Small building firm with a crew

Homeowners, property managers, landlords and small businesses needing larger renovation or fit-out work.

Contract price or cost-plus billing per project, with progress payments. Margin comes from managing labour, materials and subtrades efficiently across several jobs.

• Trade experience or a licensed lead builder on the team
• Reading plans and managing permits
• Estimating, budgeting and cash flow management
• Leading and scheduling a crew

• WCB/WSIB registration and safety rules once you hire, which vary by province
• Provincial licensing or warranty rules for home builders, check your provincial regulator
• Bonding or prequalification may be needed for some commercial work
• Late client payments and holdbacks, which can strain cash flow, so check lien and holdback rules in your province
• Commercial general liability insurance and vehicle and tool cover
• Seasonal gaps in winter, so plan your pipeline ahead

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your vehicle, tools, yard or rented unit, and insurance. Plan for these costs along with the cash flow needed to carry a crew between payments.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on the number and size of jobs you win. The estimate assumes at least about 40 hours a week. Late payments and holdbacks can strain cash flow, and winter can bring gaps.

Check WCB/WSIB registration and safety rules once you hire, provincial licensing or warranty rules for home builders, and lien and holdback rules in your province. Also check whether bonding or prequalification is needed for commercial work, and commercial general liability, vehicle and tool insurance.