Voices
Got your trades education at school? Breaking into a union is the hard part
by canadiancontractorNetwork, network, network, says Guy, even if you think that unions like the IBEW are “closed shops”
What do you do if client demands to see receipts for your purchased items?
by canadiancontractorThat’s fine if you are on a T&M basis. But not if you quoted a fixed price. Walk away, one contractor advises.
Interprovincial trades exam in Ontario: 70 per cent minimum pass needs to be lowered
by canadiancontractorEmbrun, ON entrepreneur Marcel Blanchard weighs in on the obstacles to a trades career that Ontario’s policies have wrought
HVAC contractor told he has to provide his receipts for all the parts he has used in the past, to get paid on his current job
by canadiancontractorRichard Matthew says he is being threatened with non-payment unless he can provide all of his historic parts receipts. Comments?
Praise for the first instalment of Steve Maxwell’s “Inner Life of a Contractor”
by canadiancontractorAnthony Goosen believes that Steve’s “Are You Just Molecules or More?” is an important read
This is a stressful business. Are you feeling run down or worse? Read this.
by canadiancontractorPro painter Simon Kuhl, Victoria, BC, recommends Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Public misconceptions about why contractors need deposits
by canadiancontractor“We are not your (expletive) bank!” writes contractor Karl Bach
He would like to see an inspection of OCOT’s inspectors
by canadiancontractorAnother HVAC contractor alleges unprofessional conduct by an OCOT enforcement officer
Why was owner of firm slammed with half a million dollar fine, while actual electrician has “zero consequences”?
by canadiancontractor“We live in a province where doctors and nurses kill people every single day. Yet none of them suffer personal consequences like this,” Rob says
Painter agreed a price with “homeowner,” who now tells him another contractor will pay him
by canadiancontractorThe painter has almost finished his work, but wants to be paid by the individual who agreed the deal. If he’s paid as a sub by another contractor, he worries about his WSIB exemption.
Homebuilding client: Our contractor unfairly liened us!
by canadiancontractorThis client believes she is the victim of a fraudulent or frivolous lien by a contractor. Ultimately, however, builders will only be able to successfully enforce liens when they can prove they have a legitimate claim. How can this problem be solved without both sides paying enormous legal fees?
Dirt floor basement, moisture issues, cracking concrete blocks. What to do?
by canadiancontractorOwner seeks contractor advice on insulating 1930s era homestead in Alberta
Canadian radio and TV contractor legend Shell Busey calls “BS” on Ontario College of Trades
by canadiancontractorWhatever happened to valuing “know-how learned from our teachers, parents and mentors,” old school Shell wants to know…
Full HVAC license versus gas fitters license: Veteran of 5-year apprenticeship defends Ontario College of Trades
by canadiancontractorSteve Brown argues that a simple gas license is nowhere near enough to do proper HVAC installations.
“Soft tax collectors”
by canadiancontractor“The MoL, MTO, OCOT, WSIB, etc. enforce unnecessary laws and regulations to insulate large, unionized corporations from smaller, hungrier, highly-skilled trades.”
Another veteran HVAC contractor feels his livelihood is under attack by Ontario College of Trades
by canadiancontractor“I learned the trade hands on, so I have my gas fitters ticket only… Now I am being threatened that I will get big fines… unless I hire 1-2 licensed guys
Would you spend $450,000 to buy project that may never go ahead?
by Steve PayneWell, the Trudeau government just spent $4.5-billion for the now-frozen (by the courts) Trans Mountain Pipeline Project
Which type of circ saw do you prefer: sidewinders or worm drives?
by canadiancontractorMark Bernier’s 1980s worm drive is still going strong. “It cuts rings around the little saws.”