The Trowel February / March 2015

Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • February / March 2015

Looking Inside the BCWCA’s Red Seal Program Also in this issue:

Publications Mail / Agreement # 40719512

2015 NWCB Convention Construction Technology Regional Report: Lower Mainland / Southwest Rock Your Tax Return

The Priceless Header and Kwik-Jamb System is pre-

engineered and designed, cut-tolength, and ready to install. Our unique assembly will help standardize the installation process and provide a flush finish system.

• Cut Labour Cost by 70-80% • Pre-cut, Install Ready, No Waste • Available in Lengths up to 7.32m • No Welding Required • Flush Finish Eliminates Build-Up at the Header-Jamb Connection

4010 6A St. NE Calgary, AB 403-265-9005 Alberta • Washington • Idaho • Montana • Oregon • California • Alaska

Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • February / March 2015

Looking Inside the BCWCA’s Red Seal Program Also in this issue:

Publications Mail / Agreement # 40719512

2015 NWCB Convention Construction Technology Regional Report: Lower Mainland / Southwest Rock Your Tax Return

The Trowel team Lara Perraton, Group Publisher lperraton@pointonemedia.com Jessica Kirby, Editor 877.755.2762• jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com Lara Perraton, Advertising Sales 877.755.2762• lperraton@pointonemedia.com Christina Tranberg, Advertising Sales 877.755.2762• ctranberg@pointonemedia.com

contributing writers Mark Breslin Canada Revenue Agency Amelia Cline Andrew D. Delmonico Drew Smith

cover photo

photo courtesy of BCWCA

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / ABBPhoto

CONTENTS •

february / march 2015

06 Looking Inside BCWCA’s Red Seal Program

The BCWCA Training Centre calls on contractors to help build the future.

10 NWCB to Convene in Rancho Mirage

Don’t miss the largest gathering of wall and ceiling professionals in North America.

Published bi-monthly by Point One Media, Inc. The Trowel P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 t: 877.755.2762 • www.wallandceiling.ca While information contained in this publication has been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable, the publisher may not be held liable for omissions or errors.

Contents ©2015 by Point One Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without prior written permission from the publisher.

Printed in Canada. Postage paid at Vancouver, BC.

14 The Technology Revolution

It’s up, up, and away as contractors head to the Cloud.

18 Regional Report – Lower Mainland / Southwest

The Lower Mainland / Southwest is poised for growth in 2015-16.

20 Hammer Out a Refund on Your Tax Return

Buy it, claim it, and relish in smart advice for a good return.

Return postage guaranteed. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40719512.

Departments & Columns

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Trowel Circulation Department

04 editorial 22 around the world

P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 e: circulations@pointonemedia.com

23 building science

Journal of Record for

24 contractors’ advice Simply scan the QRCode with your smartphone to be taken directly to

The Trowel is a registered trademark of the BC Wall & Ceiling Association.

The Trowel is published six times per year expressly for members of the wall and ceiling industry.

the wallandceiling.ca website.

25 it’s the law 26 industry news 27 advertiser index

In the next issue: NWCB Convention • Acoustics • Ceilings

By Drew Smith Instructor/ Training Co-ordinator, BCWCA

Masters Move Up for Greater Training Efforts Rome wasn’t built in a day, but one can be sure there were apprentices involved.

compensation in the form of food and lodging.

One can only imagine the Master Craftsmen with such learned skills to achieve the architectural wonders of these structures that we enjoy to this day.

Well then… enough of the historical abbreviations.

As an Apprentice, we could assume these students of yesteryear would have had extensive training to master their craft on and off the job site, and to develop themselves to Journeymen and upwards to Master Craftsmen.

Wikipedia defines a Journeyman as an individual who has completed an apprenticeship, but is employed by another such as a Master Craftsman. An Apprentice would be bound to a Master Craftsman, usually for a fixed term, with the Master instructing his Apprentice on all aspects of his trade. The young Apprentice would live with the Master as a member of the household, receiving most of his

In modern day, we could consider the Master Craftsman or Master to be the Contractor. While I don’t believe any of our readers are going to swing open the doors of their homes and invite our Apprentices in for food and lodging, we do have a degree of responsibility to educate and guide our young workforce – Apprentices – with the hope that one day they, too, will achieve Journeyperson status and possibly Master Craftsman in their own right. Many of our readers will be considered Master Craftsmen ... That should put a smile on your face.

Now, this leads me to have a conversation, one-sided mind you, in which we discuss the ongoing development of skilled labour in our wall and ceiling industry. Skilled labour or true Journeyman qualification is

Make Them Look Up

Flannery’s aluminum architectural products will help take your design one step further. From smooth lines to curved edges, our trim’s creation possibilities are endless.

Together let’s make them look up Drywall

Plaster

Fiber Cement

Wood Panels

Experience the Flannery Difference Today Manufacturer of Specialty Aluminum Trims

4 » The Trowel

Tel: 818-837-7585 • Fax: 818-837-1155 www.flannerytrim.com • info@flannerytrim.com

something I have witnessed slipping away from our project sites for years now. The need or desire for speed has outrun the need for quality and comprehensive labour—in my opinion, a mistake.

As an Apprentice myself, way back in the 1900s, I was fortunate to have been mentored by a few individuals we are still lucky enough to have with us today and who are actively involved in our industry. These people – you know who you are – are just a few of the true Masters in our wall and ceiling trade, and those to whom I owe great respect and gratitude for my training.

It is my opinion that all of us as industry stakeholders must make the necessary changes, and/or thinking that will allow us to recruit, encourage, and develop our young work force in an effort to provide the next generation of builders with as much skilled labour as was present when I was travelling through my apprenticeship so many years ago.

“

Ask yourself, “Have I, as an employer, Master, Contractor, done my due diligence in investing in the future workforce?

”

One need only review the ads on Craigslist looking for our wall and ceiling tradespeople to meet labour demands. These requests are for apprentices and fully qualified Journeypersons. You know what they are— you wrote them.

The Baby Boomers, or my generation of tradespeople, will be leaving the onsite work force within the next 10 years … with any luck. With that in mind, please ask yourself, “Have I, as an employer, Master, Contractor, done my due diligence in investing in the future workforce? In the apprentices of today?

women as they travel through their careers in the wall and ceiling industry and you can be thankful then that we have come so far from the Roman Era that you as the Master will not have to feed and house them—at least not directly.

I look forward with anticipation to receiving and instructing your Apprentices when they attend your training facility. At BCWCA, we have three courses held each year. We

should have more. We require 16 students per course. We should have a line up. We don’t. This needs to change. We need your assistance to make change.

I thank you in advance for endorsing and supporting the ongoing training of the Journeypersons of tomorrow and I look forward to full classes and a waiting list of our new work force for the years to come. 

WALLWORKS ACOUSTIC ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS Inc. Manufacturer of LEED-Compliant Sound Control Systems

If your answer is no, then don’t bother placing your ad with Craigslist for experienced, Fully Qualified Journeypeople because you won’t like the responses—if you get any.

At the BCWCA Training Facility, together with our associates at the Finishing Trades Institute, we offer several classes a year with varied scheduling times to entice the apprentices with flexibility and incentives to attend our shop/class environment, providing hands on training in most components of our trade. Comprehensive classroom and shop time with the addition of several different certifications, including Occupational First Aid Level 1, Hearing Tests, Fall Arrest Training, and more are included. Both facilities are challenged with filling these indispensable training classes and we require our Master Contractors to step up and bring forward Apprentices by endorsing them to participate in our training at either training facility on an ongoing basis.

Think ahead of the future payback from your guidance of these young men and

FABRI-LOK

®

Wall Panels - TSN Studio in Vancouver

We offer the following Acoustic and Decorative Solutions for Commercial and Residential applications: ®

FABRI-LOK / FABRITRAK Stretch Fabric Systems, Panels, Baffles, Diffusers BARRISOL® Decorative and Acoustic Stretch Vinyl Ceiling Systems ShimmerScreen ® Beaded Chain Curtains, Walls, Partitions Daisycake ® Decorative Aluminum Chain-Link Screens, Murals, Partitions Rulon ® Acoustic Wood Walls and Ceilings Richter ® Natural Stone Veneer Acoustic Panels Tavapan ® Acoustic Wood Products Chenel ® Specialized Cellulose “Construction Paper” Decor Transformit ® Tensioned Fabric Structures Acoustiblok ® Sound Blocking & Absorbing Technology Bruag ® Laser Cut Decorative, Acoustic Wood Partitions Pream ® Flexible, Curvable, Acoustic Wood Products Soundseal Acoustic - Wood, Panels, Barriers, Floor Systems Window Treatment: Solar Shades and Blinds Architectural and Engineered Wood: Glulam, Beams and Wood Structures Phone: 403.255.3550 Fax: 403.686.2592 Toll free: 1.877.829.2550 Website: www.wallworks.com Email: info@wallworks.com

wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 5

inside

looking

BCWCA’s Red Seal Program The BCWCA has built a legacy that has defied the odds when it comes to ensuring quality, effective training opportunities are available for wall and ceiling professionals in BC. From the launch of its training facility in 2008, to the successful execution and delivery of over 12 Red Seal classes, the staff and executive have managed to stay on top of an everchanging industry and keep training relevant and essential for developing tomorrow’s workforce. Moving into a busier-than-ever 2015, the only thing standing in the way of the further development of a solid wall and ceiling workforce is a much-needed boost of industry support.

By Jessica Kirby Photos courtesy of BCWCA

D

rew Smith joined the BCWCA Training Centre at the end of 2013 as training co-ordinator and instructor of the Red Seal program. His time with the association has been rewarding, and as he pushes his students to develop a strong skill set and work ethic, he is reminded of how things have changed over the years since his apprenticing days.

“It is a different place now,” he says.

“In my day the apprentices were the last off the job, now they are the first. We were trained to do all aspects of a job, and now the jobs are specialized. A lot has changed, and as we [experienced workers] leave the industry over the next ten years, we will be taking our knowledge with us.”

As BC (and the rest of Canada) face a changing demographic that will

undoubtedly shift the workforce and availability of skilled workers, training institutes like the BCWCA’s Training Centre are making a legendary push for apprentice recruitment.

“It is for the betterment of the industry to secure a workforce for the future,” says Smith. “When the guys who are the knowledge of the industry are gone, it will be up to the foremen and guys trained today.”

“

The BCWCA attended the Skills Canada BC competition in 2014 for the first time ever, and plans to attend again this year to help build interest in training.

”

Besides planning for the future, there are other reasons to commit to training, says Smith. There is talk of legislative changes that could see contracts requiring Red Seal certified foremen on each job and a certain number of certified workers overseeing apprentices and other workers on each jobsite.

“If that were the case, we should have a line-up of students waiting to get into our programs,” says Drew. “There is also the idea of specifications asking for certified foremen because general contractors are dissatisfied with the quality of work out there.

“That is the talk, but whether it will happen is something else.”

8 » The Trowel

The discussion is lively and staff at the Training Centre are hopeful these types of initiatives will eventually emerge.

The BCWCA attended the Skills Canada BC competition in 2014 for the first time ever, and plans to attend again this year to help build interest in training. It has also tried a referralincentive and social media program with previous students.

As the BCWCA pushes forward, much of the onus remains on contractors to keep things moving.

So far, the recruitment strategy comprises executive director Leesa Matwick and administrative assistant Chelsea Gallagher contacting both member and non-member contractors to find out whether they have anyone

they wish to put forward into the apprenticeship training program.

“Otherwise, we depend on word of mouth or people speaking highly of the school to get the word out, or the young guys may never hear about it,” says Smith, adding that the current recruitment strategy works to some degree, but in many cases, work has been busy and contractors hesitate to let their apprentices miss a day for training.

Walls, Ceiling and Mechanical Insulation Suppliers

“We are only asking for one day a week, so it surprises me,” he says. “Our classes run Thursdays 5-9 pm, Fridays 8 am to 4 pm, and Saturdays 8 am to 4 pm. If anything, it is the apprentices who are making the bigger commitment, giving up part of their weekends.”

Despite the temporary time commitment, training and Red Seal certification is a simple process thanks to incentives and tax credits, and more importantly, it represents an investment in the industry’s future.

“Most of the time the young guys are paying for themselves, or the contractor is fronting the payment and the apprentices are paying it back,” he said.

“We have some association members who are proactive in training and have two or three apprentices in every class.

They are very involved with the school and with the future workforce, but we still need more contractors to get on board.”

The Wall and Ceiling Installer program is divided by Modules A&B and Modules C&D, and take 12-16 students per class. The program is an Earn-while-you-Learn format where Apprentices go to school Thursday nights from 5-9 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 am-4 pm. Generous government grants and tax credits are available to the apprentices and their company sponsors.

To learn more contact the BCWCA at (604) 575-0511 or admin@bcwca.org. ■

Campbell River, BC Tel: 250-286-0113 Kelowna, BC Tel: 250-765-6233 Kamloops, BC Tel: 250-376-5781 Surrey, BC Tel: 604-513-2211

Vancouver, BC Tel: 604-430-1463 Victoria, BC Tel: 250-384-1166 Nanaimo, BC Tel: 250-753-3378

Regina, SK Tel: 306-721-2010 Saskatoon, SK Tel: 306-931-0101 Winnipeg, MB Tel: 204-488-4477 Vaughan, ON Tel: 905-660-4456 London, ON Tel: 519-668-8453 Windsor, ON Tel: 519-974-8855

Cambridge, ON Tel: 519-653-6111 Calgary, AB Tel: 403-720-6255 Red Deer, AB Tel: 403-343-1100 Grande Prairie, AB Tel: 780-833-7000 Fort McMurray, AB Tel: 780-714-9364 Edmonton, AB Tel: 780-452-4966

Burlington, ON Tel: 905-335-1789 Collingwood, ON Tel: 705-443-8600

Lethbridge, AB Tel: 250-765-6233

www.winrocspi.com wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 9

NWCB to convene in

Rancho Mirage T

he 2015 Northwest Wall and Ceiling Industries Annual Convention will be held April 16-18 at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California.

This industry event is the largest gathering of wall and ceiling industry professionals on the West Coast, drawing attendees from Western Canada and throughout the United States. You will find delegates from all the major West Coast wall and ceiling industry associations collaborating to strengthen our industry.

The goal of this event is to help the attendees navigate their organizations in the rapidly changing world and to help them take advantage of new opportunities – and dodge bullets – brought on by trends that are and will be affecting all aspects of our lives and businesses.

The convention schedule has been built around an informative trade show displaying the latest products, systems, tools, and services for the wall and ceiling industry.

In addition to the trade show, the convention offers educational sessions providing the latest must-know information and ample opportunities to connect with industry peers and partners at meetings or, more informally, at fun social events. The 2015 Outstanding

Kelly McDonald

Project of the Year Awards will be announced at the opening ceremonies as we celebrate the contributions of our industry.

This year’s keynote speaker is Kelly McDonald, who is considered one of the nation’s top experts on consumer trends. At the opening session on Thursday, she will highlight the top four trends affecting the construction

industry now and how to capitalize on them. This engaging presentation will intrigue and inspire you to “think like a futurist” and spotlight the opportunities that these trends present for the construction industry. She will also present a high-energy workshop that takes an in-depth look at consumer preferences and equips you with dos and don’ts to navigate these changes, including actionable, low-cost, or nocost steps you can implement to stay on top of the ever-shifting business climate.

Additional programs on technical and management topics geared to professionals in the wall and ceiling

industry round out the educational offering at the convention. Attendees will take home valuable information they can put to immediate use.

Guestroom reservations are available by calling 1.877.253.0041 or by following an online reservations link from the association website. The group rate is $189 per night, plus taxes.

The cutoff date for room reservations is March 12, 2015. The convention coincides with a major music festival in the Palm Desert, and airline flights will fill up. Book soon for the best selection of travel options and to get the group guestroom rate.

INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING? This popular wall and ceiling industry trade show is the largest gathering of wall and ceiling industry professionals on the West Coast, drawing attendees from Western Canada and throughout the United States. It’s a great opportunity to display your latest products, systems, tools, and services in front of owners and top management of US and Canadian wall and ceiling contracting companies.

Come and meet your customers face to face and develop new prospects.

Register online at MAP-DYNAMICS.COM/NWCB2015

Go to www.nwcb.org/convention to learn more and to access convenient online registration for the convention.

NWCB members will need to log in to take advantage of member convention pricing. Login credentials can be obtained from the website. (Note that credentials used on the previous website, prior to December 2014, no longer work.) For assistance with registration, please contact NWCB staff.

Information on the trade show is available at nwcb.org/trade-show or access booth reservations directly at http://www.map-dynamics.com/ nwcb2015. NWCB members should use coupon code “membersonly” to get membership pricing.

Plan now to be part of this industry event and take advantage of this unique opportunity for learning and networking in a fun, relaxed setting. For more information, call 206.524.4243 or email info@nwcb.org. ■

SHOW FACTS • Held at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa • Strong U.S. and Canadian contractor participation • Quality time with your customers— no competing events during show hours • Beautifully decorated, fully carpeted Exhibit Hall • Complimentary wireless Internet in Exhibit Hall • Meal events in the Exhibit Hall • Competitions and special events in Exhibit Hall • Great prizes given away to build booth traffic • Trouble-free shipping in and out with Shepard Exhibition Services • An award given to the best booth— be creative! wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 11

CONVENTION REGISTRATION Register at wallceilingshow.org

Contact NWCB if you need a password.

How to Register

Getting to Rancho Mirage

For the convention and golf, complete the reverse side of this registration form and forward it with your payment to the NWCB office by mail or fax, or register online at wallceilingshow.org. Please fill out a form for each convention or exhibitor’s complimentary registration.

The Convention registration fee includes the President’s Welcoming Party, Exhibit Breakfasts, Manufacturer–Dealer Dinner and Dance, two drink tickets for the United Borders Reception, Final Banquet with dinner, admission to exhibit area, seminars, programs and industry meetings plus prizes. Add a spouse/companion to your registration for just $125.

The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa is located in Rancho Mirage, California. There are several options when traveling to Rancho Mirage.

Arriving at the The Palm Springs International Airport, which is served by 11 airlines, connecting to hundreds of cities worldwide, sets you within a short driving distance from the resort. Your other travel options include LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), just over an hour northwest, and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Orange County-John Wayne Airport (SNA) and San DiegoLindberg Field (SAN), which are about a 2-hour drive from Rancho Mirage.

Send form with payment to Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau 2825 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 350 Seattle, WA 98102 tel (206) 524-4243 fax (206) 524-4136 e-mail info@nwcb.org

Cancellation Policy If you must cancel, contact the NWCB office before March 16, 2015, in order to get a refund. There is a $25 administrative fee charged on any cancellation received by the cancellation deadline. No refunds after that date, and no refunds for no-shows or golf.

CONVENTION POLO SHIRTS Order a keepsake convention polo shirt (use order form on reverse).

Polos are made from eco-friendly 46% bamboo charcoal, 54% polyester 4.7 oz. double knit mesh. U.S. $50

Attire The convention and trade show attire is Business Casual. The Manufacturer and Dealer Party is casual. The attire for the closing banquet is semi-formal.

Families The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa offers an array of great activities designed to keep the whole family entertained.

Families are welcome to all the convention events. A spouse/ companion registration can be added to the delegate’s convention registration for just $125. Reduced cost meal tickets are available for children 5-12 years of age. Please contact NWCB for details.

WOMEN’S SIZES

SIZES

S M L XL 2XL 3XL

COLORS

Black

French Blue

NWCB

RANCHO MIR AGE

Red

Silver

MEN’S SIZES

SIZES COLORS

S M L XL 2XL 3XL Black

French Blue

Red

Rust

Stone

Denim

Silver

NWCB

RANCHO M I R AGE

ROOM RESERVATIONS Call (877) 253-0041 or reserve online through the link at wallceilingshow.org. Remember to state that you are with the NW Wall & Ceiling group.

Go to nwcb.org for a sizing chart. Place your order on the convention registration form.

Read the convention blog: nwcb.org/convention-blog

Connect with NWCB on Facebook

Follow @WallCeilingShow on Twitter

2015 NORTHWEST WALL AND CEILING INDUSTRIES ANNUAL CONVENTION

REGISTRATION

REGISTER online at wallceilingshow.org

REGISTRATION

Early Bird Rate Through 1/31/14

Regular Rate After 1/31/14

Add Spouse/ Companion

NWCB Member

$850

$950

$125

NWCB Nonmember

$950

$1,050

$125

—

—

$125

Exhibitor’s Complimentary Registration (one per booth)

YOUR TOTAL

Contact NWCB if you need a password.

GOLF Number attending ____________________ X

Register at wallceilingshow.org or return completed form to NWCB:

$175

KEEPSAKE CONVENTION POLOS (SEE REVERSE FOR DETAILS) MEN’S

WOMEN’S

Size ___________ Color _______________ X

$50

MEN’S

WOMEN’S

Size ___________ Color _______________ X

$50

2825 Eastlake Ave. E Suite 350 Seattle, WA 98102

TOTAL Additional tickets may be purchased for the various convention events. Contact NWCB or visit the convention registration desk for details. There will be a $25 administrative fee charged on any cancellation received by the cancellation deadline, March 16, 2015.

Your Information

info@nwcb.org

Convention Golf Tournament Please list your confirmed golf partners. Players who do not list golf partners will be placed in a golf foursome. Golf fee includes transportation to and from the course, a continental breakfast, green fee, cart, range, balls and prizes. Tournament registration makes you responsible for payment whether or not you play. Golf Breakfast at 6:30 a.m.

NAME

SPOUSE/COMPANION’S NAME

PLAYER’S NAME

CHECK IF PLAYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT

COMPANY

PRIMARY

COMPANY NAME

PARTNER

ADDRESS

PARTNER

CITY

STATE/PROVINCE

(206) 524-4243 Fax: (206) 524-4136

ZIP/POSTAL CODE

PHONE

MOBILE PHONE

PARTNER

Kids Welcome!

CHILD’S NAME

Billing Information AGE

Additional Requests Please let us know of any special needs.

Check Enclosed

CARD NUMBER

E-MAIL

FAX

Bill Me*

Meal tickets are available for children 5–12 years of age. Contact NWCB for details.

EXP. DATE NAME ON CARD

Full Registration Events Please help our organizer by indicating which events you plan to attend EVENT President’s Welcoming Party (THU) Exhibit Breakfast (FRI)

# ATTENDING

ADDRESS CITY STATE/PROVINCE

ZIP/POSTAL CODE

TELEPHONE

Manufacturer–Dealer Party (FRI) E-MAIL Exhibit Breakfast (SAT) SIGNATURE Final Banquet (SAT)

* Billing is available to NWCB members only. Members must pay in full by June 1, 2015. Name badges will be required for all events.

Im

ware

nter Soft

f On Ce

rtesy o age cou

Reprinted with permission from the Webduct newsletter, January 2015 edition. For more information about Webduct, visit www.webduct.com.

The Technology Revolution

By Jessica Kirby Photos courtesy of BCWCA

Technology is revolutionizing the construction

industry, heavily influencing the workflow, foremen and worker responsibilities, efficiencies, and overall communications between teams and across jobsites. The prevalence of user-friendly, productivity-enhancing platforms has come together with an overall changing landscape that demands faster, higher-quality projects, run by consolidated teams of end-to-end professionals. It is the perfect storm for the technology boom.

In the relatively short time technology has been alive in the construction industry, it has gone from an install/download software method of delivery, to the more flexible, popular, and neutral Cloud-based method that makes version control far simpler.

It doesn’t matter if the person accessing them uses a desktop computer running Windows, a Google-powered tablet, or an iPhone, the program will appear, function, and carrying on without a hitch.

When your software platform is neutral, that is, not attached to a particular operating system, everything else falls into place. Just ask “Bob” the hypothetical business owner who just armed his fleet of field workers with 26 iPhones and Cloud-based estimating and ordering software. In two years, if another device manufacturer out does Apple and Bob has to replace those devices, Bob will sleep easy at night.

Programs like Google Drive and Salesforce are revolutionizing working technology because it doesn’t matter if the person accessing them uses a desktop computer running Windows, a Google-powered tablet, or an iPhone, the program will appear, function, and carrying on without a hitch. In this case the software or program runs in the Cloud, meaning your information exists virtually and not on the actual device— accessing it is simply a username and password away.

The alternative is downloading your operating system’s compliant version of a program like Microsoft Office or CAD, installing its software to your computer(s), and groaning with irritation every time someone with an Apple product needs to use your Windows-based software but can’t. Platformdependent downloads work beautifully if the main computer and all ancillary devices run identical operating systems, but version control, bug fixes, upgrades, and hardware changes can get tricky.

In the workforce, this is a serious and expensive problem.

Technology research firm Radicati Group reports mobile devices in use will increase from 7.7 billion to 12.1 billion between now and 2018. By that time, 80% of email users will access their messages from a mobile device, which will mean a big advantage for platform neutral email providers.

And email is just a drop in the ocean of programs that are necessitating flexibility and smooth multi-device execution.

So many proprietary, industry-standard programs are the crux of business operations—estimating programs, design software, planning and scheduling fixes—and their mobile applications are becoming more popular and practical than the desktop versions.

A technology adoption profile by Cisco Systems says 28-31% of companies are providing mobile devices for employees working inside and outside of the office; the vast majority are using smartphones to view documents, charts, and presentations, and tablets to perform editing duties.

While gadget-hungry consumers are increasing the number of devices they travel or spend leisure time with, business owners like Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff are streamlining their device fleet, choosing to forsake their laptops while travelling and relying solely on flexible and robust mobile devices.

According to IDC’s Worldwide New Media Market Model report, smartphone use in the US alone is increasing 28%, year over year. Developers are building more business (B2B) and employee (B2E) apps—up from 29.3% in 2010 to 42.7% in 2014—as consumer-focused app development shrinks. This key trend indicates there are thousands to be saved by staying flexible to a variety of devices and by adopting programs that can exist independent of a particular operating system.

The choice is simple. As the technology tidal wave grows and hardware solutions continue to evolve and change, businesses that remain platform neutral will remain current, cost-effective, and sleep easy in the Cloud. Just ask Bob.

QuietTile Sound Control Ceiling System Achieve sound control and speech privacy in a lay-in ceiling system where conventional ceiling tiles fail.

KINETICSTM QuietTile uses additional mass and sound damping to produce a composite ceiling tile that reduces sound transmission through a lay-in ceiling.

• High 49 – 51 CAC rating • Maintain NRC rating of mineral fiber tile • Designer selects finish tiles

Contact Kinetics today!

1-800-684-2766 canadiansales@kineticsnoise.com www.kineticsnoise.com/quiettile

wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 15

■

TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION

You work...

to build a home...

Top Construction Management Apps for 2015 On Center Oasis Platform

The Oasis Platform provides an open, accessible platform from which to manage the entire construction project lifecycle including:

and shape your skyline.

We work for you.

• Design: architectural design, project documentation, and cost analysis • Engineering: estimating and takeoffs • Build: accounting, project management, and shop drawings / fabrication • Operate: feasibility & facility management Visit www.oncenter.com for details.

Sage 100 Contractor 877-678-6565 | steeler.com

[Steel Studs] [Wire Products] [Shaft Wall Studs] [Slotted Stud] [Smooth Corners] [Corner Bead] [Screws & Fasteners] [Pony Wall Supports] [Custom Brake Shapes up to 31’] P: 604-940-1332 | F: 604-940-1334 | 8288 River Way Delta, BC V4G 1C4

Offers for small- to mid-sized contractors easy access to end-to-end business and project information with four robust service areas: • Business Visibility: customizable dashboard, reports, and queries, and alerts to manage unbilled change orders and expiring vendor certificates • Work Center: track invoices, billings, RFIs, transmittals, contracts, budgets, change orders, and costs; and, view contract info and client contacts on one screen • Document Management: organize, store, and route all versions of drawings, RFIs, invoices, contracts, and other items.

Service Management: integrated with accounting and operations to bring hese together with estimating, purchasing, and inventory.

Visit www.na.sage.com for more information.

maestro*ERP

Trade contractors can simplify their information with cloud-accessible, full service construction management software that is completely customizable. Start with a project management and / or accounting base, and add your modules a la carte. Jut a few module options include: • Billing Management: Print, fax, or email invoices from within the system, and grant up to the minute access to accountants and controllers.

• Fleet and Garage Management: Create and manage preventative maintenance schedules and make sure costs are allocated appropriately.

• Bidding and Estimation: Integrates completely with other key modules including project budgets, billing contracts, and subcontract management.

16 » The Trowel

• Change Order Management: Improve productivity and eliminate re-keying errors to ensure no detail is missed when processing formal bid requests and order change proposals.

Top off your maestro*ERP order with modules that reflect the fine details of your business, including lien management, executive dashboard, purchase planning, depreciation management, dispatch, and others.

For the full roster, check out www.maestro.ca.

PlanGrid

Ditch email for keeping your team informed and keep all company communications—from drawings to change orders—together in a single, end-to-end encrypted platform.

PlanGrid offers a Request for Information solution that takes care of the entire RFI lifecycle.

• One Master Set: Keep drawings up to date with one master set and automatic version control.

• Plan Viewer: Super fast pan viewer leaves PDF viewers in the dust.

• Sharing: Share plans, photos, markups, and reports with the entire team, as though you are all standing next to one another.

• Issue Tracking: Say goodbye to superfluous hours of manual data entry with punch lists that capture photos, locations, and notes from the field.

• Auto-Hyperlinking: Turns detail callouts into hyperlinks for speedy navigation.

STURDY, “THE NAME SAYS IT ALL”

NEW Rolling Stackable Interior Scaffold ‘The Red Line Scaffold’

NEW Sturdy Extension Plank

‘The Extender’ Sizes 6'-9'; 7'-11'; 8'-13', 10' - 16'

NEW Frame Scaffolding ALU/PLY Deck

This is only the beginning. Visit www.plangrid.com for details.

Apps for Fun Killing time in the line at the suppliers? Give these just for fun construction apps a whirl, available on iTunes and in the Android Play Store: • Construction Simulator 2014 – build houses and industrial buildings with brand name machines • Construction Crew – operate various machinery to complete challenging tasks • PreFab Stack – try your reflexes stacking prefab buildings without tumbling • Building Build – test reaction time and precision to build the tallest building • iBuilder – use concrete, brick, glass, and tile to construct your own world on a desert island ■

7' x 19" or 10' x 19"

5' x 5' POWDER COATED FRAME

Frames include - 2 connectors

Aluminum Sawhorse Series 130 Mustang • 300lbs 1A rated sawhorse • Solid rivet construction • Non-slip feet • Folding compact design for easy transportation

STURDY LADDER inc.

4209-17A Street S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2G 3X1

Tel: (403) 264-2934 Fax: (403) 264-2998

wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 17

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / ABBPhoto

Regional Report – Lower Mainland / Southwest

The Lower Mainland / Southwest Development Region is a bustling transportation and tourism hub, with finances, manufacturing, service, trade, farming, and fishing making up its economic base.

Covering a 36,393-square-kilometer area, the region hosts a 77.9/sq. km. population density, with actual population growth having nearly doubled since 1986. With population comes activity, and with activity comes construction investment, as evidenced by the BC Major Projects Inventory, released quarterly by the provincial government.

Capital Investment

The BC Major Projects Inventory (MPI) tracks information about major projects worth $20 million or more in the Lower Mainland, and worth $15 million or more in the rest of BC. The current MPI, published in September, says the capital cost of all major projects currently under construction in BC is estimated at $81.7 billion, down from $82.6 billion reported in the second quarter of 2014. The Lower Mainland / Southwest region reports approximately $384 million in newly proposed projects, while 15 commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects ended at the end of 2014, worth a combined $976 million.

18 » The Trowel

There is a total 228 proposed projects headed for approval in the Mainland Southwest region, with 25 projects worth $20 million or more on hold. The total capital cost estimate for projects proposed, started, completed, and on hold as of September 2014 is $81,699 million.

Building Permits

Building permits crested their highest peak since the recession in 2014, increasing 9 per cent over 2013 for a total $7.7 billion worth of permits that year.

Making up the bulk of the gain was $2.6 billion in nonresidential permits, indicating a 33 per cent increase yearover-year. 2014 was sightly less favourable for residential permits, which dropped by one per cent to $5.1 billion. (The exception to the trend was a 22 per cent increase in residential permits in Abbotsford.)

Of course, the high number of building permits last year, means contractors will likely be busy this year and moving into next. Because growth in non-residential was significant, the overflow will soften the blow to the residential sector.

The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) says the growth in 2014 is only the beginning. VRCA president Fiona Famulak forecasts growth into 2015 at a probably 5 per cent as the economy rebounds from the recession.

“

As many as 44 per cent of jobs overall will be in skilled trades and technical positions.

Employment

”

The VRCA reports a lull in construction employment for the month of January, with expectations for growth later in the year.

The Lower Mainland / Southwest Region employed 116,300 in January, down 2.3 percent from December. Famulak says the drop is typical for this time of year, given the seasonal nature of construction, and that the association expects employment numbers to rise in 2015, coinciding with growth in the number of building permits issued.

The BC 2022 Labour Market Outlook projects 985,100 openings over the nest seven years, with two-thirds due to retirement and the additional third, which will be particularly focused on skilled trades, will be due to economic growth.

In fact, as many as 44 per cent of jobs overall will be in skilled trades and technical positions, and as many as 100,000 more could be created by LNG projects.

Lower Mainland / Southwest Major Projects Starting Construction 2014-15 Value in ($mil) Bridlewood Townhomes, Cocquitlam 20 Tilbury LNG Facility Expansion, Delta 400 Keaton Townhouses, Langley 20 York by Mosaic, Langley 20 Mason & Green Townhouses, Langley 20 Ecole Fraser River Middle School, New West Minster 20 Hopewell Distribution Centre, Richmond 30 Culliton Creek Power Project, Squamish 45 3 Civic Plaza, Surrey 150 Highcrest at Fraser Heights, Surrey 20 National Soccer Development Centre, Vancouver 22

Major Projects by Industrial Category for July-September 2014

331 residential / commercial 37 transportation / warehousing 5 mining / oil & gas extraction 48 utilities 1 manufacturing 30 public services 13 other services Total 465

Trowel Trades Accessories Ltd.

wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 19

$

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $ $

$

$

$

Hammer out a REFUND on your tax return

by Canada Revenue Agency

As a skilled tradesperson, improving your craft is no

easy feat. Every day, you try hard to be the best and prove your ability. You’re hands-on, dependable, and take pride in your workmanship. You have the qualifications and you have the skills, but do you have the tools when it comes to filing your tax return?

Speaking of tools, if you bought new ones for work this year, you may be able to claim a tradesperson’s tools deduction of up to $500 on your tax return. You may also be eligible for a GST/HST rebate.

“

If your business hires a qualified apprentice working in an approved Red Seal trade, you may qualify to claim the apprenticeship job creation tax credit.

”

If you’re self-employed, you may be able to deduct other reasonable expenses you paid to earn income—including vehicle expenses, supplies needed to complete a job, and office space expenses. Have you converted part of your garage into a workspace for building custom cabinets? When you use part of your home for business, you can deduct a portion of your maintenance costs such as heat, home insurance, electricity, cleaning materials, and more. To find out more, go to www. cra.gc.ca/smallbusiness and select business expenses.

Don’t forget that the deadline to file your income tax and benefit return is generally April 30. However, if you, or your spouse or common-law partner, is self-employed, the deadline is June 15. But take note: if you have a balance owing for 2014, you still have to pay it on or before April 30, 2015.

Employers can benefit too! If your business hires a qualified apprentice working in an approved Red Seal trade, you may qualify to claim the apprenticeship job creation tax credit. This non-refundable investment tax credit is equal to the lesser of $2,000 or 10 percent of the eligible apprentices’ salaries or wages. Don’t need to use the whole credit amount this year?

Carry the unused amount back three years or carry it forward up to 20 years. For more information on the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit and other investment tax credits, go to www.cra.gc.ca.ca/smallbusiness and select investment tax credit.

You can deal with many of your tax matters online by using My Account or My Business Account, which are both available at www.cra.gc.ca/electronicservices. Amend your return, track your refund, change your address, and much more, all with a few clicks of a mouse. With so many services available online, it’s easy to stay on top of your tax affairs year-round. You can also choose to receive your notice of assessment online, so you can view your mail when it’s convenient for you.

Save yourself the trouble—don’t participate in the underground economy. Under-the-table deals undermine the integrity of Canada’s tax system. They deprive the government of funds for vital programs that benefit all Canadians, including children and seniors. They also provide certain contractors with an unfair, illegal advantage over those who follow Canada’s tax laws. For more about the underground economy, go to www.cra.gc.ca/undergroundeconomy. If you have ever made a mistake or omission and would like to correct your tax affairs, you can find more information about the CRA’s Voluntary Disclosures Program at www.cra.gc.ca/ voluntarydisclosures.

To find out more about deductions and tax credits for employed tradespersons, go to www.cra.gc.ca/trades.

You can also stay on top of the latest CRA news or tax tips by following @CanRevAgency on Twitter. ■

Whether you call it drywall, gypsum wallboard or sheetrock, new or used, it’s all 100% recyclable to us.

Documentation for LEED certification is available. ffecting Wher ely A eW itiv eL s o P iv

e

Filing electronically with NETFILE is easy, secure, and allows the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to process your return much faster. If you use NETFILE and are expecting a refund, your money can be directly deposited in your account in as little as eight business days (weeks faster than if you filed on paper). For a list of software and web applications, including some that are free for everyone, go to www.netfile. gc.ca/software.

Even with all of your training and credentials, it’s still important to think with your head. If your clients suggest you do a job “under-the-table” know that by accepting cash and avoiding taxes, you are putting yourself at risk. If you are caught evading taxes, you may face fines, penalties, or even jail time.

NEW WEST GYPSUM RECYCLING

W eA

RE G

yc ypsu m R e c

li n

g

Gypsum is a true closed-loop product, designed for your safety and to be infinitely recycled in to new drywall.

604-534-9925 • www.nwgypsum.com wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 21

around the WORLD No More Iceberg Homes in London, England London boroughs Kensington and Chelsea have banned construction of multilevel basements in residential properties, mainly to address neighbourhood concerns about constant vibration, dust, noise pollution, foundation cracking, and excessive construction traffic.

Nicknamed “iceberg homes” for their vast, multi-storey, and often superfluous underground real estate, homes with the extrusions are constructed to expand space without violating planning, height, and space restrictions in affluent neighbourhoods.

The basement spaces often have room for private theatres, entertaining and retail space, swimming pools, spas, and space for athletic activities.

Under the new restrictions, basement renovations and expansions are still permitted, with limitations on how far a basement can stretch beyond the building’s outer walls and into the surrounding property. New additions will be limited to one storey, and additions under buildings with the “iceberg” designation are prohibited altogether.

According to The Telegraph in London, the number of applications for basement developments in the now-prohibitive neighbourhoods increased from 46 to 450 between 2001 and 2014.

Neighbour complaints matched the increase in building permits. The Telegraph reports that in 2013, GertRudolf Flick, heir to the Dailmer-Benz fortune, dug two stories under his 30 million pound South Kensington home last year. The details of his proposal included building two rooms for clothing, a 50-foot pool, a private gym, a theatre, and a spa.

Foxtons estate agency founder Jon Hunt constructed a tennis court and car museum for his own Ferrari collection beneath his home in Kensington Palace 22 » The Trowel

Photo credit: 1 Drayton Gardens, Kensington and Chelsea, by Simon Harriyott from Uckfield, England

Gardens, and his neighbour Lakshmi Mittal underwent renovations on his underground space that saw his swimming pool lined with marble mined from the same quarry as that used in the Taj Mahal.

Council members in Kensington and Chelsea call the new policy a difficult but necessary move that attempts to strike the right balance between addressing residents’ concerns and the genuine need for people to expand their homes. ■

Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • February / March 2015

Looking Inside the BCWCA’s Red Seal Program Also in this issue:

Publications Mail / Agreement # 40719512

2015 NWCB Convention Construction Technology Regional Report: Lower Mainland / Southwest Rock Your Tax Return

Get Your Own Copy of The Trowel magazine Subscribe online today at www.wallandceiling.ca

building SCIENCE REMOTE Wall System Revolutionizes Cold Weather Building Cold Climate Housing Research Center | www.cchrc.org The Remote Wall System (Residential Exterior Membrane Outside-insulation TEchnique) designed for extreme cold climates, features an air and/or vapor retarder and rigid foam insulation over the sheathing on the exterior of the house. It is used in both new and retrofit construction.

When it comes to cold climate construction, a wall system must address multiple issues. Heat losses through air flow and conduction must be minimized. Effectively stopping water vapor infiltration from heated spaces into the wall assembly is another big concern. If humid indoor air is allowed to migrate into an exterior wall during the winter months, it will condense on any components that are below the dew point (the point at which vapor condenses, a function of temperature and relative humidity).

Without an adequate drying path, this moisture buildup can lead to serious health and structural issues. Properly sealing will reduce these problems, though the number of holes cut in the envelope for heating, plumbing, and electrical conduits and the number of different contractors cutting these holes makes it virtually impossible to get a perfect seal.

The REMOTE Wall system presents a superior alternative to standard frame construction. A REMOTE Wall differs from a conventional wall in that the vapor barrier is applied to the outside of the sheathing, as opposed to the inside of the stud framing. Approximately 2/3 of the wall’s insulating value is then moved to the outside of the sheathing on top of the vapor barrier, while 1/3 of the insulation remains in the interior of the wall cavity. The reasoning behind this ratio is to install as much extra insulation as possible inside the heated envelope, while still keeping the dew point on the exterior of the vapor barrier. Warm to cold side insulation ratios are determined by the severity of the climate. The REMOTE system is

cost effective, solves moisture issues, and provides a superinsulated energy efficient wall.

REMOTE utilizes an exterior insulation approach that was adapted and modified from the Canadian PERSIST (Pressure Equalized Rain Screen Insulated Structure Technique).

PERSIST is, in simple terms, a peel-and-stick impermeable membrane located on the exterior of a framed structure with foam insulation to the exterior of the membrane. This method of construction protects the framing components from precipitation and keeps them on the warm side of the thermal envelope. In PERSIST, a ‘second’ roof is required to provide an overhang and protective roofing material.

REMOTE allows more space for insulation in the roof of a structure and eliminates the need for constructing the ‘second’ roof. This modification allows for more cost effective construction and a higher R-value where it is most needed—in the ceiling. While PERSIST wraps the structure on five sides, REMOTE wraps the structure on four sides and allows more flexibility in handling the ceiling and floor.

Research has proven that the REMOTE shell creates a very tight air envelope. This means that very little energy is wasted heating infiltration air, but like any tight wall system, requires a good mechanical ventilation system. Sealed combustion appliances in the living area are required or make-up air must be provided.

The REMOTE system has been tested extensively in several parts of Alaska, including the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau, and the CCHRC Research and Testing Facility in Fairbanks. The technique has proven to be a solid performer across Alaska’s diverse climate spectrum.

For more information please visit The Cold Climate Housing Research Center at www.cchrc.org/remote-walls. ■

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

Interested in attending? Turn to page 10 to find more information about the show and the registration forms.

K

wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 23

contractors’ advice 10 Things You Don’t Know About Your Foremen I bet you think you know your foremen pretty well. You don’t. Really.

They’ve been working for you forever, right? But you haven’t really been paying attention.

Your foremen are the backbone of your company. And they are holding back on you. You’re missing a lot by making assumptions about who they are and what they think. And those assumptions are costing you hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars in lost profits over the course of their, and your, careers.

I’ve spent the last several years talking with and training several thousand foremen and superintendents all over the U.S. and Canada, so I know what I’m saying when I tell you, honestly, you don’t have a clue what’s going on inside their heads. Let’s start by examining a list I put together of ten very important things you probably don’t understand about your foremen.

1. Your foremen don’t see themselves as professionals. They don’t describe themselves that way.

They don’t see it as a professional position—in fact, they barely see it as a management position. If guys who are going to manage $100,000,000 to $1 billion in projects over the course of their careers aren’t professionals, then what are they? Maybe you should ask them.

2.

On average, your foremen have received zero formal professional leadership and management training to prepare them for this high level responsibility, role, and identity.

3. Your foremen don’t know what they do for a living. When I ask them, a full 90% respond, “I’m a [Pipefitter, Ironworker, Boilermaker… fill 24 » The Trowel

in the craft].” This is the wrong answer. It reflects a craft-worker mindset, not a supervisory one.

The correct answer is, “I am a professional construction foreman/ superintendent.” It’s very difficult for them to make that jump and not feel embarrassed, but how they see themselves determines how they act and lead on the job. They are no longer just “one of the guys.”

4. Your foremen rarely solicit input from their crews. They a) think they will look weak, b) worry that someone else will get credit for a good idea and take their job, c) would never think to ask, or d) don’t even know that it’s part of their job.

5. Your foremen run their crews almost 100% of the time using authority, not influence. Which approach do you think is more effective, productive, and profitable?

6.

Your foremen are often stuck between the roles of “boss” and friend. This kills the ability to discipline and hold others accountable for their actions.

7.

Your foremen do not effectively delegate. They are get-it-done people and therefore overparticipate in the action at the jobsite. They are excellent at directing tasks. They generally do not empower people and wouldn’t know how to anyway. Wonder whose fault that is?

8. Your foremen often have confused loyalties between their roles as multi-million dollar company managers and union members, if applicable. The peer pressure of being a “good union guy” is leveraged regularly by their peers, reducing their effectiveness and authority.

9.

Your

foremen

do

not

admit

by / Mark Breslin

mistakes or failures. Failure is not a learning experience in their eyes; failure is simply failure.

10. Your foremen do not know how to effectively motivate their crews. The most effective and well-documented tools of praise and positive reinforcement are generally entirely absent. What was not given to them will not be given to others.

Now let’s review. I’m willing to guess a few of the items on this list didn’t come as a surprise to you. So the obvious question is, what are you doing to fix these attitudes among your foremen?

By refusing to act or address the problems, you own them—they’re all on you.

How about the attitudes and actions on the list that you didn’t know about?

Now that you do, what’s your next move? Are you going to discuss them and provide your guys with the tools to address them, or just rationalize them away and take the path of least resistance?

Several hundred thousand foremen are waiting for help. They’re doing the best they can with what they’ve got, but they need their employers to help them understand how important and vital they are to their company and the industry. They need serious professional support to become highquality leaders and managers. But really, I think they’re waiting for you to acknowledge the challenges. ■ continued on page 27 ...

it’s the law Do Your Diligence: Potential problems in relying on “Concealed or Unknown Conditions” clauses In the recent case of Cranbrook (City) v. Gabriel Construction (Alberta) Ltd., the Court found that a contractor’s discovery of unanticipated site conditions after signing a contract did not entitle it to any increase in the contract price. This case is a clear warning about the importance of conducting proper due diligence before bidding on a job.

The Facts This case involved a breach of contract dispute between the City of Cranbrook (the “City”) and one of its contractors, Gabriel Construction (Alberta) Ltd. (“Gabriel”).

The original contract documents provided by the City did not contain specific geotechnical information relating to subsurface site conditions. Gabriel was aware of this fact when it bid for the contract. However, after being awarded the contract, Gabriel obtained a geotechnical survey showing adverse site conditions that it believed could increase its scope of work.

Based on these survey results, Gabriel refused to continue work without a significant increase in the contract price.

Gabriel relied on a clause in its contract that allowed for changes based on site conditions that differed “materially” from those disclosed in the tendering documents.

The City refused to approve the increase in the contract price, instead hiring a new contractor to finish the job. As it turned out, the new contractor did not have any difficulty completing the project because of subsurface soil conditions. The City sued Gabriel for failing to complete the contract, and Gabriel countersued the City for the profits it lost in not being able to complete the contract.

The Decision Gabriel denied repudiating its contract with the City, arguing that it had encountered a “concealed or unknown condition,”

Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • February / March 2015

By / Andrew D. Delmonico & Amelia Cline Kuhn & Company

that required the City to agree to an increase in the contract price.

The Court did not agree, finding that the geotechnical survey obtained by Gabriel only suggested the possibility of poor site conditions. Gabriel could not rely on an assumption that it would encounter adverse site conditions, when it had not even attempted to perform the work. The Court went on to suggest that even if the contract had become more difficult than originally anticipated, this would not automatically serve as a justification for Gabriel to refuse performance without an increase in the contract price.

Lessons Learned 1. Do your due diligence before bidding on a job, because discovery of adverse site conditions after a contract is signed will not necessarily justify an increase in the contract price. If the contract documents provided do not contain detailed information about site conditions, it may be worthwhile to obtain a geotechnical survey to make sure you are accounting for unknown conditions before you sign a contract. ■ This article was written by Andrew D. Delmonico, a lawyer, and Amelia G. Cline, an articled student, who practice in construction law with the law firm of Kuhn LLP. This article is only intended as a guide and cannot cover every situation. It is important to get legal advice for specific situations. If you have any questions or comments about this case or other construction law matters, please contact us at 604.864.8877.

Is your company a Project of the Year Award Winner?

We’ll be showcasing the 2015 NWCB Outstanding Project of the Year Award winners in the June / July issue of The Trowel.

Looking Inside the BCWCA’s Red Seal Program Also in this issue:

Publications Mail / Agreement # 40719512

2015 NWCB Convention Construction Technology Regional Report: Lower Mainland / Southwest Rock Your Tax Return

25 » The Trowel

This is a great opportunity for you to advertise and promote your company’s award-winning workmanship.

Call Christina Tranberg today at 1.877.755.2762 or email ctranberg@pointonemedia.com

industry news

Pilot project looks at impact of early intervention Reprinted with permission from BC Construction Safety Alliance c/o Hard Hat News Fall/Winter 2014, www.bccsa.ca.

The BCCSA is collaborating with WorkSafeBC and Centric Health on a pilot project to examine the impact on return-to-work of early intervention for soft tissue injuries such as strains and sprains.

About 200 BCCSA contractors, all of whom have achieved Injury Management COR, have agreed to participate in the Direct Access pilot project, which got underway in October.

Under the initiative, injured workers are sent to one of Centric Health’s LifeMark physiotherapy clinics in Surrey, Vancouver, Richmond, or Langley, where they receive sameday assessment and associated treatment (those who require additional diagnostics, such as x-rays, are referred to a network of doctors associated with Centric Health). Also the same day, LifeMark clinical staff – who are familiar with construction injuries and work considerations – put together a rehabilitation plan and a suggested stay at-work or return-to-work plan for consideration by the worker and employer. LifeMark staff will also monitor the claims and rehab processes, in conjunction with employers, physicians, and WorkSafeBC.

To date, about 20 workers have gone through the program, and employers report that intake, assessment, and treatment are proceeding as advertised.

BCCSA executive director Mike McKenna is excited about the potential, given that soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains account for 45% of all construction injuries and have an average duration of 45 days.

“We know that early intervention for soft tissue injuries has shown to be very successful and yet for various reasons, it can sometimes take weeks for treatment to begin,” he said. “For example, workers are often given an automatic two weeks off by a physician, even though they could be at work much sooner performing appropriate modified duties.

“This project is designed to get treatment started and to generate an acceptable return-to-work plan on the same day the injury occurs. We think the results are going to be positive for workers and employers.”

Mike Barstead, superintendent of safety training for participating company Jacob Bros Construction, agrees. One

of his company’s workers, who injured his shoulder and received assessment and treatment at a LifeMark clinic, was back on the job the next day, thanks to a return-to-work plan that was acceptable to everyone and took into account the worker’s limited mobility.

The worker’s progress continues to be monitored and the return-to-work plan will be modified as necessary.

“Sprains and strains are the most frequent and costly of all our injury claims,” said Barstead, who has been involved with injury management for many years. “This program is by far the most impressive and comprehensive solution to the sprain/strain injury that I have seen. We are looking forward to the direct and indirect rewards it will provide to our workforce and the company overall.”

Ian Munro, vice-president, employer, industry, and worker services at WorkSafeBC, is also very pleased with progress to date. “The Direct Access pilot is helping workers get back to work faster, and that’s a good thing,” said Munro. ■

LEED Canada hits another major milestone with 2,000th certified project Canada’s total number of LEED certified buildings hit another milestone in late 2014 with the certification of its 2,000th project. This follows an earlier announcement made by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) on October 7, which saw the total number of registered projects hit 5,000.

Cumulative totals for LEED certified and registered projects in Canada now sit at 2,041 and 5,187, respectively.

Much of this growth came in the fourth quarter (October 1 to December 31, 2014), with 102 registrations and 132

26 » The Trowel

certifications, for a total of 538 certified and 501 registered projects in 2014. Of note in these numbers was the total of LEED Gold projects, which increased by 10.9 per cent over 2013.

Totals by LEED certification level for 2014 are as follows: • 129 LEED Certified • LEED Silver • 193 LEED Gold • 28 LEED Platinum A searchable LEED project database with further detail, including project

scorecards and photos, can be viewed on the CaGBC LEED Project Profiles webpage. To view detailed case studies on various green building projects, please visit the CaGBC’s resources webpage.

“The past year was a significant one for CaGBC and for LEED in Canada,” said CaGBC president and CEO Thomas Mueller. “With now over 2,000 LEED certified projects, and over 5,000 registered, it is very clear that green building in Canada is thriving. The stringency and rigour of the LEED

industry news

continued from page 26

standard is enabling real progress in constructing better-performing buildings and reducing environmental impacts from the buildings sector.

“As we move into 2015, our work will continue, with a focus on supporting the market in building on these achievements and aiming for higher performance with LEED version 4,” he said. “The focus will be also on increasing the health and well-being benefits for building occupants and better quality of life for all Canadians.”

For more information please visit www.cagbc.org.

contractor advice

continued from page 24

Mark is noted as the number one speaker in the nation on construction leadership, strategy, and labour-management relations. He is also the author of five bestselling books that have created profound and positive change across the industry. He has spoken to and inspired more than 300,000 people during his career. Please view his latest book The Five Minute Foreman or his collection of five at www.

CAF-FCA seeks employers and apprentices to participate in Labour Mobility of Apprentices survey As part of its Labour Mobility of Apprentices project, CAF-FCA is seeking employers and apprentices who have personal experience with transitions between different jurisdictions to participate in a survey.

For example, we would like to hear from employers who have hired apprentices initially trained elsewhere and apprentices who have moved to complete their apprenticeship.

clear: more opportunities to complete work hours, reduced likelihood that apprentices will discontinue when they lose their job, more efficient progression and better long-term labour market outcomes.

The project seeks to ensure employers who wish to hire and apprentices who wish to move are fully informed of the requirements for successful transition. The project will gather insights into the challenges associated with hiring those from another region and develop appropriate resources to help apprentices and employers meet the administrative requirements. The benefits of streamlining mobility are

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Contact Emily Arrowsmith: emily@ caf-fca.org for information.

breslin.biz.

Get Ready for the NWCB Convention issue of The Trowel. Be sure to book your ad space in one of our most well-read issues of the year. Call Christina today.

If you’re interested in booking ad space in the next issue of The Trowel magazine contact Christina Tranberg at 1.877.755.2762 or email ctranberg@pointonemedia.com

Advertiser Index Company

Phone Page

Bailey Metals Products

800.818.2666

OBC

Demand Products

800.325.7540

16

Flannery Trim

800.765.7585 04

Grabber Construction Products (Canada) Inc.

800.567.8876

Kinetics Noise Control

800.684.2766 15

New West Gypsum Recycling

604.534.9925

21

SCAFCO Steel Stud Company

403.265.9005

IFC

Steeler Ltd (Delta BC)

877.678.6565

16

Sturdy Ladder Inc.

403.264.2934

17

Tree Island

800.663.0955

08

Trowel Trades Accessories Ltd.

604.536.6100 19

23

Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products Inc. 877.829.2550

05

Winroc Corporation

09

888.2.WINROC

The survey is scheduled for February 2015. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Results will be aggregated and summarized in the final report.

Flannery Announces New Partnership Flannery is pleased to announce its new venture with TruGrain made with Resysta. TruGrain is a manufacturer of building products that are produced with a hybrid material that looks and feels like real wood. TruGrain made with Resysta is produced from rice husks, rock salts, and mineral oils which allows for the end user to have the same design capabilities as real wood. It offers the same look, feel, and workability of wood, but will not grey, fade, crack or splinter.

For more information please visit www. flannerytrim.com.

COMING NEXT ISSUE: • NWCB Convention • Ceilings • Acoustics Book your space for next issue. Call 1.877.755.2762 or email ctranberg@ pointonemedia.com

wallandceiling.ca » February / March 2015 » 27

28 » The Trowel