Magnum PEI

by Heidi Riley

Eight years ago, Jeff and Melissa McCarthy and their four children visited PEI for the first time. “Before we came here, we didn’t know anything more about PEI than Anne of Green Gables, lobsters, and potatoes,” says Jeff.

When they visited the Island, they were pleased by how friendly Islanders are. “PEI is all about community,” says Jeff. They purchased their forever home on PEI in 2021, and decided it was time to move to PEI permanently.

The family is from Waterloo, Ontario, where Jeff ran a landscape construction company, installing interlocking stone and retaining walls. He went on to work for a property management company doing subcontracting work.

When they moved to PEI, Jeff decided to open a company that specializes in property management, as well as seasonal homeowner site wellness checks, deck and fence repairs, and interior repairs and maintenance. They also manage a couple of apartment buildings.

“While trying to come up with a name for the company, I was watching an old episode of SCTV with John Candy playing a character called Magnum PEI, and I knew that name was perfect.

“We knew there was value in a company that offers property management for people from away. We made great connections, and we started to get more clients. The effects of hurricane Fiona opened up new construction work with fences and desks.

“Our communication is what separates us from other management companies. We are there to listen and answer questions right away, because we want to have good relationships.”

The company started with Jeff working on his own, and this year, Jeff will be joined by his wife Melissa and a young couple that lives close by, Jacob and Olivia Jantzen.

Jeff does the coordinating and construction and looks after the business. Jacob is the construction foreman. Melissa will look after cleaning short-term rental properties and homes for sale, and Olivia will help her. “We have also hired a young lady who is moving here from Ottawa who will be our go-to person.”

Hiring needs

“I believe we will be hiring someone else this year, because we have a lot of work,” says Jeff. “In Ontario I had 10 employees, and I will be comfortable growing to that size on PEI in the next few years.

“What I like about Jacob is that he can think ahead to the next step of a project. Emily comes from a background of working in a family business, and she has done everything from sweeping to carrying boxes and answering phones – the work ethic is there.

“Magnum PEI wants people who care about the job, have the ability to learn, treat it like it is their own home, are very kind and friendly to our customers, and are good communicators.

“There is a ton of work available on PEI in the trades, including roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and more – and it is a great place to be.”