Mission Statement The North Peninsula Building Association represents builders and associates of the building industry. We advocate constant improvement of building and business practices to provide quality construction in our community.
Vol. 5, Issue 2
www.npba.info
360-452-8160
PO Box 748 • 3430 E. Highway 101, Ste. #1, Port Angeles, WA 98362
February 2012
rs! 15 yea g n i t ra Celeb
Expo 2012 is just around the corner!
The NPBA Building, Remodeling and Energy Expo is coming right up on March 31-April 1 at the Sequim High School campus. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still space available — don’t miss your opportunity to showcase what you do to thousands of qualified leads who attend the show! If you would like more information about the show, contact the NPBA office at 452-8160 or e-mail expo@ npba.info. Sponsored by: PUD, Angeles Millwork, First Federal, Hartnagels & Sequim Gazette
The community joins in to help plant the rain gardens at Linn Acres, the Future Builders Low-Impact Development.
NPBA suspends construction of Future Builder Project At a special meeting of the North Peninsula Building Association, its board of directors voted to suspend activities of the Future Builders program citing a decline in donations, difficult market conditions and lack of student interest as factors for the decision. The program has been a collaboration between the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center, Peninsula College and the North Peninsula Building Association. Each year, since its inception in 2000, students have enrolled in the Future Builders class and with the supervision of a construction superintendent hired by the NPBA and a teacher provided by the school district, the class would work from start to finish on a home during the September through June school year. After completion, the home would be sold and a portion of the proceeds would go to fund grants and scholarships to local students and vocational programs. The Future Builders Charitable Organization has been able to fund more than $180,000 in grants and scholarships during the past 12 years. In late 2011, the Future Builders program was under way with its 12th project house which was being built in Linn
Acres, an 18-lot low-impact subdivision developed by the NPBA in 2007. House No. 12 was permitted with approved plans and progress included the completion of foundation and grading stage. NPBA President Rick Gross observed that, “For the first time in 12 years, we started the house and didn’t have a high school class available to continue construction, so it’s time for us to take a look at the program and assess how we can encourage students to enroll in the class. We also need to evaluate our processes in order to run the program more efficiently.” The 2012 Future Builders Project house was to be used as an instructional site by the Peninsula College green construction and carpentry classes and would have featured green building techniques such as advanced framing and other energy efficient options. The current project, with plans, permits, foundation and grading completed, will be placed on the market for sale by the end of the month. The NPBA would like to thank all of the community for its support of the Future Builders Program for the past 12 years and looks forward to its continuation in the future.
House #9
House #10
House #11
Vol. 5, Issue 2
February 2012
Dear Donna Donna L. Knifsend
Dear Donna, Help. I own a landscape company that provides very good service to our customers. I have a situation with a customer who recently has gotten married. Her husband is upset because a tree recently died through no fault or action of our company. The husband feels that our company did something wrong, causing damage to the tree. The customer (wife) loves our company and has been an ongoing customer for two years, but she told me she must support her husband. He has told her to fire us. Any suggestions?
Answer: You did not provide information as to the cause of “death” to the tree. Notwithstanding the reason, perception is everything in conflict management. You need to provide the wife with the opportunity to educate her husband on why they should “retain your company” while not “offending” her husband. More importantly, you need to provide an opportunity for the husband to understand and connect with your company. The wife has an ongoing “relationship” with your company whereas the new husband is not on the same playing field. Request a meeting with both customers (yes, the husband is now your customer) at a time convenient to them. Keep in mind that dispute resolution and conflict management generally turns on not what you say, but HOW you say it. Educate (delicately) your customers on the causes of tree rot, shock or whatever the condition of the tree was resulting in damage/ death. Offer to replace the tree with something acceptable to all parties. Offer to pur-
chase the replacement item (tree/bush, etc.) at your cost rather than retail so that your customer gets a benefit yet your company is not out of pocket. Since this is an ongoing customer, offer to plant the tree at the proper time and while your crew is scheduled to be on the property so there is very little … if any … additional cost to your company. You need to listen to what is not being said during your meeting. Is the husband really upset about the tree or is there another underlying reason for his disapproval of your company (i.e. you show up at 9 a.m. on Saturdays when he has just gotten off work and is trying to sleep; an employee offended him; he wants the opportunity to maintain the yard, etc.). Even though you believe that your company did nothing wrong, you are building relationships in a tough economy. Word of mouth will travel when the husband feels that you are fair. If you find out that your company did caused damage to the tree, then step up to the plate. Admit your error, apologize and make it right. Note: You may download the free 71-page pdf file from Lawsuit-Prevention.com that provides tips, information and strategy on dispute resolution. It is called "Using ADR as an affirmative business strategy." It is my opinion that society has forgotten how to accept accountability and responsibility. Effective dispute resolution means putting accountability and responsibility back into the equation by educating the disputants on their rights and obligations so that they can explore options once they realize that perceptions are not always what they seem. Additionally, if you have a serious dispute that may head into the court if not resolved, consider using a neutral third party (mediator/facilitator) to assist in resolving the conflict. There are many free or low-cost mediation services in our area. Disclaimer: The advice given herein is strictly for informational purposes only and does not reflect advice to the readers. If you have a legal issue, see an attorney for full evaluation and advice.
February
Feb. 14 Feb. 17 Feb. 23 Feb. 27-29
Your Website & Your Marketing Plan Seminar 1-5 p.m., Lincoln Center, Port Angeles Super Sweet Spike Rewards 4 p.m. Social Media Awareness & Protections Seminar 1-5 p.m., Lincoln Center, Port Angeles BIAW Winter Board of Directors Meeting
March
Calendar of events:
March 3 March 29 March 31 -April 1
3rd Annual NPBA Bowling Tournament 6 p.m. General Membership Meeting 6 p.m. 15th Annual Building, Remodeling and Energy Expo
Vol. 5, Issue 2
February 2012
Single Residential Building Permit Activity JanuaryAnnually – December 2011 SingleFamily Family Residential Building Permit Activity 2000-2011
NPBA welcomes the following new member:
DeWald’s Healthy Carpet Cleaning
David DeWald 802 N. Kendall Road, Sequim, WA 98382 Phone: 360-460-2700
Dungeness Water Management Rule presented at NPBA General Membership Meeting
NPBA members listen intently during a presentation on the Dungeness Water Management Rule.
On Feb. 2, Department of Ecology staff gave a presentation to members of the NPBA regarding the Dungeness Water Management Rule. The presentation provided some answers to our members’ questions but many still remain. The NPBA will be providing feedback on the preliminary draft rule by Feb. 17. If you would like to provide feedback, please do so prior to the Feb. 17 deadline — once the rule has been published (which is scheduled for March), no substantial changes can be made. Several NPBA members also attended
NPBA would like to thank the following companies for their continued support: Green Crow Properties J. Grice Construction KONP Radio Land Title & Escrow Legacy Homes, Inc. McCrorie Carpet One Modern Drywall Olympic Garage Door Olympic Peninsula Title Company Peninsula Heat Company Peninsula Pest Control RJ Services Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce S-N-S Roofing Thomas Building Center Washington Federal
a Clallam County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, where the commissioners solicited comment and input to help facilitate county government’s comments on the draft rule prior to the Feb. 17 deadline. Clallam County citizens packed the commissioners’ chambers and the majority echoed NPBA concerns that there are too many unanswered questions to proceed with the publication of the rule in March. NPBA would like to encourage its members to get informed about this important issue and will be monitoring developments and keeping you informed as the process unfolds.
Vol. 5, Issue 2
2012 Officers and Board of Directors President: Rick Gross, Estes Builders LLC 1st Vice President: Garret DelaBarre DelaBarre Construction 2nd Vice President: Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc. Treasurer: Julie Myers, First Federal Secretary: Donna Knifsend Lawsuit Prevention & Mgmt Immediate Past President: Tracy Gudgel Zenovic & Associates State Directors: Annie O’Rourke, Drafting Solutions Scott Schwagler, J & J Construction Garret DelaBarre, DelaBarre Construction Mark Smith Builder Directors: Alex Anderson, Alex Anderson Concrete Larry Hanna, L.P. Hanna Construction Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc. Greg McCarry, Westerra Homes Associate Directors: Kelly Raymond, Sound Community Bank Dan Donovan, Allform Welding Inc. Roger Wheeler, RJ Services Life Director: Bill Roberds, Excel Utility Construction Inc. Executive Officer: FaLeana Wech Future Builders Construction Superintendent: Troy Belbin
February 2012
For Sale: Lot and foundation in Linn Acres, a Low-Impact Development
In 2007, the NPBA in partnership with the City of Port Angeles and Washington Department of Ecology developed an 18-lot subdivision on the east side of Port Angeles named Linn Acres. The Future Builders class has built five homes in this subdivision. Contact the NPBA office for information at 452-8160 or e-mail faleana@npba.info.
CODE CORNER
Clallam and Jefferson County, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim, Juan de Fuca Chapter of ICC
Did you know that beginning April 1 carbon monoxide alarms are required in single-family residences? For new construction, an approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units and on each level of the dwelling. Existing dwellings shall be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms when alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created. Exceptions: 1. Work involving the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or deck, or electrical permits, are exempt from the requirements of this section. 2. Installation, alteration or repairs of noncombustion plumbing or mechanical systems are exempt from the requirements of this section.