The Construction Life

Jeff gets right into painting and the lack of respect from the homeowners and other tradespeople. It’s true that so much is left for the painter to fix. Painters are always on the hook for touch ups when it’s really a repaint, people have to take responsibility for their actions. We discuss the possibility behind paint failing and how Jeff would handle it. We get talking about painting tools and things to consider when purchasing and working with them, for all you homeowners, listen to what the pros really use. Let’s talk about whites, so many different kinds of whites and we discuss all the CC’s and even the CC Music Factory. Then we dive deep into all of the prep products that Jeff is a fan of, from caulking to wood fillers to sanding to paint brushes and more to the ever important world of cleaning your tools. We finally get into talking about staining and clients expectations of natural wood products.

We wrap up this show with a brand new segment and we call it, the Ten Questions of Construction, you will love how our guests will answer these questions.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You so much Jeff for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about painting, prep and painting better for a better industry. Find him @proper_painting

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We are talking about living in your home, wellness in your home and how simple things like the smell of grass and how impactful those scents are to your mental state. Since 2009 she has been a resource for the residential trade sector, a subject matter specialist and advocate for Inclusive Design and one of Canada's experts on living in place and wellness in the home. She’s a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). She just completed several Universal Design courses with the University of Buffalo Architectural Program and working on her Rick Hansen Accessibility Certification and her WELL AP designation.

This isn’t just about the older homeowners and wanting to stay living in place, think about expecting mothers, people with disabilities, accidents, delivery furniture there is so much to consider when renovating for what life has in store for you and your families. Homes should adapt to us over a lifetime and not us adapt to the home, renovating should be adaptable. Renovating for the aging population requires know how in lighting, natural and artificial and task lighting, space to move around, door widths, soundproofing, and more. These types of renovations are based on emotions more than any other types of renos, you have to handle the client’s emotions carefully.

Its really important to understand the benefits of color, sound, light, air, water, and even wood grains and how these details can add to your wellness in your home.

We wrap up this show with a brand new segment and we call it, the Ten Questions of Construction, you will love how our guests will answer these questions.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You so much Linda for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about living in place, wellness in place and building better for the aging population. Find her and her mindset @lipnetwork and www.livablecanada.com on LinkedIN under her name Linda Kafka.

This is The Construction Life

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Marc decided at 16 years of age he wanted to be a Bricklayer, that simple. Listen to find out how and why he came to become a bricklayer. Craig’s career in construction began at 14 years old in demolition, pick up a couch and moved it three times and that was it, he’s in construction for good. Marc had the mindset to look at construction though the numbers, the power of money and time, he was 14 years old making 16 dollars an hour while his circle of friends were making 8 dollars an hour at an easier job choice.

Marc quickly developed the skill set and mind set to earn while he learned. He looked at the numbers behind all of his moves and he based decisions on those numbers, very smart. There are so many government rules and regulations regarding hiring apprenticeships that is basically forces companies to NOT want to work with the program, this needs to change. Marc loves being a mason so much that he looks at the work like a hobby and his business as his job, great attitude. After losing his job due to the paperwork his employer refused to be a part of Marc decided it was time to go to school, what a great move for him. Then came the opportunity to roll the dice once again and Marc started his own business where he could now dictate where his life will go.

Marc has own opinion on Millennials and how he feels they have no accountability. Marc brings up some seriously valuable traits and expectations that every younger person should be fighting for, what a motivational moment. Marc discusses the 40 hour week and how today’s Tradesperson can work smarter during those 40 hours and turn their business into a venture with no financial ceiling cap. As we wrap up Marc talks about being a mentor to other up and coming masons and he’s more than willing to help anyone and everyone that reaches out to him. Marc honestly wants to move the construction industry forward and there is always room for improvements. What a great show, thanks Marc.

We wrap up this show with a brand new segment and we call it, the Ten Questions of Construction, you will love how our guests will answer these questions.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Marc for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about apprenticeships, and all the education you sourced out from the beginning to today. Find him and his skillset @craigmhor_construction

This is The Construction Life

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What an intro – Pink Floyd Another Brick in The Wall the Portuguese version. Marcelino sets the tone of this show and we love it. A lot of education for Marcelino but no passion, no love, no drive, he wanted hands on and he found it with an established company Melo Landscaping. Marcelino has been with them for over 25 years now and there are things that he learned from them that he would have never learned anywhere else. Marcelino learned very early on, working for a smaller Mom and Pop shop they were going take care of him as long as he worked hard. Landscaping is not an old man game and Marcelino and the companies he works for are more than willing to work with the younger guys and share the knowledge, share the money, share the work but unfortunately half the guys are not interested.

Marcelino shares a lot of trade tips on how best to handle runs offs, paver base, concrete spec base and even a jab at PL Portuguese Luck. Marcelino get into one of our fav segments, asking contractors about their fav tools and tool brands and he does not bleed, blue, red, yellow or any color, he uses the right tool for the right job, great honesty here and great insight from a real contractor sharing his real experience on the job site with tools, unlike the wanna be tool reviewers and their one hour staged set up. Marcelino takes down all types of stone projects and the challenges behind each one.

We discuss the big toys and how he feels about each of the brands and why. If you are in hardscaping and have the big toys and live in a 4 season climate you will be snow plowing so factor that into your purchasing of the big toys. As we closer to the end of this amazing show we dive into heated driveways and steps and how this very expensive luxury is becoming the norm. What an amazing show, Marcelino shared so much with us.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Marcelino for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about construction, contractors, hardscaping, landscaping, and all kinds of stone work. Find him and his skillset @msousa202

This is The Construction Life

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We get right into Part II beginning with do inspectors look for any contractor licenses? From there we get into the requirements to become an inspector, all of the exams associated with each section of a home and once you pass the exams you can begin to inspect each section of the Code. We get right into key details of the Code and how the powers at be came to sign off on these Codes and we bring up the “ball” drain test and all of the stages of inspections and what Inspectors are typically looking for all the way to final occupancy inspection. We dissect the Ontario Building Code and discuss the different Parts and how they apply to us and our projects and that leads us to making changes on site and how they should be addressed on the drawings and the proper paperwork. Then we get into zoning and how that can impact your new build, your addition, your renovation and all contractors should be aware of this information and how it implies to you in your city. What happens if you begin construction without a permit and someone from the City Planning Dept. is notified what can happen to you the homeowner, the contractors and any trades working on site. Who actually receives any and all orders to compile? Boosting about how many homes and or projects you as a contractor have built means nothing to an Inspector, they are there to see the current project and the quality on that project, not previous work. Bottom line, Inspectors do not inspect for the quality of workmanship, they inspect for the building code.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Mr. Smith Building Inspector for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about construction, contractors and the code.

This is The Construction Life

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We open the show with a great tune and then we get right into the questions that were asked by followers, a lot of questions that every contractor have asked themselves, now we finally get a reply. Inspectors expectations when they arrive on site and does a dirty job site factor into the inspection? Plans are never approved, they are reviewed and there is a difference, understand the difference and you as a contractor will understand the inspector that much better. Dealing with a disagreement and or confrontation with an inspector should be handled carefully.

Ontario Canada the Code is law, it is a building code regulation under the Building Code Act and every contractor should make an effort to purchase a copy or download key details for your projects. What is the true purpose of the building code, inspectors, engineers and contractors? Inspectors have the book knowledge, contractors have the on-site knowledge, we should be working together to make the best project.

What really are the basic requirements to becoming a building inspector? What laws can they enforce? Do they have the power to shut down a job site? So many questions for our guest.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, embrace questions from Inspectors, Architects, Designers, other Contractors, Suppliers, build your Circle of Construction on every single renovation project. Can an Inspector walk onto any job site regardless of a warrant and or permission? We wrap up the first part of this show discussing offences and noncompliance of said orders, very interesting to understand your rights as a contractor. One final thought with this show, bribing inspectors.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Mr. Smith the Building Inspector for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about construction, contractors and the code.

This is The Construction Life

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We get right back into it and begin with post beam structural engineering, very cool talk. We discuss fixed tie offs for commercial and residential projects and how they are designed and built. Larry and Brian discuss rigging, spreader bars and lifting beams leading into the 108 max length of engineered 2 Ply trusses and that brings the conversation to mechanically graded lumber. From there we get into ICF structure, concrete roof slabs, 25mm rebar for structure and raft slabs. There is such a thing as The National Farm Code.

How would a couple of engineers build a shed? We get right into it and that takes us to Fun Fences and how to build a better fence and from there we get into20 foot tall candy cane posts at Wonderland and even a structural Santa.

We get into a lot of client custom requests and how engineering is always the last detail to be considered, such as adding all of this glass in a tall wall overlooking the backyard, such a recipe for issues. We get discussing modifying existing engineered details to suit new ideas, such as adding solar panels to an older roof system. Finally!! We get down to the word Sistering and why things are not called Brothering. The guys tell us about a situation where a client had removed key structure steel posts and welding a part of a truck frame to the existing I beam, crazy what some people will do. The engineers even bring up helical piles and working with @Technometalposthd

We look to close out this great second half of the show talking about not needing engineers and you can build a house off of building code rules and regulations. We wouldn’t, we will always have an engineer as part of the scope of work. We leave things with one more book reference, The Canadian Foundation Manual for all of your concrete requirements.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Larry and Brian so much for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about engineering, working with contractors and clients. Check out Larry and Brian @waddell_engineering and www.waddelleng.com

This is The Construction Life

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We have a couple of Engineers on the show today, Larry and Brian from Waddell Engineering join us to talk about Agricultural, Industrial, Commercial and Residential Structural engineering. We had so much to talk about we had to split the show into two parts, here is Part I.

We begin the show talking about the CN Tower and it turns out our guests had a little something to do with the tower from there we get into agriculture structural engineering and “cow comfort”.

We discuss the relationship between contractors and engineers and what to expect and how to work together. That leads us to “loads” and how to handle a structure and working on older and new homes. Talking Blue Beam software to help make engineers lives so much easier, with vector PDF, auto cad and auto dating, plus quoting tools for us contractors. Check them out at https://www.bluebeam.com

We discuss water weights and very unique engineering requirements when it comes to factoring in water for such items as hot tubs. We get into making a floating slab in a garage so then you can use the space underneath in the basement. The beauty of engineer stamping hand sketch drawings and the world of Mennonites requiring building permits and stamped drawings. We get into the Wood Design Manual where it talks about the strength of different wood species. The we get into the difference between the “code” and what engineers can do for your structures with a lead into live and dead loads.

We wrap up Part I talking about Mennonites and how engineering and building office still applies to them, too many more questions so we take a pause and return with a Part II follow up and so many more great stories, load calculations and everything to do with engineering.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Larry and Brian so much for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about engineering, working with contractors and clients. Check out Larry and Brian @waddell_engineering and www.waddelleng.com

This is The Construction Life

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Let’s get right into it, COVID and what is it all about, what is true, what is fear, what is ignorance? Why did we have to stop using cash? Cash has always been dirty. Mississauga Hardware sill accepts cash cause not every contractor lives off of credit / plastic. As much as we have fun the show and share jokes we are still being serious regarding all the deaths and businesses that had to close down for good. This is so serious. We ask that people be smart about things and don’t let fear drive your actions. Let’s not even forget how disgusting people are by throwing their masks and gloves anywhere and everywhere, that is just stupid and lazy.

Construction has to keep going, they need to keep going but trades can’t get dust masks, they can’t get what they need to keep working. This can’t help but to get a little political regarding why there is a delay in masks for everyone, Carlito shares a few thoughts. The digital age was already in motion to change things and now Covid has sped this digital change full tilt and those businesses who don’t look to adapt and change will not survive.

How crazy people got over toilet paper and now vitamin C are back order, people need to understand how things work and how your body works when it comes to protecting yourself from viruses. Bad situations come up for a reason and Covid is now teaching people how to adapt and consider a new kind of future, and retirement.

Contractors need to understand online shopping, prepping, running a business is the new normal and contractors need to embrace this. There will be a delay in replenishing tools and accessories, that is a simple fact, will prices go up? Possibly, expect that to happen and factor that into your new pricing. Clients in the end will have to accept the higher costs of renovating.

Instead of Building Code with Manny, Manny talks about the actual Covid numbers in Canada as of May 12 2020. Ontario government and Ontarians have been doing a great job of slowing down the spread. Thank you to everyone and all of the frontline workers, you mean everything to us.

Carlito has to throw out 3 gloves and Manny and Tony don’t understand because he has 2 hands. Oh you don’t want to miss his replay on this one.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Tony so much for joining the show yet again and we wish it was under better circumstances and sharing so much great insight about Covid and your customers. Check out Tony and everyone from Sauga Tools @mississaugahardwarecentre DM them any orders you like and they will make the experience as easy as possible. Also place your orders online at www.mississaugahardware.com and [email protected] Please check out other tool shops as they are trying really hard to make your construction life easier. Check out @hdbrafasco www.brafasco.com @tool.academy www.toolacademy.com

This is The Construction Life

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Our 75th SHOW!!!

What a treat we have today, we are going to be talking about the origin of plaster work, real lime based plaster.

We begin with our 75th GIVEAWAY contest rules, we have 8 questions, answer any 3 correctly and the first 10 listeners to do so will receive a The Construction Life PRIZE. Good Luck everyone.

Back in the day Plasterers and Masons and even Roofers would work hand in hand and it wasn’t unheard of for these trades to cross the work line. It was Kieran’s Mom that persuaded him to give Plastering Apprentice a shot and if It didn’t work out he could always fall back on his physiotherapy studies. Original plaster work isn’t just for the wealthy, clients that are aware of sustainable building are asking for Kieran’s services, the market is growing in Toronto. It all begins with wire mesh installed tight from one side to the other.

Plaster is pure lime and sand, that is what and why it is as strong as it is. You have to screen the sand; it is brick sand but there is a special technique to achieving the perfect sand to lime mix. The graduals of the sand are the binding element of the mix, you need the correct size and shape. So many positives attached to plasters, such as better sound absorbing properties, and he fire rating is far superior than drywall, there are health benefits too, lime is a living material and it is always cleaning your air and making your home healthier. At around $18 a square you never see any butt joints, no nail pops, better sound, stronger and longer lasting, that is the beauty of plaster.

So many custom made jigs made from zinc instead of sheet metal to rebuild older work and introduce new work and new techniques. Talking about all of those special details from, dentils, flowers, eggs and darts, cow tongues, all the fancy stuff that you see in those beautiful crowns. Kieran walks us through the many key steps to building plaster crown. There are different kinds of lime to use for different stages and steps of the process.

Dealing with key tools, techniques, plunge mixing, humidity and more, there are so many variables when it comes to this trade. Kieran taught a class at Willowbank School and the kids in his class were embracing his knowledge and wanted to learn his techniques, Kieran actually wants more people to get into his trade, we really need to keep this one alive. Kieran even shares his favorite crown, a nice gold one with lots of jewels. We discuss Respect The Next Trade and this statement and fast becoming a movement is adding to the construction industry. And yes you can use plaster to build baseboards, wainscoting and more, the technique and material is super hard and durable, this leads us to In-situ, which translates to On Site. Kieran shares a number of terms related to plaster work, great info.

Don’t forget we have Construction History from Manny at the beginning of the show, Building Code Talk with Manny at the midpoint and Green Book Talk with Carlito at the near end.

Thank You Kieran so much for joining the show and sharing so much great insight about plaster, real plaster work and more on this beautiful skill. Check out Kieran @kr_plasterer word of mouth is the best way to find him and his skills.

This is The Construction Life

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