“We're gonna make this right” — Holmes Family Rescue star Mike steps in to complete unfinished basement project

Holmes Family Rescue released a new episode on HGTV’s official YouTube page on July 8, 2025, featuring Mike Holmes, Sherry Holmes, and Michael Holmes stepping in to help homeowners Britney and Wayne after their basement renovation was left incomplete by a disappearing contractor.

The couple had paid $25,000 for work that included the basement, a bathroom, and the kitchen demo—but were left with an unsafe trench pit, structural issues, and piles of soil left indoors.

As Mike toured the property, he found multiple violations, including excavations beneath the footing that could compromise the home’s foundation.

Garbage was left under the floors, and poorly notched joists risked the home’s stability. After seeing the damage,

“It’s a pleasure meeting you. I think you’re two beautiful people that were poorly taken. We’re going to be here and we’re going to make this right,” Mike told the couple.

The Holmes team then set out to correct the dangerous construction and rebuild the basement from scratch.

Their plan included a new rec room, play space for the kids, a modern bathroom, a dedicated office, and an upgraded laundry area.

The rest of the episode showed the journey from demolition to a heartwarming final reveal.

Unsafe basement conditions reveal structural damage and poor workmanship by former contractor in Holmes Family Rescue

During the walkthrough in Holmes Family Rescue, Mike noticed that the contractor had dug a deep trench in the basement.

When the homeowners explained that it was meant to be a step-down shower, Mike responded,

“What are you going to do? Put a shower in the ground?”

He then warned that digging below the footing could put the entire house at risk,

“If you dig beneath the footing, it can cave in, taking the house down,” he said.

The couple had hired the contractor for $25,000 to work on the basement, kitchen, and bathroom.

However, the work was left incomplete and unsafe. Mike found piles of soil hidden under the floor and pointed out that debris had simply been thrown into the crawl space.

Michael examined the floor joists and told the homeowners that many of them were cracked and had notches cut into them.

He explained that they were not bearing properly on the beam, which compromised the home’s structure.

To address this, the team decided to reinforce the damaged joists using a process called sistering—attaching new wood to restore strength and support.

Holmes Family Rescue team also noticed plumbing and electrical issues. Mike explained that to renovate a basement properly, it was necessary to remove the walls down to the studs to see the full picture.

He shared with the crew that in every basement job, structure, plumbing, and electrical must all be addressed. He made it clear there could be no shortcuts when safety was involved.

With a clear plan, the team prepared to rebuild the basement from scratch, ensuring every part of the project met proper safety standards before moving ahead with the design and finishes.

Final reveal features safe, organised, and personalised spaces for the whole family in Holmes Family Rescue

Once the renovation was complete, Holmes Family Rescue team invited Britney and Wayne to see their new basement. As they stepped inside, Britney said,

“Our place would never look like this without your help.”

The redesigned rec room featured a fireplace, storage, and child-safe finishes. The kids’ playroom included rainbow colours, extra storage, and a chalkboard wall.

Reacting to the folding space and energy-efficient machines,

“This is luxury far beyond what I could ever have imagined,” Britney said in the laundry area.

The bathroom included a floating vanity, quartz finishes, and in-floor heating, designed to feel like a spa.

Mike and the team also converted the trench area into a bright office for Britney, and cleaned out the cold room with proper ventilation.

This episode of Holmes Family Rescue ended with a surprise movie snack cart from Wayne, and the family toasted to the completed space—grateful that the promise to make things right was kept.

Stay tuned for more updates.