“Don't hire a roofer to do your plumbing” — Holmes Family Rescue star Mike warns against risky DIY projects

Holmes Family Rescue, HGTV’s popular home improvement show, returned with new episodes in June 2025. In an exclusive interview with Collider, Mike Holmes Sr., along with his children Mike Jr. and Sherry, shared strong opinions about the risks of DIY home renovations and the importance of hiring licensed professionals. Urging homeowners to avoid tackling repairs they don’t fully understand, Mike Sr. remarked:

“I’ve always said, don’t hire a roofer to do your plumbing."

The family, known for stepping in when renovations go wrong, explained that while they support the DIY spirit, safety must come first. They highlighted issues with unqualified contractors and stressed the importance of permits, inspections, and knowing your limits.

The conversation also covered recent design trends the family found concerning, including concrete countertops and shiplap. They emphasized the need for thoughtful planning instead of following fads seen on television.

As Holmes Family Rescue continues to help homeowners fix costly mistakes, the Holmes family hopes viewers take away one key message: educate yourself and don’t risk your home’s safety.

Holmes Family Rescue stars highlight safety concerns in DIY projects

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by HGTV (@hgtv)

Holmes Family Rescue stars Mike Holmes Sr., Sherry, and Mike Jr. repeatedly cautioned viewers about attempting repairs without the right knowledge or qualifications.

"There’s a lot of things that homeowners can do at their home. But let’s be serious, you can screw up your own paint. You can’t put latex over oil," Mike Sr. said.

He advised homeowners to slow down, educate themselves, and check their contractor’s credentials before moving forward with any project.

Sherry added that the biggest concerns come from people misjudging the danger involved in tasks like electrical work.

“There is a time and place that’s appropriate for doing things yourself. But if you don’t know how an appliance works, don’t touch it,” she said.

She explained that electrical mistakes could not only damage property but also risk lives—and they’re often not covered by insurance if the work was done incorrectly.

Mike Jr. echoed the sentiment, saying that it was the amount of hidden junction boxes we could find in "shoddy electrical work.” He shared that many unqualified contractors claim to be multi-skilled but lack proper training. The family urged homeowners to get permits and hire licensed professionals, especially for technical jobs, while keeping DIY to painting or trim work.

Trendy home design choices can become costly mistakes

Beyond safety, the Holmes Family Rescue team discussed how popular design trends seen on TV can lead to impractical and expensive outcomes. “This is what homeowners do,” Mike Sr. said, adding that they watch TV, and they say things like, "‘I want that bathroom, I want that kitchen!’”

He criticized the rise of concrete countertops, saying,

“All of a sudden, people wanted concrete countertops. That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. What does concrete do? It absorbs.”

Holmes Family Rescue star Mike Jr. noted that concrete countertops can be sealed, but Sherry pointed out that most people don’t realize sealing is necessary. She also commented on the overuse of shiplap, a trend that became widespread in recent years.

“There was a time that was super trendy. And I’m not insulting anyone who loves it. If you love it, that’s fabulous for you,” she said.

The discussion also touched on how layout preferences have shifted over time. Mike Jr. observed that open-concept floorplans lost some of their appeal during the pandemic, as many people realized they lacked personal space. He explained that designated rooms for work or quiet time have become more popular.

While he personally still appreciates open concepts in some parts of a home, he acknowledged the value of having separate areas for privacy and focus.

Stay tuned for more updates.