Voices
What’s better, top line or bottom line? Read this and find out.
by Mike Draper“There is so much pressure to keep employees working that contractors take the work even if it is not going to add anything to the bottom line.”
Peer Group Diary: A face-to-face meeting in Calgary looks into the challenges of running a family business
by Robert Koci“In a family business, humility helps”
Your complete guide to estimating, Lesson 1 of 7: The foundation of great estimating
by Robert Koci“Designing your company around repeatable, predetermined processes that follow predictable steps to known outcomes is great for accurate estimates.”
Myths of contracting continued: I know about that, so I’m good
by canadiancontractor“Our lives, both personal and business, are full of things we know we should do, but we just don’t”
Fast-growing Canada Needs Housing; Public policy needs to keep pace
by canadiancontractor“In welcoming these new Canadians, we have an obligation to ensure there is sufficient housing”
Does a Carbon Tax Make Sense? I think I think so, says contributor and P Eng. Paul Duffy
by canadiancontractor“Here’s the cool thing—when you make a decision to conserve, you get doubly rewarded.”
Myths of contractors continued: If I fund a project with my own money, there is no interest cost
by canadiancontractor“Whenever your money is tied up it does have a cost”
Win more work!!
by Mike Draper“the majority of contractors do a poor job of following up with leads out of sheer time restraints.”
How to lose out because you didn’t think of everything when you made up the contract
by Robert KociYears ago, I had a service contract with a client that did not include a provision that recognized the cost to me of fulfilling the contract. This is what I mean: The contract was to manufacture and supply a product…
The first rule of holes: Stop digging
by Robert Koci“The guarantee of the loss of a lot of money makes you stop”
People are not things, and knowing how to handle things does not prepare you for handling people
by Robert Koci“I became a carpenter in part because I had no confidence is handling personal relationships.”
Canadian home sales edge higher in August, says the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
by canadiancontractorOTTAWA, Sept. 16, 2019 /CNW/ – Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales were up in August 2019. Highlights: National home sales rose 1.4% month-over-month (m-o-m) in August. Actual (not seasonally adjusted) activity…
More on what you pay your Project Managers: David Litwiller, Litwiller Renovations and Custom Homes Ltd., Calgary, AB
by canadiancontractor“They (my PMs) were hourly paid, making $70 to $80K per year on a regular basis “
More on what you pay your Project Managers: Evolve Builders Inc.
by canadiancontractor“Our target wages for the role start at $50k up to $80k, with the median at about $64k.”
Systems are good, but build loyalty first
by Robert Koci“A company with loyalty as a key driver of its culture would have quickly realized from feedback that falling sales were clearly a symptom of the system’s installation”
We asked our RenoFocus contractors how much they paid their project managers. Here’s one Toronto contractor’s response
by canadiancontractor“Our standard base salary is between $55-60k and goes against a base $750k revenue”
Myths of contractors continued: I save money by doing chores myself
by canadiancontractor“If you can’t point to some fundamental improvement you haven’t been doing the job of a general manager”
“Heavy upfront deposits help cash flow. We take 25% on acceptance and another 25% one day prior to starting.”
by canadiancontractor“Valid and reliable companies take massive risks for every job we take on”