Mike Holmes of ‘Home Free’ tells us the most important part of a home

If you’re a fan of home renovation and construction, chances are you’re already familiar with Mike Holmes, star of the shows “Holmes on Homes” as well as “Home Free,” which just kicked off its second season on Fox last week. We chatted with the renowned contractor about his early beginnings in construction, how he landed in television and what makes a house a home.

Do you remember the first thing you ever built?
I did electrical when I was 6 years old. I rewired the whole second floor of the house under my dad’s supervision. By the time I was 12, I had completed my first basement — electrical, plumbing and complete finish, including stairs. He would tell everyone, “Hire my son, I’m too busy!”

What inspired you to go into construction professionally?
By the time I was 19, I was offered a lot of money to run a big construction company as well as a job with the TTC, which was the Toronto Transit at the time. I picked construction because it was where my heart was at, and clearly it was the smartest thing I ever did. I love what I do and have been building ever since.

How did you land in television?
That was an accident. I’m not a TV guy. I met someone at HGTV one day, maybe 17 years ago. I was fascinated by what they were doing. They hired me to do work within the tool room, which I designed a whole tool shop, and did it. Then he wanted me to make a custom straw bale home. I’m sitting in his office going over the plans, telling him what he needs to do and he wasn’t listening. He was hell bent on doing it his way and I got excited saying, “This reminds me about the shows on your channel and they’re all full of crap.” The veins were popping, I started giving him crap for 30 minutes straight about how every single show was stupid and this is the type of show they needed. Then as I was leaving he jumps up and says, “We want a pilot right away.” I laughed and said no. But you know how he convinced me?

How?
He goes, “Mike, I notice you like to teach one family at a time. How would you like to teach everyone at once?” And I said, “You SOB.” He got me. Right then and there I said, “I own the show or I won’t do it.” I won’t be anyone’s puppet. He says that shouldn’t be a problem.