Everyone Has An Origin Story
Mine begins when I was about 8 years old, and I needed to build something for school. My dad called me into his workshop to show me something. "Here, take these tools," he said as he handed me a tape measure, a handsaw, a hammer and nails. "Learn what they do, how to use them properly, and you can figure out how to make anything you want."
It's a tradition that lives on through his father before him and his sons after him. Generations of tradespeople have passed down their knowledge from one to another in our family. We build things to provide for our families and communities, using what we've learned from those before us.
After all, anyone can pick up some tools and start making stuff. We're licensed, bonded and insured so if something goes wrong on the job site or with materials used on-site, it doesn't fall back onto you or your family members. People's safety matters, and that's why we're here.
What is a general contractor?
A general contractor is the client’s point of contact for coordination and management of all aspects of a construction project. The general contractor will then subcontract other contractors to complete the entire job, such as electrical or plumbing contractors. General contractors ensure that work is completed in accordance with specifications, blueprints, and codes. A general contractor not only manages their own team of employees and subcontractors to complete the work, but is also responsible for overseeing their progress.
A general contractor is responsible for safety issues, time management and budgeting, hiring and paying staff, making payments to suppliers, complying with regulatory requirements (such as providing workers’ compensation insurance), contract administration (including monitoring cost estimates and change orders), filing progress claims with the owner and maintaining records on all aspects of contracted work performed. He or she also draws up contracts between the party contracting services and subcontractors hired to perform them.
A general contractor is typically in charge of creating a project schedule that includes the Critical Path — key points at which certain tasks must be completed in order for construction to continue on schedule—and determining the necessary resources (such as labor, tools and equipment) needed to finish each of the milestones.
Why I became a contractor
My father worked as a contractor, so I grew up understanding the traditional work ethic and working with my hands. I remember waking up early on Saturdays to help dad laying tile in the bathroom. I loved spending time with my father, and the pride he felt was contagious. He made it look so easy that I wanted to try it! It was fun trying out all of the different tools, even though sometimes they were dangerous; like using electric saws or using heavy-duty drills.
I became a contractor because I want to make life easier for people who are short on time, energy or skills (or all three). To me there is no greater sense of accomplishment than seeing someone's face when you've completed their dream renovation. The planning, designing and building is just part of the process, but to me the real pay off is when someone looks at their brand new renovation and says 'Wow!'.
I wanted to create my own legacy, and that's what led me to become a contractor. My work is my legacy. I'm following in the footsteps of my father, and his father before him. I feel value in being able to take an idea from deep within myself, create a layout in my mind, and then use my two hands to bring it to life.
My company, MTL Contractors, and what we do
MTL Contractors is a licensed, bonded and insured general contractor with 75 years of experience. We specialize in interior renovations, with projects ranging from the simple to the fantastic.
We are experts in managing projects from design to completion. By deploying our knowledge of current construction techniques and materials, MTL Contractors performs extensive renovation, restoration and remodeling work with exceptional results.
We have earned a reputation for being extremely capable and dependable in all aspects of interior renovation work, especially complete bathroom renovations and kitchen renovations. We believe our experience is the reason so many clients come to us time and time again.
Let's Talk
You may not have a clue about what a general contractor does or how to find one, but the good news is that you don't need to know. We've got it all figured out and we're happy to help! Do you have any questions about general contractors or renovations in general? I'd love to answer your question in an upcoming post! Reach out to me through the contact form at our website and it would be my pleasure to get back to you,
Montreal Contractors is a qualified company, holding an active bonded license as a General Contractor and Specialized Contractor with the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ License: 5767-5480-01), ASP Health & Safety Certification and a $2M liability policy. Our employees have all passed background checks, are registered with CNESST and have their ASP Health and Safety certification.