October 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 - O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3

UPCOMING

FEATURES

Golf Classic - NOW 10.30.23 Awards Dinner & Casino Night Building Science Training Event PWB Sip & Paint November GMM at Ed’s Garage Door

HBRA CT Awards Dinner & Casino Night Sponsorship Opportunities November Education Offerings

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 Builder: BeachWalk Homes, LLC

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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

Rain, Rain, Go Away! Now Let's Golf! I hope you’re all doing well! Our Annual Golf Tournament was rained out for the second time this year, with the make up date being October 30. We do still have a few open spots for the 9 hole tournament and for dinner only, so if you haven’t registered yet, please register now! We have a full schedule for the end of the year. On October 24, we have a Building Science Training. On October 26, we have a PWB Paint and Sip event. November 2, we have a lunch and learn on how to survive a challenging insurance market. On November 8, we have a training for “Going from a Job to CEO” in the morning and our November GMM featuring a real estate expert in the evening. November 15 are the HOBI Awards. Congratulations to all of our Fairfield County winners!! On December 6, our Annual Awards and Casino Night will be held at Rolling Hills in Wilton. This will be a great event to end the year. I hope to see you all there! 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.

”

SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 5

Immerse Yourself in Our Showroom 360° Virtual Experience

northeastarchitectural.com

630 E Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, NY

Upcoming Events Tues. Oct. 24: Building Science Training Hotel Zero Degrees, Norwalk | 10am-12pm Educational training - breakfast included!

Mon. Oct. 30: HBRA Golf Classic Tashua Knolls Golf Course, Trumbull 9 Hole Tournament & Dinner registration still available!

Thurs. Nov. 2: Lunch & Learn - Insurance Tooher-Ferraris Insurance, Wilton | 12pm-1:30pm Learn how to survive the challenging insurance market.

Weds. Nov. 8: Seminar: "Go From A Job to CEO" Northeast Building Supply, Bridgeport | 8am-10am Learn how to become the CEO of your own trades business!

Weds. Nov. 8: November GMM Ed’s Garage Doors & Garage Living, Norwalk | 6pm-9pm Food trucks, networking, & a real estate presentation.

Weds. Nov. 15: HOBI Awards Presentation Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville | 5pm-9:30pm

Weds. Dec. 6: Awards Dinner & Casino Night Rolling Hills Country Club, Wilton | 6:30pm-10pm Celebrate our 2023 award winners, then try your luck at the tables, and bring your highest bids for some great prizes at our Silent Auction!

For more info & to register, visit

buildfairfieldcounty.com/upcomingevents SEPTEMBER 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

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/ SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 9

10 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2023

Building Science event hosted by HBRA of Fairfield Join HBRA for an educational building science program with Building Science Expert: Justin Wilson from Construction Instruction.

Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 ABOUT

JUSTIN WILSON: Justin is a is a Principal Managing Partner of Construction Instruction. As the Operations Expert, he leads research initiatives and company operations. Justin works with national and regional builders on new construction of residential and commercials buildings and forensic investigations on building sites all over North America to find solutions to problems in the building processes that affect energy, comfort, and durability. Justin works with leading building product manufacturers on new product development, testing, product refinements,installation, and maintenance guidelines. Thermal enclosure improvements, indoor air quality, occupant comfort, HVAC integration and design of homes are his primary industry interests. He also has a passion for affordable net-zero energy homes with advanced and durable thermal enclosures.

Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided. Please note there is a $20 entry fee for this event When:

10 AM - 12 PM

What:

Topics covered include:

•

Solutions to the current and upcoming CT Code

•

How to avoid potential moisture problems

•

Easy solutions to building a high performance home

•

Solutions to adding Exterior thermal to your building

•

Common building science mistakes and easy solutions

Where:

Hotel Zero Degrees 353 Main Ave Norwalk, CT RSVP to Kerry Brunn kerry@buildfairfieldcounty.com | 203-335-7008

CLICK HERE to Register

SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 23-0046 11

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. 12 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2023

Paint & Sip PWB Meeting

October 26, 2023 @ 4PM Interstate + Lakeland Lumber 800 Post Rd E., Westport, CT

Hosted by:

Come network with professional women in the building industry while enjoying wine, painting and an educational tour of Interstate’s Design Center. We will also be gathering a collection for the Westport Women’s Club. Support through monetary donations are much appreciated!

SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 13

NOVEMBER EDUCATION Lunch & Learn: "How to Survive the Challenging Insurance Market" Thurs. November 2nd | 12pm-1:30pm

Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group: 43 Danbury Rd., Wilton Are you looking for help navigating the challenging insurance market? Join the HBRA of Fairfield County and Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group for advice including: • Tips on how to lower your premiums • Be better prepared for the insurance market trends • Guidelines on how to lower your risk of a loss • How risk management impacts your bottom line

Seminar: "Go From A Job to CEO" Weds. November 8th | 8am-10am

Northeast Building Supply: 1452 Barnum Ave., Bridgeport Think about the benefits of going from just "having a job" to being the CEO of your own business: - You will no longer be the sole source of revenue which decreases or stops when you are injured or sick. - You will increase your income. - You will be building a business that creates an equity asset for later retirement. - You will have more time for you and your family. During this dynamic presentation you will learn a step-by-step plan that shows you how to: 1) Use effective marketing techniques to get more quality customers to increase your revenue and profitability. 2) Recruit, hire and retain skilled employees. 3) Use proven systems to effectively manage all business operations.

There is no charge to attend either class, but pre-registration is required CLICK HERE to register for either. SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 15

HBRA HBRAOF OFFAIRFIELD FAIRFIELDCOUNTY COUNTY

2023

Awards Dinner & & Casino Casino Night Night

WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER DECEMBER6TH 6TH 6:30PM-10PM 6:30PM-10PM Rolling RollingHills HillsCountry CountryClub, Club,Wilton Wilton You Youare areinvited invitedto tojoin jointhe theHBRA HBRAfor forour our2023 2023Awards AwardsDinner Dinner&& Casino CasinoNight. Night.Celebrate Celebratethe theaccomplishments accomplishmentsand andwonderful wonderful work workproduced producedby byyour yourpeers peersininthe theassociation associationthis thisyear, year,then then try tryyour yourluck luckat atthe thetables tablesand andbring bringyour yourhighest highestbids bidsfor forsome some great greatprizes prizesat atour ourSilent SilentAuction! Auction!

All Allattendees attendeeswill willreceive receive$200 $200of of“funny “funnymoney” money”to touse useat atgaming gamingtables tablesincluding includingBlackjack, Blackjack,Roulette, Roulette,Craps Crapsand and Poker. Poker.Winners Winnerswill willreceive receivearaffle araffleticket ticketfor forsome somegreat greatprize prizeitems! items!Additional Additionalfunny funnymoney moneywill willbe beavailable availablefor for purchase! purchase!We’ll We’llalso alsohave haveaaSilent SilentAuction Auctionto tobenefit benefitthe theHBRA’s HBRA’scharitable charitableendeavors endeavorswith withgreat greatprizes prizes--bring bringyour your highest highestbids! bids!This Thisfundraising fundraisingevent eventwill willhelp helpsupport supportour ourpartnership partnershipwith withthe theCircle Circleof ofCare, Care,helping helpingchildren childrenand and families familiesdealing dealingwith withpediatric pediatriccancer. cancer.

$200 $200per perperson person

Includes Includes dinner, dinner, open open bar, bar, and and $200 $200 “funny “funny money” money” for for games games Sponsorships Sponsorships & & Program Program Ads Ads Available! Available!

CLICK CLICK HERE HERE TO TO REGISTER REGISTER || CLICK CLICK HERE HERE TO TO SPONSOR SPONSOR 16 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2023

Award Nominations OPEN Nominations are now open for the annual HBRA of Fairfield County awards, recognizing members that have consistently dedicated themselves to the efforts that strengthen the residential construction industry in Fairfield County. DEADLINE: The deadline for submission of nominations must be received by November 1st. Nominations received after that date will not be eligible for consideration for the awards. PROCEDURE: Nominations may be accepted from any member of the HBRA, including the nominee. The FAIRFIELD COUNTY HBRA Board of Directors selects one nominee in each category. The winning nominees will be notified that an award will be presented at the 2023 Awards Dinner & Casino Night on Dec. 6th. (NOTE: The FAIRFIELD COUNTY HBRA Board observes the right to abstain from awarding any particular category should it believe nominations are deficient or inadequate). NOMINATION CRITERIA: Nominee must be an HBRA member. A prior recipient of an award does not disqualify that person or company from receiving the same award again. Receipt of a specific award does not disqualify that person or company from receiving a different award in the same award year. No award must be granted on an annual basis. The Board of Directors may move an award applicant into a different category of award from the category for which the person or company has applied. With the exception of the President’s Award, The Hall of Fame, and the “John P. Rowins Meritorious Service” Award all award categories will be based on the information provided in the Nomination Form.

Nominations for the Following Awards Now Available! Deadline: Nov. 1 Builder of the Year Woman of the Year Remodeler of the Year Business of the Year Member of the Year Supplier of the Year Associate of the Year Volunteer of the Year New Member of the Year Showcase Home of the Year

CLICK HERE to Submit a Nomination

SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 17

2023

Awards Dinner & Casino Night

SPONSORSHIP & PROGRAM AD OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTING SPONSOR $2500 • • • • • • • • •

Exclusive headline sponsor Opportunity to speak Banner prominently displayed Logo on cocktail napkins Full page program ad 5 attendees Tagged Instagram post Full page ad in Building Connections for two months Logo on email invitation, social media and website registration page

CHIP SPONSOR $1000 - SOLD OUT • • •

•

• • • •

Logo on one raffle item box 2 attendees Logo on banner at event Opportunity for a company representative to present prize to winner

Half page program ad 4 attendees Logo on banner at event Logo on website registration page

FOUNDATION SPONSOR $250 • • •

Business card program ad 1 attendee Logo on banner at event

PREMIUM PROGRAM ADS

Full Page Outside Back Cover Full Page Inside Front/Inside Back Cover

Full page program ad 5 attendees Banner at event Logo on email invitation, social media and website registration page

PROGRAM ADS

Full Page Program Ad Half Page Program Ad Quarter Page Program Ad Business Card Ad

DRINK SPONSOR $1250 • • • •

• • • •

Opportunity to speak GAME ON! SPONSOR $500 EVENT SPONSOR $500 Banner at event with your logo • Logo on signage at one Casino • Company name on one bistro Full page program ad game table table 5 attendees • 2 attendees • 1 attendee Tagged Instagram post • Logo on banner at event • Logo on banner at event Full page ad in Building Connections for two months Logo on email invitation, social media PROGRAM AD OPPORTUNITIES and website registration page

DESIGN SPONSOR $1500 • • • •

CASINO RAFFLE SPONSOR $500

BLUEPRINT SPONSOR $1000

DINNER SPONSOR $2000 • • • • • •

Exclusive funny money sponsor 3 attendees Logo on all funny money, a sign to advertise it and on HBRA Fairfield website for event

Signage at the bar 4 attendees Logo on 100 cups served at your bar Logo on email invitation, social media and website registration page

$500 $250 $100 $50

$1000 $750

Full Page 5.5 X 8.5 W/Bleed 5.75 X 8.75

1/2 Page 4.5 X 3.75

1/4 Page 2.25 x 3.75

Mechanical Requirements: All materials must be submitted as digital files. Email all materials to sarah@buildfairfieldcounty.com. Formats accepted: High resolution PDF, prepared for print reproduction; Illustrator EPS, with all fonts outlined; photoshop Tiff or JPEG files.

18 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2023

Business Card 2.75 x 1.5

AND THE HBRA OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY INVITE YOU TO:

NOVEMBER GMM

MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

6:00PM - 9:00PM AT ED’S GARAGE DOORS/GARAGE LIVING 136 WATER STREET, NORWALK CT 06524

FOOD TRUCKS · OPEN BAR (BEER/WINE) An opportunity for members to network, listen to speakers, and visit new showrooms in our area! GUEST SPEAKER:

ALAN STEWART Listen in as Alan Stewart, President at Yellowbrick Real Estate, speaks about the upcoming 2024 real estate market.

ALL HBRA MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

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 20 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 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

Cypress Enterprises | Joseph Bivona

From New Home Construction, to Renovations, Additions, and Project Management, the team at Cypress has you covered. Read More

HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS ASSN. OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY INC. M E MBER BEN EFITS

MEMBER BENEFITS

�

NISSAN

EDUCATION

The HBRA offers a variety of courses induding OSHA10, Energy Codes, CAPS, and productivity and marketing seminars, among others. We are constantly adding to our c ourse curriculum.

MONEY SAVING

The HBRA membership can pay for itself through a variety of discount and rebate programs and special member to member discounts

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ADVOCACY

Your 3-irt-1 Membership includes lobbying efforts at the national and state levels to fight for laws and regula ·oos favorable to the home building industry and to your business.

NETWORKING

The HBRA provides numerous networking opportunities throughout the year at membership meetings, showcases, and at other specialty events. Our main goal is to help you build rela ·ooships.

� Members can save between $2,500 and $8,150 on commercial autos and light pickup trucks.

PRO Members can save an additional 5% (+2%) to 10% by linking their Lowe's account and/or Lowe's Business card to NAHB's org code.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION Your membership to the HBRA enables you to be eligible for the HBRA Annual awards and the prestigious HOBI Awards.

MEMBER DIRECTORY

Every year the HBRA offers a print and dig· al directory. The book is mailed to all current HBRA members and is available to consumers and other businesses throughout the year. Every member receives 2 listings for free and the opportunity to place ads in premium advertising positions.

Members can take advantage of flat discount pricing to save 50% on Domestic Next Day/ Deferred, 30% on Ground Commercial/ Residential and up to 50% on other services.

Not yet an HBRA member? Join today to receive all these benefits and more!

CLICK HERE to join online now!

SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 21

22 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 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 SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 23

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 SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 25

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

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Mortgage Rates Well Above 7% Continue to FHA Expands Hammer Builder Confidence Access to Mortgage Stubbornly high mortgage rates that have climbed to a 23-year high Financing for Homes and have remained above 7% for the past two months continue to with ADUs take a heavy toll on builder confidence, as sentiment levels have

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family announced a new policy that homes in October fell four points to 40 from a downwardly revised allows lenders to count income September reading, according to the National Association of from accessory dwelling units Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) (ADUs, or small units of housing released today. This is the third consecutive monthly drop in builder built inside, attached to, or on confidence. the same property as a primary “Builders have reported lower levels of buyer traffic, as some buyers, residence) when underwriting a particularly younger ones, are priced out of the market because of mortgage. higher interest rates,” said NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey, a custom Read More home builder and developer from Birmingham, Ala. dropped to the lowest point since January 2023.

SEPTEMBER 2023 | HBRA of Fairfield County 27

“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

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Remodeling Market Sentiment Declines in Third Quarter

Managing Moisture Is All About the Control Layers

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the third With an increasing need for quarter, posting a reading of 65, declining three points compared to more energy-efficient homes — the previous quarter. whether driven by code changes The NAHB/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five or the desire to reduce heating components of the remodeling market as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” and cooling costs — it can be Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index difficult to know if you will cause number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as moisture issues in the pursuit of good than poor. performance. The Current Conditions Index is an average of three components: Read More the current market for large remodeling projects, moderately-sized 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.

Who Are Today’s Home Buyers? Using the 2021 American Housing Survey (AHS), NAHB investigated the characteristics of recent home buyers — defined as households who purchased homes in the two years preceding the date the 2021 AHS was conducted — in a new special study. According to this criterion, roughly 10.2 million households recently bought and moved to a new home. The study focuses on two important groups of home buyers: Those who bought a brand-new home (new home buyers) and those who purchased a home for the first time (first-time home buyers).

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.

30 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2023

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Learn How Photography Can Benefit Your Business

NAHB, MBA and NAR Urge Federal Advanced camera features of today’s cell phones and tablets can make Reserve to Halt Rate even the least tech-savvy person feel like a competent photographer. Hikes Although there is often value in hiring a professional photographer for

With mortgage rates at a 23-year high and mortgage application activity down to its lowest In one of the latest additions to BizTools, NAHB’s member-exclusive level since 1996, NAHB, the library of business management tips and strategies, NAHB member Mortgage Bankers Association and ZenHammer CEO Edwin Williams explains how quality (MBA) and National Association construction photography can benefit a business. of REALTORS® (NAR) are calling “Photographs are an integral part of documentation for any on the Federal Reserve to signal contractor. And taking photos of your work throughout the project will its intent that it will not raise pay dividends in many ways,” writes Williams, who serves on NAHB’s interest rates further. Business Management and Information Technology committee. Read More Read More certain projects, there are many opportunities — and reasons — for business owners to regularly take photos on the jobsite.

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N EWS

3 Ways to Deliver a Personalized Experience for Home Buyers

DOE Opens Applications for $400 Million in Energy Code Adoption Grants

Today’s home buyer doesn’t just want a personalized purchasing experience — they expect it. And the numbers speak for themselves: •

70% of buyers expect personalized interactions with businesses

•

76% of customers get frustrated when companies don’t deliver personalized interactions

•

The fastest-growing companies drive 40% more revenue from personalization than their counterparts.

A home is arguably the most personal product in the world. So home builders must incorporate the right technology — like online buyer experiences and 3D visualizations — into their business to enable the personalized experience today’s home buyers want and expect. Read More

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the opening of applications for $400 million in grants to states that adopt more stringent energy codes. These funds represent a portion of the $1 billion appropriated in the Inflation Reduction Act to spur states to adopt and implement the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019. Read More

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N EWS

U.S. Lot Values Trail Inflation in Most Regions Lot values for single-family detached (SFD) spec homes continued to rise in 2022, according to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) data, with the U.S. median lot value at $56,000 for SFD for-sale homes started in 2022. Even though lot values continued to rise across most regions, the overall U.S. inflation averaged 8% in 2022 and outpaced lot appreciation in all divisions except the East North Central and South Atlantic. But there is a substantial variation in lot values and appreciation across the U.S. regions: New England: $180,000 Pacific: $150,000

IRS Releases Updated Guidance on 45L Tax Credit for EnergyEfficient Homes The Internal Revenue Service has released updated guidance on the new energy-efficient home credit under section 45L of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The 45L tax credit is allowed to an eligible contractor that constructs a home, including multifamily rentals, that meets the energy savings requirements of the tax credit. The applicable amount of the credit is contingent on which set of energy saving requirements the home meets, and is $500, $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000.

Mountain: $81,000

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How to Deliver High-Performance Homes and Protect Your Bottom Line

5 Books and Podcasts Young Professionals Should Download

In today’s competitive housing market, ensuring customer satisfaction and protecting your reputation is paramount. One powerful tool that can help you achieve both of these goals is the Residential Construction Performance Guidelines, Sixth Edition. The Residential Construction Performance Guidelines are the industry’s go-to recommendations for evaluating how homes should perform during the warranty period. By adhering to these guidelines, builders and remodelers can proactively address potential customer concerns and prevent issues from escalating into full-blown complaints.

One of the most effective ways for young professionals to learn about best business practices is to lean on the knowledge and advice of industry leaders.

Widely accepted by the home building and remodeling industry, these guidelines offer a comprehensive roadmap to delivering homes that excel in performance and meet customer expectations, all while safeguarding your bottom line.

To get the ball rolling, NAHB spoke to two YP members, Edwin Williams, CEO, ZenHammer in St. Louis and Johnson City, Mo.; and Robert Carroll, owner, Carroll Construction in Clinton, La., about their most influential reads (and podcast listens).

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