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: Polcer Home LLC
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“Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2022 Andersen Corporation. All
Andersen is proud to support the Home Builders and Remodelers Assn. of Fairfield County and its members.
EXECUTIVE WELCOME LETTER
Hello Members,
We are preparing for a busy and productive 2025 and we’re excited to see you in the new year! We are very excited and will be bringing new events and education for you to enjoy. Our first GMM of the year will be our annual PWB hosted GMM at Waterware in Stamford on February 5th.
As a reminder, IBS will be taking place on February 25-27 in Las Vegas. I hope to see you there!
For those of you who don’t know, we have recently launched a new Young Professionals Recruitment Program. For nonmembers aged 45 years and under, their first year dues is now only $75! Please let nonmembers you know of this great deal!
As you may have already seen, we rolled out a new website. This website is designed to market you and your business! In conjunction with that, we have been doing a social media push to promote your businesses on our new website. We are always looking for new content- If you are interested in a spotlight or want to write an article, please let me know.
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. ”
6pm - 9pm Wednesday, Feb. 5th
Waterware Showrooms of Stamford Waterware Showrooms of Stamford 92 Research Drive, Stamford CT 92 Research Drive, Stamford CT Meet & network with members of the PWB Council and enjoy light bites, beer & wine.
Immediate Past President John Hertz Hertz Construction Inc.
President: Rob Michaud Michaud Development Group
Senior VP: Brian Kurtz Interstate + Lakeland Lumber
VP & Treasurer: Chris Shea Domus Constructors, LLC
Secretary: Karen Bradbury Closet & Storage Concepts
Lisa Heldwhite Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC
Geoff Knapp Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group
Tori McBrien McBrien Interiors
Bepin Mgushi Fixitup Building and Remodeling
Kevin Polcer Polcer Home, LLC
George Pusser Cornerstone Contracting
Stephanie Rapp Stephanie Rapp Interiors, LLC
Joanne Carroll JMC Resources
Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders
Kim DiMatteo Cross Insurance
Jerry Effren
The Greyrock Companies
Gary Fanali City Carting
Peter Fusaro Preferred Builders
Michael Palumbo ERI Building & Design
Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders
Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc.
NAHB has launched a
matching campaign to support rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by natural disasters this year.
NAHB will match donations made to the Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund (HBIDRF) from 11/1/24 to 3/1/25.
$150 Expo Pass | $695 Expo+Education Pass *NAHB Member pricing valid through February 22, 2025
Members of the HBRA of Fairfield County are automatically NAHB Members, which means that you can experience the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) at the member rate.
Top trends & strategies to wow your customers
Construction demos & incredible innovations
Connect with business partners & industry experts
CLICK HERE to Learn More & Register!
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a r e a l s o e l i g i b l e t o j o i n o u r Y o u n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s
C o m m i t t e e , d e d i c a t e d t o f o s t e r i n g n e t w o r k i n g ,
g r o w t h a n d m e n t o r s h i p t o o u r i n d u s t r y
p r o f e s s i o n a l s t h a t a r e 4 5 a n d u n d e r .
E m a i l u s t o j o i n : h b r a @ b u i l d f a i r f i e l d c o u n t y . c o m
Register for ONLY $195* to experience the products, connections and experts you won’t see anywhere else!
*Save up to $600. See BuildersShow.com/fees-and-deadlines for details.
READ MORE
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Check Out Some of Our Most Popular Articles
A sold-out crowd joined us January 14th to roll into the New Year at our annual Bowling Bash, presented by Ring’s End!
We had a great time with friends, fun prizes, fried food (sponsored by California Closets), delicious cookies (sponsored by Dawn Barson - EOS Implementer), and ugly bowling shirts!
Our awards were sponsored by Welte Electronic Systems. Congratulations to our 1st Place Team, National Lumber: Erica Azzarito, Rich Azzarito, Tom Carroll, David, Shane.
Our 2nd Place Team was sponsored by Tooher-Ferraris Insurance: Amber Penberthy, Bepin Mgushi, John Blaschke, Rebecca St. Germain, Stephen Williams, Tori McBrien.
Congratulations also to our High Rollers (highest individual bowling scores), Rich Azzarito (Men) and Erica Azzarito (Women).
Air Plus Inc. broke out their ugliest bowling shirts to win our Ugly Bowling Shirt contest!
Thank you to all our sponsors and our attendees for a great night!
Access to 1:1 well-being coaching
Premium gym options at exercise studios, outdoor experiences, and others with 20%70% discounts at most locations
Membership options for your spouse
250+ wearable trackers and apps to track your activity and stay on top of your goals
As the Director of Marketing for Northeast, Rachel Foster oversees the marketing strategy across all divisions in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Her responsibilities include leading advertising, public relations, email marketing,
builder Chris Shea, we have earned a stellar reputation as the preferred choice for a wide range of home building and renovation projects. Whether it's new construction, tear-down, restoration of an older home, or expansion of an existing space, we collaborate closely to ensure that the outcome exceeds expectations.
Our team of seasoned veterans is dedicated to delivering exceptional services and exquisite craftsmanship. We take the time to understand lifestyle preferences and leverage our expertise to provide tailored recommendations that optimize the work accordingly. We prioritize transparent and timely communication, eliminating any last-minute decisions or unwelcome surprises. At Domus Constructors, upholding the highest standards of integrity and quality throughout the entire building process is our utmost priority. Through enduring relationships with reputable suppliers and subcontractors, we secure the best value for the products and services utilized in your home.
Since our establishment, we have consistently delivered integrity,
Cuono Engineering Started in the late spring of 2012. At the time Ciro was in his late 30’s and had left a position in a NYC Firm where he had worked for some time. The main goal for Cuono Engineering has always been and continues to be to create a place of value.. Read More
With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Elite Interior Renovations is a trusted expert in transforming spaces.. Read More
Milos and Praz are a Design and Development company based out of Old Greenwich, CT. Read More
DeMartino Construction LLC | Joseph M. DeMartino
ProSource fulfills your vision.What you imagine is what they deliver . Read More
Shawna Feeley is an interior designer serving all of Farifield County Read More
An immersive experience transforms a space into a home. West | Out East is more than just a showroom—it’s a curated community that brings together a thoughtfully selected array of brands, each with its own story, style, and essence. Read More
As the region’s largest As the reat-your-service window and door company, we serve Connecticut and New York’s Westchester, Dutchess and Putnam counties. Read More
Looking for the best hearth, hot tubs, and saunas in Connecticut? Superior Hearth. Spas & Leisure is the state’s largest destination for premium hearth products and spa solutions.. Read More
These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.
JOB TITLE: New Home Builder
SUMMARY:
Investor / Developer with large land / lots inventory seeks highly experienced New Home Builder for JV. Immediate construction in lower Fairfield County. You must have 7 figure equity to invest in my projects. I can self-finance 8 figure projects. I am looking for your construction expertise. Not your money.
CONTACT: Email detailed resume and contact information to hbsj7@yahoo.com
JOB TITLE: Residential Construction - Senior Project Manager (Fairfield County)
SUMMARY: In this role, you will have overall responsibility for construction of residential construction and remodeling projects including customer service, determining and purchasing required materials, reviewing scope of work, budgeting, scheduling, running sit meetings with Owners and Designers, generating project schedules, estimates, etc. For full job description and requirements click here.
CONTACT: Email chris@domusllc.com to apply
JOB TITLE: Sales Associate
SUMMARY: In this role you will interact directly with our trade and consumer clients to provide an exceptional customer experience including: driving sales to meet and exceed sales goals, new business development and account management, & showroom operations.
CONTACT: Click here to apply or Email detailed resume to dkelly@visualcomfort.com
JOB TITLE: Part Time Bookkeeper | Salary: $30-$35 per hour
SUMMARY: Experienced bookkeeper experienced in construction job costing with QuickBooks. CONTACT: peter@bpaw.com
A subflooring panel with a built-in barrier for jobsite durability.
AdvanTech X-Factor panels are the latest innovation from the subflooring brand builders have trusted for more than 20 years for the FLAT OUT BEST™ start to a quiet, stiff floor. AdvanTech X-Factor is a new class of premium subflooring with a fade-resistant, watershedding surface on a high-performance engineered wood panel. With a built-in protective top layer, it takes the moisture resistance teams expect from an AdvanTech panel to the next level and pairs well with AdvanTech™ subfloor adhesive for a Squeak-Free Guarantee™1
The built-in, water-shedding top layer provides a distinctively smooth, even, premium subfloor surface that is marker friendly and easy to clean.
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. Email resume to hello@chloewinstonlighting.com
Lansing Building Products, LLC
JOB TITLE: Outside Sales - Norwalk, CT (lever.co)
SUMMARY: Full time - secures new business while building and maintaining relationships with customers.
CONTACT: (203) 831-0977 or george.harvey@lansingbp.com
Log in at www.nahb.org
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.
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. 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
buildfairfieldcounty.com/membership-benefits-discounts/
Over the first 10 months of 2024, the total number of single-family permits issued year to date (YTD) nationwide reached 846,446 — an increase of 9.4% from the October 2023 level of 773,526.
Single-family permits were up in all four regions YTD ending in October: West (13.6%), Midwest (12.4%), Northeast (10.8%) and South (7.2%).
Between October 2024 YTD and October 2023 YTD, 46 states posted an increase in single-family permits. The range of increases spanned 33% in Montana to 0.7% in Florida.
Read More
The NAHB Federation continues to grow, and preparing its current and future member leaders for success is a top priority. As part of that initiative, the NAHB Leadership Academy was established in 2024 to further sharpen the leadership skills of NAHB members who aspire to take on larger roles.
The yearlong training program brought together a cohort of select members from across the country for a series of in-depth sessions — both virtual and in-person.
Read More
The House has passed NAHB-supported legislation that will contribute to better forest management practices, help strengthen the nation’s housing supply chain and promote affordable housing opportunities for all Americans. The Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471) will help improve the U.S. forest management system by expediting environmental reviews and ending frivolous litigation that often grinds needed forest management projects to a halt. Legal obstacles, as well as administrative barriers, have contributed to the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management’s inability to effectively manage their lands. Consequently, overgrown and poorly managed forests have dramatically increased the risk of catastrophic wildfire across the country, which are extremely destructive to Americans living in fire prone areas as well as to the forest ecosystem.
Read More
Young adults ages 25 to 34 typically make up half of all first-time home buyers. However, according to recent NAHB analysis, this demographic of would-be buyers and renters is struggling to leave the nest.
The post-pandemic trend of young adults moving out of their parents’ homes has slowed amid a housing market challenged with elevated mortgage interest rates and the worst rental affordability conditions on record.
Read More
Reps. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and Dina Titus (D-Nev.) have introduced NAHB-supported 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.
“NAHB commends Reps. Edwards and Titus for introducing the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris. “Edwards championed this legislation in the 118th Congress because he opposes needless regulatory mandates that raise housing costs. By preserving local control over the code adoption process, this legislation will reduce housing costs and help builders build more homes.”
The Promoting Resilient Buildings Act addresses an issue that has become a serious concern for local governments and home builders across the country.
Read More
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
Mortgage rates climbed in November, driven by market volatility and a surge in Treasury yields following the recent elections. On the day after the election results, the 10-year Treasury yield spiked by 14 basis points (bps), setting the stage for further rate increases throughout the month.
According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased 38 basis points from October, reaching 6.81%. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage saw an even steeper increase of 43 bps to land at 6.03%.
The 10-year Treasury yield, a key benchmark for mortgage rates, averaged 4.37% in November — 38 bps higher than October’s average. This increase reflected heightened market uncertainty and persistent volatility.
Read More
NAHB’s Young Professionals (YP) compiled a list of books that have helped inspire their careers and grow their businesses. These 10 books make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season, or purchases for yourself to get ahead of the competition.
The list features books on various topics, such as culturesetting reads like “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara.
Read More
Weds. Feb. 5: General Membership Meeting
Waterware Showrooms of Stamford | 6pm-9pm
Join us for the first GMM of the year, presented by the Professional Women in Building Council!
Tues. Feb. 25 - Thurs. Feb. 27, 2025: International Builder's Show
Las Vegas, Nevada
Don’t miss the biggest event in building! The 2025 NAHB International Builder’s Show is back in Vegas. Registration open now!
Weds. Feb 26: HBRA CT IBS Annual Party
Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Las Vegas | 5pm-8pm Vegas Time
Going to the International Builder's Show? Join the HBRA of Connecticut for for our annual IBS Party at Carmine's Las Vegas! Space is limited - register today!
Weds. March 5: “Beyond the Blueprint” Panel Presentation
Stamford Nature Center | 6pm-9pm
Save the Date for our annual panel presentation at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. More info and the link to register coming soon!
Also this year we’ll have our annual our Member Mixer with tabletop display opportunities in May, our annual Clambake in September, and as always our September Golf Classic!
Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., issued the following statement after President Trump issued an executive order on housing relief:
“NAHB commends President Trump for acting on day one to make housing a national priority by issuing an executive order that seeks to lower the cost and increase the supply of housing. President Trump understands that America is facing a housing affordability crisis and the only way out of this crisis is to remove barriers like unnecessary and costly regulations that are raising housing costs and preventing builders from building more attainable, affordable housing.
Read More
The latest edition of Building Women Magazine, available now to NAHB members, introduces 2024 Professional Women in Building (PWB) Chair Luellen Smith.
The annual magazine features Smith’s mantra of "Building the Future with PWB" where she discusses prioritizing mentorship and growth including ramping up efforts for local council support and encouraging more women to engage in mentorship.
Read More
Fueled by solid demand, single-family construction moved higher in December despite several headwinds facing the industry, including high mortgage rates, elevated financing costs for builders and a lack of buildable lots.
Overall housing starts increased 15.8% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.50 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the highest rate since February 2024.
The December reading of 1.50 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. Within this overall number, single-family starts increased 3.3% to a 1.05 million seasonally adjusted annual rate. The multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, increased 61.5% to a 449,000 pace.
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.
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
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter, posting a reading of 68, up five points 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 results of the RMI are seasonally adjusted.
Read More
NAHB has a library of dozens of jobsite safety videos that are free to anyone in the construction industry. Through a partnership with the JobSite Safety Institute and the National Housing Endowment, NAHB has been producing the Video Toolbox Talk series for years. There are informative videos on numerous safety topics such as fall prevention, ladder safety, electrical safety, mental health awareness, and more.
Read More
“Gatehouse Partners has been advertising with New England Home Connecticut since 2017, which has 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
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced its loan limits for 2025. The nationwide rise in median home prices indicates most buyers across the country will see increases.
The FHA floor will increase from $498,257 to $524,225 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 $1,149,825 to $1,209,750 for a single-family property. The ceiling rises even higher to $1,814,625 in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The following table lists the 2024 FHA loan limits for low- and high-cost areas:. Read More
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
Bethel | Branford | Danbury
Darien | Fairfield | Lewisboro | Madison
New Milford | Newtown | Niantic North Stamford | Norwalk | Orange Stamford | Stratford | Trumbull Westport | Wethersfield | Wilton
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!
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 RingsEnd.com | 800 · 390 · 1000
