A devastating blaze tested Rocky Point HVAC’s resilience and the value of solid insurance coverage
By Natalie Bruckner
In 2024, Curtis Ahlsten, owner of Rocky Point Commercial HVAC Inc. and a member of SMACNA-BC, found himself facing a nightmare no sheet metal contractor ever wants to encounter—a fire that ravaged a job site, leaving him with questions and an overwhelming sense of loss. With nearly three decades of experience in the sheet metal and HVAC industry, including founding his own business in 2016, Ahlsten had seen a lot. But nothing could have prepared him for the aftermath of this devastating incident.
“The project was going smoothly, progressing as planned,” Ahlsten recalls. “Equipment like ERVs, rooftop units, wall caps, ductwork, and fittings had all been delivered to site.”
And then the unthinkable happened. A fire broke out after the site in Vancouver’s Dunbar neighbourhood had shut down for the day. Ahlsten first learned about it from one of his employees, who had heard from a friend living nearby. News spread quickly, and confirmation came soon after from the developer’s representative. In an instant, everything changed.
What followed was an immediate shift in the business landscape. One day, Ahlsten had a full schedule—work that would keep his team busy for months. The next, that schedule was shattered and a large portion of his workforce had to be laid off. “We felt the immediate impacts,” he says. “The work we had counted on for the next several months no longer existed.”
The financial strain was sudden and intense, especially with the significant loss of hand tools, saws, lights, and gang boxes. However, Ahlsten’s primary concern was the significant investment in labour, materials, and equipment that had already been committed to the project. “Our insurance broker responded immediately, confirming that we had coverage for the tools and equipment lost in the fire,” Ahlsten says. “He also explained that the labour, materials, and equipment already committed to the project would be covered by the general contractor’s course of construction policy, but we would still need to wait for the claims process to unfold. There were times I wasn’t sure if we were going to make it through this financially.”
The impact on materials was equally significant. Equipment like ERVs and rooftop systems were either destroyed or severely damaged. The project was halted completely, and Ahlsten faced a significant gap in his income. Worse, the developer’s plans to rebuild meant he’d eventually have to also rebuild his team, a difficult task in an industry already grappling with a shortage of skilled labour. Ahlsten also had to manage other committed projects, now looming on the horizon.
He immediately reached out to his team to break the difficult news that they might need to look for other work. “It was hard on them,” Ahlsten explains. “They had a job site lined up for the next few months, and now they were facing unexpected changes to their employment.”
Communication with the contractor, Graham Construction, was ongoing through Ahlsten’s project manager. “For the most part, people were understanding,” Ahlsten adds.
The insurance process turned out to be more time-consuming than expected, too. However, Ahlsten says his broker at Wilson M. Beck was there to make sure he got the answers quickly. “The insurance process had its challenges, but with their support, we stayed on track,” he says. “Compiling the loss of tools has been challenging, but their help gave us the confidence to keep moving forward.”
Brett Nicholson, partner at Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services, a company specializing in construction insurance and surety bonding, understands the complexities contractors face when managing insurance.
“Every contractor should have Commercial General Liability insurance as a minimum,” he says. “This coverage protects against basic risks like third-party bodily injury, property damage, and lawsuits. However, it’s equally important for contractors to consider additional coverage to protect against the unique risks they face on the job.”
Nicholson adds, “This includes insuring tools and equipment, as well as ensuring the policy includes endorsements to cover potential deductibles related to a General Contractor’s Course of Construction and Wrap-Up policies. These are essential to ensure that all potential risks are properly covered.”
He emphasizes that contractors should work with a broker who specializes in construction insurance and understands the full range of coverage required. A specialized broker can help ensure that both liability and property coverage are addressed properly and that any gaps in coverage are eliminated. This is essential in managing risk and protecting the contractor from unexpected financial setbacks.
Nicholson also stresses the importance of maintaining an accurate schedule of tools and equipment. “In the event of a loss, having a detailed and up-to-date schedule makes the claims process much simpler,” he says. “It ensures that all assets are accounted for and covered, reducing potential delays or complications during the claim.
“A knowledgeable broker can help ensure that all aspects of a contractor’s operations are covered, from liability to property risks, and will also help streamline the claims process should an incident occur.”
Though Ahlsten’s recovery has been slow, there have been positives. He was able to rely on his relationships within the industry to help bridge the gap. “Relationships with existing clients proved pivotal,” he says. “Any projects they could approve, they passed along to me. I received countless phone calls offering support from Local 280 members, contractors, suppliers, and others who knew me through the trades.
“Thankfully, my friends at Ridge Sheet Metal took some of my employees on loan. Ridge also fast-tracked fabrication for other jobs so I could send some of my team to those sites and get those projects moving,” Ahlsten says.
While the cause of the fire remains a mystery, Ahlsten says it has made him wary of taking on wood frame construction projects in the future. Despite the costs, he believes insurance is a safety net that contractors shouldn’t underestimate. “It may seem expensive, and you might think you’ll never need it, but believe me, it’s invaluable in times like this.”
The fire left Ahlsten and his team in a difficult spot, but it reinforced the importance of preparation, communication, and solid insurance coverage. “When working on wood frame projects, hot work is always a concern. We ensure that when it comes to drilling through wood, we use new, or newly sharpened, bits or hole saws. We now mist down any openings, and grinders are never used on wood frame construction. Fire extinguishers are always easily accessible and nearby.”
Ahlsten’s experience serves as a hard-won reminder to always be prepared and to never underestimate the value of a well-maintained safety net. ■
