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.
Featuring: Andersen A Windows and Andersen Folding Door
Product Supplied By: Ring’s End
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Andersen is proud to support the Home Builders and Remodelers Assn. of Fairfield County and its members.
EXECUTIVE
WELCOME LETTER
Growing Member Connections With Fall Events!
Dear Members,
I hope you’re all doing well! Thank you to everyone who came out to our sold out September clambake! It was such a lovely evening, with good food and great company. We also had a great day of golf on September 16! The weather held out for us this year and we had a beautiful day of golf for our over 170 golfers that came out. I’d like to thank all of volunteers who came and made this event a success!
We have also 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! We are excited to get this committee going!
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. ”
Upcoming Events - Register Now!
Tues. Oct. 22: Building Science Training
New Canaan Nature Center | 9am-11am
Presented by Northeast. Ben Bogie will go over “high performance building assemblies.”
Weds. Oct. 23: “Fall Fest” General Membership Meeting
Lisa Heldwhite Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC
George 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
LIFE DIRECTORS
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.
6pm - 9pm Wednesday, Oct. 23rd
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Membership Recruitment Program
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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
BOWL I N G BASH
Tues., Jan. 14, 2025
Nutmeg Bowl, Fairfield | 6pm-8:30pm
Lane Sponsor: $375
- Team of 6 with shoes & reserved lane for 2 games
- Food & 2 pitchers of beer
- 6 raffle tickets
- Company name on eblast & registration page
- Company name on TV screen at lane
Solo Bowler: $50 / Team of 6: $300
- 2 games of bowling with shoe rental (solo bowlers will be matched with other guests)
- 1 raffle ticket per guest
- Food & 2 pitchers of beer for your lane
THANK
BOWL I N G BASH SPONSORSHIPS
Tues., Jan. 14, 2025
Nutmeg Bowl, Fairfield | 6pm-8:30pm
SOLD OUT: Bowling Bites Sponsor: $750
Logo on napkins | Logo on screens at each lane
Logo on eblast & registration page | 12 raffle tickets
Team of 6 bowlers with shoe rental | Food & 2 pitchers of beer for your team
Dessert Sponsor: $425 - 1 available
Sponsor delicious cookies to enjoy after the tournament!
Signage at dessert table | Logo on eblast & registration page
1 ticket for a company rep to bowl & then hand out cookies to the teams
Awards Sponsor: $300 - 1 available
Logo on award certificates | Signage at the event
Logo on eblast & registration page
1 ticket for a company rep to bowl & then hand out awards to the winners
Lane Sponsor: $375
Includes a team of 6 bowlers with reserved lane for 2 games, shoes, company name on TV screen at lane and on eblast & registration page, food & 2 pitchers of beer, and 6 raffle tickets.
Event Sponsor: $250
Logo on eblast & registration page
Signage at the event
1 solo bowler ticket
Raffle Prize Donation
Donate a raffle prize & draw the winning ticket! Includes signage at the event. (Ticket sold separately)
ANNUAL CLAMBAKE RECAP
After a relaxing summer, it was great to have a soldout crowd of over 150 members, guests, and industry professionals join us September 4th at our annual Clambake on the Water at Boca Oyster Bar in Steelpointe Harbor.
Dinner included Maine lobster, half chicken, clams, mussels, salad, red potatoes, and corn on the cob, plus Italian ice – all sponsored by Ready Header (a Sims Steel Company), and delicious drinks sponsored by Andersen Corp. and Superior Hearth Spas & Leisure.
Thank you also to our event sponsors Breakwater Renovation & Design LLC, Builders FirstSource (formerly Oxford Lumber), California Closets, Connecticut Propane and Petroleum, DiMatteo Group Financial Services, Innerspace Electronics Inc., Stephanie Rapp Interiors LLC, UMI Stone, Urban Stone Inc.
Check out ads from some of our event sponsors in this issue! Thank you to all who joined us!
ANNUAL CLAMBAKE RECAP CONT.
*Photos by Kirt Washington.
Skilled Trades Boot Camp
Last year (2023) at the Norwalk annual chamber of commerce dinner Rick Taylor, from HMTX Industries and myself, Bepin Mgushi from Fixitup Building and Remodeling, sat elbow to elbow at dinner and among other things we discussed our common pains and frustrations about our industries. Quickly it became apparent that a common theme started to appear; that was the lack of good, skilled, trades people in our industries!!! At that dinner we decided we should do something. We didn’t know what, but knew something, anything, we needed to at least try. Rick and I started chatting and emailing back and forth the following week regarding our dinner commitment. Our goal was simple; how to get more people into the trades and form a skilled labor force for our community!
Within a month or so of our initial meeting; we had called in, invited, recruited, and pulled in to this “workforce development” mastermind group anyone we knew or would be interested in helping out or had more knowledge than us regarding this matter. Pretty soon, we scheduled weekly meetings where Brian A Clarke Jr with Regal Real Estate, Jon DeBenedictis with CT State Norwalk, Michael Weiner, a leader from the trades supply industry, Brian Griffin from the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Rhea Henry and Jesse Buccolo from Norwalk ACTS, Scott Peterson of Choyce Peterson, Home Builders Association of Fairfield County, Local electricians union representatives, and many others were helping out with ideas and brainstorming plans in and out; the goal was clear, but we were hammering out the means and methods how to get there. After 3-4 months of regular weekly and monthly meetings, the path forward was clear. We had decided that we would create a two week boot camp for juniors and seniors from Norwalk High Schools in the hopes to expose them to the plumbing, mechanical, electrical and other trades.
We named it; “Skilled Labor Boot Camp”. With the insights of Norwalk ACTS we decided that Norwalk High School students were the best target demographic for this boot camp, CT State Community Norwalk was getting
Bepin Mgushi
HBRA Fairfield County Board Member and Owner of Fixitup Building and Remodeling
us the classroom and an instructor, and all involved, pulled in our resources; we invited and lured in a plumber, an electrician, a heating and cooling guy, a sales rep from a plumbing materials manufacturer, and a local builder from HBRA. Our goal was to expose and entice juniors and seniors into the trades career path. HMTX gave the students a tour of their state of the art facility as well as a hands on flooring install demo.
The “community” got together once they heard what we were planning to do. Local businesses such as Ring’s End pitched in with “bags with goodies and swag” to be gifted to the students at the end of the class. HMTX Industries, the Home Builders Association of Fairfield County, Fixitup Building and Remodeling and other organizing members of the boot camp, plus family and friends…among others donated money to provide this boot camp to students at no charge. We are still soliciting donations to cover the expenses. However, after much planning and dedication to the initial goal; The first Skilled Labor Boot Camp Summer Class 2024 had more than 25 students registered on short notice and 12 of them were selected for the class. The class ran from July 8th to July 18, 2024 everyday Monday through Thursday, 9 am - 12 am. Different topics and presentations were planned for each day. We are currently working on the second class which is tentatively scheduled for January 2025!
Anyone interested in helping out with donations please contact The Organizing Group at the following email address as well: SkilledLaborBootCampNorwalk@gmail.com.
Future-Proofing Our Industry: Tactics for Recruiting
and Retaining
Young Professionals
Who are the Young Professionals (YPs) who are entering the workforce and what do they want? Brat Summer? The death of the skinny jean? TikTok dances?
The home building industry is focusing on YPs more and more as they continue to enter the workforce. These individuals, born between 1981 and 2012, span Millennials and Generation Z who bring fresh perspectives, needs and expectations to the professional landscape – and their presence is growing.
According to Johns Hopkins University, by 2030, Gen Z will make up 30% of the U.S. workforce, it’s vital for your business and association to understand what is important to Gen Z and Millennials so you can effectively recruit, retain and engage with them.
Each member or employee you bring in has their own goals and life experiences.
Before we examine what matters to these generations, it is important to remember that individuals are unique. That said, let’s examine some macro trends across the younger generations that can help you better serve YPs.
Millennial trends
Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, have distinct preferences when it comes to how they engage with professional associations. They appreciate direct and personalized communication that makes them feel valued and acknowledged. Short-term, flexible volunteering opportunities, known as micro-volunteering, appeal to their busy schedules and desire for meaningful work. Additionally, Millennials want to be seen as contributors from the start, seeking roles where they can quickly make an impact and be recognized for their efforts.
Gen Z trends
Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is driven strongly by social impact. They value opportunities to make a positive difference in the world and are drawn to communities where they feel included and valued. Holistic support, encompassing both mental and physical wellbeing, is crucial for this generation. They also highly value personalized experiences that cater to their individual needs and preferences, seeking tailored interactions that resonate with their identities. Individualized member onboarding that includes one-on-one meetings to understand the specific aspirations and pain points of a Gen Z member would start them on the path of personalized engagement.
To dive deeper into Millennial and Gen Z trends, I recommend Sarah Sladek’s Book MemberShift: Why Members Leave Associations and the Strategies Proven to Bring Them Back.Why It’s Important to Engage YPs
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Member Census highlights a significant age gap among members, with the median age of Associate and Builder members being 56 and 57, respectively.
To bridge this gap, our association and our industry need to attract younger members.
The 2024 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report by Marketing General underscores this need across all associations. The report reveals that 32% of association members are Gen Z and Millennials, while higher engagement from these groups correlates with overall membership growth. Notably, 56% of associations report increased participation in young professional programs, up from 52% in 2023.
Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining YPs
NAHB recently contracted with marketing firm mdg to research strategies that will resonate with YPs in the home building industry. Researchers spoke with several focus groups to better understand what YPs would like to see from NAHB and how they perceive the association.
After collecting feedback, researchers recommended the following:
• Networking and Community Building - Creating opportunities for YPs to network with local political figures, other business groups and their peers is essential. Events tailored to fostering connections and community can significantly enhance engagement.
• Education and Training - Providing relevant education and training opportunities helps YPs stay updated on industry trends and develop their skills. We can position ourselves as the go-to source for industry information by offering regular updates on trends, legal issues and advocacy efforts.
• Support for Diverse Leadership - Promoting diversity in leadership roles and addressing labor shortages through advocacy can attract YPs who value inclusivity and long-term career opportunities.
• Addressing Price Sensitivity - Gen Z, having grown up during the Great Recession, is particularly price-sensitive. Associations need to offer value-driven membership packages and demonstrate transparency in their pricing structures.
• Creating a Welcoming Environment - YP feedback indicates that NAHB at times feels exclusive toward younger members. To counter this perception, associations should:
Regularly solicit input from YPs to understand their needs and preferences.
. Foster a sense of community from the very beginning and encourage their active participation.
. Emphasize the unique benefits of building their local networks and professional connections.
Recruiting and retaining YPs requires a nuanced understanding of their needs and preferences. By focusing on personalized communication, social impact, holistic support and community building, associations can successfully engage their Millennials and Gen Z members. This engagement is not only beneficial for your association but is also vital for the future of our industry. As these generations continue to become more influential in the industry, their active participation in their associations will drive innovation and growth, ensuring the long-term success of the organizations that adapt to meet their needs.
RACHEL MACKENZIE Director, Membership National Association of Home Builders
MEMBER EVENTS
ANNUAL GOLF
CLASSIC RECAP
Beautiful blue sunny skies and perfect temps greeted the HBRA’s Annual Golf Classic on September 16th, a welcome change after last year’s rescheduling! Presented by Ring’s End, we had 170 golfers join us on both our soldout 18-hole course and record high attendance on the 9 hole course.
The top three foursomes on the 18-hole course all had a score of 57, and the winners were determined by a match of cards. Congratulations to our winners:
• 1st Place: Connecticut Lighting Centers Inc. (Todd Director, Brett Director, Brian Mikulski, Kyle Shea)
• 2nd Place: DeRosa Builders, LLC (Anthony B. DeRosa, Anthony C. DeRosa, Chris Hoffman, Mike DeRosa)
• 3rd Place: Golfers from National Lumber Inc.
Congratulations also to the winners of our 9-hole tournament, with a score of 29: Marble and Granite Inc. (Chris DiRoma, Anthony Marion, Matt Kelly, Franco Iannone).
Among our 22 raffle winners, some highlights include Rich Cunningham (Ed’s Garage Doors) taking home $630 as the winner of our 50/50 raffle and Drew Comeau (Andersen Corp.) walking out with a 55" LED TV donated by County TV & Appliance, among many others!
A fun new addition this year was our “Beat the Pro” challenge on Hole #6, which helped raise a record-breaking amount! Thank you to all of our golfers who donated and participated, especially “The Fun Group” – EG Home (Matt Gilchrest, Greg Chandler, Eric Santini Jr., Johnny Carrier), who raised the most for a foursome!
A portion of all proceeds from this year’s tournament will go to support the HBRA’s partnership with The Circle of Care and will be used by the HBRA’s Professional Women in Building Council to design and build room makeovers for children undergoing pediatric cancer treatment –CLICK HERE to learn more.
ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC RECAP CONT.
This event would not have been possible without the hard work of our Golf Committee: Geoff Knapp, Antonio Stella, Krystal Day, Len Volpe, Michael DeRosa, Paul Welte, and Robin Faller.
A huge thank you to every single volunteer who helped with set-up, registration, and out on the course to make the tournament run smoothly and be a great day for all!
Our event sponsors provided great giveaways for the golfers, snacks, beverages, and so much more – we couldn’t do this event without you!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2024 Golf Classic – we hope to see you next year!
*Photos by Kirt Washington.
WINNERS
18 HOLE TOURNAMENT
1st Place: Connecticut Lighting Centers Inc.
Todd Director, Brett Director, Brian Mikulski, Kyle Shea
Score: 57* (match of cards)
2nd Place: DeRosa Builders, LLC
Anthony B. DeRosa, Anthony C. DeRosa, Chris Hoffman, Mike DeRosa
Closest to the Pin: Greg Ugalde – 1’ 1” T&M Building Co., Inc.
Closest to the Line: Nort Wheeler – 14” Mystic River
Most Honest: Acadia Insurance
Jennifer B. Towne, Kristina Segura, Matt Polick, Jack O'Callahan
Score: 85
9 HOLE TOURNAMENT
1st Place: Marble and Granite Inc.
Chris DiRoma, Anthony Marion, Matt Kelly, Franco Iannone
Score: 29
Closest to the Pin: James Sweeney – 3’ 7” HomeTronics Lifestyles
Closest to the Line: Kevin Sell – 2’ 8” Cannondale Generators Inc.
PUTTING CONTEST
Finalists: Mike DeRosa (DeRosa Builders), Mike Banks (Banks Brothers), Tom Allard (Marvin), Lis Reed (Southport Construction), Kevin Kruper (Southport Construction)
Winner: Mike DeRosa
ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC RECAP CONT.
All Sponsors:
Ring's End
Hocon Gas
Northeast Apollo Electric CT
Cross Insurance
Superior Hearth
Tile America
Stella Homes Team at eXp Realty
Andersen
Tooher-Ferraris Insurance
Visual Comfort & Co.
Clarke Distributors
DeRosa Builders, LLC
Interstate + Lakeland Lumber
Bender
Fairfield County Bank
Vertex
CT Lighting Centers
Ed's Garage Door
California Closets
Cannondale Generators Inc.
Ready Header (a Sims Steel Company)
Acadia Insurance
Carpenter Construction, LLC
Closet & Storage Concepts
Devine Brothers Inc. {Devine Bio Heat}
Fabricare Cleaners
New Perspective Cabinetry & Design, LLC
Smarthome & Theater Systems
1-800 Water Damage of Fairfield County
Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC
Builders FirstSource (formerly Oxford Lumber)
County TV
Enviro Flush, LLC
KLAR Studio
New England Home CT
New England Propane
Northeast Residential Elevator
Parksite/Tyvek
Polcer Home, LLC
Braydan Construction
C&G Media
HOBI AWARD WINNER | HBRA BOARD MEMBER
UILDERB SPOTLIGHT
COMPANY HISTORY:
BPC Green Builders was established over 25 years ago with a focus on green building and sustainable construction which we have maintained. Our work is primarily in the custom new home market although we have also completed many gut renovation projects. As of January, 2023, we converted to a worker cooperative entity with four owners at this time.
MOST RECENT PROJECT:
One of our recently completed custom homes is a 9,000sf custom home in Greenwich which features an indoor lap pool with a green roof and will be DOE certified as a Zero Energy Ready home.
C L I C K T O U S E Y O U R C L I C K T O U S E Y O U R M E M B E R S H I P T O M E M B E R S H I P T O S A V E S A V E O N N F L O N N F L T I C K E T S ! T I C K E T S ! I T ’ S I T ’ S F O O T B A L L F O O T B A L L S E A S O N S E A S O N
NEW MEMBERS
Breakwater Renovation & Construction, LLC | Kurt Niquette
Breakwater Renovation & Design LLC provides full-service residential remodeling, from initial design concepts straight through to construction. Breakwater was founded on three basic principles; exceptional customer service, aesthetically pleasing design solutions and high-quality up-to-date building methods. Read More
Condon Custom Builders, LLC | Christopher Condon
With a reputation for delivering unparalleled quality and unparalleled customer service, Chris has earned the trust and admiration of homeowners seeking to create their dream residences and crafting exquisite custom luxury homes. Read More
DR Bank | David Cabezas
DR Bank offers a comprehensive range of products and services to help manage money and grow wealth. With 24/7 digital banking and dedicated support, banking with us is easy and convenient. Read More
Innate Studio (Innate Architecture Studio PLLC) | Lisa Schwert Pohlschroeder, AIA, ASID
Innate Studio is a residential architecture and interior design firm serving clients in Connecticut, New York, and beyond. We offer comprehensive design services for new builds and whole home remodels, and specialize in older home renovations. Read More
JMKA Architects | Jeff Kaufman
JMKA | architects is an award-winning custom architect firm in lower Fairfield County. We’ve built our reputation on working closely with clients to ensure custom architectural designs integrate the client’s needs and vision within a budget. Read More
JPS Painting Services, LLC | Juan Pablo Sancho
JPS Painting Services LLC offers Residential and Commercial Painting, Wallpapering, Drywall Repair and Installation, Concrete Floors Coating, Cabinet Spraying, Power Washing, and Windows Cleaning. Read More
Parts Cutter CNC | Stephen Williams
Your source for ready to assemble cabinets and custom machining. Parts Cutter CNC is a machine shop that specializes in the engineering and machining of sheet goods, such as plywood, MDF, plastics and composites. Read More
Peck Electrical Contracting Services, LLC | Jerry Peck
As licensed contractors, we provide our clients with a comprehensive approach to all of their projects, specializing in a wide range of service including: complete electrical remodeling, commercial & industrial installation, residential servicing, smart home automation and solar-electrical connection and installation, etc. Read More
Exceptional materials, the latest design technology, personalized service and attention to detail, and expert craftsmanship – SEMTA has built their reputation on these qualities. SEMTA provides superior, handcrafted custom cabinetry for any room in your home, for any storage use or function. Read More
Torganize | Tori Cornish
AFFILIATES
Hemingway Construction | Doug Horn
Hemingway Construction | Michael Sciarretta
Lansing Building Products, LLC | Frankie Vartuli
Merrin Jones Interiors | Kate Libby
Tile America | Lauren Hines
JOB BANK
AVAILABLE JOBS:
These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.
Domus Constructors, LLC
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
Visual Comfort & Co.
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
SONERICA Capital
JOB TITLE: New Home Builder
SUMMARY: Investor with large land inventory looking for highly experienced New Home Builder. You will be a paid consultant. Your main role is to prepare specs and inspect work. Must have built numerous homes. Intimate hands on experience in all facets of home building including foundation, framing, roofing, siding, sheetrock, interior and exterior trim, floors, HVAC, plumbing, electric, costs, scheduling etc.
CONTACT: Email detailed resume to hbsj7@yahoo.com
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.
SALES SHEET
GO BEYOND.
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.
AdvanTech X-Factor Panels
JOB BANK
AVAILABLE JOBS: (Continued)
Bear Paw Builders Inc.
JOB TITLE: Part Time Bookkeeper | 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. 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
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.
Membership Discounts & Deals
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.
Steps to Access NAHB Discounts:
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!
Steps to Access NPP 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
Builder Sentiment Rises as Rates Fall but Affordability Challenges Persist
With mortgage rates declining by more than one-half of a percentage point from early August through mid-September, per Freddie Mac, builder sentiment edged higher this month even as builders continue to grapple with rising costs.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 41 in September, up two points from a reading of 39 in August, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. This breaks a string of four consecutive monthly declines.
“Thanks to lower interest rates, builders now have a positive view for future new home sales for the first time since May 2024,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan. “However, the cost of construction remains elevated relative to household budgets, holding back some enthusiasm for current housing market conditions.”
Read More
WOTUS Rule Hurts Housing Affordability, Builders Tell Congress
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today how the Biden administration’s latest interpretation of the waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule has further muddied the regulatory process and exacerbated the housing affordability crisis.
Read More
Single-Family Output Up Across All Regions While Multifamily Production is Down
A lack of resale homes and pent-up demand more than offset high mortgage rates and contributed to solid singlefamily permit growth across nearly all geographic regions in the second quarter. However, multifamily construction permit activity continued its slide downward across the board to start 2024. Meanwhile, single-family and multifamily construction both exhibited strong growth in second home markets over the past decade, according to the latest findings from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) for the second quarter of 2024.
Read More
House Prices Continue to Appreciate in Second Quarter
Limited resale inventory and strong growth in demand continued to put upward pressure on house prices through the first half of 2024. According to the quarterly alltransactions House Price Index (HPI) released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), between the second quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2024, all 50 states and the District of Columbia had positive house price appreciation, ranging from 1.5% to 10.4%.
Read More
Rising Trends in Number of Bathrooms in Single-Family Homes
A majority of single-family homes started in 2023 continued to have two full bathrooms. According to the latest release of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, 64.7% of new single-family homes had two full bathrooms, 23.8% had three full bathrooms, 6.9% had four or more full bathrooms, and only 4.6% had one full bathroom or less.
The share of single-family homes with two bathrooms increased from 62.3% to 64.7% — the largest increase since 2018. This reverses a two-year trend of consecutive decreases. The share of single-family starts with three full bathrooms fell for the second straight year, down to 23.8%, and the share of single-family homes started with 4 or more bathrooms share decreased to 6.9%, after increasing the prior two years. Meanwhile, the share of singlefamily starts with one full bathroom or less rose to 4.6% — the third straight increase.
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CONNECTICUT LIGHTING CENTERS
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Why Do Business With a Member?
NAHB’s flourishing membership of more than 140,000 Builders and Associates uplift the home building industry through advocating for the industry on Capitol Hill, educating the next generation and uniting to solve issues in their communities.
With so many commonalities, it’s no wonder so many members of the Federation turn to each other to do business.
“Giving back to the industry is of paramount importance to me, as I view it as an act of philanthropy,” said Mark Fournier, owner of the Sonrise Companies in Oklahoma. “Working with member Associates builds trust, camaraderie, and assures mutual respect for each other’s business. This bond with Associates has strengthened the referral network between us, too, as we all benefit from a constant stream of referrals.”
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Fall Membership Recruiting Competition is Under Way
The 2024 Fall Recruitment Competition is under way for Builder and Associate members to earn a trip to New York City awarded by LG and Signature Kitchen Suite. The annual competition to recruit as many new NAHB members as possible began on Sept. 1 and will run through Nov. 30.
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Market-Driven Solutions Will Bolster Nation’s Resilience, Keep Homes Affordable
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) oversized emphasis on adopting the latest building codes to enhance safety against disasters is unwarranted and would needlessly raise housing costs.
Testifying before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, NAHB First Vice Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C., said that new homes built to modern building codes (post-2000) are efficient, safe and resilient.
“These homes are designed to withstand major disasters and already offer substantial protection against high seismic activity, strong winds, heavy snow, wildfires and flooding,” said Hughes. “This makes increasing code stringency on a tri-annual basis unnecessary.”
Rather than focusing solely on adopting the latest version every three years, Hughes suggested the priority should be on acknowledging the resiliency of current modern codes and ensuring proper enforcement to maximize their effectiveness while maintaining flexibility to address regional risks and specific needs.
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New Home Sales Fall in August as Buyers Wait Out Anticipated Rate Cut
Expectations of the Federal Reserve beginning the first in a series of rate reductions kept potential home buyers in a holding pattern in August.
Sales of newly built, singlefamily homes in August fell 4.7% after an unusually strong July, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. August new home sales registered a 716,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate, after an upwardly revised estimate of 751,000 for July.
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NAHB Seeking Member Input on Proposed OSHA Heat Standard
On Aug. 30, OSHA published a proposed rule to establish the first federal standard for preventing heatrelated injuries and illnesses for both indoor and outdoor work settings. NAHB has prepared an advocacy video (see below) and summary of the proposal with information on employer requirements.
If finalized, the standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture sectors, with some exceptions.
Notably, the standard would require employers to develop a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIPP) with site-specific information for identifying and controlling heat hazards.
Elements of the HIIPP include:
• The HIIPP must identify heat safety coordinators — managerial or non-managerial employees tasked with ensuring workers comply with the standard on the jobsite.
• For employers with more than 10 employees, the HIIPP must be written in a language (or languages) that everyone on the worksite can understand and be easily accessible for employees. Employers with 10 or fewer employees do not need written plans.
• Employers must seek the input of non-managerial employees in the development of the HIIPP.
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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:
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• 30% off Ground Commercial / Residential
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• Up to 50% off on additional services.
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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.
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How to Incorporate Renewable Energy Sources into Home Building
Energy efficiency remains one of the most desired components among new and prospective home buyers. In 2020, NAHB surveyed more than 3,000 home buyers, both recent and prospective, on the types of features they prefer to have in their homes, including eco-friendly components and designs, and that still rings true today. Some of the most requested features buyers want to see in home plans are ENERGY STAR-rated windows and appliances, efficient lighting that uses less energy than traditional bulbs, and an ENERGY STAR rating for the whole house.
Benefits of Integrating Renewable Energy in Homes
Integrating renewable energy in homes can have both financial and environmental benefits. Not only do energy-efficient systems decrease the home’s carbon footprint, but materials such as solar panels pay for themselves. So even though they cost more up-front, they can save money over the life of the system.
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Podcast: What Fed Rate Cut Means for Housing
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss the latest economic news, including the Federal Reserve’s rate cut announcement this week, what it means for housing and what policymakers can do to promote growth in housing.
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KRISTEN SULLIVAN, GATEHOUSE PARTNERS
First-Time Buyer Share for New Homes is Slipping
On average, 40% of builders’ single-family home sales so far in 2024 have been made to first-time home buyers, according to the most recent NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey (HMI). That share has doubled since 2016, when only 19% of builders’ sales went to first-time buyers.
Our limited time-series on this topic in the HMI survey indicates that first-time home buyers purchased an increasing share of new homes between 2016 and 2021, when the proportion rose from 19% to 43%.
Unfortunately, the series has a two-year hiatus (2019 and 2020) when no data are available.
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RING’S END
Since 1902
Bethel | Branford | Danbury
Darien | Fairfield | Lewisboro | Madison New Milford | Newtown | Niantic North Stamford | Norwalk | Orange Stamford | Stratford | Trumbull Westport | Wethersfield | Wilton
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 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
