Category
Administration
Jimmy Valgakis’s third hunger strike against Ontario’s WSIB
by Alec CaldwellYes, a hunger strike, in 2015 – in Toronto. Whatever you think of Jimmy Valgakis’s claims, at least the man is drawing the media’s attention to the incompetence, greed and double-talk that the WSIB has sadly become…
Workplace Safety Comes to Mississauga, Ontario
by Robert KociJanuary 28, 2015 – Canada’s largest and longest-running health and safety conference and trade show, Partners in Prevention 2015, returns April 28 and 29, 2015 to The International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Partners in Prevention 2015 includes two days of…
RONA contractor shows 2015. Win a Sprinter!
by Robert KociWin a Mercedes Sprinter, meet your peers and get to know your local RONA dealer at a 2015 RONA Contractor Show near you
Our website is being renovated: Thanks for your patience
by Steve PayneA high proportion of our almost 600,000 website visits last year came from cellphones. So we are making our site much more phone-screen-friendly.
Ontario MPP introduces bill to enforce 'prompt payment' by developers to contractors
by Steve PayneBill 69, the Prompt Payment Act, is a private members’ bill intended to get developers in Ontario to pay their contractors on time. The withholding of holdbacks would be curtailed, if the legislation were to be given teeth. But right now, it’s nowhere near becoming law.
Should contractors use Build.com to buy home improvement products online?
by Robert KociCan online buying compete yet with your local lumber and materials dealer?
Revolution software
by Robert KociBuildTools is about to change the way renovators run their businesses and Dwell Design Build Inc. of Toronto is its first beachhead in Canada.
Meetings…what a waste!!
by Victoria DowningActually, meetings are critical to work flow and morale. Here’s how to make them productive.
The 3 million dollar road Part 2: Along the $3 million road
by Mike DraperThe following is the second in a four-part series that will examine the road to a $3 million business. By Mike Draper Now that you have mastered the $300,000 annual sales level it is time to set your sights on…
The 3 million dollar road Part 4: $3 million and beyond
by Mike DraperBefore growing from $2 million per year to $3 million and beyond, a contractor needs to make sure his business is running at a very profitable level.
Contractor Roundtable, Part 2: Regulations and the underground
by Robert KociIn April of this year, six contractors from across Canada met with Canadian Contractor staff for a roundtable discussion: Steve Barkhouse, Amsted Consruction Inc., in Ottawa, Pawel Matonog, Archer Construction, of Mississauga, Ont., Dennis Bryant, Bryant Renovations, in Toronto and…
What Your Parents Never Taught You About Business
by Victoria DowningHaving worked in and around renovating and renovators for 20 years, there are some important truths I have gleaned about this wild and wooley business. They aren’t neat and they aren’t obvious but they are true. 1. Running a…
Greek Lesson
by Robert KociI find it strange. When it comes to the finances of your reno business and your personal life, everyone expects you will use a well thought out budget as the core of a sustainable plan. It will include debt and/or…