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 - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0
UPCOMING HBRA Golf Outing Member Mixer
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.
Contact Us:
hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com www.buildfairfieldcounty.com @hbraffc (203) 335-7008
On the Cover
DeMotte Architects Brad DeMotte www.demottearchitects.com
2020 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
2020 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.
L ET T ER F ROM TH E H BRA PRESIDEN T
It’s Time to Refocus and Rebuild “Go looking for the best in people, and you’ll be amazed at how much talent, ingenuity, empathy and goodwill you’ll find.” ― Bob Burg, The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea To say 2020 has been a year of upheaval is of course an understatement, but I’m a firm believer in accepting what has been handed to you, refocusing, and moving on. We can’t control what has happened, but we can control what we do next, how we react to whatever comes our way, and how we treat and support those around us. Our industry, like many, is in flux. Some businesses have experienced incredible growth, while others have struggled. As I enter the last months of 2020, as the new President of HBRA of Fairfield County, my wish is that we come together to help us all refocus, rebuild, and give back to those who need our help. It’s not about changing the world – it’s simply about working together to help our tiny piece of that world. There are a few things I’m deeply passionate about: Family, this construction industry – I grew up in it- my insurance company and colleagues, my beloved horses and the joy they bring me and others, and giving back. I was asked what I wanted to accomplish during my tenure as HBRA President to be – what I wanted my legacy story to tell. The book the “Go-Giver” by Bob Burg came to mind. I knew I was brought to this point for a reason and I needed to step up and give back like never before. We are going to be giving back to, supporting, and lifting up two very important sectors of our community: the veterans and the homeless. Three Initiatives to help us refocus and rebuild 1. Charitable Foundation. We are in the process of setting up a Charitable Foundation for Veterans and the Homeless in our community. This 501(C)3 non-profit will be able to live beyond my time at HBRA supporting those who need our support and financial assistance. 2. Working Intern Program. The trade, ours in particular, needs an infusion of younger trained workers. Creating a working intern program with high schools, trade schools, and local colleges will not only give these students the skills they need for a successful and profitable career, it will help our members solidify their futures. 3. Retraining Dollars for Veterans and the Homeless. Our goal is to help our members procure training dollars (state, federal, and private) to support them and those eagerly seeking training for a new career. Some of this eventually will be tied back to the Charitable Foundation. I’m looking forward to working with my HBRA family to help our members refocus and rebuild after what’s been quite the year! I encourage you all to dig a bit deeper, be a GoGiver and uncover the possibilities of what’s next. Kim DiMatteo
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 5
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U P COMIN G EVEN TS
10.7
MEMBER MIXER OCTOBER 7, 2020 | 6-9 PM
Join the HBRA of Fairfield County for our in-person October General Membership Meeting and Annual Member Mixer, at the expanded outdoor patio at O’Neill’s in South Norwalk. HBRA Members: $55.00
General Admission: $65.00
Includes two drinks (beer, wine, or liquor) and assorted appetizers including mini cheese burgers, reuben sliders, chipotle chicken sliders, spring rolls, wings, and a garden veggie platter.
Click Here To Register
10.19
HBRA GOLF OUTING
OCTOBER 19, 2020 | 6-9 PM
The Annual HBRA Golf Classic, presented by Ring’s End will be held on Monday, October 19th at the Tashua Knolls Golf Course: 40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull, CT We are again offering an 18-Hole Tournament, 9-Hole Tournament, and Dinner Only registration options.
Click Here To Register
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NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Stay tuned for details on our membership drive with NAHB!
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 7
REGISTER TODAY October 19, 2020
Tashua Knolls Golf Course
The Annual HBRA Golf Classic, presented by Ring’s End will be held on Monday, October 19th at the Tashua Knolls Golf Course: 40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull, CT 18-Hole Tournament (Limited to 136 golfers) $1000/foursome or $250/golfer Includes golf, on-course lunch, and dinner. 9-Hole Tournament- “The Glen” (Limited to 36 golfers) $600 / foursome or $150/golfer Includes golf, on-course lunch, and dinner. Dinner Only - $60
CLI CK HE R E TO R EG IS T E R
GOLF FORMS AVAILABLE
MASKS AVAILABLE
CLICK HERE TO ORDER
$10 each, a portion of all proceeds for sales of masks will go to the CT Food Bank.
M EMBER SPOTLIGH T
Center for EcoTechnology Freya Bromwich freya.bromwich@cetonline.org www.cetonline.org 718-635-1312.
Extra building materials left from your last remodeling job? Planning to redesign your showroom and need to get rid of display sets? Mis-orders or discontinued product line items taking up space in your warehouse? The Center for EcoTechnology works with builders, cabinet designers, kitchen and bath suppliers, lumberyards and homeowners all across CT, NY, RI and MA to accept donations of new and quality used building materials. As an environmental nonprofit, CET works to help reduce disposal costs and keep useable building materials away from landfills. We offer free pick up service right from your site or company and can provide an itemized tax deductible donation receipt for the materials
received. Furthermore, by donating leftover or quality used building materials to CET, you are helping to make home improvement projects more affordable to members of our community. CET accepts the largest variety of building materials included, but not limited to kitchen cabinet sets, architectural salvage, doublepaned with complete frame windows, doors, flooring, appliances less than 7 years in age and some vintage and modern furniture. With questions about donations or pickups, please contact Freya Bromwich, the Recovery and Donations Specialist for CT and NY: freya.bromwich@cetonline.org or 718-635-1312.
H BRA N EWS
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
12 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2020
M EMBER SPOTLIGH T
Kevin Solli Principal, P.E, CPESC, CDP, LEED®AP Solli Engineering, LLC 501 Main Street, Suite 2A Monroe, CT 06468 (203) 880‐5455 SolliEngineering.com Kevin Solli founded Solli Engineering in 2012, after learning the business and earning his Professional Engineer’s License while working at a large global engineering firm. Kevin has over seventeen years of civil engineering experience specializing in civil engineering, site development, transportation and traffic engineering. He and his
firm have been responsible for the engineering design and preparation of contract documents for a wide variety of commercial, residential, and industrial projects. Solli Engineering provides land development consulting and engineering for public and private clients throughout the northeast. By providing a practical approach to land development, clients can expect that projects will be designed with a realistic schedule at the onset to minimize surprises down the road. Solli’s site/civil engineering group draws upon extensive engineering and planning experience. Solli’s staff has provided planning, design, permitting support and construction oversight on many projects throughout the region. Solli has experience working with community officials for the
successful development of a variety of projects and has presented countless applications to local Commissions and Legislative bodies, in addition to several state and federal agencies. Solli has offices in Monroe, CT and Boston, MA. Kevin is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the prestigious institution. Kevin was recently awarded ICSC LEADERS UNDER 40 AWARD. The ICSC CenterBuild Program. Recipients selected are recognized for their outstanding contribution in their field of design, construction and development, and continuing leadership to create and build experiences in the retail real estate industry.
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 13
H BRA N EWS
Follow Construction Of An Architect’s Innovative Home On a small plot of land near Long Island Sound, construction of The Next Great American Home has started, featuring energy-efficient construction that will withstand storms at less cost than traditional homebuilding. 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. Unlike the usual home-building project, the public is invited to witness the various stages of the build and learn about how to construct houses that save
money and will adapt to climate change in an affordable way. The construction timetable will be fast-paced, fun and educational. “This project will offer a multi layered, sensory experience for everyone who visits the building site,” Overland said. “Every sense will be engaged, and it will enhance the experience of architecture that most buildings don’t have. We will demonstrate that, thanks to its progressive preservation approach, this home will transform the way we build and interact with the environment.” The most obvious break from traditional construction is Overland’s use of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) instead of wood framing. ICF consists of hard-foam forms filled with concrete to create the exterior walls of the house. ICF cuts energy bills by up to
14 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2020
Photo Credit: Secundino Paulino Architect Leigh Overland is all smiles now that the foundation and walls for The Next Great American Home on Ash Creek in Fairfield are being constructed. Instead of wood framing, he and his wife are using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF).
70%, and the accompanying air regulation system makes the building healthier by preventing entry to pollen and mold. The concrete walls make it stronger and much quieter than a wood-frame home and additional features — which can be easily employed on other new buildings — will protect it from severe storms and floods. Overland designed the home with many features to improve sustainability, including triplepaned windows and long-lasting roofing and exterior elements that withstand all types of weather. Read More
H BRA N EWS
PWB Meeting Hosted by Kim DiMatteo Kim DiMatteo hosted the latest PWB meeting at her lovely home. PWB members enjoyed lunch while visiting the stable and listened to Kim talk about her experience navigating a male-dominated industry and thriving within the space. Stay tuned for details on the next PWB Meeting
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 15
H BRA N EWS
Annual Meeting HBRA members joined us for the 2020 Annual Meeting featuring outdoor, in-person networking and a view of the sunset from the rooftop lounge at Hotel Zero Degrees in Norwalk. We welcomed the new 2020 - 2021 Board of Directors, including rising Board President Kim DiMatteo of DiMatteo Insurance. We acknowledged and thankedoutgoing President Anthony DeRosa of DeRosa Builders for his many years of service.
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N EW MEMBERS
P&I Custom Builders Corp. Sal Inguanti
Paganelli & Inguanti Custom Builders is quickly earning a reputation in the industry for “going the extra mile” with their projects. Sparing no time and labor, giving attention to every detail and thinking creatively results in masterfully-crafted, unique homes that offer homeowners every convenience. Read More
Sherwin Williams
Nicole Sweeney-Ruffing Our company’s guiding values include Integrity, Quality, Performance, Innovation, and Growth. We pride ourselves on the strong relationships we have with our suppliers. It is thanks to these associations that we are able to continue being a leading paint and coatings company for over 150 years. Read More
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 17
18 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2020
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR COVID RESOURCES PAGE? Visit https://buildfairfieldcounty.com/covid-19-local-and-national-updates/ for the latest news - Do you have canned, non perishable items to donate? We are hosting a food drive for local Connecticut food banks at various locations in Fairfield County. Contact Kerry at kerry@buildfairfieldcounty.com with any questions. - Do you have masks, gloves, gowns or other PPE equipment to donate to area hospitals in desperate need? Contact Kerry at kerry@buildfairfieldcounty.com for pickup. - 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.
It all started with a showroom visit. “Designing and building great homes has always been our dream. That’s why we send our clients to a Bender showroom right at the outset to help them design their bathrooms. There, they can meet with a design consultant and turn on the faucets, climb in the tubs, open the cabinets, touch the tiles, play with the lighting and much more. Clients love it. And it makes our job so much easier.” Get inspired, in person, at a Bender showroom near you.
Chris O’Dell The O’Dell Group
Kathleen Poirier, AIA
Kathleen Poirier Architects, LLC
bendershowrooms.com | 203.495.5183 decorative plumbing | kitchen & bath cabinetry | lighting | tile & stone Hartford | New Haven | Norwalk | Waterbury © 2020 Bender Plumbing
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 19
N AH B N EWS
How Long Does it Take to Build a SingleFamily Home? The average completion time of a single-family house is around 8.1 months, which usually includes a little over a month from authorization to start and another seven months to finish the construction, according to the 2019 Survey of Construction (SOC) from the Census Bureau.
Financial Stability Oversight Council Supports FHFA Capital Proposal
The Financial Stability Oversight Council voted unanimously on Sept. 25 to support a resolution in favor The average time to build a single-family home has been on an upward trend since 2014, when it took around seven months. The of the Federal Housing Finance time from authorization to completion varies across the nation and Agency’s (FHFA) re-proposed depends on the geographic location, and whether the house is built capital framework for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that was issued for sale or custom built. this spring. Created by the DoddAmong all single-family houses completed in 2019, houses built Frank Act of 2010, the Financial for sale took the shortest amount of time — seven months from Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) obtaining building permits to completion, while houses built by is a committee responsible for owners (custom builds) required the longest time, 13.5 months. monitoring the financial system in Homes built by hired contractors normally needed around 9.8 the United States. months, and homes built-for-rent took about 12 months from Read More authorization to completion.
Read More
20 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2020
N AH B N EWS
The Impact Embodied Carbon Can Have on a Porta Potties Don’t Have to Be Gross Home’s Environmental Footprint Has your state or local jurisdiction recently implemented a policy that sets targets for decreasing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions? Looking at emission reduction strategies across all industries will be imperative for mitigating the effects of a changing climate. Within the building sector, there is often an emphasis on minimizing operational emissions by implementing energy efficiency measures — demonstrated through voluntary green building programs such as ENERGY STAR for Homes or the National Green Building Standard® (NGBS). You might be wondering how to comply with newly set climate goals. Here are a few factors that influence overall greenhouse gas emissions for buildings. Read More
Maintaining a safe and clean worksite has become even more important since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. One thing we can all agree on is that by adjusting cleanliness standards to create a more hygienic environment, we create a safer workplace for all…and it starts in the bathroom. For years we have settled for cleaning the portable restrooms on job sites just once a week and not offering easy access for hand washing. Read More
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 21
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N AH B N EWS
NAHB Conveys Urgent Concerns on Lumber HUD Secretary Carson with Commerce Secretary Discusses Agency NAHB Senior Officers and senior staff held a 30-minute virtual Actions on Key meeting with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Sept. 25 to Housing Issues discuss the growing problem that escalating lumber prices and supply shortages are having on the housing industry and economic recovery.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Sept. 24 participated During the discussion with NAHB leaders, Ross repeatedly in an exclusive webinar that more acknowledged how “critical” housing is to the U.S. economy. than 1,000 members and invited NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke and Second Vice Chairman Jerry guests registered to attend and Konter told the secretary how higher costs are affecting their discussed the need to address businesses, with Konter adding that his business is planning for the lumber crisis as well as HUD’s reduced sales due to higher lumber costs. actions to address housing needs According to Random Lengths, lumber prices have skyrocketed more in response to the COVID-19 than 170% since mid-April, and the residential construction industry pandemic. has absorbed the largest four-month increase in lumber prices since NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke such data was first recorded in 1949. noted that lumber prices are up Read More
more than 160% since mid-April ... Read More
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 23
N AH B N EWS
A Guide to Warm and Cool Paint Colors
Rent Control
What are Warm & Cool Colors?
For the past decade, increasing numbers of people have moved to urban centers in search of employment. With fewer sites to support multifamily construction, supply has quickly tightened amid the increased demand. Rising development costs also mean that builder/ developers will need to attract renters who can pay enough to allow them to pay their mortgages and stay in business. That means more luxury rentals and fewer that are more affordable.
Every color can be categorized as either a warm color or a cool color. Warm colors include yellows, oranges, reds, and are popular for setting an upbeat, positive tone. Some favorite warm colors include: Mannequin Cream OC-92, Muslin OC-12, Shaker Beige HC-45, Hawthorne Yellow HC-4, Italianate AF-215 and Dinner Party AF-300. Warm colors are synonymous with sentiments like cozy and intimate, and are popular for use in living rooms and kitchens. They are often associated with energy, playfulness and happiness and are used to make larger spaces feel more inviting. Read More
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
24 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2020
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
COVID IN SIGH TS
COVID-19 Job Site Safety
General Government Resources CFPB: A Guide to COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Relief CDC: Guidelines for Your Home and Family HUD: Coronavirus Resources and Information FHFA: Coronavirus Assistance Information Read More
SEPTEMBER 2020 HBRA of Fairfield County 25
JOB BAN K
Available Jobs: These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings. Bender Current Job Listings 18 Total Jobs. Below is a list of the current openings with our company. Click here to read more about each opportunity •
Account Manager /Inside Sales Wholesale Plumbing Waterbury, CT, USA Full Time
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Account Manager/Inside Sales Wholesale Plumbing Bridgeport, CT, USA Full Time
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Account Manager/Inside Sales Wholesale Plumbing New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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Administrative Assistant for busy Wholesale Distributor New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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Branch Manager Wholesale Plumbing/HVAC Stamford, CT, USA Full Time
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Counter Sales Plumbing & HVAC Distribution Norwalk, CT, USA Full Time
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Counter Sales Plumbing & HVAC Distribution Hartford, CT, USA Full Time
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Counter Sales Plumbing/HVAC Wholesale New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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Delivery Driver/Warehouse Help for busy Plumbing/HVAC Wholesaler. No CDL Bridgeport, CT, USA Full Time
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ERP Manager for growing Wholesale Distributor New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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Kitchen Design and Sales for high-end retail showroom New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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Plumbing/HVAC Counter Sales Bridgeport, CT, USA Full Time
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Showroom Sales for Luxury Kitchen & Bath Showroom New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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Showroom Sales for Luxury Kitchen & Bath Showroom Waterbury, CT, USA Full Time
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Showroom Sales for Luxury Kitchen & Bath Showroom Norwalk, CT, USA Full Time
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Warehouse Associate for busy HVAC/Plumbing Wholesale New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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Warehouse Help/Driver for busy Plumbing/HVAC Wholesaler. No CDL Stamford, CT, USA Full Time
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Warehouse Receiver Wholesale Plumbing HVAC New Haven, CT, USA Full Time
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SEPTEMBER HBRA of Fairfield County 29 Have a sales question? Email Ed2020 at ed.schultek@sandler.com.
30 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2020
$ M EM BER REBATES & DISCOUN TS
32 HBRA of Fairfield County | SEPTEMBER 2020
Darien (Flagship Yard)
RingsEnd.com 800-390-1000
Lewisboro, NY Why Ring’s End? Inventory •
Unsurpassed breadth and depth of inventory.
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The highest quality products in the industry.
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19 locations, including 5 full service lumberyards serving Fairfield County.
Quality
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A full range of services from custom millwork capabilities to education, estimating, and design.
Wilton
New Milford
Bethel
Proud to be the Elite Sponsor of the HBRA of Fairfield County