The E-Magazine of the Fairfield County HBRA OCTOBER 2017 UPCOMING OCTOBER 24 Builders vs. Associates Bowl-a-rama NOVEMBER 4 GMM - County TV & Appliance NOVEMBER 15 HOBI Awards DECEMBER 6,7, AND 8 CAPS Training Features October GMM 500 Membership Challenge New HBRA Members Member News Builder News NAHB News
2016-17 OFFICERS President Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc. Sr. Vice-President Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders Vice-President Kim DiMatteo DiMatteo Group Secretary John Hertz Hertz Construction Immediate Past President Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders 2016-17 DIRECTORS Peter Battaglio Hocon Gas Max Bender Bender Supply Steve Berko Four Square Build & Design Michael Church William Pitt Sotheby’s Ken DeLeo Doherty & DeLeo Brian Kurtz Interstate Lumber Rob Michaud The Michaud Group Steven Roth Elevator Service Company Alex Shook Pella Commercial Michael Wood Wood Builders Joanne Carroll JMC Resources Jerry Effren Gary Fanali City Carting LIFE DIRECTORS Peter Fusaro Preferred Builders The Greyrock Companies Maureen Hanley United Bank Michael Palumbo ERI Building & Design Thank you to the following VIP Associate Members for their support in 2017. Due to their generosity the Association greatly benefits - from developing new events and educational opportunities for the membership, to keeping our lights on! OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 3 gas MEDIA SPONSOR
IN THIS ISSUE Letter From The CEO Upcoming Events 500 Membership Challenge October General Membership Meeting HOBI Award Tickets Hocon GMM 10 8 Membership Challenge 32 CAPS Training JM Wright Career Fair November GMM Registration Holiday Cocktail Party Registration New Members Member News Ridgefield Supply Grand Re-opening NAHB Builder 20 Murphy Brothers Contracting Donald Wetmore - Employee Productivity Dear Sandler Coach LTW Design Spotlight Maritime Chevrolet Spotlight Builder News Youth Movement: Why Millennials Are The Ideal Customers For New Home Builders Trades And Talent: A New Era Of Attraction Trade Schools Look To Attract Young Workers NAHB News Engaging and Attracting Young Professionals: Tell Job Seekers Why Building is a Great Gig A Step Forward for Association Health Plans Complying With the New Silica Standard Tax Reform Debate Heats Up Green Home Building Continues to Gain Traction Housing Production Holds Steady in August BUILD PAC CAPS Training OSHA10 Training The Twenty Six Hour Day Member Benefits Advertisers: Ridgefield Supply CTC&G Tooher Ferraris United Bank Hocon Gas East Haven Builders Supply Interstate Lumber New England Home Elevator Service Company Marlin Electric DiMatteo Group Fairfield County Bank County TV & Appliance Ed’s Garage Doors Ring’s End Editorial Staff Gina Calabro Publisher/Editor Clare Michalak Designer Sarah Iannarone Executive Assistant HBRA of Fairfield County 2228 Black Rock Turnpike, Suite 307 Fairfield, CT 06825 203-335-7008 hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com www. buildfairfieldcounty.com p.6 p.7 p.8 p.10 p.14 p.16 p.17 p.19 p.18 p.20 p.21 p.22 p.23 p.20 p.24 p.25 p.26 p.27 p.27 p.27 p.28 p.29 p.29 p.30 p.30 p.30 p.31 p.32 p.33 p.34 p.35 p. 2 p. 5 p. 9 p. 14 p. 15 p. 17 p. 18 p. 19 p. 20 p. 22 p. 26 p. 27 p. 28 p. 29 p. 40 Want to advertise? Contact the office for more information and rates.
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER Dear HBRA Members, Happy Autumn! We are in full swing these last few months of the year with some great events and education opportunities. The last General Membership Meeting of the year will be November 1st at County TV and Appliance. Be sure to sign up quickly as we have sold out our general membership meetings! Our 2nd annual Holiday Cocktail Party is December 13th at O’Neill’s Pub in South Norwalk. This year we bought out the pub from 6PM-9PM. Food and open bar for 3 hours, but we are limited to 150 attendees - register ASAP! Our first NAHB certification class is being offered on December 6, 7, & 8th. The Certified Aging in Place certification is one of the most widely requested. See page 32 for information. Congratulations to the Fairfield County HOBI award winners! I look forward to congratulating you all at the HOBI awards dinner on November 15th! As always, if you have any questions, please call the office or e-mail us at hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com! Best, Gina Calabro gina@buildfairfieldcounty.com Unity is strength..when there is teamwork and collaboration wonderful things can be achieved. ~Mattie Stepanek 6 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
MARK YOUR CALENDARS UPCOMING EVENTS October 27 J.M Wright Career Fair JM Wright Technical School in Stamford Click Here to Reserve November 7, 14 or 21 Construction Contracts & Law NAHB Online Course Click Here to Register November 1 GMM - County TV & Appliance 2770 Summer Street, Stamford CT Click Here to Register November 15 HOBI Awards Aqua Turf Country Club, Plantsville CT Click Here for Dinner Reservations December 6, 7, and 8, Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) Rings End Educational Facility 160 Avon Ave Stratford, CT 06615 Click Here to register UPCOMING MEETINGS: Building Committee - Nov 7, 3:00PM Associate Council - Nov 7, 4:30PM Membership Committee - Nov 8, 10:30AM OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 7 December 13 2nd Annual Holiday Cocktail Party O’Neill’s Irish Pub in South Norwalk Click Here to register 1
Help the HBRA Meet Our Goal of 500 Members! One Lucky Winner will receive a PAID 2018 Membership Renewal We need 60 more to reach our goal by December 31st and you can help! Who better to inform others on the value of membership than YOU! It is a great opportunity to contact your vendors, sub-contractors, manufacturing reps, and other relevant companies and let them know why the HBRA of Fairfield County is the association they NEED to join! Plus, every new member you enlist that joins and lists you as the referred member gets you a ticket for the drawing (and a SPIKE) that includes: 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 2018 Membership Renewal - valued at $595 $100 VISA card $25 Amazon Card 4 BowTie Cinema Tickets The Challenge starts October 1st and ends December 31st. The Winners will be announced at the February General Membership Meeting. Updates of TOP TEN standings will be available on our website at http://buildfairfieldcounty.com/membership-challenge-2017 The 2017 Membership Committee Chair: Karen Bradbury Closet and Storage Concepts Lisa Bancroft Fairfield County Bank Rich Cunningham Ed’s Garage Doors Jennifer Murphy The DiMatteo Group Rocky Progano MediaCOM , Inc. Alex Shook Pella Commercial Amber Wilder Elevator Service Company Justin Schietinger Eastern Metal Works Angela Legg Tile America 8 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
FREE OPPORTUNITY ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT The HBRA of Fairfield County is offering a VALUEADDED membership opportunity to promote your business in our digital monthly magazine Building Connections! The Monthly Spotlight includes: • 1 FREE Full Page in the Building Connections Magazine Interstate+Lakeland Lumber Corp. Since 1922 Interstate + Lakeland Lumber has been dedicated to servicing the needs of the area’s finest builders throughout Westchester and Fairfield counties. Committed to providing the highest quality of service and materials in the area with competitive pricing, Interstate + Lakeland Lumber has established itself as one of the leaders in product knowledge and representation. From framing lumber, both dimensional and engineered, to windows, siding, and trim, Interstate + Lakeland Lumber can supply the full array of building materials to suit any type of project. We are most proud of our molding program with over 300 molding profiles in stock that make up the IL Greenwich Collection. Interstate + Lakeland Lumber just recently launched 40 additional profiles to make up their new “ILINE Collection”. With our 100,000 sq ft millwork manufacturing and distribution center located in Bethel CT, we are leading the industry on the custom mill work side of the business for both interior and exterior production. Interstate + Lakeland Lumber is proud to be one of Brian Kurtz the few and remaining successful family owned and operated businesses that has entered into its fourth 26 HBRA of Fairfield County | JUNE 2017 generation with the addition of Brian. This rich and vibrant tradition continues to grow as the company enters its 96th year in business. Brian joined the company in 2008 eager to continue its great success, and has played key role in helping chart the future course of Interstate + Lakeland Lumber. As an outside salesman for the past five years he has managed to grow existing customer relationships as well as develop new ones with some of the top builders in the area. He brings passion and enthusiasm every day to his work and is constantly looking for ways to improve customer satisfaction. Over the next five years Brian plans to continue his growth in all aspects of the company and focus on bringing in the next generation of dedicated IL employees to help Interstate flourish. Please stop into Interstate + Lakeland Lumber’s award winning Window and Door showroom in Greenwich CT, or any one of the 5 locations to speak with our knowledgeable and friendly staff that represent the Interstate and Lakeland Lumber family. We look forward to supplying your next job.” Interstate+Lakeland Lumber Corp. 184 South Water Street Greenwich CT 06830 www.interstatelumber.com • Space for company contact information and logos, linked to your website • Opportunity to display homes for sale, listing information, and notable homes • Opportunity to display awards and recognitions • See Pages 24 and 26 for examples. CONTACT clare@buildfairfieldcounty.com to reserve your space today! OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 9
HBRA Job Bank HBRA EVENTS October General Membership Meeting Sponsored by Hocon Gas I t was a beautiful October evening in Norwalk as 120 members and guests gathered for the Fairfield County HBRA monthly meeting. The theme was an Italian Feast and our gracious hosts for the evening was Hocon Gas. We had some special guests from JM Wright Technical School in Stamford - Principal Phyllis Bartoli, and Carpentry Instructors Phillip Bo and Tim Larsen. We are currently working with the school to charter a HBRA Student Association. Karen Bradbury, 2017 Membership Chair announced the “500 Challenge,” a 4th quarter contest to help us reach our goal of 500 members by December 31st. Steven Roth, co-Chair of the Associates Council reminded everyone to sign up quickly for the 1st Annual Bowl-a-rama. 10 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017 Special thanks Propane Pete Battaglio, Connie Reccardo, Norwalk Showroom Manager, and the staff at Hocon Gas for sponsoring the event and raffle prizes.
See Additional Photos Here: OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 11
Updating our membership on important events! Phyllis Bartoli Philip Bodey JM Wright Technical High School Karen Bradbury Membership Chair The evening’s RAFFLE WINNERS! Steven Roth Associates Council Co- Chair Kathy Zurenski Lillian August Jon Small with Pete Battaglio Connie Cooper with Pete Battaglio Morgan Pettinato with Connie Reccardo Thanks to Lillian August for sponsoring the Membership Raffle. Michael DeRosa with Tom Allard & Brooks Hrusa Thanks to Tom Allard of AW Hastings for sponsoring a special raffle. The winning name was not present so November’s Membership Raffle is now at $1,500! 12 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
THANK YOU! gas General Membership Meeting Sponsor OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 13
24th Annual HOBI Awards November 15, 2017 Black Tie Optional Aqua Turf Country Club Plantsville, CT Individual Tickets - $85 Table of 10 - $800 Table of 12 - $960 Click here to purchase a table If you would like to purchase an individual ticket(s) for $80pp and sit with your fellow HBRA of Fairfield County Members Click HERE MEET THE MOST POWERFUL BUSINESS PARTNERS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY. Kathryn A. Eren, VP, Cash Management Officer; Lisa Stuard, AVP Commercial Loan Administrator; Maureen Hanley-Bellitto, SVP, Commercial Team Leader; Gregory Pastor, Jr. VP, Commercial Banking Officer; Kim Karl, VP, Commercial Banking Officer; Deep community roots. Unrivaled market knowledge. Unmatched customer service. When a bank builds its commercial banking team around the values that truly make a difference in helping your business and community grow and prosper, that’s more than banking. That’s changing the way you bank. Talk to us today. Visit bankatunited.com/commercial Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender 14 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
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CAREER FAIR J.M. Wright Technical High School in Stamford is hosting their first College/ Career Fair on Friday, October 27, 2017 from Noon to 2:00pm. This table-top event will provide students an opportunity to meet with building industry companies and gather literature, ask questions, and learn more about postsecondary options. Sign up for a FREE table to display your information – this is a great opportunity for students to learn more about your business and for you to learn more about the school and the trade education offered there. Please contact any of the following to reserve your table by October 24th: Phyllis Bartoli – Principal Phyllis.Bartoli@ct.gov Philip Bodey – Instructor Philip.Bodey@ct.gov Tim Larson – Instructor Timothy.Larson@ct.gov It would be great to have as many HBRA member companies represented at this event to show our support! After the event, refreshments will be served and trades people/business owners will have an opportunity to tour the school and participate in a Career Technical Education Advisory Committees (CTEAC) meeting. CTEAC is comprised of businesses, industry leaders, CTHSS Career Technical Education administrators and teachers. The goal of these committees is to ensure that in every capacity CTHSS is meeting and exceeding current industry standards in: • • • Program curricula; Program facilities; State-of-the-art technology; • Occupational outlook; • Employability skills; and • Workplace credentials
Join us for the November General Membership Meeting County TV & Appliance 6:00pm to 9:00pm HBRA Members: $20 Non-Members: $50 REGISTER ONLINE To help ease the check-in process, kindly register by 3pm the Friday before the meeting. 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 OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 17
NEW MEMBERS Welcome to the newest members of HBRA of Fairfield County! Go to www.buildfairfieldcounty.com for their contact info. Joseph Annunziato Town and Country Window Designs GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT GROUPINC. Jim Carnicelli The Gateway Development Group, Inc. Welcome to Our Newest Affiliate Members Penne Weicker Karp Associates, Inc. 18 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
Join your fellow HBRA members for a glass of cheer! We BOUGHT OUT O’Neill’s from 6pm-9pm. There will be a variety of appetizers, light fare, and 3-hr Open Bar. Please bring an unwrapped toy so that we can “Fill A Truck” with Toys. HBRA Members: $50 Non-Members: $80 REGISTER ONLINE OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 19
MEMBER NEWS Congratulations to Ridgefield Supply on their Grand Re-Opening! The old Ridgefield train station depot building was replicated, complete with tracks running in front of it, at the Ridgefield Supply Company’s property, under a plan that will reuse parts of the old building that can be saved. The rendering is by architect Dave Scott of the Ridgefield Historical Society. On Saturday, Sept. 16, Ridgefield Supply Company hosted the grand opening of its renovated facility. The grand re-opening marks the end of a three-year reconstruction that had been in the works for over seven years, when CEO and owner Margaret Price planned the project with her late father, Louis Price. The day featured one of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s official #88 Nationwide Chevy SS Race Cars, courtesy of Fairfield County Bank Insurance Services. 20 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
NAHB 20 Clubs Build Your Future NAHB 20 Clubs is the only group that serves as your own personal board of directors. The 20 Clubs are a group of home builders and remodelers from non-competing markets across the country who are focused on discussing and developing real-world solutions to help improve each other’s operations and increase their bottom lines. 20 Club members gain the knowledge they need to build business management systems that survive and thrive the ups and downs of the home building industry. The results: PROFITS! 20 Club members reported an average of double net profits within their first three years of joining! If you’re ready to be a part of one of NAHB’s most exclusive and profitable programs, then visit nahb.org/why20clubs and complete an application today! AD220Club17 OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 21
MEMBER NEWS Murphy Brothers Contracting Our project is a NYC&G 2017 double finalist! In the category of Garden Design, Sean Jancski Landscape Architects’ vision is the perfect complement to a beautiful custom home construction project with Long Island Sound’s best view, also a NYC&G finalist in the category of Architecture, submitted by Keller Eaton Architects. The ultimate winners will be revealed at the NYC&G Awards dinner on Monday Oct. 16th. Congratulations to all the finalists. Award-winning (and awardfinalist) projects are the result of teamwork. Murphy Brothers Contracting is proud to be a part of the team. Let’s collaborate on your next award winning project! 22 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
The Blocks To Employees’ Productivity Dr. Donald E. Wetmore, Productivity Institute DEAR Many factors, separately and in combination with others, will build walls to block employees’ productivity. Most people intuitively and instinctively want to be productive. It makes sense. They will get more from life and so will their employer. My experience, after years of speaking about Personal Productivity, has shown me five major blocks to employees’ productivity. 1. Improper selection. When labor markets are tight companies may be tempted to hire anyone with a warm body and a pulse to fill a slot rather than pay an adequate amount of money to recruit the right individual. No matter how tight a labor market is, there are always qualified people available if the compensation is fair. If you are baking a cake and you use the wrong ingredients, no matter what the reason, you will not produce the cake you desire. 2. Inadequate training. One out of three employees changes jobs annually. Companies that recruit poorly tend to train poorly as well. Training is not a one shot enterprise, but an ongoing investment to reinforce and advance skills and attitudes. Employers often get caught up in a vicious cycle. They recruit poorly, and then fail to allocate sufficient training resources. (“Why spend the money when they won’t be around for very long?”) Employees’ performance suffers, their satisfaction level is low, and they leave giving the employer the opportunity to start the cycle again. Employers ought to treat employees as an investment rather than an expense. 3. Overworked. Reasonable people will accomplish a reasonable amount in a reasonable time period. But, you cannot put ten quarts of water into a five-quart container. There is nothing wrong with shifting work from former employees to those who remain. Our capacity to produce will sometimes be enhanced as we take on more responsibilities. But there is a limit. Being truly overworked helps people to do a lot of things poorly. It may be more productive to ask them to accomplish fewer things productively. 4. Poor alignment with personal and company goals. The employer has a life and a destination. And, employees have a life and a destination. If employees cannot align their job with the employer and with where they are going in their life, they will eventually seek a greener pasture. Do your employees see their position as a vehicle to get them to where they want to go in life financially, professionally, and socially or is their job an expedient trade of their time for a paycheck? 5. Burn out. Most people leave their jobs voluntarily and the major reason is “burn out.” “Fed up! Can’t take it anymore!” Unfortunately, burn out is not an overnight event but a gradual process, sometimes lasting months and years, during which time, productivity and commitment diminish. Burn out is caused in different ways but has a lot to do with items 1-4 above. Many employers fail to look for signs of burn out and if they are not cognizant of the problem there will be no opportunity to prevent, respond, or rectify. SANDLER COACH Dear Sandler Coach, It seems like we spend a lot of pre-meetings with the client, showing them our services and how we implement them, but when we try to get the contract signed they disappear. What are we doing wrong? - Mike A. Dear Mike, It’s not uncommon for companies to present all of their information up front. Sometimes you are essentially giving them “unpaid consulting” before they signed the contract and in turn these prospective customers may look to find it cheaper some place else. You have spent a lot of time building your product or service and that is not information that should be just given to anyone. I’d recommend you doing more qualifying in the beginning of the conversation before you get to presenting your fix. Can they benefit from your product? Can they afford your product? Who’s making that decision? Many companies charge a “consulting fee” that will later be deducted from the final contract. It shows the value of your service and your time. John J. Fazio, Jr. John’s clients include the single entrepreneur all the way up to Fortune 500 companies in the areas of sales, leadership, management and customer service. Have a training question for John? Send your questions to hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 23
ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT Leia T. Ward is a one of a kind uniquely qualified leader in the real estate staging industry. She is the founder and principal staging designer of LTW Design, a full service luxury home staging company that specializes in the interior marketing of a property. Known for her attention to detail and signature style of casual sophistication, she has an innate vision for creating spaces that are calming and beautifully balanced. Her work has captivated the attention of top brokers, developers and homeowners in Westchester & Fairfield Counties who are looking for a faster sale at top market value. Leia is known for her remarkable talent of blending textures, natural light and clean lines to create an aesthetic that buyers are drawn to. Her market knowledge, attention to detail and extraordinary project management skills make her an invaluable partner on any staging design project. LTW Design believes that every home has a unique story to be told. Their mission is to create staging designs that tell the story and bring a complete lifestyle experience to buyers. They focus on purposefully highlighting the architectural beauty of a home leaving no detail overlooked -- showing buyers just how unique 24 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017 it is, and more importantly, feels when a home is designed with intention. LTW is committed to providing excellent service from listing day to closing day. A professionally trained staging designer, using the most innovative interior marketing techniques, Leia has staged some of the most exclusive homes in the Northeast, ranging from $1M-$12M. Clients today benefit from her exceptional communication, project management and problem solving skills mastered during her 10 years working with high profile personalities in the television and magazine industries in New York City. Leia has developed a unique ability to understand her client’s needs -- which has been a key part of LTW Design’s success. “I absolutely love what I do and it is very rewarding to be a part of creating the lifestyle vision for buyers and ultimately connecting them with their future home, as well as partnering with realtors, homeowners and developers to assist in speeding up the sale of their property.” LTW Design staged the Doherty & Deleo new construction on the HBRA 2017 Luxury Home Tour. Their trademark staging and design expertise have been featured in various magazines and can be seen in luxury homes throughout New York & Connecticut. LTW Design LLC Leia T. Ward www.ltwdesign.com 203-893-4406
Maritime Chevrolet is under new ownership in Fairfield, CT and a renewed commitment to the Commercial Truck business. Maritime Chevy is operated by co-owner Eric Sandstrom. Eric first began his career in the automotive industry as a college graduate in 1992. He worked in Burlington, Vermont with the Saturn Corporation and subsequently relocated to Connecticut in 1995. Eric started as a Sales Consultant and eventually worked his way up. He is also the Vice President of Maritime’s new sister store, Cadillac of Greenwich. Within this short time, Maritime has partnered and sponsored many organizations including The St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound, and The Breast Cancer Alliance. The dealership has also sponsored a number of local organizations including the Trumbull Babe Ruth 1st Annual Golf Tournament, the Tomlinson Middle School Walkathon, the Fairfield Police Union Scholarship Fund, Youth Baseball Program, Youth Soccer programs, and both the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Maritime Chevrolet remains committed to achieving the highest level of employee and customer satisfaction and will continue a high level of involvement in the Fairfield community in which we serve. Maritime Chevrolet HBRA Member: Raymond Terribile ray@maritimechevy.com 203-259-5221 OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 25
BUILDER NEWS Youth Movement: Why Millennials Are The Ideal Customers For New Home Builders A lthough the millennial generation has developed a reputation of being less motivated than previous generations (some seemingly content to live in their parents’ homes indefinitely), it turns out that they’re beginning to think about their futures more seriously. According to one survey, the number of first-time home buyers between 2016 and 2017 has risen from 33% to 52%! More importantly, of that 52% of home buyers, 60% are millennials. With their futures unfolding before them, they are starting to shift their priorities and expectations as they prepare to buy their first homes. With that in mind, let’s go over the millennial demographic and why they are an ideal customer segment for builders. Why millennials are the ideal customer segment for new home builders: Metro areas are becoming too expensive for them. For many millennials, the prospect of moving to a larger city such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York has had a huge draw because of the accessibility to popular entertainment and nightlife venues, trendy restaurants and cultural interests. But with home and apartment prices skyrocketing in major cities like these, they’re beginning to look to the suburbs due to the lower cost of living. In fact, according to the Urban Land Institute study, the rate of millennial homebuyers in urban locations has dropped significantly from 21% in 2015 to 15% in 2017! Read More 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 26 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
Trades And Talent: A New Era Of Attraction I f you look at priorities among home building business leaders since recovery started to get traction in 2012 or so, you can see why a shortage of new talent entering the ranks is the issue it is. Except for a few [dozen] rare enterprises, the need for money--for acquisition, construction, and development financing--demanded more executive-level attention than any other urgent matter. Without capital a company can’t have any other problems or opportunities, because there’s no company to speak of. And, it hardly needs to be said, capital was hard to find for a long time. The challenge to add and sustain a sound and supple capital structure that enables most builders to put developed lots out in front of them, let’s face it, takes a lot of the best and smartest leaders more time and focus than most of them want to admit. Add to that the fact that the faster-recovering markets have been more concentrated geographically, with the result that more competitors chased the same capital, the same lots, the same construction infrastructure, and the same talent pool. This ups the ante on every front, making money, land, people, and home buying customers more expensive to secure. Read More Special Report: Trade Schools Look To Attract Young Workers F ive years ago, Jennifer Johnson, founder and CEO of the Construction Trade School in Dallas, started to talk to home building and remodeling organizations about a looming labor shortage in the residential construction trades. She called it a crisis, but industry leaders were focused elsewhere. Their No. 1 priority at the time was recovering from the recession, and many felt labor was a subcontractor problem, not theirs. “It’s kind of like those shows you watch where there’s a tidal wave, and the scientists know it’s coming, and nobody gets a boat ready,” Johnson says. Read More Financing some of the top builders in Fairfield County. People you trust, service you expect, and products to fit your financial needs. • Construction Financing • Commercial Mortgages • Term Loans • Revolving Lines of Credit 877.431.7431 • www.fairfieldcountybank.com NMLS ID #516624 EQUAL HOUSING L E ND E R MEMBER FDIC OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 27
NAHB NEWS Engaging and Attracting Young Professionals: A Dialogue T he NAHB is hosting two virtual town hall meetings in October to explore ways to best serve and recruit young professional members at the Federation and state and local association level. The first meeting will take place Oct. 17 and is open to young members and local leadership. We’ll ask participants to share their experiences and what helped them jumpstart their careers. The second town hall will be held on Oct. 24 for HBA staff and NAHB executive officers to discuss ways they are promoting and engaging their young professional membership, tell us what’s working, and how NAHB can best support their efforts to attract young professionals. This is an exciting opportunity to participate in a national dialogue about the key issues young members are faced with and the role HBAs have in shaping the future of our industry. Don’t miss out on a chance to share your first-hand experiences and discuss hot topics on attracting young professionals. Bring your ideas and your questions, and let’s connect! Read More Tell Job Seekers Why Building is a Great Gig O ctober is Careers in Construction Month, an opportunity to increase public awareness about the great jobs available in residential construction and related trade professions. To keep potential employees in the pipeline, NAHB student chapters, local and state associations, and other members will need to promote the various career paths in construction. If you are looking for ideas of how to recognize the contributions of building professionals and to reinforce a positive image of construction careers, check out the Careers in Construction Month Toolkit Read More THE SMART CHOICE For Making Your Dream Kitchen A Reality SMART HOME CONTROL THERMADOR SUBZERO / WOLF GE MONOGRAM ...and more BEST SERVICE AT THE GUARANTEED BEST PRICE In-Store And Online 2770 Summer Street • Stamford, CT 06905 203-327-2630 STORE HOURS: MON & THURS: 9AM-9PM | TUES, WED, FRI & SAT: 9AM-6PM | SUN: 11AM-5PM www.countytv.com 28 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
A Step Forward for Association Health Plans AHB has been a long-time proponent of N association health plans, which would empower small businesses to pool together to purchase health insurance plans for their employees. Now that President Trump has signed an executive order that would ease restrictions on association health plans, what’s the next step to make this a reality for local HBAs across the land? While we are very excited by Trump’s actions in signing the executive order on association health plans, there are still a lot of unanswered questions moving forward. Though the general intent is clear, the executive order itself does not change existing law. Rather, it directs federal agencies to determine the extent of the regulatory actions they can pursue to meet the President’s health care directives. Those actions are likely limited compared to legislative steps like NAHBsupported bills passed by the House and pending in the Senate that could make more substantive and permanent changes to the law to expand the ability of businesses to form association health plans. The executive order directs the Department of Labor to consider proposing regulations or guidance on association health plans within 60 days. As a result, it will be weeks if not months before we see a proposal take shape. NAHB will have a better idea of how plans would need to be structured and how state insurance regulators will respond once that becomes available. Read More Eliminate the Dust: Complying With the New Silica Standard A s NAHBNow has reported, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has decreased the permissible levels of exposure to crystalline silica for construction. NAHB has told policy makers from the start that this wide-reaching rule will be difficult to meet and enforce. But it’s the law of the land, pending any change from NAHB’s legal challenge still outstanding. Dan Johnson, CSP, managing partner of SFI Compliance Inc., a national safety consulting firm and member of the NAHB Safety Committee, told us what home builders need to know to comply with the new rule and avoid fines. Read More BEAUTY. ELEGANCE. STRENGTH. Our Aluminum Doors Will Surprise You. Ed’s Garage Doors offers a broad selection of aluminum doors that are the perfect complement to your home. Visit our showroom to see many exclusive aluminum doors on display, and talk with a design expert about our countless in-stock and custom options. Showroom Hours: Mon. – Fri.: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Evenings: By appointment Sunday: Closed 136 Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854 203-847-1284 edsgaragedoors.com ® OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 29
NAHB NEWS Home Builders Revise Policy as Tax Reform Debate Heats Up T he National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today voted to revise its policy regarding the nation’s tax code in light of recent discussions on tax reform between congressional leadership and the Trump administration. Today’s vote gives NAHB greater flexibility as the tax debate unfolds and stakeholders seek consensus to shape a tax code that best serves the nation’s consumers and small businesses. “This is the first time in NAHB’s 75year history that we have been open to the idea of broader options regarding housing tax incentives,” said Granger MacDonald, NAHB chairman and a builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas. “Now is the time to reform tax policy, and housing will not be left behind in this process.” NAHB supports a tax system that is simple and fair, and that promotes greater housing opportunity for Americans across the economic spectrum. The tax policies that NAHB is promoting include: A homeownership tax incentive; The low-income housing tax credit, along with additional resources to meet the affordability crisis; Tax incentives for remodeling, including energy efficiency tax credits; The exclusion of capital gains on the sale of a principal residence; and Business interest deductions for small businesses. Read More Study Finds Green Home Building Continues to Gain Traction G reen construction is rapidly gaining traction among both single family and multifamily home builders, according to new research published in the Green Multifamily and Single Family Homes 2017 SmartMarket Brief. The report is available for free download at www.nahb.org/SMR. The latest in a series of studies conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the study shows that green homes are continuing to gain market share. At least one third of single family and multifamily builders who were surveyed said that green building is a significant portion of their overall activity (more than 60 percent of their portfolio). By 2022, this number should increase to nearly one half in both the single family and multifamily sectors. Within this group, nearly 30 percent of multifamily builders fall into the category of “dedicated” green builders (more than 90 percent of their portfolio). On the single family side, the percentage of “dedicated” green builders is nearly 20 percent, but that share is expected to grow sizably by 2022. “These findings show that green building has become an established part of the residential construction landscape,” said NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald, a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas. “It is no longer a niche business; our members recognize the value of building green and are incorporating these elements into their standard business practices.” Increasing energy efficiency continues to be the most common method of improving the performance of a green home, followed by creating a healthy indoor living environment. “As consumers become more familiar with the impact that their homes can have on their health and well-being, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the influence of this factor continue to grow,” said Steve Jones, Dodge’s Senior Director of Industry Insights Research. “Homes are following the larger trend that Dodge has been tracking across commercial and institutional sectors for healthier buildings to become an increasingly important part of being sustainable.” EPA Relaunches Collaborative Smart Sectors Program ne third of builders surveyed say green building is a significant share of O overall activity, and many have built a net zero home. Green construction is rapidly gaining traction among both single family and multifamily home builders, according to new research published in the Green Multifamily and Single Family Homes 2017 SmartMarket Brief. The report is available for free download at www.nahb.org/SMR. The latest in a series of studies conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the study shows that green homes are continuing to gain market share. At least one third of single family and multifamily builders who were surveyed said that green building is a significant portion of their overall activity (more than 60 percent of their portfolio). By 2022, this number should increase to nearly one half in both the single family and multifamily sectors. Within this group, nearly 30 percent of multifamily builders fall into the category of “dedicated” green builders (more than 90 percent of their portfolio). On the single family side, the percentage of “dedicated” green builders is nearly 20 percent, but that share is expected to grow sizably by 2022. 30 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
Fair Share for BUILD-PAC WHAT is BUILD-PAC? BUILD-PAC, or Builders United in Legislative Decisions Political Action Committee, is the political arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). It helps elect pro-housing, pro-business candidates to federal office. WHICH party does BUILD-PAC support, Republicans or Democrats? BUILD-PAC is bipartisan. It supports pro-housing, pro-business candidates on both sides of the aisle regardless of their party affiliation. WHO can contribute to BUILD-PAC? Only NAHB members may be solicited to contribute to BUILD-PAC. PAYMENT INFORMATION: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FEC law requires that all BUILD-PAC contributions – check or credit card - come from personal, not corporate, funds. Checks should be made payable to BUILD-PAC and mailed to BUILD-PAC staff’s attention at 1201 15th St NW, Washington DC 20005. n Personal Check n Personal Credit Card: n Visa n MasterCard n American Express Card Number ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name on Card _______________________________________________________________________ Exp Date _________________ CONTRIBUTION LEVELS: Capitol Club ($5,000 annually) Gold Key Club ($1,000 annually) Century Club ($100 annually) Platinum Club ($2,500 annually) Dollar-a-Day Club ($365 annually) BUILD-PAC Fair Share ($25 annually) n Other (amount not listed above) ________ Contributions to BUILD-PAC are completely voluntary. You may choose not to contribute without reprisal. Contributions to BUILD-PAC will be used for political purposes and are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Federal law requires political action committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer for each individual whose contributions exceed $200.00 in a calendar year. Foreign nationals cannot contribute to BUILD-PAC. Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________State______ ZipCode _________________ Occupation_________________________________________________________________________ Company Name ____________________________________________________________________ Preferred Phone Number _____________________________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________________ Signature__________________________________________________________________________ Member ID _______________________________________ (for internal use – not required) Recruited by ______________________________________ BUILD-PWHO decides which candidates receive AC support? Contributors like you! More than 100 NAHB members serve on the BUILD-PAC Board of Trustees, which decides which candidates receive support. DOES BUILD-PAC accept corporate contributions? BUILD-PAC can accept only personal funds. It is illegal for a political action committee to contribute corporate donations to congressional candidates. participate?HOW can we get more members to Participation is critical. That’s why BUILD-PAC created a new Fair Share level. With a contribution of just $25, far more members can join the fight for housing. Just 4% of members shoulder the entire weight of BUILD-PAC. Imagine what we could do if the other 96% were to invest in our most important political tool. Do your fair share by investing in BUILD-PAC today! OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 31
CAPS I, II AND III DESIGNATION (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) CAPS I: December 6th, 8:30AM - 5:00PM CAPS 2: December 7th, 8:30AM - 5:00PM CAPS 3: December 8th, 8:30AM - 5:00PM Ring’s End Educational Facility 160 Avon Street, Stratford CT 06615 HBRA Member Fee: $250 per course Non-Member Fee: $350 per course (Fees include registration, lunch, resource materials, and NAHB exam processing) REGISTER HERE Three Courses Required: Marketing & Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS I) The goal of the course is to equip course participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively market and sell services to the aging in place (AIP) market. Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging In Place (CAPS II) The goal of this course is to enable participants to identify common challenges within the home and understand attractive design concepts that create a safe and comfortable environment for clients who want to age in place as well as identify with one or more of these groups: Individuals who are not experiencing health issues related to aging, individuals who have a progressive or other condition that requires home modifications or equipment, and individuals who are dealing with an abrupt or traumatic health-related change. Details & Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging In Place (CAPS III) This course builds on the CAPS I and CAPS II courses (which are prerequisites for this course) by introducing design solutions and techniques for professionals whose clients require specialized design and equipment to live and thrive comfortably in their homes. Whole house product specification and installation techniques will be covered accompanied by practical, hands-on activities. Certified Instructor: Alan Hanbury, CGR, CAPS, CGP. GMR, MBA House of Hanbury Builders Inc. 109 Stamm Rd Newington, CT 06111 32 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017 Sponsored By
OSHA 10 HOUR CONSTRUCTION Thursday, January 18 & Friday, January 19, 2017 8:00am-2:00pm Registration starts at 7:30AM Ridgefield Supply Educational Facility 29 Prospect Street, Ridgefield CT 06877 HBRA Members: $35.00 Non-Members: $75.00 (Fees include registration, continental breakfast, lunch, and OSHA card) REGISTER HERE OSHA is coming to FINE you! Get ahead of them & learn what you need to know for your business and your employees. The OSHA10-hour construction training course is designed for anyone in the construction industry. Upon completion, participants will receive an OSHA construction safety and health 10-hour course completion card from the Department of Labor. OSHA 10 cards are good for 5 years. *Must attend both dates in order to receive OSHA card-per federal regulation. Continental Breakfast & Lunch included both days. Payment must be received by January 12th to reserve your spot. Walk-ins will not be accepted at this course due to limited seating. Sponsored by: OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 33
THE TWENTY-SIX HOUR DAY Friday, January 26, 2018 8:00am-2:00pm Registration starts at 7:30AM Ring’s End Educational Facility 29 Prospect Street, Ridgefield HBRA Members: $20.00 Non-Members: $40.00 (Fees include continental breakfast) REGISTER HERE How Contractors Can Get Two More Hours in Your Day! Contractors know the value of their time and the need to leverage every hour for increased results. One additional hour each day of productive time can yield significant increases to their bottom lines. Don Wetmore grew up in the construction industry and has had a career as a Realtor, a real estate attorney, a real estate developer and management consultant and one of the leading experts on Time Management. Don has made over 2,000 Time Management presentations worldwide and has conducted dozens of Time Management programs exclusively for contractors throughout the United States and Canada. He is the author of seven books, including “Beat the Clock”. In his dynamic, motivating, and content rich Time Management Seminar for Contractors, you will learn practical ways to: • Manage multiple priorities • Organize “have to’s” and “want to’s” • Manage appointments and scheduled events • Invest time v. expense time • Get two more productive hours in every work day • Leverage your time for greater productivity • Gain better control over the entire 24-hour day • Overcome procrastination • Avoid “crisis management” • Identify and eliminate time wasters • Say “no” positively • Reduce telephone tag • And much, much more! Sponsored By Instructor: Dr. Donald Wetmore Productivity Institute 127 Jefferson Street Stratford, CT 06615 34 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
HBRA Job Bank 22% OFF monthly VERIZON access fees and more NPP offers HBRA members exclusive savings on a variety of Verizon Wireless services for business. Plus, you can also share Verizon discounts with your employees. Sign up today so your business can start saving with the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LT network. NPP members receive • 22% OFF monthly access fees for eligible members* • 25% discount on select accessories • Special promotions on equipment *Corporate liable lines only. $34.99 or higher, 5–line minimum,2 corporate lines required. *Industry eligibility requirements apply. MEMBER BENEFITS Not signed up yet? All HBRA Members are eligible! 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!
HBRA Job Bank MEMBER BENEFITS Don't Miss FCA and Ram Commercial Truck Season When your business calls for more hauling power, you need a vehicle that can handle the job as well as the road. And with a long-lasting Ram Truck, you can be confident that you have the capability to conquer any challenge. Your $500 NAHB Member Benefit Discount is stackable with other great offers during Commercial Truck Season. See your dealer or Ramtrucks.com/commercial for more information. With the FCA US vehicle allowance, members, their employees and household family members, are eligible for a $500 cash allowance toward the purchase or lease of a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram or FIAT vehicles. This extra benefit is stackable with most national and local offers, increasing your ability to save! Visit the FCA page nahb.org/fca to learn more about this program and to access your Proof of Membership Form. Please note, only named NAHB members of record are able to access and print eligibility forms for their employees and family. NAHB Member Advantage Discounts NAHB Member Advantage gives members an easy way to reduce expenses, maximize profits and increase efficiency. Through agreements with leading national companies, NAHB offers exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services that can benefit your business, employees and family. In the past year, members have saved over $17M through Member Advantage. For the most up-to-date information about which companies are offering discounts as well as detailed information on how to access the savings, please visit www.nahb.org/ ma 36 HBRA of Fairfield County | OCTOBER 2017
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REdefining home improvement RingsEnd.com 800 390 1000 OCTOBER 2017 | HBRA of Fairfield County 38
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