Alec Caldwell
Who would you rather have Christmas dinner with: Jim Caruk or Mike Holmes?
Canadian Contractor Business canada risk ServiceFor some reason Alec Caldwell doesn't want to contemplate Christmas dinner with Bryan Bauemler. In his mini-poll, it's a choice between Mike Holmes and Jim Caruk.
On the brink of the holiday season, I thought we could have a little fun this week. Let’s have a little, no-holds-barred venting from our much appreciated Canadian Contractor readers.
Tell us, below, your answer to this question: As a contractor, which celebrity TV contractor would you rather share your Christmas dinner with – Mike Holmes or Jim Caruk?
Kicking off this match in the blue corner is HGTV’s Jim Caruk, of “Real Renos” and “Builder Boss” fame.
Caruk got into the trades right out of high school in 1973, as an apprentice sheet metal worker. Even though he had a secure union gig, he decided after a few years to go out on his own as a renovator. His shows have always tried to show the contractor side of the renovation business.
The Edmonton Journal wrote last year: “Caruk is his construction business, which began his TV career, which in turn allowed him to bring his mission – supporting the trades and the consumers who use them – to fruition.” And if that isn’t enough, there’s the Renos for Heroes foundation (2009) which Caruk established to raise funds to cover home renovations for disabled military service people whose houses no longer function properly for them. It has made a difference in these wounded veterans’ lives.
Now in the red corner we have Mike Holmes, the mega money-maker of HGTV’s “Holmes on Holmes,” “Holmes Makes It Right,” Mike Holmes Inspections, Mike Holmes Workwear, Holmes Approved Products, Holmes Communities and more.
Holmes learned his craft from his father, who started teaching him construction work when he was 6 years old. By the time he was 19, Holmes had started his first contracting company with a crew of 13 employees.
Since then he’s built a media and endorsement empire. Three years ago, Forbes magazine called this formerly bankrupt Canadian renovation contractor, “The third most trustworthy celebrity in the world” (behind Morgan Freeman and Ron Howard).
In 2006, Holmes started The Holmes Foundation to encourage young people to enter the building trades. He was recognized in Canada’s House of Commons for his promotion of skilled trades and for his advocacy for improved building standards. He was acknowledged as an “extraordinary crafts person” and “an accomplished master builder with a social conscience.”
The question is: of these two very different TV personalities, who would you choose to have Christmas dinner with, if you could? And why?
By providing education and training, CARAHS reduces your risk of fines, job site closures and prosecution under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. We are independent of unions & Government
Passion – Commitment – Integrity
CARAHS has over 150 online Health & Safety e-courses. Toll free 1-866-366-2930
Advertisement
Print this page
I would rather share dinner with Jim Caruk. He appears to be the only contractor on television who doesn’t go around putting down hard working contractors or making statements that a lot of contractors are crooks that are out to fleece customers and that he is only contractor who can make it right.
HI First of all I know both of these gentlemen very well and have been on MIKES
Handyman Challenge Show with both him and Jim and enjoyed myself very well.
They are two very different guys both very good at what they do on the HGTV Net
Work.To be politically correct with the offer of having dinner with one or the other
is a very difficult question, for they present themselves very differently in their own professions , MIKE being very diversified and JIM very talented in the Reno and New Residential (craftman) design homes. The later being from where i hang my hat, check out my web site askshell.com , therefore through the years of working at home shows with both men i would have to select “JIM CARUK”. I truly think we have more in common and i would love to talk to him about his program he has going on reno’s for the returning crippled veterans, good on him.Sorry for being long winded it was a challenging QUESTION. SHELL
I also would like to share dinner with Jim Caruk. I had an opportunity once to meet Mr. Holmes at a trade show but was put off by his “holier-than-thou” demeanor. I agree with Joseph; Mr.Caruk seems to remain in-touch with contractors while Mr. Holmes portrays himself as the “almighty” of contractors!
Come on guys we all know where this poll is going. Regardless of either Mike or Jims qualifications personality is clear. Personally I feel Mikes shows are mostly a lottery. If you get Mike you get a new home and I don’t believe the homeowners are on the hook for the cost. There is a lot of contractors out there that can play that game and look good. No offense Mike but I would rather eat with Jim and for that matter I would prefer to have him at my job site. Way better vibe.
Sorry Mike but I think the writing is on the wall.
I’d go for Caruk, much better personality,much more realistic show and I’d think some really interesting input on the industry without the constant self promotion.
It’s really difficult being out in the real world and making a business run and turn a profit. It would be nice to bounce ideas of a guy that’s doing it.
Mike is a nice guy but just so awkward to be around. Like the song says.
“I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Oh my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see”
Jim because I do think he is a realist.
Jim Caruk for sure.
He is not as condescending as Mike. I find it hard to watch Mr. Perfect.
He is the Kevin O’Leary of construction.