[Bexter]

There is allot in your post to address ... I'll try and touch on a bit of it.

We will start and experienced guy out at around 15 per hour ... not really sure this is worth mentioning because of the cost of living differs so much from country to country...area to area.
We also offer a substantial amount of overtime pay (after 8hrs)... It really doesn't cost you that much in the long run if you take everything into consideration.... whole other topic and I’m sure many will disagree.

I think that the bigger you get the more work you can offer a couple guys work in the winter ... could you bank hours after 40 and give them a steady 40 hour check almost all year ?... I don't know ...check with a labour lawyer on that.

We lose our fair share of people every winter .. I envy companies that can work all year round ... We are a great company to work for but the reality is we can't keep everyone on all year round.
Another thing we found useful was finding a few guys work at another seasonal business for the winter ... they were driving trucks for a oil rig camp supply company .... come spring they lay them off.
Snow plowing .... we are very small ....did about 20k worth this winter ... it did help pay a bit of the wages.

I've thought about firewood ... has not gone any further than that. Just break even on it to keep another guy employed?

Perhaps making gazebos ..trellises ... benches ... to sell retail.

Also something we do ...have guys alternate taking time off ...most guys won't mind having a bit of a break.

I feel the bottom line is ... it is the nature of the beast in a seasonal business ... work on building that business so that you can afford and actually need a few guys around to do repairs etc.