Mike Holmes Jr. spills secrets on renovation process
You don’t have to watch TV to get celebrity advice – Mike Holmes Jr. will be at the Calgary Renovation Show to give you his thoughts on home renovations.
Mike Holmes Jr. is a professional contractor and TV host who started working with his father, celebrity contractor Mike Holmes, on the set of Holmes on Homes when he was just 14-years-old.
No longer a 14-year-old earning some extra pocket money, Holmes Jr. focuses on a holistic approach to proper home building that supports healthy living, starring in the newest edition of the Holmes series franchise, Holmes + Holmes. It’s here that he and his dad transform his modest bachelor bungalow into a two-storey masterpiece.
At the Calgary Renovation Show, Mike Holmes Jr. will walk people through his personal home renovation experience, and share what he learned from the experience.
We talked to Mike Holmes Jr. to give you a sneak peek of some of the tips he’ll be handing out at the show.
What will you be discussing at your show?
I’ll be discussing everything about renovations, but mainly it will be about my home renovation. I want to share with people the things I learned during the renovation process and what to do, or what not do, and where to prioritize your renovations. Renovating your home can be a very tricky process when you don’t know what products to use or where to start.
What’s your top advice for people looking to renovate their home?
My top advice for people looking to renovate their home would be to prioritize your renovations. Don’t do it in the wrong order. Come see me at The Calgary Renovation Show and I will explain why you don’t want to mess up that order.
Calgary’s in a serious economic situation right now, is there a cost-effective way of doing a kitchen or bath renovation?
There are always cost-effective ways of doing a kitchen or bath renovation. It really comes down to the finishes. Where you may have to sacrifice on price is your counter tops and your tile, and you also may not be able to afford that heated floor. But don’t cheap out on the bones though. I always recommend using products like Ditra underneath your tile floors and waterproofing your bathroom properly.
Don’t cut corners to save money. That is one of the biggest mistakes people often make. They want the beautiful counter tops and tiles and they cut corners on the actual building process. This often leads to having to re-do the project in the future, which is not only a waste of money, but it’s a waste of material that we don’t need to put into the landfill. Timing is everything. Do it right the first time (I know, I know. I sound like my dad.) Keep saving your money a little bit longer if those counter tops and tiles mean that much to you.
The same principle extends well beyond kitchens and bathrooms. One of the most overlooked areas in any home renovation — and one of the most expensive to fix after the fact — is the roof. Homeowners pour money into interior finishes while neglecting aging flashing, deteriorating box gutters, or undersized downpipes that can’t handle heavy rain loads. By the time water damage shows up on a ceiling or behind a wall, the repair bill dwarfs what a proper roofing assessment would have cost at the start.
A client I worked with recently had done exactly this — gorgeous new cabinetry, stone benchtops, the works — but had ignored a drainage issue that had been quietly worsening for two years. She’d had a roof plumber Perth locals had recommended come through as part of a broader pre-renovation assessment, and that inspection uncovered deteriorated valley iron and a blocked sump that were already directing water toward the eaves. Catching it before the interior work began saved her from ripping out brand-new finishes six months down the track. That’s the bones. That’s what you don’t skip.
So before you commit your renovation budget to the visible stuff, get the invisible stuff inspected first. Roofing, subfloor, waterproofing membranes, drainage — these are the systems that protect every beautiful thing you put on top of them. If they fail, nothing else matters.
What is the most difficult part of living through a renovation?
The most difficult part about living through the renovation is just that. Living “In” a renovation. When possible always budget to live somewhere else during your renovation. You don’t want to breathe in all of the demolition dust and voc’s from products while they are being done, and for the sake of your relationship and your family, stay away from living through your renovation.
Any tips for couples about to embark on a renovation?
My tips would be to create a realistic budget, and make sure you have a cushion to fall on if things don’t go as planned. Sometimes when doing renovations, you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into until you open up the walls. Also, do your homework. Research good quality products and good contractors, get references and check them.
Mike Holmes Jr. will at the Calgary Renovation Show on January 15, but the show itself goes from January 13 to the 15.
With more than 200 brands and local experts attending the show, tons of interesting talks and workshops, it’s a home renovation event you won’t want to miss. Tickets are $12 for adults, although you can save $3 if you buy online.
For more information, follow the Calgary Renovation Show on Facebook and Twitter.
Calgary Renovation Show
When
- January 13, noon to 9 pm
- January 14, 10 am to 9 pm
- January 15, 10 am to 6 pm
Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park – #20 Roundup Way SE
Price: $12 for adults. Save $3 when you buy online
