March 2016 March Membership Meeting County TV & Appliance March 31 2016 Building Hope Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline April 30, 2016 2016 HBRA/Rings End Golf Classic Exclusive Member Benefits from Verizon & Best Buy & Many Others EPA Makes Changes to Lead-Safe Re-Certification Process July 20, 2016
2016 Annual Sponsors
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 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. Page: 4 5 22 9 9 17 19 23 23 Back Cover 20-21 Page: 6-8 10 11 14 15 16-19 March General Membership Meeting Associate Spotlight Building Hope Foundation Special Donation Building Hope Scholarship Deadline HBRA Builder Day at the Capitol Legislative Affairs Committee Builder News: How to be a Better Customer Five Tips to Avoiding Builder Burnout EPA Makes Changes to Lead Safe Recertification Process How to text Your Sales Prospects to Increase Conversions Justice Department Increases Enforcement of Worker Safety Violations HBRA Training How to Grow Your Business: Building Solid Relationships Contract,Mediation, Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Regular Features Executive Officers Message Upcoming Events Member Benefits Updates Sponsors/Advertisers 2 Please visit our Sponsors Interstate Lakeland+Lumber United Bank Hocon Gas East Haven Builders Supply Ridgefield Supply The DiMatteo Group Ring’s End March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 3 Inside this issue...
A Message from the Executive Officer Dear HBRA Members, We Are Growing! As of February we are now 350 members strong! Our newest members are listed on page 12. With our theme of “Members Doing Business with Members,” we have launched the Associate Spotlight, a weekly email highlighting the suppliers, sub-contractors and manufacturers who support our organization. If you have never had the opportunity to meet these members, here is your chance to learn a little more about them. The 2016 General Membership Meeting kicked off at County TV and Appliance on March 2nd. Thanks to Vinny and Elio Vetrini for hosting. See pages 6-8 for photos of the evening. The March OSHA 10 class was an important one as the criminal enforcement of Worker Safety Violations is increasing, (see page 17) and some new regulations hit the books in early 2016. The next OSHA 10 class will be May 12 & 13. There’s some great upcoming Fairfield County educational events to take note in March and April that are FREE to our members: Business Succession Planning on March 15th, How to Grow your Business: Building Solid Relationships on March 22nd, Contracts, Arbitration, Mediation & Dispute Resolution on April 7th. We hope to see you at the April General Membership Meeting at Bender Supply’s NEW showroom in Norwalk on April 6th! Mark you calendars for the June 1st Annual Meeting to be held at the Trumbull Marriott. We have a great event planned and want as many members to attend as possible. Calling all golfers! Register now for the July 20th Golf Classic. We had a fabulous event last year - this one will be even better! See page 13. The Building Hope Scholarship deadline is April 31st. Two four-year scholarships will be awarded, one for merit and one for financial need. All HBRA members, employees of members, and the dependents of employees are eligible to apply. See page 11. As always, if you have any questions, please call the office or email us at hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com! Best, Gina Calabro gina@buildfairfieldcounty.com 4 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016
March 15, 2016 Business Succession Planning Rings End Educational Facility 160 Avon Street, Stratford, CT 8:00am - 11:00am FREE to Members $25 - Non-Members Click Here to Register March 22, 2016 How to Grow your Business: Building Solid Relationships Rings End Educational Facility 160 Avon Street, Stratford, CT 8:00am - 11:00am FREE to Members $25 - Non-Members Click Here to Register March 29, 2016 Residential Building Code Changes District 8 Norwalk Inn & Conference Center 9 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT Noon to 2:00 PM CT Building Official Assoc. Members $12 - Non-Members RSVP: William Ireland at (203) 854-7760 or email wireland@norwalkct.org March 31, 2016 HBID at the Capitol Old Judiciary Rm, Hartford, CT 8:00am - 12:30pm Click Here to Register April 6, 2016 General Membership Meeting Bender Supply Norwalk 6:00pm - 9:00pm $20 - Members $40 - Non Members Click Here to Register April 7, 2016 Contracts, Arbitration, Mediation & Dispute Resolution Rings End Educational Facility 160 Avon Street, Stratford, CT 8:00am - Noon FREE to Members $25 - Non-Members Click Here to Register April 14, 2016 Joint Membership Meeting Westchester Builders Institute & HBRA of Fairfield County Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains Information Forthcoming May 4, 2016 General Membership Meeting Building Official Night Clarke Distributors Norwalk 6:00pm - 9:00pm $20 - Members $40 - Non Members Click Here to Register Contact the HBRA Office with any questions at hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County |5
What’s Happening at the HBRA Fairfield March General Membership Meeting Over 90 members and guests attended the March 2nd General Membership Meeting hosted by County TV and Appliance in Stamford. It was an evening of great food, drink, and networking topped off with a raffle drawing for a 55 inch TV - won by Jon Drenckhahn of Drenckhahn Excavating. Three new members were introduced to the group that evening: John Grome from Alside - a leading manufacturer of vinyl siding & accessories. Robert Padula from Everest Marble - A leading natural stone importing co. serving the tri-state area for 10+ years. Don Lindars from Brothers That Just Do Gutters - Seamless rain gutters and guard professionals. Special thanks to Vinny Vetrini, Elio Vetrini, and Phil De Terlizzi of County TV for hosting the event. Elio Vetrini and Jon Drenckhahn 6 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016
March General Membership Meeting March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 7
March General Membership Meeting 8 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016 More photos online at www.buildfairfieldcounty.com Photo Gallery
The brand trusted by more builders than any other Locations in Greenwich, Stamford, Bethel, Newtown CT & Shrub Oak, NY Call Us at 1-888-499-8889 or visit InterstateLumber.com March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 9
What’s Happening at the HBRA Fairfield In February we launched “Associate Spotlight of the Week.” Two Associate members are randomly picked and notified. Each week an email with the logo, a picture and brief write-up highlight the two companies. In case you missed the emails here are the first six Associate Spotlight Members. for over 60 years Elio Vetrini & Philip De Terlizzi Birgit Anich County TV & Appliance is coming up on its 65 Year Anniversary. It has been a Family run business for 3 generations now and has been providing Fairfield and Westchester County homes with the Best Brands in Appliances & Electronics. Visit us at 2770 Summer St, Stamford CT or call (203) 327-2630. www.countytv.com Leigh Overland Leigh Overland is the principal of a small boutique architectural firm located on Main Street in Danbury, CT with a Satellite office in Westport CT. Experts with ICF! (insulated concrete forms. Click VIDEO Link Contact Leigh Overland Architects at (203) 794-9001 www.LDOverland.com, info@ldoverland.com Good Design Doesn’t Just Happen! Founded in 2009 BA Staging & Interiors has established themselves as the premier staging company specializing in vacant property staging. For your staging needs, call Birgit Anich at 203.807.4040 or birgit@birgitanich.com. To see some examples of our work: www.BAStagingInteriors.com. Sheri Sorrentino-Snellman As a 60 year old Connecticut based family business we have always been dedicated to exceeding our customers’ expectations. We specialize in tile and stone . . . nothing else . . . and we care about your project like it was our own. Visit us at any of our seven locations for a tour of our newly renovated showrooms. Fairfield-Stamford-Brookfield-New Haven-West Hartford-Manchester-New London Contact Sheri at ssnellman@tileamerica.com or 203-223-6372. Visit www.tileamerica.com Steven Roth “Propane Pete” Battaglio Hocon Gas is a full service propane company and can provide gas for all types of construction – new or remodeled homes. The company supplies and installs above ground and underground propane tanks, in home propane furnaces, generators, water heaters as well as pool and patio heaters, outdoor grills, stoves and fireplaces. To learn more about Hocon, please contact Pete “Propane Pete” Battaglio at (203) 343‐2199. www.hocongas.com 10 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016 Since 2000 Elevator Service Company, has provided the best products and services the vertical transportation industry has to offer, on time and within budget. Elevator Service Company sells, services, modernizes, maintains and tests: Residential & Commercial Elevators, LULA Elevators, Construction Hoists, Vertical Platform, Inclined Lifts and Stair-lifts, Dumbwaiters, and Other Associated Vertical Transportation Equipment. Contact Steven at steve.roth@elevatorserviceco.com, (203) 757-5000, www.elevatorserviceco.com
What’s Happening at the HBRA Fairfield The Building Hope Foundation Cintia Balog is a 7 year old girl from Hungry currently living in Bridgeport who suffers from muscular dystrophy. Diagnosed at 18 months she is now not able to walk and needs ankle/leg and back braces, a pediatric stroller and many other items to help her get around. The Building Hope Foundation in collaboration with The Needs Clearing House (NCH) made a donation of $1,500 to help NCH reach their objective to assist the family with these expenses. The Building Hope Foundation Scholarship Awards Each year the Building Hope Foundation conducts a scholarship competition for the Home Builder and Remodelers Association of Fairfield County. Members, employees of member companies, and members of employee’s immediate family are eligible to apply for a scholarship award. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2016. The scholarships will be awarded at the HBRA Annual Meeting on June 1st. April 6 - General Membership Meeting at Bender Supply The April General Membership meeting will be held in Norwalk at Bender Supply’s newly remodeled showroom from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Join us for food, drink and prizes, plus a night full of networking. No one won the March Membership raffle so be sure to be in attendance for your chance to win $500. All active members names are in the drawing - you have to be present to win! Click Here to REGISTER or contact the HBRA office at 203-335-7008 March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 11 CLICK HERE to download the Building Hope Foundation Application. Please contact the HBRA office with any questions, (203) 335-7008 or email: info@ buildinghopefoundation.org The Building Hope Board will be part of a special presentation to Cintia and her family on Saturday March 19th, along with the NCH and State and Local Officials. If you would like to make a donation to this or the many other causes that the Building Hope Foundation supports, please go to www.buildinghopefoundation.org or contact the HBRA office at 203-335-7008.
What’s Happening at the HBRA Fairfield Welcome to the the newest members of HBRA of Fairfield County! Member: John Grome Alside Founded in 1947, Alside is a leading manufacturer of vinyl siding & accessories. The Brothers That Just Do Gutters Seamless rain gutters and guard profressionals. Member: Don Lindars Member: Catherine Hartman Buy Railings dba Lido Designs BuyRailings.com is the #1 best seller of decorative railings in the USA! Member: Ronald Uzwiak KL&R Construction, LLC Construction management, project management, contracting, remodeling. Member: Robert Padula Member: John Fazio, Jr. Sandler Training A professional Sales & Sales Management Training firm with 40+ years experience. 12 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016 Members: Jack Murphy Bradford Pratt Christopher Deakins Terence Moy Everest Marble A leading natural stone importing co.serving the tri-state area for 10+ years. Member: Sergio Rizzo Shoreline Painting & Drywall, Inc. Shoreline Painting has been serving Fairfield County for over 35 years. Member: Lora Mazurak Member: Jared O’Mara Smarthome & Theater Systems Experts for Custom Home Theater, Audio & Video, & Security System Installation Wells Fargo Products & services that can support your business now & for years to come. Rizzo Masonry and Landscaping, Inc. Old World Craftsmanship With Modern Day Design
2016 HBRA/Rings End Golf Classic July 20, 2016 The 2016 HBRA/Rings End Golf Classic is July 20th at the Whitney Farms Golf Course, 175 Shelton Road (Rt110) in Monroe CT. • 10:30am Registration • 11:30am Lunch • 12:30pm Shotgun Start Register online or call the HBRA office at 203-335-7008. Golfers must be registered by July 18, 2016 The 2016 Golf Commitee: Committee Co-Chairs: Michael DeRosa, Anthony DeRosa, DeRosa Builders 2016 Sponsorships SOLD Named Sponsor Golf Shirt Sponsor Logo is prominently displayed on the sleeve. Dinner Sponsor SOLD Cocktail Hour Sponsor SOLD Dessert Sponsor Beverage Cart Sponsor Logo is prominently displayed on the cart. SOLD Beverage Cart Sponsor SOLD Awards Sponsor Cigar Sponsor SOLD Tote Bags Karen Bradbury, Closet & Storage Concepts Connie Cooper, Connie Cooper Designs Rebecca St. Germain, The DiMatteo Group Len Volpe, Interstate+ Lakeland Lumber Ed Rekos, Ridgefield Supply Lora Mazurak, Shoreline Painting Rings End $3,000 $2,000 Logo is prominently displayed on a 5’ foot banner at the dinner. SOLD Lunch Sponsor The DiMatteo Group Interstate Lumber Hocon Gas $1,500 Ridgefield Supply Acadia Insurance $1,000 Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign- cigar roller station. SOLD Driving Range Golf Cart Sponsor (2 available) Logo is prominently displayed on all golf carts. Golf Ball Sponsor Logo is prominently displayed on the golf ball packs. Ice Cream Cart Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign. Call the Office at 203-335-7008 or Go Online to Purchase March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 13 East Haven Builders Supply Fordham Marble $1,000 $750 $750 SOLD Water Bottle Sponsor SOLD Longest Drive Closest to the Line Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign. Closest to the Pin Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign. Hole #9-$10,000 Hole in One Prize Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign. Golf Towel Sponsor Logo is prominently displayed on the golf towels. Hole #4 – Hole in One Prize Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign. SOLD Hole # 7 - Hole in One Prize Hole #12 – Hole in One Prize Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign. Hole #15 – Hole in One Prize Logo is prominently displayed on a 2’x3’ sign. Tee Sponsor Logo is prominently displayed on a TEE sign. SOLD Tee Sponsor Hole #1 – Frangione Engineering SOLD Tee Sponsor Hole #8 – Paychex Cecy Gillen Designs United Bank $500 $500 $500 $500 $250 Ontra Stone $250 $250 $250 Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner, Raffles, and Awards. $200/Golfer $800/Foursome (includes bonus items) $60/Dinner Only
March 31, 2016 8:00am to 12:30pm From: Nicholas Yanicelli, Government Affairs Committee Chair, Fairfield County HBRA The HBRA of CT is tracking almost 300 bills introduced this session. Several of them will have some impact on our industry. So, if you want: • more regulation • the Codes and standards Committee (CSC) to add two more fire marshalls and remove two public members to tip the scales of the balanced CSC • • to make construction general contractors jointly liable for the wages and workers compensation claims of all the GC’s subcontractor employees. to have to be licensed and take an exam or course of study to continue on as a HIC Then, do nothing IF YOU ARE CONCERNED about more regulation affecting our industry, complicating the permitting process, costing members thousands of dollars in new application fees, development delays and countless other obstacles we must confront, then, get involved. We need all members and associates and suppliers to join us in Hartford for Home Building Industry Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 31, 2016. Our primary goal is “advocacy for our industry” and ensuring that legislators hear our voice. We must be diligent in getting legislation to improve the permitting process As we all struggle to survive in this economy, giving up is not an option. We need all members to join us in this endeavor and support us in order to help each other. Through strong and effective advocacy, and productive education and networking opportunities, the HBRA family will continue to be there for you. Make an investment in your business that you will not regret. • Please contact our executive office and tell them that you want to be involved. • Call you legislators – they want to hear from us. • Alert your associates • Join us for Home Building Industry Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 31, 2016 Register online or call the HBRA office at 203-335-7008 to register. 2015 Home Builders Day at the Capitol 14 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016
2016 HBRA Legislative Affairs Committee Sprinkler Bill Defeated On March 10th, SB 238, which would authorize local governments to mandate fire sprinklers in all new 1&2 family homes, was defeated in the Public Safety Committee. A 25 member committee, 13 NO votes were needed. The official vote was 19-6 against the bill. This is a remarkable outcome given that both co-chairs support mandating fire sprinklers in 1&2 family homes. The other fire sprinkler bill, HB 5278 (mandating sprinklers in all new 2-family homes statewide), was not on the March 10th agenda. The committee has one more committee meeting Tuesday, March 15, but given today’s vote, it’s unlikely HB 5278 will be placed on next Tuesday’s agenda. Thanks to TJ Casey, and to the CT Realtors, for helping defeat SB 238. Also, after placing SB 388 on today’s agenda, the committee “Held” the bill – meaning it took no action. SB 388 would allow the Dept of Admin. Services and State Codes & Standards Committee, in adopting new versions of the State Building Code, Fire Safety Code and Fire Prevention Code, to not follow normal rule making processes and avoid the final step of the legislature’s Regulations Review Committee. HBRA opposed this agency bill because the normal notice and comment rule making and the backstop of the Regulations Review Committee have been important steps that protect the public and stakeholders, such as us. The committee can still add it to the March 15th meeting agenda for action, however. The Public Safety Committee did pass HB 5549, which adds 2 fire marshals to the Codes & Standards Committee. HBRA opposed this bill as well and HB 5549 may become one of our opposition bills for Home Building Industry Day. Great work by Bill Ethier! We strongly urge HBRA members to get to know their state legislators: Call them, email them, invite them for a cup of coffee and teach them about your business and the issues and concerns you have. The HBRA of CT debates issues and policies, delivers testimony and produces talking points, but much of our legislative success comes down to relationships our members have with legislators. Legislators want to do right by their constituents, and if you don’t have even a casual relationship with them, then they will first think of other constituents. When talking with legislators, remember: • Legislators do listen to their constituents (i.e., you) and try to make the best decisions possible. If you don’t make your views heard, then they’ll make decisions based on the views of others and their own experiences. • Lawmakers may know little about you and your concerns on bills before the legislature. • They may have formed no opinions at all and may have taken no position on bills of concern to you. • Express the HBRA’s position on a bill in terms of your own personal experience. That helps to illustrate the personal side of the effect on your business. • Ask the legislator what can be done to address your concern. Let the lawmaker talk. • Do not overstate your concern. Do not say things like, “This bill will drive me out of business!” or “We need this bill to survive!” You’ll lose your credibility. But do request the legislator’s support of your position! • Do not challenge or threaten any legislator. It’s OK to attack a bill or one of its provisions, or an argument for or against a bill, but don’t attack the person. Most legislators enjoy the independence of their office and may vote against you to prove it. For Up-to-date informationon HBRA Legislative efforts, please visit the HBRA CT website at www.hbract.org. March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 15
Builder News How To Be A Better Customer Custom Builder| Also high on the roster of desired traits: having suppliers who are knowledgeable about the business of new-home construction, and reps who listen to builders and understand their issues before they start selling. Somewhere there’s a long list of expectations and improvements that custom home builders wish their building materials suppliers would make to the way they do business. In a recent survey by sister publication Professional Builder about builders’ and architects’ sentiments regarding their suppliers, many expressed a yearning for a personal relationship with suppliers that would help builders solve problems. But what could builders do to be better customers for their supplier partners? In a white paper about ways to build great and lasting vendor relationships, Ron Lewis, president of RB Lewis & Associates, a Chestertown, N.Y.-based consultancy for the construction industry, noted that builders and general contractors sometimes perceive material suppliers with contempt and blame them for poor performance rather than embracing suppliers as partners who add value. He wrote that occasionally the roots of poor supplier performance can be traced to “poor buyer performance,” such as poorly written purchase orders, last-minute demands for materials, constantly changing expedited orders, and claims that invoices reflect incorrect prices, among other things. Read more Five Tips To Avoiding Builder Burnout A few simple time-management techniques can help builders stay sane. Time management, stress management, life-work balance, burnout avoidance; all these management buzzwords address a challenge every builder will recognize: How to keep the business that puts food on your table from eating you alive. • Construction business consultant Jim Schug sees the problem at close range with his clients, whose job descriptions—and work hours —often seem endless. “There’s a crushing amount of pressure,” says Schug, principal of FMI Corp. • Yet success in business depends on shaking off the stress and staying healthy. • A constant stream of business books promise formulas for getting the balance right. But for home builders the best source of advice is probably their peers: builders at various stages of 16 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016 their careers who have made running a successful business part of a successful life. Most of them have flirted with burnout at some point in the past, but all concur to a surprising degree on the basics of protecting your company’s most valuable asset: you. Read more
EPA Makes Changes to Lead-Safe Re-Certification Process NAHB Remodelers certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work on homes that may contain lead paint under the Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule now have the option to complete refresher training online, according to an EPA announcement. EPA re-certifications obtained via an online refresher course will be valid for only three years - versus five years for hands-on training courses - and can only be exercised every other re-certification cycle. EPA’s changes only apply to those states where EPA administers the program. The 14 states that administer their own programs will have to take action to adopt the online refresher course option. The White House Office of Management and Budget released the final rule to EPA on Jan. 21. Certified renovators who were grandfathered in under a HUD or EPA lead-based paint training course before the RRPrule was adopted must attend a refresher course with a hands-on component. For online or in-person refresher training, remodelers should contact their local home builders association, or they can find a course on EPA’s website. More information on how to determine specific deadlines can be found usingNAHB’s - What You Need to Know about EPA Lead-Safe Re-certification.? 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 March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 17
Builder News How to Text Your Sales Prospects to Increase Conversions Marketing Profs Over twothirds of Americans own a smartphone, and our constant reliance on them provides various ways— beyond just talking—to connect with the world around us. In fact, one of the smartphone’s most basic components, its text messaging capabilities, can be key to connecting with your prospects. And, these days, with less than one-third of smartphone usage actually involving talking on the phone, there’s no better time to brush up on why you should text your prospects—and how to do it. Unlike driving while texting or walking while texting, texting while selling is not dangerous; to the contrary, it can be invaluable in helping sales teams meet their numbers. By texting prospects during your sales process, you’re 40% more likely to convert them into clients. Here are a few of the reasons why. • The ability to personalize your interactions: Impersonal mass emails or cold phone calls tend to make prospects feel like just another number or a target for meeting a sales quota. SMS has the potential to be much more personal, enabling you to build a bridge of camaraderie and familiarity with your prospects. The more casual, conversational tone of text messages makes it much easier to build relationships. • Making your point immediately: The average human attention span is eight seconds, and the fact that we’re busier than ever with more content channels to distract us doesn’t help. If you are looking to convert prospects into clients, keep your message short and simple. Long messages laden with fluff are a surefire way to lose a prospect’s attention. SMS messages help convey your point quickly, without bogging down your prospect. • The ubiquity of mobile devices: Today, Gen-X and Millennials together make up nearly 70% of the working population. These generations are accustomed to quick dialogue and easy access to whatever they need at the tap of a finger. For them, texting is a natural means of communication, and chances are they’ll be much more comfortable talking with a salesperson via SMS than by telephone. However, Gen-X and Millennials aren’t the only generations who live on their mobile devices: Mobile messaging is one of the top mediums across all demographics, with 97% of Americans texting on their phones at least once per day. Read more SAVE THE DATE June 1, 2016 Trumbull Marriott hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com 18 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016
Justice Department Increases Criminal Enforcement of Worker Safety Violations NAHB Remodelers certified by the Environmental The Departments of Justice and Labor recently announced a plan to increase criminal prosecutions of safety violations that affect workers. Under the Worker Endangerment Initiative, the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorneys’ Office will work more closely with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other federal agencies to investigate and prosecute worker safety violations. Per a Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies, criminal violations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act will be combined with environmental crimes (e.g., asbestos violations) or other federal offenses (e.g., making false statements) that occur during the course of an OSHA investigation. According to legal experts, bundling the violations allows the federal government greater opportunity to more effectively punish and deter workplace safety offenses. Currently, criminal penalties under the OSH Act are relatively limited with imprisonment capped at six months and fines at $10,000. However, a number of environmental crimes and other federal offenses are considered felonies; being prosecuted for these, in addition to a OSHA criminal penalty, could mean hefty jail time and millions of dollars in fines. Also, usually in OSHA criminal cases, it’s the corporation not the individual managers or supervisors who are being prosecuted for OSHA criminal offenses. The Worker Endangerment Initiative makes it easier for the government to charge individuals for specific crimes. Legal experts have said that whether or not the new initiative actually leads to increased criminal enforcement for safety violations is still up in the air. Some predict that criminal prosecutions will continue to be reserved for the worst safety cases. Either way, employers should be mindful that criminal prosecution is a possibility whenever serious safety and health violations are being investigated by OSHA. ANNOUNCING the arrival of our new 8-story BOOMTRUCK CONNECTICUT - East Haven - Manchester - Newtown SANDY HOOK - 2 Turnberry Lane - 203-426-0030 NEW YORK - Millwood • Mold / Mildew Resistant Board • Fire Rated Board • ½” Light Weight Board • Exterior Sheathing • Metal Studs • Acoustical Ceiling Tile March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 19
Seminars and Training How to Grow your Business: Building Solid Relationships Register Online or call the HBRA office at 203-335-7008 Grow your business one solid relationship at a time. Presenter: John Fazio, Sandler Training 20| HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016
Seminars and Training Register Online or call the HBRA office at 203-335-7008 March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 21
Member Benefits HBRA of Fairfield County and the National Purchasing Partners (NPP) have teamed up to offer discount pricing on things you need from companies you trust. NPP negotiates the rates and makes them available to Fairfield County members. Products include Verizon Wireless services, Expedia, Best Buy, and Office Depot to name a few. How to sign-up Visit www.mynpp.com, select Company, then Construction, then Residential. Select HB&RA - Home Builders and Remodelers Associations from the dropdown menu, complete the enrollment and START SAVING! Effective January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016 (unless otherwise indicated), the following promotional offers are available to National Purchasing Partners corporate subscribers across the country. 4G LTE Smartphone Devices: New 2-yr. activation or renewal on $24.99 or higher plan req’d. BlackBerry® Classic Motorola DROID TURBO 32 GB Samsung Galaxy® S5 16 GB 4G Kyocera Brigadier Motorola DROID TURBO 64 GB LG G4 Motorola DROID TURBO 2 32 GB Samsung Galaxy S6 32 GB Samsung Galaxy Note 4 32 GB Samsung Galaxy Note 5 32 GB $0 $0 $0 $49.99 $49.99 $49.99 $99.99 $99.99 $149.99 $249.99 Internet and Tablet Devices: New 2-yr. activation or renewal on $24.99 or higher plan req’d. Novatel 6620 LG G Pad X8.3 16 GB Samsung Galaxy Tab® 4 E9.6 $0 $99.99 $199.99 $150 Bill credit when you activate a 4G LTE smartphone. New 2-yr. activation on $34.99 or higher plan req’d. Offer expires 1/31/2016. 800.810.3909 www.mynpp.com 22 | HBRA of Fairfield County | March 2016
Look no further for an insurance agent who can work with you to design an insurance portfolio just right for your business. If you engage in construction or remodeling of one or two family residences in CT then I want to talk to you. Our construction insurance program includes: • General Liability • • • Property Business Auto Inland Marine • Workers Compensation • Umbrella • Builders Risk Kim Marie DiMatteo, CIC, MWCA I have been in the construction insurance business since 1992. I know the markets, the products, and what’s right for you. Call me today to schedule a convenient appointment. 79 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton, CT 06484 | 203.924.5429 | www.dimatteogrp.com 29 Prospect St., Ridgefield CT 203.438.2626 www.ridgefieldsupply.com • Mon-Fri. 7-5 Sat. 8-4 Closed Sundays 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. ©2014 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. March 2016 | HBRA of Fairfield County | 23
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