I like Mike Holmes. I thought his Holmes on Holmes television
show was an absolute hit: funny, informative, and sometimes inspiring. Of
course I did not always agree with all of what he professed on the show,
however for the most part I was on board with him. He is like the Don Cherry of
the non-hockey world to me – awesome.
I had not seen him for a while. His home inspection show
(Holmes Inspection) and new show, Holmes Makes it Right, is in some special
bundle package which Bell requires that I subscribe to even though I just want
the one channel. Of course with several books, and his ads everywhere, most people see
him in some way or another, on a regular basis.
Today while banging away at the keyboard I heard a voice
coming from the living room and low and behold there was Mike being interviewed
on the Steven and Chris show. Apparently he is a regular.
They were conducting one of those obvious audience
participation question and answer sessions, so I parked myself to catch it for
a few minutes while sipping on my morning Tim’s.
All was going in the typical Mike Homes fashion until the
hosts ask:
True or False?: A contractor
should provide at least 10 references?
(Steven says ’10 seems like a lot’)
Mike Homes: Ok I’ve done thousands of jobs; you want
somebody to come in with 10 references? They should be giving you at least 20.
(Chris: Oh wow more!)
Chris: Not his sister, his mom, his aunt Susie (ha-ha-ha)
Mike Holmes: His cousin, his neighbour…
Three is the magic number I don’t understand this. Three and people are ok with
that…. ’Ok I will phone all 3.’ I will
give you hundreds, but you should see at least 20.
Really 20!!! Now lets all think about this for a moment.
Twenty references or don’t hire someone?
I see…. Well then how exactly is someone supposed to start
in the contracting and renovation business (or any business!) if they should
not be hired if they do not have a minimum of 20 references? Does one magically
leap to 20 without being hired? Or is it like hatching Turtles on the beach,
thousands go out and only a few make it to the magical 20?
A seasoned small contractor usually does part of the work
themselves with their core group and then brings in trades for the expertise
they are lacking (electricians, plumbers, engineers, etc.). They probably have
1-2 small jobs running concurrently with a couple of larger jobs. I may be a little off but depending on
how big the jobs were during the year, a busy contractor will finish 30-40
projects.
Based on the larger jobs Mike Holmes was doing on his show,
that number may be less then 20 per year.
The point being, that to gain that experience you have to
get jobs. I am putting this out
here today because perhaps someone can chime in and tell the world what Mr.
Holmes neglected to do; How does a talented, honest, small business owner get
off the ground, when they have zero references and cannot use the work they did
for the people most likely to hire them – their family and friends – as
referral sources? What about those great contractors who are simply bad at
asking for referrals and recommendations?
I believe (hope) that the point he was trying to make was
that your contractor should come by relationship rather than opening up the
yellow pages. However it did not
come across like that at all.
Mike Holmes is a sort of de facto voice for contractors and
renovators. His opinions carry a lot of weight. A blanket statement of that nature, without qualifying his
position seems a little too self-serving for my tastes.
I like Mike Holmes. Perhaps his next book/show/speaking
engagement should be on how to succeed in business – starting from scratch.
Oh and by the way Mike: (video)http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Steven+and+Chris/Web+Exclusives/ID/2197107440/ …Hope you didn’t use that as a
reference? (ha ha har)
DS
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