Publication of the
December 2013 • Vol. 16, No. 12
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Editor: Jennie Korth
Remodelers Council Chairperson’s Message by Jeff Bielenberg
Well, the year seems to have passed by fairly quickly for me. It’s hard to believe the time is approaching when I’ll pass the “Hammer” I received from Molly last year to AnDee Harris, your 2014 Remodelers Council Chairperson. I know AnDee will be a lot of fun! I want to thank everyone for their attendance to our meetings and am grateful for your participation. What a successful year of meetings! Hopefully you found them to be fun and eventful! Our Remodelers Council needs all of you to help make our community aware of your commitment to the professional industry so they can trust us to be in their homes and rely on us for our expertise! I want to say “Thank you” again to Tara Stingley, employment law attorney with Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson and Oldfather for speaking to our members last month. She covered a lot of tips that helped clarify issues relating to employer/employee relationships. We’re grateful when fellow members give their time to speak and educate us. Opportunities for continued education are always appreciated! We’ll end this year with our Christmas Party on December 4 at Parker’s Smokehouse. We’ll enjoy good conversation, a game of BINGO, prizes and the completion of this year’s “Road to Success” poster of all those pictures submitted by our talented members. In the Spirit of Christmas, we’re asking you to bring your donations of hats, mittens and gloves! Your donations will be given to a few of Lincoln’s elementary schools to help those who need them. Supporting our community whatever way we can helps make it a better place for all of us! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Christmas Party
Wednesday December 4
u 11:30 AM Parker’s Smokehouse
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64th & O Street
Cost: $15 per person
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RSV P by November 27 to info@hbal.org or 402-423-4225.
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The Remodelers Council will once again be collecting hats, mittens, gloves, etc. for a few of Lincoln’s Elementary Schools. Please keep this in mind as you start your holiday shopping!
Best of the Best
Basement Finish/Remodel Unfortunately, there were no entries for last month’s Basement Finish/Remodel. Don’t forget to submit your entry for upcoming “Best of the Best” contests!
Welcome New Member! Jerry Beckman
Beckman Foundations, Inc.
Next month features custom cabinetry, so be sure to submit your photo of a custom cabinetry project you have done or been a part of since 2011 to the HBAL office no later than December 16, 2013 to be considered as the Best of the Best! Recognition will include a picture of the project along with your company name in the Step by Step publication and a spot on the HBAL website for one month. Entries cannot win in more than one category.
2014 Remodelers Council Officers Chair
AnDee Harris, Union Title Company
Vice Chair
Mark Aksamit, Earl Carter Lumber Co.
Secretary
Erin Magnussen, Reese Construction, Inc.
Past Remodelers Council Chairs 1986 – Ken Whyrick 1987 – Ken Whyrick 1988 – Dick Robison 1989 – Lynn Kleeb 1990 – Dave McEwen 1991 – Mike Niemeyer 1992 – Ken Westerhold 1993 – Roger Reynolds, CGR, CAPS 1994 – Doug Gates 1995 – Herb Reese, CGR, CAPS 1996 – Matt Ruhlman
Remodeling Market Index Climbs For Second Quarter in a Row The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) continued to climb at a modest pace in the third quarter of 2013 rising two points to 57, the highest reading since the first quarter of 2004, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity. The RMI’s current market conditions index rose from 54 in the previous quarter to 58, the highest reading since the creation of the RMI in 2001, driven partly by rising existing home sales. “The growth in home equity and home sales prompted home owners to remodel as they prepare to move or undertake upgrades that they put off during tough times,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP, a remodeler from Houston. “NAHB Remodelers looks forward to continuing our tradition of professional service and craftsmanship as the housing recovery makes progress.” All three major components of the RMI’s current market conditions index increased in the third quarter. Major additions and alterations increased from 51 to 55, minor additions and repairs from 55 to 58 and maintenance and repair from 57 to 59. The future market indicators component of the RMI remained even with the previous quarter reading of 56. Regionally, the RMI has registered two consecutive quarters of gains in the Northeast, Midwest and West. In the South, the RMI edged down slightly in the third quarter after a five point gain the previous quarter. All four regions were above 50 and higher in the third quarter than in the first quarter of 2013.
2002 – Ronnie Romero
“In addition to existing home sales, which support remodeling activity as owners fix up their homes before and after a move, remodeling has benefitted from rising home values,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “This boosts home equity that owners can tap to finance remodeling projects. We expect existing home sales and house prices to increase, but at a slower rate over the next year, so the demand for remodeling services should also increase, but more gradually over that period.”
2003 – Delrae Hirschman, CGA, CAPS, CGP
For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.
2004 – Erin Magnussen, CGR, CAPS, CGP
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1997 – Bill Fuelling 1998 – Lyle Thompson 1999 – Connie Strohmyer 2000 – Kelly Peschel 2001 – Rob Alderman
2005 – Brian Senkbeil 2006 – Brian Senkbeil 2007 – Eric Hoke 2008 – Eric Hoke 2009 – Lori Pippitt, CKD, CGR, CAPS 2010 – Lori Pippitt, CKD, CGR, CAPS 2011 – Jenny Samek 2012 – Molly Johnson
Christmas!
Employment Law 101 presented by Tara A. Stingley
Tara Stingley of Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson & Oldfather shared many of the legal issues employers face in regards to employee/employer relationships.
BIG SAVINGS ON VANITIES
Contractors can take advantage of special pricing on uninstalled vanities from a large selection of granite, quartz and solid surface. Sinks included! Prices starting as low as $179. Contact Eric at 402.434.6009 www.lincolnlaminating.com
Calendar of Events Dec. 4
Remodelers Council Christmas Party Parker’s Smokehouse • 64th & O Street 11:30 a.m. • $15 per person
Dec. 6
HBAL Christmas Party Dueling Duo • Nebraska Champions Club 6:30 p.m. Social • 7:30 p.m. Dinner $35 per person or $30 per person for companies who bring five or more guests.
Dec. 25
Christmas HBAL Office Closed
Jan. 1
New Years HBAL Office Closed
Join us Friday, December 6 for HBAL’s Christmas Party
Dueling Duo Dueling Pianos Request Show y
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Raffle
LOCATION CHANGE! We’re now celebrating at the Nebraska Champions Club! Check out your December Business Builder for more information!
Remodelers Council of Lincoln 6100 S. 58th Street, Suite C Lincoln, NE 68516 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
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