The official magazine of the North Carolina Home Builders Association
Vol. 40, No. 3, May/June 2010
May is Remodeling Month NCHBA Legislative Conference Register Now for the 21CBEC In the Spotlight: Ed and Debbie Butler
Builders Classic Golf Tournament Supports Scholarships
At ,A mOment like this,
Aren t yOu glAd yOu hAve Builders mutuAl?
Construction debris can do irreparable damage to the unprotected eye.
O
ur WorkSafe program provides our policyholders with valuable information and safety training to avoid accidents like this one. Your very own field expert can provide free individual consultation at the jobsite and help you control losses. Plus, our policyholders have unlimited access to our English/Spanish Fall Protection Certification, Builders University OSHA authorized safety courses, and toolbox talks. We even offer discounted “Safety Stuff,” like safety glasses, through our online store. Staying safe and productive is just a matter of having the right tools—and the right insurance company. View our new and improved risk management website on www.buildersmutual.com/rm
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Features Visit us at booth #834
V ol . 40, N o . 3, M ay /J une 2010
8
The official magazine of the North Carolina Home Builders Association
2005 Communicator Award Winner
Dedicated to the advancement of the home building industry, North Carolina Builder (ISSN 1552-8685) is published monthly for the members of the North Carolina Home Builders Association, P.O. Box 99090, Raleigh, N.C. 27624-9090. (800) 662-7129 • http://www.nchba.com Mike Carpenter Executive Vice President and General Counsel
mcarpenter@nchba.org
Lisa Martin Director of Government Affairs
7
Golf tournament raises funds for scholarships
7
NCHBA hosted the Builders Classic April 9 in Whispering Pines. Proceeds from the tournament will be used to award scholarships to family members of NCHBA member firms who are majoring in a construction-related field.
STARS Awards Gala salutes work of HBA members
lmartin@nchba.org
Robert Privott Director of Codes and Construction rprivott@nchba.org Jessica Hayes Director of Political Affairs
jhayes@nchba.org
Kathryn Atkinson Director of Membership Services katkinson@nchba.org
8
Deborah Alford Director of Exhibitions and Education
dalford@nchba.org
Do you need a creative way to make your product or company stand out above the competition? If so, enter the STARS Awards and be recognized by your peers for your outstanding professional performance.
Tracie Garrett Director of Exhibitor Services
tgarrett@nchba.org
Kep Paylor Vocational Education
kpaylor@nchba.org
13 Builders and associates receive professional designations
Mike Elledge Controller
10
Meet the latest graduates of the North Carolina Builder Institute, the educational arm of the North Carolina Home Builders Association.
Registration opens for 21CBEC
13
Make plans to attend the premier building expo and conference in the Southeast. The 21st Century Building Expo & Conference will be held September 15-17 in Charlotte, N.C.
Contents 4. President’s Message 6. Capitol Insider 9. In the Spotlight: Ed and Debbie Butler
melledge@nchba.org ejones@nchba.org
Heather Crews Director of Communications and Managing Editor
hcrews@nchba.org
Brittany Carter Assistant Education Coordinator Beth Gray Receptionist
12. Knowledge Builder 13. NC BUILD-PAC 14. Code Corner
bcarter@nchba.org
bgray@nchba.org
Publisher Kevin Naughton Graphic Designer Jason Gabel Advertising Sales Manager Brenda Poe Advertising Sales Jeff Pinwar: (800) 935-1592, ext. 118 jpinwar@printcomm.com Marsha Suwienski: (800) 935-1592, ext. 106 marshas@wildblue.net Brenda Poe: (800) 935-1592, ext. 115 bpoe@printcomm.com Published by:
2929 Davison Rd., Flint, MI 48506 • (810) 239-5763
On the cover: Brickwood Builders, led by Ed and Debbie Butler, remodeled this 1964 kitchen in Greensboro as part of a whole house remodel.
NCHBA Calendar
2010 Schedule of Events
May 25 National Membership Day
September 15 STARS Awards Gala
June 8-9 NCHBA Legislative Conference & 2nd Quarter Board Meeting Raleigh, N.C.
September 15-17 21st Century Building Expo & Conference
May/June 2010
Erin Jones Manager of Political Operations
Acceptance of advertising in North Carolina Builder does not imply endorsement of the product or service by NCHBA. Opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and people quoted and not necessarily those of NCHBA, nor does mention of specific products in editorial content imply endorsement by NCHBA. No material may be reproduced for further publication without the express permission of the association. North Carolina Builder is published for the principals and employees of all member firms of the North Carolina Home Builders Association and its receipt Affiliated with the Association is included in the membership fee. North Carolina National of Home Builders. Builder is published six times per year. Since the mailing list used by North Carolina Builder is compiled according to membership records, address corrections should be directed to your local association. Dues paid to NCHBA are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, they may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses subject to restrictions imposed as a result of association lobbying activities. NCHBA estimates that the nondeductible portion of your 2010 dues — the portion that is allocable to lobbying — is 25 percent.
September 18 NCHBA 3rd Quarter Board Meeting North Carolina Builder 3
President’s Message
by Lyle Gardner, 2010 NCHBA President
A
Making Our Voices Heard
s NCHBA President, I have had the opportunity to travel On June 8, you will hear from Lisa Martin, Robert Privott, Jessi around the state visiting a number of our 65 local home Hayes and Mike Carpenter regarding the political issues facing our builders associations. I have observed one thing: we are blessed industry. In the evening, we will have a reception for all of the members with great leadership. Even though the economy is bad and our of the N.C. General Assembly at the N.C. Museum of History, where members’ businesses are hurting, I have seen many new, creative we will have the opportunity to converse with our Senators and energetic ideas. We are not going to let this temporary and House members in a casual atmosphere. The next day, we slowdown defeat us as businessmen and businesswomen, nor will break into small groups and visit our representatives in defeat us as an association.We, as a group, have too much energy their offices to talk more about state and local issues affecting and enthusiasm to allow that to happen. our business. Even during this slowdown, our municipal, county, state The North Carolina Home Builders Association needs your and federal governments have continued to crank out rules and help in this year’s lobbying effort. It makes a greater impact on regulations that have a detrimental impact on the affordability elected officials when they are answering to the people who Gardner of house. To help combat this barrage of new regulations, we vote for them, as opposed to a staff member who works for have organized our Legislative Conference during the Second Quarter the HBA and can only vote in Wake County. It is critical that we come Meeting in Raleigh June 8–9. together to have our voices heard by our elected officials. As Benjamin The two best investments you can make in your business this year are: Franklins said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in • Attend the Legislative Conference in June 1776, “We must hang together, or surely we will hang separately.” • Make a contribution to NC BUILD-PAC
Experience the
Magic
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel
of Venice
at the 2010 STARS Awards Gala during the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference
www.21buildingexpo.com 4 North Carolina Builder
For more information, contact Kathryn Atkinson at (800) 662-7129 or katkinson@nchba.org. May/June 2010
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Capitol Insider
D
Make your voice heard at the NCHBA Legislative Conference
ecisions that affect your company’s bottom line are being made every day the North Carolina General Assembly is in session. Environmental regulations, tax policy, insurance costs, labor law, building codes, contractor licensing requirements, and many other issues can add thousands of dollars to your annual operating budget, and the North Carolina General Assembly touches every one of them and more. Take advantage of this special opportunity the NCHBA Legislative Conference offers you to educate your lawmakers on the issues that are impacting your business. Attending the 2010 Legislative Conference will provide you an unparalleled opportunity to: • Lobby members of North Carolina General Assembly to protect your business • Establish lasting relationships with your elected State officials • Share builder concerns in a statewide forum in Raleigh • Learn the latest policy developments on the key issues affecting your business • Demonstrate your industry’s commitment to responsible policies, pragmatic reforms, effective programs and providing the resources necessary to meet our State’s housing needs
• Do your part to ensure that NCHBA’s issues are heard by North Carolina’s policymakers • Galvanize a united front in North Carolina’s General Assembly Let’s have 100 percent participation from each of our local associations. In these challenging times a strong builder turn out on June 8-9 will send a powerful message to members of the General Assembly: Housing must remain a priority.
Schedule at a Glance June 8, 8:30 a.m.—NCHBA Committee Meetings begin and last throughout the day at the North Raleigh Hilton June 8, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.—NCHBA Legislative Reception at the N.C. Museum of History June 9, 9 a.m.—NCHBA Legislative Day at the N.C. General Assembly June 9, 1 p.m.—2nd Quarter NCHBA Board Meeting Do you plan to stay overnight? Call the North Raleigh Hilton and ask for the NCHBA Group Rate of $119. The cutoff date for the group rate is May 17. How to attend? Just go to www.nchba.org and sign up. There is no fee to attend any Legislative Conference event.
at all the exciting products and services. — One new idea can make the difference!
LISTEN
to seminars and classes taught by leading industry experts. — One new insight can transform your company!
LEARN.
LOOK
LISTEN.
Building Expo & Conference
LOOK.
21st Century
LEARN
from the experts and your peers as you network at the Expo. — One new contact is often all it takes!
Exhibits: September 16-17, 2010 Conference: September 15-17, 2010 Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC • Door Prizes • Grand Prize • Golf Tournament • STARS Awards Gala • Builder Blast Information and Registration: www.21BuildingExpo.com 1.800.662.7129 6 North Carolina Builder
Presented by the North Carolina Home Builders Association
May/June 2010
Builders Classic Golf Tournament
s Ray Rhodes presents Buddy Hughes with the President’s Cup Trophy, a competition among former and current local, state or national HBA presidents. Also pictured are golf chairman Darrell Patterson (right) and NCHBECF Chairman Frank Wiesner.
The North Carolina Home Builders Association would like to thank Builders Mutual Insurance Co. for sponsoring the Builder Classic Golf Tournament. Proceeds benefit the North Carolina Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation Inc. It was through the insurance company’s generous support that this worthwhile event was made possible.
s Lyle Gardner thanks everyone for attending the BBQ Cook-off. Buddy Hughes with his Lexington-style BBQ took home the Pig after defeating Larry Airey’s Western-style BBQ and Robert Privott’s Eastern-style BBQ at the Pig-nic Cookoff sponsored by Builders Mutual Insurance Co.
Door prizes were donated by: • Builders Mutual Insurance Co. • LKN Properties • Moen Inc. • Progress Energy • Stuart Law Firm Gift bag items were donated by: • Builders Mutual Insurance Co. • deVintage Realty • Diamond Hill Plywood • Dominion NC Power • Piedmont Natural Gas • Pella Window • Residential Warranty Company LLC Hole sponsors were: • Carter Millwork Inc. • Custom Home Exteriors • Dominion NC Power • HBA of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties • N.C. Professional Women in Building • PRO-Build
May/June 2010
s First-place honors at the Builders Classic went to the team of Todd Fish, Keith Thomas, Currie Howell and Brad Cummings with a score of 59. Also pictured are golf chairman Darrell Patterson (right) and NCHBECF Chairman Frank Wiesner.
s
The team of Buddy Hughes, Ken Michael, Tim Temple and Dave Wilcox came in a close second place finish. Also pictured are golf chairman Darrell Patterson (right) and NCHBECF Chairman Frank Wiesner.
D
espite a cloudy day, golfers hit the links April 9 at Whispering Pines Country Club to raise money for the North Carolina Home Builders Educational & Charitable Foundation Inc., which provides scholarships for students entering the building industry. The Builders Classic Golf Tournament, sponsored by Builders Mutual Insurance Co., turned out to be another big success this year as 80 golfers helped raise over $10,000 for the foundation. The foundation would like to thank the many companies that helped support this event through contributions of door prizes, gift bag items and hole sponsorships. First- and second-place teams won gift certificates to the pro-shop at WPCC. The festivities began Thursday evening with a BBQ “Pig-nic” Cook-off hosted by Pete Mace and sponsored by Builders Mutual Insurance Co. Robert Privott, NCHBA Director of Codes and Construction, prepared Eastern-style North Carolina BBQ, Larry Airey of the Lake Norman HBA cooked a western North Carolina style of BBQ, and Davidson County HBA member and NCHBA Past President Buddy Hughes prepared Lexington-style BBQ. Attendees cast monetary “votes” for the best BBQ, which raised an additional $571 for the scholarship program. Buddy Hughes was voted the winner for the second consecutive year. North Carolina Builder 7
Experience the
Magic of Venice
at the 2010 STARS Awards
B
e whisked away to Italy for an evening during the 2010 STARS Awards! Enjoy a beautiful night in Venice on Wednesday, September 15, at the Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. No passport or jet lag required! Join your colleagues and fellow HBA members to honor the achievements of the industry’s best from North Carolina and beyond. The STARS Awards are a centerpiece of the 21st Century Building Expo and Conference—the premiere building expo and conference in the Southeast. Each year, the gala salutes the outstanding professional performance of HBA members throughout the region with the presentation of the prestigious STARS Awards. Mark your calendar now for a celebration that combines the suspense of an Oscar-style presentation with live music and an exceptional multi-media display of the winning entries. North Carolina’s own Ulysses Long is back by popular demand with his soulful vocals and fantastic keyboard skills. The STARS Awards program honors the achievements of builders, associates, realtors, media and advertising professionals, and many others who make major contributions to the residential home building industry. Local home builders associations are also honored for their outstanding achievements. With 47 categories to choose from, there is something for everyone. Category 17, Best Internet Marketing/ Advertising Project, is back in 2010 after a popular debut last year! Do you have a great project that deserves recognition? Do you need a creative way to make your product and company stand out above the competition? If so, enter the STARS Awards! To be eligible for consideration in the 2010 awards program, you must be a member of the National Association of Home Builders. Projects must have been completed between January 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010. Entrants can choose between two entry deadlines this year: • Early Bird deadline: All entries (fee and entry materials) must be received no later than July 12, 2010 Fee: $100 per entry • Regular deadline: All entries (fee and entry materials) must be received no later than July 21, 2010 Fee: $150 per entry The official 2010 Call for Entries with complete entry and event information can be accessed at www.21buildingexpo.com or by contacting Kathryn Atkinson at (919) 676-9090 or katkinson@nchba.org.
The marketing benefit of reaching for the STARS Ever wonder why your company should enter the STARS Awards? Are you curious as to what companies do with such an award? The answer goes beyond the trophy and immediate recognition to include the role that a STARS Award can play in the big picture of a company’s overall marketing and sales strategy. Marketing programs in general are all aimed at convincing people to try out or to keep using particular products or services. Professional recognition such as the STARS Awards can be a great addition to your marketing tool belt!
What can advertising your STARS Award(s) do for your business? • Highlight the quality and benefits of your product or service to current and potential customers, • Establish and maintain your distinct identity as a company and professional, • Enhance your professional reputation, • Give you an edge over the competition, • Encourage existing customers to buy more of what you sell, and • Promote your business. Don’t be left out of the 2010 STARS Awards! Enter today! 8 North Carolina Builder
May/June 2010
In the Spotlight Ed and Debbie Butler of Brickwood Builders
I
n 2004, Ed and Debbie Butler founded Brickwood Builders, Inc. as a result of a passion they share for remodeling. With other good, professional remodeling firms already in existence in the Greensboro, NC area, they knew it was necessary to incorporate strategies to differentiate them from their industry peers. In researching remodeling industry surveys, they found that the paramount factor in customer dissatisfaction with remodeling was the experience itself, followed by the inability to establish realistic budgets for a project. Thirdly, customers were dissatisfied with the quality of the workmanship. With this information in hand, they set out to build their strategy, making customer service their top goal. The first sentence of their mission statement sums up the main guiding principle of their business: “Provide our customers with an exceptional remodeling experience and results.” According to Debbie, “The business model that we created is a design/build strategy that focuses an enormous amount of energy around interaction and communication with clients. Remodeling is a people-business and a solutions-business— it’s not just about sticks and bricks. Superior quality is an expectation in our market. Our focus goes beyond that to address the total remodeling experience.” Ed adds that their business slogan, “Renovating Homes for Today’s Lifestyle,” is not just a marketing slogan.“It’s important that we correctly identify a customer’s needs and provide unique and functional solutions that address these needs. It also means incorporating the concepts of aging-in-place and green building where appropriate.”
Design/Build Design/build means many different things within the remodeling industry. Brickwood’s strategy includes in-house design capabilities, which makes them responsible and accountable for the process from project design through construction. If a customer prefers, however, the process is flexible and they will coordinate on behalf of the customer with outside professionals such as kitchen designers, interior designers and architects. Home owners may have a vision of what they want, but very few can articulate it well. More often, there is a lack of understanding of how design options flow through and affect the entire structure. “You don’t have a blank piece of paper to start with.You have to work with what is there. Remodeling is all about taking what exists, bringing solutions to the table and then executing in a manner that is consistent
with and aesthetically ties in with the original structure,” said Ed. Brickwood believes that a picture is truly worth a thousand words.To address the visualization gap that may exist, they utilize the Envisioneer 3-D software from Cadsoft for design. Depending upon the scope of the project, the whole house or just the project area can be built in the system. Once the existing space is created on the system, various design options can be explored and presented to customers. One of the benefits of the 3-D system is that it draws the client into the process and allows them to see the possibilities for their project in a format meaningful to them. Home owners become more engaged and begin to have fun, making the planning experience positive. “The 3-D system is a powerful tool,” Ed said. “It allows us to be creative and think outside of the box, rather than present a design we’ve already used elsewhere. We also get to work through some of the construction challenges in advance as we build the design on the system.” Design is an iterative process. Sometimes home owners don’t like the design they originally asked Brickwood to create or their design concept does not address the needs they expressed in initial conversations. There are always multiple options presented and explored with homeowners. To address the concern over realistic budgets, Brickwood spends time up-front with customers in their design center reviewing options. The goal is to assist clients in balancing between what they choose to spend versus the items they want. Once the design concept is created, Brickwood guides customers through the selection process to ensure that materials/products are consistent with both the design theme and the budget.
Customer Satisfaction In providing a great customer experience for their clients, Brickwood Builders hopes to create “customers for life”. “We want to be the ones customers call back the next time they have a need,” Ed said. “We get much of our business through repeat customers or referrals.” Perhaps one of the best testimonials of the customer experience that Brickwood Builders provides for their clients is their nomination by a client for the Piedmont Business Ethics Award given by the Society of Financial Service Professionals. “It really means a lot to us. Craftsmanship and making sure every detail has been covered are big things for us, but the thing that makes (See In the Spotlight on page 11)
Quick Facts about Brickwood Builders Inc. Designations: Ed and Debbie are working on the Certified Graduate Remodeler designation from NAHB; Brickwood Builders is a North Carolina Certified Lead Renovation Firm and Ed is a North Carolina Certified Lead Renovator Web Site: www.brickwoodbuilders.com May/June 2010
North Carolina Builder 9
NCBI Graduates Accredited Builder Graduates Milton Askew Bluewater Home Construction New Bern, N.C.
Skip Brewer, CGP Walnut Cove Builders Arden, N.C. Skip is a 30-year resident of Western North Carolina with nearly 15 years of building experience. Skip focuses on the entire building process from concept to delivery of the finished home. He has built model homes in gated golf communities and works with the area’s top architects in design-build capacities to deliver finely-crafted homes. Typically, Skip is personally on the jobsite every day. He enjoys continuing education and plans to graduate with the Accredited Master Builder designation in 2010. Skip is a 20-year veteran of sport skydiving, with a master skydiver license.
Chad Collins, CGP Collins Design-Build Durham, N.C. A licensed general contractor since 1997, as well as a licensed home inspector, Chad Collins has been transforming clients’ dreams into elegant, fashionable, timeless homes while building a reputation for skilled craftsmanship, superior quality, and incomparable client service. Chad’s commitment to excellence has earned Collins Design-Build, Inc. numerous top industry awards, including the coveted Triangle Sales and Marketing Council’s MAME Building Company of the Year in 2007 & 2008. Collins is a member of the HBA of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties and is also involved with NCHBA and NAHB.
Chuck Dees Riverbanks Construction New Bern, N.C.
Ron DeSimone, CGP Ron DeSimone Construction Waynesville, N.C. A native of New York, Ron DeSimone is a custom home builder in Western North Carolina. He enjoyed several other careers before making the home building business his full-time career. DeSimone is a member of the Haywood Co. HBA, serving in many capacities including two terms as president. He built the first certified Green HealthyBuilt Home in Haywood County and later the first NAHB Green certified home. DeSimone is an ENERGY STAR® Partner, committed to building only green certified homes. He also holds his Lead-Based Paint Renovator certification and is a Clear Water Contractor.
Brien Knight Home Design Custom Builders Inc. Clayton, N.C. Brien Knight graduated with an associate’s degree in architectural engineering and has worked in engineering, construction and sales for the past 35 years. He received his N.C. general contractor license in 2007 and founded Home Design Custom Builders Inc, specializing in single-family homes.
Joan Swift, CGP, CSP, CRS, ABRM, GREEN, GRI, e-PRO Swift Creek Construction High Point, N.C. Joan Swift received her N.C. General Contractors License in 2005 and co-founded Swift Creek Construction, LLC with her husband as her partner. She loves helping people realize their dream of home ownership, whether she is helping them with the design and building of a home or just purchasing a home. Joan is also a REALTOR® with HomeSell Select, LLC. With 10 years of experience in the real estate and construction industry, she never stops enjoying meeting new people and
learning new things. Joan is an active member of the Greensboro Builders Association and the Triad Green Building Council. She is also a member of both the Greensboro and High Point Association of Realtors.
Don Thompson Thompson-Rhodes Builders Arden NC Don Thompson has been a member of the Sierra Club longer than he has been a builder. Therefore, the rise of green building in the mainstream is welcome and long overdue as far as Don is concerned. Thompson-Rhodes Builders, Inc. is located in the wonderful city of Asheville nestled in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. “Green” is a relative term and some of the homes we have built are greener than others, but every home we build is ENERGY STAR® rated at a minimum. We work with our custom home clients to include as many green features as possible without blowing the budget and providing the most value for the dollar.
Joyce Vukela-Mayer JVM Homes, Inc Sherrills Ford, NC
Accredited Master Builder Ken Corbo Corbo Custom Homes Currituck, N.C. Ken Corbo has been in the building industry for more than 40 years, first starting out with his father’s business in NewYork in the late 1960s. After serving in the U.S.Army and U.S. Coast Guard, Corbo retired and started Corbo Custom Homes in 1998. After first building custom homes, he diversified his company and is now a regional Katahdin Log Home agent as well as a Nationwide Modular representative. Corbo is active on the state and local HBA levels and has served as President of the Northeastern NC HBA for the past three years.
Are you interested in enhancing your professionalism and earning accreditation in your industry? Plan to attend the Fall 2010 NCBI session scheduled for September 15-17 in conjunction with the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference in Charlotte. Go to www.21buildingexpo.com for a complete list of courses. 10 North Carolina Builder
May/June 2010
Kevin Lancaster, CGP Lancaster Construction Simpson, N.C. Kevin Lancaster’s involvement in the building industry began in 1997 when he started his own business doing home repairs and improvements in the Rocky Mount, N.C. area. He received his license from the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors in 2005. Lancaster made the move to Greenville, N.C. in 2006, focusing on residential building and remodeling. He is an involved member of the Greenville-Pitt County HBA and served on the Board of Directors for three years. He also has served on the NCHBA Nominating Committee for the past two years. Lancaster is a Certified Lead-Based Paint Renovator.
Chad Vanne Stillwater Construction Hendersonville, N.C. After graduating with a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1995, Vanne began building homes as an AmeriCorps volunteer for a non-profit housing agency. Since that first year of volunteer service, he has built both affordable and multi-million dollar homes. He currently owns Stillwater Construction Inc., a custom construction company dedicated to the practices of energy resource efficiency when building or renovating residential and commercial projects. Stillwater is experienced in a wide variety of construction methods and techniques used to achieve the same result: a well-designed, high-quality, fair priced creation that reflects the clients’ personality.
Accredited Master Associate Jerry Cowan Builders Mutual Insurance Co. Greensboro, N.C. Jerry is a Senior Territory Manager with Builders Mutual, the endorsed insurance program of the NCHBA. He serves the Central North Carolina territory working with over 120 independent insurance agents and 18 local home builders associations to promote BMIC and the HBA. He is an active member of the Greensboro BA, HBA of Raleigh-Wake Co., Winston Salem HBA and the Durham Orange Chatham HBA. He is also active with the Membership and Associates committees with NCHBA and NAHB. Cowan is currently a Statesman level Spike with over 920 Spike Credits. May/June 2010
In the Spotlight (continued from page 9) this award special is that it centers around business ethics and how we serve our customers,” Ed said.
HBA Involvement Brickwood Builders has been a member of the Greensboro Builders Association since its founding in 2004. “We get a lot out of our membership in the GBA,” said Ed.“The educational and networking opportunities have helped us to focus and grow our business.” This year Ed serves as chair of the Remodeler’s Council. As vice chair, Ed assisted the GBA leadership in identifying educational and business development programs for the monthly Remodeler’s Council meetings in order to provide the membership additional business tools during a down economy.
the environment is ripe for planting “green” in a homeowner's Mind! Because of a concern for the environment and potential energy-savings benefits, more and more homeowners are demanding products that are “green”. Norandex Building Materials Distribution offers builders and remodelers numerous eco-friendly products for the exterior of a home. Insulated vinyl siding that increases a home’s R-value, thermally efficient windows with numerous energy-efficient glass options, insulated doors and roofing materials which conserve energy use, and decking, fence, railings and other products that are made from recyclable materials. To find out more about all the “green” products available to you through Norandex, contact your local sales representative. And remember, if you’re not selling “green” you might be losing out on some!
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North Carolina Builder 11
Knowledge Builder Tips from your industry experts at Builders Mutual
Win with LOTO
W
e all dream of winning the lotto. For much better odds though, we can guarantee a win with “LOTO.” OSHA designed LOTO (lockout/tagout) standards such as 29 CFR 1910.147 for General Industry and 29 CFR 1910.417 and 1910.702 for Construction to help keep workers safe. LOTO standards help companies and their employees prevent the release of hazardous energy during maintenance or repair of machinery and equipment.
Hazardous energy Hazardous energy? Sounds intense! The term might conjure up extreme images, like a nuclear power plant. Instead, think of it as an electrical energy hazard, as in batteries and capacitors or generated power.
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888-443-7937 www.Dryerbox.com 12 North Carolina Builder
Don’t be fooled, though. The standards aim to prevent much more than electrocution. Hazardous energy also includes kinetic energy, such as that found in the moving parts of mechanical systems. Also consider thermal energy, found in extreme temperatures, both high and low. It even includes potential energy stored in devices like springs, pressure vessels, gas tanks, or hydraulic systems. All pose serious threats to those working around equipment or machinery. While accidents don’t occur frequently, they generally result in severe injuries. Injuries range from small cuts in minor cases to fractures, amputations, and even casualties in major incidents. It can take months to get survivors rehabilitated and back to work.
LOTO programs OSHA standards describe how to develop, document, and enforce a LOTO program. Each piece of machinery or equipment will have specific procedures, and the employer then trains its employees on the program. Periodic inspections, at least annually, serve to monitor that employees followed these procedures correctly and under the right circumstances. What might a procedure look like? Whomever maintains or repairs the machinery or equipment must first isolate it from the energy source, to make it inoperable. They turn it off at the control panel, pull the main disconnect, lock it out using effective measures such as padlocks, chains, line valves, and wedges, then tagout. The tag warns that the equipment should not be operated. Sometimes, lockout proves impossible and tagout must suffice on its own. They must also communicate to employees not to interfere during the maintenance work. Next, they should test the effectiveness of the lockout controls by attempting a restart and check for any other pressures, as with hydraulic systems, for example. After servicing, only the person who installed the lock and/or tag may remove it, who then communicates that the equipment is back in service.
Basic blunders Seems straightforward, right? Think of the maintenance person who doesn’t employ the LOTO procedure because the servicing “will only take a minute.” Yet, it takes even less time for a horrible accident to occur. Look out for this and other missteps: • Failing to attempt to restart the equipment to ensure the effectiveness of the lockout • Leaving a key in the lockout device, so it doesn’t get lost, therefore giving anyone the ability to unlock it • Attaching multiple service persons’ lockout devices to one another instead of individually to the energy-isolating device, so when the first lock comes off, so do all those attached to it The N.C. Department of Labor even offers free 1-hour workshops on LOTO. Go to nclabor.com to register for one of their July classes held in Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh. Never gamble when it comes to safety. Forget the lotto, and win big with LOTO. Look for “Knowledge Builder,” compliments of Builders Mutual Insurance Company, in each issue of North Carolina Builder. Get access to even more free risk management resources at www.buildersmutual.com/RM.
May/June 2010
Expo.
LEARN.
LISTEN.
LOOK.
erts.
Make plans to attend the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference
R
egistration for the Southeast’s premier home building tradeshow, the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference, is officially open. We invite builders, remodelers, subcontractors, realtors and other industry professionals to attend the 21CBEC in Charlotte, N.C. September 15-17. The 21CBEC is your chance to see a large array of the products and services available from the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, a three-day educational conference includes a line-up of more than 50 general session seminars, North Carolina Builder Institute courses and NAHB Education classes. “We are confident builders are beginning to see a better market for their products as the economy begins to recover,” said 21CBEC Director Deborah Alford. “By taking a few hours to visit the 21CBEC in Charlotte, we think you will come away with something that will improve your business and help you prepare for the recovery.” There are three types of registration: • Expo floor only—FREE. Simply register before Sept. 14, and you can visit the exhibit hall filled with more than 200 exhibits showcasing products and services. The Expo floor will be open September 16 and 17. • Full Delegate—$75. Register as a full delegate and attend an unlimited number of our carefully selected general session seminars. Learn about trends in home building, how to keep your business successful, new marketing techniques, and much more during these insightful seminars taught by nationally-recognized speakers. The $75 fee also includes conference lunches on Thursday and Friday and Expo floor access. Fee increases to $100 after Sept. 14. • NCBI/NAHB Course—Fee varies depending on course. If you are working on an NAHB or NCBI designation, the 21CBEC offers three days of courses to help get you well on your way. Course fee includes course materials, unlimited general session seminars, conference lunches on Thursday and Friday, and the Expo floor. Online registration is easy. Go to www.21buildingexpo.com and click on Attendees. Interested in exhibiting at 21CBEC? Get your product in front of more than 5,000 industry professionals. Contact Tracie Garrett at tgarrett@nchba. org or 800.662.7129 to sign up now! May/June 2010
May is NC
BUILD-PAC
T
Month
hroughout the month of May, local associations will be competing against each other to see who can raise the most money and have the highest participation for NC BUILD-PAC. Local associations are broken down into four groups based on their 2009 fundraising totals. This promotes friendly competition among similarly sized associations. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each category in each group. The categories are: • Highest percentage of member participation between May 1 – May 31 • Highest percentage of goal raised between May 1 – May 31 • Most new contributors* between May 1 – May 31 The winner in each of the four groups of local associations will have the option of receiving the prize money to go toward their local NC BUILD-PAC reserve or their general fund.This is a great way to earn some extra money for your association, especially during an election year when you can use the money to help support local candidates. Remember that for every dollar given to NC BUILD-PAC, 30 cents goes directly into the local reserve account of your local association. This year we are focused on broadening participation in NC BUILD-PAC—it is our hope to get at least $10 from each member from every association for this important advocacy program. If you have ever thought about supporting NC BUILD-PAC, this is the month and the time to do it! Contact your local association to find out more about what they are doing to raise money for NC BUILD-PAC and how you can help! For questions or to get a list of contributors, contact Erin Jones at ejones@nchba.org. *A new NC BUILD-PAC contributor is defined as an individual who has not given to NC BUILD-PAC in the previous five years (May 1, 2005 – April 30, 2010). The NC State Board of Elections reporting software will be the source of information.
North Carolina Builder 13
Code Corner by Robert Privott, Director of Codes and Construction
North Carolina Building Code Council Update
T
he N.C. Building Code Council will meet June 14 & 15 at the N.C. State University McKimmon Center, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, NC. The council will have an appeal hearing starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 14. The public hearing will be held Tuesday, June 15, at 9 a.m. followed by the Code Council meeting at the conclusion of the hearing. The agenda for the Council meeting can be found at http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering/BCC/ engineering_bcc_agenda.asp about two weeks prior to the June 1415, 2010 Council meeting.
2012 North Carolina Building Codes The North Carolina amendment packages, produced by the AdHoc Committees, will be posted online prior to May 17, 2010 for public review and comment. The written public comment period expires July 16, 2010. The proposed North Carolina amendments for the 2012 codes can be reviewed online at http://www.ncdoi.com/ OSFM/Engineering/engineering_home.asp. On the STATE BUILDING CODES tab, select the BUILDING CODES – 2012 EDITION – PROPOSED AMENDMENTS to review the documents. Residential sprinklers have been proposed for townhouse construction in this North Carolina Code cycle. This proposed amendment was adopted in a residential code amendment package accepted by the Building Code Council as a Petition for Rulemaking at the March 8, 2010 meeting. The council also accepted a separate Petition for Rulemaking that removes the townhouse sprinkler requirement from the residential code. NCHBA is adamantly opposed to mandating residential sprinklers in one- and two-family construction. We will need the support of our grassroots members at the Council meetings in June and September 2010 and will be calling on you to support this effort. There are also substantial changes proposed for the 2012 North Carolina Energy Code to reflect a 30 percent decrease in energy consumption for all buildings, with plans to gain a 50 percent decrease in energy consumption in the 2015 Energy Code cycle. We will need grassroots support on this proposed change as well.
2009 Code Changes Adopted by the Building Code Council The following is a partial list of approved changes to the 2009 North Carolina Building Codes. Note that these changes have gone through the rulemaking process and the effective date of the rules is January 1, 2011 unless otherwise noted. 2009 NC Fuel Gas Code (090310 Item B-2)
Privott
310.2 CSST Bonding. CSST Gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system at the point where the gas service enters the building. The bonding jumper shall not be smaller than 6 AWG copper wire or equivalent. The effective date of this rule is December 1, 2009. 2009 N.C. Mechanical Code (071211 Item B2) 504.2 Exhaust penetrations. Where a clothes dryer exhaust duct penetrates a wall or ceiling membrane, the annular space shall be sealed with noncombustible material, approved fire caulking, or a noncombustible dryer exhaust duct wall receptacle. Ducts that exhaust clothes dryers shall not penetrate or be located within any fireblocking, draftstopping or any wall, floor/ceiling or other assembly required by the International Building Code to be fireresistance rated, unless such duct is constructed of galvanized steel or aluminum of the thickness specified in Section 603.4 and the fireresistance rating is maintained in accordance with the International Building Code. Fire dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers and any similar devices that will obstruct the exhaust flow, shall be prohibited in clothes dryer exhaust ducts. The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011. 2009 N.C. Plumbing Code (081209 Item B2) 901.2.1 Venting required. Every trap and trapped fixture shall be vented in accordance with one of the venting methods specified in this chapter. All fixtures discharging downstream from a water closet shall be individually vented except as provided in Section 911. The delayed effective date of this Rule is January 1, 2011. 2009 N.C. Residential Code (080909 Item B1) R202 SUNROOM ADDITION. A one-story structure attached added to an existing dwelling with a glazing area in excess of 40 percent of the gross area of the structure’s exterior walls and roof. The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011. (071211 Item B3B) R302.4 Flame Spread. Vinyl Siding and vinyl soffit materials when used in townhouse construction shall have a Flame Spread Index of 25 or less as tested in accordance with ASTM E-84. The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011. (080909 Item B2) R311.2.2 Under stair protection. Enclosed accessible space under stairs shall have walls, under stair surface and any soffits protected on the enclosed side with ½-inch (13 mm) gypsum board. The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011.
Reach your target market. Advertise your business in the next North Carolina Builder. Call Jeff Pinwar at (800) 935-1592, ext 118. 14 North Carolina Builder
May/June 2010
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Make it the crowning achievement of every build Solarbord, SFI CoC certified, installs like any roof sheathing and gives builders an extra edge in these energy-conscious times. And because it’s made in the USA and backed by a 25-year warranty, you’ll have total confidence in its quality and durability.
RADIANT BARRIER SHEATHING
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Natural Gas water heating adds value to every home you build. Now, Rinnai offers an easy-to-install, exterior-mount natural gas tankless water heater perfect for one- or two-bathroom homes. Give your new homebuyers the added comfort and efficiency of an ENERGY STAR速 qualified tankless water heater while maximizing floor space and helping them save energy. PSNC Energy is an authorized service provider for Rinnai. Call 1-877-207-5418 or visit psncenergy.com/builder to learn more.
PSNC Energy appliance sales, installation, maintenance and repair are not a part of the regulated services offered by PSNC Energy and are not in any way sanctioned by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. There is no advantage to customers of PSNC Energy if they buy these products or services from PSNC Energy. A customer does not have to buy such products or services in order to continue to receive the same safe and reliable natural gas service from PSNC Energy.