Two Massachusetts Bills pose a threat first to the livelihood of interior designers and next to kitchen designers, design/build remodelers, designers and stagers. Twin bills have been submitted in the Mass House and Senate to allow "nationally certified" interior designers to bid on state work as a prime contractor. The proposed design bills would restrict bidding on state projects to designers who have completed a nationally recognized certification. This is intended to mean the NCIDQ exam developed by ASID.                  

Remodeling activity is on a steady rise and remodelers are looking for qualified lead carpenters to handle the influx of new projects. In both the Boston and Worcester, Ma market we are asked to find lead carpenters on a weekly basis. When we have a lead on a true lead carpenter they are quickly hired by a client who uses the lead carpenter system. Unfortunately, there are not many competent lead carpenters. The good ones are working for someone else or have started their own business.

A contractor coaching client's website was hi-jacked by a Lead Generation Service (LGS). He noticed that his website was producing less leads after deciding to purchase leads from the Lead Generation Service. He brought us in to look at his marketing program and we discovered his domain name was linked with the LGS. Adding to his dismay he learned from his long time customer that they were receiving calls from many local contractors they did not seek out. The unwanted contractors received the customer's information from a profile page set up with the LGS.

A roofer from Bridgeport CT was killed from a fall while working on a roof in Westport Ct. According to posts from a Channel 12 story the roofer was working at Overlook Dr in Westport. It states OSHA is investigating. Subsequent posts reveal that the name of the person is Walter Pani and he was working for Primrose Co Inc 1425 Noble Av in Bridgeport CT. 06610. The report states that the roofing contractor was in his 20's and leaves a wife and two children. I spoke with a person at the Primrose office today and he said the worker was a subcontractor.

Mass unlicensed contractor Kyle Buckminster was nailed by the Attorney General for operating as an illegal home improvement contractor and not finishing projects.  He was ordered to pay over 100,000 for his illicit home improvement practices.

Last minute Mass contractors have been calling to get their CEU's (continuing education credits) before their CSL (Construction Supervisor License) expires. One contractor is concerned he will not be able to pull permits if he doesn't pick up his credits. He is justified to worry because some building inspectors told us at the May EMNARI dinner meeting they need to see a current license to give a permit. This means some contractors who need Continuing Education Credits after July 1st to renew their license may have to pass on some projects. Ouch!

Mass contractor, Twin Pines Construction faces fines of $290,700 for fall protection and related OSHA violations. This contractor is one of the latest announcements by Region 1 OSHA (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont).

Last month California's State License Board conducted a series of undercover stings to catch unlicensed contractors who were operating illegally. This program is run under the Department of Consumer Affairs. Dozens of contractors were arrested, put in hand cuffs, advised that they must show up in court and directed to obtain their license before offering to do home improvement work. Legal contractors in California are applauding the program hoping it will help level the playing field. (See press releases and video below)

Most contractors in the residential construction industry lack the basic knowledge of what OSHA requires for fall protection and other standards The residential industry has done a poor job of training contractors nationwide. OSHA enforcement and education efforts in New England (Region 1)are focused heavily on residential contractors. Massachusetts and Connecticut contractors are telling us they are seeing OSHA on their sites for fall protection violations.