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money away in RRSPs before it became fashionable. It
was about the magic of compound interest.”
Giving back
The game-changer for Candow was meeting builder
Geoff Clark of Fairview investments right after his
partnership split. Clark introduced Candow to the Eastern
Newfoundland Home Builders’ Association(ENHBA)
where he had his eyes opened to the larger picture of the
building industry.
“Geoff said the association supports the trades, how
about I support the builder’s association,” Candow says.
“I didn’t think I had anything to offer builders, but as I
got involved in the nuts and bolts of the association, and
also in the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, I was
exposed to all aspects of building and got a whole new
appreciation for what builders have to do to create safe
homes.”
Candow’s attitude towards the industry was at odds
with the opinions of his brothers, the union heads, who
felt the industry owed them something. “I made my entire
living from the building industry, so every decision the
associations made, everything they lobbied for, and what
they worked for affected me directly or indirectly. It was
only right to give back some of my time and effort to
support it.”
Making a difference
At every level of government—municipal, provincial and
federal— laws are passed by politicians who don’t always
understand or see how their decisions affect the building
industry. “The decision-makers need an informed body to
speak to and to be educated by,” Candow says. “Sitting
around the table I got to see lots of different points of
view and added my opinions when and where it seemed
right to do so. From bankers and suppliers to tradespeople,
each component of the construction process has
unique challenges.”
Band of brothers
Meeting contractors from across the country showed
Candow was not alone in the challenges he faced. “I
discovered we all have trouble with employees, like
absenteeism and quality of work,” Candow says. “Before
joining, I thought it was just me who had employee problems
and I just couldn’t get my men to work right. But I
saw good and bad bosses and trades wherever I went. It’s
human nature more than any system. The broad view I
experienced is what changed me.”
Candow has settled with a core of a dozen men who
enjoy painting and plastering as much as he does. Some
Professional Painter • Winter 2011
Photo: Ned Pratt/KlixPix
Home Builders’
Associations
RoBeRt CAndoW HAs BeCome an integral part of the
Eastern Newfoundland Home Builders’ Association, a
branch of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
He has served on and has been chairman of provincial
and national organizing committees, including local
home shows and conferences. He has also served as
president of the provincial chapter. In 2005 Candow
won the award for Member of the Year, in the “Non-
Builder” category.
Wanting to give back to the industry that provided
his living over his 20-plus-year career was what got
Candow into the association ten years ago, but the
education he receives more than outweighs the few
hours he continues to put in each week. He is proof
that home builders’ associations aren’t just for and
about builders.
Building sub-trades are crucial to the completion a
project, so input is needed from a representative from
each trade and sub-trade, especially in these days of
specialization. “Builders asked me for a painter’s-eye
view of the building process and, as a result, they
learned how to improve their homes by understanding
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