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CAM Announces Spring Conference 2022

The Contractors Association of Minnesota is happy to announce our Spring Conference WILL be happening in 2022! It has been almost 2 years since our last Spring Conference and we are all excited to finally engage with vendors, manufacturers and our industry peers again! We will have a great line-up of speakers with lunch served early and a Happy Hour to follow, so mark your calendars!

When: April 21st, 2022 from 11 am – 4 pm

Where: Canterbury Park – Shakopee, MN

2021-11-16T12:40:36-06:00
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CAM Partners with DAV for Community Outreach Project!

The Contractor’s Association of Minnesota (CAM) recently partnered with the MN DAV and the Carver County Veterans Service Office to perform our first ever Community Outreach project together.

Carole Fink of Chanhassen, MN is a Vietnam era US Navy Veteran, a Special Education Teacher for 18 years and a Peer Support Specialist at the MN VA Hospital for 13 years.

After a career of serving others, she found herself needing a little help herself. She uses a walking cane and has not been able to use her rear porch deck steps because they are not handicap accessible.

Iron River Construction of Chaska, MN volunteered their services and materials to remove her old porch deck steps and replace it with a new maintenance free, handicap accessible porch deck. Carole was extremely excited to have her porch deck steps replaced so she can now use it and it also gives her a 2nd exit from the house in case there is ever a house fire.

The Contractor’s Association of Minnesota would like to thank the following for their assistance with this Community Outreach Program. Iron River Construction for completing the project, Master Key Claim Services for coordinating the project, the MN DAV and the Carver Country Veteran’s Service Office.

We all look forward to our next service project together with the MN DAV!

2021-11-03T10:13:13-05:00
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Tracy Dahlin Announced As A Finalist for Finance and Commerce Top Women In Construction Award!

We are excited to announce that Tracy Dahlin, our Board Chairperson, has been selected as a finalist for Finance & Commerce Top Women in Construction Awards!  This is the 2nd year celebrating accomplished women in the construction industry from around Minnesota. All nominations were submitted by peers and supporters and an outside panel of judges selected a limited number of finalists in each of the following categories.

  • Industry Leadership
  • Outstanding Tradesperson/Craftswoman
  • Outstanding Project Management/Estimating
  • Companies to Watch
  • Professional Services
  • Outstanding Service to the Profession

Tracy and Iron River Construction were selected in the Companies to Watch category. Winners in each category will be announced at a Celebration of Women in Construction event at The Lumber Exchange on Wednesday, October 20.  A fun networking reception will begin at 5 pm with awards at 6:30.

As a finalist, Tracy will be profiled in the 2021 Top Women in Construction publication.  Here is a link to the website and video of the 2020 Top Women in Construction awards which was held virtually.

Please join us in congratulating Tracy and Iron River on their achievement and helping to continue lift up and improve our industry!

2021-10-05T10:49:21-05:00
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Registration For Xactimate / Insurance Class Now Open!

CAM is once again partnering with Xactware to hold a two day, Level 1 Xactimate training course with a focus specifically on exteriors. The curriculum is centered around Roofing, Siding and Windows. We are offering a 2 Day – Level 1 Xactimate class and we are also offering a bonus 3rd day of our “Utilizing Xactimate” class at a discount when combined with the Xactimate class. If you already took the level 1 class then consider just signing up for the Insurance class to learn how to get the most out of Xactimate!

Click HERE For More Information!

2021-09-21T09:08:04-05:00
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Important Upcoming Dates

August 5, 2019 Storm Deadline

 

As many of you know, a substantial hail event rolled through the twin cities metro area about two years ago.  Most Minnesota insurance policies provide two years from the date of loss to take legal action if the claim has not been resolved.  This is a frequently misunderstood topic.  The two-year deadline is a deadline to take legal action (a “statute of limitation”).  It is not a deadline to simply submit a claim.  That is not enough.  If the homeowner does not have an extension or tolling agreement (in writing), they have to take legal action to preserve their rights under the policy.  If they do not, then their claim will be time-barred and they will not be able to recover additional funds.  Appraisal does not toll this deadline.  Waiting for material to drop does not toll this deadline.  Nothing does other than a written extension or legal action.

 

If your homeowners do not have an extension, the sooner they contact a lawyer, the more likely we will be able to help.  They should not wait until the day before at the risk of losing their insurance benefits.

 

August 10, 2020 Iowa Derecho Deadline

 

Along the same topic, the Iowa Derecho event is approaching its one-year anniversary.  If you’re doing any work down in Iowa, most Iowa policies have 1 or 2 year limits from the date of loss.  The statutory minimum is 1 year, so many policyholders are also coming up on their deadline to take legal action from this event.  Again, that is a deadline to take legal action, not just submit a claim.  We can help those homeowners secure extensions or take legal action, but the sooner we can talk to them the better.

 

DLI Wage Investigations

 

I’ve noticed a recent trend of employee classification investigations by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) into whether sales representatives are Independent Contractors or Employees.  Historically, it’s been okay to classify sales reps as independent contractors as long as they are truly independent.  The “nine-factor test” that DLI uses to determine classification can be found here.  You’ll want to make sure you’re following that and that your contract includes these factors.  There can be pretty stiff penalties and fines if DLI reclassifies someone as an employee.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.

 

7900 Xerxes Avenue South

Suite 2020

Bloomington, MN 55431

tjohnson@sjjlawfirm.com

Direct: 952-314-1169

General: 952-388-0289

Fax:  612-235-7927

2021-08-01T11:37:27-05:00
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Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing

Trade Association Coalition Continues Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing
Data collection on this scale never previously attempted in the roofing industry

Washington, D.C. – July 16, 2021

Roofing professionals are invited to join industry trade associations representing contractors,
consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada in taking part in the new Quarterly Market
Index Survey for Reroofing.
The purpose of the survey is to take the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and
become a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. By asking a handful of business
questions and measuring responses across a number of demographics, the survey helps give an
indication of the reroofing market strength and trajectory.
During the previous survey timeframe that measured perceptions of business activity in 2021 Q1,
nearly 300 respondents completed the eight-question survey during a two-week period in April with
62% of responses coming from roofing contractors and 38% coming from roof consultants. The results
indicate generally improving market conditions for the roofing industry in the face of the global
COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey is an industry-wide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded
by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association,
Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing
Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction
Association, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate
Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply
Roofing Industry.
The quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing is available at http://bit.ly/roofindexsurvey.
Survey responses may be submitted Wednesday, July 7th through Monday, July 26th.

Members of the media with questions may contact representatives from any of the coalition members
or Ellen Thorp at ellen.thorp@epdmroofs.org

2021-07-16T15:57:53-05:00
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CCLD Summer Newsletter

Members –

Attached is the link to the latest Construction Code & Licensing Division (CCLD) quarterly newsletter.

 CCLD Summer Newsletter

While it is always a good idea to review what CCLD has to say, there is one provision that members must continually be aware of and vigilant when contracts are being signed by clients and contractors. The provision is a reminder that contractors are NOT allowed to pay deductibles and they MUST put the statutory provision in their contracts so clients understand that paying deductibles are illegal.  You can find a link to the statute here.

Please contact Lisa Frenette at frenettela@gmail.com if you need more information.

2021-06-14T14:35:51-05:00
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CAM Announces FALL Golf Classic!

Coming off the huge success of our golf event in May, CAM has decided we will continue to hold our regular FALL event as a golf event as well this year. We plan to have a tighter format for the more serious golfers, but will still offer fun for golfers of all caliber. Save the date for  The CAM Fall Golf Classic to be held at Links at Northfork Golf Course in Ramsey on Thursday September 16th, 2021.  This will be a shotgun start at 1 pm. LUNCH prior and a BBQ after will be included with the player packages.  We look forward to holding our 2022 Spring Conference in April of 2022 and Fall Golf Classic again in 2022.

More Information & Registration HERE!

2021-07-19T15:20:10-05:00
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CAM Legislative Update – Contractor Recovery Fund

The Contractor Association of MN (CAM) submitted comments supporting bills authored by Senator Justin Eichorn (Bemidji) and Rep. Shane Mekeland (Clear Lake).  The bill prevents the use of any funds from the Contractor Recover Fund except for its intended use by providing clarifying language.  The Contractor Recovery Fund is allowed for the following:

(1) compensate owners or lessees of residential real estate who meet the requirements
of this section;
(2) reimburse the department for all legal and administrative expenses, disbursements,
and costs, including staffing costs, incurred in administering and defending the fund;
(3) pay for educational or research projects in the field of residential contracting to
further the purposes of sections 326B.801 to 326B.825; and
(4) provide information to the public on residential contracting issues.

You can read the letter submitted by CAM below.

Date: March 8th, 2021

Rep. Shane Mekeland
215 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155

Dear Rep. Mekeland:

On behalf of the Contractor!s Association of Minnesota, we are writing to express our support
for HF 762.

This bill will ensure that funds licensed contractors must, by statute, pay into the Contractor
Recovery Fund will not be allowed to be used for other purposes. In lean years, the fund has
been raided to cover other funding shortfalls.

Minnesota Statues 327A is a statutory requirement known as the “home warranty” provision.
This statutory requirement states that homeowners building new homes or remodeling their
homes are protected from structural issues. For example, if a homeowner builds a new home
and there are structural issues, the Contractor Recovery Account will ensure that a contractor
who is unable to fulfill their statutory obligations will make the homeowner whole when repairs
are made. HF 762 protects the Contractor Recovery Fund from being used for anything other than
protecting homeowners and making sure that these funds are available to the homeowner.

Sincerely,
Tracy Dahlin
Chairperson – Contractors Association of Minnesota
2021-03-19T15:15:20-05:00
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NEW Seminar – Insurance Claims Process & Utilizing Xactimate For Contracting Professionals

CAM has partnered with Todd Mutchler, MN Public Adjuster, to bring you a full day course focusing on the entire claims process and utilizing your Xactimate estimates within the insurance claims process.

This is a LIVE seminar and will be strictly limited to the first 25 qualified attendees. Continental Breakfast and BOX Lunch will be provided with the seminar.

This course has been specifically developed for individuals who have either taken the CAM Level 1 or Level 2 Xactimate Training class and / or have a prior working knowledge of Xactimate estimating. This course is intended to provide you with the information and knowledge you need as a professional contractor to successfully navigate storm and weather-related Insurance claims utilizing the Xactimate estimating process.

Todd Mutchler has over 24+ years of experience in the Insurance Claims Industry including Insurance Company Adjuster, Catastrophe Claims Supervisor, Large Loss Residential/Commercial Manager, NFIP Adjuster and more recently as a Licensed Public Adjuster.

In this course you will be introduced to:

  • The Basics of an Insurance Policy.
  • The Basics on an Insurance Claim
  • The Role of an Insurance Adjuster
  • The Role of a Contractor in relations to an Insurance Claim
  • How to thoroughly inspect a residence for exterior Storm damages
  • How to meet with an Adjuster and present the Storm damages and repairs.
  • How to organize and prepare an Xactimate estimate for Storm losses. (Prior experience in Xactimate is required)
  • How to use Xactimate Category’s, Line Items and Macros for a detailed estimate.
  • How to prepare and present Supplemental estimates
  • How to resolve scope and estimate disputes.
  • The Basics of an Appraisal and how to prepare for one.

This course is open only to those with prior Xactimate training and access to a laptop with Xactimate Version 28 Loaded. This is NOT a class to teach you how to use Xactimate, but rather how to use it effectively.

Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare for the upcoming storm season!

Costs is $250 for CAM Members and $300 for Non-Members

When:   Thursday April 29th, 2021
Time:    8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where:  Wells Fargo Plaza
7900 Xerxes Avenue South – Suite 215
Bloomington, MN

REGISTER TODAY BY CLICKING HERE !

2021-04-04T09:06:38-05:00
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