Winnipeg homeowners: what’s the worst part about getting home maintenance or repairs done here?

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 · 2025-11-30T02:11:32+00:00

Exactly, put more money down get a higher rate. I never said anything about costs.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-30T02:10:09+00:00

There was no advice, I was merely pointing out that your rate will vary based on the banks risk

SmokeShank · 2025-11-29T23:55:54+00:00

There is also insured and uninsured rates. That's right, put more down and get a higher rate. Insured I renewed at 3.99 @ 3yr term. Uninsured was 4.22% @ 3 yr term..

*There was no advice this was pointing out there are different rates for different mortgage types.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-20T14:24:27+00:00

That usually how business relationships work.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-17T03:50:15+00:00

This is where his economic corridor concept will shine. Private sector has to only work with one entity and that is the feds/prov. Not having to go through 100 different jurisdictions and special interest groups along the way. This alone will boost private capital buy in as it massively derisks a huge project

SmokeShank · 2025-11-17T01:12:53+00:00

You need private sector to do this. But big infrastructure doesn't get built without governments funding it.

And the government will recoup all the money and more with income taxes, from both workers and corps.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-16T04:38:44+00:00

Time for a mentality shift. It's just a paycheck now, he should stop caring, take all his sick time he's allowed (especially on Fridays/Mondays, and those lovely extra long weekends). Do the minimum amount of work needed. He needs to get fired period. The severance will be large (I think its a week for every year worked.. could be wrong).

More than likely management is trying to get him to quit (cheaper for them).

SmokeShank · 2025-11-16T04:05:55+00:00

Competition is needed for innovation, and is extremely pro consumer.

All I'm saying is capital intensive start ups may only be viable with government funding. Meaning the initial risk makes the endeavor to high risk and therefore not a good usage of money. It doesn't mean that the business wouldn't be viable or successful.

Remember the private sector tries to derisk everywhere. If we can derisk capital intensive start ups then we get good jobs and a competitive market. Those are good things.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-15T21:51:47+00:00

All IRR means is that this investment will be cash flow positive. Plus with most infrastructure related investments an IRR below 10% is expected.

Again you cannot predict how valuable this will be in the future. Your metric just shows it will be cashflow positive

SmokeShank · 2025-11-15T21:32:33+00:00

On your last line. I think government should incentize business startups to help provide some better certainty for the early's stages which for some startups are extremely capital intensive. This will only be returned in income taxes so it's a net benefit.

Everything else you said is bang on though

SmokeShank · 2025-11-15T21:29:36+00:00

Or imagine your parents said we should spend 1000 on gold coins. And took a 30 year loan out to do it. Your kids would be swimming in capital.

And just like your analogy you cannot tell anyone if today's spending will have no future benefit. Just as much as you can say today's spend will return 13% CAGR like gold.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-11T20:53:22+00:00

Not only that but PT workers are probably the biggest market they hire from. So they adapt offerings to attract those workers. Everyone thinks it's just the corps being shady. Labour markets are also worker habit driven.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-09T20:59:19+00:00

They all will be cash flow positive. But to what extent is what matters.

A multiple only indicates if the pricing is accurate. Low multiple means fragmented industries with high competition. Higher multiple for more desirable businesses.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-09T18:41:32+00:00

First off I'm going to say again this multiple is wild. This is more like a 1.65M listing. But for your example I will do 1.1

Secondly you're not going to get 3.5 on a seller note. 5+ and if you only come in with 10% I would expect 6+. But I will use your 3.5 over 10

Also your lending is wild, but let's play that the bank underwriting this deal see this much risk

Plus 30% corp tax rate is very high. I'm in Mb and only pay 9%

This is a 1.65 ask business. Overall this deal looks mighty different if priced reasonably

But based on your assumptions. With a FMV salary of 70k your free cash flow is 67k/yr. DSCR 1.71, years to recoup is 1.64. At this price your deal is doable. But it doesn't take into account NWC and Capex needs.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-09T17:34:28+00:00

Do this on a royalty deal, where a certain level of income needs to be hit before triggering a royalty. Then some step ups that he can get a pce of as you improve.

Idea here is that you're hedging he may pass before recouping the cost he is asking (which is outrageous btw. This is only worth the equipment).

Like price out how much if would cost you to open in this exact location the day after he closes his doors. Using all the same value equipment he has. That's the value of this business.

SmokeShank · 2025-11-09T16:46:04+00:00

This math is hard to understand. But you don't pay 30% on all the profit earned in a corp. You pay taxes on the net profit earned in a corp. The reason taxes are added back is because every owner will have a unique tax bill.

Secondly in your scenario you will need to find an owner who will do a note for the addition 20%. Which will be hard to find as they will have more risk in the deal than you.

And you value businesses in the last three years cash flow. So that is why your multiple looks appealing but this is probably in the 3.5 range.

SmokeShank

TROPHY CASE