HammerLoop seeks MBA members for BETA launch
HammerLoop is a new platform that aims to centralize construction workers and construction employers. HammerLoop will allow employers the opportunity to find workers based on their trade, and their location, and reach out directly to them for jobs. Subsequently, it will also allow the workers to get a much better feel for the market, as they can see who is hiring, what trades are in demand, where jobs are located, pay rates, and other important items. We launch our BETA Monday, 8/11, and are looking for
Celebrating our Member Referral Partners - Thank You for Helping Us Build Our Community!
We would like to recognize and celebrate our wonderful REFERRAL PARTNERS!2025:Robert Kennedy, Robert Kennedy Construction, who referred Joe Kennedy, Platinum Power, Inc. (Special thanks to Robert who pledged his bonus to our Workforce Development & Scholarship Fund!)Joe Pennisi, PEP Creative Architecture + Interior Design, who referred, Brian Miller, BKM Drywall (Special thanks to Joe who pledged his bonus to our Workforce Development & Scholarship Fund!)Judi Cooper, Kitchens Inside Out, who referred Tommy
Safety & Training Short: Confined Spaces - Permit Required Confined Spaces
Protect yourself in and around confined spaces. A confined space is a working area with limited openings for entry or exit, large enough for entering and working, and not designated for continuous occupancy. Examples of confined spaces include tanks, storage bins, underground vaults, pits, manholes, silos, and pipelines.Permits are required to enter confined spaces that:May contain a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphereContain materials which can engulf an entrantContain walls that converge
Thank You to our 2025-26 Marin Home Resource Guide Ad Partners!
We want to express our deep gratitude to our wonderful 2025-26 Marin Home Resource Guide Ad Partners! Their generous support of our signature publication made this edition possible - and our best yet! Your partnership is instrumental in supporting our local building community and connecting with Marin County homeowners preparing to undergo their next home improvement project.Celebrating in alpha order:A and P Moving, Inc.Aaero Heating & Sheetmetalbuilding LabCanty Real Estate Group, IncCentral Valley
Keep Your Grip: Preventing Hand Injuries in Construction
Did you know that over 1 million workers are treated in an emergency room for hand injuries each year? According to the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), fingers and hands are the most injured body parts among construction workers, accounting for 1/3 of all emergency room visits (yikes!) Not only can an occupational injury cause initial pain, it may also require weeks or months of rehabilitation. Throughout the day, your hands come in contact with a multitude of hazards, including
Don't Be Litigious; Give Notice
Don't Be Litigious; Give Notice Stakeholders in complex construction projects tend to use words and phrases like “partnering,” “proactive,” “flexibility,” “no punch list,” “early completion,” and “under budget” early in the project. Then comes the inevitable roadblock threatening to squash the optimism. Fearing that the relationship will sour, contractors often elect not to follow the formal notice requirements in the contract and try to work around the problem or talk through the issue with the owner.
Safety & Training Short: Ladder Safety - Selection and Maintenance
Ladders must be selected based on hazards and tasks. Also, ladders require maintenance in order to function properly. Each ladder type requires different inspection criteria and maintenance. If a ladder is neglected, it may become unsafe to use. For this reason, it is extremely important that ladders are inspected prior to each use and repaired periodically. Types of ladders: Length:Stepladder users must be able to reach about four feet from the top of the ladder while standing on the second step from
Change Fails Without Them: How to Engage Your Stakeholders (Part 2 of series of 6)
What Does Stakeholder Engagement Really Mean? Engaging stakeholders isn’t just about informing them. It’s about inviting them into the process early enough that they feel ownership, not obligation. It means identifying the right voices across the organization, those with influence, expertise, and credibility, and involving them in a way that’s meaningful and practical. Because when people feel heard, they lean in. When they’re excluded, they dig in.The 4 Essentials of Stakeholder Engagement1. Map the
RFP HVAC Replacement at Marin County Juvenile Hall - Bidding Notice
County of Marin is inviting sealed proposals of bids for an HVAC Replacement at Marin County Juvenile Hall. The bid opening date is Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 2:00pm via Zoom. To view the full Notice to Bidders, please Click Here. Important NoticesMandatory Pre-Bid Conference: There is a mandatory pre-bid conference for this project on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 10:00am. The location is 16 Jeanette Prandi Way, San Rafael, CA, 94903.Mandatory Background Check: All attendees are required to submit a
Capitol Connection #1417
Capitol Connection Q&A for ContractorsBy Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc. I have heard that failure is just a stop on the way to success! You can bet in Nevada, money matters. Contractors also need to see a day in the future when they can put down their tools. As your expert assistant I can help with all these issues, as I do daily in my Sacramento offices… Q: We have a pending contractor’s license application with the CSLB and my boss just took the Trade exam yesterday and didn’t pass.
Safety & Training Short: Machine Safeguarding - Interlocking Guards
Objective: To assure workers understand the types and safe use of interlocking guards Interlocking guards, also called interlocks, use a tripping mechanism to shut off the machine when a guard or cover is open or removed. They protect workers and coworkers from reaching into moving machinery.Types of Interlocking Guards Interlocking guards with: Proximity switches use a magnetic field to control machine movement. - The disadvantage to this type of guard is that any type of metal placed in close
Legislature Caps Retention Amount at 5% for Many Private Works Projects!
In one of the most significant legislative moves in favor of construction contractors in decades, the Governor signed SB 61 into law on July 14, 2025. For new contracts after January 1, 2026, and with limited exceptions, the new law reduces the amount by which contractors may be forced to help finance private works construction by limiting to 5% the amount that owners, contractors, and subcontractors may withhold from progress payments to subcontractors until the end of the project. Read more. Daniel F.
Introducing Design For You, the SLI Studio Collection
Award-winning designer Stacey Lapuk, ASID, has just launched her new affordable, professional interior design service called Design For You. Created for those who want a space that feels personal and beautiful, but may feel full-service design is out of reach. Rather than a catalog-page room, you can access expert design advice without the full-service price tag. After completing a detailed questionnaire, submitting inspiration images and taking your own measurements (with our step-by-step guide),
Interior Design Mastermind Group
Are you interested in joining a monthly interior design Mastermind Group? Whether you're a design enthusiast, a homeowner tackling a renovation or a professional seeking creative input or advice, this group will be a space for open dialogue, support and idea exchange. There will be 2 groups: one for non-professionals, and one for professionals. Hosted via Zoom, three 60-minute sessions are packaged to discuss whatever is most in need for the group. The cost is $150. per 3-session package. Topics can
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Announcing Construction Suicide Prevention Week
SAVE THE DATE: September 8-12, 2025Together we can save lives. In 2019, a mission-driven group of volunteers from across the construction industry came together with the goal of saving lives. They collaborated to launch the inaugural Suicide Prevention Week for the industry — a week dedicated to raising awareness about the higher-than-average number of suicides in the construction industry, and to providing resources to help prevent those deaths. Every year, during September — National Suicide Prevention
Safety & Training Short: Cement-Related Skin Irritation Hazards
Objective: To reinforce awareness of the potential skin irritation risks from working with cement. Cement-Related Skin Irritation Hazards Cement is a major cause of skin irritation. Its lime content (primarily calcium hydroxide) and heat-producing properties when water is added cause skin irritation on contact. Cement contact with dry skin is likely to crack the skin and may lead to ulcers, reddening, and irritation, collectively referred to as dermatitis. Additionally, frequent contact with cement
Fix the (Wildfire) Risk Video Series
We’re excited to share a new video series called Fix the Risk, designed to help homeowners understand the wildfire risks around their homes—and more importantly, what they can do about them. These short, practical videos walk viewers through simple steps to reduce vulnerability to embers, which are a leading cause of home ignition during wildfires. The first three videos focus on key areas: Create Zone 0: How to create an ember-resistant zone by removing vegetation within the first 5 feet of a home and
Safety & Training Short: Hazard Communication Awareness 2.0
WHAT IS HAZARD COMMUNICATION? The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication standard, also referred to as “HAZCOM,” ensures employees have access to vital safety information about chemicals used in the workplace. It provides employees with the information they have the “right to know” while working with hazardous chemicals.HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM Your workplace has a hazard communication program available. This program is federally required in all facilities
Change Starts with Momentum, Here’s How to Build It
Movement is easy. Momentum takes leadership. If you want your effort to succeed, start with momentum. Momentum is more than movement, it's energy with direction. A steady current that carries people through uncertainty & doubt. Without it, even the best planned transitions stall. The early days of any initiative are the most critical and the most fragile. The key? Strong, visible, consistent sponsorship. Resistance isn't to change, it's transition. It’s a mistake to think employees resist change because
DB and IPD Contracts: Who is responsible for the design when unforeseen conditions arise and why does it matter?
Published June 19, 2025 Morgan C. Eddy Associate There has been a rise recently in the construction industry in Design-Build (DB) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contracts. These newer models aim to improve project efficiency, foster collaboration, and reduce costs. With this recent rise, we are seeing an increase in design liability conflicts. Traditionally, construction projects often followed a Design-Bid-Build model (DBB), where the design responsibilities and construction responsibilities were
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Marin Builders Association Scholarship Program Awards $20,000 to 12 Extraordinary Students
The 2025 annual awards were presented on Wednesday, June 18th at the Scholarship Awards, Past Presidents & Honorary Members Reception, hosted at The Club Restaurant, McInnis Park Golf Center in San Rafael.To view the full gallery of the evening's photos, click HERE. Scholarships were determined after an initial screening of applicants and interviews by an independent selection committee. The committee included Jesse Madsen, Director, Marin County Office of Education; Cynthia Murray, Former President
Marin Builders Association Members: Save on your Workers' Comp!
May is Wildfire Awareness Month - Let’s Get Prepared, Together
Wildfire Awareness Month is here, and there’s no better time to take action. May marks the start of peak wildfire season in California — a critical window for communities, contractors, and builders to strengthen fire resilience through education, collaboration, and proactive planning. This month, we’re highlighting tools and trainings to support you and your clients in reducing wildfire risk: California Fire Safe Council Vendors List A curated list of wildfire resilience products and professionals is
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Big Skills Tiny Home is Looking for Learning Leaders
Workers Comp Insurance Fraud: It costs more than you think
For more information, download this printable brochure here or contact: Marin County District Attorney's Office Attn: Insurance Fraud Unit 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 130 San Rafael, CA 94903 415.473.6450co.marin.ca.us/da
Support the Legacy of the Marin Builders Association Scholarship Program
Since 1978 the Marin Builders Association Scholarship & Workforce Training Fund has provided nearly $1 million in scholarship awards to deserving high school seniors. Scholarship winners have gone into nearly every profession, including the building trades, construction management, engineering, architecture, and more. Our Scholarship Program offers an opportunity for all students pursuing a college, university, or trade school education to apply for a financial award. We emphasize the need for trained
Marin Housing Authority Requests Bids on Several Projects
Marin Housing Authority is seeking a range of services, from electricians, to general contractors, to painters and several others. Solicitations can be found here: https://www.marinhousing.org/bids.
Permit Archive: Marin County & City Building Permits
Please find a current list of permits published and provided by the County of Marin. To search by a specific jurisdiction click here and contact the appropriate office. If what you're looking for is not listed below, please don't hesitate to call our offices directly at 415.462.1220 or email us at mba@marinbuilders.com. County of Marin Building Permits Report Powered by Socrata Click Here to View the 2024 Permit Archive
New Law Changes in 2025 Affecting Licensees, Applicants and Stakeholders
Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is advising licensees, applicants, and other stakeholders of key legislative updates following the implementation ofSenate Bill 1455 (Ashby, 2024). This bill, effective January 1, 2025, extends the Board’s “sunset” date from 2025 to 2029 and makes other changes to the law, which are described below. Key Provisions of SB 1455 1. Public Works Project LicensingWhat’s New? Awarding authorities must now ensure that public works project bidders
Liens & Completions 2024-2025
Click the links below to view a current list of Liens & Completions published and provided by the County of Marin. If what you're looking for is not listed below, please don't hesitate to call our offices directly at 415.462.1220 or contact Paula Krause
Biggest Workers’ Compensation Mistakes by Contractors
In this crazy time of the COVID-19, it is not the time to cut corners to your detriment. While well intentioned contractors are always attempting to keep costs down to make a profit, they make some mistakes regarding workers’ compensation insurance. Most common mistakes are:Certifying with the Contractors License Board that they do not need workers’ compensation insurance as they have no employees when they may have employees or use day laborers. . Not checking the sub-contractors to make sure they are
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Lien Protection Checklist - SUBCONTRACTOR
Click here for Subcontractor Lien Protection Checklist to protect your Lien rights provided by the Marin Builders Association and Dan McLennon of Smith, Currie & Hancock, LLP.Reviewed and Updated February 2024
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Lien Protection Checklist - GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Click here for General Contractors Lien Rights Protection Checklist to protect your Lien rights provided by the Marin Builders Association and Board member Dan McLennon.Reviewed and Updated February 2024