News

SolarCraft Powers Up Pine Ridge Vineyards with a New Solar Installation - Napa Valley Winery Teams Up with SolarCraft to Embrace Sustainability

SolarCraft, the leading solar energy provider in Napa, Sonoma, and Marin counties for over forty years, has successfully completed a 140 kW solar power installation at Pine Ridge Vineyard, situated in the prestigious Stag’s Leap district of Napa Valley.     The newly installed solar photovoltaic system at Pine Ridge Vineyard includes 280 high-efficiency panels, designed to produce 179,433 kWh of clean energy each year, saving close to $46,000 thousand in annual utility bills. This system will offset

Pacific Gas & Electric Wildfire Safety Tips - September 2024

Reg Flag Warnings Can Save Your Life! California’s worst destructive wildfires were only three years ago and can quickly change due to new growth of vegetation that is fuel for wildfires. Stay prepared and ready to evacuate in the event of a wildfire or other disasters such as floods and earthquakes.   Discuss with family on where to meet if cannot return homePrepare an emergency supply kit with essentialsFamiliarize yourself with Red Flag Warning and how to get weather reportsEvacuate early when fire or

Alten Construction Expands Ownership Team

Photo left to right: Bob Alten, Shannon Alten, Erik Andresen, Bobby Alten and Billy Alten RICHMOND, Calif. —Alten Construction, a full-service San Francisco Bay Area commercial construction general contractor, is pleased to announce the addition of three new partners to its ownership structure. Company founders and co-owners Bob Alten and Shannon Alten welcome sons Bobby Alten and Billy Alten to company ownership, as well as longtime employee and chief estimator Erik Andresen.    Bobby joined Alten

Celebrating our Member Referral Partners - Thank You for Helping Us Build Our Community!

We would like to recognize and celebrate our wonderful REFERRAL PARTNERS!2024:  Magda Loczi, Marin Sanitary Service, who referred LOCZIdesign, Inc.Misty D'Amore, who referred Kimberly Kadesh, Realtor, Vanguard PropertiesJanine Aurichio, YES2YUM Life Styling, who referred Kate Kelly, Ceramic Tile CenterAmy Wolff, CEARA Studio, Inc., who referred Ashell Cunningham, Frank and Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc.Lindsay Moon, Searchlight Lending, who referred Scott Johnson, ADU Marin (Special thanks to Lindsay

Luau on the Links Golf Classic Shines

The links were filled with Marin Builders Association golfers at the 2024 Marin Builders Annual Golf Classic - Luau on the Links! This perennially sold out event, held on August 26th at the beautiful StoneTree Golf Club in Novato, hosted over 150 guests including players, volunteers, and sponsors.  Warm Northern California weather encouraged everyone to enjoy a day of golf, sportsmanship, new connections, and delicious food & refreshments.  A portion of the event proceeds benefit the Marin Builders

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

Safety & Training Short - Department of Transportation Markings, Placards and Labels

Department of Transportation (DOT) Placards indicate the presence of hazardous materials inside containers.   Any employer receiving packages or containers of hazardous materials which are required to be marked, labeled or placarded in accordance with the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations needs to retain those markings, labels and placards on the package or container.Employees who work with these materials need to be familiar with their meaning and ensure they have

SolarCraft Boosts Solar Power at Napa's Paloma Vineyard - Paloma Vineyard Partners with SolarCraft to Boost Renewable Energy in Napa Valley

SolarCraft, a trusted solar energy provider for Napa, Sonoma, and Marin counties for forty years, has successfully completed a solar power installation at Paloma Vineyard, located on the renowned Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. Paloma has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to sustainability by partnering with SolarCraft to upgrade and expand its solar power system. The new installation, featuring state-of-the-art, high-efficiency solar panels, replaces an older system and dramatically

The 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

Pacific Gas & Electric Wildfire Safety Tips - August 2024

DON'T LET YOUR FAMILY BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD!   An alarming new study has shown that 58% of Californians lack a disaster kit, and 69% do not have any disaster plans.  California continues to be at risk from unpredictable wildfires. New growth of vegetation, grass, and plants due to the rain also poses a significant risk once these fuels become tinder dry, as they can promote rapid fire growth.   Evacuating from your home early can mean the difference of life and death. When a wildfire or other disaster

Marin Roofing Contractor Elected to Spray Foam Roofing Executive Board

Marin County,  July 17, 2024 Gary Harvey, CEO of Wedge Roofing, has been elected to the Executive Committee Board of the Spray Foam Roofing Alliance (SPFA), recognizing his expertise and leadership in the roofing industry.    The SPFA is the definitive voice and educational/technical resource for North America's Spray Foam Roofing and Insulation Industry.    Wedge Roofing, acclaimed for award-winning projects, is the first U.S. contractor to meet SPFA's rigorous accreditation standards for installing

Marin Economic Forum: Did You Know? Big companies in Marin are not only in tech

Big companies in Marin are not only in tech The San Francisco Business Times regularly releases “Top 100” lists regarding Bay Area companies. Recently, SFBT released the top 100 private companies according to revenues, which included 4 companies in Marin (Ghilotti Bros. Inc., W. Bradley Electric LLC, Precision General Commercial Contractors, and Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty). Three of these companies are in the category of “construction/engineering”, which was by far the largest category

R|a Project Highlight: Clipper Street Renovation and Addition

                                               Located in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, this partial renovation and addition project is a modern take on traditional house forms found in the neighborhood. The architectural program for a young couple’s first home, called for a third story addition to house a new Primary Suite and Office. An additional program requirement was to simplify the front facade at the First and Second Floor, in order to maintain streetscape cohesion. Midway through the building permit

Safety & Training Short - Winter Driving

Objective: To assure that employees are prepared for driving in winter conditions. A little extra preparation is needed to assure driver safety during winter months or other inclement weather conditions.Poor driving conditions is one of the biggest winter safety concerns. Due to shorter days, drivers are required to spend more time driving in the dark, and inclement weather can create slick roads and low visibility conditions.Click here to download the complete training short in EnglishClick here to

Overview of Spring 2024 Construction Classes in Marin

Construction Training Programs and Resources in Marin Marin Builders Association is committed to helping individuals find rewarding careers in the local construction industry.Click here for an overview of Spring classes developed to show the side-by-side comparison of courses offered in Marin. We strongly support high school seniors and young adults interested in the trades to sign up for North Bay Construction Corps. Please view ourMarin Construction Training website for more information.

Safety & Training Short: Hand and Power Tools: Striking Tools

There are some general rules that apply to almost all hammers and other striking tools. Never use a striking tool for any purpose other than that for which it was intended. Never use a striking tool with a loose or damaged handle or with a mushroomed head or dull cutting edge. Conditions vary, but it can never hurt to wear goggles when using striking tools.Click here to download the complete training short in EnglishClick here to download the complete training short in Spanish Safety & Training Shorts

Liens & 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

Contractors with No Employees Face New Workers' Compensation Requirement

A new law will require almost all contractors in California to carry workers’ compensation coverage, regardless of if they have employees or not. According to the author of the bill, State Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) the new law was necessary due to the tendency of many small contractors to claim they have no employees, when in fact they regularly hire day laborers or undocumented workers. Since a firm with only an owner and no employees is not required to carry workers’ comp coverage, those workers would

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