dewalt tools : Tools of the Trade

When Mike Holmes started his contracting business more than two decades ago—after apprenticing under his dad—he never imagined his passion for doing things right would spawn a mini-empire. Now starting his sixth season rescuing homeowners from reno disaster on HGTV's hit show Holmes on Homes, he heads up eight interwoven companies that employ 28 people, from tradespeople to camera operators to the folks who market his books and workwear.

Dedicated to ridding the world of lousy contractors, he's launched the Holmes Foundation, which will hand out money to homeowners faced with staggering repair costs, as well as skilled-trade scholarships to the next generation of electricians, carpenters and plumbers.

Over the years, Holmes has poured half a million dollars into his personal toolbox. "I've made bad choices, trying to save money," says the 43-year-old jack of all trades. "The difference between cheap and good is strength, durability and longevity. When it comes down to it, you should invest in the right tools for the job." He still gets sentimental about his first drill, though. "I still have it. It's a dinosaur, but it works."

Here he offers a primer to wannabes on how to keep it to code:

Six-pack of Dewalt tools (cordless drill, impact drill, skill saw, reciprocating saw, grinder, flashlight), $900 — "My most-used tools. Dewalt doesn't pay me to say this, but the reason I love the six-pack is simple: It's all cordless, it's very strong and it's extremely versatile. It makes it easy to do a lot of things with just a small number of tools. They pretty well go with me everywhere

by DENISE BALKISSOON