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Holmes On Homes: 70,000 requests for help this year...

By John Grasty

Real Estate Sales Representative with for real estate results in the Tri-Cities.

March 12, 2008 05:20 AM

70,000 requests for help is an awful lot of letters. It makes one wonder how many people don't even bother to fight (or report) a system that favours the building industry rather than protect consumers?

I suspect many of these requests never end up scored in the statistics collected by either the provinces, or the organizations to which the responsibility has been downloaded in some cases. The result is skewed reports fed to the media on how well the building industry is doing; NOT!

This is a very sad commentary on the state of the home building industry. While the role of Holmes On Homes, informing consumers on weekly TV, is useful and greatly appreciated, it is time for the industry and government to get their heads out of the sand.

Below is an email response from the Story Producer of the TV renovation show Holmes on Homes to an enquiry in February asking if poor workmanship issues of a builder would be suitable for a future show.

This excerpt is interesting: "If you need an unbiased assessment of your current renovation, or the condition of your home, an inspection by a licensed Structural Engineer, in your area, might be an appropriate place to start"; I'll let you draw your own conclusions, but not recommending the use of a home inspector seems to be telling.

John in Port Moody, BC

Real Estate Evolved

From: Brian
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Subject: Re: Holmes on Homes

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your email. As the Story Producer for Holmes On Homes, I wanted to let you know that I do read all the story submissions. It is personally very heartbreaking for me to know that there are so many people in desperate need of assistance. We have received more than 70,000 requests for help this year, and it is only possible for Mike Holmes and our crew to complete 12 renovations in the same span of time.

Holmes On Homes is now being broadcast in many countries around the world, and consequently, we have been simply overwhelmed with requests. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to personally respond to each and every letter as we did in the past. For the time being, we have to resort to sending this form letter, and I do sincerely apologize. If your story meets all of our selection criteria, our production office will personally contact you by phone within the next 4-6 weeks to request further information. Only those stories being considered will be contacted by phone.

I hope some of the following information will be helpful:

Renovation Advice: We feel very strongly that we are unable to confidently give proper advice without fully understanding all the factors involved in a given situation. This would require inspecting the renovation in-person. Due to Mike's full-time commitment to making this program, he is unable to make personal inspections, and consequently, cannot help those looking for specific information about their own house. If you need an unbiased assessment of your current renovation, or the condition of your home, an inspection by a licensed Structural Engineer, in your area, might be an appropriate place to start.

Legal Advice: We suggest that you contact an attorney or legal representative who specializes in housing issues.

New Home Advice: We suggest contacting Canadians for Properly Built Homes, a not-for-profit, Canadian national consumer protection organization for advice on how to manage your new home construction issues. You can reach Canadians for Properly Built Homes at www.canadiansforproperlybuilthomes.com

Contractor Referrals: A current list of all our recommended contractors can be found at www.holmesonhomes.com under the heading, "Contractors". We only refer contractors that we have personally worked with, and trust to consistently uphold our professional and ethical standards.

Employment/Volunteer Opportunities: All of our licensed contractor positions are currently filled. The overall well-being and safety of our contractors and film crew is paramount. We do appreciate the kind and generous offers of help from our viewers, but unfortunately, we cannot allow visitors or volunteers on our work sites/film sets.

Renovation Questions: If you have specific questions about renovations, the TV program, or Mike Holmes, we suggest posting them on the Mike Holmes Fan Forum. We also suggest reading Mike's new book entitled, "Make It Right" for detailed renovation information.

The following is an overview of our selection process for our seventh season in 2007-2008:

Location of the Home: This year, production will occur in various locations across Canada- We have recently returned from filming on location in northern Ontario, Canmore, Alberta, and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Storyline: The show premise is to help homeowners who have been ripped off by a professional contractor or builder that they hired. We are contractually mandated to stick to this premise. Because of this, we are not actively looking for stories specifically about maintenance issues with existing homes, personal tragedy, DIY situations, natural disasters, and legal transactions. Most commercial projects and condo developments also fall outside our contractor licensing qualifications and/or television production limitations, as we are residential contractors only.

Size and Type of Renovation: Stories are also evaluated by the scope of the project. We have to be confident that any job we take on will be finished in time to meet our scheduled broadcast commitments. As we approach the season 7, we are looking for a range of specific projects and scenarios that could be characterized as small to medium, instead of the whole house disaster type stories produced in previous seasons. Our challenge is to find smaller scale renovation projects that are interesting enough to create a compelling one-hour program.

Cost of the Renovation: We receive many inquiries as to what the costs are to the homeowners featured on Holmes On Homes. Because we don't discuss these costs during the course of the program, there is a misconception by many viewers that the renovation work we do is free of charge. This is not the case. The homeowners are financially responsible for a portion of the work performed on their home. The main reason these costs are not mentioned is because the show is broadcast around the world, and the relative costs for comparable work in other provinces and countries can vary.

Other Considerations: In order to produce the best quality TV show that we can, it is not possible for Holmes On Homes to base an episode on subject matter, or storyline, that we have already covered in a recently produced episode.

Again, I do apologize for responding with this form letter. I hope to personally respond to as many emails as I possibly can.

Kindest regards,

Brian Warchol, Story Producer
Holmes On Homes
Toronto, Canada

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John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Update: June 2008 - British Columbia Private Home Inspectors: Under the Spotlight

Given the well recognized problems in the home construction and home renovation industries, Canadians for Properly Built Homes (CPBH) has adopted the position that purchasers- whether purchasing a newly built home or a resale home - should have the home inspected by a qualified home inspector before purchasing the home. However, there have been many questions raised regarding what constitutes a qualified home inspector. Unfortunately, many consumers have had serious issues with the services of their private home inspector. On May 30, 2008, Mike Holmes (of the hit television series Holmes on Homes) reported on CTV's Canada AM that the biggest problem he hears about is private home inspectors.

The Province of British Columbia has taken note of the importance of consumer protection in relation to private home inspectors. According to a document released by BC's Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, "Public Safety and Solicitor General Minister John Les has directed the Ministry to develop a regulatory framework under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act requiring a licence to practice as a home inspector and establishing other rules to protect consumers. Regulations are intended to enhance consumer protection and to give consumers confidence that standards of qualification are in place... "

The BC provincial government has recently concluded a consultation phase during which interested parties were invited to provide their views on issues concerning private home inspectors. CPBH provided input into this consultation process. The BC provincial government expects to implement the regulatory framework by the fall of 2008.

Jun 08, 2008 02:14 PM

Anonymous

Anthony Onodi

My comment to the many wannabee home builders across Canada is this, I certainly hope you feel very proud of what your doing to the many families your wrecking across Canada, Robbing us blind and going on about our communities bragging up a storm about how good your work is.. I had recently had a home built here in Melfort, Saskatchewan by one of you Lousy Inconciderate yahoo's, Tell me this "is there a Lousy Home Wreckers Convention being held somewhere?" because I certainly would like to know what the hell goes on at these meetings... My Kids of whom I recently got custody of now have to sleep in Extremely cold rooms in a supposedly new house I had built for them as a suprise for when they came into my care, SOME SUPRISE EH!? now my 4 kids freeze their butts off because a shotty builder had come into our lives and had to impose his trademark upon us. A Small Message to those of you A$$ H*LES (Shotty Wannabee Carpenters Who Think They Are Home Builders) The Canadian Public is on to you Thanks to Mike Holmes and His Crew of Miracle workers and all the others behind the scenes like Brian Warchol and so on, Your Days are NUMBERED!! I suspect soon our canadian government will amend new laws regarding the construction of new homes.. so in that respect im thankful for your mistakes but at what cost?? its sad and tragic that so many families have to suffer now to what you have caused... Yeah Thanks but No Thanks!!

Much Thanks To whom put up this web page, call me if you want im in the Phone book under Lyn Wurtz in Melfort, Saskatchewan but just in case you cant find it the number is 3067525941 or call 3069218077 I compliment you for helping putting the word out to our canadian public.

Anthony Onodi (pronounced as: "Oh-No-Dee" )

Jan 04, 2009 10:04 PM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Hi Anthony,

Like the Holmes On Homes Story Producer, Brian Warchol, I too find it personally very heartbreaking for me to know that there are so many people in desperate need of protection from the Canadian home building industry.

As a homeowner advocate I hear stories like yours daily, and so do the volunteers at Canadians for Properly Built Homes.

Canada has a pandemic on it's hands since CMHC devolved (as in downloaded) the liability, and leaves the responsibility for each province to deal with their own mess, and I believe its getting worse.

Although there has been no comments on this blog post before yours, there have been thousands of people view it, but few willing to go public like you.

Don't be surprised to get a call from the media who are often looking for these types of stories.

My sincere best wishes to you and your family Anthony. I hope you're right about our senior governments and hope that the politicians start to do what they are primarily elected to do, protect the people.

Jan 05, 2009 04:33 AM

Anonymous

Gab

I really enjoy your show and what you do for others however, I am sorry to say that I was recently disappointed by the last episode I watched because yes they had a difficult time with their floor and that is really sad so don't think I am heartless because I understand what they were going through and no one deserves to be mistreated and have their trust betrayed. What makes me disappointed is that you chose to do their floor again when they had been reimbursed by the company for what they had done. Therefore when they said that they were over charged they couldve had it redone for less. I am not saying that my story is any worse than anyone else's but we paid over 40,000 for a job poorly done and didn't receive any money back as I am sure many others dont. We've had to dish out even more money that we dont have to have things redone so not much has been fixed but we were forced to move in. Atleast we have running water and appliances, electricity and a roof over our heads which we are very thankful to atleast have that.A But you are doing great work and God bless you efforts.

Jun 03, 2010 11:33 AM

Anonymous

Debbie Cook

Seven months ago we purchased a duplex which passed inspection. We were excited about the new flooring and painted, ‘this is what I thought I smelled.' We had the acoustic ceiling scraped, ‘this is what I thought I smelled' I wanted the walls painted something other than white, ‘this is what I thought I smelled' It became apparent that what I was smelling was none of the above. The smell was stronger in one bedroom so pulling up the carpeting and discovered moisture & mold. After calling our house inspector & realtor, all they would say is, "I've never seen this problem before." We called 2 disaster teams to evaluate our problem, both said, "We have never seen this problem before." The Disaster team we hired told us to contact a Mold Inspector, which we did. In regards to the saturated slab, he also commented that he had, "never seen this problem before." After receiving the mold results, it was recommended that we leave the premises & have the walls in one bedroom, living room, kitchen & dining room removed 2-4' up. One closet, one bathroom & kitchen have been gutted. Our duplex was quarantined while the Disaster Co. remediated the mold. Our cement slab is completely saturated with moisture but the outside ground is dry. We are connected to another duplex which has NO moisture problem or mold. How can only ½ of the slab be saturated? Inside our duplex the air moisture registers 60% while outside is 25%. The plumber we hired reported no leaks, he told us there is no "pattern" to the moisture problem on our slab, he has no idea what is causing our problem, so he has no recommendation, also, "he's never seen this problem before." Our bedroom which contains most of the moisture has no mold, but contains most of the effluence which is eating the cement. After researching, we tried vinegar which caused it to come back with a vengeance. We contacted the Water Co and have been told that there is nothing under our house that would cause our problem. Our Insurance Co & Selling Realtor won't help. Their Realtor's attorney says we only want to remodel. Our attorney told us it would be cheaper to repair the damages ourselves than to go to court; sounds like he isn't comfortable going up against their attorney. Nobody knows where the moisture is coming from, nobody has any advice, we have no idea what to do. Basically we purchased a duplex, "in good faith" which is not habitable, and it seems we have no recourse. The more my husband and I try to educate ourselves, the more discouraged we become. We have reported what we believe to be a "cover-up job" to the California Board of Realtors. After losing my job due to the beginning of non-epileptic seizures, and the loss of my husband's job, as you can imagine our credit was destroyed. We worked hard to rebuild our credit rating so we could purchase a home. If we walk away, our credit will be ruined again. After reading how many homeowners send letters to you - I do realize that our chances of having our home repaired are basically nonexistent, but I thought I would try. Respectfully, Debbie - 822 Brookhill Dr., Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 226-9039

Jun 15, 2010 11:44 AM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Hi Debbie,

I'm so sorry to hear of your difficulties and unfortunately stories such as yours are not uncommon throughout North America.

I don't have a contact for you nut you might want to contact H.A.D.D. http://www.hadd.com/

Best wishes.

Jun 17, 2010 08:25 AM

Anonymous

Leanne Donohue

We purchased our house thirteen years ago with the expectation we would not be dealing with water in the basement anymore. Unfortunately we were soon to find out after our first encounter with rain that water has found its way into our home in the back landing that unfortunately comes into or laundry room as well. It has left our walls mushy on the bottom with know doubt black mold forming behind. We have asked contractors how we can solve this problem and no one seems to know what to do with the problem. We are asking for any information as to how we could solve this problem. Help!

Leanne Donohue

Leask, Saskatchewan, Canada

Aug 24, 2010 05:29 AM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

I would suggest that you contact http://www.CanadiansForProperlyBuiltHomes.com Leanne.

They might have a suggestion for you.

Good luck Leanne.

Aug 24, 2010 10:30 AM

Anonymous

L. M. Westray

I contracted with a contractor to have a modular home built. The contractor did not complete the house. None of the systems were operational. When they realized that I would not give them any more money until the house was complete, they took the plans and left.

The second contractor did a good job in redoing most of the house. The problem is that there is no outside water faucet. There is a pipe beside the front door, but the second contractor cannot find tbe other end of the pipe.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you.

Oct 25, 2010 04:26 AM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

LM: Unfortunately I'm not a contractor to be able to offer you any advice.

Depending on where you are located, one of these two websites might be helpful:

http://www.hadd.com/

http://www.CanadiansForProperlyBuiltHomes.com

Best wishes.

Oct 25, 2010 05:07 AM

Anonymous

handyman

Hi ; it seems like both Canada and the USA Governments need to get off there lasy , greedy buts and do something about the building and remodling and home inspection and reastate businessses !!

Why is it these crooked cotractors can get a lean against home owners whithout the job beeing inspacted first to verify that what the contractor is claiming is true ????

Why is it ok for these crooks to brake the contract and walk away then win there lawsuits againts the home owner ???

This is a discrace and it is just going to leave banks and finance companys stuck with more and more property it can't sell !! Plus totaly ruin more and more peoples credit ; causing more and more people to be homeless or living in there cars !!

I don't know about Canada ;but here in the USA our government is getting away with dubling and tripling peoples morgage payments and then forclosing !!!!! Why is it ok for the banks and finance companys to brake the contracts and make people homeless ???

Why is it the suppliers can sue the home owner for the cost of the materials when it is in the contract that the contractor pays for the supplies ???

the Holmes Foundation should have a division that gives inventers a chance to pitch there design ideas and new product ideas to Mike Holmes himself !!! I am a inventer with greade ideas and designs for new products and improvements to existing products ; that will benifit the trades industry !!!! Also i have a cotract that in my opinion should be the industry standerd for all builders and renovation contractors world wide!!!

Dec 30, 2010 01:54 AM

#11

Anonymous

Handyman

Hi, What ever happend to hiring people based on skill , experiance , and willingness to learn ??? Why is it that every body has gone to hiring based on wether you have degree or not ???

Just because you have a degree ; dose not meen you are qualified to do the job !!! All that degree realy is -- ( it is a peice of paper that states that you whent for some schooling and was able to do the book work to pass the course ) !!!

We need to go back to giving people that do not have a degree a chance instead of just hiring people with a degree !!!

Just look at the ( so called earthquake proof ) highway in Japan --- some yoyo with a collage dregree probly got paid a fortion for that design --- yet somebody like me with out a degree could look at it and see that it would fail ( wich it did fail ) !!!!

A example of structural defect in a bridge in the USA is the bridge that was nicknamed ( galloping gertty ) because of the way it was swaying and twisting in the wind untill it fell apart shortly after it was opened ( even though it was un safe ) ---- The people in charge would not listen to a person with out a degree and whent with a design by somebody that had a degree ending up with a magor desaster of the bridge falling apart !!!!

So realy all a degree means you are rich enough to go to school and able to do the book work to pass the course !!!

Oh i have a couple simple challenges for Mike Holmes to try on camera if he has the guts to try them !! Pluss i have a design for the ultimate cotractors trailor for Mike Holmes to check out !!!

Dec 30, 2010 02:33 AM

#12

Anonymous

torey

why only new owners who are clueless or should i say dont really get the "lingo" and bad inspectors.. i have lived in the same house since i was 5 now im 34 back and not proud. but i LOVE this house.. my mother is really not comprehending what needs to happen to make this house safe NOW built in 1964 with an addition that has the patio sagging.. bathroom ceiling molding(had my uncle paint over it ) its horriable everyting foundation everything. im 5'5 not to much knowledge of the housing things but this house needs to be fixed... i love my mom she has been a singel mother for, well 34 years.. she is old school and needs to be told that there is mold UNHEATHY mold growing.. so why dont you pick someone like me to inspect.. i know what your contract "says" but couldnt you at least make a cheif objective decison to fix some houses where the home owner is just clueless/ i think the mold in the bath room is spreading and with out you contracting a new negoitation this house wil be in peral!!! thanks!~T p.s there is a 2yr old in the house

Jul 21, 2011 07:37 PM

#14

Anonymous

Angie Stewart

I've read and understand the overwhelming request that has been pouring in but, I thought I would give a short assessment of my mom's home as well. The problem began after hurricane Katrina, the construction company that came out was suppose to tear out all of the mildew sheetrock, put new roofing, redo three bathrooms and the kitchen. First of all they did not complete the job, the counter tops are coming apart, the flooring is coming apart, the ceiling is staining because the roofing was improperly done, the flooring and counters in the bathrooms are mixed matched and glue is everywhere and the mold and mildew is making my moms already lung and upper respiratory issues worse. We,be tried contacting the contractors without success. The insurance money wAs exhausted and the work is still not done.

Is there anything you can do to help us!

Apr 03, 2012 06:47 AM

#15

Anonymous

jennefer ougheltree

I am desperate----My home has structural issues----termite issues----rodent issues

The contractor? who did work to my home before i purchased it ----well lets say, i bet this was the only addition he ever did ----For one example, he left the form in between old construction and new addition. Please help me ---i dont want to ask for help but i am out of money and i just am at my wit's end.

Thank you

Sincerely,

Jennefer Ougheltree

Jan 11, 2013 03:41 AM

#16

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John Grasty

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

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(formerly the Adoxographist's Blog) ...skilled writing about an unimportant subject, or is that unskilled writing about an important subject? Well I don't know so as things unfold please judge for yourself... ...don't forget to leave a comment, and thanks for visiting. John Grasty is a REALTOR® serving the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam - Port Coquitlam - Port Moody) real estate market. Please check out John's website: http://www.RealEstateEvolved.com

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