Voices
A contractor is a machine: Are you revving too high – or too low?
by Steve MaxwellDifferent contractors work at different intensities. But like any engine, there is a sweet spot for the most efficient output. Have you thought about yours?
“Canada’s safety profession is a make-work project”
by canadiancontractorThe real goal of the safety industry, says Chris Langman, is to create a “Hoover Dam” of rules and red tape – and more government jobs.
Roofer: “Majority of roofing injuries are CAUSED by ‘safety’ equipment”
by canadiancontractorAnyone care to comment on this claim. We really don’t know what to say.
“We should put Justin and Kathleen on a worksite as labourers, and have the machine operators stoned.”
by canadiancontractor“They would change the legalized marijuana laws the same day.”
He had a locksmith show up, stinking of pot
by canadiancontractorAnother of our many comments from contractors very worried about the potential for increased marijuana use on their job sites
He doesn’t think increased marijuana use on the job site will lead to safety issues
by canadiancontractorRay says that weed causes well-known short-term memory issues – but not actual safety hazards.
Asbestos dangers overblown?
by canadiancontractorThe fear of asbestos dates back to when workers were exposed to dense clouds of asbestos dust before health and safety standards existed, Mike says
Busting myths about skylights: Installer sticks to one brand only
by canadiancontractorRon Gauthier is a Velum-certified installer
Fly-by-night contractors who work for half what you do
by canadiancontractorIn this post, Al Barnes lists all the aspects of a quality $40,000 basement renovation. Unfortunately, many contractors will bid $20,000 – and then make a total hash of it.
Bryan Baeumler’s shows not going off the air
by canadiancontractorOur April 1st post last Sunday didn’t fool anyone. Bryan and Sarah are not going away anytime soon.
Get used to this new word in Ontario: “Renovictions.”
by canadiancontractorProperty owners should be careful if they think they can move tenants out while they renovate their properties. In Ontario, the law says you need to let them back afterwards – without a big rent hike.
The fire risks of torch-on roofing
by canadiancontractorRoofer Ward Shearing points out that there is a good Facebook page on roof fires in B.C.
Shabby treatment by a painter results in fines, probation and restitution
by canadiancontractorNo one likes stories like this — an elderly client who recently lost his wife wanted to cancel a painting contract. The painter said ‘No!’, and not nicely.
Contractors speak up on Ottawa’s war on asbestos
by canadiancontractorWe asked readers to comment on steps being considered by the federal government to ban all forms of the substance
It’s not easy to hire a refugee in the residential construction industry
by canadiancontractorOur recent story concerning refugee hiring highlights the problems in making connections
There never was a “truckload of government subsidies” for residential solar, solar veteran says
by canadiancontractorSolar Dad has been in the residential solar business in Ontario for 40 years. He says solar electricity in Ontario is dying because our electricity is still too cheap to make solar cost-effective.
12 Rules for Contractors
by canadiancontractorPractical advice based on 12 Rules for Life, the bestselling book by Fairview, Alberta’s own Dr. Jordan B. Peterson.
First year painting contractor asks if she’s getting ripped off. We say not necessarily.
by canadiancontractorBonnie is a rookie painting contractor finding it tough to get GCs to pay her on 3 jobs that she didn’t finish.