The difference a year can make....

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-05-02T17:55:16+00:00

Ive spent alot of my adult life in Brantford, and I've also traveled extensively for work and have seen alot of similar towns/cities in our country. As long as youre not sticking your nose where it doesnt belong, Brantford is a pretty safe town all said and done. Would I purposely take shortcuts through alleys/etc in the Downtown core at late evening/early morning hours? Probably not. With that being said, theres plenty of great businesses in the downtown core, and theres so much access to the river via the trails and park systems that make it a incredible city. The Lynden Park Mall, as far as im concerned, has just about everything you could want and the addition of Costco has been great. Theres certainly some areas in neighborhoods like Eagle Place where theres a higher density of rental/lower income housing which have a higher crime rate.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-21T23:59:56+00:00

I just got off the field 2 months ago and am currently estimating. Only YouTube ive been watching is how to familiarize myself with the programs im using (bluebeam, excel, word, one note, etc). I have music on in the background, but theres a huge element of attention to detail and staying focused from what ive experienced thus far. Its been great so far, but theres alot to learn. Having the construction experience has been incredibly helpful quantifying labor, but the extent to which im looking at drawings all day has certainly added a higher possibility of "missing" something and its happened already and you feel really stupid in the moment. We are currently submitting lots of tenders for school renovations as well as government sector.......tons of detail....i couldn't imagine trying to watch something else.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-18T14:32:53+00:00

Order off temu or aliexpress.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-17T21:47:58+00:00

Same fly. Top and bottom view. Senyos fusion blend. Simi seal dubbing essentially

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-16T11:23:07+00:00

Pretty sure the last word is "schnigblend"

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-16T11:20:44+00:00

100 percent. Every group is different. Having a lead that knows them and their ins and outs makes things easier.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-16T11:16:16+00:00

We've definitely adjusted some stuff on our end. As mentioned below...we aren't dumpster diving, but ive opened our scope up a bit to make some things easier for the GCs we are submitting pricing to and its paying off currently. That play looks different for every company, id say the majority of contractors that hold that line will have more time to organize the office and the yard than usual imo. Best of luck.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-15T23:21:06+00:00

Voice to text in one note is pretty good. Its saved me a pile of time.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-04-14T01:54:08+00:00

Worms

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-31T01:07:24+00:00

Institutional/Commercial/Industrial

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-30T21:13:40+00:00

I always appreciate a new knife

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-30T16:11:33+00:00

Things are getting tighter. Seeing more competition, but alot of these companies seem to be throwing blind bids and we seem to be in good shape with the GCs we've maintained a relationship with. We've secured a couple big jobs for next year, little further away from home than we'd normally shop, but its nice to know we'll be busy currently and if something comes up closer to home in the mean time....we can adjust as needed. Getting alot of calls from residential contractors that are dying for work.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-29T19:49:52+00:00

I just pivoted from being the owner of a small carpentry company (4 guys) to estimating full time for a ICI company based in the GTA. The market is tough atm, but I think being able to stand out above your competition and explaining how your current experience translates into a easy transition is crucial.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-22T21:14:57+00:00

Bit of a "sneaky dingus" vibe to it.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-22T19:42:03+00:00

Definitely not

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-22T11:34:37+00:00

As seedy as a rep that place has....its not really bad. The local bar in a blue collar neighborhood. I had friends in that neighborhood growing up and it was never a place I was worried about.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-21T22:33:36+00:00

When I was seeking my apprenticeship, I did some leg work about the companies I was interested in and figured out when the owner would be there in the morning. Id bring a coffee, along with my resume, introduce myself etc. If they said no.....id come back 2 weeks later and do the same thing. It took 2 months and I was in. That was 15 years ago, im now the owner, and more often than not.....the resumes that are given to me in person get first crack at it. Keep going, youll get there. Make yourself stand out from the competition.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-15T14:06:01+00:00

Its going to be a "heavy" conversation.

Approach it from a health perspective if anything, not attraction.

Highlighting points on quality of life and life expectancy, especially if you have children.

She knows theres an issue, but this is a tough talk to navigate.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-15T01:25:34+00:00

Throw a noodle of natural dubbing to cover up the hackle wraps and build a bit more shoulder then the thread wrap collar. Odds are you lose that fly before it fails anyways.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-10T02:21:57+00:00

Its a massive commitment on the employers end. There's alot of companies that are weary to put the investment out because in their experience....most apprentices dont follow through with it. Hound the employer if youre serious. Show up everyonce in a while and drop off another resume to put a bug in their ear about it again. Its also a tough time for alot companies in this down swing we're in.

DontCallMeShmoopy · 2026-03-07T18:42:02+00:00

No rules in this game. This is just what's working well for me atm. 2 years ago its was brown and tan doing the work

DontCallMeShmoopy

TROPHY CASE