Wheelchair Ramp Disaster: Mike Holmes Does a Ramp Revamp! | Holmes on Homes 203

Edith and Christopher hired a contractor to build a wheel chair accessible ramp at the front of their house, but he built a dangerous ramp that wasn't to code. Mike Holmes arrives on site and builds the ramp the way it should have been done in the first place.
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#HomeRenovation #Construction #Makeover

[@kylinsky]

Empathy + Competence + Craftsmanship

[@rickthompson4315]

Am I the only one who cried, tears of JOY, at the end?❤ I'm a Disabled Combet Vet, lucky enough to still use a cain. My dad, fought in Korea 1950-53. Ended up in a wheelchair. To Mike's Team, May God Bless You ❤❤❤

[@nancyburt8791]

Thank you for your service!!

[@sandyhaworth4181]

As a former firefighter/EMT I BAWLED! THANK YOU Mike and crew for your acts if kindness.

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

I cried like a baby. He was so grateful to have the help.

[@paulajones4037]

If you don't know how to do something RIGHT just don't and... say so!!! QUIT messing with people's lives for your own pocket gain! Ty Mike Holms😊

[@SquigglersWigglers]

This is one of his best shows! Thank you Mike for making it RIGHT!!

[@aigtrader2984]

As someone who is in a wheelchair, this is about the sturdiest ramp I think I have ever seen

[@jonathanbair523]

Right up till the end where wood goes into the dirt! Termites travel in the dirt looking for wood and then tunnel into the wood making that paper thin. They needed concrete for sure maybe rocks to have the end of the ramp tie into the ground. I would go with concrete and put the metal hangers to hold the beams so wood dose not meet dirt!... I do agree the part in the air looks very secure and over done for safety but the landing at the end is CRAP!

[@DigitalTwisted]

@@jonathanbair523 It's all treated wood though which is resistant to termites, Mike himself has spoken in many of his videos about not liking wood to dirt for that very reason which is why they've used treated wood.

[@sandgroper1970]

You do it because of the heart felt gratitude of people like this former first responder.

[@rhondakennedy819]

Very happy you helped this man. People in America don't care about the people who can't really get around easily. Be kind to each other. Stay safe. Love to all

[@dbeaulieu9730]

I'm a 70yo handyman/contractor and Mike is my hero

[@douglasradowick508]

That first responder's tears at the end were saying volumes of appreciation for the work done for him! If he were asked explain his years-shame on that person for being SO insensitive and such a jerk!😱 Mike & team, FABULOUS work, for a man, who gave his all everyday he served the people on his job!😵😀🤓👍❤️⭐⭐⭐ Doug

[@neonraindrops]

The fact that that ramp looks like it could take a baby pachyderm playing on it speaks volumes to the love and craftmanship the team put into that porch!

[@prcervi]

it's going to need it when the snow comes, there's always going to be some build up

[@commonleadership48]

what is not addressed is the fact that the couple could never afford a ramp like that. Nor could 75% of average folks. I.m guessing it cost $15,000 +

[@prcervi]

@@commonleadership48 most of these episodes are canadian, as is holmes' construction company(along with this being filmed over a decade ago) the couple might've had the funds for that quality of ramp, but it took holmes coming in to actually get it done right because the first guy hired couldn't be assed

[@daniellentz7714]

The bottom of my heart. Thank you all you guys that you have done this so many times with Mike.

[@wendwllhickey6426]

To bad people just want to get paid and run out 😢

[@randybutler4772]

What a good job! Couldn’t have been done for a nicer family. Thank you for sharing.

[@rozmoran1840]

Thank you Mike. Your craftsmanship is beautiful and logical, your a good man.

[@sunshinetogo4221]

Love this show. He is an anomaly in the construction business ! So glad this show shows what a good contractor can do and opens our eyes to subpar work.

[@Grammyabigail]

God bless you for what you do! What a joy to watch real people helping real people. Your program is amazing. I would rather watch you and your crews in action than a movie.

[@rawyin]

Watching these old episodes is like watching the first episodes of COPS and thinking, well that escalated.... haha.

[@DonnaLane-pw4rg]

Thank you Mr. Holmes, a disabled lady facing the same thing as the gentleman who was in the video, that made me angry that someone he trusted burned him and took advantage of him ... I have lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis and I am bearly walking independently myself so I understand and know how that Man feels.. Again Thank you Mr. Holmes Respectfully yours, Donna Lane Kingman Az USA ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ciaraclarke1488]

Giving back to those that need it many thanks team

[@animeangel1983]

I have MS too, thankfully I am not wheelchair bound yet...mine comes and goes and so far I can remain independently mobile and still do things for myself. But now that I am 40 that can change in an instant.

[@starrroberts-n9h]

God Bless you and your team Mr Holmes.

[@uniblab5490]

Absolutely the best Holmes on Homes I’ve ever watched.

[@Carpenterdane]

Mike Holmes is a Rock Star!

[@Eric-vn6gh]

Great Job!! Much thanks & respect to you & your team!

[@victormastropietro9646]

Tears of joy 😂.what a way to serve your fellow man. May God give you many blessings mike

[@nancygrissett6280]

Mike. You are the best. I love all your shows. God bless.❤

[@terrihartbarger]

I really love that Mike and his crew will give the same amount of attention to every job no matter how big our small❤❤❤

[@twomz]

We went out during high school with UM Army and did some wheel chair ramps... the ones us high schoolers did for free looked better and safer than the one that first guy did.

[@leahpetrick6958]

Definitely need rails. My son’s electric wheelchair motor on one side went out and caused the wheelchair to crash into the railing. If it hadn’t been there no telling how bad a disaster it should have been. His wheelchair weighed 247 pounds !

[@MikeRichardson-b9o]

Mike,you are the man.Ben in that same shape myself now my wife is in the same bolt.Thank God she had One good Kid and awsome grandkids.

[@ivenstorm]

Reminds me of my own back patio. I lived in a split bungalow, single floor and the back patio wasn't even properly placed on the ground. There were parts of the patio that were laying on loose rocks, there were even parts that look like it had been gnawed off or cut off and were just loosely hanging. You'd never had known that was happening if you didn't look underneath it, and since I looked at it at night, I didn't think to check underneath. We ended up pulling up the entire thing and redoing it ourselves. Helped increase the value of my property when we went to resell it 6 years later.

[@homefultv]

Amazing!

[@rhondakennedy819]

Yes, the little one is a cutie!!! I've a Got Junk guys in 2 different states. They were all great! In & out real fast with smiles & kind words!

[@albertc.8820]

Awesome! A moving story, no doubt. Mike is one outstanding contractor. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@terrymiller4158]

Thank you Mike for helping a first responder!

[@dposcuro]

Thank you once again for uploading these. Always been hard to find before.

[@ron.v]

Tears at the end. That's what it's all about!

[@vfxsoup]

This show was something my wife and I watched religiously when we first moved to Canada from the US. We are Canadian now and this will always be something we remember fondly.

[@yosefmacgruber1920]

Why did you move to Canada?

[@vfxsoup]

@@yosefmacgruber1920 we were British, we moved to the US as I work in the film industry in VFX. In about 2001 we decided to move up to Canada after having just about enough of the LA insanity. We visited Vancouver to check out a potential job offer first and just fell in love with the beauty of it all in BC. I still go back and forth to the US with work, but I love BC, the mountains and the lifestyle. It’s changed since 2001 for sure, but then so has everywhere else. No doubt there are many places in the US that are great, but not in the field I work in… LA or New York… both don’t appeal to me to raise a family. On one of the last days in LA, someone asked if my 3 month old baby had an agent yet… I laughed and said no… they went on a tirade about what terrible parents we were not making money from our little baby. Hahaha, to each their own I guess.

[@RONSCHANNELS-or9wy]

so kind of the team and so nice at the end!

[@michaelmedley6965]

Freedom. What you just gave that family is freedom.❤

[@josiatokirina1788]

Thank You! This episode I had not seen before, and it was very interesting.

[@jaycole3768]

Looks great.

[@hildahill3348]

Wow a beautiful job

[@jonathanlanglois2742]

Monopoles have gotten rarer where I live. Screw in piles have become much the preferred method of a lot of contractors. No need to excavate, just screw it in, with the exact same machine that you are using and you are done. Its what I've got for my front and side porch. They haven't moved at all since they were built. They are an extremely reliable solution.

[@cabman86]

This is one amazing build!

[@keithwallington4966]

Thank you for being that guy

[@walter.bellini]

What an outstanding job Mike and his team did here, for a well deserving VETERAN. Love bless This episode just came out but it must be at least 15 years old, Dewalt tool using the old NiMh batteries and Mike looks like he is 35 years old, lol Thank you for sharing Mike

[@jamesleicher]

i say 20 years back i got cable tv in australia ,mike was on home improvement chanel

[@tspawn35]

Yeah, It originally aired in 2004

[@ps603]

So nice, done Right!

[@ClassicStreetIron]

In case you were wondering: The theme music is cut from The Wiseguys - Start the Commotion off their album Antidote

[@greatbigjt]

@17:20 "they say that you can put in nails, we use screws" ACTUALLY they (the manufacturer of the hanger (Simpson Strong Tie) says that you MUST put in nails and DO NOT use screws....

[@aaronorr5586]

Simpson makes structural screws that are designed to be used in these ties and joist hangers. #10 2 1/2", #9 2 1/2", #10 1 1/2", #9 1 1/2".

[@greatbigjt]

@@aaronorr5586 For sure they do but the screws used in this video are clearly NOT Simpson screws.

[@aaronorr5586]

@@greatbigjt On that we are in concurrence.

[@conniemaniaci3612]

You do it because you are a good person.

[@eck8240]

Holmes you're a good man❤

[@DannySwanson-z7h]

I need these guys on my crew!. This is one amazing build!.

[@jefferykeeper9034]

We need more Heroes like he was!!!

[@annebellette201]

Great job 👍 thank you for sharing

[@richardurena8202]

hmmmm... they code I had to follow was 1/4 max per ft. Our sidewalks were usually 4 ft wide, so they could only drop an inch from side to side

[@guesswho6946]

Great job.

[@debbiepayne9177]

Mr. Holmes you don't get it because you would never ever think of not finishing a job let alone not making it safe! We need more good guys like you sir! ❤ 🤗

[@thekingtroll2]

This couple is 50% responsible for this disaster. They KNEW it required a permit so they hired someone who did it without the permit. Plus, the ramp that was there, they paid $5000 for that???? Someone saw them coming and he left them stranded without finishing. Never hire anyone to do work that requires a permit. That way you have something built to standards.

[@ginny0719]

I'm at the same point. I know how to ..just not physically able. I've been ripped a new one on a porch, back deck, erection of a shed, and, now the mower...I've no one to depend on for any assistance...GOD have mercy and send me an angel! Bless you Mike!

[@venoofnecona3906]

Only thing I see missing is the Handrail that is to go down the ramp. Not the 2 by type that is on the wall. By code you have to be able to put your fingers around it. Like the type that goes in a house, except it has to be pressure treated.

[@jostouw4366]

I find it sad that these things get done to the needy they deserve better there are not enough Mikes around!

[@sandrahunt1870]

Thank goodness Mike and team are doing this correctly. I have ms and went for stem cell ( mesenchymal ) 6 yrs ago and I have no disability at all and doing well. Would be nice if he could do this for himself.

[@PhilSaunders-c3n]

Be kind to the Mailman take the mailbox off the wall so he don’t have to walk up & down the ramp every day

[@davefoc]

The 2 x 10's seemed like massive overkill. I found a site that said a 2 x 10 on 16 inch centers could span 18'9". I don't think they were spanning four feet here. I wondered about the spacing as well. It looked like 12 inches to me and based on the image of the deck and a four by four post it was about 12 inches which would make this deck vastly stronger than it needs to be for any practical purpose.

[@yosefmacgruber1920]

When it becomes rotten in the weather, it may be only half as strong? Maybe less. You can't just figure the weight of 1 person and a wheelchair. What if they are having a party, and lots of people standing around?

[@helookalikaman79]

Here, permit = 50% of the project.... Ramp A - $1,000 no permit Ramp B - $1,500 with permit both ramps are built to code, with the same products and builder.

[@keithfreitas2983]

Better safe than sorry. Some of my neighbors did add ons without permits. City went and did inpections throughout and those that did not have permits were told to tear it down, pay a hefty penalty plus bring it up to code.

[@helookalikaman79]

@@keithfreitas2983 yeah got to make up the permission aka permit fees with fines... I woder if the inspectors pull permits on their own homes

[@Mike__B]

Did I see that right, he was using pressure treated wood for the floor boards... but then uses the standard 'gold' screws to hold it all down? Yikes Mike, you talk about the rust forming on the carriage bolts at the beginning, those uncoated screws will get eaten up by the chemicals in the PT boards in no time.

[@dianet1659]

I have great appreciation for wooden ramps now

[@motercycle80]

Looks great 👍 I would love to have that ramp

[@cabman86]

I build free ramps for those in need and this just made me sick looking at this.

[@davidsimmons5936]

Good job

[@robertmailhos8159]

Screw's have a better bite into the wood nails on the other hand pull out of the wood because of the wood expanding and shrinking

[@jjjacer]

depending on the nail that can happen, mostly nails are used for speed (nailgun) and they do have better sheer strength vs screws. it depends on the application (however most of the time i do use screws myself, just easier when you dont have a framing nailer)

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@jjjacer oh by the way I forgot about that nail that's spiral in design thank you for your information on this matter

[@victormastropietro9646]

There is a God what you reap you shall sow. Its too bad he couldnt finish that ramp for that family. God bless you Mike ❤

[@cabman86]

I need these guys on my crew!

[@denisepalmer2006]

I have this exact problem. We got messed over by a contractor for a wheelchair ramp for my dad (Vietnam Vet) and my daughter. Not up to code. Stuck with it and my dad has already got hurt on it. No handrails, no guards, not level, screws sticking out of posts for no reason, lag bolts sticking out and put in on an angle. Contractor never came back, just gave a bunch of excuses and empty promises.

[@sambiscits6711]

I recognize one of Mike's helpers he was there before Damon Bennett does the other guy's dark hair and green shirt I'm thinking he did plumbing but I'm not sure. I guess he's the guy thinks about is in the checkered jacket. Just saw his name is Benjamin Green contractor.

[@jameswoody1205]

Well done Mike. You are a very special kind and rare person!

[@northwinds9155]

Common now the long I watch it it's becoming overkill just add railings in there and done. No wonder it's expensive living in US and companies filling there pockets

[@GuyChapman]

Good work for good people. And all the same tools I have!

[@TH-eb5ro]

Depends on where you are as to if the porch railings are required but with any disability aid they are a good idea, with a ramp required. The friend may have ran into issues himself but the 5k and not following code, permits is not excusable. Freecycle the unused wood, materials. The permits are also something to show when you sell a house. An as-is house is a way to lose money.

[@BradLarsen-nl2pc]

May I ask, maybe I missed it, but what lumber and sealer did you use? I've always wondered why contractors don't pre-seal the wood since it's impossible to get the bottoms in some areas.

[@lisacartwright2402]

Wish I can have a ramp on my porch. It takes 2 people to get my mom off the porch to get to her appointments. Due to covid, all the places and charity stuff we could have gone to to get a ramp put in is behind by 3 to 4 years.

[@maxxmich]

love the hack contractor who whies his pick up truck as a dump truck/cement truck

[@TheRealJoeMama1]

Someone needs to have a talk with whoever thought that this video required intrusive background 'music' with a pounding beat. It's really distracting and adds nothing of value.

[@DreamCatcherDD]

My favorite show woohoo😊

[@MrMarvincorea]

Que belleza de rampa

[@Shastasnow]

Getting permit can be a real pain depending on where you live. It is important to communicate but it can get frustrating. Even more so with annoying neighbors.

[@ramahonlineschool]

Seriously overbuilt. An architect?? The old deck just needed railings and a no slip surface.

[@terrywilkins5266]

Mike, why can't we see you on UK TV ? We used to watch you all the time.

[@animeangel1983]

This show is 20 years old, the license to run it in the UK probably expired by now. But you can see them here at least.

[@barbararastovski7367]

​@@animeangel1983 -- 20 years wow, he sure looked younger but didn't realize it was that much.

[@animeangel1983]

@@barbararastovski7367 Yeah the other vids at the end credits cover up the year it was made but season 2 was 2003-04.

[@Mouse2677]

I've used a PVC Pipe 1" on top and offset from the wood handrail for those who don't have motorized wheelchairs.

[@iketheranter9126]

No permit?? Did you get utilities marked?? I'll bet you did..🤔

[@patmcbride9853]

$5K? Man, I saved so much by doing it myself.

[@ronbennett7885]

And that was 20 years ago. Be like $10K+ in 2023 dollars.

[@Dave_thenerd]

Yeah, I was thinking "$5K for that amount of wood and probably 3-5 hours of labor". That guy ripped them off big time!

[@naterbator]

A joist hanger nail gun is 10x faster than screwing. Hopefully used connector screws equivalent to a 10d joist hanger nail rating. Screws don't take the place of nails. Nails are designed to have the capability of bending when overloaded and not break off at the same time. Screws in most cases are to brittle and would shear off if overloaded.

[@PeterMajewski-gr3re]

There is something called overkill. Yes, your job is top notch, but you re not building a house. This is just a handi ramp. Minimal weight. I was a contractor for 40 years, nothing I ever built "fell down". With all that said, I agree with most of the upgrades Mike added.

[@teresakouf]

I agree, there just building a ramp not a house with a deck, why not build a fancy deck with a ramp while your at it, it is overkill

[@ham4fun]

as a wheelchair user. that ramp could be 1/4 the length and still be good. who wants to get out by the garage and then have to go way back down to the end of the driveway, i sure wouldnt

[@antiantipoda]

I'm near fifty and I am planing for my next house to be wheelchair accessible. I don't need it now, but the future is still unknown. Even if I never need a wheelchair, I am sure it will be easier unloading groceries with a nice ramp when I am 80.

[@MojoPup]

Always build as if your loved ones are going to be using it...simple

[@shadowforge]

I do not believe for one second that ramp sat on the front of that house for over a year and they didn't get fined for it not being to code, code enforcement is how cities make most of the revenue threw fines and fees and the simple fact that theres no rails would be spotted from the road.

[@terrihartbarger]

I believe the only reason why we are here on earth is to help each other be safe and to grow.❤🙌❤️

[@x8541]

The coating that prevents those screws from rusting comes off when they go into the wood.

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Love that posthole digger. Do you ever make mistakes?

[@edwardsimmons3721]

Good to have a permit for this type of install.

[@keithfreitas2983]

Pretty sure he has one and pretty sure the city pushed it through.

[@bluekitty3731]

My husband built a deck off the kitchen across the back of the house. After it was done, the city inspector came to ok it and sign off on the build. The inspector looked it over and the blue prints, too. Well the deck wasn't done as most builds it was free standing, and not tied into the house, the inspector didn't want to sign off on it until a civil engineer stamped the blue prints. Basically, he was being a ass. So my husband told the guy just a moment, he went to his car pulled out his stamp from the state with his ID, stamped the blue print and handed it to the inspector, and told him if that wasn't enough his dad and brother were engineers also and could stamp it too! The guy was speechless! And by the way my husband was a civil engineer with a degree in structural engineering!