CONTRACTOR: MADE BY MCG

By Deborah Mesher, Architectural Designer and Chris McGimsie of Made By McG

Deborah: What makes a good contractor?

Chris: A good contractor is someone who has a complete understanding of how all components of a job come together, whether it’s the scheduling the trades or the manufacturing of materials. A good contractor is organized & a good communicator. 

Deborah: What qualifications or skills does a contractor need?

Chris: Work experience in as many aspects of construction is the best overall skill a contractor can have. Along with that, you want your contractor & their trades to be licensed & insured.

Deborah: What do you wish homeowners knew about renovating?

Chris: I wish that homeowners knew that it’s normal that renovations can be stressful, costly & long sometimes. Don’t be afraid because in the end everyone seems to forget about all that when they are back in their homes enjoying the new spaces we have created. 

Deborah: What are you most excited about that’s emerging in your field?

Chris: Right now I’m most excited about laneway homes & ancillary buildings. There is a buzz around Toronto right now & it’s exciting to see what people are coming up with. 

Learn more about Chris McGimsie and Made by McG here.

CONTRACTOR: ARCHETYPE

by Deborah Mesher, Architectural Designer and Marijan Zelic of Archetype Design and Build

Deborah: What makes a good contractor?

Marijan: Good communication. I feel good communication is essential in delivering a successful project. There should be open communication with all stakeholders throughout the process. Obviously experience, the more a contractor knows about the built process the better he or she can anticipate obstacles throughout the project. This can save a project both time and money. And lastly, integrity goes a long way. 

Deborah: What qualifications or skills does a contractor need?

Marijan: A good contractor needs to be a problem solver, problems will inevitably arise no matter how well a project is managed. As mentioned above, a good communicator. This will add value to your services and help you lead effectively. And you need to be able to multitask, and at times work well under pressure. And last, remain open to learning new things. I started out as a trade. Eventually it allowed me to go back to school to study industrial design. After graduating, I spent time working in architectural offices. Be well rounded, learn something new as often as you can. 

Deborah: What do you wish homeowners knew about renovating?

Marijan: Renovating older homes can be challenging at times, full of surprises under the surface. Manage your expectations, and enjoy the ride. 

Deborah: What are you most excited about that’s emerging in your field?

Marijan: 3D printed houses. The technology has advanced, though still somewhat a novelty. A shortage of skilled labour is an issue the construction industry has begun grappling with, will this be a viable solution?

Learn more about Archetype Design and Build here.