The Contractors Association of Minnesota (CAM) is excited to announce the addition of three new members: Mindy Lawrence, William Wise, and Paul Boyum.

Mindy Lawrence

Mindy Lawrence, a construction industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, joins us from Sharp Exteriors, located in Prior Lake, MN. A University of Minnesota graduate, Mindy brings her extensive background in construction management to Sharp Exteriors’ GAF-certified roofing business, with contract values ranging from $10K to $30M. Outside the professional arena, she has a passion for spending time with her family, reading, podcast listening and traveling.

William Wise

William Wise comes to us from Wise Choice Construction, a locally owned and licensed roofing, siding and exterior services company based in Lakeville, MN. Maintaining a coveted A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the company is dedicated to quality and professionalism. Wise brings over 65 years of combined tradespeople expertise from his team.

Paul Boyum

Paul Boyum of Kinmount Exteriors, a Lonsdale, MN company built on customer satisfaction and education, is completing the trio of new board members. With nearly three decades of experience in business and construction, he co-founded Kinmount Exteriors in 2022, quickly establishing the company as a premier roofing resource in the Twin Cities. When not overseeing roofing, siding, and window projects, Boyum enjoys quality time with his family and pets.

The Contractors Association of Minnesota

CAM is thrilled to welcome Mindy, William, and Paul to CAM. The Contractors Association of Minnesota prides itself in its commitment to the industry. Our objective is to provide valuable perspectives as we work to support the growth and success of small to medium construction businesses and independent contractors throughout the state. Our continued advocacy gives Minnesota contractors a strong industry voice at the State Capitol and its regulatory agencies.

For more information about CAM, please visit www.camnonline.org. or contact us through our website.

Being a member of the Contractor’s Association of Minnesota (CAM) has numerous benefits. CAM is an organization that helps contractors improve their businesses and succeed in the construction industry. 

Ten Ways a CAM Membership Provides Valuable Technical and Marketing Data

Access to Industry Experts: CAM members have access to a wealth of industry experts. Members can consult these experts for technical advice, marketing strategies and other industry-related issues.

Industry-Specific Training: CAM offers training programs tailored to the construction industry. These training programs help members stay up-to-date with the latest technology and techniques in the industry.

Networking Opportunities: CAM provides a platform for contractors to connect. Members can share ideas, collaborate on projects, and build relationships that lead to business growth.

Industry Reports: CAM provides members with industry reports that include data on trends, opportunities and challenges in the construction industry. This data can help members make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition.

Business Development: CAM offers resources and tools to help members grow their businesses. These resources include marketing tips, sales strategies and business planning tools.

Legal Advice: CAM provides legal advice to members. This advice covers various issues, including contracts, labor laws and insurance requirements.

Safety Training: CAM offers training programs that help members comply with OSHA regulations and keep their workers safe.

Advocacy: CAM advocates for the construction industry at the local, state and national levels. Members can participate in advocacy efforts and have their voices heard by policymakers.

Industry Events: CAM hosts events that bring together industry professionals. These events allow members to learn from each other, connect with potential clients and showcase their work.

Discounts: CAM members can take advantage of discounts on products and services from CAM’s partners. These discounts can help members save money and increase their profitability.

Learn More About Becoming a CAM Member

Joining CAM is an excellent move for contractors who want to give themselves a competitive edge in the market and expand their businesses. Take advantage of the opportunity to improve. Join CAM today and take your business to the next level. 

To learn more about CAM membership and how it can benefit your business, contact CAM today to schedule a consultation. Our team of experts will happily answer your questions and help determine if CAM membership suits you. We look forward to hearing from you!

At some point, almost every contractor will encounter a client filing an insurance claim to recover from a loss. But unfortunately, there are several ways in which property may be damaged that are out of the owner’s control. 

• Fires caused by lightning, Christmas trees and unattended heating elements,
• Flooding from too much rain, spring runoff or faulty plumbing,
• Storms, blizzards and ice damage,
• Accidents, incidents and general foolhardiness,
• Pests such as termites, bees, gophers and any other destructive critters.

When these insurance claim jobs come your way, it is important to handle them. Make sure contractors get paid, your customer is satisfied, the insurance company has the necessary documentation, and you may gain a new long-term client.

Communication With Your Customer

Insurance claim jobs are often initiated at a challenging time for a client. Not only have they lost property, but they may be unprepared to deal with insurance and construction. If they are a new client, they may not understand how the claim process works. It is important to remember that a restoration contract is made with the property owner, not the insurance company. While it’s a good idea to review the insurance adjuster’s estimate and suggest items they may have missed, you want to avoid communicating directly with the insurance company. The customer is ultimately responsible for payment to any contractors, so they should always be kept in the loop.

As with any new customer, credit checks should be done, deposits required, and a pre-lien completed before work is begun. The client may be relying on the insurance for reimbursement, but the work and the payment for it ultimately fall to the contractor and claimant.

Honesty is Still the Best Policy

Throughout the insurance claim process, it is important to document the state in which you find things and the results of your work. Keeping accurate records can help support the customer’s claims and aid in estimating future contracts. In addition, when you consistently provide quality work, accurate estimates, and helpful advice, word will spread through the insurance adjuster community and your community at large. Reviews, both online and by word of mouth, can be a source of business for years to come. Good reviews are earned most easily by honesty and trustworthiness in all your business dealings. 

For more information regarding news and tips for contractors, contact the Contractors Association of Minnesota and sign up for membership today.

As general contractors, we offer vital services to our customers. These services are necessary but not always attainable for some or are needed in high demand in the case of widespread disasters. This is where we can show our dedication to the people of our community by volunteering time and resources to support those most in need.

Target Vulnerable Populations

When volunteering your time and sometimes materials, you want to ensure you are making the most impact. You can do just that by targeting those who need the most support. The elderly, disabled veterans, and low-income residents are among the most vulnerable in many communities.

You may choose to offer your services to anyone in need, but by selecting a specific population to support, you can build a reputation as an advocate and champion for those who need you most.

Partner With an Organization

A larger organization that provides contracted services for those in need will often already have a list of who needs help and what exactly they need. This can make it much easier to know where and when you are needed, saving you time and effort finding volunteer opportunities so you can get to work.

Organizations may be regional and focused on helping your specific community or much larger, like Habitat for Humanity, which supports communities nationwide. Not only does partnering with an organization to volunteer your services support those in need, but it can also help you network with other professionals and grow as a leader within your industry.

Join a Relief Effort

General contractors are in high demand following natural disasters. Many homes and other buildings may be severely damaged or completely destroyed after widespread flooding, wildfires, tornados, or other extreme events.

After the dust has settled and the extent of the damage can be more accurately determined, construction specialists are needed to help rebuild these communities. There may be an organization or a community liaison helping to direct the reconstruction efforts in the area that can get you set up with the most critical projects that fit your skills.

Let Your Customers Decide

Many general contractors have turned to their customers to find people in their community that can benefit from their services the most. By running a campaign that allows customers to nominate someone they feel needs and deserves your services, you can decide who you are capable of and wish to help. You also show the public that you are an active participant and engaged in your community by listening to them.

In their latest Community Outreach project, the Contractor’s Association of Minnesota (CAM) has supported a local veteran with a handicap accessible entryway to her home. Learn more about CAM and the many benefits of membership, then apply online.

If you are familiar with Minnesota winters, you have likely seen an ice dam before. Usually starting as small icicles hanging from the eaves or gutters, they quickly turn into dangerous ridges of ice that run along the roof’s overhang. In extreme dam conditions, you can have large icicles extending a foot or more from the roofline. Those icicles are attached to heavy ice sheets that could seriously injure someone. The weight of the falling ice can also pull gutters, soffit, facia, and shingles off the house when they break away. It is important to have ice dams removed and prevent them from recurring.

What Causes Ice Dams?

When the heat from your home escapes into the attic or rafters, it creates a warm spot. This causes the snow on the roof to melt, and the water runs down the shingles until it meets the cold eves. Once this happens, it refreezes and forms a small ridge. Every melt-freeze cycle increases the size of the ridge, eventually forcing the ice to back up onto the roof. This can force water under the shingles and into your home, damaging your ceilings and walls. You will see the water damage as brown stains on the ceilings or brown streaks on the walls. Your paint may also blister or peel.

What To Do When You Have an Ice Dam

Winter conditions make roof work very difficult, and it is dangerous for homeowners to remove ice dams on their own. Qualified, licensed contractors offer professional ice dam removal services that ensure your safety, protect your roof, and keep water out of your home.

You can ask your contractor about what steps you can take to prevent future ice dams. They may recommend one or more strategies depending on the type of roof you have, the age of your home, and the type of ductwork servicing the house. Some potential options are adding insulation, wrapping uninsulated ductwork and venting, cleaning the gutters, and adding gutter guards.

Choose a Professional Contractor

Choosing a CAM contractor will give you peace of mind knowing that other contractors trust them, are local to the area, and have excellent business ratings with a longtime presence in the area. By bringing in a reputable contractor, you are protecting yourself from liability issues and avoiding the dangers of falling ice. Never underestimate the dangers ice dams pose. Work with a professional to resolve the issue permanently.