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Safety & Training Short - Visitor Safety

Objective: To create awareness of safe practices that protect visitors from worksite hazards. Visitors are any non-employees at the facility, including contractors, vendors, family members of employees, and facility inspectors. Because visitors may be unaware of the hazards and required processes specific to your organization, they may inadvertently endanger themselves or others through improper practices. The potential outcomes include injury, property damage, significant business interruption, and the

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  

The Hidden Risks of Using AI on Construction Projects

Published: May 28, 2025 E. Peyton Aldrich Associate, Atlanta Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is becoming an increasingly common presence in the construction industry. From drafting scopes of work and flagging safety issues to evaluating subcontractors and reviewing contracts, AI is beginning to shape how construction professionals plan, manage, and deliver work. While these tools can make projects more efficient and data-driven, they also introduce legal, contractual, and operational risks that aren’t

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

Operationalizing Unreasonable Hospitality: Building Systems That Care

Culture isn’t built by chance. It’s built by design, one intentional system at a time. In our last newsletter, we explored how the philosophy of unreasonable hospitality begins by elevating every employee and customer touchpoint. But touchpoints alone are just moments. To create lasting impact, those moments need to be part of something bigger: a system of care. As one of only a few certified coaches in Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality methodology, I help companies take this from concept to

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

Safety & Training Short: Trenching and Shoring - Access, Egress, and Crossings

Objective: To reinforce awareness about the technical requirements for trench access points and surface crossings.Access and Egress: A stairway, ladder, or ramp must be present in excavations that are four feet deep or more. Do not enter a trench without an established means of egress. Stairways, ladders, or ramps must be located within 25 feet of employees.Ladders must extend 3 feet above the excavation.Ladders must be a single piece of equipment. Do not lash multiple ladders together to meet height

Remodeling in a Fear Economy - 5 Top Takeaways by Alisa Hoffman, Design Set Match

While I don't claim to be an economist or political expert, I can tell you that the remodeling industry has entered what I'm calling a "Fear Economy." This term describes the current climate of uncertainty and reactive purchasing behavior we're witnessing in the home improvement sector. Since the recent presidential election, clients have been asking what we're doing about impending tariffs and how they should approach their home projects. Initially, the answer was straightforward: remodel now because

Big Skills Tiny Home is Looking for Learning Leaders

Safety & Training Short: Electrical Safety - Energized Electrical Work

Objective: To reinforce proper preparation procedures for instances when working with energized work is necessary.Electrical equipment must be worked on in a de-energized state unless you are qualified and properly equipped to work on it when energized: Employees face potential arc flash and shock injuries from energized equipment when equipment is not properly guarded against shock hazards, or when not locked out and tagged-out in its de-energized state. Qualified persons may work on systems when

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  

Every Touchpoint Matters: The Secret to Creating Remarkable Employee & Customer Experiences

Unreasonable Hospitality in Action: Turning Everyday Moments into Extraordinary Culture Will Guidara’s philosophy of unreasonable hospitality isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about intentionality. At his restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, the number one restaurant in the world, the team examined every single touchpoint a guest might encounter and asked: “How can we make this better?” Imagine applying that same lens to your business, not just for customers, but for your employees too. As one of only a

Enhancing Employee Well-being and Reducing Healthcare Costs Through Blood Pressure Management

Invest in your employees' well-being and manage long-term healthcare costs by proactively addressing a major health risk: high blood pressure.   Affecting nearly half of U.S. adults and significantly increasing the risk of costly conditions like heart disease and stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure represents a substantial health burden for employees and a potential financial strain for employers. Blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls. Maintaining healthy levels is crucial

Resilient Neighborhoods Presents: FREE Online Climate Action Workshops

Resilient Neighborhoods empowers people to take personal and local action to reduce their household greenhouse gas emissions and create connected communities resilient to disasters. We offer two workshops every season. Workshops are virtual and can be done from the comfort of your own home. You'll meet 5 times over 8 weeks with a team of Marin County community members. Meetings are 90 minutes followed by an optional Q&A session.Thursday Team Dates: Jun 12 (Kickoff), Jun 26, Jul 10, Jul 24 & Aug 7 6:30 -

Construction Related Hiring Opportunities

At the Marin Builders Association, we are often approached by graduates of our construction training programs, or those interested in pursuing a career in construction trades.   Often times, we are asked to connect these applicants to our members who may be hiring or offering an internship at their company. If your firm offers internships or if you have upcoming job opportunities, we want to hear from you! To join a short list of employers who are looking to hire or offering internships, please take 3

Smith 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

Standing 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!

Free 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

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.

Marin 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

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