Mike Draper, Renovantage, on calculating the correct deposit amount
by Steve PayneMike Draper, our resident contractor coach, tells you how to figure out a reasonable and fair deposit when you win a new project
How to manage your contracting business using the 3 M’s
by Steve Payne“Measure, Monitor and Manage.” These are the 3 M’s. They are incredibly useful in analyzing the key performance indicators of a professional renovation business.
Survey: 75 per cent of homeowners did NOT check online reviews before hiring contractors
by Steve PayneOnly FOUR per cent of the survey respondents say they “always” check contractors’ reviews online
Residential construction needs 129,000 new skilled workers over next decade
by Steve PayneWith modest growth in new housing, and with Canadian housing stock ageing, construction jobs will continue to shift to the renovation sector, the report says.
The right materials for flat and low-sloped roofs
by John BleasbySome residential builders are leery of flatter roof profiles common in modern architecture. But flat or low-slope roofing options are well-established in commercial construction – and you can use them too.
Interview with a HomeStars award-winner: Hanna Taylor, Hotwire Electric
by John BleasbyHotwire has just picked up its fifth HomeStars ‘Best Of’ award. We asked Hanna Taylor about the value of online marketing, what makes her electrical firm stand out, and where she sees her future growth coming from.
CN Rail, DEWALT and Acklands Grainger team up to supply tools to Habitat for Humanity
by Steve PayneThe DEWALT C.O.R.E. program is an exclusive rewards and loyalty program for elite end-users in Canada.
Service Alberta pursues another allegedly crooked contractor
by Steve PayneDedric Robinson. apparently a fly-by-night renovator, is the subject of an investigation by the consumer protection agency in Alberta
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
What should Simon do? Your answers
by Robert KociWe asked you, in our Nov/Dec issue, to tell us what YOU would do if your best employee pulled a fast one by switching a door – for the best of all possible reasons.
Our most-viewed stories of 2014
by Steve PayneThe sudden passing of Craig Lowe, Mike Holmes’ painter, topped our “most viewed stories” list for the past year.
Who would you rather have Christmas dinner with: Jim Caruk or Mike Holmes?
by Alec CaldwellFor some reason Alec Caldwell doesn’t want to contemplate Christmas dinner with Bryan Bauemler. In his mini-poll, it’s a choice between Mike Holmes and Jim Caruk.
“The HVAC business in Ontario and Canada is being take over by BIG companies”
by Steve Payne“The big firms have lots of office staff to deal with all the red tape and bureaucracy, which is why they charge $78 a month for 20 years for a furnace that only costs $1,200 at the wholesaler.”
Job of the Week: Construction Carpenter (Edmonton)
by Steve PayneIf you are a contractor looking for a new opportunity in residential construction or renovations, check out our Canadian Contractor JOBS board on a regular basis.
Bill C-377: The government forcing a private entity (a union) to make their financial statements public is downright scary.
by Steve PayneMike has worked in both the union and non-union side of the electrical business for 25 years. Though he’s a conservative, he hates the proposed Harper government legislation to force unions to publicly disclose their spending.
Complaints about reno contractors rank 4th behind three other industries in Manitoba
by Steve PayneLess than 7 per cent of complaints to the Consumer Protection Office, in Manitoba, during the past year were about contractors
Opinion: Could Bill C-377 expose the darker side of union activities?
by Alec CaldwellBill C-377 would force unions to publicly disclose their spending, including their executives’ salaries over $100,000. The bill has been called “undemocratic” Alec Caldwell, on behalf of renovation contractors at CARAHS, begs to differ.
Tony Dean, former head of Ontario Public Service, to "review" College of Trades
by Steve PayneWhat will a man who has risen to the highest-pinnacle of government civil-service bureaucracy recommend, re: the Ontario College of Trades? We are guessing a massive expansion of its mandate. And we guess he will keep the North Korea-like dictatorship of its unelected board of directors.