Now you turn to social media to get yourself out there; connecting your domain name to as many reputable search vehicles as possible; you get your company liked on Facebook, noticed on Google through searchable words. etc.
Everything goes along fine until one day your email stops working, no one can access your site and all that planning comes to a screeching halt.
You then spend hours and hours trying to figure it out.
Your website host is still up and running and shows that just today you received 10 distinct hits.
The domain registration company has all your up to date credit info and your card has room on it.
So it’s not lack of payment it’s not anything you’ve done …. it’s what you didn’t do.

On April 24th, 2012 this year I lost my registered domain names to a company that not bought my domains right out from under me.  I had originally registered 3 names but let the .com slide last year.  So after 5 years I’ve been severed from my online identity.

How is that possible?  Well it seems that all you have to do is attach your request to purchase the name once it comes up for renewal.  So if the owner doesn’t renew right away the name becomes available and you can purchase it.

But hold on here… the domain name registration company would notify you when your name(s) are coming up for renewal right?  Of course, however, I just learned that you can also purchase the notification that the domain is coming up for renewal.  So instead of the domain name registrar contacting you stating they are going to charge you for another year; requesting that you please respond via email to confirm; they contact the other company; and voila they have your domain and all your contacts all 752 of them get bounced next time the send you an email through your website.

So at the moment I am looking to rectify the situation and regain my identity. I’ll keep you posted with updates as I get them.

NB: check with your domain registrant to see if you have a purchase request on your name throughout the year.

Bill Hyde, BSc, csp

Hyde House Ventures
905 621-5068
bill.hydehouse@gmail.com        for now

How can there be a market out there that’s untouched? I can tell you it’s under our noses and a huge amount of contractors right now don’t even realise it. I’ve decided to share this with you, because it’s a market that’s about to explode over the next 15 years. Maybe you’d like to get on board?

It’s the accessibility market and with baby boomers aging it’s going ballistic. One in every four Canadians will be retiring and the majority will want to continue stay in their own homes as they age and will need renovations to accommodate this. They’ve got the money with more made available through programs for the elderly and disabled.

If you want a share of this market, get the knowledge you need by taking courses like the “Customer Service for the disabled” certificate course and the “Contractors Accessibility Training.”

It’s also about asking homeowner questions like, “Do you intend to retire in your home here and if so, what changes are needed to accommodate this?” Maybe it’s putting in a shower with no sill to step over. Maybe it’s about designing the approach to the home’s front doorway so it removes stairs and other obstacles. Then there’s designing decks better for easy access. How about asking them if there are family members who visits and is there adjustments needed in the home to accommodate them?

These probing questions will make you stand out from the crowd and also show you care.

If you need more information on our courses available, please contact us.

Alec Caldwell (CARAHS Founder)

Education – Training – Benefits

 CARAHS is a Non – Profit Organization who educates, informs and offers benefits to those self employed in the home renovation and home services industry.

 Visit us at: www.carahs.org Toll free 1-866-366-2930 Email alec@carahs.org

Here are my thoughts. Maybe we should all start be qualifying contractors based on credentials like: what coverage’s do they carry to protect the homeowner, they have liability insurance, WSIB, Personal Accident insurance? How about compliance with the Ministry of Labour and have they completed the two mandatory courses “Fall Protection Awareness or WHMIS? Are they bonded, are they part of any associations, are they licensed, what qualifications do they have and more?

I feel once you find contractors who are all playing on the same level field, then go with the three quote system, if you want. Let’s finally start comparing apples to apples and not apples to bananas, as in bananas there is always a bad one in the bunch and bad bananas cost less. Just a thought!

Alec Caldwell (CARAHS Founder) CARAHS is a Non – Profit Organization who educates, informs and offers benefits to those self employed in the home renovation and home services industry.

Read article at Canadian Contractor Magazine and sign up for their weekly e-newsletter

Visit us at www.carahs.org Toll free 1-866-366-2930 Email: alec@carahs.org

In Reply from: Gary Toole April 24, 2012

Hi I do agree… firstly be aware of the contractors you are inviting to quote your job… It cost money to be in business, and cutting corners only cost legitimate contractors more money in the long run… as fly by night contractors leave bills with wholesalers and they have to charge more money to make up those losses… check their credentials and back rounds, a business that’s is established is far easier to deal with, and getting calls back from, less seasoned co. can be difficult and frustrating… and get the work backed by an electrical permit, it costs more but you can get support from the Electrical Safety Branch who can identify issues, and contact Company FSRs responsible for the work… ensuring safe installation practices…

In reply from: Alec Caldwell April 24, 2012

Hi there Gary,
Thanks for replying and your right about your credentials comment, that’s something most forget about.

We’ve found there’s lots of contractors out there who don’t realise they’re putting homeowners at risk. Then there are others who don’t care, usually quoting the lowest price and delivering work to match.

Now from the viewpoint of contractors safety, most don’t realise the dangers they also face hiring sub trades (self employed or not) after someone gets injured, it opens up a can of worms for the contractor, as the Ministry of Labour is normally dragged in to the picture, causing some sleepless nights and more.

We have information on this very subject for contractors. So if you or anyone else wants details on how to protect themselves, simply contacts Monica toll free at: 1-866-366-2930 or by email at monica@carahs.org

Hope this helps?
Cheers,                                                                                                                                                                                 Alec
Everyone’s comments are welcomed

We wanted to compare the market between 2011 and 2012, so recently we went out in the Toronto area, dropping by unannounced at job sites in residential areas, armed with our quick survey form. While we’ve not fully concluded this survey, it’s apparent that either our questions are loaded to incite a riot or there are more unhappy contractors out there in 2012, tired of the system and in what’s going on.

We were welcomed, maybe because someone finally arrived to ask some questions and hear their stories and release some pent up frustrations. The four basic questions we asked, concentrated on selling new jobs or closing the quotes. These questions were:  “Are homeowners driving down the pricing? Do you feel the underground economy is affecting your business? “Are you seeing more unqualified contractors out there?” “When pricing jobs, are you seeing more price undercutting?”

The percentage of “Yes’s” received to these 4 questions ranged from between 80% to 100%. Could this be breaking news or is this really the pulse on what’s happening right now in 2012 and everyone’s feeling it?

The question is: does anyone have any answers? If you have some ideas you’d like to share, maybe a thought or you’d simply like to vent, I’d like to hear from you. You can respond here with your reply or reach me by email at: alec@carahs.org

Thank you.

CARAHS is a Non – Profit Organization who educates, informs and offers benefits to those self employed in the home renovation and home services industry.

Toll free 1-866-366-2930

If you have answered yes to any one of these questions then you need to consider how you can make accessibility work for you.  You may be familiar with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the fact that if you have one or more employees and do business in Ontario you should already be trained in Accessible Customer Service (the compliancy date was January 1^st, 2012).  However, even if you have done your due diligence, how do you really make it work for you?  You may decide to advertise that you have been trained in Accessible Customer Service.  But if you do not know how to correctly design for accessibility what are you going to do for your disabled client?  If you start to make yourself familiar with accessible design and construction then you can start to go after the business that is going to come your way with knowledge and confidence.  You can also use this knowledge to attract clients that are not disabled and that have no direct connection to the disabled.  Let me give you some tips on how to attack both your target market and the disabled market and therefore increase your revenue, community standing and reach.

On average how many quotes does a potential client get before choosing a contractor, 1, 2, 4, 10?  I know that when I had my bathroom redone a few years ago I had 4 quotes and did 3 reference checks before choosing my contractor and none of them made some of the simple suggestions that I have for you.

How can you use accessibility to your advantage?  Let’s use the following scenario:

The potential client is in there forties or older and looking to remodel their bathroom, make some simple inquires and suggestions when doing the walk through.

• “Do you have any family members or friends that are disabled or have mobility issues?”
• “How long do you plan on staying in the home?”
• “We can prep certain walls for grab bars if you like and while that may not increase the value of the home when you sell, you never can tell who may be looking to buy the house and if the agent is given the ability to let the potential buyer know that the bathroom is already prepped for grab bars that may mean that the potential buyer does not have to rip out walls to install them in the future, thus saving them money.  And if you decide to stay here yourself into your retirement years, then the walls are ready prepped if you happen to require the bars in the future.”
• “Have you ever thought about a sill-less shower stall, they look really sharp and they can really be convenient if you ever have any mobility issues?” 

These are just a few simple suggestions that you could use if you knew how to design with accessibility in mind.  Do you think that the potential client would be impressed?

Now let’s talk a bit about the impact of the market place on your business.  Are you aware of the Abilities Center opening any day now in Whitby?  This is a state of the art, world class recreational facility designed for persons with disabilities.  This facility will be attracting families with disabled family members and persons with disabilities from all over the GTA, Ontario and indeed the world to Whitby and the Durham Region.  Inevitably, some of those visitors will decide to move here.  The homes that these families will be purchasing will require upgrades.  Will you be ready to do the job?  Will you be able to make helpful and intelligent suggestions?  Will you be in a position to be recommended?  If your not, your competition may be.

Do you know that the first of the Baby Boomers are turning 65 this year and that they will be turning 65 for the next 16 – 17 years?  Do you know that the Baby Boomers make up 1/3 of Canada’s population?  Do you know that Stats Canada states that at 65 years old 1 in 4 Canadians have a disability?  Are you prepared to do business with this market place?  Do you have not only the communication and interaction skills to compete in this market but the practical knowledge required to do the job right?  Do you know what types of equipment and products are available for people with disabilities and do you know what is required to make the correct installation?  These are some very simple questions that if you can answer yes to, then you are going to be ahead of your competition.  But, even if you do know how to do all of these things, do you know how you can market yourself to take full advantage of your unique skills?

That’s a lot of questions; do you have all the answers?  If not, you may want to ask yourself what is my competition doing?

Paul Christensen CHI, NCI.

http://www.finalsay.ca/

There you are running, a professional business, great vehicle, nice trailer, well decaled, lawn signage and overheads up the ying yang. You’re paying for liability insurance, WSIB and Personal Accident Insurance. You’re bonded and you have complied with all the Ministry of Labour (MOL) required safety regulations. You’re a dues paying member of an association and more. How can you carry all these overheads and beat the guys with ladders strapped on their car roofs and a pile of tools in their trunks?

How about educating the homeowner? You can use these expenses (that make you a legitimate, honest contractor) as “tools” to squeeze out the competition. Make these costs an asset by incorporating them in to your sales and marketing presentation.

Explain why you carry certain these overheads by painting pictures and giving examples: Why carry liability insurance? Let your customer know that, if damage occurred while the renovation was going on or if something surfaced at a later date, they’d be covered from any liability. They are completely protected. Always have copies of your insurance coverage to hand out for their records, as it shows transparency. It also inspires them to ask your competition for their coverage. Chances are, they won’t have them.

Explain that there’s liability on them also if someone you hire gets injured, including their sub trades. Press the issue and then explain that it’s recommended contractors carry WSIB or Personal Accident Insurance. Leave copies of that coverage too.

Chances are the homeowner will continue with you, especially after you assure them by leaving your information. You’re educating them even when you add, “Did you know that every contractor, sub trade or employee Canada wide is required by law to have completed the two mandatory Health and Safety courses on Fall Protection Awareness and WHMIS.” Again, leave copies of your certificates. By the time you’re finished, you’ll stand out very professional, qualified and well worth the price your quoting.

Alec Caldwell (CARAHS Founder)

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See what’s new this season and speak with suppliers and industry experts! It is also a great opportunity to meet members of CARAHS as we will be attending the Contractor’s Nights.
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Enjoy light refreshments and door prizes!
Sign up today!
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Please indicate which workshop you are attending.
RSVP: Monica Olenroot @ 1-866-366-2930 or email: monica@carahs.org
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LOCATIONS:

Whitby
Date: Tuesday, March 20th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: Sheridan Nurseries 410 Taunton Road West, Whitby
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Mississauga-Oakville
Date: Thursday, March 22nd
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: Sheridan Nurseries 606 Southdown Road, Mississauga-Oakville
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Unionville
Date: Tuesday, March 27th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: Sheridan Nurseries 4077 Highway #7 Unionville
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Kitchener-Waterloo
Date: Tuesday, March 29th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Place: Sheridan Nurseries 100 Elmsdale Drive(at Ottawa Street)
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Education – Training – Benefits
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CARAHS is a Non – Profit Organization who educates, informs and offers benefits to those self employed in the home renovation and home services industry.
www.carahs.org Toll free 1-866-366-2930