The Trowel June / July 2017

The Voice of the West Coast Wall and Ceiling Industry • www.thetrowel.ca • June / July 2017

Drywall Support Program Will it be enough?

BCWCA & FTI Font style: Silom Apprentices At Skills Canada - BC Steps to Hiring a Great Estimator

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The Voice of the West Coast Wall and Ceiling Industry • www.thetrowel.ca • June / July 2017

Drywall Support Program Will it be enough?

BCWCA & FTI Apprentices At Skills Canada - BC

Font style: Silom

Steps to Hiring a Great Estimator

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Publications Mail / Agreement # 40719512

The Trowel team Lara Perraton, Group Publisher lperraton@pointonemedia.com Jessica Kirby, Editor 250.816.3671 • jkirbys@pointonemedia.com Lara Perraton, Advertising Sales 877.755.2762 • lperraton@pointonemedia.com Christina Tranberg, Advertising Sales 877.755.2762 ext 1408 • ctranberg@pointonemedia.com

contributing writers Stewart Baird James Careless Allen L. Crowley Andrew Delmonico Drew Smith John A. Wiebe

Courtesy of the BCWCA.

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.thetrowel.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.

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CONTENTS • June / July 2017 8 Drywall Support Program: Will it be enough?

Contractors were eligible for compensation after drywall duties went up 267 per cent last year, but some say $12 million isn’t enough.

10 BCWCA & FTI Apprentices at Skills Canada - BC

The inside story on the apprentices at Skills Canada - BC and what their careers in the wall and ceiling industry mean to them.

14 Take These Simple Steps to Hire a Great Estimator Questions and considerations to ensure your next estimator is cream of the crop and in for the long haul.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Trowel Circulation Department P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 e: circulations@pointonemedia.com

Journal of Record for

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.

Departments & Columns 04 editorial

18 contractors 101

06 drew’s rant

19 it’s the law

07 industry news

22 advertiser index

15 feature focus In the next issue: Scope & Estimation • Insulation • Exterior Finishing

editor’s COMMENT

Calling All Super Heroes

I grew up thinking a job in construction was the coolest gig around. My dad installed drywall and steel studs in Toronto high rises and he would come home covered in white dust with nt style: Silomelectrical tape acting as make-shift bandages on his enormous, calloused hands. He’d gone to university to complete his degree in geography, but went back to construction because it was busy, paid well, offered variety, and because he is an immensely creative person and these buildings were rife with opportunity. To us kids, he was this larger than life, hard-working, super hero who always smiled through the dust and told story after story about the guys on his sites who came from all over the world and were as grateful as he to work with their hands and make real things happen in the city landscape.

I’m not sure when or how perception changed about what it means to be in the trades, or whether it was always a mixed bag and I was just too enthralled by my dad’s awesomeness to notice, but the first time I heard someone suggest it was “lesser than” to be in construction I almost fell over. How on earth could spending several years learning theory

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from a textbook be more valuable or important than spending the same amount of time learning theory and practice in an apprenticeship? I’d always seen these avenues to education as two of many options equal in scope and possibility, and my dad always said it didn’t matter what we chose, so long as we did something meaningful after high school.

An article in Construction Today points to changing perceptions about construction trades as one of several reasons Canada is facing a severe labour shortage. With nearly 78 per cent of construction workers in the 35-64 age bracket, the demographic is top-heavy, which means stress on finding enough bodies is compounded by the need for experience—recruiting efforts may bring more people to the trades, but replacing the knowledge the master craftspeople take with them will be another trick entirely. And, as those with experience retire, they take with them a certain level of respect for the profession.

There is no doubt getting to young people early is key to tackling the

By / Jessica Kirby, Editor workforce shortage and changing perceptions about what it means to enter the trades. “Over the last few decades, we have seen a significant cultural shift in the way society views construction trades,” said Construction Today. “That change in perception has very real implications, particularly among young adults considering different educational and career paths. More kids today see college as the preferred ‘default’ choice, and even some of those who express an interest in pursuing construction labour are actively dissuaded by parents and guidance counsellors.”

There is no doubt this will shift once again—not only will the need for tradespeople have a profound effect on social perception, but the prevalence of online learning is challenging universities to either defend their costly and in some cases elite offerings or face the reality that there are many equal roads to education. Many students don’t explore the trades because they aren’t aware of what apprenticeships look like, how learn-work arrangements operate, and how the technicality of constructing things is a partner to (and not the opposite of) the artistry so many look for in their work. Recruitment efforts and events like Skills Canada are working to answer these questions and make sure kids at least know their options.

This issue of The Trowel features a look at some of the young people who participated in the 2017 Skills Canada – BC event and competition. Besides

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continued on page 22 4 » The Trowel

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drew’s RANT MENTORSHIP: OUR JOURNEYPEOPLE Let me start this “rant” by clarifying the title.

At your BCWCA training facility, we are meeting more and more female apprentices. We have had several women come through the program, ladies and gentlemen, and they tend to be some of the best students gracing our humble facility. Punctual, dependable, dedicated learners, they are what we are all eager to have: students of the trade who truly want to learn and succeed in our wall and ceiling industry. Well done, Ladies!

Oh, the times they are a’ changin’, and we need to embrace the change. It is our duty as the elders, damn that hurt just typing it out, to mentor the youth in all aspects of the work environment.

From the beginning of their on-site performance we need to convey the importance of punctuality, and the need to dress appropriately: clean, warm, and safely, for example. They need to understand that their presence on our sites is a representation of our companies.

They are, as all of our workers under our employ, our company’s ambassadors.

First on site, last to leave were my teachings as a young apprentice. It worked. Fast forward the only thing I’m late for is ... ok, let’s just say I’m never late!

It is my opinion and that of many others that we explain why we are going about our tasks as we do, and that we acknowldege that what they have to say is also important. (Yep, I laughed as I wrote that last line, too.)

Seriously, though, I believe we will have a more aware apprentice, a more involved and connected apprentice if we get their input. Get those gerbils thinking upstairs, rather than just constantly giving them direction. I’m sure we have all witnessed the apprentice awaiting further direction from his mentor/journeyperson while we are busy with other issues. This cannot be the norm. They need to understand the 6 » The Trowel

necessity to stay busy—grab a broom, clean the floor. In our youth’s defence, if they are not aware of this how can we get mad at them? We are not doing our job.

We are not mentoring.

I know this next bit here will probably ruffle a few feathers but what the hell.

The importance of diet, breaks, rest time.

It may amaze some readers to know that with some companies, legal or not, the hard-working crews only take maybe one 15-minute break in an eight-hour day. Reminds me of an old story of some being forced to make bricks with no hay.

Their presence on our sites is a representation of our companies ... they are our ambassadors.

I stress/mentor to my on-site staff the importance of having some food during the day. Your body is a natural furnace.

You burn energy/calories. You need to replace the energy or the furnace will shut down; it’s just a matter of time. Yes, you are young and healthy just now but keep up with not feeding the furnace, not taking a rest from the physical demands of our trade, and we will surely break down one day. We put gas in our vehicles because we have to. We need to have breaks and fuel our bodies also or they will start to break down and fall apart.

This is a no-win for all concerned.

While some readers may feel this is a trivial issue, if you have a chance to go by a site at a break time you will witness first-hand the problem I write about. It’s tragic. Energy drinks are the food of choice—and that’s it!

Maybe it has not been stressed or mentored to our youth the need and reason for these breaks and nutrition.

Maybe it has, maybe not.

By / Drew Smith, BCWCA Photo courtesy of Sarah Dunlop I do know that if we don’t lead by example, the apprentice will be monkey see, monkey do.

I believe our youth on site truly want to do right for the company, make the boss money, and impress the supervisor regardless of them running out of steam.

We must also explain the need for rest.

Many apprentices are busy doing side jobs on the weekend or days away from our sites. How does that help my site when Mac’s dead tired to start on my site Monday morning?

I’m not trying to reinvent the industry with this column’s rant but I witness this happening at our training center when we have our breaks. The youth do not bring a sandwich or anything to eat.

Their response is, “I never eat during the day!” When the heck did this become the norm? When Mom and Dad showed them the door? Who knows, but it’s not healthy.

The above issues should be a concern to all of us in the industry. We need to mentor and lead our youth as they are generally eager to please us, work hard for us, and make contractors and companies grow and prosper… we hope.

The apprentices of today, our work force, our ambassadors are our most valuable assets, and they are needed to continue to prosper.

Let’s put some gas is the car, look after and mentor our apprentices, talk to them, and they may run with us forever.

Until next time, cheers. ■

industry NEWS EIFS COUNCIL OF CANADA ANNOUNCES ECC ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AWARDS PROGRAM FINALISTS The EIFS Council of Canada (ECC) is pleased to announce the four finalists for the 2016-17 ECC Architectural Design Awards Program: Don Dessario (NORR Architects), Guillaume Marcoux (Architecture Microclimat), Paul Hammond (Low Hammond Rowe Architects), and Mr. Barrie Ottenbreit (Number TEN Architectural Group).

The ECC Architectural Design Awards Program received submissions from a variety of projects across Canada. The finalist projects exhibited excellence in the areas of design, contribution to community, sustainability, and the innovative use of EIFS. The project finalists are as follows:

From the four finalists, the judging panel also selected a grand prize winner. The grand prize winner will be announced at the ECC Architectural Design Awards Dinner and Reception at the BMO Institute for Learning on June 13, 2017. All award recipients, including finalists, will receive their awards and enjoy a networking dinner and celebration that evening.

For more information about the ECC Architectural Design Awards Program, or to schedule interviews, please contact eifsawards@eifscouncil.org.

For tickets and information for the ECC Architectural Design and Awards Dinner and Reception, please visit the following website: http://eifscouncil. org/events continued on page 20

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Each project was chosen by a fivemember judging panel comprised of Alex Bozikovic (The Globe and Mail), Robert J. Dyck (Robert J Dyck Architect & Engineer Inc.), Dr. Ted Kesik (Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto), Joe Somfay (IBI Group), and Dr. John Straube (Faculty of Architecture, University of Waterloo, RDH Building Science Inc.).

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By / James Careless

May 31, 2017:

That was the last day Western/Northern Canadian drywall contractors and builders could apply for their shares of approximately $12 million in the Drywall Support Program (DSP).

community Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), Alberta.

Ironically, the $12 million in DSP aid comes from the anti-dumping tariffs that drove up Canadian drywall prices in the first place.

Announced by the federal government on May 1, the DSP was meant to offset the 30-to-55 per cent drywall price hikes suffered by the Western/Northern Canadian construction industry. They occurred after September 6, 2016, when hefty anti-dumping By / Blake Desaulnierstariffs (as high as 276 per cent) were slapped on imported US drywall.

So is the $12 million DSP sufficient to rescue those drywall contractors and builders caught in fixed rate contracts? Although he encouraged BCWCA members to apply for DSP compensation, BCWCA executive director Jeff Triggs has his doubts.

“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the competitiveness of our businesses and to supporting those impacted by natural disasters,” said Navdeep Bains, the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. “The Drywall Support Program will help SMEs and middle-class families access the resources they need to create jobs and maintain a good standard of living.”

DSP funds are supposed to help contractors/builders working under fixed rate contracts agreed to before the tariffs were imposed; including those helping to rebuild the fire-ravaged 8 » The Trowel

“Only time will tell how effective the program is,” said Triggs. “As citizens of Fort McMurray rebuild their homes, they are being protected from the increase in the price of drywall from the tariffs, as are contractors with fixed rate contracts that bought post-tariff domestically manufactured drywall at an increased price. This is in addition to the contractors who bought the imported drywall with the tariff on it.

But overall it appears that those that paid the duty will not be made whole.”

Neal Pollock, owner of Calgary’s TDL Drywall Inc. and a member of the Western Canada Alliance of Wall and Ceiling Contractors, agreed that $12 million may not be sufficient to cancel out the drywall price hikes caused by the tariffs. Pollock said the Alliance’s members, “had hoped for $20 million at least to offset the impact of the anti-

© Can Stock Photo / Leaf

Drywall Support Program: Will it Be Enough?

dumping tariffs. Some in the drywall industry think $25 million is actually needed to achieve the DSP’s mission.”

Sufficient or not, the DSP’s $12 million ceiling isn’t the only restriction affecting applicants. To be eligible for DSP money, applicants must own a drywall contracting or building business with less than 500 employees, and be based in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, or the Northwest Territories.

They had to provide proof of fixed rate contracts entered into prior to September 6, 2016; proof of drywall purchased between September 6, 2016 and February 24, 2017; and, “Disclose the amount of the loss that was passed onto others,” said the May 1, 2017 DSP news release.

RMWB homeowners who applied for DSP money must have owned a home “severely damaged or destroyed by the May 2016 wildfires,” said the DSP news release. They must also “Have intentions to rebuild a home within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.” (The DSP news release does not clarify how such “intentions” are to be proven.)

Whether or not the DSP’s $12 million is enough, the money will start to go out during the summer, said Triggs. But one thing is certain: the anti-dumping tariffs

that caused a 30-to-55 per cent jump in drywall prices have hit Western/ Northern Canadian drywall contractors and builders hard.

“The drywall tariffs have caused very serious problems for some of our members,” said Triggs. “The extent of the problem varies depending on a drywaller’s job location, the number of fixed rate contracts in place, and the willingness of general contractors and developers to work with the drywall contractors caught in the middle to accept some or all of the price increases.”

“My fear is that the anti-dumping tariffs will to drive some drywalling firms out of business,” said Pollock. “Those that are locked into fixed price contracts set before the tariffs occurred are in real danger, because they may be stuck with absorbing this substantial loss, even after receiving DSP compensation.”

Pollock added that the Alliance is grateful to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT), which ruled in favour of relief for contractors at antidumping hearings in December, and for the Ministry of Finance expediting the review process.

“Unfortunately, Minister Mourneau has made it very difficult for the contractor by not approving the remission period that CITT noted in its submittals,” said Pollack. “By not implementing the remission period, Finance has placed the livelihood of many contractors in Western Canada in jeopardy of financial failure.

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“I understand the wheels are already in motion on filing a similar notice in Eastern Canada on the dumping of gypsum board,” he added. “Further bad news for the industry as a whole as we already pay more for gypsum board than anywhere else in North America.” ■

www.fbmsales.com wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2017 » 9

BCWCA & FTI Apprentices At Skills Canada - BC

By / Jessica Kirby • Photos by Jeff Triggs

The BC Wall and Ceiling Association (BCWCA) took part in the Skills Canada – BC show for the fourth year in a row this April, bringing the wall and ceiling trade to the forefront for thousands of student-age attendees.

Jeff Triggs, executive director for BCWCA, said hundreds of students came through the booth, sampled the Try-aTrade area where they used a mechanized shot tool to shoot a pin into concrete, and view photos of construction projects completed by BCWCA members.

“There was also a scissor lift ‘ride’ on site that was very popular and many volunteers were available for students to speak to regarding a career in the wall and ceiling industry,” said Triggs.

This is the most important reason the BCWCA participates in the annual event—to gain exposure. “To the general public, a lot of the work we do is hidden under the drywall and work such as acoustical ceilings are not understood as being part of our scope.,” said Triggs. “It is important to make people aware of our trade as we need workers to enter the workforce now and in the future.

The Association’s objective is to get young people working in the industry and through the wall and ceiling installer course at the BCWCA Training Centre and Finishing Trades Institute (FTI) to get their Red Seal Certification.

“It is also a great event to get members of the industry together working for the common good,” said Triggs.

10 » The Trowel

From left to right: Samantha Bednarz, Jaysper Manhas, Beau Kerfoot, and Drew Smith

The Association’s presence also brings faces to the trade and demonstrates in real time just how dynamic and creative the wall and ceiling trade can be.

The inside story on the wall and ceiling trade competition portion of this year’s Skills event brought all of this plus a heart-felt story to the day, demonstrating in a powerful way just how far determination and dedication to the trade can go.

The competition portion of Skills Canada – BC involves teams of two made up of apprentices from the BCWCA and the FTI who compete to complete a project in a given time and to certain specifications.

John Warrington, chairperson of the Skills Committee for the BCWCA, said at this year’s competition, two teams were scheduled to compete, but one participant did not show up.

This could have meant a black mark against an otherwise excellent display, said Warrington, but the apprentice left without a partner wasn’t about to give up that easily.

“When the participant didn’t show up, the teachers told the kids they could go back to work,” said Warrington. “And then Beau says, ‘this is our chance to showcase to the industry and the kids here what we do, and I think we should stay for them and show them why they should get into the industry’.”

Beau Kerfoot, apprentice with Raicor Contracting, had many reasons for staying to compete as a one-man team, the most important of which was making his family proud.

Warrington said watching the level of support Kerfoot had at the competition unfold was an inspiring story: “Beau just went to work and a while in, a lady came up to give him a bottle of water—it was his grandma. She remarked he’d never been in a competition and he was both nervous to compete and disappointed that he almost wasn’t able to,” said Warrington. “And then she said, ‘Grandpa will be here in a minute.’

“Not long after, a man in a wheelchair wearing a toque and jeans rolls in—this is grandpa and he has suffered a heart attack and has terminal cancer. In fact, he was supposed to have chemo this day, but put it off so he could see his grandson compete,” said Warrington.

“The fellow began chatting and remarked how proud he was Beau was still there and that the work he is doing is of excellent quality.”

Eventually, Kerfoot’s uncle, cousin, mother, and little brother also showed up to support him.

“I looked at that family and knew they had to have a photo.

We brought them right into the competition area to have it as a backdrop,” said Warrington. “And, the Skills Canada – BC team was so touched by the story, they gave each competitor a gold medal, even though they couldn’t officially be judged.”

valuable experience for himself and the other participants. “I thought it was the coolest opportunity,” he said. “It is a great way to put your name out there and show people the beauty in our industry.”

Kerfoot said he stayed at Skills to compete alone because he enjoys working alone and didn’t want to lose the opportunity.

“I feel confident in my own capabilities and ability to get things done alone and go faster, and I think better by myself,” he said. “It was stressful at first. I kept forgetting things but I just kept my head down and kept going and remembered to take a breath and relax.”

For young people considering the trade, Kerfoot has some sage advice: “Always stay positive,” he said. “We are not just

Dedicated Apprentices Kerfoot grew up following in his grandfather’s footsteps. A general contractor in the 70s and 80s in White Rock, Kerfoot’s grandfather taught the youngster to use and respect tools from an early age, and by the time Beau was finished high school he knew construction was one of several career options he could explore.

“After high school, I was working in warehousing and threw my resume up on a website and I received a call from Moss Thomas at City Projects,” said Kerfoot. “That is where I got my start.”

Kerfoot said his time with City Projects was invaluable. “I had the opportunity to be with nice, helpful people who don’t hesitate to teach you their tricks,” he said. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to meet the right guys, but I’ve been lucky and met good guys all along.”

Eager to gain experience in all areas of the wall and ceiling trade, Kerfoot eventually moved on to Robertson and then to his current employer, Raicor Contracting, where where he feels challenged and excited to stay for the long haul.

When BCWCA instructor Drew Smith asked Kerfoot to compete at Skills, Kerfoot knew it was going to a be a

BC Ceilings would like to congratulate the three apprentices chosen as “Best in their Class” at the Skills Canada - BC competition, and the three companies that encouraged their employees’ participation in the event. You have made our industry very proud. Congratulations go out to: Beau Kerfoot from Raicor Contracting, Samantha Bednarz from City Projects, and Jayspar Manhas from Benton & Overbury.

BC Ceilings is part of WSB Titan, Canada’s largest independent building supplies dealer with locations across Canada from Vancouver Island to Quebec. We encourage skill, commitment, and safety within the work place and are very proud to be a part of Skills Canada - BC.

wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2017 » 11

“I am trying to make something beautiful. People get scared of what they think the industry is, and miss the much nicer side of creating something.”

construction workers. I always think of myself as more of an artist than a construction worker.

“I am trying to make something beautiful. People get scared of what they think the industry is, and miss the much nicer side of creating something.”

The highlight of the day was his grandfather’s presence. “He wasn’t supposed to be with us for this long, and it made it even more special that he was there,” said Kerfoot. “He was the best role model and I wouldn’t be where I am without him.

“This industry builds great character,” he aded. “I was a trouble maker when I was younger and into bad things.

This job gave me a light and I don’t know where I would be without it.”

Competitor Jaysper Manhas works for Benton & Overbury and has been in the construction industry for nearly five years.

In 2012, he started as a labourer for a general contractor at Wall Financial Corporation.

“I think this was the most important time of my career because it opened doors to all trades and I could finally find out what I really wanted to do in life,” he said. “When I was a kid I always wanted to be a carpenter and in high school it was a class I got the best marks in.”

As a labourer he worked with many carpenters but found it difficult to find a sponsor. Manhas spoke with City Projects owner Moss Thomas, who explained the wall and ceiling trade, and that his crew were not carpenters.

“He said, ‘We are similar; we also frame but with steel,” said Manhas. “That caught my attention right off the bat.”

Thomas explained carpenters build small projects up to four

12 » The Trowel

storeys, and anything larger – hospitals, hotels, stadiums, and restaurants – are built by interior systems mechanics.

He explained that carpenters only build the slab and told Manhas the public needs to know its our trade that frames all commercial jobs over four storeys and not carpenters.

“All of this caught my attention and and made me start my career in this trade,” said Manhas. “I love the fact that everyday I’m learning something new, something that’s going to stay with me for the rest of life.

“I love starting with nothing, then leaving and seeing something that I brought to life with my own hands ... something I once thought I couldn’t do, because limits like fear are often just an illusion.”

Manhas competed at Skills because he has found confidence in doing a job he loves.

“I know I’m a good tradesman because I love what I do, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do,” he said. “When I was a kid in high school I was taking auto refinishing and had a chance to visit Skills Canada and never thought I would one day be competing in it. For me this was a great accomplishment.

“My Skills Canada certificate is framed and hung up on my wall; it’s the first thing I see when I come home from work.”

Manhas is exceptionally happy at Benton & Overbury and appreciates a “great bunch of guys with great management, and a great company to advance in.”

Donny Riddell has been the best super intendant I have ever worked for,” he said. “However, I do have a dream.”

Manhas is moved to bring his skill and passion to places in the world regularly affected by natural disasters.

“I understand there are places in the world that get earthquakes and tsunamis regularly,” he said. “I have always wanted to work in disaster relief. Some people chase money. Others find what they love to do in life and help to change the world.

“I don’t know if I will be able to change the world as I can’t look forward, but what I can say is I have definitely found what I love to do in life.”

The third competitor in the Skills Canada – BC Wall and Ceiling Competition was Samantha Bednarz, currently employed at City Projects and three years into a promising career.

“I’ve always been interested in trades but I never really knew which one was right for me,” she said. “I just happened to stumble across this trade when I was searching for a job. I had no previous experience when I started with City Projects and yet they happily took me under their wing and coached my way through and now I’m a ticketed Red Seal wall and ceiling installer.”

Bednarz loves the way the industry is constantly teaching her something new, and the feeling of accomplishment she gets from building something from scratch. New to the industry, Bednarz is excited there is plenty for her to learn; for instance, she’s been running her own smaller sites—the perfect chance to work on her leadership skills, she said.

“I was approached by my instructor about participating in the Skills Canada - BC Competition and I was honoured to do so,” she said. “I felt like it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I did not want to miss out on.”

For more information about BCWCA and Skills Canada, please contact the BCWCA at info@bcwca.org. ■

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SIMULATING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE Drew Smith, BCWCA, said this year’s Skills Canada - BC participants had to construct a small steel stud room, approximately 7’ x 10‘ overall with steel stud ceiling joists above and a curved overhang. Participants had to install a t-bar ceiling including reveal edge or tegular 2’ x 2’ ceiling tile.

All materials and metric blueprints were supplied.

“Three walls were straight framing with a door opening in one wall,” said Smith. “Opposite this wall was one radiused wall, which held the radiused overhang, or soffit if you will. Minimal GWB was installed as the viewing public was in consideration to promote the framing and to support the overall wall and ceiling promotion.”

Some of the contest judging criteria were safety, worker communication, accuracy, and actually being able to complete the project.

“Our intent was to challenge the apprentices but not overwhelm them,” said Smith. “They are preferably at or near the end of their apprenticeship training as dictated by the federal government and Skills Canada guidelines.”

To qualify, participants must be 29 years old or younger, and not yet have received Red Seal Certification, but standing by to receive. The participants are chosen through FTI and BCWCA – two from each training centre – and paired with their counterpart from the opposite school.

“This is to simulate a real world experience,” said Smith. “You don’t necessarily know who you are working with daily.” ■

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RAICOR CONTRACTING LTD. 2225 Hartley Avenue, Coquitlam, V3K 6W9

wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2017 » 13

Take These Simple Steps to Hire a Great Estimator By / Allen L. Crowley Jr., FAIC, Business Development Director for On Center Software

HIRING A NEW ESTIMATOR for contract tenders is a great position to be in. Because your business is growing, finding the right fit for the team can be a time intensive task.

With a streamlined game plan, you can simplify the process significantly. First order of business, pre-plan the hiring process before you even post the job opening.

A common mistake construction executives make is recruiting team members simply because they look the part. In the long run, it doesn’t matter if, on paper, someone’s resume and “image” look perfect. You want people that can actually do the job. That junior estimator from the skyscraper builders, they look the part, but they may be bored with your onemonth duration drywall projects and may jump ship in six months. Now you have to start all over.

Following these guidelines will help narrow your search for the best estimator to ensure long-term stability within your team.

Process - Have a process for all your company’s tasks.

This should be part of your company’s standard operating procedures (SOPs). It is your company’s master guide for everything from the bid/tender process, to hiring guidelines, onboarding, employee orientation, safety training, and expense reporting.

Checklist - Your process can be boiled down to a checklist.

Update the job description, create a list of questions, check academic and employment history, and reference check. Be creative, call vendors that the candidate may have worked with and ask them “Did he treat you fairly?” “Was he clear on his requests?”’

Job Description - Update the job description.

Match how many years of experience the candidate needs to be effective. Just six months of real world estimating may be more than enough. Educational requirements should be commensurate with your company’s workforce.

14 » The Trowel

Candidate Questions - Write down a series of questions an estimator should know.

Here are some examples: • Walk me through your estimating process. How do you do takeoff?

• What are the most important factors that affect overall costs of a project?

• Which metrics do you use most in your estimates?

• What software do you find most useful?

• How do you communicate with field staff to make sure your productivity rates are current?

Offer Letter - Update with specific position, date, name, salary, etc.

While this should be part of your SOP, it doesn’t have to be a standard experience for the offeree. If they have made it this far through the hiring process, that means you feel they’re a good fit for the team. Now it’s your turn to show how much you want them. Update the offer letter with the position, date, name, salary, and any other attractive perks to differentiate your firm from other companies they might be considering.

Onboarding - Get the new estimator up to speed with the tools of the trade.

If your company uses estimating software such as On-Screen Takeoff® and Quick Bid®, this makes the training process much easier. However, if you still do manual estimation with paper plans and Excel, make sure you document and explain all the parts of creating and checking the bid process.

Finally, and arguably one of the most important things to do, is to continually improve and document your processes.

Then, watch your new estimator thrive in your organization and help your company grow.

Visit www.oncenter.com for samples of best practices, worksheets, and templates related to construction management.

feature FOCUS THE TALE OF TWO FLANGES “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” reads the famous novel; however, if you are in the “highend” residential drywall business it is definitely the best of times. Flannery has continued to see a substantial growth in its aluminum drywall trim business particularly as it pertains to our Drywall Shadow Mold (aka “Z-Trim”) trim that has become so popular with residential architects and designers attempting to make their walls appear to standout or float. So, with the fact that there are several companies that make aluminum drywall trims, what sets Flannery’s trims apart?

We would love to tout price as the main difference between our trims and our competitors, but that’s not necessarily always true. The main difference between our drywall trims and those we compete against is our attachment flange. All drywall trims must have an attachment flange that has a thinning wall and bevel to receive the drywall mud to allow for the proper feathering or finishing of the mud.

All of Flannery’s drywall trims have those flange qualities, but we are the only manufacturer that has large oval holes in our flange for the mud to key through.

Photos courtesy of Flannery, Inc.

Flannery’s hole pattern is easily distinguishable due to our larger sized holes and frequency of hole placement.

Our oval hole is ½” long and ¼” wide, compared to a typical ¼” round hole (see pic #1), making it easy for mud to key to the drywall backer. In addition, we punch our oval holes at 1-1/4” on center the entire length of our trims so you rarely ever have to worry about not having a hole where the stud might be. A typical drywall screw (or drywall nail) will sit cleanly into our oval holes which allow for slight trim adjustments

if necessary before the screw is tightened.

In life the simplest of differences can make for either the “best of times or the worst of times.” This is true when deciding on which manufacturer to use for your high-end residential project.

A simple difference of hole pattern can make for an easy installation with reduced cracking or a time-consuming install that takes twice as long with a lesser result. Flannery’s thoughtful designs will always help your project be the “best of times.” ■

Manufacturer of Specialty Aluminum Trims Flannery is the only manufacturer of aluminum trims with a full line of products for application in each of the following wall systems: • Drywall • Plaster & Stucco • Fiber Cement Panels • Millwork Panels • Composite Siding Systems

Check out our updated website flannerytrim.com to view our expanded trim lines or to download our current catalog.

Tel: 818-837-7585 • Fax: 818-837-1155 • www.flannerytrim.com • info@flannerytrim.com wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2017 » 15

feature FOCUS TRIAD INTRODUCES NEW TRANSFER STATION WITH BUILT-IN CEREBELLUM TECHNOLOGY

How to Eliminate Production Bottlenecks, Increase Profits In an ideal world, your wood or steel stud wall panelization line works like a team of world champion Olympic relay runners with each machine smoothing handing off to the next machine and then returning to the next task. The Real World is often less efficient, with some processes taking longer than others, which creates profit-robbing bottlenecks in your line. In addition, the transfers between stages usually need to be initiated by a human who must be constantly attentive and managing the controls.

To help companies successfully improve their throughput while making the task require less “mindfulness” by the operators, Triad has engineered and created a new Transfer Station with built-in Cerebellum Technology.

The Transfer Station accepts a wall (for example, from your high-capacity Triad Generation 3 Framing Table) and communicates with the downstream Power Conveyor to initiate the transfer

only when the Power Conveyor is open and ready to accept the next wall panel.

The Transfer Station moves at a right angle to your production line, allowing one Framing Table to feed two lines/ power conveyors. This allows you to have an Exterior Wall Line directly beside an Interior Wall Line, being

fed by a single Framing Table. The Transfer Station can remain parked at the second line entry point, or be set to automatically return when it has completed hand-off to the Power Conveyor.

Each component in the Transfer Station and Power Conveyor system is equipped with a set of stack lights to indicate whether that component is currently available to accept (green), in the process of transferring (flashing yellow), or currently full and awaiting its hand-off (solid yellow). A red light indicates a fault or other stoppage.

The Transfer Station control is a simple two-button controller, which starts the process of line selection and hand-off with an optional auto-return.

We’ve created two videos that explain and show the Triad Transfer Station and how it communicates with our connected Power Conveyors in two lines. Visit our website to view.

Made in the USA, Triad has been creating machines that improve the builder’s bottom line for nearly 60 years. For more information on this, any of our Triad Machines for the professional builder, or our specialized Stair Machines for the professional stair shop, please visit www.TriadMachines. com or call the factory at 1-800-5687423. ■

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feature FOCUS THE FINISHER WILL FIX IT Trim-Tex Products to Tackle Off Angle & Inside Corners All drywall finishers undeniably have those projects that leave you scratching your head and muttering words not appropriate for this magazine. Bad framing jobs, twisted and warped wood, or designs that leave you wondering how an architect ever thought that would be a good idea. However, as true masters of your craft, you take whatever you are given and turn it a pristine smooth finished interior.

Commonly, it’s the off angles that cause the most difficulty. Having the right product for the job can turn a finishing headache into a walk in the park. TrimTex offers a wide variety of products for tackling these projects.

1. Angle Master: Fits any angled corner, comes in a roll, great for long runs on soffits and vaults. Made of a paperless vinyl material that won’t mold and holds its shape better for a superior finish with no waves, no blisters, and no fuzz.

2. Jumbo Splayed Double Archway: Ideal for groin vaults, finishes splayed outside corners. The double archway splayed mud legs allow

Having the right product for the job can turn a finishing headache into a walk in the park. the bead to curve and flex to fit the outside corner as well as the vault radius.

3. 90° Inside Archway Corner Bead: One benefit of vinyl are archway beads. While you are finishing curved soffit details, don’t forget about the inside corners. Make quick work of finishing inside corners, while making bad framing look clean and crisp.

4. Magic Corner: Finishes inside corners that have the need to withstand movement and prevent cracks, ideal for vaults.

Features a flexible center that provides up to ⅜” of expansion movement.

For more more information on this and other products visit www. wallboardtrim.com or www.trim-tex. com. ■

NEW S

LOC K UD M Micro-hooks increase surface area and key into compound for maximum bond.

wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2017 » 17

contractors 101 ARE YOU A CARPENTER OR A LATHER… OR SOMETHING ELSE? Good question. I think—Wait, what is a lather? Even better than that, what is an Interior Systems Mechanic?

Really, does anyone know what an interior systems mechanic (ISM) does? Well, you may not, unless of course you were to log onto the Industry Training Authority (ITA) website and click on Red Seal Trades. But even there you would still be a little confused about what is going on with this trade’s name.

It says Lather/Interior Systems Mechanic right there on the webpage but then calls it the Wall and Ceiling program.

So, we go to the construction job site (where they say all the work is going to be when these Baby Boomers retire) to ask, but it is still a mystery. Surely it would be here, where people work along side ISMs every day, that one would know how to identify one. The funny thing is, I’ve walked up to an interior systems mechanic and asked him what they call his trade, and I’ve had plenty of funny looks when asking, but nobody is giving me the answer I’m looking for.

Maybe it’s a small trade, and there just aren’t many people doing it? Wrong—there are several thousand of them in BC alone.

Maybe there aren’t that many of them on a job at one time?

By / Stewart Baird

Wrong—they are quite often the largest crew on most commercial sites.

Maybe it’s a dying trade and their work is going obsolete?

Wrong—More products and installations get added to the trade all the time, especially since general contractors move towards project management.

What, then, do they call people on the job site doing the lather/ ISM trade? They call them by the slang term “drywaller,” which is a vague description of what they actually do. Drywall is just one small portion of the trade; in fact, I was called “the drywaller” several times in my career even when it had been years since I had even installed a piece.

Is it normal for trades to have slang names on the actual job site for easy reference to each other? Yes, many trades will answer to different names; for example, an electrician is often referred to as “sparky” and the HVAC guys as “tin bashers.”

The reality is, the difference between ours and other trades is both the general public and the construction sector generally know what the electrician and other trades do. The same isn’t so with the “drywaller”; everyone just assumes all they do is drywall. Some people even get that mixed up with the drywall finisher or taper, which is, again, a whole other trade.

The general public assumes it is the carpenter that builds all those walls and ceilings. They assume the carpenter framed the wall and the drywaller came in just to put the Gyproc/ Sheetrock on.

What they don’t realize is now-a-days most of the carpenters will only build the formwork and general structural work for pouring concrete. Once the slab is poured on commercial jobs that is it for the carpenter and the lather/ISM takes over all the framing duties and much more.

Carpenters still do the framing on most home construction projects up to three storeys high, like houses and small townhomes, and even some small apartment projects. But that is mostly because of BC’s booming lumber industry and the architects’ and/or engineers’ unwillingness to change to continued on page 22

18 » The Trowel

it’s the LAW DON’T WORK FOR FREE – HOW TO GET PAID FOR “EXTRA” WORK In a recent Small Claims case of Lund v. Appleford Building Company Ltd., a general Contractor (the “Defendant”) learned the importance of due diligence and paying heed to its clients’ concerns and high expectations.

In or around early 2014, a couple residing in Victoria (the “Homeowners”) decided to renovate their nearly 90-year-old home (the “Home”). To oversee and manage this renovation, the Homeowners hired the Defendant, who in turn hired a painting subcontractor (the “Subcontractor”) to paint the exterior and interior of the Home. The Defendant had no prior experience with the Subcontractor.

Unfortunately, the Defendant failed to diligently check the references of the Subcontractor, or clarify who would be performing the work. As it turned out, the Subcontractor had limited involvement in supervising or overseeing his crew while they painted the Home. Several issues subsequently arose during the course of the painting, including the wrong colour of paint being ordered twice, overspray on the basement floor necessitating a change to the floor covering, as well as overspray on other portions of the Home (the “Alleged Deficiencies”). Naturally, the Homeowners expressed concern about the quality of workmanship and completion of the work.

After a dispute arose between the parties regarding the Alleged Deficiencies and the payment of holdback funds, the Subcontractor allegedly walked off the job and the Defendant was forced to contract other painters to rectify the Subcontractor’s work. Despite these efforts, the Homeowners remained unsatisfied with the quality of the work and brought a claim against the Defendant for a job “poorly managed and left incomplete”.

By / Andrew Delmonico and John A. Wiebe

purchase, the judge found that it would be unfair to award someone a Cadillac when they had contracted and paid for a Kia. The Homeowners had originally agreed to the low pricing of the Subcontractor, and the court held they should not be overcompensated with much higher priced painting services. As such, the damages awarded to the Homeowner were significantly lower than the amount claimed.

Lessons Learned 1. Pay attention to your client’s concerns, and consider whether there is a mismatch between their high expectations and the quality of work being provided.

2.

When working with new or unfamiliar subcontractors, follow through with their references and clarify in writing how the work ought to be carried out. continued on page 22

You work...

to build a home...

and shape your skyline.

The Decision In allowing parts of the Homeowners’ claim, the judge found that the Defendant was contractually responsible for hiring sufficiently skilled and qualified painters. Furthermore, the Homeowner had put the Defendant on notice of its high expectations and concerns about the quality of painting, and the court reasoned that the Defendant should have taken appropriate steps to meet those high expectations and properly address their concerns. The failure to do so, in addition to making unauthorized payments to the Subcontractor, amounted to a breach of contract by the Defendant.

In limiting the damages granted to the Homeowner, however, the judge refused to award the full estimated cost to repair the Alleged Deficiencies. In preparing cost of repair estimates, the Homeowners obtained quotes from premier painting companies in the local area. Using the analogy of a car

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wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2017 » 19

industry NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS The ECC Architectural Design Awards Program was established to recognize design professionals and firms that incorporate EIFS products into innovative and creative built projects. The goal of the ECC Awards Program is to create a new benchmark in EIFS construction, and will help professionals to achieve Canada’s national objective of creating resilient, sustainable buildings.

The EIFS Council of Canada (ECC) was formed to represent the Canadian EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) industry across Canada and all its user sectors. The EIFS Council looks back over the industry’s 40-year history in Canada to chart the course forward – advancing innovation balanced with preservation and supported by independent and government validation.

A not-for-profit industry association, the EIFS Council of Canada brings together leading national companies to form a collaborative network of vested stakeholders, to achieve in concert, what a single entity would not achieve on its own. ■

Ontario Building Trades Welcomes updated Construction Lien Act Legislation The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO) indicated its support for recently introduced legislation

by Attorney General Yasir Naqvi that updates and modernizes the Construction Lien Act. “We are pleased to see the government is listening to the industry in addressing important issues we have raised over the past several years,” said Patrick Dillon, business manager.

“We have been advocating for changes that require prompt payment on construction projects. This new legislation finally addresses those concerns,” noted Dillon. Under the 20 » The Trowel

continued from page 7

proposed legislation contractors will have a defined schedule to claim money owed under invoices. They in turn will be required to pay their sub-contractors within seven days after receiving payment.

100 years, contribute $3.2 billion to provincial GDP during its construction cycle alone, and provide thousands of BC jobs. Jeopardizing the livelihood of so many people across our communities is not the right thing to do."

Among the other changes proposed in the act is language that clarifies a worker’s lien rights continue until 60 days after the final worker of that union provides services to a site. In addition, the proposed legislation introduces a more streamlined dispute resolution system while continuing to recognize the union’s priority to the Statutory Holdback as provided in section 81.

The proposed changes also recognize new financing and ownership models of public projects.

PCA represents employers who have approximately 1,000 workers at Site C, many of whom are BC tradespeople.

PCA is proud to support the Independent Contractors and Business Association (ICBA) Get2Yes on Site C campaign. The two associations share a commitment to keep key infrastructure projects moving forward.

“Minister Naqvi is to be congratulated on his efforts to modernize provincial construction laws and to address key issues which will improve the efficiency and competitiveness for construction businesses in Ontario,” said Dillon.

“We will continue to work with the Minister and government to tackle the issues that affect Ontario’s construction workers.”

The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario represents 150,000 trades workers throughout the province. ■

PCA Supports Campaign To Complete BC's Site C Clean Energy Dam The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) is pleased to support a campaign launched today advocating for the completion of BC Hydro's Site C Clean Energy dam.

“There's just too much at stake not to finish what was started,” said Paul de Jong, President of the PCA. “This is an important project that will support clean and renewable electricity for more than

Last year PCA launched the Let's Build It Campaign to help get some of Canada's largest and most important energy and infrastructure projects built, including the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.

“These are major projects that fuel the local and national economy and attract investment,” added de Jong. “The focus should be on building these projects and our economy and putting skilled people to work. Moving forward, not backwards.”

For more about “Let’s build it” visit: www.pcac.ca/action. ■

CaGBC Launches Canada’s First Zero Carbon Building Standard The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has taken a major step toward achieving Canada’s climate change commitments with the launch of the country’s first Zero Carbon Building Standard. This highlyanticipated Standard assesses carbon use in commercial, institutional, and multi-family buildings in Canada. In order to achieve large-scale market transformation, it was designed to be broadly applicable for many types of new and existing buildings across the country. It is also the only program of

industry NEWS its kind to make carbon reductions the key indicator for building performance.

The Standard’s focus on carbon is crucial, as the most important factor in the carbon footprint of a building is often not energy performance, but the carbon intensity of the local electrical grid and the fossil fuels used. Recognizing these differences is therefore critical to accurately assessing impacts and guiding investments in energy efficiency, heating technologies, and renewable energy.

The Zero Carbon Building Standard is part of a larger CaGBC Zero Carbon Building Initiative that was created to champion the move to lower-carbon commercial, institutional and highrise residential buildings in support of Canada’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

It was developed by CaGBC and Integral Group, in extensive consultation with representatives from over 50 industry organizations, utilities, governments and companies across Canada. CaGBC is also working with 16 of Canada’s most sustainable projects in the Zero Carbon Building Pilot Program. The participating projects will inform further development of the Standard and accompanying resources and education.

The Standard was formally unveiled at a press conference in Vancouver this morning by CaGBC president and CEO Thomas Mueller and Doug Smith, director of sustainability for the City of Vancouver, at the future site of Firehall 17 – a CaGBC pilot project consisting of a 22,600 sq.ft municipal firehall that will be upgraded to be a zero carbon building.

“It’s exciting to participate in the Canada Green Building Council’s pilot program to upgrade Fire Hall 17 Vancouver’s oldest – to be the country’s

first zero emission fire hall in a busy and growing neighbourhood,” says City of Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson.

“The new Fire Hall 17 will provide an essential emergency response hub in southeast Vancouver, and being built to progressive, zero emission standards ensures its resiliency to provide emergency services and tactical training space for our first responders well into the future.”

The full requirements are now publically available in the official Zero Carbon Building Standard, which can be downloaded the CaGBC website by visiting cagbc.org/zerocarbon. Project registration for the Standard will open September 5, along with full pricing and additional program details. For ongoing updates, and to follow the progress of CaGBC’s Zero Carbon Building pilot projects, visit our website and follow Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #ZCBCanada. ■

National Youth Employment Conference Youth + Jobs = Better Future Building on regional workshops held earlier in the year, CAF-FCA is inviting youth from across Canada to participate in a discussion about youth employment and learn about the excellent opportunities in the skilled trades. We will host a National Conference on Youth Employment on November 9, 2017 in Ottawa.

Youth are invited to share their ideas and strategies for overcoming youth unemployment and/or engaging young people in the skilled trades. Twenty youth from across the country will be invited to the National Capital (travel and accommodation provided) to participate in the conference.

LiUNA Signs Statement of Partnership with Assembly of First Nations Joseph Mancinelli, Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) international vice-president and regional manager of Central and Eastern Canada, Canada’s largest building trades union, and National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations will sign an historic Statement of Partnership at the 2017 LiUNA Canadian Conference affirming LiUNA’s commitment in support of the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the UN Declaration for Indigenous People, and education and training of First Nations communities.

“The century-old struggles of the indigenous communities across Canada have for hundreds of years sought to be treated as equal and LiUNA strongly believes that together we can build a strong partnership with an emphasis on training and education as youth are the future builders of our growing economy,” said LiUNA International Vice President Joseph Mancinelli.

“As we work to close the gap and build strong communities and healthy homes, this partnership with LiUNA will help to ensure First Nations are at the fore of this development, and advancing in the areas of construction, waste management, and health care,” said National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “Through this statement of partnership, LiUNA has demonstrated its commitment to First Nations and to walking down the path of reconciliation, and we lift them up as a model for other organizations in Canada.” ■

Learn more at https://caf.formbuilder. ca. ■ wallandceiling.ca » June / July 2017 » 21

advertiser INDEX EDITORIAL COMMENT continued from page 4

being privy to the opportunity that comes with attending such an event, these dedicated individuals each have a story that demonstrates the deep and meaningful relationships they have with their careers. They each see the possibility, the creativity, and the light a career in the wall and ceiling trade brings, and they are fearless in their pursuit of excellence in their trades.

Though they all have different dreams for the future, there is no doubt each of them will one day be a larger than life, hard-working super hero in someone else’s eye. Congratulations to the participants, suppliers, and Association staff that made this event a success, once again. ■

CONTRACTORS 101 continued from page 18

steel. In most situations, a combination of wood and steel would be the best— the floors and stairs could be done in wood and the interior framing of walls and ceilings done in steel. Both have their merits.

In larger projects, both commercial and residential, once the concrete is poured it is the lather/ISM that does all the work in the framing and ceiling

areas along with envelope construction, access floors, acoustical components like insulation, fire proofing, and more.

Carpenters don’t do any of this work, but in the general public they get credit for all of it.

The last statement must be true when looking at trade school enrollment, as we have said before we need new trades people to do all the work as the Boomers retire. But when students are looking at building into the future, they enroll and go to school for carpentry at huge numbers (over 6,000 per year) and we who do this work (wall and ceiling installers, lather, or interior systems mechanics) get around 100 students/ apprentices a year. That doesn’t seem right.

We need to address the problem with a better awareness of who and what we do, and bring some pride back into the trade by encouraging our apprentices to get their schooling done and get their certificate with the Red Seal endorsement. Then maybe, just maybe, we will get the same respect as the mighty carpenter. ■ Stewart Baird is the Interior Systems Mechanic Instructor/Co-ordinator at the Finishing Trades Institute of BC. Stewart began his apprenticeship in 1988 after high school graduation and received his ticket as a journeyperson in 1992 at the age of 22.

By 26, he was running jobs for several companies, ending with B&O. Stewart went to China in 2002 to teach steel stud in their growing industry, and when he returned to BC, he taught construction to high school-aged students in Maple Ridge. He joined the FTI in 2008.

ITS THE LAW continued from page 19

3.

In assessing the costs to repair, a homeowner is not necessarily entitled to damages equivalent to the highest quality of repair. Rather, a court will likely assess damages on a “cost of reinstatement basis” without overcompensating the homeowner. ■ This article was written by Andrew D. Delmonico and John A. Wiebe, lawyers 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 (Abbotsford) or 604-684-8668 (Vancouver).

Are you looking to reach the wall and ceiling industry on the West Coast? Contact Christina at 1.877.755.2762 or email ctranberg@ pointonemedia.com to request your copy of our 2017 media guide and to reserve space.

ADVERTISER INDEX Company Bailey Metals Products BC Ceiling Systems CertainTeed Saint-Gobain Demand Products Flannery Trim Foundation Building Materials Grabber Construction Products (Canada) Inc. Raicor Contracting SCAFCO Steel Stud Company Steeler Ltd (Delta BC) TRIAD Wallboard Trim & Tool Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products Inc. 22 » The Trowel

Phone Page 800.818.2666 OBC 877.655.2330 11 800.235.9814 5 800.325.7540 18 818.837.7585 15 714.380.3127 9 800.567.8876 4 604.293.7702 13 403.265.9005 IFC 877.678.6565 19 800.568.7423 ext 133 16 800.590.5799 17 877.829.2550 7

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In hac habitasse platea dictumst. tempus nisi. Praesent sit amet cursus Donec non ligula malesuada, mollis magna. In gravida enim sit amet mi dolor et, maximus libero. Curabitur Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur semper elementum quis nec nunc. Ut commodo vel lacus non iaculis. Ut adipiscing elit. Sed tincidunt vehicula consequat ipsum consectetur hendrerit semper massa dolor, tristique rhoncus dapibus. Vestibulum id eros ut nisi bibendum. Praesent et odio non nulla lorem bibendum ut. In hac habitasse vulputate consequat. Nunc nec ipsum ultricies egestas ac in nibh. Sed ac platea dictumst. Cras gravida dolor sollicitudin, lobortis ligula in, posuere auctor tellus. In ex odio, molestie non at ligula venenatis egestas. Vivamus sem. Nulla sit amet finibus dui. Praesent cursus eu, auctor a nisi. Donec eget finibus neque sed eros tempus, et vitae massa volutpat, maximus orci ut, tellus vel nibh scelerisque convallis vel elementum erat vestibulum. Phasellus eleifend nisl. Phasellus ligula lectus, quis diam. Donec suscipit luctus nunc finibus, sapien eu aliquam aliquet, leo venenatis quis rutrum sed, rutrum vitae vitae mattis. risus consequat ante, vitae malesuada sapien. Vivamus efficitur hendrerit tortor justo quis magna. Sed posuere augue, vel ornare mi venenatis eget.

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Aenean volutpat, at 877.755.2762 ext 1408 • 250.667.0401 • vestibulum. ctranberg@pointonemedia.com gravida, convallis metus nec, egestas tempus, et elementum erat orci vitae tincidunt malesuada, ex nulla. Morbi venenatis pharetra Phasellus finibus, sapien eu aliquam turpis commodo orci, at sodales arcu eleifend. Phasellus at justo aliquet, aliquet, leo risus consequat ante, vitae quam condimentum enim. Suspendisse feugiat massa non, sollicitudin dui. malesuada tortor justo quis magna. Sed blandit, lectus id porta luctus, odio

it’s simple.

enough said.