News

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

Summer is Here - Protect Outside Workers from Heat Illness

Summer's here!  The air is rich with the scents of sunscreen, freshly cut grass, and barbecue smoke. You can hear the sounds of splashing water and lively outdoor events, and taste refreshing watermelon and cold drinks.  While leisurely summer days are wonderful, working under the sun is a different story, especially in Northern California, where the heat demands serious attention. Cal/OSHA, the state's occupational safety and health agency, has strict regulations in place to protect workers from heat

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

Safety & Training Short: Fall Protection - Confined Space Entry Basics

Objective: To reinforce awareness of the potential dangers involved with performing confined space work.  What is a Confined Space? A confined space: Is large enough so that an employee can enter and perform work.Has limited or restricted means for ingress/egress.Can’t be used for continuous employee occupancy.  Certain confined spaces may be more hazardous than others, such as those with hazardous atmospheres, engulfment, entrapment, or asphyxiation hazards, or other serious hazards that could endanger

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

Safety & Training Short: Fall Protection - Maintenance

Basic care for fall protection equipment will prolong the life of the equipment and contribute toward the performance of its vital safety function. All parts of a fall arrest system must be inspected regularly—at least every six months by a competent person, or more frequently depending upon wear and conditions. Inspection procedures must be written. Regular inspections must be documented. It is important to conduct visual inspections prior to each use. Train employees on how to inspect and properly store

Alten Construction celebrates 30 years of construction

RICHMOND, Calif. — Alten Construction, a full-service San Francisco Bay Area commercial construction company, recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary and a long standing legacy of quality construction projects and service to the California community.   Last month, Alten Construction hosted a two-part celebration at the Bill and Adele Jonas Center in Novato to commemorate the occasion. The evening began with a special employee recognition from 4 to 6 p.m. that honored the individuals who have helped

How to Make Change Stick: A 6-Part Series on Organizational Transformation

Because Change Isn’t the Goal, Lasting Impact Is. At HR Consulting by Nelson & Associates, we’ve seen it all, new systems that never launch, reorganizations that never take root, and “change” initiatives that fizzle before they ever reach the frontline. Why? Because real change isn’t a one-time event. It’s a process and it’s one that must be led with intention.   That’s why we’re launching a 6-part series on How to Make Change Stick, a people-centered approach to navigating organizational transitions

Safety & Training Short - Bee and Yellow Jacket Stings

It is estimated that as many as two million people in the United States are very allergic to stinging insect venom.   Every year about 100 people die from sting reactions. More related deaths may be occurring because these reactions can be mistakenly diagnosed as heart attacks, sunstrokes, or they may be attributed to other causes. More people die yearly from the effects of insect venom than from spider bites. Stinging insects can present an occupational health problem, mainly for sensitive workers

Marin Builders Association Members: Save on your Workers' Comp!

Debunking the Fear Economy: Why It’s Still a Good Time to Buy, A Good Time to Pull from Home Equity & A Good Time to Remodel

Check out Design Set Match's guest author, Lindsay Moon, and her insight about the current fear economy!Debunking the Fear Economy: Why It’s Still a Good Time to Buy, A Good Time to Pull from Home Equity & A Good Time to Remodel  

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

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:Katharine Moodie, Perseverance Advisors, who referred Bill Campion, W. A. Campion Co.Leo Bakerian, Professional Computer Concepts, Inc., who referred Steven Schaefer, CHIPPJulie Feinstein, Arana Craftsman Painters, who referred Ange McLane De-Levi, Strategic HR Partners (SHRP)Adam Jackson, Ceramic Tile Center, who referred Deena and Steve Adkins, Surface Art CountertopsJason Pech, Mayan Climber Tree Service, Inc., who referred

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

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

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

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

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