There is one phrase you must have in your contract if you hope to collect dime one from a customer who isn't paying. Discover what it is and how to use it.
Imagine this - you are sued for breach of warranty 13 years after you build a room addition by someone who bought the house from your customer. What contract language will protect you from this nightmare?
Force Majeure isn't a superhero, but it can save your butt when things aren't going exactly to plan. Learn how and why.
Scared to put start and completion dates in your contract? Learn the right way to incorporate them and what to absolutely avoid.
It lurks in damp, dark places waiting to devour everything you've worked for. What is it, and what simple words can make all the difference?
Photos of your work are critical for marketing. Ever consider paying big royalties to your customers for their use? You might if you fail to do one vital thing.

Think you've got a rock solid contract? Jim Ziegler, April's featured speaker and NARIGC's razor sharp legal counsel, might beg to differ. He will show you, in less than one billable hour, how your contract might have holes in it big enough to drive a train through. Specifically, Jim will address five key elements that most contractors don't even think about, let alone protect themselves from. It will be an evening you can't afford to miss.

It's a well known fact that only contractors with well-above-average intelligence attend NARI meetings. Here's an idea: Be One. See you there.

LEAD CERTIFICATION TRAINING
APRIL 14 IN ELGIN
APRIL 15 IN CHICAGO

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! PUT NARI IN THE PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS LINE TO RECEIVE THE SPECIAL NARIGC PRICE. Register today, as dates are quickly filling up!

NARIGC has reserved space during two training dates for the upcoming Lead Certification requirement:

April 14, 2010, 9:00 a.m. at Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 800 N. State St., Elgin

or

April 15, 2010, 8:00 a.m. at Public Health and Safety, Inc., 133 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago

Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the course.

There is a discount for NARI of Greater Chicagoland members for this training. The cost will be $200 per person. At the end of the training you will be an RRP Certified Renovator. This training will provide you with the 8 hours of training needed to meet the RRP rule. This course consists of 6 hours of classroom time and a minimum of 2 hours of hands-on training. Participants will also receive .8 CEU credits for attending towards NARI certifications.

Have you recently renovated a Kitchen?
Then HGTV is looking for you!

Home & Garden Television's (HGTV) BANG FOR YOUR BUCK is looking for fun and enthusiastic homeowners in the greater CHICAGO area RIGHT NOW! Do any of your customers fit the bill?
Renovations must have taken place within the past three years.

Each episode will tour three similar remodels at similar price points in the same city. We'll bring in our design expert and real estate expert to determine how the renovation impacts each home's value. We'll also provide viewers with expert advice, answers on remodeling values, and inspiring ideas for design.

Taping will begin shortly, so if you're interested, please apply immediately! Deadline to request application is fast approaching!

Please send photos of renovation and request an application at:
Trisha Boyd
tboyd@highnoontv.com
303-712-3153

THANK YOU!

Bang For Your Buck is produced for HGTV by
High Noon Entertainment in Centennial, CO.
It airs Friday nights at 9:30/8:30c.

How to Succeed in
Business and Life
Presented by Bill Rancic

Winner of the first season of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" and host of the A&E series "We Mean Business", Bill Rancic will use his entrepreneurial insight and personal experiences to discuss how builders and remodelers can succeed in business and life.

Rancic founded a small business twelve years ago in a 400-square foot studio apartment. Today, it's a thriving multi-million dollar national operation.

Rancic is also a financial correspondent on the Rachael Ray Show and a best-selling author. He recently completed his second book, Beyond the Lemonade Stand, which was written to help educate and motivate young people around the world about the value of money and how to leverage skills, talents, and abilities at an early age.

This event will be hosted by Patrick O'Toole, editor of Qualified Remodeler Magazine, and also feature a presentation on green remodeling by Ron Cowgill, President of the Chicago chapter of NARI.

Visit KBIS.com and register today. NKBA Members - $45, Non-Members - $70.

Not Handing out the "Know Your Consumer Rights" Brochure? You May Not Be Entitled to Pursuing Liens!

Get the brochure by clicking HERE!

In another recent ruling on the Home Repair and Remodeling Act the Third District rendered a decision in Fandel v. Allen, (3rd Dist. 3-08-0237) on January 14, 2010. That case involved a contractor who provided a detailed written work order that was not signed by the homeowner. The contractor also admittedly failed to provide a copy of the Know Your Consumer Rights brochure.
     The trial court held the contractor was not able to pursue a foreclosure of its mechanics lien based on these violations of the Home Repair and Remodeling Act. The Appellate Court reversed and held these procedural violations of the Home Repair and Remodeling Act did not render the oral contract illegal or unenforceable and consequently did not bar enforcement of the mechanics lien.
     The Appellate Court held the Home Repair and Remodeling Act was not intended to create a private
cause of action enforceable by homeowners or allow affirmative defenses to otherwise valid contract
or mechanics lien claims. If damaged by violations of the Home Repair and Remodeling Act individuals may recover under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act since any violation of the Home Repair and Remodeling Act is also a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act and
Deceptive Business Practices Act.
     This decision appears to run contrary to prior decisions in both the Third District and other Districts in Illinois. It would seem it is simply a matter of time before the Illinois Supreme Court is asked to resolve these differences.

EPA LEAD REQUIREMENTS

All contractors that work on pre-1978 homes and disturb more than 6 square feet of paint interior or 20 square feet of paint exterior or engage in window replacements must be Certified Renovators by April 22, 2010. These include but are not limited to renovators, remodelers, plumbers, painters, electricians, window & door contractors, landlords and some building engineers. Visithttp://rrprenovatortraining.com/ for lead certification training schedules.

Timeline for Lead Rules Implementation:
December 22, 2008: Switch to "Renovate Right" brochure distribution (instead of "Protect Your Family")
April 22, 2009: "Train the Trainer" courses begin for those who will teach the Lead Certification After April 22, 2009: Persons seeking certification as renovators or dust sampling technicians may take accredited training as soon as they are available.
October 22, 2009: Firms may start applying to the EPA for certification to conduct renovations
April 22, 2010: Renovations in target (pre-1978) housing and child-occupied facilities must be conducted by certified renovation firms, using renovators with accredited training, and following the work practice requirements of the rule.

Visit the EPA's website for general info on the new EPA lead rules; http://epa.gov/lead.

NEW PAMPHLET: Beginning December 22, 2008, the rule will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint provide the Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF) (20 pp, 626K) lead hazard information pamphlet En Español (PDF) (20 pp, 3.2MB) to owners and occupants of target housing and child care facilities and to parents and guardians of children under age six that attend child care facilities built prior to 1978. The rule will affect paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including:
- Renovation contractors - Maintenance workers in multi-family housing - Painters and other specialty trades. Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis. The requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.

Understand that after April 2010, federal law will require you to be certified and to use lead-safe work practices. Read more about EPA's rules and lead-safe work practices in EPA's brochure Contractors - Lead Safety During Renovation (2 pp, 1.5MB). HTML version