Small-Job home renovation contractor

Homeowners, landlords and small property owners in your area who want a single person to quote and coordinate the job.

Fixed-price quotes or time-and-materials contracts, with a margin on materials and any subcontracted work. Deposits and progress payments help with cash flow.

• Solid hands-on building or carpentry skills
• Accurate estimating and quoting
• Clear communication with homeowners
• Scheduling jobs and ordering materials

• Licensing differs by province: for example, Quebec requires a licence from the RBQ for most construction work, so check your provincial regulator and municipality
• Electrical, plumbing and gas work usually must be done by certified tradespeople, so check what you can and cannot do yourself
• Commercial general liability insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Building permits and inspections, and local lien or holdback rules on payments
• Underquoting is a common risk, so build in a buffer for surprises behind walls
• Winter slows outdoor work, so plan for seasonal gaps

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your tools, vehicle, insurance and materials deposits. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the size and number of jobs.

Check your provincial regulator and municipality, as licensing differs. Quebec, for example, requires an RBQ licence for most construction work. Also check what electrical, plumbing and gas work needs certified tradespeople, plus building permits, inspections and lien or holdback rules.

Estimates suggest at least 20 hours a week. You need solid building or carpentry skills, accurate quoting, clear communication and scheduling. Build a buffer into quotes for surprises behind walls, and plan for winter gaps.