The Construction Life

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...

Jesse and Brendan of Northmen Builders join us to talk about clients and regulations in cottage country. We discuss presenting new ideas to clients, researching details for future builds, poor quality materials, the pros and cons of digital permitting, and hiding mechanical in timber framing. Stay to the end to find out their unfortunate almost-name on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast...

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Stuart Wilson of Alterra joins us to talk about building condos in Toronto. He tells us about what processes and challenges are involved in changing the city skyline, from scoping out potential areas to making choices that respect neighbours. We discuss maintaining a structure's heritage, hoarding, balancing cost with architectural beauty, and trying to give back to the city with affordable housin...

Jim Caruk joins us on our first episode of In With The Old to talk about connecting with clients. He tells us about the opportunities he's gained through his relationships and why younger trades miss out by using technology. We also discuss backcharging, generational differences, social media's influence, and dealing with local enforcement. Tune in to gain great insight from Jim's decades of exper...

On this episode of The Construction Life Podcast, we are joined by Rob Johnston from Planitar, the makers of iGUIDE and his customers Carl and Patrick from CCS Engineering. We discuss how the iGUIDE Camera system has revolutionized how CCS Engineering manages projects, shaving days off project timelines. From eliminating manual measurements and photos to virtual walkthroughs of projects at every s...

Charlie Fitzgibbon of Edinburgh Construction joins us to talk about Scottish building. He tells us about vetting employees, lack of communication from local authorities, UK trends, sustainability efforts, alternative ways of adding value, and the healthiness of a home. Tune in for a challenging building story on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out Edinburgh Construction at Edi...

Welcome to another TNT show with Jonathan. This time we're talking about ego. The effects of ego, what makes ego, when to have ego, and how to deal with ego. We're blowing up all that and more with this TNT! Check out Jonathan's book on ego, Kick Your Ego Aside and Put People First by Jonathan A Cinelli, on Amazon. Find Jonathan at JonathanCinelli.com and on Instagram @JonathanCinelli. Stay connec...

Aren Bahia joins us to talk about changing mindsets and doing good to feel good. He tells us his story of leaving the drug trade to pursue true happiness and learning accountability from rock bottom. He teaches us the importance of hard times, being proud of how you handle things, how to escape golden handcuffs and when you need a full reset. Aren tells us exactly how to break down our goals into...

Pete, Erica and Cicily of Zepps Gear join us to talk about making safety comfortable. Pete tells us about the accident that sparked the idea and the innovation that came from it. They break down testing the jacket, protecting the harness, getting the product to the people, integrating additional features, and getting on Dragon's Den. We believe that safety shouldn't be expensive on this episode of...

Peyton Maddox of Mud Mixer joins us to talk about efficient concrete mixing. He tells us about the Mud Mixer and how it can automate concrete mixing so you can focus on the job. Save your body with this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Canadian Concrete Expo is the ideal environment to source new suppliers, reconnect with industry contacts, get hands on with the latest equipment, and take...

Felipe of Versa Homes and Josh of Engage Building Products join us to talk about accepting change and adapting for success. They share key information about making use of technology, vetting employees, sticking to your word, going after the right clients, and the value of hiring a good accountant. Felipe teaches us not to take sweeping for granted on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast....

Harp Khukh of Corestone Law joins us to talk about construction law. He tells us about where trades go wrong, the importance of establishing clear communication quickly, preventative law, and how to avoid phonebook contracts. Learn how to protect yourself while avoiding large law fees on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. This show is brought to you by Connecteam Rules, compliance, reg...

Elie of The Plumbing Expert joins us to talk about trade issues with Ontario. We discuss license limits, trying to make money in the city, where our taxes go, and understanding the value of mistakes. We also discuss homeowners being ignorant about house maintenance and luxury bathroom costs on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. This show is brought to you by Connecteam Any business, es...

Kyle Venne of Kaven Homes joins us to talk about avoiding client issues by getting into spec builds. He tells us how he avoided the worst of the pandemic, why he has company meetings on Fridays, and why he documents all his conversations. We also discuss opportunities outside of Ontario, clients misunderstanding green, and the issue with construction loans on this episode of The Construction Life...

Jonathan Running of Running Cables joins us to talk about the forgotten trade of network cabling. He tells us about future-proofing buildings, misunderstandings about fibre, health effects of signals, what blocks wifi, and the lack of regulation in the data comm industry. We end off a discussion about business time management that everyone can learn from on this episode of The Construction Life Po...

Justin Sherry of Justin Sherry Design Studio joins us to talk about designing homes and lowering expectations. We discuss a variety of housing elements, maintenance-free homes, upset with sustainability, pre-fab future, and dealing with college of Google clients. Find out how pizzazz is ruining design on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. This show is brought to you by Connecteam Any b...

Nick and Agostino of Revalate join us to talk about shifting the mindset of your business. They tell us about the importance of aligning expectations and creating cohesion in a business, and they teach us how to accomplish it. Take the time to remember why you started in the construction industry on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in Revalate? Check them out at Revalate.c...