Melvin Newman of PataBid joins us to discuss estimating in the construction industry, and hope it can be improved. He shares how he spotted the gap in the industry and what he made to innovate the estimation process. Learn about a company that listens to the user, and a software that can save you time and money while protecting you from client "misunderstandings" on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in PataBid? Check out their website at PataBid.com , on Instagram @Patabi...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 33 min
Steve and Royce of 3Way join us to talk about taping and drywall. Royce shares how the construction world has changed in the last 50+ years, including the informal introduction of Level 5. We get into why the stereotypes around the drywall industry exist as they do, and Royce and Steve share tons of advice on tools and techniques with visual references to accompany their tips. The second half of the show is devoted to 3Way, their new product to greatly reduce the time and effort spent finishing ...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 47 min
Dan Wall from Covenant Construction joins us to talk about tiling and TTMAC certification. He shares his experience going from being his own boss to working for someone else, and what made him stay with Covenant over the adjustment period. He tells us about his desire to work with thin panel porcelain slabs and the education required to do it right, before discussing the TTMAC exam and what causes others to fail where he succeeded. The last half of the show goes into how he would build his dream...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 42 min
Pata Chan of Kwaihinian in Hong Kong joins us to talk about construction in Hong Kong. He starts off by sharing how he got into the industry and quickly shatters the belief around bamboo scaffolding. We then get into the major differences before construction in North America versus Hong Kong: variation orders, the size of projects, the materials and techniques used, the trades themselves, and the shocking facts about pricing, timelines and permits. Pata also tells us about the interesting way he...
Oct 30, 2022•1 hr 26 min
Casey Grey from The Conscious Builder joins us today to talk about passive homes and building the business. He discusses the values that The Conscious Builder is based on and his experience building a passive house from scratch as a way to show clients the business. He also tells us what government regulations stand in the way of a greener future of homes. Learn about the products and processes used in passive home building, and the money that can be saved by building passive homes on this episo...
Oct 29, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Doug Taylor of Frontiers Design Build is here to talk about the hurdles Frontiers has been through, and how they've succeeded, offering advice to other tradespeople on the paper side of business. Doug talks about his difficulty letting go of control and passing off the tools to someone else. He shares the plateaus Frontiers hit and how they moved passed them, as well as their three-step framework for growth. Learn about business organization and high-performance homes on this episode of The Cons...
Oct 28, 2022•1 hr 34 min
Nuno Pinto and Jordan Mora of Assmbly Inc join us to talk all about high-end lighting and home automation. They share their experiences getting into the business and tell us about their products. We hear how they would light different rooms, and compare voice automation from the Big Three. Learn about the importance of light and how it can effect energy levels on this episode of The Construction Life. Interested in Assmbly Inc? Check them out on Instagram @Assmblyinc or send them an email at inf...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 35 min
Shahzad Qureshi from Pinnacle Real Estate in New York joins us today to talk about making it in the real estate business, construction and social media. Starting off with a bone to pick with high-end construction, Shahzad then shares his humble beginnings, paying sweat equity with equity partners and door-knocking for 6 months to get one deal. He also gives us some advice on how to survive the next recession and how to build a sustainable business. The back end of the show breaks into social med...
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr 41 min
Mike of Mike's Tool Fun joins us to talk about commercial electrical jobs and how he got into tool reviewing. He shares some helpful advice for electricians like using foldable canvas garage bins and double-checking your work to take excuses away from inspectors. He also talks about copper versus aluminum wiring and the tools that have made his job that much better. The show wraps up talking about what Mike gained from his previous career in car shows, and some obligatory Star Wars opinions. If ...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 41 min
Fred Garceau joins us to talk about carpentry and restoration. He shares his fascinating experience at the oldest trade school in France and tells us a ton about the French method of stereotomy. He discusses a few of his projects and even brought us some models as examples. Forever learning, Fred is full of advice for carpenters of every age on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in Fred? Check him out on Instagram @fredseal_carpentry or send him an email at fredericgarceau...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 43 min
Ben Cowburn from Chase Contracting is here to discuss the BC concrete process and the issue with employees nowadays. Learn about BC's high school trade program, fibreglass versus rebar, and building department delays as the battery ticks down on this fascinating conversation as the battery on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. We will schedule another show with Ben and dive deeper into the conversion. Interested in Chase Contracting? Check them out at chasecontractingltd.com or on In...
Oct 23, 2022•58 min
Scott Sauve of Sauve Construction joins us to talk about his experience going from Union to independence. He shares how he survived his first slow winter and the mindset he needed to become successful. He also offers valuable advice about work-life balance and the importance of being respectful, with tool and vehicle talk for everyone on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in Sauve Construction? Check out their website sauvecreates.com or email Scott at scott@sauvecreates.c...
Oct 22, 2022•1 hr 35 min
Kevin Graham and Josh Wells from Tools in the Trades Bootcamp join us to talk about what they're doing to get people young and old into the trades. We talk all about their program, fighting the stigma around the skilled trades and bridging the gap between the people wanting to work and the employers wanting to hire. Learn from and be inspired by the people educating the next great tradespeople on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in Tools in the Trades? Check them out on ...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 45 min
Nasser Deeb joins us to talk about the KBC and StoneTech Canada tradeshows happening October 26-28, 2022. Hear all about the networking potential, the international creativity, and the touch-and-feel quality of tradeshows. Be sure to listen for the code for free parking and admission to the show on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in the KBC and StoneTech Canada tradeshows? Look up the schedule on kbcexpo.com or reach out at info@kbcexpo.com . Check them out on Instagram...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Spencer Beaureault Of 813 Leads joins us to talk about digital networking and getting leads. He gives us advice on gaining marketing confidence, being disciplined and keeping attention. Find out all about the importance of LinkedIn, ad platform comparison, and how to door-knock in the digital age on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in 813 Leads? Check them out on their website 813leads.com , on Instagram @813leads, or send them at email at spencer@813leads.com . Thank yo...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Steve and Jen of Vintage Ideas LTD. join us to talk about vintage and rustic design trends. Opening up the show discussing construction on the Azores, they go on to touch on everything from shiplap to epoxy pours to rose gold hardware. Come hear from a pair on the front lines of the design world in this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in Vintage Ideas LTD.? Check them out on their website at vintageideas.ca or on Instagram @vintageideasltd, or send them an email at steve@vin...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 51 min
Patricio Ramirez of Psquare Inc. is here to talk about fear from comfort and the issue with ego in electricians. He offers all tradespeople, especially electricians, advice on staying humble, accepting help and keeping the right mindset. Pato shares his experience working at a big company for 20 years, as well as the gripping story of what pushed him out of the comfortable place he'd made for himself and into starting his own business. For those curious about the big business side of constructio...
Oct 17, 2022•2 hr 32 min
Saskia Van Den Berghe joins us all the way from Belgium to talk about women in carpentry and the construction industry in Belgium. On the show, Manny learns some Flemish words, how trade schools work in Belgium, and how the Belgian government's decision to open the borders to other countries' tradespeople is affecting the Belgian trades. Saskia also shares her devotion to changing the way young people and women think about the trades, and how she's using her platform to do that. She also tells u...
Oct 16, 2022•1 hr 37 min
Larry Serpa of Key Tile Co. joins us from Vancouver to talk tiling. Opening with talking about heavy tiles on plain drywall, we soon jump right into trim versus other edge options, whether designers should be responsible for small details that are usually left to tradespeople, and the problems with listening to show contractors. Larry shares a few great stories with lessons about accountability, accepting blame and the issue with assuming. The show wraps up discussing the aesthetics versus pract...
Oct 15, 2022•1 hr 50 min
Derick DaCosta of DLC Installations joins us to share his roundabout entrance into the construction industry. We discuss trade separation in Hi-Rise projects, missing high school shop classes and the issue with Toronto's infrastructure. After a long conversation about vans versus trucks for tradespeople, Manny and Derick give some advice to clients before spending the back end of the show breaking down tool batteries and tool brand loyalty. Join us for this episode of The Construction Life Podca...
Oct 14, 2022•1 hr 40 min
Cam from Custom Development Group joins us on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. He talks about starting his business in the depths of the pandemic, and his approach to the learning the trades. We discuss the age old topic of the younger generation versus the older generation of tradespeople, and the evolution of teaching. After a brief conversation about diesel prices and electric cars in Canadian winters, Cam shares his experience renovating his own home as a GC. The back end of th...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 31 min
Ron Nussbaum, CEO of NuttNest, joins us to discuss communication issues in the construction industry. Ron developed NuttNest to fill a void in the industry, and he shares his experience getting it off the ground. He even answers questions about the future of the service, and the show wraps up with a conversation about the origins of the podcast. If you're interested in communication, this is the show for you. Check out NuttNest.com and Ron Nussbaum on all major social media platforms. Thank you ...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Part 4 To wrap up Coach D from Pure Motivation Fitness's 4 part series, we break down the way our bodies break down as we age. Coach D teaches us about the effects of testosterone and estrogen on the male and female body over the years, as well as the dangers of metabolic syndrome, and the manipulative practices of both doctors and natural path nutritionists. Dimitri and Manny encourage you to share this series with your loved ones, especially those over 35, in hopes that it can give someone the...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Part 3 On part 3 of Coach D from Pure Motivation Fitness's miniseries, we talk injuries and dangerous, preventable health conditions. Coach D teaches us about posture injuries, obesity and metabolic syndrome, and types of harmful tissues. He also gives pointers on getting over barriers, setting achievable goals, and knowing yourself. Dimitri and Manny encourage you to share this series with your loved ones, especially those over 35, in hopes that it can give someone the advice and encouragement ...
Oct 10, 2022•58 min
Part 2 On part 2 of Coach D from Pure Motivation Fitness's miniseries, we talk food. Coach D teaches us about the three macronutrients and when to eat them, as well as how to food prep and the cons of fads like intermittent fasting. Dimitri and Manny encourage you to share this series with your loved ones, especially those over 35, in hopes that it can give someone the advice and encouragement they need to start their journey towards healthier living. Interested in Coach D? Check him out on Inst...
Oct 09, 2022•59 min
Part 1 Coach D from Pure Motivation Fitness joins us for a four-part miniseries on health and fitness, in and out of the construction industry. In this first part, we discuss the basis of exercising, covering everything from the importance of a good support system to proper stretching and breathing techniques. Dimitri and Manny encourage you to share this series with your loved ones, especially those over 35, in hopes that it can give someone the advice and encouragement they need to start their...
Oct 08, 2022•56 min
We're talking tiling on today's episode of The Construction Life Podcast with guest Paras Sood from Innovation Tile. Starting off with how he got into tiling as an immigrant Marketing student, Paras shares lots of stories about his experience being a young tiler learning on the job. Now running his own business, Paras has the experience to back up his spirit as he discusses contractors and clients being unwilling to listen to the advice of tilers and the dangers of certain design choices like ce...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 41 min
Jon MacNeil of MacNeil Construction, Clark Walker of Walkers Custom Frameworks, and Jason Guest of Guest Contracting Inc. and Tiletime join us all the way from Barrie to talk trucks, television and tools. The conversation starts off with whether they factor the rising gas prices into their quotes and soon transitions into Jon telling us about his experience being a part of a TV reno show. A throughline of this episode is the importance of communication, in dealing with both tradespeople and clie...
Oct 05, 2022•2 hr 5 min
Today's episode of The Construction Life Podcast opens with a heartfelt thank you from guest Mher Kerushkerian of Triple M Electric before we get into the nitty gritty of his experience being an immigrant getting into electrical in Canada. He shares his encounters with and opinions on ESA inspectors, homeowners doing their own electrical work, and the electrician’s obligation to fix discovered electrical hazards on a job site regardless of payment. After a compulsory chat about the dirty stereot...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 38 min
Taylor Pagniello from The Therapy Space and Hannah Conover from Compass Construction join Manny and Jason the Keystone Contractor today for a jam-packed episode on gender, therapy, and, of course, construction. Opening with an ever topical discussion on the pandemic's effect on people in therapy, we cover issues with emotional avoidance, the forces stopping men from seeking help, and what to do when people confide in you. Jason has a lot to say about emotional regulation and Manny learns that ha...
Oct 04, 2022•1 hr 35 min
