Mike Holmes’ Biggest Fan Gets the Surprise of a Lifetime

Mike Holmes has been a familiar face on HGTV for more than 20 years and has helped over 300 homeowners along the way. During his time on TV, starting with Holmes on Homes, he and his crew amassed more than 21 million Canadian viewers — including 25-year-old Michael, who has autism.

According to Michael’s parents, Mike and Janetta, Mike Holmes is just another member of their family and comes up in most conversations they have. Michael even has a signed picture of his hero proudly displayed in his bedroom, where Mike can watch over him as he constructs his own structures out of building blocks.

To ensure the longevity of their 1960s bungalow for Michael’s future, the Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy team — Mike, his son Mike Jr. and his daughter Sherry — plans the ultimate surprise. Michael is aware that renovations are in store, but he has no idea who will be behind them until he steps outside and sees Mike and Mike Jr. standing in the driveway. Some of the first words out of his mouth? “I’m so happy that you came. Honestly, I adore you.” And the cherry on top is that Michael gets to work side by side with Mike, Mike Jr. and Sherry.

After the shock wears off, Mike and Janetta welcome the Holmeses into their house and point out the problem areas they are hoping to fix: the kitchen, the living and dining rooms, and Michael’s bedroom. Mike asks Michael what he thinks could be done to revitalize the spaces, and he instantly answers to take down the wall between the kitchen and the living and dining rooms.

They all agree that open concept is the way to go and are raring to bring the spaces up to date in style and use. With the renos decided on, it’s time to suit up. Sherry surprises Michael with a hard hat, a tool belt, safety goggles, earplugs, a mask and a Make It Right shirt, truly making him a part of the team. Now, he’s ready to strut his stuff and show off all he’s learned over the years.

“Part of everything we do is about teaching,” Mike reflects. “It’s about education and trying to teach you along the way, give advice, how to grow up, how to build a house, how to treat other people. And it’s really wonderful to see that it’s reflected to Michael. So all of this is a wonderful feeling for me.”

The first step in creating a more unified space is taking down the wall separating the kitchen and living and dining rooms. Mike Jr. starts by teaching Michael how to tear down the drywall using a hammer and Sherry finishes up the lesson by showing him how to kick down the remaining material. Next up is removing the nails from the old wall’s structure, then Michael gets the privilege of meeting and working with Frank Cozzolino, an electrician who’s worked with Mike since the very start. (Frank passed away unexpectedly on December 4, 2025, making this meeting even more special in retrospect.)

After the water is shut off and the sink is disconnected, it’s time to rip out the kitchen’s cabinets for a blank slate. Mike gives Michael a few tips on removal, showing him just how easy it is to apply what he’s gleaned from being an avid viewer. He’s so excited once the counters are gone, he holds up the end piece and says, “Look at this, Mom, our peninsula, gone!”

Michael might be working alongside the expert, but he can’t help sharing what he’s learned over the years with Mike — and asking new questions. Once the drywall is down, he asks Mike and Mike Jr. about the use of wood strapping and tar paper over concrete. He ultimately learns that it was minimum code years ago and that Mike, of course, has a plan to fix it. “I believe in making it right the first time,” Michael says.

Each area Mike and Michael demo teaches the latter something new to add to his ever-expanding tool kit. The kitchen is no exception. Mike demonstrates just how easy it is to remove the counters and cabinets, inspiring Michael to jump in with both hands. After everything is removed, it's easier to envision their new space and get excited about cooking meals together in it.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s a great student,” Mike says. Mike Jr. agrees, saying, “He’s a quick learner, and he’s a very hard worker.”

While the brick is timeless, the house was starting to show its age in its sagging porch and crooked stairs. Mike points out that it’s not up to code and there’s the issue of safety, which is something especially important to address as Michael and his parents continue to grow in the home. Another pain point is the broken garage door.

Michael and his parents can barely recognize their house as they walk up the driveway. The brick remains, but surrounding it are new windows and a new garage door, along with a new front door, an accompanying storm door and a mailbox. The porch is no longer a sorry sight, as an even stone surface serves as a base for elevated railings.

The original layout of the kitchen defies logic. A counter juts out into the room, cutting the room in two and preventing the family from eating in there, and the top of the basement stairs wastes vital space near the stove. On top of that, there’s no usable storage, which has been a challenge for the family when it comes to cooking.

With that pesky wall removed, the new kitchen is modern and spacious, providing Janetta with more counter space than she knows what to do with. Aiding in this effort is the microwave placed above the stove and island, which provides the family with extra seating perfect for a quick meal or social gatherings. The problem area above the basement stairs seamlessly blends into the build and provides a place to easily unload groceries.

The existing floor plan isn’t family-friendly, with clear delineations between dining and unwinding. Even the cushions seem to have given up, resigning themselves to a limited future. Plus, the plank floor is squeaky after years of wear and tear.

Sans the wall separating the kitchen from the two neighboring rooms, the space is now a perfect place for social gatherings and holiday celebrations. A stone fireplace and faux beams transformed the previously drab surroundings into rustic, cozy and warm ones. To top it all off, the floorboards are completely silent after being replaced with vinyl flooring. Michael, Janetta and Mike find it breathtaking, especially the amount of light and space now felt throughout the open-concept floor plan.

Michael’s bedroom looks typical for a guy of his age: a little messy with his hobbies on full display. His passion for construction is particularly felt here, with construction toys overtaking the floor. Building is Michael's safe space — and it's something Mike and his interior designer, Kimmberly Capone, are happy to encourage, just in a more organized fashion.

The only way to make Michael's room right was to do so according to Mike's philosophy: Make it right. Kimm makes sure there's plenty of storage space and picks out special wall decals fit for a construction site. Motorized shades brighten up the space, in direct competition with Michael's smile once he steps into his revamped room. To go with his framed and signed photo of Mike, the Holmes team makes sure to leave behind a few snapshots of their time working together on a corkboard.