Canada Housing Market

Famed contractor and TV personality Mike Holmes is under scrutiny for his ties to a Meaford-based boutique residential community, TerraceWood, facing the demolition of multiple homes due to poor construction. Holmes, a 60-year-old Ontario native, endorsed the development, which prominently featured his image in advertisements. However, residents soon discovered that the “Mike Holmes-approved homes” were poorly built, exhibiting issues such as mold and serious structural flaws. Legal action against developer Third Line Homes followed, citing a nightmarish experience for purchasers due to errors and neglect.

This week, Holmes and Third Line are back in the headlines as three TerraceWood houses, less than a decade old, undergo sudden demolition. Consumer protection agency Tarion, condemning the homes, stated that the defects were so severe that demolition was a more reasonable option than repair.

Holmes’s involvement in TerraceWood raises irony, given his TV show, “Holmes on Homes,” aimed at exposing poor workmanship. Advertisements featured Holmes claiming to have bought a home in TerraceWood, emphasizing innovation, integrity, and a commitment to quality.

Tarion, responsible for enforcing the New Homes Warranties Plan Act, revealed in litigation that 14 TerraceWood houses are defective, possibly requiring further demolitions. CBC’s investigation uncovered Holmes’s deeper role, including financial support through private mortgages to the developer, adding another layer to the controversy. Stay tuned for unfolding details involving Mike Holmes and TerraceWood.