New Homes
New Homes
Holmes offers good advice to city audience
Last week, we focused on some of the many highlights of the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show March 31 to April 3. However, the highlight that caused the greatest stir was the appearance of Mike Holmes as the feature speaker.
As most of you know, Mike is the star of Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection, two widely popular shows on HGTV. He is known for his 'shoot from the hip' style on TV and he continued this approach before two sold-out audiences.
He started by talking about his background, interests, why he got into the contracting business and what motivates him to keep going. He shared numerous personal stories and talked about rebuilding communities that experienced natural disasters.
However, this crowd came for advice and direction from Mike and he delivered both. For the larger and more complex jobs, he really stressed the importance of working with a professional. He gave countless examples of do-it-yourselfers or people who tried to cut corners by going with the lowest price and ended up facing disaster.
Just because someone has a truck and tools doesn't make them a contractor. He stressed that a true professional does this for a living; their only living, not a side job after hours or during vacation time.
He stressed the importance of checking references before proceeding with a contractor. Get a list of references and phone these people, finding out what went well and what they would have done differently. Ask lots of questions.
Mike emphasized that a true professional contractor will take out all of the necessary permits in their name, ensure licensed certified personnel do the appropriate work, have full liability insurance, a GST number and are registered with Workers Compensation. All of these are necessary for the protection of you, the consumer.
Most importantly, he emphasized the importance of getting a contract in writing. Too often, he warned, a simple handshake or discussion about the job resulted in a disagreement, bitter feelings and legal battles.
Mike emphasized a build or renovation is a partnership between the owner and contractor. Each has responsibilities to ensure success. His message of Making It Right resonated with the crowd and 1,400 people were delighted with his message and the way he delivered it.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Another successful Home Expressions show
Another Home Expressions Home and Garden Show has passed and more than 20,000 people converged upon the Winnipeg Convention Centre last weekend looking for new and fresh ideas for their home, yard and cottage.
Visitors to the show left fully armed with a multitude of ideas from some truly spectacular booths and exhibitors who can deliver the goods and services to make any home upgrade a success.
The hundreds of exhibitors displayed many truly innovative products, too many to list here. However, there were a couple of highlights you might have missed that should be mentioned.
The giant bee on the ground floor was made out of various flowers. Did you know there was a full car under the flowers? Yes, the folks at St.
Mary's Nursery fashioned the flowered bee over a Honda car. The frame, body and windows are still intact.
If you missed it or need a second look, it will be on display soon at St. Mary's Nursery. Speaking of St. Mary's, the Garden Court on the third floor created by their combined mastery with Barkman Concrete was spectacular. There was a terrific flow to the area and one could easily see this being implemented in their own backyard.
Of course, no Home Expressions Show would be complete without the good people from Variety, the Children's Charity. Their volunteers provided yeomen service as show ambassadors. They worked the gates, gave advice and directions, sold raffle tickets and RONA bags and always had a cheery smile.
Best of all, our generous attendees helped them raise some much-needed funds for a great cause. Wayne, Charlotte, Nancy and everyone else ---- you're the best.
Speaking of RONA, the presenting sponsor of Home Expressions was out in full force with two large booth areas, numerous helpful staff in their bright yellow shirts and helping behind the scenes with promotion, ticket sales, providing fundraising opportunities for Variety and going way beyond to ensure they were Doing it Right. Darrin and the entire RONA family showed why they are Canada's home headquarters. Of course, the big name draw for this year's show was Mike Holmes, star of HGTV's Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection. Next week's column will focus on his message that was delivered to two sold-out crowds.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Catch the specials at Home Expressions Show
TODAY and Sunday are the final two days for the 2011 Home Expressions Show, presented by Rona. Over 20,000 people annually visit this must-see event and this year's crowds have been no exception to date.
All three floors of the Winnipeg Convention Centre are filled with the latest innovations for the home and garden. There are over 600 booths of exciting products and information to help you upgrade your current home or to give you ideas for the design and finish of a new home.
The show is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
It's a tremendous way to spend a weekend as there is no shortage of things to see. The spring weather that we have been enjoying has caused us to start thinking about repairs, renovations and outdoor work. In addition to the various exhibitor booths, there are informative stage presentations on the hour.
Last night, Mike Holmes, star of Holmes on Homes, entertained and informed a large crowd assembled in the Delta ballroom with his stories and sage advice. Don't miss his last appearance today at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at TicketMaster in the Convention Centre and your Mike Holmes ticket gets you full access to Home Expressions.
At no other time and no other place can you do this much comparison shopping. All of the best suppliers and manufacturers in Manitoba are under one roof, presenting a variety of options for your home needs. Others may say that they are presenting 'show-class specials', but there is only one true place where the real show specials exist -- --the Winnipeg Convention Centre this weekend.
The 2011 Spring Parade of Homes ended last Sunday but you still have plenty of opportunity to revisit those fantastic show homes that you saw during the three weeks of Parade. The weather was absolutely perfect this year and Manitobans responded in kind as record crowds visited 95 new homes by 37 builders in 26 subdivisions.
Many people have the mistaken notion that show homes are only open during the Spring and Fall Parade of Homes. In fact, they are open year-round and, although the hours may not be the same as during Parade, salespeople are able to accommodate all interested clients.
So, now that your interest in a new home has been piqued by the Spring Parade, the timing is perfect to follow up with another visit.
Create your own personal Parade by visiting some of the homes that you weren't able to get to the past three weeks and revisit those that intrigued you but required more viewing time. The 2011 Spring Parade of Homes may be over but the opportunity to purchase your new dream home has just begun.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
New Homes
Mike Holmes coming to Home Expressions
SO you've just spent the past three weeks touring show homes during the Spring Parade of Homes. You now have a wide variety of ideas for your new dream home or an even wider variety of ideas regarding how to turn your existing home into a dreamier one.
However, you don't know where to go or who to see to make your dreams reality. Look no further than the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show.
Home Expressions is taking place March 31 through April 3 on all three floors of the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The show is packed with over 360 exhibitors, --the largest and most comprehensive such show in the province.
The list is too long for this column, but let's just say that anything you need for inside your home, your yard, garden or cottage will be on display at Home Expressions.
The Garden Court on the third floor will feature flowers, trees and shrubs, all placed in a beautiful and natural environment complete with water features, landscaping and paving designs. Don't miss the always popular Designer's Row on the first floor.
The second-floor Lifestyle Stage will present a wide variety of speakers on the hour, giving you expert advice on many interesting topics.
Speaking of interesting speakers talking about your home, does it get any bigger or better than Mike Holmes? The star of HGTV's Holmes on Homes will be in Winnipeg as part of Home Expressions, doing two presentations open to the public.
The first is Friday, April 1 at 7 p.m. and the second is Saturday, April 2 at 1 p.m. Both are in the second-floor ballroom of the Delta Hotel, conveniently attached by indoor walkway to the convention centre. What is even more special is that your $20 admission ticket to see Mike Holmes also gets you into Home Expressions.
If the timing of Mike's presentations doesn't fit your schedule, you can come to Home Expressions for the low admission of $12. Tickets are available in advance at Rona stores or through TicketMaster at the door.
All the home and garden products and services you will need are on display at Home Expressions March 31-April 3 at the convention centre. Why drive all over town when everything is under one roof?
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
