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As the state’s largest trade association with over 8,000 member companies, responsible for approximately 188,000 jobs, we are the people who build, remodel and maintain homes.
We create economic opportunity and strong communities. BIAW champions the rights of our members and fights for affordable homeownership at all levels of government.
Executive Vice President
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Brenda Kwieciak
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On the cover: In May 2022, the Spokane Homebuilders Association’s (SHBA) Frame Your Future (FYF) program partnered with local schools to host a Construction Camp for more than 20 students. With the help of 15 SHBA member volunteers, they built two sheds in two days. ROII sponsored the event. FYF is a new two-year program launched this year, providing industry-driven curriculum and hands-on building experience to students in Spokane.
Read more about the FYF program on pages 14, 16 & 17.
Photo by Doug Edmonson.
Bart Hansen brings local political experience to the Building Industry Association of Clark County
Natural Gas targeted by Building Code Council
If adopted, the State Building Code Council’s most recent package of building codes will eliminate home builders’ ability to costeffectively install natural gas in new homes
Join us throughout October to celebrate professions in construction trades and promote construction career opportunities
Building Community by Bicycle
Bike & Build, an organization with teams of cyclists riding routes through multiple states and stopping along the way to help local building projects, helps improve Thurston County
These holiday gift ideas will surely fit the needs of your favorite contractor or home builder this holiday season
Last month, the Master Builders Association of Pierce County invited me to join them as a panelist at their Builder Breakfast. The topic? Diversity in our industry and supporting women and BIPOC business owners in our association.
The topic is timely as our industry struggles with ongoing skilled labor shortages. Encouraging diversity also touches all of my 2022 priorities as your BIAW President: Supporting small businesses, increasing equality, building our future workforce and improving affordable access to housing for all.
As we celebrate Careers in Construction Month in October, demonstrating support for diversity in our industry will help us build a strong workforce in the future.
Recognizing a broad range of diversity
So often, people limit their thinking about diversity to race or ethnicity, but it’s so much more. As we discussed at MBA Pierce, diversity includes age, disability, language, background, gender identity and even political viewpoints. Having a variety of people supporting your organization or business encourages innovation and helps you connect with a broader range of customers.
How do we diversify our workforce? My fellow panelists and I discussed supporting skills centers and encouraging youth of all backgrounds to take advantage of them. We also discussed working with school counselors and trade schools to help us build the pipeline at urban, rural, tribal and other schools across the state.
As we recognize Careers in Construction Month, BIAW is upgrading its workforce development web resources to include outreach materials that showcase the opportunity to join us. You can use them whenever you speak to people about careers in our industry.
Most of my trade partners (and many of yours) are from diverse backgrounds. Supporting our subcontractors and associates helps our small business members thrive, especially those new to the industry.
As builders and remodelers, we’ve always encouraged our subcontractors and business colleagues to join our associations because we know our members do business with members—and that helps everyone be successful.
Helping more people from all backgrounds find a place in our industry is where it starts. Next, we encourage them to join us as members, invite them to events and support them stepping up to leadership.
As I travel the state and get to know more of our members at local events, I am seeing more diversity from all walks of life, reflecting the communities where we all work and live.
When more individuals across our state have the opportunity to work in our field, contribute to our associations and experience similar successes, we all win.
In a recent survey of BIAW membership, 87.5% of those responding said they were looking for qualified labor right now—and another 11% said they would be soon.
To encourage more people to consider the trades, during Careers in Construction Month, BIAW will be working to highlight the value of a career in construction, so you all can find the workforce you need to run your businesses effectively.
As of 2020, Washington had a shortage of nearly 270,000 homes. Land constraints, restrictive zoning and excessive building code regulations contribute to the shortage and drive up the costs to build new homes. But an 8% increase in wages and a 19% increase in building materials also contribute to rising housing prices. The labor shortage exacerbates the problem as builders and remodelers have to pay even more for employees and subcontractors due to rising demand.
After many workers left the home building industry during the Great Recession to pursue employment in other sectors, recent surveys show that not nearly enough of them have returned. In fact, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data and analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), there were 138,000 open construction sector jobs in August.
An NAHB survey of home builders further illustrates the depth of this problem. Six in 10 of those surveyed experienced delays in completing projects on time, 18% had to turn down some projects and 9% lost or canceled sales because they had too few workers to complete their homes.
All of this affects our ability to build homes people can afford. Workforce development efforts connect new workers with industry The BIAW Workforce Development Task Force continues to work to support our industry’s workforce development needs. They recently partnered with the BIAW workforce development and communications staff to revamp web resources for members, builders and employers seeking skilled staff. They also advised BIAW on building a new page for students, potential new employees, parents, teachers and counselors to spotlight the benefits of working in our industry, career paths, training resources and scholarships.
This work, along with other association workforce development efforts around the state, demonstrates a commitment to connecting workers with the jobs our industry needs to fill. BIAW will spotlight some of these efforts in this month’s Building Insight, on our website and on social media as we continue to bring workers back to the trades.
It’s all connected. We need to develop the workforce necessary to build affordable homes.
Meet the new Building Industry Association of Clark County (BIACC) Executive Director Bart Hansen, who came on board in September. Aside from being BIACC’s executive director, Hansen also serves on the Vancouver City Council. He was appointed to the Council in January of 2010, reelected, and is currently serving in his
“Bart’s unique experience serving Clark County citizens, his knowledge of government regulations and policy background, together with his passion for Clark County, energizes our membership,” said BIACC President Aaron Helmes.
Hansen serves on the board of directors for the local transportation system, C-Tran, and is involved with
the Vancouver School District Management Advisory Task Force. Before joining BIACC, Hansen worked for Clark Public Utilities for over 20 years. He was born and raised in Vancouver, Wash., and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Washington State University and Master of Business Administration from Marylhurst University.
Hansen and his wife of 23 years, Carly, have two children. Their oldest child, Louis, recently graduated from Washington State University and is pursuing a career in law enforcement. Their daughter, Caroline, just began her first year at Western Washington University, where she plays on the school’s volleyball team. In his off time, Hansen enjoys coaching youth sports, longboarding and running with his dog Sally.
Raelle Vitali has joined BIAW as Member Resources Manager after several years working with the Indiana Builders Association as their marketing and member services director. She is very excited about her relocation to Washington state and the chance to connect with members.
Vitali shares, “I am excited to join BIAW because of the scale and impact the association has on both the state and national level as one of the largest home building associations in America. I believe housing accessibility needs advocacy and support in all areas, and I admire what BIAW does to ensure this for Washingtonians. As the Member Resources Manager, I hope to communicate the true value of
the state-level benefits that come with the 3-in-1 membership.”
Before stepping into the building industry, Vitali also served in programmatic roles with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and as a nonprofit HR Consultant. She earned her Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University with a dual concentration in nonprofit management and community/economic development.
Vitali’s roots are in the building industry as her father is a custom home builder in Indiana and many of her extended family and relatives are also residential tradespeople. Her education, experience and personal interests make the building industry a perfect fit.
The National Association of Home Builders celebrated Young Professionals Week Oct. 1014 to provide young homebuilding professionals opportunities to connect, collaborate and develop professionally. As many long-time building industry leaders grow closer to retirement, cultivating and empowering younger members not only benefits them, it strengthens the industry for the future.
Recognizing this, four of Washington’s local homebuilding associations have created opportunities for young and emerging professionals to engage with each other as part of their local association membership. The Spokane Home Builders Association paved the way with SHBA Next. Master Builders Pierce, Central Washington Home Builders Association and Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties also have vibrant groups for young and emerging professionals.
Even if you can’t join one of these groups, you can still tap into the resources and energy of young professionals groups in our association:
Join the NAHB Young Professionals Facebook Group, connect with other YPs and draw on the diversity of their members to take your career to the next step.
Take advantage of the NAHB YP Member Benefits, including NAHB Connect, a members-only online discussion forum, educational opportunities and business tools.
Share how far you’ve come in the building industry by using
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 32% of children within Yakima School District borders live below the poverty line. With almost 16,000 students in the district, that means over 5,000 kids may not be able to get the full set of school supplies they need to start the school year.
Upon learning this, the CWHBA Young Professionals Council (YPC) decided to take action. They held their first-ever “Backpack Giveback” service project Aug. 17 to help struggling families prepare their children for the coming school year.
The YPC designated various CWHBA member businesses as donation drop-off locations. Then they teamed up with Baxter Construction to fill backpacks
with an assembly line of supplies. During the monthlong project, the group successfully filled nearly 50 backpacks full of supplies and donated loads of extras directly to teachers to help fill classroom supply closets.
Thank you to members at Cashmere Valley Mortgage, Elliott Insurance Services, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Baxter Construction, Valley Mall, the CWHBA board of directors, and other members of the YPC and local community for making this project a success!
Learn more about the CWHBA YPC at cwhba.org/ ypc or contact CWHBA Executive Officer Lindsay Brown at (509) 454-4006 or lbrown@cwhba.org.
The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) is planning to pass the country’s most stringent and most expensive package of building codes.
At a series of hearings in late September and midOctober, BIAW members urged them to consider the high costs associated with these codes and their effect on homeownership in our state. A coalition of energy companies, unions, real estate professionals and others joined in voicing concern.
New homeowners are not just losing the benefit of a cost-effective and reliable heat source, they will now pay exponentially more to have a natural gas range or fireplace—if they can even have it at all.
– BIAW President Joseph Irons“New homeowners are not just losing the benefit of a cost-effective and reliable heat source, they will now pay exponentially more to have a natural gas range or fireplace—if they can even have it at all.”
Existing homeowners will also have to upgrade their current HVAC systems to heat pumps if they increase the size of their original HVAC equipment.
Read BIAW’s Building Code Briefing to learn all the proposals, BIAW’s concerns and estimated costs: BIAW.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BIAWBuilding-Codes-Briefing.pdf.
The proposals affect not only home prices. Energy officials have warned that the state’s energy grid cannot handle this new load, especially considering the state’s recent ban on new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The state also lacks the trained electricians and other skilled workers needed to accommodate these mandates, and training can take years.
Based on a membership poll and national data on the cost of electrifying homes, BIAW estimates this code package will increase the price of a new home by a minimum of $24,070.
The proposals require heat pumps as the preferred source for space and water heating in all new homes, increasing the cost of a new home by $8,350. If adopted, home builders will lose the ability to costeffectively install natural gas in new homes. “Absent the ability to service natural gas water heaters and furnaces in new housing, natural gas companies lack the incentive to run gas lines to new developments,” said BIAW President Joseph Irons in a news release issued before the hearings.
“Washington is ahead of the nation on climate change but woefully behind on housing,” Irons said. “Homeowners need homes they can afford with a variety of energy sources to prevent the kinds of rolling blackouts expected in California.”
The SBCC will evaluate public comments on Oct. 21, then vote on code proposals Nov. 4 and possibly on Nov. 18 (as needed). Any adopted changes will go into effect on July 1, 2023.
If you’d like more information or to get more involved, please contact Policy and Research Manager Andrea Smith at (360) 352-7800 ext. 114 or andreas@biaw.com
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Late last year, BIAW Imm. Past President Tracy Doriot, managing owner of Doriot Construction, joined the board of directors for Workforce Southwest Washington.
It was the perfect opportunity to feed his passion for encouraging people to enter the construction trades. It also put him in a position to encourage local workforce development leaders to support the home building industry as a future career.
Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) is a nonprofit organization that helps people gain skills to find good-paying jobs or advance in their careers and helps companies recruit, train and retain workers in Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Clark counties.
Supporting construction Darcy Hoffman, WSW Director of Business Services, says construction accounts for nearly seven percent of the Southwest Washington-Portland metro area’s private-sector employment and seven percent of payroll, with more than 77,000 jobs and a payroll of $6.8 billion. It’s one of four key industries supported by the local public workforce system and WSW, which is why Doriot’s input and support are so valuable.
“Residential construction provides excellent opportunities for people of all educational levels and demographics,” Doriot said. “As more skilled tradespeople reach retirement age, there’s no better time to join our industry. And perhaps one of the best-kept secrets is the solid wages you can earn that can then lead to owning your own business.
As a member of the workforce board, I have the opportunity to tell our story.”
A BIAW Certified Builder and award-winning custom home builder with 43 years in the construction business, Doriot has served on the Cascadia Technical Academy Construction Technology Advisory Committee since 1996 and has been chair of the board since 2019. His three-year appointment on the WSW board started Sept. 1, 2021, and ends in 2024.
Partnering with WorkSource expands access to workers
Washington has 11 local workforce development boards across the state, charged with coordinating and leveraging workforce investments and strategies. They work closely with and often manage WorkSource offices around the state.
Hoffman invites residential contractors to reach out to their local WorkSource offices to advertise jobs outside their inner circle. WorkSource can also help with hiring events.
“In my experience, many contractors find new workers by word of mouth and employee referrals,” she said. “Job candidates who might be new to the industry do not have a place to go to make those professional connections unless they are fortunate enough to know someone who works in the field.”
Hoffman also encourages builders across the state to connect with their local boards to offer their expertise and leverage their local board’s resources. For more information on workforce development, contact Education and Workforce Development Director Al Audette at (360) 352-7800 ext. 105 or ala@biaw.com
n CTE: What is it and why should I care?
Thursday, Nov. 17 | 8-10:45 a.m. | FREE
Join Career and Technical Education Director Teri Pablo from Yelm Community Schools as she highlights the challenges in promoting skilled trades career options for middle and high school students.
n Annual Meeting of the Membership Luncheon and Election of Officers Thursday, Nov. 17 | 11:30 a.m. | $45/person
All BIAW members and guests are invited to attend the luncheon held in conjunction with the annual membership meeting. BIAW directors will vote on BIAW and NAHB officers for 2023.
Please RSVP to your local association.
n Future Leadership Social Thursday, Nov. 17 | 5-6 p.m. | FREE
The Past Presidents’ Council invites you to have a drink and a bite and learn what it takes to serve in BIAW leadership.
n Installation and Awards Gala Thursday, Nov. 17 | 7 p.m. | $70/person
Event theme: Bohemian | Attire: Business classy
Join us as we install BIAW’s 2023 senior officers; honor the Builder/Associate/Remodeler of the Year; and honor the 2022 BIAW Hall of Fame inductees.
Please RSVP to your local association.
Hilton Vancouver Washington
301 W. 6th Street Vancouver, WA 98660
Reservations: 1-800-HILTONS or Scan QR Code
Open to all members at no charge
Senior Officers + Luncheon 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Executive Officers’ Council Noon – 3 p.m.
EOC + Government Affairs Directors 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Executive Committee Dinner (invite only) 6 – 8 p.m.
“CTE: What is it and why should I care?” 8 – 10:45 a.m.
Note: In lieu of the Remodelers and Education Committee meetings, the committees are hosting a CTE informational workshop. The Remodelers and Education Committees will conduct committee business prior to the start and at the end of the workshop.
MSC 8 – 10 a.m.
Associate Advisory Council 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
BUILD-PAC 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Bylaws and Nominations Committee
Candidate interviews 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
WAHC 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Health Insurance Trust 10 – 11:30 a.m. Luncheon 11:30 – 1 p.m.
Annual Meeting of the Membership + 2023 Election Membership Committee
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Legislative Policy Committee 1 – 3 p.m.
Past Second Vice Presidents’ Council 2 – 3 p.m. Membership Directors + 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Event Coordinators + Comms
Bylaws and Nominations Committee 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Local Association Presidents’ Council 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Legal Committee 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Future Leadership Social 5 – 6 p.m. Hosted by the Past Presidents’ Council
Pre-gala Social and Event Check-in 6:30 p.m.
Installation and Awards Gala 7 – 10 p.m.
Executive Committee
8 – 8:45 a.m.
Board of Directors 9 – 11:30 a.m.
The construction industry is booming, but our access to a skilled workforce continues to struggle. And employers need extra help in the safety arena more than ever before. Companies with stellar safety reputations attract workers who appreciate a culture of safety and teamwork. When employees feel their workplace is their home away from home, it gives companies an advantage both in recruitment and retention.
A safe industry is an attractive industry Safety managers work with company leaders to create safe and hospitable work environments. Keeping our industry safe is one of the best ways to attract young people into the trades and keep existing workers from seeking other career paths. Safety personnel play one of the most critical roles in the construction industry with competitive salaries, up to six figures in some cases. And you can’t put a price on the satisfaction that comes from seeing employees go home safe to their loved ones on a daily basis.
According to many nationwide surveys, students and workers from all generations want a job that combines purpose with a paycheck. Construction safety jobs are a great mixture of the two. The safety manager role is excellent for older workers not ready to retire but ready to leave the heavy lifting to the younger workers. Transitioning those highly experienced employees into safety roles can help younger workers work safer and more efficiently.
A safe, welcoming work environment improves your bottom line
The unwelcome consequences of on-the-job injuries, including increases in workers’ comp rates and loss of valuable employees, affect the company’s ability to compete for work. Subcontractors who generate accidents, bring in compliance inspectors and disrupt the overall jobsite create a poor reputation for the company and can jeopardize their position with general contractors. Workplace injuries also affect company morale and, in turn, can lead to lost production and time hiring new workers and retaining existing ones.
The construction industry depends on safety persons who can improve processes, provide training and prevent accidents that can cause injuries or even claim lives. As the industry grows, filling construction safety jobs with the right people will be critical to companies’ ability to complete projects safely and effectively, compete for jobs and enhance the industry’s reputation as a strong, safe career choice.
If you are an ROII participant and have questions about starting a career in safety, please contact ROII Safety Services Director Bob White at (360) 352-7800 ext. 109 or bobw@biaw.com
If you’re not an ROII participant and want to find out more about our benefits, go to roii.com.
by Leah Jaber ROII Marketing Manager
In late May, the Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA) hosted the second annual Frame Your Future Workforce Development Camp. This weekendlong event gave high school students hands-on experience and opportunities for conversations with local builders to get a sense of how a career in the trades could be.
The right tools for the job ROII was a proud sponsor of this event by providing safety glasses, gloves, hard hats and other safety gear to the young people participating. We wanted to ensure these young future builders had the right equipment to stay safe in their careers and start them off right with lifelong safety habits.
At ROII, we emphasize that safety starts young. That’s why Jim Breidenbach, Bob White and Jesse Balbin, ROII field representatives, worked with students to build sheds that will be used for practical purposes around the Mead High School campus. Building these sheds allowed students to learn a wide variety of industry-related skills and start creating safety habits that will keep them safe in their careers.
We couldn’t think of a better way to build a safer future for the next generation of builders. Learn more about ROII at roii.com.
While BIAW often takes the lead on important cases affecting the building industry in the courts, other groups often request BIAW file “friend of the court” briefs, also known as amicus curiae. Amicus briefs allow BIAW to assist the court by offering additional, relevant information or arguments the court may want to consider before ruling.
In the last few months, BIAW has participated in the following amicus briefs to provide expertise on the home building industry.
Challenge to new capital gains tax
BIAW’s most recent work on amicus briefs pertains to the “capital gains” income tax passed by the Legislature in the 2021 session. Parties to the case challenge SB 5096—signed into law last year and effective in January 2022. The legislation created a 7% excise tax on the sale or exchange of capital assets above $250,000. The crux of the legal challenge centers around defining the tax as an excise tax instead of an income tax, largely contingent on the argument that capital assets should be considered income.
The State argues the capital gains tax applies on the sale or transfer of property and is, therefore, an excise tax. The court sided with the challengers, supporting their definition of capital gains as income. BIAW argued that the tax is unconstitutional, negatively impacts the nearly 8,000 businesses we represent, and violates the Commerce Clause.
With the definition of the capital gains tax as an income tax in hand, the court concluded that the tax violates those aspects of the Washington State Constitution that guarantee uniformity, making this a big win for BIAW and its members.
The State has appealed, and the Washington Supreme Court has accepted the case with a hearing likely early next year.
BIAW has also worked on an amicus brief supporting ExxonMobil’s case regarding property owners’ liability for independent contractors when the contractors’ employees suffer workplace injuries on their property.
BIAW, Associated Builders and Contractors of Washington and the Washington Farm Bureau argued for preserving the rule. They contend an employer should not be liable for injuries to the employees of independent contractors resulting from their labor.
The Washington Supreme Court has accepted the Wayne Wright v. ExxonMobil Oil Corp. case with a hearing date set for October 27.
BIAW has participated in the following amicus briefs to provide expertise on the home building industry
The building industry needs 1.9 million more trades professionals nationwide by 2025. Here are some ways you and your business can join the workforce development effort and help build pride in the industry.
n Open your site by hosting a field trip for students to tour the site and gain first-hand information about successful careers in construction. Take a few minutes to demonstrate how to use one or more tools or pieces of equipment on your jobsite.
n Visit a school and talk with students about careers. Plan fun, related activities and arrange for a panel of trades professionals to host a question and answer session.
n Arrange a job shadow day for young people to spend time with adults in their workplace and see the responsibilities and daily tasks as they spend time in the work environment.
n Spread the word by announcing Careers in Construction Month on your storefront, website, cash register receipts, etc. Post videos or pictures on social media highlighting careers in residential construction using #CareersInConstruction.
Scan the QR code to download team-building activities, social media images, presentations, and helpful resources.
Washington state is one of 21 states whose governor has officially proclaimed October as Careers in Construction Month to bring statewide awareness to the many lucrative career opportunities available in the building industry. We invite all members and local associations to join the celebration of professions in construction trades and help promote construction career opportunities.
It will take teamwork and boots-on-the-ground effort to solve the labor shortage. Local home building associations are doing just that by working closely with members and schools to engage the future workforce. This month, we’re featuring Kitsap Building Association (KBA), Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA) and Master Builders Association of Pierce County and their powerful programs and partnerships connecting students with jobs in the building industry.
KBA’s Builder Grant Program provides youth internship opportunities in the construction industry after high school. The program connects workers aged 18 to 24 with local builders, remodelers and subcontractors for a six-week residential construction internship. The year-round program provides a $250 stipend to successful applicants for the tools and equipment they need to be job-ready. Workers then enter a six-week, paid job opportunity. If they successfully complete the program, workers receive another $250 and a certificate of completion.
SHBA’s Frame Your Future (FYF) Program is a new twoyear program launched this year, providing industry-driven curriculum and hands-on building experience to students at Innovation High School in Spokane. SHBA raised more than $200,000 from building industry partners to fund the program.
In May 2022, SHBA and FYF partnered with local schools to host a Construction Camp for more than 20 students. With the help of 15 SHBA member volunteers, they built two sheds in two days. FYF allows students to meet and work alongside some of Spokane’s leading construction professionals. These professionals then have the opportunity to provide career coaching and even hire students who show an interest in the trades. FYF is creating a skilled worker pipeline for residential construction in Eastern Washington through its innovative training programs and collaboration with area schools and industry leaders.
serves 10 school districts in Pierce County. Master Builders Pierce and PCSC are jointly committed to people’s success in the building industry and establishing an educated workforce for the future of construction.
training. Upon completion of the program, companies may choose to hire the newly trained workers— and many do. KBA works closely with YouthBuild Kitsap and Kitsap Community Resources to identify applicants. YouthBuild Kitsap is a program funded by the US Dept. of Labor that teaches construction trades to students who have dropped out academically. The Builder Grant Program has also generated numerous applicants through word of mouth. To become a mentor in the KBA Builder Grant Program, or to learn more, contact KBA Executive Officer Randall King at (360) 4794210 or rking@kitsapbuilds.com, or visit KitsapBuilds.com
To learn more about FYF and how you can get involved, visit FrameYourFuture.org.
Master Builders Pierce partnered with the Pierce County Skills Center (PCSC) by donating $5,000 benefiting local students enrolled in the school’s construction trades program. PCSC offers career and technical education programs and
Master Builder Pierce members support PCSC’s construction trades curriculum by donating excess materials from jobsites for hands-on training. They also attend annual job fairs, provide scholarships to help students buy tools and supplies upon graduation and connect them to internship opportunities leading to full-time employment.
For more information on the PSCS partnership, contact Master Builders Pierce at (253) 272- 2112.
To learn more about BIAW’s workforce development efforts, contact Education and Workforce Development Director Al Audette at (360) 352-7800 ext. 105 or ala@biaw.com.
Many college programs have job boards for students who will soon be seeking employment.
For a list of technical and community colleges in Washington state, visit ConstructionCenterOfExcellence. com/college-programs.
In August, the Drift West team cycled from Portland, Ore., to Bellingham, Wash., stopping in Olympia. There, the group volunteered their time on a project for Rebuild Together Thurston County (RTTC).
After a BIAW communications team member read the hometown news story about a former neighbor
with backgrounds as diverse as their hometowns. The common thread was a desire to help make a difference in local communities while raising awareness of our country’s need for affordable housing.
As one of the team leads, Nick Hale, states in a post on the Bike & Build Drift West Journal, “Whether we’re clearing brush, swinging hammers, painting, framing walls, or whatever else we can help with, it’s hard to overstate the impact 25-ish sets of hands all focused on one job can have on a jobsite. Seeing homeowners or soon-to-be homeowners’ emotions after we roll through is humbling and awe-inspiring.”
Rebuilding Together Thurston County is a non-profit organization providing free home repairs and agingin-place modifications for low-income homeowners and non-profit facilities. Executive Director, Cathy Johnson, says thanks to the Bike & Build volunteers and a City of Olympia community development block grant to preserve low-income housing, RTTC had the funds and labor to paint her client’s home.
“Thanks to community partnerships, national discounts and local builders, we can provide a range of services for clients to help preserve and rebuild Thurston County one client at a time,” she said.
Over the years, RTTC has partnered with several BIAW and Olympia Master Builders members, including but not limited to:
n John Erwin Remodeling
n Brooks Plumbing
n Reliable Electric
n Bayview Building Materials
n Mountain Lumber Inc.
n Builders FirstSource
[1] Jason Wilkinson (center) of Prodigy Homes, Inc. of Kennewick accepts the Banner Bank Best in Parade Award for his entry in the 2022 Tri-Cities Parade of Homes™. This is the second year in a row that Prodigy has taken home the top Parade of Homes™ award. The 2022 Tri-Cities Parade of Homes™ was held Sept. 16–18 and showcased four new homes featuring the latest in construction, architectural trends, design and décor.
[2] Prodigy Homes’ latest design release, The Symphony, won the Banner Bank Best in Parade Award at the 2022 Tri-Cities Parade of Homes™.
[3] Kitsap Building Association held their Associates Council Mixer & End of Summer Block Party Sept. 6. The event was hosted by 1st Choice Housekeeping, Express Employment Professionals, and Works Granite and Stone.
[4] Works Granite and Stone’s new showroom was open and available for viewing during the Block Party.
[5] All Weather Heating and Cooling won the North Peninsula Building Association’s golf tournament held Aug. 26th, at the Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim. Thank you to tournament sponsor First Federal, and builder sponsor Hartnagel/Angeles Millwork for their generosity. The tournament saw a record number of 23 teams playing this year.
[6] Two Sedro-Woolley homes built by Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association member Martha Rose Construction were part of the National Solar Tour in October. Located in Sedro Wooley, each home has a 9.1 KW solar array on its roof, projected to produce more energy needed to operate the homes.
[7] Left to right: Carmen Nazario (Elizabeth’s mother), Linda Wilson, 17th Legislative District Senator, Elizabeth Gomez, owner of Bridge City Contracting and BIACC Board Member, at the BIA of Clark County (BIACC) GRO Parade of Homes Sept. 8.
[8] Left to right: BIACC Government Affairs Director Noelle Lovern, BIACC Executive Director Bart Hansen, and Ridgefield City Council Member Judy Chipman at the GRO Parade of Homes.
BIACC member and Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty Joey McNamara joins BIACC Board Member Ashley Shimer of WFG National Title Insurance Company at the GRO Parade of Homes.
[9]
[10] Michael Robinson and Patrick Finnegan of 4th Dimension Construction proudly host a beautifully remodeled home in Tumwater as part of the Olympia Master Builders’ 2022 Tour of Homes in September.
[11] MBA of Pierce County dedicated this year’s Builders Breakfast to diversity, equality and inclusion. Panelists (left to right) included Rush Residential Vice President Scott Walker, BIAW President Joseph Irons, Rae July of Chinook Building Envelope Services, and District Sales Manager Il Yi, US Bank.
This holiday season, get your favorite contractor, remodeler or home builder a gift they can use to help make their job a little easier. Whether they need a new gadget or want to add more tools to their arsenal, these holiday gift ideas will surely fit their needs.
Let’s face it. We live in the land of coffee snobs, and if you’re not drinking the best possible cup of coffee every morning, are you even living? This coffee press is a great on-the-go, travel coffee-making option that offers delicious coffee without any bitterness.
$39.95 - Amazon.com
This quality mug is for every caffeinefueled contractor or builder, which is nearly all of them. It’s also microwave and dishwasher-safe.
For the smarty pants in your life, the Ember Travel Mug² allows them to set their exact drinking temperature and then keeps it there for up to three hours, so their coffee is never too hot or too cold.
$24.99 - Etsy.com
$199.95 - Ember.com
Level up your loved one’s lunch game with a warm, homemade meal. This lunch box keeps lunch warm whether they leave it in their truck or plug it in at the jobsite. The removable stainless steel containers and carrying bags make it super convenient. Almost as convenient as getting fast food. Sort of.
$39.99 - Amazon.com
TrueWerk brings the technologies, materials, techniques and ideas to restore workwear to the forefront of apparel innovation within the trades and beyond. Shop using their layer system (base layer—next to skin, mid layer— insulation and shell layer—protection), by color, weather or type of apparel. Half the job is looking cool, anyhow.
Truework.com
Give the hot builder or contractor in your life some help with their sweat woes—from head to toe. When it comes to sweat on the jobsite, you have to take different approaches. For maximum sweat-stopping efficiency, Carpe products are loaded with sweatabsorbing powders and a careful blend of supporting ingredients giving you a far drier feeling than the aluminum salt alone would achieve. I’m not sweating. I’m crying. I mean…
$14.96+ - Mycarpe.com
Keen offers great waterproof work boot options that are comfortable, keep you warm and prevent slips. These boots are not only functional but also durable. They’ve also been dance tested, so the builder in your life can get down on the jobsite to their favorite tunes.
When in doubt, get them socks! These aren’t just any old socks. These socks have tools on them. Wow!
$10.89 - Amazon.com
They see me rolling. They hatin’ that I have the Milwaukee Packout Modular Storage System, and they don’t. This storage system is highly customizable. Whether they’re looking to organize their SUV, van or truck or looking for a portable rolling toolbox system, the possibilities are endless. Bonus—you can use this for hobbies like fishing, hiking and knitting.
Is the builder in your life a little OCD? Transform their right drive circular saw into a precision cutting tool with the Skateplate®. Two durable rollers with bearings put your saw on a rolling track, giving you straight and smooth cutting while increasing cut efficiency. Installation takes only minutes, and it gives you greater control and accuracy. Left-handed options are also available on their website.
$79.95 - Skateplate.com
