As in many facets of life, there are seasons. I first became self-employed March 1, 1976, yes, 50 years ago. After studying architectural design at Humber College in Toronto in 1971, my first full-time career job was writing a Maintenance Manual for Canadian Tire Corporation, and travelling to inspect the corporate-owned stores and buildings.
The Maintenance Manual was distributed to all of the franchisees so there would be consistent care for all stores; I still have the first copy of that manual. In those days, CTC also had their own construction department, with a drafting and engineering department. They would contract with general contractors where new stores and expansions to existing stores would be completed. Before new stores were occupied by a franchise dealer, I would do final inspections with a corporate engineer, a rep from the general contractor and the franchise dealer. What a start into the industry!
Then in 1976, I started my own business; fixing problem houses, built several new homes in the mid 80’s, started performing real estate home inspections in 1986, delivered Renovation Skills training courses for the National Energy Conservation Association, oversaw 4 teams doing blower door air tightness and indoor air quality testing throughout Ontario in the early 90’s, taught the home inspection course at Conestoga College for 15 years, and had my own crews that focused on building envelope air sealing, insulation and ventilation of residential structures.
I have loved being a part of this industry for this long. Now that I am slowing down considerably, I still have some past clients that call me when they need assistance finding solutions to house-related problems and do some consulting for a couple of companies.
On a limited basis, I will still assist homeowners in dealing with their problem houses by diagnosing and prescribing best practice solutions. Do you have any specific topics you would like me to write about?
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