In praise of Mike Holmes

One of my favorite shows is HGTV's "Holmes On Homes." It's not a new show, so I realize I'm late to the party, but if you're interested in home improvement or DIY, you have to check it out.

Pardon me while I gush about it for a few paragraphs.

The basic premise is that Mike Holmes visits homeowners whose homes are in dire need of repair, but who, for the most part, don't have the skills to do it themselves. Usually, what Mike does is clean up messes created by contractors and/or builders who've done shoddy work.

It seems that most other HGTV shows place an emphasis on showing the before and after results, but not "Holmes on Homes." The show focuses on the hard (often grueling and frustrating) work it takes to get from before to after. No, he jumps right in and does a lot of the back-breaking work himself.

While the process makes for great TV, it's not the best reason to tune in. That would be Mike himself. He's just a regular guy who can't stand shoddy work - and he seems to feel compelled to "make it right" (which is his personal slogan, as well as his Twitter handle - follow him).

My favorite episode to date was one in which Mike completed a handicapped-accessible (left unfinished by not one, but two contractors) for a former teacher who's now confined to a wheelchair. During their pre-construction conversation and tour of the apartment, he learned that she also struggled with the design (Mike noticed burn marks on her arms from reaching across the stovetop for the controls) of her kitchen and that she loves to read.

So Mike, showing that his heart is at least as big as his biceps, not only finished the bathroom, but he also made it easier for her to reach her upper cabinets, installed a stove with controls on the front (and which opened to the side, rather than down), and created a beautiful reading area in her living room. If you get a chance to see it, I challenge you to keep your eyes dry.

His skills, attention to detail and compassion have made Mike one of my heroes. I'd pay good money to sit down and have a beer (or twelve) with him. Watch the show and you'll feel the same way.