September/October 2008
Builder Profile D-H Builders
The Process of Becoming a Law
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features
September/October 2008 Volume 25 • Issue 5
Going the Extra Mile ........................................................... 8 Wisconsin Builders Association® rolls out new Master Builder Certification™ program to help members set themselves apart in a competitive market.
Capital Corner ................................................................... 11 Senator Alberta Darling shows how she’s working to keep jobs, families and retirees in Wisconsin.
Making Laws and Sausages ............................................. 12 Cindi Gruebling, WBA director of safety and education, discusses the grueling process of making laws.
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Builder Profile ................................................................... 20 Dan Henke and Ron Starmer of D-H Builders have ties that bind, family or not.
departments President’s Perspective ................................................................................ 5 Learning and Growing Executive Viewpoint ..................................................................................... 6 Facing Challenges Government Affairs ...................................................................................... 7 Where Is the Action in 2008?
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Local Happenings ....................................................................................... 15 Photos and details of WBA local association events around the state Member Advantage.................................................................................... 17 Take Control of Your Health News & Events ............................................................................................. 18
Wisconsin Badger Builder, (ISSN 004-232) is a bi-monthly publication of the Wisconsin shelter industry. It is the official publication of the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) and is published by WBA, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI 53701 and additional mailing offices. All advertising is subject to acceptance by the Wisconsin Badger Builder editorial review committee. The publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered. The contents of all material available in this publication are copyrighted by WBA unless otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved by WBA, and content may not be reproduced, disseminated, published or transferred in any form or by any means except with the prior written permission of the Wisconsin Builders Association®. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wisconsin Badger Builder, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions available through membership in the Wisconsin Builders Association®.
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Senior Officers 2008 President: Jason Steen, Osseo (Chippewa Valley)
Learning and Growing
President Elect: Doug Scott, Janesville (South Central WI) Treasurer: Jim Kubasta, Oshkosh (Winnebago)
President’s
Secretary: Don Esposito, Madison (Madison Area) Immediate Past President: Mark Etrheim, La Crosse (La Crosse Area) Associate Vice President: Greg Schaffer, Madison (Madison Area) Associate Advisor to the Senior Officers: Julie Meyer, Racine (Racine-Kenosha)
Area Vice Presidents 2008 Southeast Area Mark Benkowski (Metropolitan) Darryl Spang (Racine-Kenosha) Northwest Area Clint Doege (Heart of the North) Monica Sommerfeldt Lewis (Chippewa Valley) Southwest Area Tom Thompson (La Crosse Area) Steve Treu (La Crosse Area) Northeast Area Mark Bootz (Brown Co.) Scott Browne (Brown Co.) South Area Brian McKee (Madison Area) Greg Schaffer (Madison Area) East Central Area Tracy Royer (Valley) Stan Martenson (Valley) North Area Pam Jewell (Golden Sands) Mike Richie (Wausau Area) East Shore Area Gary Roehrig (Sheboygan Co.) Sean Kelly (Mid-Shores) State Representative to NAHB Wayne Foster (Metropolitan)
PeRSPeCTIve
by Jason Steen, 2008 WBA President he new WBA Master Builder Certification featured in this issue of Badger Builder is yet another example of the value of membership in our association. I know I plan to earn this certification as a way to set myself apart from my competition. The certification not only gives me another marketing angle, but also keeps me current in cutting-edge building and business practices. Even a “seasoned veteran” like myself can still learn a new trick or two! If you think about it, it is really simple to achieve 12 more credits within two years to get the necessary 24 hours of continuing education. Attending code updates two years in a row adds up to eight hours right there. Two more hours here, four more there, and those hours add up pretty quickly with little disruption to the business of running your company. With the rapid changes in technology, supplies and techniques in today’s building industry, I am excited that WBA has seen the need for this certification and risen to the challenge of creating a topnotch program with a fantastic selection of courses. Classes are available from many locals statewide, or you can do it right from the comfort of your office through the new Builder Education DVD or online course that is now available from WBA. I want to extend a sincere thank-you to the Education Committee members and WBA staff who put in extra time to develop the structure and courses of the certification. I look forward to seeing the list of members who have earned the Master Builder certification grow rapidly. Go to the new WBA Web site, www.wisbuild.org, to learn more about the curriculum, which includes core courses in building/remodeling and Elective Classes in construction, business practices, safety, and sales and marketing. Speaking of our new Web site, you should definitely check it out! Not only does it
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feature a great new look, but the content is new, improved and added to daily. Under “About Us,” you can learn about great ways you can get involved in the committees and councils. Talk about options! Each of these offers a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills and contribute to the growth of our association as a whole. If you look under “Membership” you will see a great summary called “What We’ve Done for you Lately” which sums up the accomplishments of Government Affairs, the Development Council, Education and more — all on your behalf, and all for your benefit. The “News & Information” tab has a link to OSHA and articles and information about safety on the job site. Speaking of links, I love the quick links on the side to the different councils and the Foundation. Members of the Development Council and Remodelers Council will have access to exclusive content, so you may consider joining one of them as an additional benefit to your business. Each link contains an introductory overview of what is available if you would like to learn more. On the other side of the page, the new calendar of events is awesome! This will be a great source of information about upcoming WBA events and courses, including those offered by your locals. Lastly, I’m confident the information that will be available on the Members Only side after you login will be a great resource for you. You will be able to download contracts and forms, track ongoing legislation that affects the building industry, register for WBA events, find marketing ideas, shop for WBA logo wear and more. Please be patient while the site is under construction, and check back often for new materials and resources. All of this is a result of your input and commitment, so stay active, get involved and help us continue to move this great association forward! X
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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WBA Staff
4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704 • (608) 242-5151 Executive Vice President: Bill Wendle, ext. 11 bwendle@wisbuild.org Director of Government Affairs: Brad Boycks, ext. 16 bboycks@wisbuild.org Director of Political Affairs: Kate Levanetz, ext. 15 klevanetz@wisbuild.org Director of Development Council: Pat Stevens, ext. 22 pstevens@wisbuild.org Director of Membership Services: Jane Witt, ext. 17 jwitt@wisbuild.org Director of Safety and Education: Cindi Gruebling, ext. 18 cgruebling@wisbuild.org Director of Communications: Annie Rubens, ext. 19 arubens@wisbuild.org Director of Accounting Services: Kathy Johnsen, ext. 12 kjohnsen@wisbuild.org Accounting Assistant: Mark Nelson, ext. 25 mnelson@wisbuild.org Administrative Assistant: Kimberly Fay, ext. 10 kfay@wisbuild.org
WBA Insurance Services Chief Operating Officer: Karl Johnson, ext. 23 kjohnson@wisbuild.org Sales & Service Associate: Megan Taylor, ext. 24 mtaylor@wisbuild.org
Editor ..............................Annie Rubens
Published by
Publisher ........................... Kevin Naughton Supervising Editor ........... Jennifer McDermitt Graphic Designer ..................... Jason Gabel Advertising Sales Manager ....... Brenda Poe Advertising Sales .................Keri Gustafson (800) 935-1592, ext. 133 kgustafson@printcomm.com
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Facing Challenges Executive
vIeWPOInT
by Bill Wendle, WBA Executive Vice President few things I know: I know the housing industry in Wisconsin is down. I also know that Wisconsin is not in as bad of shape as Michigan, Florida, Texas, Nevada or California. Of course, that does not make it easy for anyone to survive in this current economy in Wisconsin, but I know the strength of our members as savvy businesspeople. I also know that your WBA staff is very aware of the difficulties of this market and are continuing to work extremely hard to head off challenges to the industry before they affect you. The forces of no growth, over-regulation, and a “more fees” mentality do not present this as a time to sit back on our past legislative victories, nor are we doing so. Recently, we dealt head-on with the Department of Commerce on a fee issue. Their problem is that their program revenue (i.e. the fees they charge you) is down. Their duty is to find ways to balance the budget with no general tax increase. Our duty is to represent you, as the builders who are the most greatly impacted by the fees, as well as future homeowners that would pay increased fees. Our director of government affairs, Brad Boycks, went toe-to-toe and represented you well. We struck a compromise, and the fee increases will not be as painful in the future as they would have been without WBA being there to fight for you. We are also currently engaged in defending future homeowners and their economic interests in a battle over building codes. The state has proposed changing the building code for residences to include new electric safety technology. WBA differs on the merits of the technology and the cost. The state, we believe, has understated the cost and overstated the merits of the arc fault interrupter. These devices are not new and have had a mixed review in regard to
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The forces of no growth, overregulation, and a “more fees” mentality do not present this as a time to sit back on our past legislative victories, nor are we doing so. their reliability, merit and estimated cost. Director of Safety and Education Cindi Gruebling testified at public hearings and encouraged both written and in-person member input. Behind the scenes of all of this activity and too much more to mention, is the reality that WBA is facing a very tight 2009 budget. Recently, the WBA Executive Committee requested a revision of the first draft of a balanced budget that proposed cuts in key staff and programs. Upon further consideration and after thoughtful discussion, the Executive Committee identified that this was indeed the rainy day for which 15 years of budget surpluses were being saved. WBA is very strong financially. We have over $500,000 of unrestricted cash or mutual fund reserves and the WBA building in Madison has been free and clear for 10 years. With all of this in mind, the finance committee is working on a revised 2009 budget to be approved at the Oct. 23 WBA Board meeting in Wisconsin Dells at Ho-Chunk. This process is designed to garner member input, so please give your local WBA Board members your thoughts and ideas. All of this is a long way of saying your WBA staff is very sensitive to the difficulty facing your businesses and the housing industry. We want you to know we are working very hard to make positive changes even during this downturn because we know you will continue to be there working hard to build shelter now and in the future.X
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Where Is the Action in 2008? Government
AFFAIRS
by Brad Boycks, Director of Government Affairs he race on most people’s mind when talk turns to Election 2008 is the race for the President, especially in a swing state such as Wisconsin that has gone narrowly for both Gore and Kerry in 2000 and 2004. Because we work on the state level, the WBA Government Affairs team is most interested in the races in the State Assembly and State Senate. As you know, every four years in Wisconsin we go to the polls to elect the Wisconsin Attorney General (A.G.) and governor, which we last did in 2006. On the “off” year for the A.G. and governor, we go to the polls to cast our vote for President, all 99 State Assembly seats, and all even-numbered State Senate seats. Candidates for State Assembly and Senate were required to submit nomination papers to get on the ballot, spurring leaders on both sides of the political aisle in both houses of the legislature to start hyping the races they believe they are going to win in the fall. Typically, leaders start with a number of races they think the party will be competitive in, and eventually narrow the list down to strong candidates who separate themselves from those just happy to get their name on the ballot. There are a number of challenged seats in both the State Assembly and State Senate, but we will concentrate on what are considered the most competitive seats as of this writing. As you know, the list of “hot” races can change at a rapid pace, and the seats that we talk about today may or may not be the ones that actually turn out to be the ones of greatest interest in the fall.
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State Assembly This is where most of the action will be due to the close margin currently in
the State Assembly (52-47 GOP majority). Ever since the 2006 Assembly, Democrats have been rallying the troops to gain three seats in 2008 to retake the majority for the first time since 1994. On the other hand, Assembly Republicans have been busy shoring up their incumbents and working hard to recruit candidates to contend some open and targeted seats. Two of the most competitive open State Assembly seats are the 47th district, held by the retiring Rep. Gene Hahn, a rural seat near Madison, and the 91st district, a very rural district southwest of Eau Claire currently held by Rep. Bobby Gronemus. Four Republicans and two Democrats will face off in the September primary to gain a shot for the open 47th Assembly District, while five Democrats and two Republicans will battle to move on to the general election for the 91st Assembly District. Democrats looking to retake the majority in the State Assembly often talk about targeting two current GOP Assembly members, Rep. Bret Davis of Oregon (south of Madison) in the 80th Assembly District, and Rep. Terry Moulton (Chippewa Falls) in the 68th Assembly District. Two Democrats are vying to take on Rep. Davis, and Rep. Moulton will face Democrat Kristen Dexter on Nov. 4. Lastly, Republicans have their sights set on retaking a number of seats they lost control of in 2006. Two in particular are getting the most attention at this time. It appears freshman Democrats with the biggest targets on them are Rep. Kim Hixon (Whitewater) in the 43rd Assembly District and Rep. Phil Garthwaite (Platteville area) in the 49th Assembly District. Rep. Hixon will be involved in a rematch from 2006 and will face the woman who formally held this seat, Debbie Towns of Janesville,
while three are lining up to face Rep. Garthwaite in the general election.
State Senate When longtime Democrat State Sen. Roger Breske (northeastern Wisconsin) announced his retirement to become the State Railroad Commissioner on May 12, his former Senate District quickly became the number-one most-watched senate seat for the fall. Former State Tourism Secretary and former State Representative Jim Holperin is the Democrat who will face off with smallbusiness-owner Tom Tiffany for the right to succeed Sen. Breske. While Democrats are in turn targeting a number of seats currently held by Republicans, the one that is getting the most attention is the race against current GOP State Sen. Dan Kapanke of La Crosse. Kapanke will face La Crosse County Board member and United Way Director Tara Johnson for the 32nd Senate District seat. Finally, Republicans are talking the most about two races against sitting State Senators Bob Wirch of Kenosha and Dave Hansen of Green Bay. Most believe the GOP will be closely watching both of these races with the hopes that each challenger will have a successful summer campaign and rise up to make a serious challenge after Labor Day. Sen. Wirch is set to face Republican Ben Bakke, who currently works as financial consultant in the 22nd Senate District, and Sen. Hansen is set to face former Green Bay City Council President Chad Fredette in the 30th Senate District. Your involvement in political races this fall is critical to ensure the election of pro-housing, pro-business candidates in November. Please get involved politically today as it will make a big difference tomorrow. X
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Going the Extra Mile “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” — Harry S. Truman hat does it mean to be a professional? The term “professional” can be interpreted many different ways. For some, it means a person who simply works within a profession, but for others, it means more. Those are the individuals who want to set themselves apart from their competitors and are willing to go the extra mile to prove they are truly “professionals.” For these growing professionals, the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) has also gone the extra mile to create a program, the Master Builder Certification™ (MBC), that will help them achieve their goals and, in turn, raise the bar on the building industry. “When we heard that our industry went from number five in consumer complaints to number two, we realized we needed something that would distinguish the ‘professionals’ from the other guys,” said Joe Panico of Blackhawk Homecare. “Bad news travels fast and sells more papers, so the negative press on our industry was really taking over.” The WBA Master Builder Certification is a voluntary certification program
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Anyone who belongs to an association already shows that they have a high level of commitment to the profession. However, by enrolling in this program, members can distinguish themselves even further and show how dedicated they are to raising the bar on our industry. — Gary Roehrig of Roehrig & Savola Inc.
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exclusively for association members. “The fact that this program is voluntary is what makes it unique,” said Gary Roehrig of Roehrig & Savola Inc. “Anyone who belongs to an association already shows that they have a high level of commitment to the profession. However, by enrolling in this program, members can distinguish themselves even further and show how dedicated they are to raising the bar on our industry.”
An Idea Is Born The idea for WBA’s Master Builder Certification program came out of a discussion of possible State of Wisconsin contractor licensing in early 2005. “When we polled the membership on offering an extra level of certification, even we were surprised by the amount of interest,” said Panico. “People were ready to qualify our industry.” In the end, and after many meetings involving Wisconsin Builders Association® members and staff, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce instituted a new builder credential that was tied to continuing education. The result is that anyone who pulls a building permit now must have two credentials. One is the Dwelling Contractor Credential, which is tied to liability insurance or bonding, and includes unemployment compensation requirements as well as worker’s compensation requirements. The second is the new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential (DCQC), which requires credential holders to earn 12 continuing education credits every two years. However, WBA wanted a way to promote builders who pursue an even higher standard than the credentials required by the state’s Department of Commerce. “People who hold the MBC will be able to market themselves as having achieved recognition among their peers as highly qualified and of earning more continuing education credits than the average DCQC holder in order
Wisconsin Builders Association® rolls out new Master Builder Certification™ program to help members set themselves apart in a competitive market.
to stay current with changing building practices,” said Cindi Gruebling, director of Safety & Education at WBA. “Having ‘MBC’ on your business card, on your truck or in your advertising will show that you’re willing to work harder and smarter than the builder who gets by with minimum Department of Commerce requirements.”
Program Requirements To earn your MBC, you must: a) Achieve 24 hours of continuing education within two years of applying for the Master Builder Certification™; Phase I, II, and III courses are required; a minimum number of Elective hours in each Elective category also will be required b) Agree to provide your customer with a limited warranty (a written, minimum 12-month limited warranty is recommended) c) Require written trade contractor agreements d) Include binding arbitration and mediation in all customer and subcontractor contracts e) Demonstrate that you follow a higher-performance building standard (i.e. NAHB’s Green Building Program or Energy Star®) Craig Rakowski of James Craig Builders Inc. said, “The courses are important, because they provide the education, but I am most impressed by the arbitration and building standard requirements. These two things set this program apart by showing that those who are certified are doing something extra and following a higher standard.” To be eligible for the MBC, you must: a) Derive primary income from the residential construction and remodeling industry (including land development) b) Have a minimum of three years experience in construction, which includes business aspects
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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c) Be a member in good standing of a WBA-affiliated local builders association d) Hold a current State of Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential e) Demonstrate a commitment to excellent customer service (i.e. no unresolved complaints filed with DATCP or the Better Business Bureau) f) Provide favorable written references from two customers, one subcontractor, and the contractor’s primary financial institution.
Elective course offerings will likely be the main focus for WBA affiliate HBAs. Local associations may put on area-specific elective courses subject to approval by the Board of Advisors. Elective courses also may be offered by a non-Association entity. Non-Association entities will be charged a processing fee to qualify Elective course offerings. WBA affiliates will not be charged a processing fee. Official NAHB programs will automatically qualify and will be
To maintain the MBC designation, members are required to maintain the aforementioned aspects of eligibility including earning 24 hours of continuing education every two years after certification.
GO GREEN!
Course Variety Allow Students to Personalize Program Candidates must achieve 24 hours of continuing education within two years of applying for the Master Builder Certification™. Current WBA affiliate certification programs will be reciprocal with the new WBA certification program, including, but not limited to, Brown County’s program, MBA’s Certified Construction Professional (CCP), and other similar programs offered by WBA affiliates. In addition, credits for NAHB certification programs will also qualify (CGB, CGR and CGA). The Core course offerings are intended to provide members a foundation for their education. There are two sets of Core courses: (1) Building/Remodeling and (2) Development. The first three classes (Building/ Remodeling Phase I, II, III), which equal or exceed 9 credits, must be taken as part of the first 24 hours of continuing education in order to receive the Certified designation. Elective courses will provide members additional opportunities to gain valuable knowledge on the latest information on building science, business practices, safety, and sales and marketing offerings while also personalizing the program to meet the members’ needs and interests. “It would be difficult for some of the locals to put on a program like this, but since WBA is running it, affiliates can offer some of the elective courses locally and members can still benefit from the program,” said Rakowski.
assigned a category (Construction/ Development, Business Practices, Safety or Sales and Marketing). “We look at this program like you would a business plan,” said Panico. “We plan to adjust it and perfect it based on member feedback to make sure it meets the needs of our industry.” For more information on the Master Builder Certification program and to download an application, visit www. wisbuild.org or call (608) 242-5151. X
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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New WBA Website Log in to the new www.wisbuild.org and save it as a new Favorite! Member username: 4-digit local number-your NAHB membership number. (for example: 5100-654321) Password: WBA (You can customize your password after you log in the first time.) Check back often for new and exciting content while we are under construction!
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Working to Keep Jobs, Families and Retirees in Wisconsin
Capitol Corner is a regular feature for Badger Builder. In this space, a Wisconsin legislator will provide perspective on an issue. Each guest columnist is offered the opportunity to select their primary issue of concern and present their views independent from any guidelines imposed by the Wisconsin Builders AssociationÂŽ. The views expressed by the columnist are solely their opinion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the WBA, NAHB, the locals, or the members. The Badger Builder editorial department welcomes reader feedback to the issues featured in this section in the spirit of promoting continued discussion on the important issues affecting our daily lives. To submit comments, please send them to Badger Builder Editor Annie Rubens, arubens@ wisbuild.org. Only comments in writing will be considered for reprint.
Capitol
CORneR
by Senator Alberta Darling he economy is the main topic of discussion these days, whether that discussion is being held at a kitchen table, the job site or the State Capitol. People throughout Wisconsin and the country are understandably anxious about the state of the economy. To help Wisconsin weather the national economic slowdown, Senate Republicans have solid job-creation plans that will help spark Wisconsin’s economy, reform the health care system and make our state a better place to live, work and retire. The first part of our economic development agenda is a 1 percent income tax cut. Time and time again, it has been proven that good things happen for jobs and the economy when taxpayers are allowed to keep more of what they earn in their own pocket. We also need to reduce state spending, reduce our overall tax burden and reduce our state debt load. We are brimming with ideas, including giving Wisconsin businesses a cash infusion so they can expand, retool, and innovate. Another one of our ideas is to give investors a break on capital gains taxes, provided these profits are reinvested in Wisconsin companies. An additional proposal is to expand
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The more we can do to help our homegrown businesses compete and win against their competitors in other states and other countries, the better for all.
and improve the Angel Investment Tax Credit, which helps new Wisconsin businesses get off the ground. The more we can do to help our homegrown businesses compete and win against their competitors in other states and other countries, the better for all. We also plan to work hard for an Education Tax Credit, which provides tax incentives to employers for paying for their employees to go to college or technical school. We know we need to improve Wisconsin’s litigation climate, and repair our state’s reputation as having a sometimes-hostile legal and regulatory environment. Keeping seniors in Wisconsin is another major priority for me. Several tax cuts must be made to make Wisconsin a more attractive place to retire. Some of my proposals are permanently eliminating the estate tax, eliminating taxes on retirement income and increasing the property tax credit for seniors. Small businesspeople often tell me that health insurance is the fastest-growing cost eating away at their bottom lines. My “Smart Medicine� plan is a comprehensive package of health care reform proposals designed to lower health care costs, improve quality and increase access to health care coverage. Smart Medicine is an alternative to the so-called “Healthy Wisconsin� plan that was debated in the legislature last year. Healthy Wisconsin would have been a new government-run, $15 billion socialized medicine plan funded by a crippling 14.5 percent payroll tax. I heard from dozens of small businesses who told me that while they wanted health care reform, this was not what they had in mind! For more information on my plans to create jobs, cut taxes and reform health care, feel free to visit my Web site at www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen08/news/.
Senator Alberta Darling represents the communities of Milwaukee’s North Shore, Brown Deer, Butler, Mequon, Thiensville, Germantown and Menomonee Falls. X
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Making Laws and Sausages
Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made. — Attributed to Otto von Bismarck
What Are the Basics?
by Cindi Gruebling, WBA Director of Safety and Education recently attended three public hearings at Wisconsin’s Department of Commerce. Pattie Stone of the Metropolitan Builders Association, other concerned WBA members and I presented some concerns and opposition to elements of Commerce’s proposed updates to Comm 16 and Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code, Comm 20-25. (“Comm” identifies the administrative rule as one from Commerce.) I’m learning a lot about the law and rule-making process, so I thought I would share how an idea becomes a law or rule, especially concerning home building and remodeling. As Mr. von Bismark observed, it may not be pretty, but it works.
Wisconsin laws are enacted, but they’re often very broad. The legislative branch doesn’t have time for, or may not want to deal with, controversial details. That is why they charge the various agencies through statutes the task of creating rules that accomplish the intent of the law. Those agencies, e.g. Commerce or the Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), are part of the executive branch. Administrative rules carry the same weight as laws, and violations may result in penalties, fines or worse. At the same time, the legislative branch retains the power to review all proposed administrative rules. Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) is part of the overall Wisconsin
I
Administrative Code. The UDC comprises Comm 20-25 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and its adopted references. According to the Department of Commerce, “The UDC is a uniform statewide code that sets minimum standards for fire safety, structural strength, energy conservation, erosion control, heating, plumbing and electrical systems, and general health and safety in new dwellings … It covers new one- and twofamily dwellings built since June 1, 1980 and their additions and alterations … The UDC is principally enforced by municipal or county building inspectors who must be state-certified …They check for code compliance while construction is open for inspection.” 1 The current version of the UDC has been in effect since Aug.1, 2003. However, Commerce may adopt changes or additions to Code. When it does so, it issues “bulletins” that announce and describe changes and it issues “commentaries” which include all changes as of a certain date. Builders and remodelers, as well as code inspectors, can keep current on changes by checking the Department of Commerce, Safety & Buildings Web site and/or subscribing to Department of Commerce e-mail notice groups.
How Do Changes or Additions Come About? Under the rule-making process, agencies may enact administrative rules in order to interpret statutes. For example, Commerce staff members review national codes to see what updates may be beneficial to Wisconsin. “Rules may also originate from outside state government. With limited exception, a municipality, five or more persons, or an association representing a business, labor, farm or professional group may petition an agency to draft a rule, or to amend or repeal an existing one. If the agency denies the request, it must notify the petitioner of the reason. If the request is granted, the agency follows the normal rule-making procedure … Sometimes, proposals initially stem from ideas, complaints or evaluations received by an agency from the general public.” 2 This is where you can get involved. You can either submit your idea to Commerce
Reprinted with permission from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, Madison, Wis., (608) 241-9789, wistax@wistax.org.
1
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http://commerce.wi.gov/SBdocs/SB-UDCBrochure.pdf
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o o A C ad w re is w th ti ad
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on a “Code Change Proposal” form and/ or work with the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) and our Building Code Committee. Commerce has several advisory councils and specialty committees whose purpose is to provide advice with regard to rule making. For example, there is an 18-member Dwelling Code Council whose members are appointed for staggered three-year terms. WBA has representatives on various Department of Commerce advisory councils and committees. Within the WBA, the Building Code committee monitors and responds to proposed changes to Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code, the International Residential Code and other nationally and internationally recognized building, energy and fire prevention codes. The committee requests legal responses as needed to oppose new rules or laws that would contradict WBA’s mission to create and preserve “safe, affordable, quality housing opportunities for the people of Wisconsin.” Committee members and I work closely with member electricians, plumbers, carpenters, contractors — anyone who has firsthand experience with what the proposed updates will affect — to get their advice and opinion about changes to oppose or propose. In conjunction with our efforts, WBA’s Development Council and Government Affairs committees also monitor proposed updates to rules and fees affecting development, building and remodeling.
Internal group discussions and informational public hearings may precede the drafting of the rule. The rule is supposed to be general, rather than limited and specific, and it is supposed to be in plain and easy-to-understand language. Once drafted, the agency submits it to the Joint Legislative Council (JLC), which reviews the proposed rule, primarily on technical points and to a lesser degree on “statutory authority and/or potential duplication of, or incompatibility with, other state and federal regulations.” 2 This is called clearinghouse review. “After clearinghouse review, the agency proposing the rule generally holds a public hearing on it” (such as the Comm 16 Electrical and Comm 20-25 public hearings June 18 and 19). “The agency gives at least 10 days’ notice of the hearing to the Revisor of Statutes, requesting legislators, the secretary of administration, and other interested persons.” 2 Generally, public hearing notices are also posted in the Wisconsin Administrative Review and, if required, in local newspapers. I subscribe to an e-mail alert service through the Department of Commerce, Safety & Buildings, so I’ll get a message whenever a public hearing or meeting is scheduled regarding specific Department of Commerce administrative rules. You can also check the Safety & Buildings home page for announcements.
How Do You Know What Changes Are in the Works?
At the public hearing, you are asked to sign in and to fill out a form with your contact information. You can write down your concerns about the new rule and leave it at that, or you can request to testify. Typically, when your name is called, you’ll go to the front of the room and speak into a tape recorder, starting with your name, the group you represent (if any) and your concerns. You’ll be asked to leave a copy of your comments with the meeting moderators. After the formal part of the hearing, the hearing moderators often stay for questions from the audience. Those questions and their response do not become part of the official record of the public hearing; they’re just an informational give and take. Written comments have just as much weight as oral comments. Be sure to
When an agency decides to add or change a rule, an agency staff person must write a statement of scope for review by the head of the state agency. That statement must be published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register. “The statement describes the rule’s objective, analyzes policy alternatives, lists affected entities, and compares any existing or proposed federal regulation the rule would address. If directed to do so by the Department of Administration (DOA), the DATCP, the Dept. of Workforce Development (DWD), the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) or the departments of commerce or transportation must also prepare an economic impact report. It is then submitted to the DOA for approval.” 2 2
What Happens at a Hearing?
follow up your public hearing appearance by submitting written comments to the contact person listed on the public hearing notice, on or before the posted deadline. Include facts and figures to support your position. Encourage your colleagues to do the same. Numbers matter, so the more comments, the better. People who attend the public hearing are given a clearinghouse rule number so they can check the progress of the rule as it continues through the rulemaking progress. This is where anyone can see the materials and a report on the rule thus far. For example, the Comm 19 updates clearinghouse rule number is 08-047. I went to https:// apps4.dhfs.state.wi.us/admrules/public/ Search and discovered no new entries since the June 18 public hearing. That makes sense because July 2 is the deadline for submitting written comments. I’ll check again weekly, because I know the Department of Commerce wants to move these rules through the process as quickly as possible in order to have them promulgated this year. “Following the hearing, the agency prepares the final draft of the proposed rule and a report that includes, among others: • A summary of public comments and explanations of resulting modifications • The agency’s response to Legislative Council comments • If applicable, an analysis of the flexibility of the rule for small businesses • If required, economic impact reports • A fiscal estimate and a plainlanguage analysis of the rule.” 2
That Was the Simple Part. What’s Next? Next “the agency submits the final draft, along with the report, to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature. Each, in turn, refers the rule to the appropriate standing or joint legislative committee … ” If neither has an objection, the agency may promulgate the rule. The committees also have the option to work with the agency to modify the rule, and the agency may promulgate the rule. If either committee objects to the rule, though, in whole or in part, the rule gets sent to the Joint Committee for Review Continued on page 14
“Administrative Rule Making: A Powerful Tool,” Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, The Wisconsin Taxpayer, Sept. 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 9). Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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MAkInG LAWS
Continued from page 13 of Administrative Rules (JCRAR). If JCRAR does not concur in the objection, the agency may promulgate the rule. If JCRAR concurs in the objection, a bill to prevent promulgation is sent to both houses of the legislature. If neither bill is enacted, the agency may promulgate the rule. If a bill is enacted, the agency may not promulgate the rule. A rule is promulgated when the agency submits it to the Revisor of Statutes for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register. The rule generally takes effect on the first day of the month following publication, unless a later effective date is specified. That’s a simplification of the two-page “Review of Administrative Rules in Wisconsin” published by the Joint Legislative Council. The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance prepared an excellent review of the rule-making process called “Administrative Rule Making: A Powerful Tool,” in their September 2005 edition of The Wisconsin Taxpayer, and I have quoted them often in this article. What’s absent are required deadlines designed to keep the process moving forward. The other missing part is that JCRAR may hold public hearings to investigate “meritorious” complaints regarding rules, and that can bring about more analysis, more committee work and more legislative options tied to more deadlines. If everything goes smoothly (from Commerce’s viewpoint), the rules will be promulgated (submitted to the Revisor of Statutes) before Sept. 1. That’s when the current legislature breaks for this election year. If that happens, the rules could take effect as early as the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register, which is published on the 1st and the 15th of each month. Sept. 1 is only 61 days from today (July 1), but, even with agreed-upon modifications, the review process would take at most 77 days. Barring objections that would require JCRAR review, it seems likely some form of the Comm 16 Electrical code updates and of the Comm 20-25 Uniform Dwelling Code updates will be promulgated this year. Want to follow the action or see the response to public comments? Check out clearinghouse rule nos. 08-047 (Comm 16) and 08-043 (Comm 20-25). One fall a few years ago, I helped my mother-in-law make sausages. It wasn’t a pretty sight, but it actually was fun, and the results were delicious. Builders may not find the new Comm 16 and Comm 20-25 rules very tasty but, if the Department of Commerce makes some revisions based on the concerns we raised, we can at least hope the new rules will be more palatable. Participating early in the process is critical. The time to get involved and have the biggest influence is before proposed updates get to the public hearing stage. You know the business from the ground up, and your comments and testimony beforehand are what can make the difference in legislation that is favorable or damaging. Join the Building Codes Committee, the Development Council or the Government Affairs Committee to work together to enable positive change on legislation that affects the building industry. X 14
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Lo
W
P P S V R S D M D H
Lak
The w person receiv
Local Happenings
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Wausau Area BA
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Parade of Homes plaques were presented to the 2008 Parade of Homes participants. Pictured front row (L to R): Scott Ohrmundt, John Ohrmundt Construction Inc.; Tony Sorensen, Sorensen Construction LLC; Will Keener, Keener Inc.; Jeremy Voigt, Jeremy Voigt Construction Co. LLC; Kolby Muscha, Kolby Construction LLC. Back row (L to R): Sid Sorensen, Sorensen Construction LLC; Chris Reedy, Reedy Builders LLC; Tim Schwartz, Eco-Peak Construction LLC; Tim Koch, Tim Koch Builders LLC; Dwight Dorpat, Prime Design Builders Inc.; Rick Wanta, Rick Wanta Builders Inc. Not pictured: Marlin Lehman, Trim Crafters LLC; Robert Mork, Mork Contracting Building & Design LLC; Dean Prohaska, Foresight Development Corp.; Bill Schnowske, Royalty Homes; and Heath Tappe, Main Street Homes Inc.
,
Valley Home Builders Association VHBA member Joe Nagan of Home Building Technology Services (in photo) was one of 31 riders in VHBA’s Motorcycle Ride for Charity on June 19. The riders, along with 22 sponsors, raised more than $2,800 to support the VHBA Fund of the WBA Foundation and its efforts to support housing-related charities in the Fox Cities. The event featured a beautiful ride along the Lake Michigan shoreline, followed by lunch at Three Men & A Grill in Sheboygan Marsh Park and riding the afternoon in Kettle Moraine.
Brown Winnebago County HBA Home Builders BCHBA president, Scott Allen, and BCHBA executive Association officer, Mari McAllisterPhil Baeten, current president of WHBA and owner of Baeten Remodeling, enjoys the WHBA Golf Outing.
n
Charles, present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Harry Macco (center) of Hillcrest Homes and Hillcrest Lumber Inc. to recognize his dedication to the association and the home building industry.
m
e.
e
Lakeland Builders Association The winner of the LBA $10K Reverse Raffle PAC event, where each person bought a raffle ticket for $100 and the Grand Prize Winner received $10,000.
Badger 0809.indd 15
St. Croix Valley Home Builders Association Fishing Tournament was held on June 24 on the St. Croix River in Hudson, Wisc.
Continued on page 16 Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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LOCAL HAPPenInGS
Continued from page 15
Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association Parade of Homes Premiere on June 5.
Sheboygan County Home Builders Association The SCHBA Building Career Grant Program provides tools for high school technical education program. This year we were able to award two schools with tools. Front (L to R): Ken Halverson, Education Committee vice chair, Binder & Halverson, Inc.; Ed Hughes, Sheboygan Falls High School; Harvey Specht, Education Committee chair, Macco’s Floor Covering. Back: The students for the Sheboygan Falls High School Technical Education class with their new table saw.
Headwaters Builders Association Members enjoy a social evening at the 6th Annual Associate Night table top show. Membership in HBA has doubled in five years.
Insurance Coverage for the Residential Building Industry
Continental Western Group and Reynolds & Reynolds join forces to offer WBA members a GROUP DIVIDEND PROPERTY & CASUALTY
Insurance Program, including:
La Crosse Area BA Members of Mark Etrheim’s (Mastercraft Homes Inc.) team, called GWH’s, recruited the most members during the La Crosse Area Builders Association’s two-day membership drive, “The Big Hunt.” Pictured (L to R): Chris Meyer, Dream Builders of Wisconsin; Mark Schneider, Schneider Heating & Air Conditioning; Mark Etrheim and Adam Etrheim (eContractorBids.com). Not pictured: Jim Warsinske, Sign Pro; and Julie Henley, Trillium Designs.
UÊ i iÀ> Ê >L ÌÞ UÊ Õ `iÀÃÊ, Ã UÊ/ ÃÊEÊ µÕ « i Ì UÊ7 À iÀÃÊ «i Ã>Ì UÊ ÕÃ iÃÃÊ ÕÌ UÊ*À «iÀÌÞÊ ÃÕÀ> Vi CWG agents throughout Wisconsin can offer WBA members industry specific coverage. Independent agents not representing CWG can access this program through Reynolds & Reynolds. Contact your local Continental Western Agent or Reynolds & Reynolds at (800) 767-1724.
Racine Kenosha Builders Association RKBA held our first ever Parade of Playhouses. Four local builders and their subcontractors created four custom playhouses. The playhouses are on display at the Racine Zoo from May 17th until July 18th at which time they will be raffled off. The RKBA partnered with the Junior League of Racine and proceeds will be split. RKBA will use their proceeds to fund scholarships for 2009.
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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b O
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Take Control of Your Health
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by Karl Johnson Chief Operating Officer, WBA Insurance Services veryday I get calls from members throughout the state asking me, “How can I lower my health care costs?” One answer I always give is the best way to take control of your health care costs is by taking control of your health. Seventy percent of health care cost is directly related to how we live our lives and our every day choices. So taking control of your health simply means taking care of your body. Here are a few tips on how you can start to take control of your health and, in return, lower the cost of your health care. 1. Keep up on your yearly check-ups. Getting a yearly physical can prevent future heath issues from even occurring. Yearly physicals are a great chance to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have with your health and get good medical advice to prevent problems in the future. Not only does this help you stay healthy, but in return your health insurance rates will also stay lower because you have taken action to stave off any major issue down the road, which means no insurance costs. Depending on your family background, you may want to get certain screening done on a yearly basis. Also consult your doctor to determine what screenings you might need on a regular basis. Insurance companies everywhere encourage yearly physicals or preventive care so much so that most pay for 100 percent of preventive care. This saves you and the insurance companies money. 2. If you are a smoker — QUIT! Smoking increases your chances for heart disease, lung disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and so much more. Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but there are many
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resources out there to help you quit. If you want tips or trusted resources to help you quit, ask your doctor. I promise they will be more than happy to help. Also, think of the money you would save from quitting. Think of it this way, these days a pack of cigarettes cost just about the same as a gallon of gas. The only difference is the gallon of gas will get you somewhere besides in the hospital after a heart attack. 3. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three days a week. Your heart is the strongest muscle in your body! It carries oxygen-rich blood to all of your muscles so that they can work as hard as you do. Keeping your heart strong and healthy makes your whole body work better. Stay away from things that weaken and damage your heart like cigarettes. They just slow you down and make it harder for you to play after you are done working so hard. Exercise helps make your heart stronger, so get out there and move! Staying active will keep you out of the doctor’s office and will help keep your health care costs down. 4. One of the most important tips I can give you is to eat right. According to the U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Endocrine Society (an organization made up of over 11,000 members in 80 different countries, which works to disseminate new knowledge leading to the prevention, treatment and cure of disease), approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, and 60 million are obese. Sixteen percent of children and adolescents are overweight. It is estimated that as many as 47 million Americans may exhibit medical conditions characterized by insulin resistance and the presence of obesity, excessive abdominal fat, high blood
sugar and triglycerides, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. What are some of the impacts of obesity on your health care and the economy as a whole? Here is some food for thought. Estimates put the annual cost of obesity in the U.S. at $122.9 BILLION. That breaks down to $64.1 billion in direct cost and $58.8 billion in indirect cost. This sum is comparable to the economic cost of cigarette smoking alone! The largest chunk of this cost is attributed to diabetes. As you can see, eating right has a major impact on your health care! These are just a few tips on how to keep your health care costs down and there are many more. If you would like more tips on lowering your health care cost or information on wellness programs that are available to you as a consumer, please contact WBA Insurance Services. We are there for you to help keep you and your business strong. WBA Insurance Services is a whollyowned subsidiary of the Wisconsin Builders Association® created more than 15 years ago to not only provide quality insurance programs to the members of the WBA, but also as the only form of non-dues revenue for WBA. WBA Insurance Services was created by members and is overseen by a board of directors, also made up of members. We truly are YOUR insurance agency. To better serve the members of the Wisconsin Builders Association®, WBA Insurance Services has partnered with select agencies throughout the state. These agencies are also members of their local builders association. To get in contact with one of these exclusive agents in your area or to learn more about the topics covered in this article, call Karl O. Johnson, chief operating officer of WBA Insurance Services at (608) 242-5155 ext. 23 or e-mail kjohnson@wisbuild.org. X
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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LocaL associaTion
ParaDe of HoMes
HoMe sHow
goLf ouTing
insTaLLaTion
BBw
generaL MeMBersHiP MeeTing
Brown County
Showcase of New Homes Fall 2008 - Sept. 20-21 & 25-28, Spring 2009 - March 7-8 & 12-15
Jan. 15-18, 2009
2009 TBD
Dec. 4, 2008, SC Grand Banquet & Convention
Golf Event - Sept. 30, 2008
2nd Tues., Sept., Oct., Nov.
Central Wisconsin
Sept. 5-8, 2008
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
Nov. 20, 2008
2008 TBD
2008 TBD
Chippewa Valley
June 6-14, 2009
Home & Garden Show Feb 20-22, 2009
July 9, 2009 Home Builders Invitational, location TBD
Oct. 14, 2008, The Plaza
Sept. 9, 2008, Florian Gardens
2nd Tues., Sept., Oct., Nov.
Door County
May 8-9 & 15-17, 2009
2009 TBD
Sept. 11, 2008
Dec. 11, 2008
none
2nd Thurs.
Fond du Lac & Dodge Counties
2009 TBD
March 27-29, 2009
2009 TBD
Sept. 17, 2008
none
3rd Wed., no July, Aug.
Golden Sands
2009 TBD
Home Show - Feb. 28 & March 1, 2009, Holiday Inn and Convention Center
2009 TBD
Headwaters
none
none
Sept. 5, 2008, Edgewaters Golf Course, Tomahawk
Heart of the North
Sept. 20-21 & 27-28, 2008
Feb 28 -Mar.1, 2009
2009 TBD
La Crosse Area
June 20-21 & 24-28, 2009
March 13-15, 2009
July 22, 2009
Lakeland
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
Dec. 12, 2008, 7:00 pm Evergreen Golf Club
2008 TBD
3rd Wed., no June, July, Aug.
Silent Auction Sept. 10, 2008
1st Mon., Sept., Nov.
Heart
4th Thurs., no June, July, Nov., Dec.
La Cro
Brown 2008 TBD
3rd Tues., no Aug.
Sept. 2008
none
2nd Tues., Wed., Thurs; no June, July, Aug.
Nov. 15, 2008
none
2nd Thurs.
Sept. 16, 2008
3rd Tues., no June, July, Dec.
Chipp Door
Fond Count
Golde
Headw
Madison Area
2009 TBD
March 6-8 2009
2009 TBD
Manitowoc County
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
Dec. 3, 2008, Knox’s Silver Valley Banquet Hall
Metropolitan
Sept. 7, 2008
Jan. 8-11, 2009
2009 TBD
Dec. 2008
none
October TBD
Mid-Shores
2009 TBD
none
none
Dec. 5, 2008, Milhome Super Club, Kiel, WI Install & Holiday Party
Live Auction Dec. 5, 2008
2nd Tues., no June, July, Aug.
Sept. 9, 2008 Marty’s Steakhouse, Voyageur Inn, Reedsburg
October 14, 2008 - The New Monks, Wisconsin Dells, Silent Auction
2nd Tues., no July or Aug.
Aug. 14, 2008, Haywood National Golf Course
1st and 3rd Tues. (Sept. – May), 5:30 pm Social, 6:00 pm dinner, locations vary throughout our 5 county region, education opportunities follow dinner for credit
Shebo
Northland Area
none
2009 TBD
Feb. 6-9, 2009
none
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
Nov. 4, 2008
Lakela
Madis
Manit
Metro
Mid-S
Mid-W
North
Racin
Racine-Kenosha
Sept. 6-7, 10, 12-14, 2008
none
2009 TBD
Dec. 11, 2008
2008 TBD
3rd Wed., no June or Dec.
Sheboygan County
Sept. 5-7, 12-14, 2008
April 3-5, 2009
2009 TBD
Sept. 24, 2008
2009 TBD
3rd Wed., no June, July, Aug.
South
South Central Wisconsin
Sept. 6-7, 10, 12-14, 2008
Feb. 27-28, Mar. 1, 2009 Holiday Inn Express
June 19, 2009
Dec. 9, 2008
Silent Auction Oct. 28, 2008
4th Tues., no GMMs in June, July or Aug.
South
South Western Wisconsin
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
2008 TBD
St. Croix Valley
Fall Tour of Homes - Sept. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 & 27-28, 2008
Home & Remodeling Show March 14-15, 2009, Hudson Sports & Civic Center
Valley
Winter Wonderland of Homes Feb. 21-March 1, 2009
Oct. 2-4, 2009
2008 TBD
2008 TBD
2009 TBD
Dec. 16, 2008, R & D Banquet Hall, New Richmond
2009 TBD
Aug. 14 - Boat Cruise, Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Dec. 16
2009 TBD
Sept. 4, 2008
April 7, 2009
First Tues., no June, July, Aug., Dec. is Holiday Party
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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Centr
Dec. 8, 2008, Concourse Hotel
Mid-Wisconsin
18
Sept. 16, 2008, 7:00 pm Sky Club, Plover
Loca
8/7/08 8:15:15 AM
St. Cro
Valley
Waus
Winn
Wolf R
iP
., Oct.,
LocaL associaTion
ParaDe of HoMes
HoMe sHow
goLf ouTing
insTaLLaTion
BBw
generaL MeMBersHiP MeeTing
Wausau Area
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
Oct. 16, 2008
April 17, 2009
3rd Thurs., no June, July, Aug.
Winnebago
Feb. 13-15, 2009
2009 TBD
2009 TBD
Sept. 10, 2008, Robbins Restaurant 6:30 pm
2008 TBD
2nd Wed., no June, July, Aug.
2009 TBD
Oct. 14, 2008, Golden Sands Golf Course, 6:00 pm social, 7:00 pm dinner, Cecil, WI
none
2nd Tues.
Wolf River
none
2009 TBD
., Oct.,
LocaL associaTion
LocaL BoarD MeeTing
oTHer evenTs
eDucaTion
Brown County
1st Wed.
Sporting Clays - Oct. 9, 2008
Annual Seminar Series
Central Wisconsin
2nd Tues.
Holiday Party - TBD
none
Chippewa Valley
4th Tues. every other month
Holiday Party - Dec. 5, The Plaza
See CVHBA calendar at www.cvhomebuilders.com
Door County
1st Wed.
2008 TBD
none
Fond du Lac & Dodge Counties
1st Tues., no July
Relay for Life - Aug. 1; Pheasant Hunt - Oct. 4
none
Golden Sands
3rd Tues.
Holiday Party - Dec. 16, 2008
none
Headwaters
2nd Tues., Wed., Thurs., before GMM
Whitetails Unlimited Banquet - 2008 TBD
Continuing Ed offered during some GMM’s
, Nov.
Heart of the North
1st Thurs.
Holiday Party - Nov. 15, 2008
none
une,
La Crosse Area
3rd Tues.
2008 Auction - Sept. 13; Housing Summit - Oct. 2; Building Education Day - Nov. 5; Holiday Party Dec. 5
Lunch ‘n Learn - Thurs. Aug., Oct; Builder Breakfasts Last Thurs. Jan., March, May, Sept.
Lakeland
2nd Wed., no Aug.
none
Lunch ‘n Learn - Last Tues. of month
Madison Area
3rd Wed.
––––
OSHA Fall Protection Training - Aug. 5, 2008; Lien Law Course - Aug. 26, 2008
Manitowoc County
2nd Thurs.
Sporting Clays - Sept. 10, 2008
Awake to Learn seminars the 2nd Wed. of month
Metropolitan
2nd Wed., no Aug.
––––
Commerce Approved 12-Hour Course DVD available to HBA members for $150/non-members for $225 at MBAonline.org
Mid-Shores
2nd Tues.
Trap Shoot - Sept. 10, 2008
none
Mid-Wisconsin
3rd Tues.
none
none
Northland Area
3rd Wed.
Trap Shoot - Oct. 2008 TBD
Onsite Performance Testing, August 2008, day, time and location TBD, credits applied for
Racine-Kenosha
1st Wed.
2008 TBD
Monthly
Sheboygan County
1st Tues., no July
2008 TBD
Monthly except June, July, Aug.
South Central Wisconsin
2nd Tues.
2008 TBD
2008 TBD
South Western Wisconsin
2008 TBD
2008 TBD
2008 TBD
St. Croix Valley
Bi-monthly, one week before GMM
––––
––––
Valley
Last Tues.
Holiday Party - Dec. 12, 2008 - Radison Paper Valley
Various - visit vhba.com for schedule
Wausau Area
3rd Tues.
Annual Picnic - Aug. 21, 2008; Annual Party - Jan. 17, 2009
none
Winnebago
2nd Wed., no Aug.
2008 TBD
none
Wolf River
Last Tues.
––––
none
ly, Aug.
ug.
., Thurs; ug.
ne,
ne,
une,
uly
s. 5:30 pm dinner, hrougty on ollow t
ne
ne,
MMs in ug.
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Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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BuIlder PROFILe
D-H Builders Have Ties that Bind, Family or Not by Nancy Davis hey’re not brothers or even cousins. Not father and son, either. Dan Henke and Ron Starmer are not related. So what are they doing as co-owners of a home building company in Monroe, WI? With family-owned companies as common as sawdust in the home building industry, Henke and Starmer put a little different twist on things. Dan Henke started out in 1976 in a job he always dreamed of, working for Amwood Custom Homes in Janesville. It was there that he met Ron Starmer, who was lured into the industry by his father-in-law and owner of Amwood, Gene Scott. Henke holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology with a minor in building construction from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Starmer graduated from Scottsdale College in Arizona with a marketing degree. It was in Arizona, at ASU, that he met his wife, Sarah, and eventually her father, Gene Scott. “I didn’t know anything about the home building industry, but Gene taught me and I fell in love with it. I’ve been at it ever since,” said Starmer. It was Scott who urged his son-in-law to earn his construction degree from Rock Valley College while working for Amwood. Henke bought out a portion of the Amwood empire to form his own company in 1983. Starmer stayed on with Amwood, but joined Henke in 1997. Today, his brother-in-law, Doug Scott, is Amwood CEO, and Starmer remains a part-owner.
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“I met Dan in 1981, and we’ve been good friends ever since. Once we went into business together, we said we’d go one year at a time. Now we’re in our 11th year,” he said.
Do What You Love, Love What You Do D-H Builders builds 10 to 12 custom homes and condos per year, on average. They have built approximately 800 homes in 30 years. “People ask us how we’re doing and we say we’re fine. We have good leads — we have five homes under construction right now. I guess we make it look easy. But I would be stressed out if I had 200 homes sitting with no buyers,” Starmer said. “Being in the business as long as we have, we’ve seen the different economic cycles, high interest rates, etc. But this time around lenders have tightened their belts and have more realistic debt ratios,” said Starmer. “We are pretty conservative, and we have a very good business system that is very organized.” Starmer says customers review the plans and specs and agree on the investment Their business system has given them a good rapport with clients — they become friends. “That’s what I love about it,” said Starmer. The two of them both love turning the keys over to an excited client. Watching them walk through the finished product, with smiles on their faces, is their greatest reward. Even once that family moves in,
they continue to provide service to them. “We always take care of past customers. When little Johnny bangs up the garage door with his bike, we’ll go out and fix it. Dan and I always take care of them, and he or I are always around for them,” Starmer said. Lately, D-H has been catering to an older clientele. Being baby boomers themselves, they understand the feelings of an emptynester and the older customer. “I know that certain things are important to older people. Some of them have a hard time turning knobs, turning on hoses or cranking out windows. We stop by and show them what we’ve done to make it easier for them, and they give us cookies. They appreciate it, and that’s where the referrals to us come from,” he said.
Creating Neighborhoods, not Just Subdivisions D-H is currently on its second residential subdivision designed with cul de sacs and sidewalks. “We have kept traffic to a minimum and blended luxury condos with single family custom homes. Our concept was intented to create a warm, neighborhood feel,” he said. By building close to municipal amenities like the local YMCA, walkways and bike trails, residents can get out and still feel connected to their neighbors. Bakersfield Estates is the D-H team’s first venture into land development and subdivision design. Phase II is already Continued on page 22
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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BuILDeR PROFILe
Continued from page 20 underway. “People love it, and we feel a real sense of accomplishment with it. There certainly was a learning curve with the infrastructure and land development, but we completed the first 27 custom homes and condos as planned, and are starting our second phase, which will be connected to the first,” he said.
From Builders to Founding Fathers Last year, Starmer was the driving force behind the creation of the South West Wisconsin Home Builders Association (SWHBA), chartered in October 2007 by the WBA and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). In less than a year, the group has grown to 41 members. The SWHBA local completed its first Home Show in January, and its inaugural golf outing was recently held to establish a scholarship fund for students entering the industry. “We want to encourage kids to follow in the footsteps of others in the building community,” said Starmer. Through the years, the pair had tossed around many ideas for community service. It became clear to them once they joined the South Central HBA in Janesville that there was an opportunity for a separate organization closer to their home in Green County. With assistance from the South Central HBA and the WBA, the SWHBA was born — with Starmer as the first president. Henke himself is knee-deep in public service, as an alderman for the City of Monroe. He is also a member of Main Street Civil Responsibility committee, which helps maintain the historic integrity of Downtown Monroe.
What’s on the Horizon Not to be left out of the most important movement in the building industry, D-H has been working on a not-so-top secret plan for a future green building project. By harnessing solar, geothermal, windmill and radiant energy, D-H is putting a plan in place to create a green, ecofriendly neighborhood. “We actually have gone to the drawing board with a 10-year plan to buy some land and develop a subdivision that will not generate any utility bills for its owners,” he said.
An Energy Star® homebuilding company, D-H has been building green for a while now, but is just entering the inspection and certification arena. “Now that we’re Energy Star® certified, people know that our homes are very energy efficient. It is one of the many things they compliment us on. They tell us that their utility bills are lower in their new homes than in the homes they came from,” he said. Starmer and Henke are assisted by Dan’s wife, Judi, on the D-H Builders team. Starmer’s nephew, a college graduate who is working for a lumber company to earn his stripes, just might take the reigns one day. But even with relatives on board, this partnership couldn’t be more of a family affair. “We have been in this business for a long time, but there is always more to learn and so much to do. That’s what’s so cool — we are never bored. You might think you’ve heard it all, but you never have. Plus, we get to work with family, outside of an office, meet new people and make new friends,” Starmer said. With this winning combination and great business sense, D-H builders and the new South West Wisconsin Home Builders Association have a great future. X
Business Quick Facts D-H Builders Inc. • Owners: Ron Starmer & Dan Henke • Years in business: 31 • Local Association: South West Wisconsin Home Builders Association • Association Involvement: Starmer was the driving force behind the creation of the South West Wisconsin HBA and served as its first president. • Fun Fact — Three Things I Never Go to a Site Without: Ten-week work schedule, tape measure, blueprints
Wisconsin Badger Builder • September/October 2008 • www.wisbuild.org
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