Voices
Before you frame a shower enclosure, do this…
“It is not worth it any more to just fly blind,” says Mark Bernier
Two words that can improve your business – and your life – beyond measure
“I consider it a privilege to work for clients, and you should, too.” These two words should be said as much as possible.
Passive House building is great building
Here at Canadian Contractor, we are big fans of building tight, smart and well. No matter what you believe about Climate Change.
Quebec contractors in six trades can work in Ontario without bothering with OCOT, Questo points out
The Ontario College of Trades is supposed to be on the way out. But while we all wait for that, Quebec contractors can work in Ontario unhindered by OCOT, it appears
Water leaking in from the highest part of a basement built on bedrock?
Bedrock is great to build on, right? Not so fast. The water control issues can be challenging.
Sub trade asks for advice on how to get paid by his GC
The quote was fine. The P.O. was issued. The site foreman saw the job being successfully completed. Now the GC won’t pay up. What gives?
Can you open two companies to minimize WSIB premiums, reader asks
One would operate with a single contractor doing only residential jobs. The other company would take on commercial work as well, and pay its full share of WSIB.
A cousin of one of Mike Holmes’ crews has a message to all the critics…
“Mike loves his family, loves his friends and co-workers… and he is one of the best and most trustworthy contractors in Canada, if not the world.”
Not everyone thought all of our April Fool’s articles were funny. For example…
“What would it take to get this article removed?”
Even veteran construction safety expert Alec Caldwell got taken in by our April Fool’s fake news story on Mike Holmes
“It’s not what you’d expect from a so-called TV personality,” Alec writes
Our fake Mike Holmes story for April 1st ruffled feathers of a resident near Meadow Lake, SK
Eldon Gaw thought that the (joke) story about Mike Holmes creating a public disturbance ignored all the really great things about the real Meadow Lake, SK.
Reply from Casey Edge on how to educate public officials on housing facts
Boosting permit fees, etc. will only put housing further out of reach
Casey Edge’s article on government “downloading” was exactly right
Inside the North Cowichan Council Meeting, nonsensical tax measures while the housing shortage continues
Client complains about his “unregistered” cash-deal contractor who did substandard, unfinished work
You’re kidding, Mr. Client? What could possibly have gone wrong?
Kudos for the HomeStars Awards
“The winners are completely based on reviews from actual customers”
Perfectionism versus Excellence
As 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
“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”
Was 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
This 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
So 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?
What 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
“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
Sterling 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?”
Unfortunately, the author wouldn’t let us publish his interesting correspondence
How to “dress” a room to mitigate noise
Wall 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
Employees who “mail it in” are complexifiers of a contractor’s business challenges
He laments pending “wind down” of Ontario College of Trades
Enforcement and regulation are necessary red tape, argues RJ
Comment on our recent A7+ adhesive video (“All About Fasteners”)
Peter Zajaczkowski uses A7+ to attach docks to solid rock shorelines
Today’s apprentices lacking in specialized training for industrial, commercial and residential
Andy 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
Archie Kontridze says that, in his experience, some 80 per cent of all window installations these days fail to meet regulations
