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I’m look to join something to get group insurance rates. A builders group would seem to offer better contacts and long term benefits….but it’s the insurance that is the first concern.
Who like what? Any suggestions. My first thought was NARI…..but they want ya to be in business for a year first. I maintained my contractors insurance while employeed…..so maybe I can still sneak in. If not…gotta pick somewhere.
We have no state or local liscensing in PA….just have to be registered with the City if you want to pull a permit within the city. I did that 2 yrs ago…then let it lapse…just didn’t renew the next year…as I didn’t do one job within the city limits.
My x-boss did say he’d sponser me in the builders association he was invloved with….so that may be the best/quickest option.
Thanks for any ideas. Jeff
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Jeff,
I like the NAHB. Because we are mostly new constuction. But they do have a Remodelers Council that has been growing like crazy here in Portland, Or. Something like 210-220 members in 2 or 3 years. Good group of people to network with and the associated benefits too. Our medical insurance (what I'm guessing you're after) is in transition right now and can only do 3 employees and more. Might look at a Kaiser Small Employer plan for medical. We have had it for 7 or 8 years now. We like it a lot. Put your wife on as an employee, bingo, bango you got a group.
But... you only get out what you put in. There is no magic pill. Don't join, never attend and think your business is going to take off. Go to the meetings, attend a seminar, join a commitee. Do something to make the association better. Others will notice.
HBA will be very happy to sit down and talk with you. Just open your wallet. LOL
*jeff, we've been a member of RIBA (NAHB chapter) since 1975... top-loaded with buildrs , but plenty of remodelers... very helpful when i was starting out..NARI is not as active here.. only room for one frog in this pond... MASS is big on NARI
*JeffI am not in the trades so I don't know the inside stuff. But in my area (Kansas City) NARI is big. They put on a remodeling show each year that is bigger that this years NAHB show. They sponser a weekly radio callin show and publish a free guide.
*I'm a member of he NAHB. I immediately saved thousands on my wc and liability by joining. Too bad I was too stupid to join in my younger years....blue
*For those of you scoring at home......I got more info. Looks like...for insurance purposes...the Greater Pgh Chamber of Commerce is my only choice. The insurance "broker" they ...and the local BAMP.....Builder Assoc. of Metro Pgh....use...just by luck my two last choices....gave 2 different phone numbers...but I got the same woman.....so I killed two assocuations with one call. She said....the builders assoc. only had ins. programs set up for a min. group of 2. The Chamber's program will let me do a group of 1...which would be my family. I can join the chamber as an associate to save money ....which drops the rate as a full member from $360 to $180......and the insurance ranges from $490 to $730. I'm to get that info by mail soon. The builders association I was considering....am still considering...but the insurance comes first....is soemwhere around $360/yr to join....and that includes NAHB membership. Hope this helps someone else looking. Jeff