As a follow up to my post last weekend I was asked by some contractors in a Harvey Building Products seminar what does the OSHA inspection list look like. For this post I ran a report for recent job site OSHA inspections for contractors in Massachusetts going back to January 1, 2013 to 4/3/2014. There were 1316 site inspections for Mass contractors listed. Contractors visited by OSHA this week are already up on the site!

TOMA or top of mind awareness is a very important concept to practice in your daily business. Tapping your existing customer base and referrals are the best source of future work. I am reposting a very popular blog post that has helped many contractors from late 2011.

In the How to Manage an OSHA Job Site Audit Seminar I show contractors what happens when a contractor is cited and fined for violating OSHA safety standards. Most if not all of the attendees are totally surprised to learn that OSHA Audits are posted on the OSHA website within a few days of the initial visit. Here is how it happens.

Contractor Fall Protection Compliance Back On OSHA's Radar in Massachusetts, NH, RI and CT

OSHA has announced that they will again focus on fall protection outreach and contractor compliance in the residential construction sector. They will conduct 9 open meetings throughout Massachusetts leading up to the National Stand Down week in June. 

Contractors inability to produce fast and accurate estimates and proposals can lead to lost jobs when impatient homeowners hire others with quicker service.  In Eastern Massachusetts we are about to have a busy remodeling year (some are already swamped) and consumers will want to get their projects priced, ordered and scheduled as soon as the winter breaks. Will you be ready?

Things are happening at Eastern Mass NARI. (National Association of the Remodeling Industry). We have booked Houzz.com to come and share some insights on how to use their online idea book platform to promote your business and generate high quality leads. This is our 2014 Signature Event and our speaker is Annie Nozawa of Houzz.

Many homeowners want remodelers to give them ideas, solutions, designs and remodeling estimates for FREE before products, methods and budgets are defined. 

The 2014 Cost vs Value Report is out and can be a valuable tool to educate homeowners on what they should budget for various types of remodeling projects. As you know most consumers are reluctant to share their project budget with the contractor out of fear that the number they share may be the price they are charged. You the remodeler or home improvement contractor want to make sure that you don't waste time with a homeowner who doesn't have a realistic budget.
Showing them the average cost of projects in their area using a third party neutral resource such as the Cost vs Value Report can break the ice and get the budget out on the table. 
The 2014 report shows that remodeling is very strong in many markets across the nation and the ROI for most projects is higher than the past few years. 

Some notable trends include high ROI for Attic Conversions, Finished Basements, Baths and Kitchens. Exterior replacement projects roofing, siding, windows, front doors and decks are also showing very good ROI. Home improvements that take advantage of the existing space and are within the existing footprint are more advantageous than building additions.
How to use the Cost vs Value Report with your prospects and stop wasting time with homeowners who have unrealistic budgets.

2014 is here. Are you and your business ready to capitalize on the robust growth in the remodeling industry? After the recent downturn many consumers have decided to stay where they are and fix up or remodel what they have. Qualifying to by a new home is harder than ever and selling your home for a reasonable number is even harder.