Voices
A close shave
Remember, just because you’ve never had a guy wearing a blue hard come up to you on your renovation site all those past years you’ve been in the business doesn’t meant it won’t happen to you today.
A Thousand Decisions
Quality really boils down to a whole bunch of small decisions pointing in the direction of quality.
Best Way to Profit
Almost all contractors and sub trades are looking for ways to make more profit. One of the best ways to do so is to reduce your cost. Sounds simple enough, yet everyone struggles with how. Here is one secret….
Are you conservative?
Most small business owners are, but what does “Conservative” mean? What does “Liberal” mean, for that matter. Put your hammer down for a minute, and chew on this.
Being a MOL
After my close shave with the Ministry of Labour (MOL), I contacted them to compliment their inspector. You might think I’ve a screw loose doing this.
Win more business
To win more proposals you have to be looking at your proposal from the eyes of the homeowner.
The Profit Series Part 2: Markup and Margin
Knowing the difference between Markup and Margin can make or break your profit strategy
How can you compete against this?
You run a professional business. With the overheads you have, how on earth do you compete?
Home show strategies
For renovators, home shows are a must
How do you fire a client?
You ever have a client you just can’t work for any more? How do you end the relationship?
Union bully boys
Let’s learn how to protect ourselves from union bullying before the fight starts
The Passive House continued
Reno Coach Reiner Hoyer’s Passive House gets a new fan in Canadian Contractor Tools Editor Steve Maxwell
Meetings…what a waste!!
Actually, meetings are critical to work flow and morale. Here’s how to make them productive.
Crash!
Is it the 90s crash all over again?
Reliably Dry: Best practices for keeping water out of basements
There are three main categories of features that work together to make a basement reliably dry.
Underground truths
We must deal with the underground cash economy, but it’s not all our responsibility
Showing off
Helping your local big box or hardware store put on Saturday morning seminars is a great way to get in touch with your market
The 3 million dollar road Part 1: The eight steps to growth
Most renovation companies gross under $1 million in annual sales. That’s small, but Mike Draper, consultant to renovation contractors, says it doesn’t have to be that way. In the next four issues of Canadian Contractor, Draper, vice president coaching at Renovantage Inc., will explain how his company helps contractors grow their business from startup status of less that $300,000 to the heady success of $3 million and more.
The 3 million dollar road Part 2: Along the $3 million road
The following is the second in a four-part series…
The 3 million dollar road Part 3: Beyond your first million
In the last issue of Canadian Contractor Magazine we took a look at how important cash flow is for a $300,000 business growing to $1 million. The following is the third in a four-part series that will take you on the road to a $3-million business.
The 3 million dollar road Part 4: $3 million and beyond
Before 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.
To profit, specialize
you need to do one thing well
By Steve Greer
Illegal immigrants in construction need a break
The underground gets worse when you don’t let good, experienced trades from other countries work here legally.
The right price
There is a right price, and you need to charge it.
Greek Lesson
I find it strange. When it comes to the…
Your Leadership Style
By Glenn Gutek. In leadership, leaders must understand this…
A Canadian View of the American Housing Industry
According to the U.S. Commerce Department, seasonally adjusting housing…
