Many remodeler business owners are asking us for help to hire lead carpenters to handle the increase demand for remodeling work. We have placed a few over the past year but right now there are very few candidates. We have learned that few Construction Company Business have learned, developed and implemented the Lead Carpenter System (LCS) Program. As a result companies not having a LCS will not attract qualified candidates.  

In February, I produced an Insurance Claim Workshop to help contractors effectively assist their homeowner clients with winter ice dam and frozen pipe burst claims. Many contractor students used the strategies taught to successfully convince insurance adjusters to increase the scope of work and subsequent pricing so they could do the job at the right price.

Fortunately some claims have settled but unfortunately, there are still thousands where the insurance companies have not offered fair and reasonable settlements for the damages homeowners have incurred.

Here is what contractors are currently telling us;

• They are still receiving calls from homeowners who haven't seen their adjuster since February
• Homeowners are still waiting for an estimate
• Homeowners have received low estimates that are 30 to 50% lower than prices quoted by adjusters
• Insurance companies are leaving out damage that is in plain view and writing for only the damaged area leaving out connected walls, ceiling, floors and other surfaces.
• No one is calling homeowners back after numerous calls
• The walls and insulation have been torn out since February or March by a remediation contractor and no one has been back to them.
• No one told the homeowner that they may be entitled to additional living expense to live somewhere else until their destroyed home is fixed. 
• The insurance companies are telling homeowners that their low ball offer is all that they will pay.

If you have a client who is experiencing any of these unfair practices there are effective ways to help them. Here are seven strategies we teach our students in the insurance claim workshop.

OSHA says deaths from falls are the number one cause of deaths on contractors' job sites.

Last week I met the head of OSHA Construction at the Hanley Wood National Remodeling Leadership Conference. He said Fall Protection violations in the residential construction industry continues to be the number one most cited standard. He said they are doing all they can to change this result but admitted that they are a small agency and they are relying more and more on complaints and referrals. In fact 25% of job site audits come from complaints and referrals. He suggested contractors need to step up and make sure they provide fall protection training for their employees.

With spring here and a busy building season underway contractors and builders will see a lot of scrutiny from OSHA. Region 1, New England is currently under two significant Local Emphasis Programs.