Today's Remodeler eNewsletter
Published by the Professional Remodeler's Organization
4120 Secor Road
Toledo, Ohio 43623
February 2010


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President's Message

Here we are in February with our New Year moving right along. Times can be tough out there right now and we all need to stay strong. It has been said by many that now is the time to be advertising and promoting your company. So make sure you get into the 2010 Home & Garden Show as it is sure to be a great one! Remember to proudly display your PRO logo for recognition.

There are many new ways and ideas for 2010, so make sure you attend the general meetings for networking. “Getting back to basics” can be another ways and means to go back to again. Remember what steps worked for your company to get where you are at today.

Sincerely Your Pres,

Terry Parker
Parker Roofing & Home Improvement

Executive Director's Report

General Meeting – February 18
This month’s General Meeting will be brought to you by The Blade. The speaker for this month is Steve Weathers from the Regional Growth Partnership. This month we will be back at the Eddie Lee’s Restaurant. The time is 6:00pm for networking and 6:45 for dinner. The cost is $25.00 which includes the best prime rib dinner in town (or chicken or salmon). Notice that there will not be a March general meeting.

Home & Garden Show
The 2010 Home & Garden Show is approaching us fast and there are still booths available. As we have been hearing, you can not – not have a booth this year. Keep in mind that we experienced a record attendance last year. There is a new “Cash & Carry” area this year. This area has been set aside and is designed for those who are selling items that the consumers can purchase and carry away with them that day. The booths are smaller (8’ wide x 5’ deep). The cost is only $300 for the weekend. The up-to-date floor plan is in the website.

The Show will have 4’ x 8’ overhead aisle signs this year showing the public the row numbers for booths. Your logo can be prominently displayed on one of these signs for a mere $200.00. Each display covers a 22” x 48” area. There will be one display on each side of the sign. There are only 16 available spots and as of this writing, 5 are spoken for. Call the office for more information.

Seminars
The Lead Classes are filling up very fast. We have set up three more classes for April and May. Remember, we are limited to 25 people per class. The form is on the website or call the office and set it up now. We will be adding classes as the demand calls for it. We will probably not be holding any more classes until the fall. Hopefully you all will be too busy to attend classes anyway.

Scholarships
PRO will again be offering scholarships to qualified exceptionally able high school and college students to provide additional financial assistance to the students. The application is available on the website or call the office to receive one. Remember, there are requirements and they all must be completed. So please read the application thoroughly.
Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009

To all our valued Weber O’Brien clients:

We would like to welcome you to the weekly tax tip via “email” to better help with not only your Company tax planning, but also with your personal tax planning. We hope this service will be of value to you. Take a moment to browse what we have included.

On Nov. 6, 2009, President Obama signed the “Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009” (the 2009 Assistance Act) into law. In addition to providing an extension of unemployment benefits for the longtime jobless, the 2009 Assistance Act includes tax changes for businesses, the most significant of which are liberalized rules for certain net operating losses (NOLs). We are writing to give you an overview of these new NOL provisions. Please call our offices for details of how the new changes may affect your business.

Background. A net operating loss (NOL) is the excess of business deductions (computed with certain modifications) over gross income in a particular tax year. The loss can be deducted, through an NOL carryback or carryover, in another tax year in which gross income exceeds business deductions. In general, NOLs may be carried back two years and forward 20 years. The NOL is first carried back to the earliest tax year for which it's allowable as a carryback or a carryover, and is then carried to the next earliest tax year. A taxpayer may elect to forego the entire carryback period for an NOL and instead carry it forward.

Stimulus legislation passed earlier this year allowed eligible small businesses (with average annual gross receipts of $15 million or less for 2006-2008) to elect to carry back NOLs from 2008 for 3, 4 or 5 years rather than the standard 2 years. A taxpayer with a fiscal year (i.e., other than a calendar year) was entitled to choose the extended carryback period for the tax year that began or ended in 2008.

New law. The 2009 Assistance Act provides an election for most taxpayers (not just small businesses) to increase the carryback period for an applicable NOL to 3, 4, or 5 years from 2 years. An applicable NOL means the taxpayer's NOL for any tax year ending after Dec. 31, 2007, and beginning before Jan. 1, 2010. This means the election may be made for a tax year beginning or ending in either 2008 or 2009.

Taxpayers electing a 5-year carryback can use the NOL to offset up to 50% of the available taxable income for the 5th tax year preceding the loss year, and 100% of all taxable income in the remaining 4 carryback years. The amount of the NOL otherwise carried to tax years after the 5th preceding tax year is adjusted to take into account that the NOL could offset only 50% of the taxable income for the 5th year. That is to say, unlike previous versions of this proposal which were not included in the final legislation, there is no “haircut” for the amount by which the NOL is limited in the 5th preceding year.

In addition, the Act suspends the 90% limitation on the use of an NOL deduction for alternative minimum tax purposes, for alternative tax NOLs attributable to carrybacks for which the extended carryback is elected.

Generally, an extended carryback period election may be made for only one tax year. However, small businesses that have already elected an extended carryback for a 2008 NOL may also elect to extend the carryback for NOLs from 2009.

A similar extended carryback period is available for the loss from operations of a life insurance company.

The election of an extended carryback period must be made by the due date (with extensions) for filing the tax return for the taxpayer's last tax year beginning in 2009. Once made, the election is irrevocable. If the taxpayer had previously elected to forego the carryback of an NOL from a tax year ending before Nov. 6, 2009, the taxpayer may revoke that election before the due date (including extensions) for filing the taxpayer's 2009 return.

The right to elect an extended carryback period does not apply to any taxpayer that has received or will receive financial assistance under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 in the form of an equity infusion or acquisition of a warrant (or other right).

We hope this information is helpful. If you would like more details about this or any other aspect of the new law, please do not hesitate to call us at 419-885-8338.

This weekly newsletter is provided to our clients as one of our many services to help update you on the always-changing tax laws. The following information has been prepared for you by Weber · O'Brien Ltd. Your financial advisor, lawyer or CPA should review all information included herein. If you have any questions about this or any other information provided to you by us, please contact either R. David O’Brien, CPA dobrien@weberobrien.com or James F. Weber, CPA jweber@weberobrien.com. Also, please visit us at our new construction website at www.constructionindustrygroup.com. We look forward to be of service to you or your company.

Weber O'Brien Ltd.
5580 Monroe St.
Sylvania, Ohio 43560
P 419 885 8338
F 419 885 8182
http://www.weberobrien.com

EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Regulation Deadline Approaching

Dear Contractor Association:

Less than 100 days remain until your members will be required to be trained, certified, and otherwise comply with EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) regulation. This regulation affects a wide range of contracting firms, including renovators, painters, electricians, plumbers, maintenance firms, and more. Because the next few months are critical, I hope that we can count on you to help us get the word out.

By April 2010, all firms doing work in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities must: - be lead-safe certified by EPA, - employ supervisory certified renovators who have successfully completed an EPA-accredited one-day training course, use only trained workers who have received specific on-the-job training, and - use specified lead-safe work practices and provide designated educational material.

BOTH individual “renovators” and contracting firms MUST be EPA-certified. Even contractors with previous lead abatement training must be trained and certified under this new program. This new program will allow your members to help reduce childhood lead poisoning by working lead-safe. Contractors who fail to comply will risk penalties of up to $37,500 per day as well as potential private lawsuits.

Firm certification

Firm certification is easy and straightforward – your members need only submit a short application, and submit it with fee to EPA. The form, and associated material, is available on EPA’s website at http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/toolkits.htm#renovator. Your members should complete and submit this form without delay.

Hundreds of firms have already been certified. They will be able advertise that they are certified by EPA under the RRP program, and will also be given rights to use EPA’s new “Lead-Safe Certified Firm” logo which we will begin publicizing later this month.

Firms who fail to get trained and certified could face business risks for their companies and health risks for their employees and clients. EPA has authority to fine companies who fail to comply up to $37,500 per day.

Individual training and certification

Individual certification is also easy. It requires only successful completion of a one-day accredited training course; there is no additional fee to EPA. Over 120 training firms (see http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/trainingproviders.htm) have already been accredited to provide the specialized, one-day RRP training. Certification for individual “renovators” is automatic upon successful completion of training.

We expect training classes to begin to fill up soon. Your members should register for training now to avoid a rush and potential delays leading to non-compliance.

Thousands of individual renovators across the country have already taken this course and have become EPA-certified renovators. These individuals learned the specific work practices that are needed to protect themselves and their clients from lead contamination, and to allow them and their firm to work legally.

Role for associations

Your organization can play a leading role in RRP implementation and be regarded as a trusted source of critical information by making this information accessible to your members. I ask you to: If you have questions about the RRP rule or the certification process, you can visit EPA’s web site at www.epa.gov/lead or call the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD [5323]. You can also read about how to comply in EPA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right

www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf).

I hope that you will join me in publicizing this new program and encouraging your members to apply for certification, attend an accredited training course, and come into full compliance. I look forward to having your help in continuing to combat childhood lead poisoning.

Sincerely,

Michelle Price, Chief
Lead, Heavy Metals and
Inorganics Branch
5 Steps to Trade Shows Success

Trade shows are an investment of both time and money for companies of any size. Many exhibitors search for ways to increase the return on their trade show investment. When was the last time you or your company measured its results from trade shows? Not recently? Never? Don’t worry! There are many ways to increase effectiveness from trade show exhibiting and they all begin with a plan.

1. Find the right show
How do you know if your trade show will be successful? That depends on what you are measuring. The first step to achieving better results from trade shows is to find a show, then set measurable and attainable objectives. There are many ways to find shows and decide whether or not your target market will be at the event. All it takes is a little research. Call the show organizer and ask for statistics from previous shows such as number of exhibitors, total number of attendees, costs, etc.

2. Make a strategy
Now, decide what it is that you want to achieve. The measure of achievement should be based on your goals. Do you want to make sales at trade shows to measure your return on investment, or just gain leads for your database to measure your return on objectives? These are the core ideals to identify so that you can begin measuring your results.

3. It’s about the people
According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR.org), 85% of the success at trade shows depends on the booth staffers. The size of the trade show exhibit, the literature and the promotions are all secondary. If a staffer leaves a poor impression with a prospect, no key chain or coffee cup will turn that impression around. Therefore, it is important to train all staffers about your expectations as to what they should accomplish at a trade show. They need to learn how to qualify prospects in a short amount of time. If an attendee does not fit your criteria as a potential client, quickly and politely dismiss him or her. When a prospect does fit your criteria, the staffer needs to know what to do next – set an appointment, send literature, schedule a conference call, etc.

4. Promotions need to be memorable
How many key chains or pens have you picked up at a trade show and where are they now? They probably ended up in a trash can at the hotel and that means the promotion was not effective. A promotion should be a memorable accent to your message, but not be overwhelming. Pre-show mailings or e-mail campaigns can tie into promotions at the show to remind attendees to stop by your trade show booth. Purchasing the attendee list prior to the show to select your top percentage of prospects is another great investment. Don’t forget to contact your current clients that will also be attending.

5. Make a follow-up system
CEIR has found that 79% of leads generated at shows are not followed up on. How can you prevent this from happening at your company? It again starts with pre-show planning. Create a plan for following through on leads. It is important to determine how the information will be distributed, to whom it is distributed and how that information will be used to advance the company’s overall goals. It is important to create a follow-through plan to utilize this new information and follow-up within a week before the contact at the show loses its effectiveness. Trade shows require planning prior to, during and after the event. The only way to ensure a higher return on your trade show investment is to plan all stages of the show. Selecting the best show to exhibit at is the first step. Booth staff training is a must for companies at all levels. Proper follow-up should be part of the staff training. Through a few focused steps, you can increase your return on investment!
22 Reasons to Exhibit at Trade Shows

While trade shows are not easy, they are many worthwhile reasons to exhibit. How many? In just ten minutes time (and without succumbing to the temptation of a Google search), I came up with these 22 reasons to lug your trade show exhibit down to the nearest convention center and exhibit:

Sales:
  1. Generate sales leads

  2. Close sales

  3. Build relationships with prospects

  4. Advance the sales cycle

  5. Cross-sell existing clients

  6. Meet spread-out buying teams at one time

  7. Recruit new sales people

  8. Recruit new distribution

  9. Train new sales people

    Marketing Communications

  10. Build your brand

  11. Re-position your brand

  12. Increase awareness

  13. Survey market awareness

  14. Interview clients

  15. Generate publicity

    Product Marketing:

  16. Launch new products

  17. Survey attendees about new product ideas

  18. Research competitor’s products and messaging

    Executive Management:

  19. Keep up on industry trends

  20. Meet with key clients

  21. Meet with key business partners

  22. Profitably build the business
Professional Remodelers Organization 2010 Scholarship Program

The Professional Remodelers Organization (PRO) established this scholarship program for the relatives of PRO members. The annual scholarship program’s purpose is to identify and honor exceptionally able high school and college students, and to provide additional financial assistance to the student.

Who Is Eligible?

High school or college students who are relatives of PRO members can apply for this scholarship. Scholarship recipients will be required to be present and offer an acceptance speech at the May general membership meeting of PRO. In August scholarship recipients will provide PRO with a copy of their scheduled classes, and in return will receive their scholarship check. Recipients can only win one scholarship.

To apply for the scholarship, students must submit this application form, along with the requirements listed below, from March 1st thru April 30th. All applications must be postmarked by April 30 or received in the PRO office by April 30.

How Winners Are Selected

Scholarship winners will be chosen on a competitive basis based on their scholastic achievements.
Requirements for application are:
  1. Copy of high school or college transcript, minimum GPA of 3.0
  2. 250 word essay “What does a college education mean to me”.
  3. Letter of acceptance from an accredited institution for higher education.
  4. Letter of recommendation from a teacher, employer or clergy member.
  5. Completed application form. Forms not fully completed will not be considered.

PRO Scholarship Application

EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Initial Training Course

Beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting (RRP) projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. PRO currently has three class dates to choose from. More >
Superfleet Announces 10 Cent Off per Gallon of Fuel Promotion

With the SSA Association SuperFleet Discount Fuel Program, you have all the tools available today to you maximize your fuel management capabilities, utilize a free program, and also receive a volume discount of up to 5 cents per gallon More >
PRO is now making available Aflac voluntary financial protection plans available to its members!

Aflac programs pay cash directly to you. You can use this cash to cover left over medical expenses, loss of income, or everyday living expenses. It’s your money to use where it is needed the most. More >