogy...

On the Mike Holmes issue,


the guy is a blowhard, he also trashes other inspectors on his holmes inspection show, its the point that these folks got a bad inspection, its the whole premis of the show, fall out from POOR inspections, have you guys EVER seen a home you inspected on there? NO (unless you did a crappy inspection, i guess).


The other show isnt about us, and the contractors have hacked stuff up pretty bad in mosy cases.


He does destroy the place, because he intends to put it back together, but i have seen the show and he also states that a regular home inspector cant just rip the wall down to have a look and only he can.


If nothing else he has brought attention to our profession and thats always a good thing. Those of you that take it personally and hate on the guy, wouldnt you be the same if you were hired for a second opinion inspection and missed some of the obvious stuff?


Lastly, we are all admittedly a bit jealous that we arent selling magazines, work clothing line, safety equipment, and have 2 shows on HGTV for doing the same stuff...