Summer 2013 - Wisconsin Roofing Contractors Association

Wisconsin Roofing Contractors Association
P.O. Box 833 ● Germantown, WI 53022
phone: 888/782-6815 ● fax: 888/287-4116 ● info@wrcaonline.org
Another Great Golf Outing!
It was plenty hot for our golf outing this year, but that didn't keep the group from
having a lot of fun!
Our best-performing foursome, with a score of minus 14, was the foursome of Justin
Lemirande, Rich Lemirande, Randy Christiansen and Todd Kolb. Our "Average Joe"
foursome, with a minus 4, was Chris Busalacchi, Bob Fedder, Clay Van Gomple, and Andy
Weisensel.
Flag event winners were Alan Jerzal, Nate Hobbs (2), Mike Hirsch (2), Todd Kolb, Bob
Fedder, and Randy Christiansen.
The top prize in our 50/50 raffle was $400.00 and we are thankful to Aon, Rick Leitel,
and Hunter Panels for some great prizes to enhance the 50/50 drawing.
Best of all, we had not one, but TWO holes-in-one!
Congratulations to Marc Laurent (left) and to Nate
Hobbs (right) on this accomplishment!
All in all, it was another great day of golf and
camaraderie and we invite you to mark your
calendar for next year's event - tentatively
scheduled for Wednesday, July 16 at Scenic View in
Slinger.
Many Thanks To Our Golf Outing Sponsors!
ACH Foam Technologies
Aon
Blackstone Metal Works
Blindauer Sheet Metal
Carlson Racine Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.
Dawes Rigging and Crane Rental
Diversified Roofing Solutions
F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co., Inc.
GenFlex
Giuffre Bros. Cranes, Inc.
Gulfeagle/WeatherTek
HNI Risk Services
Hunter Panels
Johns Manville
Langer Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.
Mid-States Asphalt
Milwaukee Insulation
Nations Roof North, LLC
Northern Metal & Roofing
Pro Fastening Systems, Inc.
Roofers Mart of Wisconsin
Runnion Equipment Company
RWH Roofing Equipment Inc
Spec Products/Firestone Building Products
Spec Products/Firestone Metal Products
Spec Products/Firestone Roofing Products
Velcheck & Finger
New Law Affects Roofing Contractors
Promoted by the insurance industry, 2013 Assembly Bill 81 was signed into law by
Governor Scott Walker on July 8. The new law affects contracts between roofers and
residential customers.
WRCA provided input on the bill throughout the legislative process - testifying for
information at a public hearing held in May. While not opposed to the intent of the
legislation, WRCA provided input into the practical application of the new law and was
able to secure several amendments that made the bill less burdensome for roofing
contractors.
According to the Legislative Council, the new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2014,
does the following:
2013 Wisconsin Act 24 relates to contracting with residential contractors. The
Act creates specific trade practice requirements that apply to a contract to repair or
replace a roof system, or to perform any other exterior repair, replacement,
construction, or reconstruction for a single-family or two-unit residential property.
First, the Act prohibits a contractor from promising to pay or rebate all, or any
portion, of a property insurance deductible as an incentive to enter into a written or oral
contract for exterior repair.
Second, the Act specifies that a customer who has entered into a written contract
for exterior repair has a right to cancel the contract within three days after the customer
has received notice from the insurer that a claim for the work has been denied in whole
or in part. A contractor must return all money paid, including fees, within 10 days of
receiving a cancellation, but is entitled to compensation for authorized emergency
services. The Act provides certain format, language, and timing requirements for the
contractor’s notice to the customer of the right to cancel. Included in the requirements,
the Act specifies that before entering into any contract for exterior repair, a customer
must indicate whether, to the best of the customer’s knowledge, the work is related to
an insurance claim.
Third, the Act prohibits a contractor from representing a customer, or negotiating
on behalf of a customer, regarding an insurance claim for the work. The Act specifies,
however, that with the customer’s express consent, a contractor may discuss the
damage to the customer’s property, or the estimate or any options for the repair work,
with the insurer’s representative.
Under the Act, the penalty for violating these requirements is a forfeiture
between $500 and $1,000, for each violation.
The new law will be discussed at greater length at the September Membership Meeting.
WRCA Members Host Event For Congressman Ribble
A group of representatives from the roofing industry gather on June 20 at the Wisconsin
Club in Milwaukee to show their support for Congressman Reid Ribble. Ribble has been
a frequent presenter at WRCA meetings, providing a close-up view of Washington
politics.
Congressman Ribble was fresh from a series of House votes and gave
valuable insights about the proposed legislation and other items
making political headlines. The event was more of a "fireside chat"
than a speech, and attendees were able to ask countless questions.
Afterwards, participants marveled at this rare opportunity to speak so
frankly with someone in elected office. Congressman Ribble thanked the
group for their support, sent his regards to the industry, and expressed
his appreciation for being able to reconnect with old friends and with the
people of Wisconsin.
WRCA Begins Upgrade/Update Process For Website
We have started the process of rebuilding our website. The old site hasn't been
updated for a while because it is built in a software program that is no longer supported.
The new site, which should be completed soon, is built in WordPress and will provide
several features we were unable to provide in the past. We'll make an announcement
once the site goes live!
Sporting Clays
Event
Wednesday,
September 25, 2013
11:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Reception/Lunch
Program
Sporting Clays
Reception/Appetizers
Program, Raffles, Prizes
$25.00 per person for Lunch/Program
$75.00 per person for Sporting Clays & Reception (Heavy Appetizers)
****************
Not familiar with Sporting Clays?
Shooters walk or ride along a designated path from station to station.
Each station uses clay targets to simulate a bird.
A round consists of 100 targets spread over 10-12 shooting stations.
Please bring your own gun, shells, eye and ear protection.
Shells and ear protection are available for purchase and guns are available for rental
($20) at Milford Hills.
Milford Hills
W5670 French Road
Johnson Creek, WI 53038
920-699-2249
milfordhills@milfordhills.com
Click here for Directions/Map
Calendar of Events
The schedule of programs and events for the balance of the year is complete. Be sure to
mark your calendar for the following programs/events:
September 25
Membership Meeting/Sporting Clays
Milford Hills (Johnson Creek)
October 23-25
MRCA Convention
Donald Stevens Convention Center (Rosemont, IL)
November TBA
TBA
TBA (Fox Valley)
December 7
Christmas Party
Grand Geneva Resort (Lake Geneva)
December 11
Annual Meeting
M.J. Stevens (Slinger/Hartford)
February 24-28
NRCA Convention
Mandalay Bay Hotel (Las Vegas, NV)
Board Changes
Unfortunately, we had two Directors step down during the first few months of 2013.
Many thanks to Todd Orvedahl and to Troy Ribble for their service to the WRCA and the
industry and well wishes for the future. Directors agreed to leave one position vacant that of Past President Orvedahl - and to appoint Dan Knickelbein of Langer Roofing to
serve the balance of Mr. Ribble's term.
As we make the turn into the last half of the year, now is the time to consider whether
you might be interested in serving on the WRCA Board of Directors in 2014. If you
would like to know more, please contact President Pat Finger or Executive Director Jeff
Beiriger.
NRCA is no longer supporting the "direct-link" program for purchases made from the
NRCA bookstore. In the past, NRCA had offered to pay a dividend to affiliates like WRCA
when bookstore purchases were made as a result of a link from our website.
As an alternate, NRCA will be supporting a "promo code" program as an alternative, The
new program doesn't provide a benefit for the chapter, but it does allow members to
receive a 20 percent discount on bookstore purchases by using a discount code when
checking out.
The discount code for WRCA members is: WRCA 20.
If you have any questions about the program or how to use the discount, please contact
the WRCA office.
OSHA News
OSHA is looking at a new rule to deal with isocyanates. Among
other things, isocyanates can be found in roofing insulation, so
the regulations will almost certainly affect the industry.
New HazCom rules go in effect at the end of the year.
Don't forget, OSHA's revised standards for Cranes and Derricks in Construction will be fully
effective on November 8, 2014.
Government Relations Report
Health Care Mandate Delayed - The White House delayed for one year a requirement
that businesses provide health insurance to employees. The requirement was part of
the Affordable Care Act and was scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2014. The
provision, commonly known as the "employer mandate," calls for businesses with 50 or
more workers to provide insurance to workers or pay a $2,000.00 fine per employee.
Barring further delays, the provision will now take effect beginning January 2015.
State Budget - The state budget was signed into law on June 30 and includes several
provisions affecting contractors....
The most controversial and costly provision
is one that will increase the tax rate for
unemployment insurance. The construction
industry has withdrawn $552 million more
than it paid in during the period from 2008
to 2011. Rather than continue subsidies for
the industry, the budget includes a rate
increase that could equal as much as $300
per employee in construction-related
businesses.
The rate increase is far less than was necessary to fully close the revenue/expense gap
explained legislators and was the minimum necessary to work down a debt to the
federal government that resulted in assessments this year and next. It is hoped that an
assessment can be avoided in 2015.
The Building Contractor Registration (BCR) program has been eliminated. Enacted four
years ago, the BCR program required contractors to register with the Department of
Safety & Professional Services every four years and pay a registration fee of $115.00.
While lower than in previous years, the State will continue to invest in buildings and
repairs around the state. Deeper cuts to the state building program were
recommended by the Committee on Joint Finance, but the Governor vetoed the
additional $250 million in cuts.
A provision to allow contractors to make tax exempt purchases of materials on behalf of
tax exempt and government entities was not included in the budget. Because it has a
negative fiscal note (lost tax revenue), it will not likely be enacted into law during this
session.
The state will look into the possible merger of the Department of Safety & Professional
Services and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. If that
happens, the code, licensing, and inspection/enforcement aspects of the construction
industry will be part of the new agency.
Other Legislation - Legislation to affect reconcile the state and federal prevailing wage laws has
been introduced. Effectively, the legislation would defer to federal Davis-Bacon law whenever
federal money is involved. This contrasts with current law, when both the state and federal
laws must be complied with.
Legislation requiring a uniform commercial building code continues to be considered.
By The Numbers
According to the Solar Foundation (as reported in
Professional Roofing), the U.S. solar industry is expected to
continue to see gains in employment - possibly more than
20 percent - in the coming year. U.S. market share of
global installations remains somewhat low at just 11
percent, but it is increasing as a result of double-digit
increases in residential and commercial installations in the
U.S.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Mark Graham, NRCA's Associate Executive Director of Technical
Services. Graham, a frequent speaker at WRCA events, was honored with the James Q.
McCawley Award, presented to an individual in recognition of their devotion to the
roofing industry.
Congratulations to Kulp's of Stratford, who was featured earlier this year in a
Professional Roofing article on a unique project at the Howard Young Medical Center in
Woodruff.
Quotable
I talk to people who are musicians, and they go, Oh this is hell. And I go, Are you kidding
me? You never put tar paper on a roof, did ya?
- Chris Isaak
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
- John F. Kennedy
It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one
afternoon on the golf course.
- Hank Aaron
WRCA Christmas Party
Saturday, December 7, 2013
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Grand Geneva Resort
Lake Geneva, WI
The Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva (www.grandgeneva.com) is a AAA Four
Diamond resort located southwest of Milwaukee. The resort, designed and built in a
style inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, includes three restaurants, a pool, a fitness centers,
a spa, indoor tennis facilities, a ski hill and even a water park for the kids.
Best of all, the resort will be in full holiday splendor (Christmas Activities) and
so will the nearby City of Lake Geneva, which features dozens of unique shops
and restaurants.
Make your reservations today by calling (800) 558-3417.
The WRCA room block is guaranteed through November 7 and the hotel will almost
certainly sell out. Rooms are reserved for Friday (12/6) and Saturday (12/7). Mention
“Wisconsin Roofing Contractors Association (WRCA)” to get our preferred rate of
$129.00 per night.
Before the event, we encourage you to gather at the Lobby Lounge, but there are plenty
of places in Lake Geneva to meet as well. After the event, we recommend Evolve, a
night club featuring a live DJ from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and the Embers Terrace, an area
featuring an outdoor fireplace - the perfect area for an after-dinner drink and a cigar!
For those looking for something quieter, the Lobby Lounge features live music until
11:30 p.m.
Registration, sponsorship, and door prize information sent in October!
WRCA Board of Directors
President
Pat Finger
Velcheck & Finger
Pewaukee
1st VP
Rick Leitel
Carlson Racine Roofing
Racine
2nd VP
Justin Lemirande
Northern Metal & Roofing
Green Bay
Treasurer
Dan Knickelbein
Langer Roofing
Milwaukee
Past President
Vacant
Associate
Advisor
Nathan Hobbs
Gulfeagle/WeatherTek
Pewaukee
Executive
Director
Jeffrey J. Beiriger, CAE
Association/Management Services
Menasha
More Information
For more information about any of the articles in this newsletter, or if there is any way
that we can be of service to you, please be sure to contact our office at:
WRCA
P.O. Box 833
Germantown, Wisconsin 53022
Toll Free - (888) 782-6815
Fax - (888) 287-4116
Website - www.wrcaonline.org
Email - info@wrcaonline.org
jeff@assocmgmtservices.com
jane@assocmgmtservices.com