December 2023 Building Connections by HBRA of Fairfield County

T H E E - M A G A Z I N E O F T H E H B R A O F FA I R F I E L D C O U N T Y - D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

FEATURES HBRA CT Awards Dinner & Casino Night Recap HOBI Awards Recap

MEMBER BENEFITS mynpp.com NAHB Benefits

Darien (Flagship Yard)

Your Inspiration. Our Expertise.

Lewisboro, NY

Why Ring’s End? Inventory Unsurpassed breadth and depth of inventory.

Quality The highest quality products in the industry.

Convenience 20 locations, including 5 full service lumberyards serving Fairfield County.

Service A full range of services from custom millwork capabilities to education, estimating, and design.

RingsEnd.com | 800-390-1000

Wilton

New Milford

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.

hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com www.buildfairfieldcounty.com @hbraffc (203) 335-7008

Front Cover:

Featuring: Northeast Building Supply

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.

Pella. Perfectly Beautiful.

For more information, please contact Sabina Mortillaro 631-219-9258 or smortillaro@pellactny.com

EXEC U TIVE W ELCOME LETTER

A Successful 2023 & Promising 2024! I hope you are all spending time with family and friend as we wind down for the year and enjoy the holidays! As we wrap up 2023, I would like to thank each and every one of our members for supporting the Building Industry with your membership. The time and dedication you all put into this organization means everything to us. I would also like to make special thanks to our committee members and our Board of Directors for all their efforts to make the HBRA of Fairfield County the best it can be. We are gearing up for a busy and productive 2024 and we are excited to see you in the new year! As a reminder, if you know someone who would benefit from becoming a member - we are currently running a special for new members - Join now and come to your first 3 meetings for free! 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

MISSION

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 are independently and collectively - a viable economic engine of growth now and in the future.

”

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 5

Find Great Holiday Gifts

Shop local this holiday season! From festive decorations to winter essentials, Weed & Duryea has got you covered. 21 Grove St, New Canaan, CT

Membership Discounts & Deals Through agreements with more than 20 national companies, NAHB offers exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services that can benefit your business, employees and family. Members save big when they take advantage of these offers. Steps to Access NAHB Discounts: Log in at www.nahb.org Please Note: Your nahb.org login is separate from your buildfairfieldcounty.com login. If you do not have an NAHB account, select “Register” on the right side of the screen. You will need the PIN you received when you first joined the HBRA – find yours by logging in to your account at buildfairfieldcounty.com, or contact the HBRA office and we would be happy to let you know! After you log in, go to www.nahb.org/NAHB-Community/Member-Benefits/Savings Click on “Learn More” under the discount you want to use and follow the instructions. See the NAHB "Member Savings Program at a Glance" handout for a full list of available discounts! Through the HBRA of Fairfield County’s partnership with NPP you can save on products for your business and employees. Membership is free. Steps to Access NPP Discounts: Visit www.mynpp.com/association/hbra-of-fairfieldcounty/ If you already have an account, select “Log In” at the top right to log in. If you do not currently have an NPP account, enter your information on the form on the right and follow the website prompts to create an account. Click on the discount you would like to sign up for and follow the instructions. See the NPP handout for a full list of available discounts!

For a full list of all benefits available to members, visit: buildfairfieldcounty.com/membership-benefits-discounts/ DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 7

ELITE 2023 OFFICERS Immediate Past President Kim DiMatteo Cross Insurance President: John Hertz Hertz Construction

DIAMOND

Senior VP: Rob Michaud Michaud Group VP: Brian Kurtz Interstate Lumber Treasurer: Steven Roth Elevator Service Secretary: Karen Bradbury Closet & Storage Concepts

TITANIUM

2023 DIRECTORS Chris Shea

Domus Constructors, LLC

George Pusser

Cornerstone Contracting

PLATINUM

Kevin Polcer

Polcer Home, LLC

Lisa Heldwhite

Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC

Stephanie Rapp

A VERTEX COMPANY

Stephanie Rapp Interiors, LLC.

Tori McBrien McBrien Interiors

LIFE DIRECTORS since 1972

Joanne Carroll JMC Resources

Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders

Jerry Effren The Greyrock Companies

Terrence Beaty William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Gary Fanali City Carting Peter Fusaro Preferred Builders Michael Palumbo ERI Building & Design

GOLD

Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc. Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders

MEDIA

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 9

Annual Awards 2023

Annual Awards Dinner & Casino Night

RECAP

Thank you to all who joined us on December 6th for our annual Awards Presentation and first-ever Casino Night! HBRA Board President John Hertz began with a stateof-the-HBRA address, then the annual HBRA of Fairfield County Awards were presented to our highly deserving 2023 winners, including our President’s Choice Award winner Geoffrey Knapp and our HBRA Hall of Fame inductee, Steven Roth. A full list of winners follows – congratulations to all! All guests enjoyed a buffet dinner featuring a carving station, pasta station, and Mexican station. Then, dice started rolling and our mock HBRA Casino opened! Attendees tried their luck to win some great raffle prizes including an Ooni pizza oven, Apple watch, home espresso maker, Beats Studio earbuds sponsored by Innerspace Electronics, a Weber Griddle donated by Aitoro Appliance, a Sonos Move donated by County TV & Appliance, and two chances to win a 50 inch TV! Our high rollers weren’t done there – our Silent Auction was a huge success, with bidders winning trips to Tuscany, Punta Cana, Cabo San Lucas, and Myrtle Beach, plus golfing foursomes and wine.

CIRCLE OF CARE

Proceeds from this event and Silent Auction will help to support our partnership with the Circle of Care, which provides practical, emotional, and financial assistance to CT families through programs and services that meet the unique and challenging needs of pediatric cancer treatment. The HBRA’s Professional Women in Building Council has partnered with Circle of Care as part of the Art From The Heart program to design and build room makeovers for children currently undergoing cancer treatment. CLICK HERE to see a recap of our first two projects, and stay tuned for information about our upcoming 2024 projects!

THANK YOU

Thank you to Kirt Washington for photos & videography, and Rocky Progano from MediaCom Inc. for A/V. A huge thank you again to our sponsors: Torrco Design Center, National Lumber Inc., Karp Associates Inc., Guiltec Development, Marvin, Superior Hearth Spas & Leisure, Polcer Home LLC, Klar Studio, Innerspace Electronics Inc., Breakwater Renovation & Design, and Artistic Iron Works LLC.

Congratulations

2023 AWARD WINNERS

NEW MEMBER OF THE YEAR Joe Stroll, DB Essentials

Custom luxury design. Highly-trained consultants with exte product knowledge. If the goal is modern design that create ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR stunning statement, Northeast Architectural in Mamaroneck Mindy Gerhardt, Cornerstone Contracting the choice for exclusive services from conception to installa

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Northeast Building Supply

Choose windows and doo industry leaders such as Millwork, Arcadia Custom Centor, Cortizo, Reynaers Aluminum, contemporary cabinetry from Cabbone decorative hardware from collections of Accurate Lo Hardware, Buster & Punch SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR Street Bra Formani, Water Interstate + Lakeland Lumber Colonial Bronze.

northeastarchitectural.com 16 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

914.630.7849

Congratulations

2023 AWARD WINNERS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Michelle Hughes, Tile America

MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Lora Mazurak, Torrco Design Center

REMODELER OF THE YEAR Polcer Home LLC

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Robin Carroll, Karp Associates

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 17

Congratulations

2023 AWARD WINNERS

BUILDER OF THE YEAR DeRosa Builders

Because you need the solution before you have the problem.

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE AWARD

Geoff Knapp, Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group

HALL OF FAME Steven Roth

f General Contractor Construction Liability f Commercial Auto f Workers Compensation f Subcontractor Risk Transfer f OSHA Compliance Assistance f HR Resources

Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group has insured Custom Home Builders, Contractors, and Artisan Trades for over 85 years with our preferred insurance carrier partnerships. We will deliver high-touch service to provide transparency, competitive pricing, and tailored coverage. Your business is one that deserves to be protected, we would love to hear from you.

A family owned and operated, Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agency providing Business, Personal and Group Benefits.

2022 Home Builder's Ad.indd 1

18 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

1-203-834-5900 www.toofer.com #risksynergy

4/27/22 3:55 PM

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.

LO V E T H E L I F E YO U S E E. Learn more at andersenwindows.com “Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2022 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. DMS 01/22

Andersen is proud to support the Home Builders and Remodelers Assn. of Fairfield County and its members. DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 19

HOBI Awards

RECAP On November 15th, members and guests from the HBRA of Fairfield County joined with members from the other three local CT HBRAs to celebrate the 29th Annual HOBI Awards. Connecticut’s most prestigious housing awards and one of the largest Builder awards programs, the HOBIs offer recognition to builders, remodelers and members of the housing industry for excellence in home design and construction, home technology, sales and marketing and home finance. Congratulations to all of the award winners, especially our Fairfield County winners! A special thank you to Joanne Carroll and the HBRA of CT for another great year. CLICK HERE to see the full list of winners.

20 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 21

22 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

RING’S END

RING’S END COMPANY CULTURE Strategic Vision

Since 1902

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.

RingsEnd.com | 800·390·1000

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 passion join the Ring’s End team today!

Scan to apply

RingsEnd.com/careers 24 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

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) APPLY ONLINE Workplace flexibility Education Assistance Program Employee Wellness Program Legal Consultation Program

NEW MEMBERS

All The Details Inc. | Linda Coursen

All The Detials furnishes and installs steel and glass doors and windows for exterior and interior use for residential and commercial projects. Read More

Spray Foam Genie Fairfield CO | Anna Li

Spray Foam Genie has completed thousands of spray foam jobs across the U.S. With decades of experience in the construction and insulation industry, our knowledgeable staff will ensure the spray foam is installed safely and correctly to give you the best insulation and R-value possible. Read More

Homecare By Fabricare | Jeff Miller

If it’s in your home, we can clean it. HomeCare by Fabricare is the top-rated cleaning service in Darien, Norwalk, and Fairfield CT and all of coastal Connecticut. We are more than the best carpet cleaning service, more than the #1 upholstery cleaning or furniture cleaning service, and more than the best Persian rug cleaner and even more than the leading drapery cleaning or blinds cleaning service. Read More

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 25

26 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

JOB BAN K

AVAILAB LE J O B S : 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. Bear Paw Builders Inc. JOB TITLE: Part Time Bookkeeper START DATE: immediately Salary: $30-$35 per hour SUMMARY: Experienced bookkeeper experienced in construction job costing with QuickBooks. CONTACT: peter@bpaw.com Chloe Winston Lighting Design JOB TITLE: Showroom Coordinator RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with showroom opening and closing duties, answer phones and make customer appointments, greet customers in showroom and make them feel welcomed, receive deliveries and help with in-store merchandise pick-ups, liaise with showroom, manufacturers, and designers, architects, builders and retail customers, and support sales team. HOURS: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm Email resume to hello@chloewinstonlighting.com

C L IC K HE R E FOR DE TA ILS DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 27

COUNTY HAS ALL YOUR APPLIANCE & SMART HOME NEEDS SALES | SERVICE | INSTALLATION | CONCIERGE SUPPORT | BUILDER PROGRAMS

BEST SERVICE at the Guaranteed

BEST PRICE IN STORE AND ONLINE

countytv

COUNTYTV.COM

@countytvandappliancect

2770 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06905

info@countytv.com

203-327-2630

JOB BAN K

AVAILAB LE J O B S : (Co nti nued) These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.

SUMMARY: Full time - secures new business while building and maintaining relationships with customers.

NEW!

Lansing Building Products, LLC JOB TITLE: Outside Sales - Norwalk, CT (lever.co) START DATE: immediately

CONTACT: (203) 831-0977 or george.harvey@lansingbp.com 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.

C L IC K HE R E FOR DE TA ILS DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 29

WE'RE MOVING! As of January 2024, our new mailing address is:

357 Commerce Dr., Ste. 320246 Fairfield, CT 06825

Please update your records. 30 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 31

Workplace retirement plans have become mandatory for all Connecticut businesses with 5 or more employees (MyCTSavings Plan)

Fortunately for you the HBRA has you covered with the

HBRA Member Retirement Program!

Higher contribution limits, plan design flexibility, and higher income limits are just a few potential reasons why the HBRA Member Retirement Program may make more sense for your business. You build homes down to every detail of what your customer is looking for, so why not build your own retirement plan the same way! John V. DiMatteo CFP®, CPFA

203-924-5408 jdimatteo@dimatteofinancial.com

N EWS

How Social Media and AI Are Impacting Home Design Projects Every home design consultation begins with trying to understand the wants and needs of the home owner, hopefully with some inspiration photos from the client. But what happens when those inspo images aren’t real? With the advancements in AI and its entrance into the mainstream, this has become more of a reality for designers. It’s likely happened to us all in one way or another: An image online looks normal, but upon further inspection, the background elements are slightly off, and the colors appear less realistic. We realize it’s entirely AIgenerated. Social media has sped up the lifespan of home design trends and developed its own trend terminology for many of them. For designers and contractors, this challenge comes to a head in a variety of ways.

New Advocacy Videos Keep Members Up to Date on Key Issues NAHB works relentlessly to advocate for its members on numerous issues affecting residential construction such as supply-chain challenges, building regulations, energy codes and many more. To help keep members up to date, NAHB's advocacy leaders and subject matter experts have created brief video recordings highlighting the latest initiatives.

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 33

“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

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN: FOREHAND + PARTNERS ARCHITECTURE: NATHAN J TOPF ARCHITECTS BUILDER: HALLMARK ASSOCIATES

Contact Associate Publisher, Roberta Mancuso to learn how New England Home Connecticut can enhance your marketing efforts. rmancuso@nehomemag.com | 203.530.9593 Proud media sponsor of the HBRA of Fairfield Country

nehomemag.com

N EWS

Nominate Young Leaders for Pro Remodeler’s Forty Under 40

The Fed Projects Lower Rates in 2024

For 13 years, Pro Remodeler’s annual Forty Under 40 award has recognized the best and brightest young remodeling and home improvement pros. The award celebrates leadership, professional growth and achievement, creative problem-solving, and a passion for excellence.

The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee held the federal funds rate constant at a top target rate of 5.5% at the conclusion of its December meeting. Marking a third consecutive meeting holding the federal funds rate constant, it now appears the Fed has ended its tightening of monetary policy. The Fed will continue to reduce its balance sheet holdings of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities as part of quantitative tightening and balance sheet normalization.

Know a trailblazing young professional making an impact on the industry? Nominate them for Pro Remodeler’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2024. Eligible nominees include company owners, managers, design and marketing professionals, salespeople, administrative staff, and members of the production team. Nominees must be 39 or younger as of Dec. 31, 2024. There is no fee to enter. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 15, 2024. Learn more about the award and details for nominations at proremodeler.com.

8 Pet-Friendly Home Features Pet Owners Prefer According to 2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, almost half of occupied housing units (63.8 million) have at least one pet. And a recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey shows that consumers spent more than $100 billion on pet-related expenses in 2021, far exceeding other categories. As pet ownership continues to rise, so does the demand for homes that cater to the unique needs of four-legged companions. From fenced yards to pet-friendly interior designs, the emphasis on creating a harmonious living space for both home owners and their pets is reshaping the concept of an ideal home. The integration of pet-friendly features not only enhances the quality of life for home owners but also presents new opportunities for builders to meet the diverse needs of today’s home buyers. According to NAHB’s What Home Buyers Really Want, here are a few home features that play a crucial role in attracting pet owners and influencing their home-buying decisions: 1. Fenced Yards: Many pet owners prioritize homes with fenced yards, providing a safe space for their pets to roam freely. 2. Gardens and Landscaping: Pet-friendly landscaping, such as a well-maintained lawn or a garden, can be an attractive feature. 3. Pet-Friendly Flooring: Durable and easy-to-clean flooring materials, such as hardwood, tile or laminate, are often preferred by pet owners.

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.

36 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

N EWS

Top Colors for 2024 A change in color can be an immediate mood booster in any space, and a new year is a great time for a refresh. With so many options available, though, it may seem daunting to choose. Here are the top styles that paint manufacturers have chosen as their colors of the year for 2024 as a guide. Warm and Soft Wellness has become a key component in the home in the postpandemic era, and creating a comfortable environment — whether through building techniques or interior design — is critical for a space where everyone can live, play and work. Paint manufacturers are taking notice, as shown by the warm, soft hues they’ve selected for 2024.

In a Win for NAHB, House Passes Key Building Codes Bill The House approved NAHBsupported legislation that would help jurisdictions preserve local control over the building code adoption process while also encouraging communities to take positive steps to withstand and recover from extreme events.

Pantone – Peach Fuzz “is a heartfelt peach hue bringing a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration.

The Promoting Resilient Buildings Act (H.R. 5473) addresses an issue that has become a serious concern for local governments and home builders across the country.

Here are some examples:

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 37

NOW HIRING! INTERNS | PROJECT COORDINATORS | PROJECT MANAGERS (ALL LEVELS)

LEARN MORE & APPLY ON FULCRUMCOMPANY.COM/CAREERS/

Construction Project Management for Owners, Developers, Lenders and Investors Entitlements Master Planning Cost Estimating Scheduling Contractor Evaluation

Construction Management Draw Preparation QA/QC Oversight Project Closeout Page Turn/Peer Review CONTACT US

fulcrumcompany.com

(877) 664-9642

N EWS

Amidst Housing Slowdown, Exurban Areas Post Largest Construction Gains For the third consecutive quarter, single-family growth rates were negative for all geographic sectors of the nation, as exurban areas posted the largest increase in market share for both single-family and multifamily construction, according to the latest findings from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) for the third quarter of 2023. “Rising mortgage rates, elevated construction costs and chronic construction labor shortages have led to negative quarterly growth rates in single-family home building for all geographic markets since the beginning of 2023,” said NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey, a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Ala. Read More

Codes and Housing Affordability Talking Points Available for Members To help members articulate key housing priorities, NAHB’s Monthly Update provides the latest messaging framework for the Federation. An exclusive benefit for NAHB members and local and state association leaders, the Monthly Update provides top-line information on housing economics and the housing priorities for the Federation. Read More

We do everything (including the bathroom sink) We did this. The whole thing. The faucets. The hardware. The cabinetry. The sink. The tile. And, the mirrors. Multiple brands, all from one company. Holistically designed by Bender to bring form, function, and flow together – beautifully. Now your clients can shop the look at Bender.

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 39

trust the experts AMAZING SHOWROOMS | INSIGHTFUL ADVICE

BROOKFIELD

FAIRFIELD

NEW LONDON

MANCHESTER

STAMFORD

NEW HAVEN

WEST HARTFORD

Try our Visualizer @TileAmerica.com 40 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

APRIL 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 40

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U.S. International Trade Commission: Canadian Lumber Duties Can Stay in Place The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced today that it will not rescind the existing combined countervailing and antidumping duties totaling roughly 9% on certain Canadian softwood lumber products coming into the United States. In a press release announcing a five-year sunset review process, the ITC said that it “determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain softwood lumber products from Canada would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from Canada will remain in place.”

HUD Proposes 30-Day Notice Rule for Nonpayment of Rent The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed a rule that would require public housing agencies (PHA) with tenants in public housing and owners of properties participating in HUD multifamily project-based rental assistance (PBRA) programs to provide their tenants with written notification at least 30 days prior to filing for an eviction due to nonpayment of rent in court. The proposed rule would also require that the 30-day notice include instructions on how tenants can cure lease violations for nonpayment of rent, and information on how to recertify their income and request a minimum rent hardship exemption if applicable to avoid eviction.

New IRS Electronic File Mandate Set for 2024 NAHB is reminding all business owners to work with their tax professionals to ensure you are prepared for the new mandatory e-file requirements taking effect next year. Starting in 2024, taxpayers submitting 10 or more returns, which includes Form 1099, must file most tax return information electronically. For 2023, taxpayers are only required to file electronically if submitting more than 250 returns. In February, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final rules for electric filing of returns pursuant to The Taxpayer Fairness Act (TFA) of 2019. The TFA allowed the IRS to reduce to 10 the threshold number of returns where the IRS may mandate e-filing beginning in 2023, but the IRS delayed those changes until 2024 to allow taxpayers more time to prepare. The final regulations require taxpayers to aggregate almost all information return types in determining whether they meet the 10-return threshold. Returns affected include partnership returns, corporate income tax returns, unrelated business income tax returns, withholding tax returns, and registration statements, disclosure statements, notifications, actuarial reports and certain information and excise tax returns. Read More

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 41

CONNECTICUT LIGHTING CENTERS Your Source for ANY

Residential or Commercial Lighting Project Providing excellent service and the LARGEST SELECTION & INVENTORY in the Northeast: X

Design Consultation including on-site walk-throughs and Recessed lighting layouts Large offering and inventory of integrated LED Recessed Lighting Indoor and Outdoor Lighting for all applications Door, Cabinet & Bath Hardware Motorized & Manual Window Shades Lutron Lighting Controls Standard Wallbox to HomeWorks Bath Ventilation Fans Builder programs

www.CTLighting.com

SOUTHINGTON 860-621-7585 50 GRAHAM PLACE (I-84• EXIT 32) – next to Pilgrim Furniture

HARTFORD 860-249-7631 312 MURPHY RD (I-91•EXIT 27)

HOURS: M-F 8-6, Sat 9-5, Sun closed

42 HBRA offamily Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023 Locally owned & operated since 1972 – now in 3rd generation.

N EWS

4 Steps to Keep Your Workers Safe in Cold Weather

FHA Increases Loan Limits for 2024

With much of the United States experiencing the first arctic blast of the season, it’s a good time to review proper cold weather jobsite safety.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Nov. 28 announced its loan limits for 2024. The FHA floor will increase from $472,030 to $498,257 for single-family home loans. The floor amount is the lowest the FHA loan limit can be for any area of the country. FHA’s ceiling loan limits, the maximum loan amount the agency will insure, will increase from $1,089,300 to $1,149,825 for a single-family property. The ceiling rises even higher to $1,724,725 in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The most obvious area of concern is protecting workers from the bodily dangers posed by cold weather. As temperatures drop and wind speed increases, heat leaves the body more rapidly. This can lead to cold-induced injuries including hypothermia, which occurs when skin temperature lowers leading to declining internal body temperature and frostbite. To keep everyone safe, take these basic steps: Stay aware of weather forecasts. Employers should watch the local weather for extreme developments. If possible, schedule work during the warmest part of the day.

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44 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 45

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46 HBRA of Fairfield County | DECEMBER 2023

Will Contento Huber Engineered Woods 781.910.1763 william.contento@huber.com

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DECEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 47

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