SPECIALTIES OF PRACTICE		Audio Message
General construction, techniques, applications of products & materials, and standards of practice Building inspections Materials handling & storage		Project management, estimating, planning Risk management, safe demolition Damages evaluation Rules and regulations for construction

Unabridged List of Services  

SUMMARY OF SELECTED

TRAINING & PRESENTATION EXPERIENCE

Raritan Valley Community College

2010-2011

“Green Careers”

"What to Know Before Beginning a Remodeling Project"

"Building Principles"

NY Real Estate Investment Association

2009

“The Different Flavors of Green”

“Building & Rehabbing 101”

The Bucks County Audubon Society

2009

"Green Building"

WDVR-FM

2008

2009

2010

Guest on Richard Gerstner’s program – Topic "Our Trip to Rebuild in MS"

Guest on Bruce Gage’s program – Topic "Green Building"

Guest on Chris Phelan’s program – Topic "Regulatory Issues"

Fairleigh-Dickinson Univ. 

2009

"Green Building"

Healthquest Expo

2008

Spoke about regulatory and permitting issues

DeVry Institute

2003

Guest lecturer on Project Management and The Project Management Institute

EDUCATION, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL 

AFFILIATIONS, & SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• My over 20-year corporate career involved project management and other specialties across several industries, types, and sizes of projects, and both the public and private sector; 

• Teaching project management and construction-related subjects to professional and civic groups, and at the college level; 

• Reg. N.J. Remodeler 13VH03065300 

• HUD/EPA/NJ DCA Certified Renovator; U.S. EPA Lead-Safe Firm # NAT-20233-1 

• Have passed part A of the NJ RCS (building inspector) exam; 

• Solid IRC (International Residential Code) 2006 skills; 

• Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, BBA (1986), MBA (1989), including required courses in business law; 

• Project Mgt Institute (www.pmi.org) (1986-2007), Former cert. PMP (project mgt professional) & Vice Chair for its Design-Procurement-Construction Group (dpcsig.org); 

• Member, Somerset County Business Partnership, and its Sustainable Somerset Committee; 

• Hillsborough, NJ Business Association;

• Somerville, NJ Business Association and its Main Street Design Committee; 

• Have successfully represented The Artisans Group pro se on three occasions; 

• 2008 Community Builders Assn. of NJ Awards of Excellence for Historic Restoration; 

• 2009 Central Jersey Chapter, National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry Meritorious CoTY award “Interiors under $100 K”; 

• # 5 ranked J.D. Power & Associates rated builder in Lennar Corp’s NJ Division in 2003.

SELECTED QUALITY OF PRACTICE 

& CLIENTS' RIGHTS ANECDOTES

• A homeowner had hired a contractor to replace their deck. The contractor had removed the deck, damaged the house, and performed electrical work without being licensed. I explained the standards of practice and duties of a reputable remodeler, and provided contact information at The NJ Department of Community affairs and DCA’s complaint form. Newspapers reported that the County Prosecutor had convicted the contractor. 

• At a cocktail party, another guest described an incident in which his contractor had failed to provide a contract and had even failed to perform per their verbal agreement.  After asking a few questions, I explained that NJ law requires me to provide a written contract for projects with a cost of $500 or greater, and that he could call DCA to file a complaint. 

• A neighbor asked The Artisans Group to perform work on his home.  Significant work had previously been performed on his home without building permits.  I explained that 1) we would not perform regulated work without a permit and that we or any other reputable builder or remodeler would ask the local construction official to visit the site to get a baseline before we begin work; 2) This would probably yield rework and fines; 3) The risk that he faces when the home is sold someday, and 4) I would be happy to help him, but that he would have to "bite the bullet" now, rather than waiting. 

• A prospective client sought The Artisans Group to rebuild their deck.  Follow-up discussions brought to light the fact that their home had been built on uncompacted fill, that this condition had led to structural problems and unnecessary repairs, and that their Building Department had passed backfill inspection.  I explained that the builder, the inspector, and the remodeler were all somewhat at fault, and the reasons for this observation.  I also recommended next steps for asserting their rights and hopefully recouping their expenses.

• Before a former craftsman came to work for The Artisans Group, he had worked for himself.  Though he was unregistered and in violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, his client appeared to be at fault, and he appeared to have complied with natural law.  Since DCA was coming down on him with both feet, I asked my State Assemblyman to call former Commissioner Doria and ask him to intervene. 

There are many other cases of citing regulatory issues and standards of practice for clients and others as a normal part of The Artisans Group's remodeling work.  

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

President, Wayne Baruch Artisans Group, LLC; Hillsborough, NJ; 2006 – present

Present business involves approximately 90% residential; remodeling; historic restoration; custom craftsmanship; repairing structural, insect, and water damage.  This inevitably involves “green” projects (energy efficiency, constructive reuse, and related work.  Have successfully defended The Artisans Group pro se on two occasions.

Builder/Estimator; U.S. Home/Lennar Corporation; Freehold, NJ; 2003 – 6/2005

• Without any prior production construction experience, achieved the fifth highest cumulative J.D. Power & Assoc. customer satisfaction rating among the NJ Div. builders (84.4%) for the quality of my homes, and was in top five for production in NJ in 2003;

• Promoted to Purchasing Department, based on my recommendations to improve operational efficiency, data quality, information management and service;

• Standardized and automated contract addenda, reviewed and corrected takeoffs, and negotiated pricing; cited significant variances among communities for each trade.

Project Mgr & Member Construction Committee; Habitat for Humanity Raritan Valley & Trenton Chap. 2001 – 2006

• Promoted to project manager shortly after joining the Trenton Chapter;   

• Coordinated with project director, volunteer coordinator, engineer, architect, Township, and site supervisors to schedule work, address technical details, manage staffing and safety, estimate and purchase materials, work with trades and schedule equipment; 

• Coached and mentored site supervisors and volunteers resulting in high team morale and productivity;

• Contribute technical expertise and network to negotiate donations and discounts for services and materials from contractors and suppliers for Raritan Valley Chapter.

FEE SCHEDULE

1. Initial Meeting - Please have all relevant documents and background information available for our first meeting.  

   1. We shall perform an approximately one-hour review and inspection, and provide a verbal explanation and analysis of the client's situation and potential issues that would be cited if the client would like us to perform a thorough analysis and prepare and full report. 

   2. The fee for this initial service is $275.00 

2. Standard billable rate 

   1. Actual rate depends on factors like need for immediate service and complexity

   2. $250/hour + expenses, minimum eight hours

   3. A discount may be available, based on circumstances    

   4. Court Appearance and Depositions $200/hour

3. Mileage $0.40 + expenses (e.g. tolls)

4. Standard copies $0.35/page (call for prices of full-size architectural prints, PDF's, and/or other services/formats) 

INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM

As you know, the credibility of testimony by expert witnesses who receive compensation for their appearance has been called into question.  If opposing counsel raises this issue, please use these comments on rebuttal: 

1. Throughout my personal and business life, I have always adhered to the philosophy, "If you wouldn't want to see your actions made public, don't do it!"  This standard obviously applies to my expert witness practice as well.  

2. My integrity is not for sale!  During our initial meeting, we jointly decided whether I could help you, based on the facts of the case, the standards of good practice for construction, the signed and sealed project plans, building and other applicable code, and manufacturer's specifications, among all other requirements.

3. The ethical standards that the Boy Scouts taught me as a youth were good then as they are today! This may appear to be naïve and trite to some, but today, I consider them a matter of continually earning credibility, providing proper customer care, and practicing the honest business practices that are promulgated by NJ State law, the NARI Code of Ethics (http://www.nari.org/about/ethics/), my craft, and natural law.

NOTE: The Artisans Group, LLC supports attorneys, insurance companies, and County Prosecutors in their efforts to uncover the truth and protect the public.  Any references to expertise in construction-related matters are a function of our skill, knowledge, and experience as a professional remodeler.

They are not intended, nor should they be construed, as legal advice in any respect by The Artisans Group.  We encourage those seeking legal advice to consult with an appropriately accredited attorney of their choice to discuss all legal matters.