Page 35 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_April2025
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Besides installing IKEA kitchens, a lucrative  But at its core, Average Joe’s Contracting  “There’s good times and bad times,” says
      contact Joe has maintained with the  remains a family business, with Jennifer  Joe. “But probably the worst part is keeping
      Swedish furniture giant thanks to his  jumping onboard 13 years ago to manage  the money afloat.”
      expertise for the past 24 years, Average  the paperwork while operating her own   Jennifer agrees and says when it comes
      Joe’s Contracting also offers a wide  home daycare service, and son Jacob, now   to finances, the government is always
      range of services including partial or full  18, working in the field with his dad. For a   adamant when it comes to businesses
      residential transformations, plus kitchen  time, their daughter was also a regular part   meeting deadlines.
      and bathroom re-modelling, and even  of the Average Joe’s crew during the tough
      patio and deck work.                  pandemic years.                       “You have to make sure financially it’s

      “I do some commercial work, but I like  “She worked with Joe while she was in   all there,” she says. “You always need to
                                                                                  make sure you have your HST, and payroll
      working with residential projects because  university because school was all online   remittance put aside and pay your WSIB.”
      you don’t have as many hoops to deal  during COVID,” says Jennifer, noting Kayla
      with,” says Joe, referring to the paperwork  is currently working in the cleaning sector.   On the upside, they both appreciate the
      required for larger jobs. “I pretty much do   “She’s doing her own thing now.”  flexibility running their own business offers,
      all the work except for things like HVAC,                                   especially in the contracting sector where
      plumbing and electrical.              As a small business the couple say    there can be downtimes during certain
                                            Average Joe’s Contracting provides    times of the year.
      I used to do it all but reached a point where   a more personalized service
      I couldn’t anymore and realized it’s easier   customers may not find working   “The best part of it is you get to make your
      to just pay someone else on a regular   with a larger firm.                 own schedule,” says Joe, who is an avid
      basis because in the end it saved time and                                  baseball player. “This work fits my schedule
      money for customers.”                 “We have that flexibility, which is nice and  well.”
      Jennifer says enlisting the services of a   are able to deal with customers on a more   But in order to reach that point, Jennifer
                                            one-on-one basis. We put people at ease,”
      group of reliable contractors has been a key   says Jennifer, adding customers often text   says would-be entrepreneurs should
      ingredient to Average Joe’s Contracting’s   Joe directly when they have a question or   always be prepared to put in the time and
      continued success in a sea of home    a  concern.  “A  lot  of  customers  say  he’s  a   effort.
      contracting businesses.               problem solver and being a small company,   “You  have  to  be  willing  to  work  hard
      “They are all contractors Joe has dealt with  Joe will always work clients to meet their   because nothing will come easy,” she says.
      for years and he trusts them,” she says,  timeline and budget since renos can be   “It’ll be long hours and hard work, but in
      adding each sends in their quotes which he  expensive.”                     the long run it will pay off.”
      complies into one bill. “It’s just one bill and   But both admit there can be a downside   Visit  www.averagejoescontracting.com to
      the customer doesn’t have to worry about   when  it  comes  to  being  in  business  for   learn more.
      anything.”                            yourself, especially when it comes to
                                            managing the financial side of things.

















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