Latest
Three sales techniques you can learn from Santa
by Steve PayneContractors can learn more than a few sales tips from that overweight, 1700-year-od man in the red suit.
The product that keeps basement floor installations dry
by Robert KociA “Made in Canada” product you will want to install in your customer’s basement
Our thoughts are with our publishing colleagues in Newtown, Connecticut
by Steve PayneThe publishing company that publishes Fine Homebuilding, Fine Woodworking, and many other home improvement magazines, is a tight-knit company in the small town where 20 children and 8 adults died in a shooting rampage last Friday
Canadian Contractor publisher moving to new jobsite
by Steve PayneSteve Dempsey, publisher of Canadian Contractor magazine and canadiancontractor.ca as we went through renovations over the past 18 months to better serve our 31,000 contractor readers, has moved to a new jobsite. Effective Jan. 1, 2013, Steve has been appointed…
Drywall supply a problem in Saskatchewan, CBC reports
by Steve PayneIt’s not a total drywalll drought, but product that should arrive in a couple of days is now taking a week, some contractors report
7 more trade associations vow to close down Ontario College of Trades
by Steve PaynePlumbers, electricians, sheet metal workers and air conditioning mechanics will be forced to pay $120 fees to the Ontario College of Trades next year. Or they could see their Certificates of Qualification withheld.
Leadership in 21 points
by Robert KociRunning a renovation business isn’t so much about building, as it is about building your team. Well, if you want to take the business anywhere, that is. There are 21 aspects of leadership.
College of 'Idiocracy': Opinion
by Steve PayneThe Ontario College of Trades, as far as the renovation industry is concerned, is offering little that isn’t being done by other regulatory bodies. Except for more fees for certain trades.
Bathroom ventilation: Fact and fiction
by Steve PayneBathroom fan replacement across Canada could almost become an industry in itself. Vast numbers of them aren’t doing what they were designed to do.
Housing starts down for third consecutive month
by Steve PayneOntario and B.C. showing the largest drops
Hey Ontario contractors: Show your opposition to the new College of Trades tax at Queen's Park on Tuesday
by Alec CaldwellThe Canadian Association of Renovators and Home Services (CARAHS) has now joined the coalition against the new Ontario College of Trades and its punitive tax ($120 compulsory membership fees). Join us in showing your opposition to the College at 11 am on Tuesday, West Wing, Queen’s Park
Man the barricades
by Robert KociBeing illegitimate is no fun. Being on the wrong side of the law is no fun. But when you become the agents of injustice by obeying the law, something’s got to give. For justice’s sake, sometimes, it’s necessary.
A little known way to reach potential customers
by Robert KociAt a very basic level, Hometalk is great for market research. A once-a-day or even once-a-week scan can keep you up-to-date on trends and what homeowners are asking for.
What will it take to beat the cash economy?
by Robert KociWith the punitive costs of HST/GST, income, corporate and payroll taxes, workers comp payments and insurance, it seems like there’s an epidemic of contractors working for cash. Can you compete with them? Or should you join them?
The risks of cash and how you can avoid them
by Robert KociDoing underground work is a drug you don’t want to get addicted to
Tree protection, good and bad
by Robert KociKeeping the site neat is a very good way to leave a good public impression
Cornwall, Ont. barber goes public with refusal to pay College of Trades fees
by Steve PayneChris Bourgon says that the Ontario College of Trades will, effectively, be taking all his earnings from 4 days of work. He sees absolutely no value at all in the College. He’s not alone.
Accessibility renovations: tax credit available in Ontario
by Steve PayneThe same provincial government that brought in the Ontario College of Trades, to “tax” licensed tradespeople, is now handing out money for accessibility renovations.