HGTV star Mike Holmes has spent decades saving homeowners from botched remodeling jobs. The construction and renovation pro has helped create beautiful, functional spaces out of some of the biggest reno disasters – think shoddy wiring, leaky basements, and abruptly abandoned projects. 

The latter is the challenge facing one family on the latest season of Holmes Family Rescue, currently airing on Wednesdays on HGTV. A couple is at their wit’s end after cycling through three different contractors associated with the same company, only to be left in the lurch with an unfinished (and non-functional) kitchen.

The pair thought they’d done their due diligence by hiring a local company with decades of experience to work on their home upgrade. While the drama with their particular contractor was unforeseeable, Holmes told Showbiz Cheat Sheet there are things people can do to protect themselves when hiring someone to work on their own home upgrades. 

Mike Holmes urges people planning a renovation to ‘slow down’

The work begins before you even start searching for someone to hire to create your dream kitchen or family room addition, the Holmes on Homes star said. Jumping into a renovation project before you’re ready is a huge misstep,. 

“The biggest mistake is [people] move too quickly. One, slow down. Just slow down,” he said. “Two, educate yourself as much as you can …The more you learn the better.”

Once you have a handle on what you want done, then you can start vetting contractors. Again, patient and diligence are key, Holmes stressed. 

“Don’t trust everyone just because they come to your house and they have a business card,” he warned. “You need to check them out. Ask for a list of references. Pick up the phone [and call] every single one of them and go, ‘Hey, how was the job? Did it cost you more at the end?’ Ask a million questions. Homeowners will tell you the truth each and every single time.” 

Finally, look at the contractor’s past work yourself. 

“Go see the work,” Holmes urged. “Get off your butt, go check it out. And this is the only real way to actually get a successful renovation instead of just jumping on someone with a heartbeat.”

Countless people have taken Holmes’ no-nonsense advice on home projects large and small to heart over the years. Those who’ve learned from him include his kids and Holmes Family Rescue co-stars Michael Holmes Jr. and Sherry Holmes. Both have taken their dad’s “make it right” philosophy to heart. 

“We would go above and beyond on certain areas that you would almost be unnecessary,” Michael said of working with his dad. “But it was building that habit for yourself to just always do the right thing.”

In the Holmes Family Rescue season premiere, Michael introduced viewers to his baby daughter. Could she be part of the next generation of Holmes family members to embrace work in construction? He says he’ll support his kids’ interests whatever they are. But there are early signs the littlest Holmes might have inherited her dad and granddad’s fix-it knack. 

“My daughter right now, I will say she’s my little shadow,” Michael said. “So when I do any projects around the house, she’s right there. She wants to hold the tools, she wants to be a part of it. So it’s very possible.”

Those are lessons every kid should be learning, Sherry argues.

“It’s super important to expose kids at a young age to the trades,” she said. “I really do believe that … I’ve had my daughters on construction sites. I’ve let them try projects. I’ve let them see different tools just to see what they’re interested in, what their likes are, what they’re going to excel at in the future, and just really leave their options endless.”

Holmes Family Rescue airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV. 

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