April 2023 Building Connections

Why Ring’s End?

Darien (Flagship Yard)

Lewisboro,

Wilton

Bethel

Your Monthly Newsletter

Building Connections is a monthly digital magazine produced and published by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County. Inside you will find the latest association news, legislative updates, upcoming events, and featured articles about the industry.

Contact Us: hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com www.buildfairfieldcounty.com @hbraffc

(203) 335-7008

Front Cover: Featuring: Builder: Guiltec Development

Materials Provided By: Interstate + Lakeland Lumber

Innovative Options and Designs to Complement Your Home

Pella’s Impervia® windows and doors provide unmatched strength, energy efficiency and lasting durability with proven performance. There’s never a need for painting or refinishing because with our powder-coat finish, our windows and doors resist chipping, chalking and fading. Rot and corrosion-free to naturally resist water and bugs.

Complement your home with Pella’s proprietary, low maintenance fiberglass that offers a sleek and timeless style. Our windows and patio doors have been tested to withstand some of the harshest conditions, including extreme heat and sub-zero cold, damaging UV rays and seacoast environments.

For more information, please contact Sabina Mortillaro

631-219-9258 or smortillaro@pellactny.com

Swing into Spring at Chelsea Piers!

I hope everyone is doing well! Thank you to all of you who made our April GMM such a success and thank you to Interstate for hosting us!

Our next GMM will be our Member Mixer at Two Roads on May 3. We are also having a “Swing into Spring” event at Chelsea Piers on May 16th. Both of our May events will be great and I hope to see you there!

Registration is now open for our golf tournament, so be sure to sign up soon before we sell out!

Be sure to keep our online membership directory in mind whenever you are looking for a business: www.buildfairfieldcounty.com/directory.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can do anything for you or your business. kerry@buildfairfieldcounty.com

Kind Regards,

Kerry Brunn Executive Officer Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County

“ The mission of the HBRA is to help promote, protect & improve the building industry in Fairfield County. Our association is dedicated to promoting, strengthening, and informing our local home building market and those who work within it to ensure that we areindependently and collectively - a viable economic engine of growth now and in the future. ”

MEMBER MIXER SPONSORSHIPS

Weds. May 3 Weds. May 3 | | 6p-9p 6p-9p | |

Bar Bites Sponsor - $1300

Bar Bites from Gaetano's Italian Deli to feed the hungry crowd!

Premium signage at the food table

Logo on drink tickets guests will receive upon arrival

5 attendee tickets to the event (for employees or customers)

10 Drink tickets

1 Bar Bingo Square

Featured & tagged in Instagram story

Top Hop Sponsor - $500

Table Display

Bar Bingo Square

Logo on all marketing materials

Logo on event banner

10 drink tickets to give out

2 attendees

A Keg Above

the Rest

Sponsor - $150

Logo on event banner

1 attendee

5 drink tickets to give out to prospective customers

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Two Roads Brewery

Two Roads Brewery

Imperial Sponsor - $1000

Premium table display!

Table to display literature and other marketing materials (prime placement)

Bar Bingo Square - with tagged social media post Opportunity to speak at the event

Logo on all marketing materials in first level position

Logo on event banner

10 drink tickets to hand out

3 attendees

Membership Raffle Sponsor - $300

Signage at the event & have a member of your team draw the winning raffle ticket to announce the lucky winner!

(Attendance ticket sold separately).

This is the ONLY event with table display opportunities - reserve today before they sell out!

2023 OFFICERS

Immediate Past President

Kim DiMatteo Cross Insurance

President: John Hertz Hertz Construction

Senior VP: Rob Michaud Michaud Group

VP: Brian Kurtz Interstate Lumber

Treasurer: Steven Roth Elevator Service

Secretary: Karen Bradbury Closet & Storage Concepts Alex Shook Pella Windows

2023 DIRECTORS

Bonnie Paige Bonnie Paige Interiors

Chris Shea Domus Constructors LLC

George Pusser Cornerstone Contracting

Lisa Heldwhite Breakwater Development

Stephen Gidley

Stephen C. Gidley Inc.

Tori McBrien McBrien Interiors

LIFE DIRECTORS

Joanne Carroll JMC Resources

Jerry Effren

The Greyrock Companies

Gary Fanali City Carting

Peter Fusaro

Preferred Builders

Michael Palumbo

ERI Building & Design

Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders

Terrence Beaty

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc.

Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders

Upcoming EventsRegister Today!

Weds. May 3: Member Mixer

Two Roads Brewing Company, Stratford

Builders & architects can attend for no charge!

Table Displays & Sponsorships also available!

Tues. May 16: "Swing into Spring"

ZSTRICT at Chelsea Piers, Stamford

Happy Hour networking. Try out the indoor golf simulator, or just mingle!

Weds. June 7: GMM & Annual Meeting

Ring's End Darien

Builders & architects can attend for no charge!

Mon. Sept. 18: Golf Classic

Tashua Knolls Golf Course, Trumbull

Our biggest event of the year! Golf & dinner registration, sponsorships, & raffle prize donations now open!

For more info & to register, visit buildfairfieldcounty.com/upcomingevents

AUTHENTIC TO YOUR DREAM

Andersen ® A-Series windows and doors are based on the style of home you want. Whether it’s a stately Queen Anne, a bold Modernist design or anything in between, you can now create it with the best-performing, most energy-efficient products Andersen has ever offered. Don’t just imagine your dream home, build it with Andersen.

Andersen is proud to support the Home Builders and Remodelers Assn. of Fairfield County and its members.

April General Membership Meeting RECAP

April 8, 2023 | The Westport Local Press | J.C. Martin

Interstate Design Center Hosts Home Builders & Remodelers Event

On Thursday night Shelly Kahan, CEO of Interstate & Lakeland Lumber on the Post Rd. in Westport hosted over 150 industry professionals, including builders, suppliers, realtors, architects, interior designers and more.

Ben Kahan, senior marketing manager for Interstate & Lakeland said “We were honored to host the Home Builders & Remodelers Association (HBRA) of Fairfield County’s quarterly meeting at our new, state of the art, two story Interstate Design Center.” Kahan commented, “Making this space a part of the Westport community is so important to us, we want to be a resource that builders and homeowners know they can rely on. We’re very proud of the space we’ve built here at the Westport Design Center, it was a joy getting to share it with our local builder community!”

The evening offered guests an opportunity to enjoy the delicious and beautifully presented appetizers and hot buffet catered by Westport’s A & S Fine Foods on Post Road West while they networked with old and new acquaintances and explored the fabulous Interstate Design Center at 800 Post Rd. East and it’s exceptional display of home building products, some for the first time. 99 Bottles, Bridge Square Westport provided fine wines and beers.

Some of those in attendance were Westport-based business including Saugatuck’s Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies, Fuscaldo Builders, LLC, Stella Homes Team at eXp Realty, Stephanie Rapp Interiors, llc, Karen Berkemeyer Home, Ferocious Media (Connoisseur Media) and Newpointe Wealth financial advisors.

Co-hosting the event was Kerry Brunn, executive officer of the association who explained “The Home Builders & Remodelers Association (“HBRA”) of Fairfield County is a not for profit association of members engaged in single family and multifamily residential new construction, remodeling, land development activities and light commercial construction covering Fairfield County.”

Our 450+ members consist of builders, remodelers, land developers, suppliers, manufacturers, subcontractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, lenders, real estate brokers and many other industry professionals.

Since 1946, the association has provided members opportunities to build their businesses and strives to be a leader in providing innovative resources, education, legislative advocacy and networking events for our members that will help keep their businesses ahead of the curve. Members of the HBRA represent the best in their industry. Whether a builder, remodeler, developer or associated trade or supplier, our members are committed to the highest standards in building our communities.

To learn more about Interstate+Lakeland Lumber and the Interstate Design Center, visit: www.interstatelumber.com.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com

R e i n v e n t Y o u r K i t c h e n

C o n t a c t u s a t 2 0 3 . 2 7 5 . 0 8 1 2

J O I N

T h e G a l l e y i s a c o m p l e t e c u l i n a r y s y s t e m w h e r e

o n e c a n p r e p a r e , c o o k , s e r v e , e n t e r t a i n , a n d

w a s h a l l i n o n e c e n t r a l a n d c o n v e n i e n t p l a c e .

L e a r n m o r e h e r e

A P R I L 2 7 T H , 4 P M - 7 P M

D e s i g n e r s a n d b u i l d e r s a r e i n v i t e d t o

j o i n u s a t t h e K i t c h e n C e n t e r f o r a

p r i v a t e e v e n t w h e r e a t t e n d e e s c a n

c h e c k o u t o u r s h o w r o o m s h o w c a s i n g

t h e l a t e s t i n c a b i n e t r y a s w e l l a s

T h e

G a l l e y w h i l e a l s o e n j o y i n g d e l i c i o u s

f o o d p r e p a r e d o n - s i t e b y c h e f s .

RING’S END

Since 1902

Bethel | Branford | Danbury

Darien | Fairfield | Lewisboro | Madison New Milford | Newtown | Niantic North Stamford | Norwalk | Orange Stamford | Stratford | Trumbull Westport | Wethersfield | Wilton

JOIN THE RING’S END TEAM!

Do you have a positive attitude that contributes to a high company morale? Are you goal-oriented and self-motivated? Can you connect with our customers and build strong relationships? Are you an effective communicator? Do you present yourself professionally? If so, you may be a perfect candidate for a career at Ring’s End!

Ring’s End is a Connecticut-based lumber and building materials retailer serving Connecticut, South County, Rhode Island, and Southern Westchester County, New York. We are a thirdgeneration, family owned and operated business with a rich history dating back to 1902. With 20 retail locations, Ring’s End continues to expand and evolve as an industry leader.

The positions at Ring’s End are as diverse as the employees who hold them. Discover your passionjoin the Ring’s End team today!

RING’S END COMPANY CULTURE

Strategic Vision

To be the premier resource in the building supply industry.

Mission Statement

To provide the very best products, industry knowledge, customer service, and shopping experience. We do this by employing the best team in the industry, ensuring we maintain a diverse, evolved work environment that values cooperation and teamwork. We look for innovation and continuous improvement in everything we do.

Our Values

• Integrity

• Passion

• Pride

• Accountability

• Community

Work Environment & Commitment to Safety

• Total commitment to safety and teamwork

• Zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment

• On-the-job training/certifications

Compensation

• Weekly pay

• Direct deposit & electronic pay stubs (paperless)

• Competitive wages and overtime compensation

• Profit sharing

• Discretionary bonus program

Benefits

• Medical plans including HMO, POS, and HDHP (with HSA)

• Section 125 Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care Accounts

• Employee Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Long & Short Term Disability

• Paid holidays

• Paid time off (PTO)

• Workplace flexibility

• Education Assistance Program

• Employee Wellness Program

• Legal Consultation Program

“Gatehouse Partners has been advertising with New England Home Connecticut since 2017. Roberta and the rest of the team have been instrumental in helping to get our brand in front of our target audience: homeowners, architects, and interior designers. Working with the New England Home Connecticut team feels closer to a supportive friendship than a business agreement. We highly recommend them (and their networking events) to everyone in the home industry!”

KRISTEN SULLIVAN, GATEHOUSE PARTNERS

NEW MEMBERS

Davis Raines Design | Karen Davis

Davis Raines Design offers project management, budgeting, space planning and organization, kitchen and bath design, lighting design, selection of interior finishes, custom furniture, fabric design and selection of art and accessories. Read More

Fuscaldo Builders, LLC | Marc Fuscaldo

Specializing in Renovations, Restorations, Additions, New Construction, and Outdoor

Spaces our fully integrated suite of services range from real property selection through construction and interior/landscape design. Read More

Robert Turner Builders, LLC | Robert Cary Turner and Evan Turner

Robert Turner Builders, LLC and Turner Painting Service, Inc. have been providing exceptional construction services to residential and commercial properties in Fairfield and Westchester Counties since 1975. From historical preservation and renovations to new construction, our expertise ensures quality workmanship on every project. Read More

NEW AFFILIATES

Cornerstone Contracting | Brittany Pusser

William Raveis Real Estate | Tommy Soto

JOB BANK

AVAILABLE JOBS:

These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.

Accurate Lock And Hardware

JOB TITLE: Customer Solutions Specialist

SUMMARY: In this role, you will communicate with customers via phone and email, help determine their requirements, process purchase orders, provide quotations, check on order status and expedite orders. You will be part of a team that provides customer service and support for a wide array of products to a network of showroom and contract hardware distributors, OEM accounts, architects, designers and specifiers.

Studio KC LLC

JOB TITLE: Jr Designer/Project Manager

SUMMARY: Studio KC is an emerging high end interior design firm located in Norwalk specializing in full home renovations, kitchens, baths and custom millwork. We are looking for a Junior Designer/Project Manager to join our tight knit team. Our office is a fun, fast paced environment where collaboration and mutual support are encouraged.

Chloe Winston Lighting Design

JOB TITLE: Showroom Manager (Part Time)

SUMMARY: Looking for a strong communicator with excellent customer service skills to join our AWARD-WINNING Lighting Showroom - steps away from the heart of South Norwalk! We are a small, local, WOMEN-OWNED business with over 50 years combined experience.

HOURS: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm (flexible)

Email resume to hello@chloewinstonlighting.com

Remodeling Market Sentiment Edged Up in First Quarter of 2023

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the first quarter, posting a reading of 70, edging up one point compared to the previous quarter.

The NAHB/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as good than poor.

The Current Conditions Index is an average of three components: the current market for large remodeling projects, moderatelysized projects and small projects. The Future Indicators Index is an average of two components: the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in and the current backlog of remodeling projects. The overall RMI is calculated by averaging the Current Conditions Index and the Future Indicators Index. Any number over 50 indicates that more remodelers view remodeling market conditions as good than poor.

Read More

In a Win for NAHB Members, Biden WOTUS Rule Struck Down in 26 States

In a major victory for developers and landowners, the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota has ruled that the Biden “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule cannot be implemented in 24 states while the challenge to the rule moves forward.

Read More

Be Unstoppable with Help from UPS®

The world moves fast – and your NAHB UPS® Savings Program has the tools you need to help your small business move even faster. We’re here to help you push envelopes and ride the edge of what’s possible. We’ll be right by your side with everything you need to keep blazing forward.

Let UPS® help make your business unstoppable. Members enjoy the following savings every time you ship:

• 50% off Domestic Next Day / Deferred

• 30% off Ground Commercial / Residential

• 50% off International Exports & 40% off Imports

• Up to 50% off on additional services.

• Plus, UPS Smart Pickup® service is free.

Don’t Let Shipping Mishaps Slow You Down

A lot can go wrong in shipping – package loss, breakage, porch piracy theft. The good news is that you can mitigate the financial impact of some shipping mishaps with InsureShield® shipping coverage.

Through your NAHB UPS® Savings Program, you have access to insurance that can help keep your business moving despite the everyday risks of shipping.

All you have to do is enter the value of the goods in the declared value* field of your UPS® approved shipping system and you are on your way to better shipping experiences.

Start covering your shipments today: savewithups.com/nahb

Legal Disclaimer:

Insurance coverage is offered through UPS Capital Insurance Agency, Inc., a licensed insurance producer. If you elect protection for your shipment, it will be insured under a policy of insurance (the “Policy”), but you are not an insured under the Policy. In the event of a loss covered under such Policy, any resulting claim payment will be directed to you as a loss payee. All insurance-related information is provided by UPS Capital and does not in any way alter or amend the terms, conditions, or exclusions of the Policy. Insurance coverage is not available in all jurisdictions or on all shipments.

© 2023 United Parcel Service of America, Inc. UPS, UPS Capital, InsureShield, the UPS brandmark, and the color brown are trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Inflation and Rising Housing Costs Show Signs of Cooling

The overall inflation rate, along with the cost of housing, showed signs of cooling in March, with the shelter index (housing inflation) experiencing its smallest monthly gain since November 2022. Still, housing in March continued to be the largest contributor to the overall inflation rate, accounting for more than 60% of the increase when excluding the volatile food and energy sector.

The data is also a clear sign that the Federal Reserve’s ability to address rising housing costs is limited, as shelter cost increases are driven by a lack of affordable supply and increasing development costs. Additional housing supply is the primary solution to tame housing inflation.

And further Fed tightening of monetary policy will hurt housing supply by increasing the cost of acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) financing. This can be seen on the graph below, as shelter costs continue to rise despite Fed policy tightening. Nonetheless, the NAHB forecast expects to see shelter costs decline later in 2023.

Read More

Conn. HBA Wins Initial Victory in Rent Control Battle — But the Fight Is Just Beginning

The Connecticut legislature introduced H.B. 6588 in January to cap annual rent increases at 4% and ban no-cause evictions, based on efforts by a grassroots organization called Cap the Rent Connecticut. Cap the Rent Connecticut wanted to lower the cap to 2.5%, had a large following and was very well organized. It became quickly apparent that action was needed to support housing providers in the multifamily sector.

“They were frighteningly well-organized,” recalled Sheila Leach, vice president of operations at the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HBRA) of Central Connecticut, who attended several of the Cap the Rent events to get a better understanding of the organization’s strategy and messaging. “And they had a story to tell.”

Read More

Private Residential Construction Spending Declines in February

Private residential construction spending declined 0.6% in February, as spending on single-family construction decreased 1.8%. Spending declined for the ninth month in a row amid elevated mortgage interest rates. Consequently, private residential construction is 5.7% lower compared to a year ago.

Read More

Lack of Existing Inventory Continues to Support Builder Sentiment

Builders remained cautiously optimistic in April as limited resale inventory helped to increase demand in the new home market even as the industry continues to grapple with building material issues.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes in April rose one point to 45, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).

Currently, one-third of housing inventory is new construction, compared to historical norms of a little more than 10%. More buyers looking at new homes, along with the use of sales incentives, have supported new home sales since the start of 2023.

Read More

Distribution of 1-4 Unit Residential Construction Loans Among Banks by Asset Size

According to NAHB analysis of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) data, large banks (assets greater than $10 billion) have increased their share of the residential construction loan market above pre-Great Recession levels in recent years.

Read More

Built On Great Relationships

We are proud to work with the top builders, designers and remodelers in Connecticut. Your considerable talents enhance the lives of people – and we are thrilled to play a part in your success.

“To help us deliver our designs, we trust Bender and their amazing showrooms and consultants. They make the whole process come together seamlessly.”

Jonathan Gordon, Design by the Jonathans

X Design Consultation including on-site walk-throughs and Recessed lighting layouts

X Large offering and inventory of integrated LED Recessed Lighting

X Indoor and Outdoor Lighting for all applications

X Door, Cabinet & Bath Hardware

X Motorized & Manual Window Shades

X Lutron Lighting Controls

Standard Wallbox to HomeWorks

X Bath Ventilation Fans

X Builder programs

Lowe’s Foundation Grants Aim to Bolster the Skilled Trades

Despite the strong earning potential of and high market demand for skilled tradespeople, the industry continues to grapple with a scarcity of workers. As the housing market remains underbuilt, industry experts say attracting more skilled labor will be critical to the near- and long-term strength of home building.

To help close the skilled labor gap, the Lowe’s Foundation recently launched the Gable Grants program. The program is a five-year, $50 million commitment to directly support community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofit organizations in preparing the next generation of tradespeople. The program’s goal is to recruit and train at least 50,000 people for careers in the skilled trades.

Read More

New Home Buyers Increasingly Claim Energy-Efficient Tax Credits

In recognition of New Homes Month in April, it is important to highlight that taxpayers are taking advantage of new home energy-efficiency related tax credits. A recent Internal Revenue Service data analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicates that more than 800,000 taxpayers claimed a new home-related energyefficiency tax incentive.

“Builders have found that buyers are seeking out new homes with durable designs and sustainable features that make their home cost-effective to operate,” said NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey, a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Ala.

Read More

Building Materials Prices Climb as Concrete, Transformer Shortages Persist

According to the latest Producer Price Index report, the prices of inputs to residential construction less energy (i.e., building materials) climbed 0.3% in March 2023 (not seasonally adjusted). Since declining the last four months of 2022, the index has increased three consecutive months by a total of 1.6% but has been relatively stable over the past year.

The prices of goods inputs to residential construction, including energy, gained 0.1% over the month as a 6.4% decrease in energy prices offset increases in other product categories.

Read More

Remodeling Market Sentiment Edged Up in First Quarter of 2023

The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the first quarter of 2023 posted a reading of 70, edging up 1 point from the fourth quarter of 2022. While remodelers are generally more optimistic than their singlefamily builder counterparts, some are noting negative effects within the market including continued material shortages and higher interest rates.

Read More

Mortgage Activity Increases as Rates Fall for 5th Straight week

Per the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) survey through the week ending April 7th, total mortgage activity increased 5.3% from the previous week and the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rate fell ten basis points to 6.30%. The FRM rate has fallen 41 basis points over the past month.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, rose by 5.3% on a seasonally adjusted (SA) basis from one week earlier. Purchasing activity increased 7.8%, while refinancing activity increased 0.1% week-over-week.

Purchasing activity has risen over the past month as interest rates have fallen but the seasonally adjusted purchase index was 31.4% lower than one year ago. Refinancing activity has seen a slight uptick over the past month but will remain low as many who refinanced over a year ago locked into lower rates; the Refinancing Index is down 56.9% from one year ago.

Read More

Keep Workers and Others on the Road Safe with NAHB Resources

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, an annual campaign by the National Safety Council to highlight the dangers and costs of distracted driving. At least eight people a day are killed in distracted driving crashes. Distracted driving isn’t just risky for drivers; it can be deadly for nearby pedestrians, bicyclists and workers.

Read More