Subcontract gas fitter for builders and HVAC firms

General contractors, renovation firms, home builders, and HVAC or plumbing companies that need extra certified capacity.

Day rates, hourly rates or fixed prices per job, invoiced to the contractor. Steady relationships can mean regular work with little marketing.

• Certified gas fitter (or equivalent trade ticket in your province)
• Reading plans and working to code
• Reliability and good scheduling
• Invoicing and tracking GST/HST

• Certification is required, check your provincial regulator for what you must hold and who is allowed to pull permits
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether contractors expect proof of WCB or WSIB clearance
• Late payment from contractors, so agree payment terms in writing
• Check whether you could be treated as an employee rather than a contractor by the Canada Revenue Agency if you work for only one firm
• Work can slow down when construction and renovation slow down, so keep more than one client

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your tools, vehicle and insurance. Certification as a gas fitter is required before you can start taking subcontract work.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,500 to $14,000, depending on how many hours you work and how steady your contractor clients are. Work can slow when construction and renovation slow, so keep more than one client.

Check your provincial regulator for the certification you must hold and who may pull permits. Also check insurance, whether contractors expect WCB/WSIB clearance, and whether the Canada Revenue Agency could treat you as an employee if you work for only one firm.