Mike Holmes lives on ‘Fantasy Island,’ says veteran Calgary GC

“I’ve been a self employed contractor in my city since 1988. I just watched a Mike Holmes episode where he figured the reno cost out at $400k+. It was an addition of a bungalow adding a second storey. The contractor’s original build was $125k – he did horrendous work and walked with the money. Mike, of course, saved the day with an endless supply of money. Our Hero.

Unlike Mike, I do not have an endless supply of money. If Mike would have bid on this project originally and given the homeowner that $400k bid he would have been laughed off the property. All too often television is being confused with real life. This is Fantasy Island television at best. So whatever Mike Holmes has to say about individuals who actually make money being real-life contractors doesn’t interest me in the least.

I will say this to the people getting ripped off: Do your due diligence. How exactly did this contractor get to do a second story addition without a building permit? Building permits require engineer-stamped blueprints. I am not an engineer and I can not even apply for a building permit without this critical information being supplied. Also, the golden rule in hiring a contractor is, ‘He with the gold makes the rules.’ Never under any circumstance pay for more than the work completed! If the job is only 30 percent done and you have given the contractor 90 percent of the money, you are in trouble. Never give a contractor cash. Make the deposit on the project contingent on the start of the project. It doesn’t cost the contractor money to have a bin delivered and start the deconstruction or prep work of a project.

All my work comes from word of mouth. I have not advertised since 1988. Never been sued, never used my $2.5 million liability insurance once in 30 years.”

Sincerely,

Andy Mather, Ro-Cam General Contracting, Calgary, AB