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Doug King
President, NARI Tampa Bay
2011 MEMBERSHIP
MEETINGS
Meetings are usually held on the 3rd
Thursday of the month.
6:00 pm Networking & Cash Bar
7:00pm Program
& Dinner
$30
Members who RSVP
$35
Non-Members
Please
Note: Members
who DO NOT RSVP BEFORE 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday proceeding the meeting are
charged $35. Cancellations must be received in writing no later than 5:00
p.m. on the Wednesday BEFORE the meeting. No shows are billed $35.
2011 Meeting Schedule
Mark your calendar
now!
April 21st
May 19th
June 16th
July 21st
August 18th
September 15th
October 20th
November 17th
December 15th
All
of the membership meetings, unless otherwise noted, are held at Bascom's
Chophouse located at 3665 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater - MAP
2011 TECH TALK
SCHEDULE
April 21st
May 19th
June 16th
July 21st
August 18th
October 20th
For information on Tech Talk Topics & Speakers, please email Education
Chair Jeffrey Wolf, GCP or call him at
727-895-4858
BOARD MEETINGS
Board Meetings are
usually held at 6pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Members are welcome
to attend!
May 10th
July 12th
September 13th
November 8th
SUBMIT
AN ARTICLE FOR THE NARI TAMPA BAY NEWSLETTER
The
NARI Newsletter is published in April, July, October and January. The
deadline for submitting an article for the E-newsletter is the last Friday of
the preceding month. Email articles of interest to NARI members to:
PR
Chair James Macholz at jmacholz@tampabay.rr.com
Contact
NARI Tampa Bay
Nina
P Berkheiser, CFRE
Executive
Director
Phone:
727.578.2207
Email:
Info@NARI-TampaBay.org
NARI-TampaBay.org
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Attn: Rick Cashman
APRIL 2011 NARI MEMBER NEWS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Wow, it’s hard to believe April is already here! Springtime is always
good for cleaning out the garage, sprucing up the yard and especially getting
re-energized about our businesses!
Now is a good time to check all your licensing and insurance
requirements to make sure you are in compliance. It’s also a good time
to check your status in meeting other governmental requirements such as OSHA,
EPA and even IRS related issues for you and your business. You will be
hearing more about this soon from our Government Affairs Chair, Jeff
Baughman.
Why not also take a look at how you are marketing your
business? Where is your focus? More importantly, are you
focused? Do you work in a geographical area or do you have a more
specific target market? Or are you simply waiting for the phone to
ring?
Defining your target market is probably THE most important, and
for many, the most difficult part of developing a marketing strategy.
Really, until you have established your target market, the decision of where
to spend your marketing dollar is difficult, if not impossible.
By the way, only YOU can determine what your target market might
be. A couple of quick questions that may help determine what your
target market might look like:
* What are you really good at?
* Where do you live?
* Look at your last 20 client’s; who are they and where
are they? Where did they come from?
The answers to these questions may help direct you to defining a
target market. Once you have identified your target market, only then
can you effectively develop a marketing plan and choose the channels to
pursue your newly identified target market. Once you have accomplished
this, guess what? Now you are better equipped to set sales goals that
have true meaning and are attainable. And increasing sales is what all
businesses are about, wouldn’t you agree?
I am excited about the prospects 2011 holds for NARI-Tampa Bay
and I am truly honored to be at the helm for you this year! Together,
we can accomplish a heck of a lot more than we can individually. I
encourage you to get involved in NARI, join a committee, get to work and get
noticed! The rewards are aplenty and it will pay you back dividends you
could never imagine!
Have
a great spring!
Doug
King
President,
NARI Tampa Bay
APRIL 2011 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Click Here to Register Online Today!
Thursday,
April 21, 2011
Schedule
4:45 - 6:00 Tech Talk
6:00 - 7:00 Registration &
Networking
7:00 - 8:30 Program &
Dinner
Location
Bascom's Chophouse
3665 Ulmerton Road
Clearwater, FL
33762-4257 Map
Meeting Program
Mr. Bill Harris will speak
on "Acoustic Construction". Mr. Harris has engineered proper
acoustics for theaters, commercial and residential applications. His
business is international in scope and he is an authority on his topic.
Meeting Table Top Service-Tech Corp of Tampa Bay
Meeting Cost: $30 Members who RSVP*; $35 Non-Members
*Members who DO NOT RSVP BEFORE 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday proceeding the
meeting are charged $35.
Cancellations must be received in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. on the
Wednesday BEFORE the meeting. No shows are billed $35
APRIL 2011 TECH TALK
Provider: Sub-Zero, Inc. / Wolf Appliance,
Inc.
Program # SUB 300 Length 1 hour
Program: Designing the Green Kitchen
Registration will be 4:45 to 5:00pm. Course will run from 5:00 to
6:00pm Thursday April 21st (prior to general membership
meeting)
This course does not carry CILB credits but does carry a 1 HR LU
credit.
Location
Bascom's Chophouse
3665 Ulmerton Road
Clearwater, FL 33762-4257 Map
Costs: $25 NARI Members; $35 Non-NARI
Members
COTY
AWARDS
NARI The National Association of the Remodeling Industry Tampa Bay
Chapter Held it’s evening of excellence in late February In a
downtrodden year NARI contractors entered over 28 projects to compete for the
prestigious COTY award in the Tampa Bay Area the winners were as
follows :
- Hall of Fame Bob
Phillips
- Remodeler of the
Year Susanne Van Selow
- Associate of the
Year Jeffry Baughman
- Residential Kitchen
Under $40,000 Strobel Design Build
- Residential
Kitchen $40,000- $80,000 McClure Carpentry Inc.
- Residential Bath
Under $30,000 Mueller Remodeling
- Residential Bath
430,000-$60,000 KEL Construction
- Residential
Interior $100,000 & Under Van Selow Design Build
- Residential
Addition $100,000- $250,000 Strobel Design Build
- Residential
Addition over $250,000 Strobel Design Build
- Residential
Exterior under $100,000 Greaves Construction Inc.
- Entire House
Remodel Under $250,000 Mueller Remodeling
- Entire House
Remodel $250,000- $500,000 McClure Carpentry, Inc.
- Entire House Remodel
$500,001 -$1,000,000 Emerald Contractors Inc.
- Residential
Universal Design Strobel Design Build
- Commercial
Interior Jamco Unlimited Inc.
CONTRACTOR ROUNDTABLE
Are you
interested in participating in a Saturday morning round table to discuss with
other contractors about business savvy, contracts, marketing & market
advantage & your status in the social media marketing & networking?
If so please join us on Saturday May 14th 2011 @ Jamco Unlimited Inc.
1183 Cedar St. Safety Harbor ,Florida 34695 From 9am till noon breakfast will
be served . Please bring along a copy of your contract for Jeffry Baughman to
review, a list of your advertising that you have done and it’s market
results. And an open mind on how to better yourself in the remodeling industry
and set yourself above the rest. This will be the first of networking
together seminars. Please call to reserve your space so we can make sure we
have enough to eat and drink for everyone. Jamco Unlimited 727-647-1793
or email jim@jamcounlimited.com
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
By
Jeff Baughman
Most
contractors believe the person shaking their hand is the only thing that
matters when contracting. There is much truth in this maxim. Just
as important in knowing a person’s character - is knowing their name.
Your customers and the government are very interested in knowing your name –
Make sure it is the right one!
It is a misdemeanor to conduct business in a name not your own here in the
Sunshine State. Some NARI members think I make this up for fun, so
please refer to Florida Statutes § 865.09(c) which states “Any person who
fails to comply with this section commits a misdemeanor of the second
degree.” If you recall a previous article, failure to notify the DBPR after
being charged of a criminal offense is also grounds for discipline. The
statute also requires you to maintain proof of publication. E.g. it
takes more than just registering on Sunbiz, you must also place it in a
newspaper.
So if your legal name is 123 Building, Inc. and you are operating as 123
Design, you are non-compliant and committing a criminal act.
So how does this really play out? This firm represents a contractor who
signed a contract as ABC where their true legal name is ABC, Inc. The
other party to the contract was an owner who signed as XYZ Management.
As things turn out, the parties did not get along and the owner stopped
payment on the final check in a fraudulent manner (allegedly). As our
investigation began, we discovered that XYZ Management is not a registered
fictitious name in Florida. In fact, the individuals registered XYZ
Management Services to do business in Florida. The owners of XYZ
Management Services fictitious name are two live persons and one corporation from
New York, XYZ Collection Agency, Inc. This results in my client’s
allegations of personal liability to the two live persons and the New York
corporation. When both sides were questioned about this under oath at
depositions, each stated they didn not think the name was that
important. They both think it is very important now though.
The owner is now alleging my client is an unlicensed contractor. My
client’s license says ABC, Inc. and they contracted as ABC. The owner
has a very good case for this as the PCCLB has fined several contractors for
this mistake. The likely result will be an unenforceable contract as it
was an illegal contract based on the criminal act of being an unlicensed
contractor. While the Fictitious Name Act provides that the contract is
still enforceable, the local licensing agency and Chapter 489 state the
opposite. Please also note the law provides for treble (3x) damages for
any defective work by an unlicensed contractor.
The issue remains pending and has not been fully resolved. What I can
say is the wrangling over a name has cost my client legal expenses and 14
months of hearings, motions, and depositions to determine who is really who
without reaching the merits of the alleged construction defects. For
those that think a judge may see through it and understand what people mean
when they write down the incorrect name, the case was next brought to hearing
on March 30, 2011. The judge stated he could not ascertain who is who
and what the parties meant when they placed the names on the contract.
The judge is letting the case go to trial (likely next fall) so these factual
issues can be resolved to his satisfaction. These issues are not
related to non-payment, defective work, or anything most would consider
“important.” I propose things that cost time, money, and aggravation
are important and deserve attention.
What’s in a Name? A lot of details, up-front preparation, and severe
consequences for being non-compliant when the rubber meets the road.
To assist our membership in preventing these inadvertent results, please come
visit with me at our May membership meetings where we will examine your
licensure against your business name to ensure at least that portion is
compliant and shows your commitment to being a professional NARI contractor.
FROM THE DESK OF THE PR CHAIR
The PR
committee is in need of volunteers to join the committee. We are planning a
town hall meeting with the topic of Should I remodel , Sell my home , buy a
new home we will be having a celebrity moderator with
a panel consisting of bankers, realtors, contractors and insurance
people to educate the public on the remodeling industry so there are many
opportunities for you to get involved if you are interested please contact me
@ 727-647-1793 or e mail me
jim@jamcounlimited.com the knowledge you will gain from this
function will be valuable to your company so join in .
On a second note I promised a mock advertisement for the monthly
advertisement on the website unfortunately the tornado that barreled up
Ulmerton Rd. Last week did damage to the project I was planning to use in my
advertising promo. Repairs will be made shortly so look up the website in
late April to see how you can take advantage of the website monthly
advertisement. Sorry for the delay. Jim
FREE LICENSING CHECK
Free licensing check! Stop by and see Jeff Baughman during
our May Membership meeting for a free license check. Jeff has been
spending a lot of time at the PCCLB lately concerning the names on your PCCLB
and DBPR licenses. These honest mistakes have cost contractors
thousands of dollars in fines. Much worse are the civil and criminal
implications for things as simple as not having an “Inc” after your name.
Just bring your PCCLB or DBPR license and a printout of your Sunbiz.org page
indicating the formal name of your business. Takes less than five
minutes.
IRS FORM 1099'S
The Senate voted to repeal a tax provision that small businesses
aggressively opposed since its inclusion in the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act of 2010. The provision would have required businesses to
issue IRS Form 1099s to all individuals or corporations from which they buy
more than $600 in goods or services in a tax year. The provision was wildly
unpopular and its repeal was supported by the White House and by Democrats
and Republicans in Congress. Since the bill that passed this week, sponsored
by Senator Mike Johanns (R-Neb), is identical to a bill already passed by the
House, the measure headed directly to President Obama for his signature.
USE OF NARI COMMUNICATION
Earlier this month, a NARI
member authored a press release which advised that granite was under product
investigation for radioactivity by two federal agencies. The press
release provided the seriousness and appearance that this was a matter of
fact. This communication was distributed throughout a NARI Chapter via
a NARI Chapter Listserve.
The author and the distributor were contacted by outside parties, with keen
business interest in this product, who were upset that misinformation of this
nature would be authored by a NARI member and circulated on a NARI List
Serve.
Both the author and distributor apologized and admitted that the press
release was an April Fool Day's hoax, and that there was no validity to the
content of the communication. What were they thinking?
NARI communication vehicles should only be used for business purposes with
content always consistent with NARI Code of Ethics and Core Values. A
NARI communication vehicle should never be used to convey a joke or a
hoax. As Jay Leno said, "Humor is hard."
REVERSE TRADE SHOW
The City of
St. Petersburg will host its 2nd Annual Reverse Trade Show at the Coliseum on
Friday, May 6, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
It is your opportunity to meet city staff from all major departments.
Also present will be representatives from JobCorps, Progress Energy,
USF, PSTA, the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and the St. Petersburg
Housing Authority.
Don't miss this opportunity to market your products or services.
I look forward to seeing you.
Louis Moore, CPPO, Director
Procurement & Supply Management
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UPCOMING EVENTS
April
Membership Meeting
April 21st - Bascom's Chophouse
May
Membership Meeting
May 19th - Ferguson Enterprises
June Membership
Meeting
June 16th -
Bascom's Chophouse
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WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS
Clear Choice Electrical, Inc. -
Dan Bilodeau
Euro Bath Decorative Fixtures & Hardware, Inc. -
Jose Goitia
Kuttler Kitchens, Inc. - Linda Joy
Watters Contracting Group - Tom Watters
West Shore Construction Corporation - Chuck Nelms
WELCOME
BACK
RENEWING MEMBERS
Aluminum Craftsmen/Thomas Construction - Tom Tafelski
Appliance Gallery- Lynn Kislin
Banning Lumber and Millwork -
Marc Banning
Certapro Painters Pasco-Pinellas -
Joel Freedland
Champion Tile & Marble, Inc. -
Dean Dupre
Cutting Edge Granite, Inc - Anissa Russo
Decks and Docks Lumber - Steve Kern
Emerald Contractors, Inc. - John Marzulli
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. -
Matthew Flock
Florida Forest Products - Rick Cashman
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County ReStore - Doug
DuPont
Huffman Drywall, Inc. - Tom Huffman
J2 Solutions, Inc. - Jess Fronckowiak
McCabinet, Inc. - Brian McKenzie
NAFFCO - Don Haws
Nicholas Insurance LLC - Karen Brodeur
Pyramid Sound & Light, Inc. -
Randy Hansen
Service-Tech Corporation - Paul Keller
Steve's Windows & Doors, Inc. -
Steve Gleaton
TECO Peoples Gas - Randy Sortore
West Coast Remodelers & Constructions, Inc. - Doug
King
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Your Profile Here
We would like to profile our NARI Tampa Bay members in the
e-newsletter. If you are interested in being featured, please contact
Membership Chair Arlen Tillis at
Arlen.Tillis@TibbettsLumber.com
or by phone at 727-844-4314
MEMBERS
UPDATE YOUR DIRECTORY LISTING ON THE NARI TAMPA BAY WEBSITE
You Can Update Your Company Listing on the nari website today!
Follow these instructions:
1. Go to: www.nari-tampabay.org
2. Log in to the 'Member Area'
3. Your username is your email that you receive this
E-Newsletter at. Please note that the email address is case sensitive.
4. Enter your password (the default is NARI2010 - you can
change it after you are logged in) PLEASE NOTE - DEFAULT
PASSWORD IS CASE SENSITIVE.
Note: Some fields can not be changed (i.e. Company Name) GENERAL WEBSITE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR NARI MEMBERS
NARI Tampa Bay website offers the ability for YOU, the member,
to update your member profile, register for meetings online as well as pay
online with a credit card!
Please visit www.nari-tampabay.org and
follow the instructions for members below:
1.
CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD Go to website: www.nari-tampabay.org
go to member login (bottom of left column)
enter your email address (the address that this email
was sent to - make sure you use upper and lower case if that is how your
email appears)
Enter temporary password = NARI2010 (note NARI must
be in capital letters)
Once logged in, click on "Change Password" button in blue box on
the left. Change your password to something you can remember (please write it
down!).
2. REVIEW/UPDATE YOUR PROFILE INFORMATION When logged in as a Member,
you can click the "View Profile" in the blue box on left. Please
check your information and make any edits that are needed. You may update
your profile anytime as needed. This information can be searched by consumers
so be sure that your member specialty areas are correct. This information is
also used for NARI Tampa Bay's Remodeling Today Magazine.
3. MEETING/EVENT REGISTRATION
IMPORTANT: Meeting registrations for members &
their guests can ONLY be done online.
Log
in as a Member, click on the Events link and select the event you would like
to register for and complete registration for you and your guests.
If you are paying by credit card, you MUST PAY ONLINE.
If you prefer to pay by check/cash at the meeting, click the
"Manual" button next to payment options. (Note: You must still
register online!)
Remember: NARI does NOT invoice. When you register online, you will
receive an email confirmation receipt for your records.
WEBSITE
IDEAS,
SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS
If
you have recommendations for website or directory improvements please contact
NARI’s Website Chair, Rick Cashman at rcashman@ffptruss.com
or via phone at (727) 585-2067.
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