The Construction Life

Young masons putting quality on track builds, Antonio Trakas and Kevin Wu of A.T. Brick and Stone join us to talk about changing the landscape of a dying trade. They tell us about egotistical masons, nonsense pricing, brick shortages, and misunderstanding the work attached to the wage. We also discuss creating a good teaching culture and paying employees based on value on this episode of The Const...

Mastering the young man's game of snow removal, Stefano Narducci joins us to share his business practices. He tells us about capitalizing on opportunity, establishing a foolproof business model, marketing on social media, and running the show each season. Tune in to hear from a smart young entrepreneur on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out Northern Snow at NorthernSnow.ca and...

Talking woodworking with The English Carpenter. Paul Collins joins us to discuss interesting projects, cedar vs composite, employee communication, working in the city and sports and construction. Join us for a high-energy carpentry and framing show on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out The English Carpenter at TheEnglishCarpenter.com and @The_English_Carpenter on Instagram. R...

Learn cooperation in business without losing individuality from Michael Devellano. He tells us about Japan's business model of cooperation and teaches how forming business packs can amplify creativity, bring opportunity, and protect against failure. We also discuss smarter networking, using tech to our advantage, Canadian business culture, and solving the labour shortage by making trades cool on t...

This company is making custom apps for tradespeople struggling with digital implementation. David Mill of Scelta joins us with Keith Young of Young Electrical Services to talk about how Scelta is saving tradespeople money, managing their time, building their confidence, and helping them look good to clients. David walks us through what they do to combat the pain points of your company and match yo...

From sleeping on the street to running a successful business, Chris Carpenter of Carpenter and Co. joins us to talk about finish carpentry and helping people get a hold of their lives. He tells us about figuring out challenging projects, trusting your employees, getting into mentorship and writing a book. Hear about a lost man's success story on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check...

Flooded basements and fragile gas lines, Antonio Pereira of AquaStop Waterproofing is here to talk about all that and more. We discuss protecting foundations, preparing for what can go wrong, getting through the winter, bandaid fixes, poor installs and issues with sump pumps on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out AquaStop Waterproofing at AquaStopWaterproof.com and @Aqua. Stop...

These employees are pampered, and there's value in that. Aaron, Jay, Meg and Dakota from Expert Plumbing and Drains join us to talk about investing in your employees and the back end. They walk us through what they do to maximize efficiency and make Expert a good place to work, from matching union benefits to providing life training. We also discuss paper trails, press versus solder, client-bought...

Firing all his employees was the best thing he did for his health. Bob Baker of Baker Plumbing joins us to talk about why he downsized and why getting off the tools isn't for everyone. We discuss escaping the chase, dealing with hate, getting wisdom from bad decisions, and doing plumbing magic. Hear how Bob learned to love his job again on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out B...

From teacher to tradesperson, Michael Ariganello from AMJ Custom Renovations joins us to talk about issues with the quick road to success mindset. He tells us about teaching new trades that want to jump right into management and how DIY is causing people to underestimate construction. We also discuss offering free PPE with tool purchases, putting a catwalk in the rafters, installing elevators four...

We all have issues, let's talk about it. Joined by Angelo Suntres and Gianluca Pascale, we talk about preventing suicide and recognizing the signs of crisis in our fellow trades. We need to change the way we think about vulnerability and it starts with you. Checking in with each other is The New Tough. Our guests on this episode of TNT Angelo Suntres of the Human Side of Construction. Find him @Hu...

Tony Gatti of Gatti Brothers joins us to talk about the worst parts of the industry. We discuss missing trades, government failures, greenwashing, fly-by-night trades, and clients with too much information. Tune in for tips and tricks from an established builder on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast Check out Gatti Brothers at GattiBrothers.com and @Gatti_Brothers on Instagram. Reach ou...

Join us for this apprenticeship roundtable where we're talking about resources and support for employers to train new trades. We talk about the challenge of maintaining the business while training, the barriers to entry, and the mindset of the upcoming generation. Ashley, Daniel, Julia, and Aaron teach us ways of managing these obstacles and getting help for your business while helping the industr...

The Phil app founders; Mike, Matt, and Bryan join us to talk about their free material marketplace and tracking software that eliminates the need to "know a guy" to move earth. Marrying real construction experience with the tech world, Phil saves money, time and the environment, while being constantly updated with new features, all for a fraction of the cost of doing it by hand. Tune in to be as s...

Greg Labbé from TMU joins us to talk about making building science beautiful. He tells us about the system part of the air barrier, the benefits of triple pane windows, the value of having blower door equipment, and how to convince clients. We also discuss European building, passive homes in the prairies, dealing with old buildings, and future-proofing. Learn to make your home feel better on this...

You're wearing the wrong boots on site but Cliff Spooner of Red Wing Shoes can help. Cliff tells us about wide sizes, arch support and the joy of insoles, as well as the traditional leather working processes used to make Red Wing Shoes. Don't sacrifice your body to save a buck, get boots that will protect your feet and and keep you comfortable with this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Ch...

On this episode of TNT, we're talking about mindset and overwork with Jonathan Cinelli, and Agostino Mastro and Nick Bartella of Revalate. We discuss using work as a distraction, fear of vulnerability, toxic stress, saying no, time audits and clearing the noise. Try something new; take an hour a week for yourself and see the benefits now. Our guests on this episode of TNT Find Jonathan Cinelli at...

Grant Cowx of Fraser Wood Siding joins us to talk about quality wood siding. He walks us through the variety of profiles, trims, and colours they offer as well as their systems. Lisa Roussel from manufacturing patches in to share how they manage their different products, and what goes in to creating custom profiles. We also discuss limiting problems, warranty and environmental efforts on this epis...

Ivan Fredette of Safe Tree joins us to talk about caring for trees. He shares insider knowledge companies don't want you to know about why trees die, the truth regarding roots, and what you can do to keep your outdoor spaces flourishing. We're getting our heads out of our grass on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out Safe Tree at SafeTree.ca and on Instagram at @SafeTreeltd. Re...

Marco Manazzone and Sonya Gilmour of Zzone Homes Inc. join us to talk about fill service renovations. We discuss designer pay processes, realism in reno shows, the pros and cons of open concept, colour temperature and paint, and lots of design opinions. Check out a great designer and GC duo on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out Zzone Homes at ZzoneHomes.ca and @ZzoneHomesInc...

Alex Thibault of Alt Labour Solutions joins us to talk about combatting the labour shortage and keeping trades working. Also joined by David Anderson of Nexus Mechanical and Kevin Marques of Clear Space, they tell us about limiting the time that trades are at home by subbing out workers to jobsites that need them. We discuss working with union rules, making up for missing replacements for retirees...

Josh Allen of @JoshAllen_Builds joins us to talk about gaining a following by renovating his home. He tells us about changing his mindset to construction, loving learning, using scraps, smart building details, and trying new things. Catch his contagious tenacity on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out Josh on Instagram @JoshAllen_Builds and reach out over email at Josh. A.Allen...

A 17-year-old with a crew of 9, Charlie Kerrigan of V.I.L Landscaping joins us. He tells us about starting off with a bike trailer, being driven to get to the next step, focusing on sales, and avoiding ignorance debt. We discuss challenges in landscaping, establishing systems, driving and plans on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out V.I.L Landscaping at VILLandscaping.net and...

Scott, Sarra, Kelsey and Patrick of CCS Engineering and Construction join us to talk about one-stop shop construction. They tell us about the tight-knit CCS dynamic, collaborations between designer, engineer, and builder, creating efficient dental offices, connecting additions, ADUs and new trends. Tune in to the CCS family on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out CCS Engineerin...

Zeki Mert of Van Horne Construction Limited joins us to talk about taking over a big construction company as an immigrant. He shares his story of coming to Canada knowing nothing and working and learning to start businesses before taking over Van Horne. He tells us about being the first in the office and the last to leave, visiting the job site, striving for quality, the future of Van Horne, and h...