Voices
Kudos for the HomeStars Awards
by canadiancontractor“The winners are completely based on reviews from actual customers”
Perfectionism versus Excellence
by Steve MaxwellAs a contractor, Perfectionism is a really bad goal. Excellence is where it’s at. Steve Maxwell explains the difference.
The greatest sales strategy on Earth
by Steve Payne“Define the problem. Solve the problem. Set the price.”
With the Ontario College of Trades about to be “wound down,” reader looks forward to photo of Doug Ford “knee high in waste”
by canadiancontractorWas the Ontario College of Trades REALLY all that stopped new home sites in the province from being drowned in excrement?
How a homeowner can defend themselves against a contractor’s lien
by canadiancontractorThis post is from a Quebec legal point of view, courtesy of Gino Di Ciocco
Update on the client who claims their contractor has placed a fraudulent lien on her house
by canadiancontractorSo much doesn’t add up in this post from an aggrieved client. But the theme of contractors filing fraudulent or vexatious liens is a common one.
40/40/20 draw system for billing a basement reno customer?
by canadiancontractorWhat do you think about Rule of Thumb staged payments like this? We at Canadian Contractor don’t like them.
Framing business kaput after arm injury, reader lowers boom on Ontario’s WSIB
by canadiancontractor“Contractors are doing some of the most dangerous jobs in the country. The least they can do it pay out when we get injured.”
The real asbestos risks were from the mines, not residential homes, he argues
by canadiancontractorSterling worked at Cassiar Asbestos Corporation in B.C. in the 1980s. He still wonders what the long term outcomes to his health will be.
Email to Editor: “Why don’t you rename your magazine Conservative Contractor?”
by Steve PayneUnfortunately, the author wouldn’t let us publish his interesting correspondence
How to “dress” a room to mitigate noise
by canadiancontractorWall to wall carpets have rapidly disappeared from modern interiors, but drapes and wall hangings are very much alive.
What to do about an unmotivated employee
by Robert KociEmployees who “mail it in” are complexifiers of a contractor’s business challenges
He laments pending “wind down” of Ontario College of Trades
by canadiancontractorEnforcement and regulation are necessary red tape, argues RJ
Comment on our recent A7+ adhesive video (“All About Fasteners”)
by canadiancontractorPeter Zajaczkowski uses A7+ to attach docks to solid rock shorelines
Today’s apprentices lacking in specialized training for industrial, commercial and residential
by canadiancontractorAndy Lama proposes a 5 level system for the construction trades, to produce more qualified, better trades people.
Window and door contractor laments poor installations by cash operators
by canadiancontractorArchie Kontridze says that, in his experience, some 80 per cent of all window installations these days fail to meet regulations
Ottawa’s new small business tax rules just “another load placed on (our) backs”
by canadiancontractor“Justin Makingit” responds to our 3-part series on Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s new tax rules for small businesses
Water is a contractor’s “greatest adversary”
by canadiancontractor“Water is our lifeblood but also our greatest adversary,” says Murray Fraser