Spring is often the catalyst of projects for homeowners. Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it,” and recent DIY books and online videos make it appear that nearly anyone is capable of any project. However, tackling a job yourself is not always a reasonable or safe choice, and there are several aspects to consider when deciding whether to hire a contractor.

The Haves and Have Nots

Materials needed for home repairs are available in most markets and are generally not the limitation they once were. Instead, it’s important to consider the following:

• Do you have the tools you’ll need to complete the job properly? Tasks such as painting touch-ups or minor landscaping may require common tools you have on hand. On the other hand, more involved jobs may call for expensive tools that you may never use again.
• If a mistake is made, have you the means and willingness to fix it? Quality contractors will often warranty their work so that if you experience difficulties, they’ll return to make things right.
• Do you want the liability if the job is done incorrectly, or will it affect your home’s sell-ability? At some point, your home will likely be inspected. Repairs that are not done to code may need to be removed or re-done to sell.
• Do you have the time? Many contractors offer free estimates, including the time needed to complete the job. One simple comparison is calculating how long it would take to do it yourself, multiplying that by your hourly wage, and comparing that total to the contractor’s bid.

Prudence Is More Than a Pretty Name

A good deal of home renovation and remodeling tasks are best completed by a professional, and if you’re not sure, it’s wise to err on the side of caution:

• Tasks that may need a building permit, such as major remodeling projects
• Projects that run the risk of killing you or destroying your home
• Any major electrical upgrades
• HVAC system servicing and updates
• Tree removal
• Work with chemicals such as pest control materials and sewer or septic systems

The Contractors Association of Minnesota is an excellent resource in your search for a professional for your upcoming home improvement job.

Spring is often the catalyst of projects for homeowners. Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it,” and recent DIY books and online videos make it appear that nearly anyone is capable of any project. However, tackling a job yourself is not always a reasonable or safe choice, and there are several aspects to consider when deciding whether to hire a contractor.

The Haves and Have Nots

Materials needed for home repairs are available in most markets and are generally not the limitation they once were. Instead, it’s important to consider the following:

• Do you have the tools you’ll need to complete the job properly? Tasks such as painting touch-ups or minor landscaping may require common tools you have on hand. On the other hand, more involved jobs may call for expensive tools that you may never use again.
• If a mistake is made, have you the means and willingness to fix it? Quality contractors will often warranty their work so that if you experience difficulties, they’ll return to make things right.
• Do you want the liability if the job is done incorrectly, or will it affect your home’s sell-ability? At some point, your home will likely be inspected. Repairs that are not done to code may need to be removed or re-done to sell.
• Do you have the time? Many contractors offer free estimates, including the time needed to complete the job. One simple comparison is calculating how long it would take to do it yourself, multiplying that by your hourly wage, and comparing that total to the contractor’s bid.

Prudence Is More Than a Pretty Name

A good deal of home renovation and remodeling tasks are best completed by a professional, and if you’re not sure, it’s wise to err on the side of caution:

• Tasks that may need a building permit, such as major remodeling projects
• Projects that run the risk of killing you or destroying your home
• Any major electrical upgrades
• HVAC system servicing and updates
• Tree removal
• Work with chemicals such as pest control materials and sewer or septic systems

The Contractors Association of Minnesota is an excellent resource in your search for a professional for your upcoming home improvement job.

We are seeing more warm days, which means that the busiest construction season is almost here. Are you prepared? You shouldn’t wait until spring is here to get your business ready. For a successful construction season filled with lucrative projects, prepare fully for the next couple of weeks.

Build and Train Your Team

You can’t keep up with a full calendar of projects during the busiest season of the year if you don’t have enough of the right people. Depending on your business, you may decide to contract teams for specific tasks, but that still leaves a lot of work to be done by your crew. You’ll save money by paying your own workers to do a good job the first time, so it’s vital you have a reliable, skilled team that’s ready to go as soon as the weather breaks and you can start working.

Inventory Your Equipment and Supplies

Having the right equipment and supplies on hand is just as important as having the right people. Before the busy season starts, take the time to go through your equipment and make sure everything is operational. If anything needs to be fixed, do it now before you are in the middle of a project and are depending on it. You may also know what types of projects are coming up and what equipment you may need that you don’t already have. Specialty gear you won’t often need can be rented to cut overall costs, but you’ll need to crunch the numbers to make the most sensible choice.

Fill Your Schedule

You’ve probably heard from home and business owners over the winter who are eager to get projects completed. Now that spring and summer are almost here, it’s time to reach out to them and get them on the calendar. You’ll need more details to estimate how long it will take, so why not take this downtime to talk? As your schedule fills up with pending projects, you can evaluate your business needs. Do you need to advertise your services to fill in gaps in your calendar, or should you announce you are hiring additional crew members?

The Contractors Association of Minnesota is proud to support our local contractors with continuing education, community outreach, and more. To learn about CAM and to become a member, apply online. Reach new customers with our contractor listing and network with industry specialists to help grow your business.

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.

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