Summer 2021 Building Connections Magazine 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 - S U M M E R 2 0 2 1

UPCOMING

FEATURES

HBRA Golf Outing November GMM OSHA 10

Member News COVID-19 Resources Latest Updates

MEMBER BENEFITS mynpp.com NAHB Benefits

Your Monthly Newsletter Building Connections is a monthly digital magazine produced and published by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County. Inside you will find the latest association news, legislative updates, upcoming events, and featured articles about the industry.

hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com www.buildfairfieldcounty.com @hbraffc (203) 335-7008

2021 2021 OFFICERS President Kim DiMatteo ACBI

Sr. Vice-President John Hertz Hertz Construction

Vice President Rob Michaud

Michaud Development Group

Secretary Michael Wood Wood Builders

Treasurer Steven Roth

Elevator Service Company

Immediate Past President Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders

PWB Chair Stephanie Rapp

Stephanie Rapp Interiors

2021 DIRECTORS Luigi Altamura Altamura Homes

Propane Pete Battaglio Hocon Gas

Max Bender Bender Supply

Karen Bradbury

Closet & Storage Concepts

Ken DeLeo

Doherty & DeLeo

Brian Kurtz

Interstate Lumber

Peter Sciarretta

Hemingway Construction

Alex Shook

Pella Commercial

Lisa White

Breakwater Renovation & Design

LIFE DIRECTORS Joanne Carroll JMC Resources

Michael Palumbo ERI Building & Design

Jerry Effren The Greyrock Companies

Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders

Gary Fanali City Carting

Terrence Beaty William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Peter Fusaro Preferred Builders

Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc.

2021.

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

Hello Members, As the summer ends, we at the HBRA are very much looking forward to a fun filled and eventful fall. We have our Annual Golf Tournament in September. Registration and sponsorships are still open! I look forward to getting back to our normal schedule and seeing everyone again for both networking and educational events for the remainder of the year! Be sure to keep our online membership directory in mind whenever you are looking for a business: www.buildfairfieldcounty.com/ directory. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can do anything for you or your business. kerry@buildfairfieldcounty.com Kind Regards, Kerry Brunn

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

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U P COMIN G EVEN TS

September 20th

2021 Fairfield County HBRA Golf Classic Click Here to Register

October 6th: GMM

Economic Outlook Presentation & Past Presidents’ Night (at Bender in Norwalk)

November 1st & 2nd:

OSHA 10 Training (at Ring’s End in Stratford) Click Here to Register

November 3rd: GMM

Presented by the Professional Women in Building Council, featuring guest speaker Barri Rafferty, Executive Vice President, Head of Communications and Brand Management at Wells Fargo (at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center)

December 1st

Holiday Party at Pinstripes in Norwalk

SUMMER 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 7

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The Annual HBRA Golf Classic, presented by Ring’s End will be held on Monday, September 20th 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. 18-Hole Tournament (Limited to 124 golfers) Early Bird Pricing: $900 / foursome or $225 / golfer Price Increase after August 20th: $1000 / foursome or $250 / golfer Includes golf, on-course lunch, and dinner.

CLAIM A SPONSORSHIP

9-Hole Tournament- “The Glen” (Limited to 36 golfers) Early Bird Pricing: $500 / foursome or $125 / golfer Price Increase after August 20th: $600 / foursome or $150 / golfer Includes golf, on-course lunch, and dinner. Dinner Only - $60 4pm - 5pm Arrive for Dinner and Raffle Again this year dinner will feature one hour of open bar and staff passed hors d’oeuvres including grilled pizzas, pot stickers, mini kabobs, stuffed rigatoni, sliders, franks-in-a-blanket, sandwich roll ups, sweet and sour meatballs, eggplant rollatini, stuffed risotto, chicken tenders, stuffed mushroom caps, clams casino, and coconut shrimp.

Volunteers

Spend the day on the course networking with other industry professionals! Volunteers will help with set up, on course activities and games. Plus all volunteers receive lunch! If interested please email hbra@ buildfairfieldcounty.com or call the office at 203-335-7008.

Raffle Prize Donation

Want to donate a prize for the raffle? Your company logo will be displayed next to your donated item and we will thank you from the podium. A member from your company can also draw the winning ticket. Email hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com or call (203) 335-7008!

SUMMER 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 9

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2021 HOBI AWARDS SPECIAL CATEGORIES There are two Special Design Only Categories with separate entries NOT online! Read below for more details about these opportunities. September 10, 2021 Deadline Best ADU Design In response to 2021 CT legislation regarding as of right attached or detached ADU’s, the 2021 HOBI Awards will recognize the BEST ADU Prototypes, designed to meet individual town bulk requirements and the guidelines stipulated in ADU legislation. Best Multifamily Housing Design Currently, 90% of Connecticut is zoned for single-family homes. By comparison, only 2.3% of the towns in CT allow 3 units and only 2% allow four or more units. Eight towns do not allow any multifamily housing! To promote creative as of right housing that will meet the varying income and generational needs of our state, the 2021 HOBI Awards will recognize the BEST Multifamily Housing Prototypes, designed to meet the bulk requirements and ambiance of individual towns across Connecticut.

SUMMER 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 11

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MEMBER N EWS

J&M Construction and Son Featured in DIY Network’s Building Off The Grid Episode follows Custom Builder’s Smart Timber Cabin Build in Ludlowe, Vermont FAIRFIELD, CT (June 1, 2021) – The DIY Network will premiere a recently filmed episode of their popular Building Off The Grid series featuring the work of Fairfield-based J&M Construction and Son on Tuesday, June 1st at 9:00pm EST. In this episode, J&M Construction President Joe Theriault takes viewers through the ideation/design/build process, from excavation to completion, at the cabin’s rural location in Ludlowe, Vermont. The episode was filmed over the entire construction process and was completed with still enough time for the owners to enjoy snowboarding on the mountains. The NY-based owners were contacted by showrunners who learned of their Smart build project and approached them about the possibility of filming the construction. “One of the reasons we were excited to participate in filming

was because it’s a great way to show homeowners how to easily incorporate sustainable features and Smart components into their houses,” says Theriault. “We were able to include the homeowners’ wish list of Smart technology, solar and Tesla EV charging into the build to make it sustainable and self-sufficient. DIYers are often intimated by these types of features, and we really enjoyed working with the homeowner to discuss options, pros and cons, and reach the best solution for their needs.” “It was a fun challenge starting with the basic cabin kit and designing a version that incorporated the homeowner’s vision for this home. To add in a 2nd bedroom, we literally moved the staircase to the other side of the cabin, freeing up unusable space for the bedroom and a bonus utility area.” “For us, the homeowner’s appreciation and gratitude made this build worthwhile,” adds Theriault. “There’s nothing better than the smile on a homeowner’s face when you hand them the keys to their dream getaway. This has been one of our most favorite projects constructed by our J&M North division in Vermont, and we hope this episode encourages more DIYers to

embrace technology and sustainability.” About J&M Construction and Son For over 30 years, J&M Construction & Son has worked with homeowners in providing home design, custom construction and complete project management for new home and renovation projects throughout Fairfield County and Southern Vermont. https://www. jandmconstruction.com/ About Building Off The Grid Tired of city life, hundreds of families move off the grid every year in search of better living. With fewer building restrictions holding them back, the sky is the limit for these adventurous outdoor enthusiasts as they work with builders to construct their perfect off-thegrid home. https://www.diynetwork.com/ shows/building-off-the-grid-1/ episodes/6/vermont-timberframe-house https://go.discovery.com/tvshows

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.

Dryer Vent Wizard Contact Person: Jim Selden Address: 2490 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield CT 06825, US Phone: 2035575144 Email: jselden@dryerventwizard.com Full Time: 1 Job Title: Home Service Technician Start Date: Immediate Emilia Ferri Architecture + Design Contact Person: Emilia Ferri Address: P.O. Box 4535, Greenwich CT, US Phone: 2035457761 Email: emiliaferridesign@gmail.com Job Title: Architectural Associate Start Date: Immediate DeRosa Builders LLC. Contact: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/jobs/derosa-builders-03fb1b8f/residential-construction-superintendent-bb06ca0a Job Title: Residential Construction Superintendent Start Date: Immediate

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL JOB LISTINGS CLICK HERE TO POST A JOB

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N EW MEMBERS

Advanced Testing Systems Inc. | Pat MacCarthy

Advanced Testing Systems maintains a pool of engineers and technicians ready to meet your schedule. The use of the most modern testing equipment, as well as computerized record keeping and report generation, provides accurate efficient service. This level of expertise has resulted in continued approvals and recommendations by various agencies and utilities. Read More

Carl Vernlund Photography | Carl Vernlund

Carl Vernlund specializes in providing commercial and residential architects with award winning still and motion visuals for architecture, interiors, aerials and landscape design.Based in Central Connecticut, Carl covers all of New England and the Tri-State area. Embracing the latest technology and safety protocols, he produces stills, drone aerials, and 360 virtual tours. Read More

Pollack+Partners | Christopher Pollack

Pollack+Partners (P+P) oversees all phases of project design and build from conception through completion as Private Developers, Master Builders and Project Managers. P+P acts as a virtual extension of our clients, providing experienced counsel and a sophisticated build model to ensure consistent, best practices and the highest quality outcome. Read More

Sweeney Construction, LLC | Patrick Sweeney

For the past 28 years we have built homes in a variety of architectural styles with the keen understanding that each home is as unique as the family who will be living in it. Patrick meets with clients and architects on a new home design to review the budget in detail, outline the project timeline, and identify unique features that will distinguish the client’s finished home. Read More

Cambria | Melissa Rode

We bring the high standards of an American company and the passion of a family-owned business to everything we do. We’re dedicated to making and keeping a bold, simple promise: to transform quartz into breathtaking surfaces and exceptional customer experiences. Read More

Vet’s Explosives Inc.

Thomas A. Gelormino With over 50 years of service to Connecticut and surrounding states, Vet’s is a proven leader in the supply of explosive products and services. Vet’s has a long history of providing expertise in the most demanding and challenging blasting applications. Read More

A&B Painting, LLC Vagner Poloniato

Welcome to Our Newest Affiliates Ridgefield Supply Company Jennifer Brakenwagen Oxford Lumber Jamie McMullen

SUMMER 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 17

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

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

18 HBRA of Fairfield County | SUMMER 2021

N AH B N EWS

Slab Foundations Continue to Overtake Basements in New Homes NAHB analysis of the latest Survey of Construction (SOC) shows the gap between slab and full/partial basement foundation adoption rates is growing: The share of new homes built on slabs steadily increased from 46% in 2000 to 65% in 2020, while the share of new homes with basements dropped from 36.8% to 22%. There are large regional differences in foundation types across the nation. Homes in colder areas, where building codes normally require foundations to be built below the frost line, are predominately constructed with full or partial basements. The division with the highest share of full/partial basements in new homes is New England (79.8%), followed by the West North Central division (77.2 %), the Middle Atlantic division (69.5%) and the East North Central division (54.3%).

Class is in Session: September NAHB Live Online Courses As students return to schools all over the country, take the opportunity to advance your professional skills with live, online courses taught by industry experts who will help you sharpen your sales presentations and discover what home buyers really want. NAHB’s interactive, live online courses are taught on Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. ET, and participants can earn continuing education credits.

New homes with slab foundations are most common in the West Read More South Central (95.7%), South Atlantic (79.4%), Pacific (67.7%) and Mountain (48.1%) divisions. Read More

Working With Bender Brings Out Your Best “Every detail of the luxury condominiums and apartments we build is important, so we partner with suppliers that share our aesthetic values in design, an appreciation for quality and a thoughtful approach to budget considerations. The range of products, choice of options, understanding of our needs and recommendations for solutions make Bender one of our preferred partners. No wonder the top builders and remodelers work with Bender to create their next masterpiece – like our properties in New Canaan.”

Photography by Chris Kiely and Katrina Kyte

Robin Carroll Director of Design and Residential Construction

SUMMER 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 19

N AH B N EWS

How Builders Can Charge for Quotes and Avoid Working for Free The problem that many builders face when they quote jobs for free is that they’re actually spending their own money. A builder’s time is valuable, so even if they don’t end up paying an estimator there is still a cost associated with every quote that is produced. Builders that charge for quotes are 8 times more likely to win a job as opposed to those who do not. So while the easy option may appear to be ‘just do it’ or ‘quote and hope,’ the reality is that they’re probably wasting their time. An Estimate is Not a Quote An estimate is exactly that, an estimation of what a job might cost. It’s an indication based on a builder’s experience. The accuracy will depend on the systems the builder uses and their experience. But builders shouldn’t spend hours providing estimates and they shouldn’t waste their time looking at plans unless they have qualified their prospect beforehand.

20 HBRA of Fairfield County | SUMMER 2021

Supreme Court Strikes Down CDC Eviction Moratorium he U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision last night that said it was unlawful for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to unilaterally extend its eviction moratorium through Oct. 3, 2021. In ruling that the CDC did not have the power to issue such a ban, the court said: “It is up to Congress, not the CDC, to decide whether the public interest merits further action here.”

SUMMER 2021 HBRA of Fairfield County 21

N AH B N EWS

New Home Size Increases as Demand for More Space Continues The size of new single-family homes increased in the second quarter, as the pandemic has sparked a need for more living space and people continue using their homes for more purposes, particularly teleworking. The median size of a single-family home increased to 2,297 square feet, according to data from the Census Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design and NAHB analysis. Average square footage increased to 2,540. The median home size consistently rose each year from 2009 to 2015, as entry-level home construction was constrained. It then declined between 2016 and 2020, as more starter homes were developed. Home sizes are expected to increase again moving forward, given the shift in consumer preferences for more space in the post-COVID-19 environment. Read More

Cooling Trends Continue for Housing The pace of home building continued to slow in July, blighted by a combination of supplychain constraints and diminishing housing affordability. Overall housing starts decreased 7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.53 million units. Although single-family home building is up 27% on a year-todate basis (when compared to the declines in the spring of 2020), single-family starts dropped 4.5% from the previous month and permits were at the lowest pace since July 2020. Read More

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SUMMER HBRA of Fairfield County 27 Have a sales question? Email Ed2021 at ed.schultek@sandler.com.

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area one fall meeting 09.10.2021 10:00am-1:00pm Zoom details will be sent to those registered prior to the meeting.

join us virtually!

discuss the issues important to your business.

Guests include: NAHB Chief Lobbyist, Jim Tobin NAHB First Vice President, Jerry Konter

hear from those in the know.

Immediate Past Chairman, Greg Ugalde NAHB candidate for 3rd Vice Chair Buddy Hughes.

help shape the strategy for tomorrow.