January 2016 welcome to a New Year! MEMBERSHIP Building HBRA Networking Legislation Education Directory Education Benefits Development Meetings Remodeling
2016 Annual Sponsors Elite Sponsor: Platinum Sponsors: Gold Sponsor:
HBRA Board of Directors 2015-16 Officers President Sr. Vice-President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Immediate Past President Peter Battaglio Max Bender Steve Berko Ken DeLeo Gary Fanali John Hertz Alex Shook Michael Wood Joanne Carroll Jerry Effren Peter Fusaro Andrew La Sala Jr. John Murren Michael Palumbo Nick Yanicelli Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc. Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders Michael Church William Pitt Sotheby’s Kim DiMatteo The DiMatteo Group Maureen Hanley-Bellitto United Bank 2015-16 Directors Hocon Gas Bender Supply FourSquare Build & Design Doherty & DeLeo City Carting Hertz Construction Pella Commercial Wood Builders Life Directors JMC Resources The Greyrock Companies Preferred Builders Cannondale Building & Design Murren-Kane Construction ERI Building & Design Susquehanna Enterprises 16 HBRA Staff Gina Calabro Executive Officer Deanna Hiller Executive Assistant HBRA of Fairfield County 2228 Black Rock Turnpike Suite 307 Fairfield, CT 06825 203-335-7008 hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com www. buildfairfieldcounty.com Want to advertise? Contact the office for more information and rates. Regular Features Page: 4 6-7 15 17 5 5 11 13 13 Back Cover Executive Officers Message Upcoming Events IECC Seminar Member Benefits Updates Sponsors/Advertisers 2 Please visit our Sponsors The DiMatteo Group Interstate Lakeland+Lumber Ridgefield Supply United Bank Hocon Gas Ring’s End January 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 3 Page: 8 9 10 11 12, 14 Inside this issue... MEMBERSHIP Building HBRA Networking Legislation FREE Builders Event Building Hope Foundation Receives Grant Home Show - Volunteer Sign Up Builder News: Demand for Home Health Technology on the Rise Reports of Home Mortgage Delays – And What You Can Do to Prevent It Construction Sector a Leader for Job Growth Over the Next Decade Activating the Millennial New-Home Buyer HBRA Builder Day at the Capitol Education Directory What’s Happening at HBRA in 2016 Members Doing Business ith Members Benefits Development Meetings Remodeling
A Message from the Executive Officer Dear HBRA Members, Happy New Year! As we start 2016, I would like to say thank you for your support of the HBRA of Fairfield County and your assistance to me in my first year with the organization. We are now 337 members strong and continuing to grow. Our builder membership is at 160 members - a 7% increase from 2014! Our associate membership as well is growing - a testament to their interest in working with Fairfield County builders and our organization. Which takes me to a new FREE event for Builder Members on February 3rd at the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center. We are revitalizing an old theme but one that is worth repeating - “Members Doing Business with Members.” With the reactivation of the Associates Council, this 8 member council has stepped up with new ideas for networking and member only offers for our Builder Members. Twentyfive companies/suppliers will be represented at this event. This is also an opportunity to hear from Bill Ethier on recently passed legislation as well as what is on the horizon for CT Builders. We would like to see as many builder members attend as possible - so get out of the cold and join us for this FREE event! Please see page 9 for information. The HBRA of Fairfield County Home Show is February 13 & 14 at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. Please consider volunteering a few hours at the HBRA booth. We will be handing out the 2016 directories and some other fun items to attendees. Please be sure to check out the upcoming events pages - I’ve now included events around the state that may be of interest to our Fairfield County members. Thanks to the companies that have stepped up to be 2016 Annual Sponsors! Their generous donations to HBRA allow us to continue to offer education, networking and events throughout the year. Please be sure to visit them online and in person. As always, if you have any questions, please call the office or email us at hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com! Best, Gina Calabro Executive Officer 4 | HBRA of Fairfield County | January 2016
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January 25, 2016 HBA - NW Legislative Night ELKS LODGE 70 Litchfield St. Torrington, CT Please call 860-482-9816 to register February 4, 2016 FREE Building Code Workshop Bender 335 East Street New Haven, CT 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. by: January 29 to HBRA Central CT Email: sheila@hbracentralct.com Phone: 860.563.4212. Led by Bob Hanbury & Johnny Carrier February 18, 2016 Builder Breakfast SubContractor Contracts DiMatteo Group 79 Bridgeport Avenue Shelton, CT 06484 8:00am - 9:30am 6 | HBRA of Fairfield County | January 2016 5:30 PM - Social Hour 6:45 PM - Dinner $28.OO/pp - Cash Bar February 3, 2016 Winter Trade Showcase Norwalk Inn, Norwalk CT 5:30pm - 9:00pm Speaker: Bill Ethier, HBRA CT Free to All Builder Members! February 13-14, 2016 HBRA of Fairfield County Home Show Chelsea Piers, Stamford Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm Free Admission & Parking February 25, 2016 The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of IECC Code Testing 5:30pm-8:00pm Rings End Educational Facility 160 Avon Street, Stratford, CT $25/HBRA Members Sponsored by:
March 2, 2016 General Membership Meeting County TV & Appliance Stamford 6:00pm - 9:00pm Sponsored by: March 31, 2016 HBID at the Capitol 8:00am - 12:30pm Old Judiciary Rm, Hartford, CT Details to Follow May 4, 2016 General Membership Meeting Connecticut Stone Stamford 6:00pm - 9:00pm GMM events at member locations are $20 per person pre-registered and at the door. Contact the HBRA Office with any questions at hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com January 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 7 March 3 & 4, 2016 OSHA 10Norwalk Inn Norwalk 7:45am - 2:00pm $25/HBRA Members April 6, 2016 General Membership Meeting Bender Supply Norwalk 6:00pm - 9:00pm June 1, 2016 Annual Meeting & Dinner Trumbull Marriott 6:00pm - 10:00pm
What’s Happening at HBRA Our theme for 2016 is “Members Doing Business with Members.” The HBRA of Fairfield County Associates Council has been busy since reactivating in July 2015. The Council, co-chaired by “Propane” Pete Battaglio of Hocon Gas and Steven Roth of the Elevator Service Company, also includes Phil De Terlizzi of County TV & Appliance, Leigh Overland of Leigh Overland Architect, Birgit Anich of Birgit Anich Staging & Interiors, Phil Brander of iQuarters and Sheri Sorrentino-Snellman of Tile America. These eight Associate members along with the HBRA staff are working together to develop a variety of programs and services that will promote the theme of members doing business with members. The first event - the Winter Trade Showcase is scheduled for February 3rd at the Norwalk Inn and Convention Center. This event will spotlight 25 vendors as well as a very important legislative update from Bill Ethier as the 2016 legislative session begins. Special discounts, prizes, raffles and food will all be part of the evening for our builder attendees. There are still a few vendor spots available - contact the office for more information. 2016 is also the year of Membership Education & Benefits. MEMBERSHIP Building HBRA Networking Legislation Education Directory The calendar for the year is filling up with classes on OSHA, Codes, Business Planning, Investment Planning, and Contracts. As the year progresses we will be adding more seminars relevant to the building industry. In February, we will be relaunching the HBRA website. The new website will be more interactive with members only username and password access and the abiity to pay for due and events right through the website. All members will receive information on the new website and how to access it’s feature in the coming weeks. Member benefits are another area that we will focus on for 2016. We are developing a webinar to explain all the added benefits you receive from our local as well as from the state and NAHB. Details will be coming soon. 8 | HBRA of Fairfield County | January 2016 Benefits Development Meetings Remodeling
FREE Builders Event Winter Trade Showcase & Legislation Update February 3, 2016 6:00pm - 9:00pm Norwalk Inn & Conference Center Norwalk, CT Food, Drinks, Prizes & Special Raffle Sponsored by: Speaker: Bill Ethier, HBRA CT CEO & Lobbyist Registration is requested by February 1st RSVP to: hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com or call 203-335-7008 Members Doing Business with Members January 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 9
Building Hope Foundation BHF awarded $2,500 grant from the First Niagara Foundation The Building Hope Foundation received the news in December that they were awarded a $2,500 grant from the First Niagara Foundation to be used for future projects. Read Smith from First Niagara presented the check to Andrew La Sala, Jr., President of the Building Hope Foundation board. “The Building Hope Foundation is grateful to Read Smith and the First Niagara Foundation for their support of our vision and mission, “ said Andrew La Sala. First Niagara Regional Community Grants support programs of 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that promote vital community services and programs. The grant money to BHF will be used to fund future structural projects for Fairfield County residents and veterans. The Building Hope Foundation assists Fairfield County families, low to moderate income, with special needs children, adults and/or veterans, that need primary or additional access inside or outside of their homes, whether owned or rental properties. For over 10 years BHF has been building handicap accessible ramps for underprivileged families and veterans, and elevators for clients of St. Vincent’s Special Needs Center. BHF collaborates with other non-profits, The Needs Clearing House Inc., Habitat for Humanity and the Disability Resource Network. The First Niagara Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable entity. Founded in 1998, the First Niagara Foundation is committed to supporting organizations in the communities in which we live and work, with specific focus on Youth and Education, Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization. In 2014, First Niagara contributed more than $10 million in charitable grants and sponsorships to community partners across the bank’s four-state footprint. 2016 HBRA Golf Outing We are looking for volunteeers to help us plan the 2016 Golf Outing held in July. Join us for lunch and the first committee meeting on February 24th at the HBRA office in Fairfield. Please contact Gina Calabro at gina@buildfairfieldcounty.com to RSVP. 10 | HBRA of Fairfield County | January 2016
HBRA of Fairfield County Home Show Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm FREE ADMISSION FREE PARKING We Need Your Help! Please VOLUNTEER a few hours at the HBRA booth! Contact the HBRA office at 203-335-7008 to schedule a time slot. WORRYPROOF. TIMEPROOF. When you’re building a new home, time-tested Andersen® 400 Series windows and patio doors deliver the worry-free performance you want. With their durability, weathertight fit and overall quality craftsmanship, it’s easy to see why builders use Andersen windows and patio doors more than any other product on the market. Why choose anything else? “ENERGY STAR” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2016 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. MS1601_0059 Lumber • Building Materials • Millwork Moulding • Hardware • Paint 29 Prospect St., Ridgefield CT 203.438.2626 www.ridgefieldsupply.com • Mon-Fri. 7-5 Sat. 8-4 Closed Sundays January 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 11
Builder News Demand for Home Health Technology on the Rise NAHB | Builders and remodelers should expect a rise in demand for home health technology as more and more boomers retire. According to AARP, the majority of adult children (88%) and older adults (75%) spend time thinking about [parental] aging, and what that may mean for the family. However, 75% of adult children and 69% of aging parents are specifically concerned about the their ability to live independently as they get older. Home health technology — digital and electronic systems that allow individuals access to monitor various aspects of their health at home — give older Americans the freedom to live at home on their own longer than they’d be able to otherwise. Often one of the biggest client concerns are those of older children interested in health technology that will keep their parents safe in the home. The possibility of a life-threatening physical injury occurring when no one is around is a big motivator for the installation of home health technology integration systems. Many adult children, especially those who live remotely, want to be able to actively monitor their parents to make sure that they are okay. Home design that incorporates health tech features that allow them to do so is likely to become a significant ongoing trend in the housing industry. Among older adults for whom health ailments aren’t yet a great concern, there is often a desire to stay fit, which also opens up new opportunities in home technology. State-of-the-art exercise rooms, yoga studios and saunas complete with sophisticated sound systems and large touch-screen monitors that offer ample space and natural light for an afternoon or morning workout are attractive features for older buyers. Another fast-growing tech area for the 55+ crowd: gaming. Motion-sensitive gaming systems, like the Wii and Playstation Move, allow older individuals to stay active with fun, low-impact exercises year-round, like bowling and golf. And according to NAHB’s most recent What Home Buyers Really Want report, one-third of home buyers age 55+ desire a dedicated game room in their home. Many home owners are increasingly seeking out aging-in-place specialists to help them come up with design ideas that will accommodate special needs—whether for now or in the future. NAHB offers a Certified-Aging-in-Place designation, which can help builders and remodelers hone their expertise in this fast-growing segment of the industry. 12 | HBRA of Fairfield County | January 2016
Propane and Natural Gas Products! Connecticut’s largest family owned Propane company with over 350,000 gallons of storage, HOCON GAS has a reputation for delivering propane energy and industry expertise for more than 60 years! Pete “Propane Pete” Battaglio with over 33 years of experience Sr. Regional Sales Manager Hocon Gas, Inc. • 6 Armstrong Road Shelton, CT 06484 Office: 203.402.7800 • Fax: 203.944.0300 Cell: 203.343.2199 Email: pbattaglio@hocongas.com www.hocongas.com NORWALK 33 Rockland Rd. (203) 853-1500 WATERBURY 20 Railroad Hill St. (203) 754-7601 GUILFORD 736 Boston Post Rd. (203) 458-2790 DANBURY 86 Payne Rd. (203) 744-4000 TORRINGTON 2407 Winsted Rd. (860) 626-0900 Copyright © Hocon • HOD#726-30 January 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 13
Builder News Reports of Home Mortgage Delays – And What You Can Do to Prevent It NAHB | Recent media reports have cited mortgage delays resulting from new federal home disclosure rules that went into effect on Oct. 3 due to confusion over how the rule is being enforced. In response, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has sent a letter to the Mortgage Bankers Association assuring the industry that minor formatting issues and other technicalities should not slow the process. Read more Construction Sector a Leader for Job Growth Over the Next Decade NAHB | The construction industry is expected to experience a significant amount of employment growth over the next decade, according to new projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In a recent Eye on Housing blog post, NAHB senior economist Robert Dietz provides an analysis of the BLS employment projections, which are designed to estimate labor market changes. These estimates assume full employment and do not attempt to gauge cyclical or business cycle effects. Read more Activating the Millennial New-Home Buyer Builder Magazine | A residential builder’s guide to the who, why, and how of development, design, construction, and marketing to young adults of today and tomorrow. Thirty-five. That’s how old the eldest of a 75 million strong generation of Americans known as Millennials--the youngest of whom will turn 19 in 2016--will be in the next 12 month stretch. As a matter of fact, Millennials—the crop of people born between 1981 and 1997--this past year surpassed the Baby Boom as the United States’ largest population cohort, a wave of relatively new and emerging households that, we expect, will reshape economic , business, and geographic marketplaces for decades to come. Read more 14 | HBRA of Fairfield County | January 2016
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of IECC Code Testing... Thursday, February 25, 2016 5:30pm-8:00pm Rings End Educational Facility 160 Avon Street, Stratford, CT William Janhonen of Home Energy Technologies will discuss the results of testing hundreds of homes throughout the state and give a “boots on the ground” analysis of what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to air sealing and duct sealing using actual tested homes. As a LEED AP, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, William is one of only 195,000 designated professionals in the United States to have achieved that status. His company, WSJ Enterprises, is a national member of the U.S. Green Building Council and a member of the Connecticut Green Building Council. He has written numerous articles on sustainable topics and has lectured at several venues including Cornell University. He has established Green education courses throughout the Connecticut Community College system, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse and Ring’s End Education Center. He is an advocate for promoting green education and is also a member of the HBRA of Fairfield County, NARI, and is a national instructor for the National Association of Home Builders. HBRA Members: $25.00 NARI Members: $25.00 Non-Members: $50.00 Light Dinner included Payment must be received by February 20th to reserve your spot. Call the HBRA office at 203-335-7008 to register, or REGISTER ONLINE Sponsored by: January 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 15
March 31, 2016 8:00am to 12:30pm On behalf of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County Board of Directors, we invite you to join us at Building Industry Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 31, 2016, from 8am - 12:30pm. The HBRA CT hosts the Home Building Industry Day at the Capitol to create visibility for the building industry and helps builders connect with policy makers. Whether you’re a builder, remodeler, contractor, or trades person—it allows residents and business owners from all over Connecticut, to come together and voice their opinions on key issues that are affecting today’s industry. We encourage you mark your calendars and join us in representing Fairfield County and all of the HBRA’s members. The annual event provides an opportunity to educate state government officials and network with builders from across the state of Connecticut. Activities will include a continental breakfast, welcome and legislative update, and meetings with legislators. Additional information and sign-up will be forthcoming. If you have any questions, please call the HBRA office at 203-335-7008. 16 | HBRA of Fairfield County |January 2016
Member Benefits Don’t Leave Any Money on the Table in 2015 The Member Rebate Program (MRP) is a free member benefit of the Home Builders Association of CT available to all active Builder and Remodeler Members. With over 5,200 active members nationwide, MRP gave an average of $1,010.63 to members in 2014 alone! HBACT’s Member Rebate Program lets builders and remodelers receive cash rebates for using certain manufacturers’ products in the building and remodeling of homes. There are currently 51 participating manufacturers covering 35+ different product categories. The 4th Quarter is your last chance to claim for any completed addresses in 2015. This year alone, MRP has added 12 new manufacturers to the program and are always working on adding more. With this many manufacturers in the program you are sure to be using at least some of them. Make sure you don’t leave any money on the table in 2015 and send in a claim now! First you need to register: www.HBArebates.com This tells MRP where to send your rebate check! Once you are registered, you are eligible to claim on a quarterly basis. Any home, remodeling project, or multi-family unit completed from October — December 2015 is eligible to be submitted by February 19, 2016. The claiming process is just as simple as registering. An address is ready to be submitted once it is completed. MRP will ask for your company name, the completed address, and the completion date(s). You then provide all of the information required for each manufacturer used. The information required by most manufacturers typically include: Quantity used. Subcontractor or supplier name Model number No receipts are needed! Once a project is completed and the form is filled out, all you have to do is send it in. MRP will process your quarterly information, send it to the manufacturers, and issue you one lump-sum check for all of your rebates! Nationwide, over 70% of the builders and remodelers who participated last year have received in rebates more than they paid in annual dues to their HBA. Get the most of your membership by taking advantage of this free member benefit. All Builder & Remodeler members can claim for any completed residential addresses from July – December 2015 that used any of our 50+ Manufacturer brands. The deadline to submit will be February 19th. www.HBArebates.com/claimform.html January 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 17
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