Mike Holmes Rescues Family's Disaster Home for Christmas | Holmes on Homes 112

Alex and Gwen were excited about moving into their dream home. But with the house only 2/3rd's done and running four months behind, the contractor flees with almost $200,000 of their money. After selling their old home, the family of five is forced to live in a motor home on their front driveway. General contractor Mike Holmes arrives on site, supervises the house to completion and moves the family back into their finished home, just in time for Christmas.
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#HomeRenovation #Construction #Makeover

[@rostallar4243]

The wanting more upgrades, Mike saying he’s not concerning himself with stuff like that. GOLD.

[@jonathanbair523]

If he gave a inch, she would have taken a mile.... Good job Mike standing firm on what needed to be done to get it ready and 95% finished.. Sticking to basics.

[@kitagawa2122]

like what the hell lol

[@LCCJ82]

Gwen seems real high maintenance. Trying to make Holmes do all those add ons. Probably why the husband stayed in the camper and why the contractor ran off.

[@gleff3345]

Indeed. If all they can afford is a camper (for the children) what are they doing. Living above their means that's for sure.

[@shqa574]

It would be nice to learn how the bad contractor was held accountable to the subcontractors for the materials and work, and if the owners recouped any of the $177K fee. That looks like a million dollar plus house.

[@animeangel1983]

It would probably be closer to 1.7 or even 2 million now. This was 20 years ago. Sometimes, karma gets these contractors but not always.

[@jeristaley-earnst749]

My kitchen nightmare beats this...60k, 7 damn months - weeks without running water in the kitchen, subs that don't show or show when they feel like it. Today the tile guy was here all day (day 2) - not a single tile was laid. Requests made early in the project long forgotten or ignored. Three days of excuses from the cabinet maker. We have never been rude or disrespectful, made decisions when they need to be made, coordinated our personal business around the project. And we don't have access to the likes of Mike Holmes....damn! Welcome to remodeling on Maui.

[@MultiTurbospeed]

At this point might as well let the house fall apart.

[@samuelschick8813]

We had something like this happen. Wife hired some contractors to come in and remodel a house we bought, install hot water, hot tub, complete remodel. What did they do? They did the electrical and then painted over all the light switches, electrical outlets just to name a few. So wife and I decided that I more in and keep an eye on them, which I did. About 4 months later ( Sept) I'm up on the outdoor balcony when they all stop and start loading their stuff in a truck and take off. Not a word was said to me. Called wife and she called the main guy and found out he moved them to another job leaving us high and dry but 95% done. So I went around and inspected everything and found out they had left their welder in my carport. From Sept to Feb wife kept calling them to finish the job and pick up their welder. They kept stalling on doing both. Comes Feb and 4 of them show up to pick up their generation, let the fun begin. So I'm sitting out in the carport when they show up unannounced in the pickup truck. They pile out and open the gate to my front yard and start to walk in like they own the place. I instantly kicked them back out on the street. I told them if they wanted the welder back, pay me $200 storage fees then they could have it. Under the law it was abandoned property after 60 days. They sat out on the street for 3 hours talking to the owner of the construction what was going on. What happened? They all piled into the truck and drove off after a little over 3 hours. The owner decided to buy a brand new welder instead of paying $200 to get his back. We had a handyman who did excellent work and finished what they left. When he heard about the welder story he was shocked as the welding machine was a $1,000 plus machine. He was given the welder.

[@kitagawa2122]

did your wife want fancy things at first or did she add stuff as the project began?

[@samuelschick8813]

@@kitagawa2122, Nothing fancy and nothing added. Place repainted inside and out, electrical outlets added, install water filter system/pump and heater. Sliding windows, tiles put down. So electrician does his job and adds outlets, hangs chandeliers and such. Along come the painters and paint over the outlet and light switch covers along with ceiling covers for the chandeliers. Guess all came to naught though. Left the house for a weekend and came back to a looted house. They took everything except the paint on the walls. They even took the goddamn dogs. Police " We can't do anything".

[@ginny0719]

Wainscoting is esthetic. Mikes concern is getting those folks in their home because a scumball contractor, that ripped them a new one, wants his camper back...on most of these shows the homeowners pay for materials. Not labor. Keep doing the HEARTLESS WONDERFUL JOB YOU'RE DOING MIKE AND CREW! BLESS YOUR HEARTS! Please pray those whom don't have anything yet aren't grateful for a damned thing that someone with a heart gives them and then has the audacity to complain...

[@mgjmiller1995]

Yeah...Mike has had plenty of WTF moments across his shows...at crappy contractors' reputational expense. 12:32 The list from the person GETTING HELP HERE floored me. Maybe if you + hubby weren't such weenies you'd have kicked the bum contractor to the curb months ago 🙄

[@evelynpasqua6968]

It was a good thing that Mike did his job as a general manager and overseeing the crew’s work. Hopefully, the owners are going to be more cautious whenever they are hiring some people. Mike worked so hard to make things go right.

[@dposcuro]

Well, how cautious can you be? They say, right at 1:55 that they got multiple bids, they researched the contractors. I mean, unfortunately you can do all the research in the world, but some times? Someone will just screw you over, no matter how careful you are.

[@edwardaldrich7213]

He wants his camper back - did I hear that right ?

[@SPDFRK]

I hope, like everyone, to one day win the lotto. If that happens I will pay extreme amounts of money to hire Mr Holmes to build my dream home. I will pay double the cost and the excess will go to the charity of his choice. Perhaps to further the education of trades.

[@glennzanotti3346]

Not long into this episode, the word "spoiled" popped into my head. Leaving pictures of fancy upgrades the wife wanted forMike to find? Seriously? At the end, the tour of the kid's bedrooms... most adults don't have bedrooms that big or luxurious. The wife in particular, seemed like high maintenance, and the husband seemed clueless. I can't help but wonder if this family didn't take advantage of Mike.

[@MultiTurbospeed]

I'm thinking they are probably divorced now

[@ExperimentsOfThought]

I also had the idea that the wife…. After months… if not living in a home and being humbled to a Winnebago then a hotel then an apartment… you’d think that she would be like so many other home owners of incomplete work to just be in the house. Also how many of these episodes have we seen where the homeowners are living in the incomplete work and they make do as best they can instead of paying for alternate shelter. I don’t get it. I honestly don’t. With this in mind I wonder if this attitude/behavior played a role in the subcontractor not completing the work… not that he didn’t do wrong. But was there an argument? Was there a falling out? Idk. Purely speculation on my part but if you’re a victim of another persons crimes I do expect a bit of gratitude when someone comes to your rescue. Geez. I really don’t know about this one. Mystery. Maybe she’s an Angel and I’m being to cruel. But something definitely seemed off here. Maybe it was the producers that this episode had. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@karlbrundage7472]

So you're saying they deserved to be defrauded because they have more money or salary than you?

[@glennzanotti3346]

@@karlbrundage7472 Nobody "deserves" to be defrauded. I am saying that they might not have been the best candidates for Mike's generosity. BTW, nice cheap shot. You don't know how much money I do or don't have, and that is completely irrelevant to my comment.

[@kitagawa2122]

@@ExperimentsOfThought no dude she probably pissed off the contractor they kept changing their mind during the reno so the guy just left there is always the other side of the story

[@AliB333]

The audacity of this man to show up WITH POLICE to get his $15k winnebago after stealing $177k from them. WTF????? Why isn't he arrested???

[@umeng2002]

You can sue someone, but that doesn't mean they have money to pay you.

[@Nightykk]

"It's just a different scale." - Eric, CEO.

[@kellismith4329]

I can’t be expected to exist with the measly items that you people have

[@annanimity8697]

...God bless you Mike Holmes!...

[@ronaldsears834]

Sounds like champagne dreams on a Budweiser pocket book. I believe this is the one that Mike almost walked out on .

[@edwardsimmons3721]

Unfortunately things like this happen to people all the time. Usually contractors get away with because they tell 1/2 truths about not being fully paid.

[@peterschick9075]

It doesn't matter how much money ANYBODY has ,,, getting ripped off is not acceptable,,, something needs to change

[@iaingent1210]

This looks like the movie the money 💵 pit

[@guymandude999]

14:45 Not sure exactly what that dude is attempting to poke Mike in the eye with, but Mike ain't havin none of it.

[@Mark.Watson]

I get the feeling the homeowners got the subs to do a bunch of extras and because the GC wasn't onsite managing the work the project went over budget. No excuse not to pay the subs, but I think there is more to the story.

[@trucksandheavymetal]

That's not a Winnebago, it's a Citation. It's not a trailer. It's not an eye sore. It's a good looking camper and it's in good condition. Many people would be proud to own it, myself included. He probably just doesn't like it because it's not new, nor big, nor luxurious enough for him.

[@GuyChapman]

A transition in Mike’s journey to white helmet. Quality content!

[@davidlampe4153]

Beautiful home. Father is right about the scale of the rip-off I know they aren’t going to get anything back from the contractor he has probably already formed a new company and declared bankruptcy.

[@lindajeanfrancis2958]

Why is the contractor not in jail or being sued

[@bwillan]

It's a civil matter because some work was done. Mike has covered this in other episodes of HoH, Holmes Inspection, and his other series.

[@gleff3345]

The owners aren't even able to do any decorative work themselves? What a bunch of spoilt brats. Mike should have only done the doorknobs and electricity.

[@lynnszen]

It is apparent that Gwen exploited Mike and his crew by asking for extra add-ons. However, Mike still went above and beyond to save the day, and the kids were noticeably more ecstatic than the adults.

[@gleff3345]

This is far removed from a young couple buying their house for a top price and finding many things to be wrong. This couple should have gotten the advice to sell the house (including a swimming pool !) and not to trying to "keep up with the Jonses" . Indeed Mike got taken on this one. More self-help is needed.

[@kitagawa2122]

they should've sued

[@amunderdog]

The Sub contractor's were taken care of? Hope they had a great Christmas and the new year is successful for them .

[@lindaaldrich4799]

To ask/ tell Mike she wants changes done is selfish when shes not paying for the work Mike and crews are doing. This is what happens when the narcissistic owners dint do their do diligence themselves. Put a lean on the contractors business and take him to court.

[@terrigelbaum8066]

Mike, you don't seem that happy. You O.K.? Working with these folks a bit difficult? I'm worried for my hero.God bless.

[@frankfuller975]

​@@scottm2828Yup, busy doing Holmes Family Rescue on HGTV right now.

[@seanclark7783]

Another Make it Right Mike Holmes

[@Sports-Jorge]

I feel bad for the family as a whole. Nobody should be scammed out of their hard earned money. The wife was nit-picking everything and everyone from the start to the end of the show. She probably drives everyone up a wall and then she will file for divorce and get the house and 1/2 of everything else too. Wild.

[@samuelschick8813]

Hubby did strike me as a simp. There was a guy back home who was married for years to the same woman. Back in the 1990's he won a few hundred million on the Powerball and as soon as he collected his wife filed for divorce and took half. So with his half he bought some land and started building a nice house. Only to have it catch fire 2 or 3 times. Seems the paint crew left turpentine soaked rags laying around after they went home and the rags caught fire.

[@anthonyurban2589]

I love Mike's abilities but on this house i get the feeling there is another story in the back. something between the original contractor and the owners.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

"Take the money and run" is a Steve Miller Band song lyric, not a lesson for contractors.

[@MrJramirex]

Im surprised this well off people got taken advantage of. They are usually the ones not paying contractors or threaten to sue you at the very first unforseen circumstance.

[@karenshort3880]

Poor children. They had to live in an RV for months if not a year. Before their house is done enough for them move in.

[@kitagawa2122]

poor rich children

[@visionsofparadise578]

She is a spoiled trophy wife, and he is completely clueless. Very nice house.

[@nakiaharper276]

I wish they could/would sue him.

[@Mark.Watson]

They clearly have the means to do it, but didn't for some reason.

[@debbiemorgan-thompson5369]

Damon, Mike Jr, and Sherry were all missing. With them things would have been better

[@davidalexander4043]

do you find the contractor and make him pay fo stealing money thought the court systems

[@chuck2306]

the wife reminds of Gillian Anderson

[@garyflythe1362]

What was wrong with the house in the first place. Was it structural or cosmetic? Now the legal part do the subcontractors go after the contractor.?

[@kellismith4329]

If he still exists

[@csmith563]

He's worried about his Travel trailer??!! Give it up, Buddy, before the courts take it from you! Yeah, Momma's a bit entitled but knew better than to complain in front of the camera..

[@maxxmich]

wonder how he could afford this house in the first place.....

[@Nitrousbird]

By earning money and paying for it...

[@djohnsto2]

Probably technical work. He doesn't seem like the alpha manager business owner type.

[@gleff3345]

Not taking the children on holiday, getting a huge mortgage. Staying out in a camper and telling the children that they finally are on holiday.

[@berenicewhittington1079]

She (wife) is either clueless naive or spoiled. Be grateful you get heat light insulation and a place thats livable.

[@kmj782]

Looks like they could afford this on their own..

[@chuck2306]

it's not like the contractor disappeared like Jimmy Hoffa

[@maxxmich]

he makes less then that.. and can't afford to pay the contractors

[@johnblount1347]

The first Job that Ive seen Mike get involved in caused most likely by Karen that pissed off the contractor

[@epoc162]

I'm having a hard time actually feeling bad for these people because not be realistic, they are obviously rich. I feel better when the show is helping people who are not rich because they are the ones that need the help more. These rich people can sit there and go the legal route and afford the lawyers and everything to sue the contractor like they should have from the start. Most people who are living paycheck-to-paycheck can't afford to even hire a lawyer to go after a contractor and those are the people that I like seeing Mike help. I like seeing him help the people who are newly married and just moved into their first house ever. Rich people getting the work done for free and paid for by a TV company, not so much.

[@ClearedAsFiled]

Totally agree with you 👍

[@myjeanification]

And she had the nerve to ask for extras 😮

[@TheEvox81]

I disagreed with you for a majority of the episode... Having been the victim of a "take the money and run" contractor, to the tune of $100,000+ USD, even someone who is well off can feel powerless (and penniless) when their entire financial world is falling down around them. BUT! The part of the episode where the wife started asking for these people, who are just trying to get them in to the home, to do fancy, high-end work on someone else's dime... I really started wondering what role their unrealistic expectations (and possibly unrealistic budget) may have played in where they ended up. And they were definitely trying to get a little extra something for nothing. So... you were right on target.

[@michaelvanhorn3271]

Agreed

[@DanielWSonntag]

Yeah I hate it when people work hard and achieve their big dreams. I hope that doesn't happen to you!

[@OLDUSAFMedic]

I wonder how he picks one, out the the hundreds of thousands of people that have the same poorly built homes.

[@ncooty]

@12:00: I think this is the least admirable part of Mike's personality. It's as if he likes being the hero as long as you're beholden to him and he makes all the decisions. To me, it suggests he's probably great at rescuing these situations, but might be too obnoxious to deal with as a contractor.

[@gundam8655]

Mike most likely sued the scumball contractor! for bad work ethos and giving contractors a bad name

[@OriginalMomo]

They better lock that son of a 🤬 up for a LONG Time.

[@jenn976]

I’ve watched several of these and it’s the only one I didn’t hit the “like” button. Yes, a contractor ripped them off, left a thousand details undone, etc. They were still better off than most. And anyone who thinks all rich people *work* for their gains believe in fairy tales.

[@allygee5468]

I cant believe that crook wanted his Winebago back his subbies dhould have put a lein on it to get their payment Never pay up front

[@davekramer4266]

How is this Criminal Contractor still in business, that is FRAUD, GRAND THEFT, Breach of Promise and Contract. Why aren't they Suing Him Personally & Company, and Putting a Lean on his Company.?

[@themightywookie351c3]

Careful Holmes, don’t become a clueless main contractor, your being informed of changes you did not know about.. just sayin

[@Rob-Yule]

I love Holmes, but these spoiled, high-maintenance folks don't need Mike's help. A shit contractor is a shit, but my sympathy is not there for such a ridiculous-sized house.

[@delyn13]

I don’t understand why Mike is so miserable doing this job and doing wainscoting doesn’t take long at all he could’ve done it for the homeowners that’s part of the problem with contractors these days at some point they start to get bad attitudes Mike is supposed to be there to help them out not complain about the fact they want stuff done there way

[@lauraokelly2644]

I'm with Mike on that one. He's just trying to get them back in the house. She shouldn't be dropping little hints about getting something extra, that obviously wasn't in the original contract, when his time line was so close that they couldn't use the stairs going down because the finish wasn't dry. I was fine with Mike's reaction to it but definitely lost some respect for her.

[@bwillan]

MIke's 'job' on this episode was to finish the house so the homeowners could move back in. It wasn't to do a bunch of extras.

[@garyflythe1362]

That's what got the homeowners in trouble in the first place. Women are never satisfied.

[@TwstedTV]

I am with Mike on this one. That's cosmetic. Mike's goal is to make the house livable, not be there for extra stuff. That woman wanted all kinds of extra stuff and Mike was getting annoyed, because he was there to help make the house livable. Not be there and make the house glamorous. She was pushing the boundaries which Mike didn't like. ALL that is suppose to be done is make the house livable for a family of 5. THATS IT. The rest is not his problem.

[@ixitar]

@@garyflythe1362 I do not think that the contractor properly managed the change orders. You want this change? It will cost $X and will add Y days to the schedule. Get it written down as a change order, signed off and paid for.