Follow up: Great discussions at Contractor Productivity Forum
Canadian Contractor’s Contractor Productivity Forum featured four terrific presentations offering exclusive insights from knowledgable experts into…
Canadian Contractor’s Contractor Productivity Forum was held on October 1st, and featured four terrific presentations offering exclusive insights from knowledgable experts into key areas where renovators and homebuilders might improve their efficiency and profitability. Lively Q&A discussions followed each presentation.
Kicking the day off, Thomas Bevilacqua and Robert Bezede of Harmony Succession Partners spoke about how business owners can best position their companies for succession as they approach retirement.
Takeaways:
Next up, Achille Ettorre of GTA Equipment Rentals presented “Get More From Your Rental Store.” It’s a simple idea: by using equipment rental services more effectively, contractors can gain the productivity boost of newer and more capable equipment without the storage, maintenance, financing and delivery expenses associated with ownership. Further, today’s rental stores offer more than those of yesteryear, with expert advice on the right equipment to use for special tasks such as trenching, working at heights and jobsite heat and humidity control.
Takeaways:
David Swan, an independent technology consultant spoke next about using AI in renovation and homebuilding. He pointed out that contractors certainly have nothing to fear from AI in terms of taking away work, since an AI will never swing a hammer. The uses are all in the ancillary functions around operating a contracting business, but those are significant. Swan discussed several of them – bookkeeping, invoicing, searching codes and regulations, project planning – but his eye-opening live demonstration really made the point. Swan displayed a photo of a tired old kitchen. Then he told ChatGPT to show him a remodeled version of that kitchen in a modern style keeping the dimensions of all elements the same. After a few minutes thought, the AI produced a rendering of a much more attractive kitchen.
Swan pointed out that he could have been much more specific, asking for certain colours and styles, and the AI would have incorporated that, too. As a sales tool for a contractor, the use is obvious. The homeowner can simply tell it what they want and it can create a design to use as a starting point.
Richard Lyall of RESCON rounded out the day with an interactive discussion about modular housing and much else. He shared his insider knowledge of Ottawa and Ontario’s housing policy and the directions things are likely to go in the next few years.
Modular housing will be a big part of it, and Lyall told the group he’s seen plans for some truly innovative homebuilding factories. There was a lot of discussion of development charges and permitting, with everyone agreeing the current systems need reform. Lyall’s appearance gave attendees a chance to give their input to someone who talks to top regulators and ministers on a regular basis.
Original Article – Canadian Contractor
Canadian Contractor’s Contractor Productivity Forum featured four terrific presentations offering exclusive insights from knowledgable experts into…
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