-
Thursday, March 20, 2025Standing Room Only at MBA's March Member Morning
If you BUILD it, they will come! We welcomed over 130 guests at our March Member Morning on Thursday, March 20th. Thank you to everyone who attended and filled the room with such incredible energy! The theme of the event was Member Connections and we could not be more proud to have provided our members with this opportunity to do just that. Special thanks to our delicious coffee and donut sponsor, George Petersen Insurance Agency! We hope to see all of you at the next one!
Monday, March 17, 2025Smith Currie Oles' Procurement Playbook: Contracting in the Age of Trump Updates
Federal government contracting is impacted each time there is a change in administration in the White House. This year will be no different. We will be monitoring daily the Executive Orders and policy changes coming from the Trump administration that will impact you and your projects. You will likely receive a flurry of information as we keep you updated on these important changes that will be coming frequently over the next several days. Click here to access the Procurement Playbook and subscribe here to
Saturday, March 15, 2025Celebrating our Member Referral Partners - Thank You for Helping Us Build Our Community!
We would like to recognize and celebrate our wonderful REFERRAL PARTNERS!2025:Brittany Keyes, State Farm Insurance Agent, who referred Britt Baumbach, Pink's Window Services Marin!Rob Curry, R.C. Electric, Inc., who referred Richard Hynes, Millennial Development, Inc. (Special thanks to Rob for pledging his bonus to our Workforce Development and Scholarship Fund!)Adam Diaz, AJD Builders, who referred Make It Rain and Home Hardening, LLC2024:Rouset Schwartzbart, Schwartzbart Plumbing, who referred Jonathan
Friday, March 14, 2025The Power of Unreasonable Hospitality: How Putting Employees First Transforms Business Success
When people hear the word hospitality, they think about restaurants & hotels. But what if hospitality wasn’t just about guests what if it became the foundation for how businesses treat their employees? Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, revolutionized the fine dining industry by creating extraordinary guest experiences. But his philosophy isn’t just for restaurants, it’s a game changer for all businesses. We embrace this mindset in our consulting & strategy sessions to help businesses be
Wednesday, March 12, 2025Free Safety Training Options for MBA Members
Marin Builders Association has been awarded a Susan Harwood Training Grant which will provide FREE safety training to contractors and their workers throughout Marin County. Your interest in the potential topics will help us determine what trainings to offer to you, our members. Your reply will take less than 2 minutes and will help us meet our grant requirements. We appreciate your help! Take 2 minute survey
Wednesday, March 05, 2025OSHA’s Final PPE Rule for Construction: What Contractors Need to Know
On January 13, 2025, OSHA’s final rule took effect regarding the standard for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the construction industry. PPE, which includes hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets, hearing protection, respirators, coveralls, vests, harnesses, and full body suits, is now required to be made available in proper sizes by companies in the construction industry to their workforces. Previously, the construction industry was excluded from the proper fitting
Wednesday, March 05, 2025Capitol Connection Q&A 1402
Capitol Connection Q&A for Contractors By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc. Let’s pick a color and paint the floor to get this build going, next this aspiring contractor is getting his plan put on hold for the present. Another contractor can’t seem to remember the last time, or this time, a license needs renewal and that has a cost… Q: My company currently has a “C-16” (Flooring) license as we are primarily flooring contractors. We hired a new employee who holds a personal Painting
Wednesday, March 05, 2025Elevate Your Leadership with Adaptive Strategies
In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying ahead means embracing change and leading with agility. I want to share with you how adaptive leadership can transform challenges into opportunities and how my team and I are here to help you make that shift. What Is Adaptive Leadership? Adaptive leadership isn’t just another buzzword; it’s a powerful mindset that helps you navigate complex challenges and drive meaningful change. It’s about understanding that the landscape is constantly evolving and
Tuesday, March 04, 2025Marin Builders Scholarship Application Now Available! Deadline to Submit is Monday, April 28, 2025
We recognize the tremendous opportunity for trained professionals in the construction industry, now and in the future. ALL STUDENTS pursuing a college, university or trade school education are eligible to apply. More information can be found here: SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (DOWNLOAD and PRINT) FILLABLE PDF APPLICATION Applications, including necessary records, must be received by the Association on or before the close of business at 4:00 pm on Monday, April 28,
Monday, March 03, 2025Marin 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.
Monday, March 03, 2025Windows 10 End of Life: Are You Ready for the Road Ahead?
?? Windows 10 End of Life: Are You Ready for the Road Ahead? ?? Still cruising along with Windows 10 like it’s your favorite old car? ?? It’s been reliable, but here’s the problem—the manufacturer is pulling the plug. After October 14, 2025, there will be no more security updates, no bug fixes, and no support—just a system running on borrowed time, wide open to cyber threats. Would you keep driving a car if the brakes stopped working? Probably not. So why risk running outdated, unsupported software?
Sunday, March 02, 2025MBA is Looking for a New Team Member
We're looking for the newest member of the MBA team!Job Title: Administrative & Marketing Support SpecialistLocation: Marin Builders Association, San Rafael, CAReports to: CEOPosition Overview: The Marin Builders Association (MBA) is seeking a highly organized, self-motivated, and versatile Administrative & Marketing Support Specialist to join our team on a part-time basis. This role is ideal for a self-starter with strong administrative skills, a passion for marketing, and a drive to enhance member
Saturday, March 01, 2025Congratulations Gabriela Shea on your Retirement!
Congratulations Gabriela Shea! Gabriela Shea, our Administrative and Marketing Assistant, who has been a valued and much-loved member of our team since joining in August 2016 will be retiring on March 13, 2025. As our Administrative and Marketing Assistant, Gabriela has played a crucial role in supporting our members, helping coordinate events, and contributing to our marketing efforts, leaving a lasting positive impact on the MBA and the broader community. Since joining the MBA in 2016, Gabriela has
.png)
Wednesday, February 26, 2025Rebuilding Together East Bay Network a Finalist for 2025 Innovation Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rebuilding Together East Bay Network is a Finalist for the East Bay Economic Development Alliance Innovation Award Berkeley, CA – February 24, 2025 – Local non-profit Rebuilding Together East Bay Network has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2025 East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EBEDA) Innovation Award in the Community Impact category. This recognition highlights the organization’s groundbreaking Big Skills Program, which equips construction trades apprentices and high
.png)
Wednesday, February 26, 2025Own Your Own Second Home through the CalHome Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Loan Program
Wednesday, February 26, 2025City of Novato Launches Express Building Permit Service
City Launches Express Building Permit ServiceStreamlined permitting process for registered and licensed contractors The City of Novato is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Express Permit Service for registered and licensed contractors. This service is designed to streamline and expedite the permitting process for select residential projects, saving you valuable time and effort. What is Express Permit Service? Express Permit Service provides a faster and more convenient option for minor
Monday, February 24, 2025How to Combat Burn Out in the Workplace
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout: Are You Running on Empty? In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to succeed can often lead to burnout. It's a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. Understanding the signs of burnout is the first step to protecting your well-being and fostering a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? Take a moment to reflect on your current state and see if any of these resonatePhysical
Thursday, February 20, 2025Sponsorship Opportunity: Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force Mtg
Opportunity for your business to network with wildfire resilience leaders in the state! Marin Wildfire is hosting the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force Spring Regional Meeting from March 26–28, 2025, at the Embassy Suites in Marin. This biannual event brings together key agencies and natural resource partners to align resources, share best practices, and drive progress in wildfire resilience. As one of the regional hosts, Fire Safe Marin is coordinating sponsorships and a resource fair,
Friday, February 14, 2025New Feature: Digital Payments, ACH and Credit Card through KonstructIQ
Digital payments are now released in the KonstructIQ platform. Highlights: Let clients pay invoices securely via ACH or credit card through the client portalPass through transaction fees to clients if neededAutomatically sync payments with QuickBooks Online, with no manual reconciliationKeep all of your payments in one system - client, sub and vendor Faster, digital payments mean less time on back-office busy work, improved cash flow and fewer headaches.Watch a video here on how it works. Other recent
Thursday, February 13, 20252025 Marin County & City Building Permits
Click the links below to view a current list of permit reports published and provided by the County of Marin and the individual cities/towns including Corte Madera, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito and Tiburon. 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 Gabriela Shea at mba@marinbuilders.com. Important Note: This list is updated monthly with the most current information we receive from
Monday, February 10, 20252025 Marin Builders Association Crab Fest is Most Successful of All Time!
On behalf of the Marin Builders Association Board of Directors, the Event Committee, and our Staff, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our event sponsors, our Cornerstone Partners, our auction donors, and our guests, for their generous support of our 2025 Annual Crab Fest! We hosted the event at the elegant Bill and Adele Jonas Center. The entire evening was a fabulous success, which would not have been possible without everyone's generous participation and support. Special thanks
Thursday, February 06, 2025Marin County Office of Education School to Career Partnership: Internship Opportunity
Developing Our Workforce The Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) is actively seeking civic-oriented businesses to host spring and summer internships for students at San Rafael High, Terra Linda High, Novato High, and San Marin High Schools. MCOE's School to Career Partnership provides students with direct support to engage in hands-on work-based learning experience and career exploration, leading to high-demand, high-wage jobs. Student's interests cover a broad scope of industries. Your participation
Thursday, February 06, 2025Prepare Your Business for Enhanced Immigration Enforcement
We know that the prospect of ICE audits or immigration raids can be stressful—especially if you’re in a high-risk industry. This guide is designed to give you clear, practical steps to help your business stay on top of compliance, protect your team, and keep operations steady, all while keeping things calm and straightforward.Know Your Legal ResponsibilitiesWork Authorization Basics: Every employee needs to have a completed Form I-9. Make sure Section 1 is done on day one and that you finish Section 2
Thursday, February 06, 2025Cybersecurity Best Practices for 2025
As businesses embrace digital transformation, cybersecurity must be a top priority. Moving to cloud-based platforms can boost efficiency and collaboration, but it also introduces new security risks. Explore key cybersecurity best practices for 2025 to help your business protect sensitive data, prevent cyber threats, and ensure a secure transition to digital operations. Read the blog: The Future is Digital - Cybersecurity Best Practices for 2025 Whether you need advanced threat protection, identity
Tuesday, February 04, 2025Kunst Painting, Inc. and Tamalpais Paint & Color IN THE NEWS: St. Vincent de Paul’s dining room gets new paint job
By Daniel Bromfield | dbromfield@marinij.com PUBLISHED: February 3, 2025 Kunst Painting and Tamalpais Paint & Color donated a $14,000 in-kind paint job of St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin’s free dining room in San Rafael. St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin was this year’s recipient of Kunst Painting’s free services, which the San Rafael-based company gifts to a different nonprofit each year.From left, Kunst Painting’s Manuel Jimenez, Miguel Navarrete, Carlos Rodriguez, Luis Alvarado and Abel Alonzo
Friday, January 31, 2025What the Eaton and Palisades Fires Reveal About Wildfire Risk in Marin’s Housing Stock
For construction professionals in Marin County, wildfire risk may not always be a primary concern—but it should be. Recent fires in Southern California provide critical lessons on how homes ignite and the importance of wildfire-resistant construction. The Eaton Fire in Pasadena spread into a neighborhood of older homes, exposing the vulnerabilities of aging structures that predate modern wildfire codes. Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire ignited multiple homes in a newer development, proving that even recent
Monday, January 13, 2025Joseph Garbarino: Pioneering Leader in Recycling and Waste Management Passes Away
Marin Sanitary Service mourns the loss of Joseph Garbarino, owner of Marin Sanitary Service and founder of Marin Recycling and Resource Recovery Association, a visionary in recycling and waste management who passed away at the age of 91. Known for his passion for conservation and innovation, Garbarino transformed waste management practices nationwide. From launching the first county-wide curbside recycling program in 1980 to advocating for sustainable packaging, his contributions have set a global standard.
Friday, January 10, 2025Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery Now Open on Saturdays!
Wednesday, January 08, 2025Safety & Training Short: Conducting an Effective Investigation
Objective: To identify typical phases of incident investigations for those who conduct them The goal of an accurate and thorough incident investigation is not to place blame, but to determine the true cause of the incident and make changes that reduce the chances of similar incidents occurring in the future. Make sure your investigation includes each of the phases below to assure that your team has every opportunity to uncover all root causes.Click here to download the complete training short in
Monday, January 06, 2025License Requirement for Minor Work Increases from $500 to $1,000
December 31, 2024 SACRAMENTO, CA – Starting January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill 2622 (Carrillo, Chapter 240, Statutes of 2024) increases the minor work license exemption from $500 to $1,000, but there is a catch: the work cannot require a permit, and the unlicensed person cannot employ anyone for the project. In other words, if the minor work is subject to a permit requirement of any kind, or if the unlicensed person hires one or more workers to assist or perform the work, a license is required – even if the
Monday, December 23, 2024California Employers, Get Ready! Wide Range of Employment-Related Laws Will Take Effect January 1, 2025 + 4 Essential California Employee Handbook Updates for 2025
New California employment laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025. These laws address a variety of issues, including the state minimum wage, discrimination protections, paid time off, and employers’ messages about unionization. Quick HitsCalifornia’s minimum wage will increase from $16.00 to $16.50 per hour.New legislation clarifies that employers may not discriminate against workers because they have a combination of protected characteristics or do not have a driver’s license.California
Monday, December 23, 2024New 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
Thursday, December 19, 2024Windows 10 End of Life: Plan Ahead and Save on 2024 Expenses
Windows 10 End of Life: Plan Ahead and Save on 2024 Expenses Did you know that Windows 10 reaches end of life in October 2025? This means any devices still running Windows 10 will become a security risk to your network once Microsoft stops support. If you’ve been holding off on upgrades or replacements, this might be the perfect time to act, especially if you’re looking for smart ways to allocate 2024 expenses. We can help evaluate your current devices and assist with upgrading or replacing them to keep
Wednesday, November 13, 2024Home Hardening in Action
When wildfire swept through Camarillo, California, Steven Snyder’s fire-hardened home emerged unscathed amid widespread destruction in his neighborhood. By choosing to build with fire-resistant materials—Class A roofing, fireproof siding, ember-resistant vents, and a fully cleared defensible space—Snyder’s home stood resilient against the flames. His story underscores the critical role of wildfire-ready construction as California’s seasons grow more intense, especially in high-risk areas like Marin
Tuesday, October 29, 2024ALERT! New Regulation, File before 12/31/2024 to avoid potential jail time and files of $591/day!
On January 1, 2024, the new requirement to file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) went into effect. More than 32 million entities – mostly small businesses – have to file this report, which is required by a federal law called the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Violations of this law can result in a civil penalty of up to $591 per day, the violation continues and criminal penalties of up to $10,000 and two years in prison. If your
Wednesday, August 07, 2024The Future of Home Insurance May Rely on Fire Smart Building
Earlier in July 2024, the New York Times published an article highlighting the collaboration of researchers at the Insurance Institute of Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and insurance agencies, who are grappling with escalating losses due to the magnitude of wildfires across the West. The research emphasizes the role of a home's design features to withstand wildfire by focusing on key areas of home ignition risk: near-home landscaping, and the building’s materials and design often referred to as home
Thursday, January 04, 20242024 Marin County & City Building Permits
Click the links below to view a current list of permit reports published and provided by the County of Marin and the individual cities/towns including Corte Madera, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito and Tiburon. 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 Gabriela Shea at mba@marinbuilders.com. Important Note: This list is updated monthly with the most current information we receive from
Sunday, January 01, 2023Liens & Completions 2023 - 2024
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
Wednesday, September 09, 2020Biggest 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
.jpg)
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
.jpg)
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