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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.
BEFORE AFTER
www.cambridgechamber.com Spring 2025 35