March 2021 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 - M A R C H 2 0 2 1

UPCOMING

April GMM Virtual Wine Tasting

FEATURES Member News COVID-19 Resources Latest Updates

MEMBER BENEFITS mynpp.com NAHB Benefits

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

2021 2021 OFFICERS President Kim DiMatteo

DiMatteo Insurance

Sr. Vice-President John Hertz Hertz Construction

Vice President Rob Michaud

The Michaud Group

Secretary Steve LoParco

LoParco Associates

Treasurer Steven Roth

Elevator Service Company

Immediate Past President Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders

PWB Chair Stephanie Rapp

Stephanie Rapp Interiors

2021 DIRECTORS Luigi Altamura Altamura Homes

Propane Pete Battaglio Hocon Gas

Max Bender Bender Supply

Karen Bradbury

Closet & Storage Concepts

Ken DeLeo

Doherty & DeLeo

Brian Kurtz

Interstate Lumber

Peter Sciarretta

Hemingway Construction

Alex Shook

Pella Commercial

Michael Wood Wood Builders

LIFE DIRECTORS Joanne Carroll JMC Resources

Michael Palumbo ERI Building & Design

Jerry Effren The Greyrock Companies

Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders

Gary Fanali City Carting

Terrence Beaty William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Peter Fusaro Preferred Builders

Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc.

2021.

L ET T ER F RO M TH E EXECUTIVE OF FICER

Hello Members, I am so excited we are able to meet in person again! April 7 will be our first in person meeting of the year, held at Pinstripe’s outdoor patio from 6-8. If you have not yet, make sure you register here. We know that some people are not comfortable meeting in person yet, so we have set up a virtual wine tasting followed by virtual networking on April 22. Register here. 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

Do you have news, project photos, or press releases to share? Please send an email to hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com so they can be shared in upcoming newsletters.

CREATE YOUR DREAM BACKYARD PARADISE WITH TREX DECKING

1452 Barnum Ave, Bridgeport, CT

northeastco.com

203.366.4757 #jointeamnortheast

U P COMIN G EVEN TS

April 7, 2021 | In Person General Membership Meeting at Pinstripes: We’ve missed our members! Join the HBRA of Fairfield County for our first in-person General Membership Meeting of 2021, at the outdoor patio at Pinstripes in the Norwalk Mall. HBRA Members: $55.00 General Admission: $65.00 Open bar (beer and wine) and assorted, individually served appetizers. All attendees MUST pre-register by Friday 4/2. ABSOLUTELY NO WALK-INS will be allowed for this event.

April 22, 2021 | Virtual Virtual Wine Tasting Networking Event Bring the vineyard to you! Join the HBRA of Fairfield County for a virtual wine tasting and networking event. An expert from Connecticut’s Gouveia Vineyards will guide attendees as they sample three wines at home: Seyval (white), Whirlwind Rosé (rosé), and Stonehouse Red (red). We will follow the tasting with networking. $45.00 per person, includes three half bottles of wine and an HBRA logo wine glass.

WILL CONTENTO HUBER ENGINEERED WOODS

781.910.1763 william.contento@huber.com

© 2020 Huber Engineered Woods LLC. ZIP System, AdvanTech the accompanying ZIP System and AdvanTech logos and designs are trademarks of Huber Engineered Woods LLC. Huber is a trademark of J.M. Huber Corporation. HUB 82221 REV 4/20

MARCH 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 7

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

N EW MEMBERS

BeachWalk Homes, LLC Oscar Leal

BeachWalk Homes designs and builds superior quality, modern, shingle style homes in coastal Connecticut. In addition, we manage select striking renovations, including entire homes, kitchens, and baths.

Veteran Builders, LLC Adam Daigle

Veteran Builders is a family-owned and veteran-run company, right here in Connecticut. Owner and founder Adam Daigle brings his extensive experience to the company, leading the team with a solid foundation of communication, consistency, and collaboration. Our customers appreciate the values we uphold: dependability, integrity, trust, pride, and discipline.Read More

Newest Affiliate Members

Mara Skowronek

TORRCO Design Center

HOBI AWARDS HOME BUILDING INDUSTRY AWARDS

CONNECTICUT HOBI AWARDS November 17, 2021| AQUA TURF CLUB

HBRA OF CONNECTICUT

Don’t forget! The HOBI Entry portal is open

THE HOBI AWARDS ARE ON!

The NEW HOBI Landing page allows entrants to apply electronically!

Deadline to apply will be June 25, 2021! We have some excitingthe new categories this year, including We are thrilled to announce next HOBI Awards Dinner COVID-19 related awards. Click here information. willfor bemore held on November 17, 2021! Be a part of Connecticut’s

premier Home Building Industry Awards. With an audience 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 9 of successful builders, remodelers MARCH and land developers

Renovations are exciting, but they can also cause a lot of waste. According to the EPA, around 600 million tons of construction and demolition materials are thrown away in the U.S. every year. These discarded materials come from building demolitions and renovations and their total weight is more than double that of all other yearly U.S. municipal solid waste. Fairfield HBRA member Freya Bromwich, Recovery and Donations Specialist at the Center for EcoTechnology, works with builders, cabinet designers, kitchen and bath suppliers, lumberyards, and homeowners across CT to accept donations of new and quality used building materials. Freya will be a featured panelist at CET’s upcoming webinar, Deconstructing Deconstruction. This hour-long event will include an exciting virtual presentation about deconstruction and reusing building materials and then a panel discussion about the deconstruction process. 10 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2021

Home Built for the Future Will Save Energy, Withstand Climate Change and be Healthier On a small plot of land near Long Island Sound, construction of The Next Great American Home is nearing completion, featuring energy-efficient and cost-effective construction that is meant to serve as a model for the future of home building in the United States. Architect Leigh Overland designed the project, where he and his wife will live, to showcase the newest and most consumer-friendly construction techniques. Progress on the house can be seen online, along with descriptions of methods and materials, and now you are invited to tour the site and view all details before sheetrock is installed. The most obvious break from traditional construction is Overland’s use of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) instead of wood framing. In fact, now is the

time for builders and architects to explore ICF construction. There is still a national lumber shortage for a variety of reasons: new safety protocols that slowed mill production, a spike in home remodeling, and a massive wildfire season. ICF consists of hard-foam forms filled with concrete to create the exterior walls of the house. ICF cuts energy bills by up to 75%, and the accompanying air regulation system makes the building healthier by preventing entry to pollen and mold. The concrete walls make it stronger and quieter than a wood-frame home, as well as rot proof and much more fire resistant. The home is located on Ash Creek in Fairfield, Connecticut, on a piece of property that would be unbuildable without the techniques being employed. The foundation is bound to the land with Helical anchors, with the first floor elevated above the flood plain to withstand even the most dangerous storms. Overland, who has incorporated ICF into his work for the past nine years, was the architect for a Connecticut house featured in

ABC’s “Extreme Home Makeover — Home Addition” in 2007. He designed the Ash Creek home with many features to improve sustainability, including triple-paned tilt-turn windows from Europe and elements that withstand all types of weather. Construction includes: · Lite Deck concrete floors · SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) roofing · Factory-made metal stud interior walls · In-floor radiant heat and cooling Overland has created a community barn-raising atmosphere similar to his Makeover experience. More than 50 contractors and consultants agreed to work with him to construct the house and provide customized finishes and features. The goal for the team is to change the way homes are built by making replicable innovations available to the home-buying public and the construction industry. Read More MARCH 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 11

P W B MEMBER SPOTLIGH T

Get to know the Professional Women in Building Council better. Each month we will be highlighting members who are active participants in PWB, the council where women in the building industry connect with each other through networking, education and peer support. Sara L. Tucker is Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer & Director of Business Banking. She oversees the commercial lending, business banking relationship management, and cash management services functions of First County Bank since 2015. As a member of the Senior Management Team, she participates in the overall strategic planning of the bank. Sara has over 30 years of experience in banking and financial services and provides leadership and direction in the overall growth and risk management of the bank including lending, business development and portfolio management. She coordinates collaborate efforts with Retail, Cash Management, and Trust Advisors to serve her clients. Sara received her M.B.A. in Finance and International Business from New York University, Stem School and attended Binghamton University (SUNY) for her ungrad with a B.A. in Economics.

Sara Tucker

First County Bank @Sara_tucker1 linkedin.com/in/tuckersara/

Sara lives in Piermont, NY with her husband. She has two sons, who are young adults. Sara enjoys skiing, traveling, cycling, cooking and gardening. She is passionate about the environment. Sara volunteers her time to various non-profit organizations in Fairfield County.

Karen Bradbury is the Owner of Closet & Storage Concepts, a home organization franchise that has been creating custom storage solutions for closet storage, mud room, pantry, laundry room, garage, home office and more for over 20 years. Karen purchased the Norwalk based Franchise in 2012 and her geographic coverage is all of Connecticut and Westchester County in New York. Prior to embarking on an entrepreneurial path Karen’s career was focused on the corporate real estate industry for over 30 years as Vice President of Global Corporate Real Estate for The Nielsen Company where she managed a global real estate portfolio of over 6 million square feet. In 2007 Karen became Managing Director Outsourcing for CB Richard Ellis in London where she managed the transition of employees and real estate services to CB Richard Ellis for companies such as Shell Oil and Nokia Siemens Networks. In 2010 Karen moved back to the States and continued her career Karen Bradbury with CB Richard Ellis working out of their NYC office and managing Closet & Storage Concepts the outsourced real estate services for American Express for 2 years. www.closetandstorageconcepts. com/norwalk-connecticut/

MARCH 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 13

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR COVID RESOURCES PAGE? Visit https://buildfairfieldcounty.com/covid-19-local-and-national-updates/ for the latest news

- Do you have news about your business that you would like to share with the HBRA membership? Email design@buildfairfieldcounty.com to coordinate an instagram story or a newsletter feature.

14 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2021

N AH B N EWS

In a Win for NAHB, Public Charge Rule is Officially Rescinded

Call for NAHB Members to Represent Builders on New ICC Energy Code Committees

The Biden Administration has withdrawn a problematic immigration rule that hindered lawful immigration and complicated matters for affordable housing providers. Following invalidation Previously, the final decision for what goes into the energy in the courts, the Department of code was decided by government officials in a final vote. The process will now shift instead to an American National Standards Homeland Security published notice in the Federal Register on March Institute (ANSI) standards process. The IECC will now be determined by two new committees that steer the development 15 that officially rescinded the “Inadmissibility on Public Charge process: A Residential Energy Code Consensus Committee and Grounds” regulation, known as the a Commercial Energy Code Consensus Committee (which also “Public Charge Rule,” and restored includes mid- and high-rise residential). the previous regulatory definition of Read More “public charge” first set in 1999.

The International Code Council recently made a major change to how the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will be developed. NAHB members who apply will have the opportunity to represent the construction industry on the new committees that will drive this code’s development.

Like My Clients, I Am Uniquely Impressed. Designer Lawrence Levy has a passion for making every project special. “When some fellow designers introduced me to Bender, I was amazed to find everything I needed right there to create my own unique space. Plus, Bender’s knowledgeable and eager staff went out of their way to bring my vision to life. Another bonus was working with a talented builder like Chris O’Dell who sends his design/build clients to Bender. I love this collaboration for so many reasons”

Chris O’Dell The O’Dell Group

Lawrence Levy Interior Designer

MARCH 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 15

N AH B N EWS

Recent Rise in Interest Rates Has Priced Out 2021 Marketing Tips Every Builder Should More Than 1.3 Million Households The recent rise in mortgage interest rates during the past two Know months has priced more than 1.3 million households out of the market for a median priced home, according to analysis by NAHB.

A new NAHB study has determined that 1.3 million households would be priced out of the market for a nationwide median priced home ($346,757) if mortgage interest rates rise by a quarter-point from 2.75% to 3%. In other words, potential buyers would be forced to set their sights lower than a median-priced home — or delay their home purchase altogether. Rates were at 2.73% at the end of January and are now slightly above 3%, according to Freddie Mac. The study found that at considerably higher rates, the number of priced-out households tapers. For example, when mortgage interest rates increase from 5.25% to 5.5%, 1.1 million households are priced out of the market for a median-priced home. This diminishing effect happen because only a declining number households at the higher end of household income distribution will be affected.

Staying on top of home-buying trends is critical to creating effective marketing campaigns to target today’s prospective buyers. In the wake of COVID-19, many trends leading into the pandemic have either shifted or accelerated, including how people live in their homes and what features are important to them. Are you up to speed on the latest information? Now is a great time to hone your knowledge and your skills with these top sessions from the IBSx Education & Exhibitor Showcase:

16 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2021

MARCH 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 17

N AH B N EWS

Save on Live Virtual Courses in April During Virtual Learning Month NAHB Education offers a variety of dynamic full-day virtual courses where participants learn strategies and solutions from industry experts and dig deep into leading industry topics.

Congress Extends PPP Application Deadline to May 31 This post was updated on March 30.

During Virtual Learning Month in April, let renowned instructors and leading industry voices guide you to better business or career growth With a March 31 deadline looming, the Senate voted — all for a discounted price you won’t see again this year. 92-7 today to approve the PPP The full-day (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) comprehensive courses will advance Extension Act. The legislation your knowledge in a single day. You can choose from nine dynamic will extend the filing deadline for courses and earn six hours of continuing education credits for each Paycheck Protection Program course: (PPP) applications by 60 days Business Accounting and Job Costing (Tuesday, April 6) and provide an additional 30 days for the U.S. Small Business Estimating and Scheduling for Profitable Business Operations Administration to finish (Thursday, April 8) processing applications received Project Management (Saturday, April 10) by the new May 31 deadline. The New Home Sales Professional (Tuesday, April 13) Financial Management (Thursday, April 15) Understanding Today’s New Home Buyer (Tuesday, April 20) Construction Contracts and Law (Tuesday, April 22) Marketing and Sales Building for Building Professionals (Saturday, April 24) Advanced High-Performance Building: Best Practices for Climate Zones (Tuesday, April 27)

The House approved the legislation on March 16 by a similar overwhelming 415-3 margin and President Biden signed the measure into law on March 30.

Prior to the House vote, NAHB and other organizations signed Plus, as part of Virtual Learning Month, participants will receive three a coalition letter urging the bonus offers: House and Senate to approve the legislation. 20% off publications at BuilderBooks.com Each course is available at $50 off the regular price in April.

20% off the full NAHB Contracts Suite Free copy of ICC 700-2020 National Green Building Standard® Learn more and register for the courses at nahb.org/vlm. Read More

18 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2021

N A H B BES T IN AMERICAN LIVIN G

Critical Home Repairs Delayed Because of Sky-High Lumber Prices As lumber prices remain sky high, home-building activities continue to suffer across all aspects of the industry — including remodeling projects. Home owners have had an opportunity while sheltering in place to examine their homes and identify key areas in need of repair. But many have been apprehensive to tackle these projects because of the uncertain costs and availability of project materials. “When talking to prospective clients about projects, lumber pricing is now always part of the discussion, as they are aware of the issue, and are all concerned about how that may impact the cost of their projects,” shared Kenneth Kostecki, a contractor/remodeler from Virginia. Read More

How Well Is Your Business Prepared for a Post-COVID Workplace? The events of 2020 caused many companies to shift their operations dramatically, from how to engage with customers to remote operations to implementing new technology. As companies continue to adapt in the changing pandemic environment, it’s a good time to revisit current business operations, and explore opportunities for success in 2021 and beyond. Read More

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA MOSS; CHRISTOPHER PAGLIARO ARCHITECTS, MARK P. FINLAY INTERIORS, FLETCHER DEVELOPMENT

“Our ads in New England Home generate leads from clients who later discover that we have worked for their friends and colleagues. We often meet people both inside and outside of our business life who say ‘We saw you in New England Home!’”

—Daniel Conlon, DANIEL CONLON ARCHITECTS

nehomemag.com

Contact Associate Publisher, Roberta Mancuso to learn how New England Home Connecticut can help generate business for your company. rmancuso@nehomemag.com | 203.530.9593

MARCH 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 19

20 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2021

22 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2021

HBRA of Fairfield County 23 Have a sales question?MARCH Email Ed2021 at ed.schultek@sandler.com.

24 HBRA of Fairfield County | MARCH 2021

MARCH 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 25

RingsEnd.com

Lumber

Building Materials

Decking & Fencing Hardware

Your Inspiration. Our Expertise.

800•390•1000

Windows & Doors

Moulding

Kitchens

Paint & Design