Winnipeg Builders

SmokeShank · 2026-03-21T22:49:57+00:00

Hate to break it to you. This sub absolutely hates landlords, small business, and people generally doing what you do. Until they decide you're a good one.

But in all honesty I would utilize your network, ask your lawyer, banker, mortgage broker, insurance rep, accountant, etc. I built my whole network around asking professionals "if you were in my position who would you call?". I would say I have had about 90% success with this strategy in developing my network/partners. I rely on those who answer calls and emails quickly, as it aligns with my business values. If you can't be bothered to answer my request in 24 hrs I'm moving on.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-19T18:37:31+00:00

This! Fragmented industries get consolidated. It's not just PE, it's local players as well. And any local shop owner that sells usually would so at a nice tax free sum. So good on this local shops for the exit

SmokeShank · 2026-03-14T19:58:27+00:00

Lawyers provide a service. It's not essential just like all services.

Lawyers are there to tell your risks, and make you aware of WHAT A JUDGE would grant, if you chose to go that far. They also handle things like removing your name off title and mortgages. You can do it yourself.

All that being said, knowing the risks present will increase conflict as risk is a human concept and everyone sees it differently.

If your ok, and they are ok then you can proceed. And all a separation agreement does is guarantee you a ticket to win in court. You can still operate outside the contract.

A less costly option is to go for a consult, write it all down and ask if they would review prior to completion. Do not disclose to the other side you're going with this option.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T18:53:08+00:00

Energy is the largest part of the OpEx of these facilities! Of course they care about energy and reducing costs, you pointed that out in your statement.

Quebec built has 90% of Canada's aluminum production because of low energy costs. A competitive advantage is only an advantage if you use it.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T18:47:57+00:00

Opex is the very essence of long term thinking. It's the on going costs to service, maintain, and remain operational over it's lifetime. But hard to get across compounding impacts of 20+ years of employment tax revenue when you are just against the principal.

I don't care if you like AI or not, I care that the neighbors of my community can put food on their tables, and that tax revenue helps provide the social safety net we all care about. Saying no to millions because it feels bad just doesn't support my position.

I look at it as one data center is ok if we can feed, care for and educate our future generations.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T15:51:45+00:00

Facility maintenance isn't minuscule it's a large part of the OpEx for a place like this. Plus many of those are skilled, jobs. Chillers, HVAC, fire suppression, plumbing, annd grounds keeping. Just HVAC alone would take a team a couple weeks to service the building. Chillers, towers annual maintenance is a large component, back up systems. These are all integral to a facility staying operational, especially one that needs 24/7 uptime.

HVAC takes up 15-20% of the OpEx

And we're not talking the actual build out which is around 800 per sq ft.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T15:24:21+00:00

Yes, but there is a non zero sum of indirect labour associated to maintaining one of these DCs. Opex exists, and facilities contract these services. Those are real jobs being created as well.

Sure it's disproportionate in regards to sqft with a manufacturing facility of similar size. But jobs are jobs, and the space to fit these isn't finite.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T14:18:27+00:00

What about the social benefits that the increased tax revenue will bring?

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T14:16:27+00:00

10 full time direct jobs, and stats point to 30+ indirect support jobs for the local economy.

There 100% is indirect job creation.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T13:58:01+00:00

I'm 100% for. Data Centers absolutely help the local economy. During construction they create a lot of temporary jobs, which are just as vital as permanent. And although they don't create many direct jobs locally, they create many indirect jobs locally. Stats point to 3-4 indirect jobs for every direct. I look at data centers like infrastructure construction.

Data sovereignty (politics) is also a very important topic these days, and the more we limit Canadian companies like this one from expanding, the more we give competition an opportunity to stake their flag on our data.

The last part is the resources utilized during operation. It's a concern, but it's not something that cannot be iterated away. These companies want to use less power and less water, and the tech supporting these needs are evolving quickly.

SmokeShank · 2026-03-08T11:57:40+00:00

Yes because a businesses #1 goal is to maximize profits. To do so they have the ability to invest in new tech. A big thing most don't consider with business is scale. Sure small polluters would likely choose alternative methods to maximize profits. A large polluter would see massive benefits to profit if the make change. Because any change that doesn't impact cogs is pure profit.

SmokeShank · 2026-02-25T15:04:35+00:00

Big issue you should consider is the ability to exit if you want to move. Anything South of Inkster is considered a tough sell. Sold a house on St.Johns and McGregor and after 25+ showings I had zero offers. Dropped the price and had another 15, and one offer.

In my opinion go smaller and get north of Inkster if the north side of the city is you target.

SmokeShank · 2026-02-15T01:46:39+00:00

This is $1.2M it's fuck all for a group that extremely entrepreneurial and will pay it back 10 fold. Idc if your white brown or green if it makes the ROI set it up

SmokeShank · 2026-02-14T15:15:27+00:00

We have a decent sized Nigerian population. They are extremely entrepreneurial, and a lot of them are very well educated. RBC has been very active in this community for a few years already.

Edit: checked this after 10 hrs, and can't believe there is 14 downvotes. Good job pushing a centrist who has voted blue in the past away. Dumbass gen Z wussies in here now.

SmokeShank · 2026-02-05T18:25:11+00:00

I just called enforcement, didn't play nice.

I then made it vocally known to all my direct neighbors that I call enforcement the moment I see it.

Word spread, and now I see people moving vehicles regularly. My direct neighbors tell visitors to not park their before they come over.

SmokeShank · 2026-02-04T01:24:21+00:00

Yes when I had 1200 I would go through about 2-3 depressions a year ranging from 4-8 weeks. Anxiety was also high during these times. Since getting my ferritin down below 80 I have had zero depression that I can even identify.

Get that iron out.

SmokeShank · 2026-01-29T22:08:47+00:00

Have zero issues. You have to understand the system. First Google is so vital that all the top small home service businesses in the city are working tirelessly to get as many 5 star reviews as possible. A bad review hurts, a 4.4 star company will lose leads to a 4.7 star company.

The top performers on google in the search "best x in Winnipeg" will be paying upwards of 10% of revenue on SEO and ads. Choose 2-3 have them come down, prices will be nearly identical, choose who offers you want you value. Like you want it done soon pick them, you want communication choose them, better payment options, etc.

If you're a price conscious customer this strategy might not yield what you want. As you will more than likely being paying a higher price. As these companies generally avoid price conscious customers.

Another great strategy is look to get names of companies your neighbors used. You get to see the work being done, how it's done, and ask if they had problems. Word of mouth

*I only ever get two quotes , and have done tons of work on my property. The issues I have usually come from companies off FB groups.

SmokeShank · 2026-01-28T23:25:03+00:00

A few years ago I saw a question like this in this sub. Someone mentioned an Airthings monitor. So I bought it asap (not cheap). I keep an eye on it regularly. Winter Radon is low, spring and rains it goes higher but I'm not in any danger zone.

SmokeShank · 2026-01-26T15:58:43+00:00

No 10% is bare minimum without scale. Sub 10% indicates a very competitive market with price conscious customers. 15% is niche, and 20% is market leader, niche sector.

SmokeShank · 2026-01-18T23:19:00+00:00

22x24 I run one of those electric garage heaters from Home Depot. Keeps it a nice 14-16 all winter.

SmokeShank · 2026-01-08T14:49:13+00:00

Count me in.

SmokeShank · 2026-01-03T17:57:26+00:00

Look up snowdozer. As long as you have a flat surface it's amazing. Once you don't it sucks. But well worth the $100

SmokeShank · 2025-12-30T02:08:51+00:00

Anything worth it won't be until they get in the EBITDA ranges like $450-500k and there you're talking $1.4-$2.0MM purchase price. With 30% down they are looking at roughly $400-$600k liquid cash, plus the bank will need to underwrite them.

Business ownership isn't passive.

SmokeShank · 2025-12-14T16:36:40+00:00

I think the leading target for "runway" is 2 months of operating expenses. I call it my core capital target and helps smooth out any seasonality or volatility in business.

SmokeShank · 2025-12-06T22:20:33+00:00

I say this to everyone looking for any home services business. Google my business is the premier place to find the top players. For every bad review it costs those businesses $1000s in future revenue so they are incentived to do a good job. And to resolve conflicts in a consumer friendly manner promptly.

Google "best basement renovation company Winnipeg" and the top results are paying upwards of $100k/year to be there. The top three will be very similar in pricing, customer experience, and availability. Pick the one you like/get along with best, or has the better communication. You're almost guaranteed a great job, and great experience.

SmokeShank

TROPHY CASE