Over the past 3 months I have been reading the Angie's list monthly magazine and was amazed at all the contractor advertisements that were in violation of the Mass Home Improvement Law. The Mass Home Improvement Law explicitly states that contractors must publish their registration number in all advertising. One would expect that Angie's list would not allow contractors who violate the law to advertise in their publication. I was thinking that it was time to expose this matter due to the dangers posed to homeowners who hire what they think is a good company based on the Angie's List.

A recent thread on the Linkedin NARI group has generated over 130 responses from parties interested in the relationship between contractors and lead generation sites. The purpose of the thread was to provide a forum for contractors and LGC's about the numerous problems between the two groups. We were interested in obtaining dialogue from contractors and LGC's.

We always hear about the bad stuff, like poor service and unfriendly people, how about something different for a change?

2008 was a challenging year for contractors in the residential remodeling industry. With declining home values, tightened credit, lack luster new home construction, smaller remodeling projects and erosion of consumer confidence many contractors are facing uncertain futures. The time and need for change has never been more apparent than now. We need to analyze our businesses and make sure that we are able to deliver outstanding products and services to the Next Level Consumer.

Owning and operating a residential contracting business presents unique challenges for contractors servicing the homeowner market. These challenges are unique because the industry has very little structured business training for residential contractors who provide services to a savvy, demanding and educated consumer. Contractors with formal business education or experience from the commercial construction industry tend to do better with today's homeowner consumer if they use and apply, industry best practices and systems.

I wrote a post a few weeks ago about writing your business plan for 2009. How are you doing? We have a few more days until the New Year, will you be ready?

Recently a Contractor Talk.Com member referenced a new EPA fine assessed against a Massachusetts contractor. This new rule is another regulation to contend with. If you are residential remodeling contractor working on homes built before 1978 they are subject to the lead paint notification rule.

Over the past week many in the northeast have been walloped by the Ice Storm of 2008 leaving many without power and the basic necessities. On top of the recent economic downturn, foreclosures, declining real estate construction activity and financial troubles it is not suprising that people's attitudes are affected. We are easily reminded of all the recent and current challenges on the news, in the paper, the radio, the internet, work and the coffee shop. It is very easy to get caught up in the misery and before you know it you are not feeling very positive and your attitude towards things turns negative.

I got a call today from a homeowner looking for some guidance on a problem with product they bought from a wholesaler that was installed by their contractor. The homeowner bought a whirlpool tub that was installed into a custom base and then the plumber installed the drains and other items neccessary. The rough wiring was installed. The tile was installed around the perimeter, the faucets were installed and the last item to wrap  up was the final electrical connections. When the electrical was connected there was a problem with the motor and factory wiring of the unit. Turns out the motor and wiring would not work and was defective.

In today’s challenging economy consumers are faced with the task of deciding if they should hire the one man show or the larger more established contracting companies. The money that can be saved hiring the smaller contractor can be very attractive. Smaller companies tend to have little overhead often working out of their home. Also they are usually the chief cook and bottle washer of the company. They sell, manage, install and service their work. If they need help they usually hire as needed. The advantages are significant savings on price and the man hired is usually the installer you bought the job from. The disadvantages are the project will usually take much longer and if something happens to the one man contractor the consumer usually ends up with an unfinished project having to be redone. The ultimate cost may exceed the cost of hiring the established contractor in the first place.