Building Business News September 2023

Top Ten Tips for 2021 IECC Energy Code Compliance

CONTENT

COVER STORY

12 Top Ten Tips for 2021 IECC Energy Code Compliance

The KCHBA sat down with an energy rater and compiled information to assist builders with the new code requirements using Performance HERS compliance.

FEATURES

10 Fall 2023 Parade Showcases Almost 100 More Homes Than Last Year

The next KCHBA Parade of Homes will feature 353 homes in eight counties built by 103 of the Kansas City area’s finest home builders. This surpasses the 2022 fall Parade, which hosted 269 homes.

14 Building Connections: The Crucial Role of Networking During a Downturn

The talk of a recession is unavoidable and something those in the homebuilding industry are unfortunately familiar with. A recession is a logical time to look for ways to cut costs and lower overhead, but this isn’t the time to make any major changes to your marketing strategy.

KCHBA Members Included in the 2023 Best of KC

Kansas City Magazine has published its latest list of “Best of KC.” The readers voted Rocktops Granite & Stone Fabrication as their favorite custom countertops company. James Engle Custom Homes won the spot as readers’ top home builder. Congratulations! See the full list at kansascitymag.com.

Patriot Homes’ St. Jude Dream House Tickets Now on Sale

Alimited number of $100 tickets are available now to purchase for a chance to win a brand-new home – the Kansas City 2023 St. Jude Dream Home built by Patriot Homes. One hundred percent of every ticket sold helps St. Jude kids and their families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food - so they can focus on helping their child live.

Every ticket purchase also enters you for the chance to win several other prizes, including American Airlines AAdvantage Miles valued at $5,000 for tickets reserved by Sept. 29. Register for free at the open house for a chance to win a $10,000 Furniture Shopping Spree at NFM.

The St. Jude home is tour #59 on the Fall Parade of Homes, located in the Reserve at Riverstone at 8904 N. Clarion Ave., Kansas City, MO, 64153. The “Taft” is a 2,700 square foot home with three bedrooms and three baths.

Self-guided tours are available Sept. 23-Oct. 8 during Parade hours (11 a.m.-6 p.m.). Additional open house days will be Oct. 14 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 15 from 12-5 p.m.

More information on the home and how to purchase tickets available at patriothomeskc.com.

Ora Reynolds Wins 2023 Look North Award Presented by EDC

Hunt Midwest CEO and President

Ora Reynold has been recognized as the 2023 recipient of Clay County Economic Development Council’s Look North Award. This award was created to recognize the outstanding leadership accomplishments of a person who has made an invaluable contribution to economic development and quality of life in Clay County. A celebratory luncheon will take place on Oct. 27. Go to clayedc.com for more information. Congrats Ora!

The New Home Experts In HVAC

Building a Foundation of Trust and Service

More than 85 Years of Commitment and Service in Kansas

Bickimer Inducted Into Past Presidents Club

Each year those who have served as president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City gather for dinner to induct the most recent past president into their circle. This year’s inductee was Tommy Bickimer of Bickimer Homes. During dinner last month at Silo in Lenexa, Kevin Kirtley of K&E Flatwork, last year’s inductee, presented Bickimer with a Past President medal and pin. Several attendees thanked Tommy for his commitment to creating the Builders Council and to the Home Builders Charitable Foundation. And a couple could not let Tommy forget how he unintentionally forgot to thank his wife, Julie, at his inauguration!

Congratulations Tommy!

Tempered Cast Iron Kitchen Sink

Working on Your 2023 Marketing Budget?

It’s that time of year when companies are preparing their 2023 budgets. As you consider where best to allocate funds to market your company, consider the KCHBA. The KCHBA has a range of events and price points to fit any budget. Looking for something to put you in front of the membership all year-long? Consider becoming an Elite Partner. As an Elite Partner you are recognized for your support at the KCHBA’s largest events throughout the year including the Economic Forecast Breakfast, the spring and fall Parade awards ceremonies and Inaugural. Your membership is included along with many other benefits.

Sponsor a Board of Directors lunch: Make an impression as the official KCHBA board lunch sponsor one month. Sponsoring lunch provides the opportunity to emphasize your organization’s services or products in a congenial setting. Each lunch with the directors and then have an opportunity to present your company’s offerings prior to the start of the board meeting.

These are just a couple of ways to network and grow your business. If you would like to discuss which sponsorship opportunities make the most sense for you, call 816-942-8800.

KCPWB Presents an Enchanted Evening in Wonderland for 2023 Fundraiser

The Professional Women in Building’s third annual Bottle & Barrel Bash fundraiser was held at Drexel Hall on Aug. 24. This year’s theme centered on the world of Alice in Wonderland. Over 200 guests were in attendance to enjoy the festivities, including a DJ, themed drinks and virtual silent auction. All tickets included a bottle of wine or liquor to take home. Guests plucked a numbered rose and took the corresponding bottle from the display.

Congratulations to Susan Hearn (Schlage Locks/Allegion) and Kerrie Coggins-Beller (United Fidelity Funding) for winning the costume contest for the night and each taking home a $25 Nick and Jake’s gift card. The winner of the teacup game raffle took home a designer light fixture from Crossroads Linear (valued at $1,656). The three door prizes included a hotel date night package, whiskey and decanter set with a $50 gift card and a spa basket with a $100 gift card.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event! Proceeds will benefit future PWB education and event programming, including a scholarship program, and the KCHBA.

Thank you to the 2023 Bottle & Barrel Bash sponsors who ensured the success of this event and their support for the KCPWB:

WONDERLAND PRESENTING SPONSOR

SVB Wood Floors

DRINK SPONSORS

Denizen | Rocktops Granite & Stone Fabrication

CHESHIRE CAT BOTTLE DISPLAY SPONSORS

Ferguson Enterprises | CKF

LOOKING GLASS DOOR PRIZE SPONSORS

SCI | Open & Shut

PLAY ME DJ SPONSOR

Elevate Design + Build

TEA TIME GAME SPONSOR

Cedar Creek Development Co.

SHRINK ME WELCOME SPONSOR

Engel & Völkers

EAT ME FOOD SPONSORS

Legacy Homes | Arrow Circle Electric

Matt Adam Development Co.

CURIOUSER DÉCOR SPONSOR

Ashlar Homes | Kansas Builders Insurance Group

TAKE ME AWAY GIFT BAG SPONSOR

Spire | Willis Custom Homes | Rodrock Development

Fall 2023 Parade Showcases Almost 100 More Homes Than Last Year

The Fall Parade of Homes, being held Sept. 23 through Oct. 8, offers the opportunity to see one of the largest and most impressive displays of new homes in the country. Sponsored by Mike Bryant Heating & Cooling, the fall Parade will feature 353 homes in eight counties built by 103 of the KC area’s finest builders. Last year the Parade hosted just 269 homes. Types of homes featured on the Parade will include townhomes, villas, 95 maintenance-provided entries and single-family homes, with a variety of floor plans featuring the latest design trends.

Homes will range in price from the $255,000 to $2.5 million and will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free and complimentary parade guides are available for pickup at the KCHBA (I-435 & Holmes) and at all Parade homes during the event.

Consumers can also download the user-friendly mobile app from the Google Play or Apple Store. Using the app, Parade-goers can save their favorites and then map a customized route to each home. For more information, please visit KCParadeofHomes.com.

Presented twice a year by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA), the Kansas City Parade of Homes is the second largest in the United States. Since 1947, millions of greater Kansas City residents and visitors have enjoyed viewing the latest in-home innovations, styles and decorating, and this year’s fall Parade will be no different as it showcases the area’s premier new homes, home builders and communities.

Parade of Homes Awards Ceremony

The Fall Parade of Homes Awards ceremony will be held Sept. 27 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The celebration will start at 6:00 p.m. with networking and heavy appetizers, followed by the announcement of the award winners at 6:45 p.m. Look for additional details in the KCHBA’s weekly e-newsletter This Week at the HBA.

Important Dates for the Fall Parade of Homes:

• Sept 19 – 20: Parade Material Pick-up

• Sept 21 – 22: Parade Judging

• September 27: Awards Ceremony

Fall 2023 Parade Home No. 57 by Syler Construction, Inc.

Fall 2023 Parade Home No. 57 by Syler Construction, Inc.

Top Ten Tips for 2021 IECC Energy Code Compliance

The compliance process is going to be an ongoing series of trade offs and each builder is going to have different strategies based on their specific floor plans. The KCHBA sat down with an energy rater and compiled the information below to assist builders with passing the new code requirements using Performance HERS compliance.

Work with KCHBA Member Energy Rater

96% Furnace paired with 17 SEER A/C

2x6 Exterior Walls

All Basement Walls Insulated. Consider R-19, 2x4 stud walls with gab from foundation to achieve R-19 batts

Air changes at or below 3.0

Mechanical ventilation in every house. Air cycler systems will not work, one option is a balanced ERV (though there are other options)

Windows with a U-Factor of 0.25 or better

All attic ducts covered with insulation

Duct leakage not to exceed 8% of house square footage

Hot Water Tanks – Gas greater or equal to EF 0.82; Electric EF 0.96

Disclaimer: This does not represent the full scope of options to achieve the standards required to satisfy the 2021 IECC. Builders will have various options to update their plans when following the “performance path” as it allows more innovation and creativity at the design stage. This graphic was compiled to start the conversation between the builder, the energy rater, and the design professional.

For questions, please contact Jordynn Webster, jordynn@kchba.org

Building Connections: The Crucial Role of Networking During a Downturn

The talk of a recession is unavoidable and something those in the homebuilding industry are unfortunately familiar with. When it comes to analyzing business expenses during or in anticipation of an uncertain economy, marketing and communications expenses are usually one of the first items to be downsized. John Quelch and Katherine Jocz from the Harvard Business Review caution this approach. “As sales start to drop, businesses typically cut costs, reduce prices and postpone new investments. Marketing expenditures in areas from communications to research are often slashed across the board—but such indiscriminate cost cutting is a mistake.”

It’s important to contain and examine expenses, but failing to provide needed support to your brand and business in a downturn can jeopardize performance over the long term. “Companies that put customer needs under the microscope, take a scalpel rather than a cleaver to the marketing budget, and nimbly adjust strategies, tactics and product offerings in response to shifting demand are more likely than others to flourish both during and after a

recession,” explain Quelch and Jocz. A recession is a logical time to look for ways to cut costs and lower overhead, but this isn’t the time to make any major changes to your marketing strategy. “Don’t use a recession as an opportunity to rebrand or make any significant changes to your company name or business model,” advises Jamie Johnson with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Making significant changes is unlikely to bring in new customers; it will likely just confuse your current customer base and cause you to lose sales.” As difficult as it may be, remind yourself recessions don’t last forever and focus on consistency with an eye to the future.

Maintaining your crowd of supporters is key during a downturn. “Hanging onto your current customers should be your primary goal during a recession,” according to Johnson. “Marketing to your existing customers is more effective and less expensive than trying to find new ones. During a recession, a loyal customer can be one of your business’s biggest assets.”

While staying consistent with your image and overall marketing strategy, there are ways to expand your outreach and industry knowledge.

“Content marketing is an excellent, low-cost way to continue to market your business.,” states Johnson. “When you create informative and relevant content to engage your target audience, instead of selling to your audience, you’re providing value to them. Over time, many of these individuals will become loyal customers.”

A quiet time for the business is also an opportunity to invest in professional development and training. Look for education and training that will benefit you in the future. Focusing a bit more on potential skill and knowledge gaps while keeping an eye on industry trends can accelerate growth at a quicker pace after a downturn.

The KCHBA is your association, here to support you and your business and provide resources through uncertain times.

Who’s Doing Business with Members?

The KCHBA’s Membership Committee is looking to identify gaps in membership. To do so, the committee asked our builder members to list their trade partners in a pre-loaded Excel spreadsheet to earn rewards. A big thank you goes to the 22 builder members that submitted their list of partners

All 22 builders will receive $100 in KCHBA cash they can use in any way they want. Ten of the builders will receive 50 percent off their next Parde of Homes entry for having at least 60 percent of their trade partners as KCHBA members. And congratulations goes to Crestwood Custom Homes and Willis Custom Homes for doing business with the largest number of KCHBA trade partners with 69 percent membership.

Thank you to all our members that make a concerted effort to do business with members!

FALL 2023 PARADE OF HOMES BUS TOUR SPONSORSHIPS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Tailgate (KCHBA) | 12:30 pm

Bus departs | 1:30 pm

Registration $65

Includes all food & drink Red Friday attire encouraged

Come join as we load up two buses & visit different homes on this year’s Fall Parade of Homes. Register at members.kchba.org/calendar

When you’re ready to build with natural gas, we’re here to help.

New Members

Ascend AV

Ryan Charpentier

15245 W 171st Terr.

Olathe, KS 66062

913-972-2317

www.ascendav.net

Aspen Lawn & Landscape

Mo Mohammad

1265 N. Winchester St.

Olathe, KS 66061-5879

913-829-6135

www.aspenlawn.com

DCA Outdoor

Omid Laborada

5840 NW Prairie View Rd. Kansas City, MO 64151

816-590-5794

www.katwholesale.com

Destination Home Team

Kaleb Drinkgern

13 E. Ponca Lake Winnebago, MO 64034

816-533-2500

www.dhtkc.com

Hallmark Building

Supplies, Inc.

JD Lorenz 901 Northview Rd. Ste 100 Waukesha, WI 53188

913-638-7322

www.hllmark.com

InsulUSA

Cody McCleary

4032 NW Riverside St. Riverside, MO 64150

417-894-7197

www.insulusa.com

Paragon Systems

Integration

Sara Jo Long

601 Rio Grande Pl., Ste 101

Aspen, CO 81611

970-920-3167

www.paragon.io

Plumbers and Gasfitters

Local Union 8

Matthew Harris

5950 Manchester Trfwy. Kansas City, MO 64130

816-363-8888

www.plumberslocal8.com

ProHome

Rick Smith

200 W. Douglass Ave. Wichita, KS 67202

800-899-2451

www.prohome.com

Rival Real Estate

Daniel Hostert

4041 Central St. Kansas City, MO 64111 816-537-2001

Wood Haven, Inc.

Bridget Guffey

401 W Bridge St. Perry, KS 66073 785-597-5618

www.woodhavenproducts. com

Lanier United

Willie Lanier 12120 Stateline Rd. Suite 334

Leawood, KS 66209 816-665-4712

www.lanierunited.com

Renew Design Build LLC

James Hesse

4112 Troost Ave. Kansas City, MO 64110

816-200-0552

www.renewdesignbuild.com

Richardson Custom Homes

Neil Richardson

1804 Eastridge Ave.

Cameron, MO 64429

816-629-0118

Sallee Homes Inc.

Brad Hibbs

PO Box 6437

Lee’s Summit, MO 64064 816-525-2891

www.salleedevelopment. com

AFFILIATE | DCA Outdoor

Chad Bridgman

27610 E Wyatt Road

KAT Sales Office

Blue Springs, MO 64014 816-590-5794

www.katwholesale.com

AFFILIATE | DCA Outdoor

Goeffrey Rodden

5840 NW Prairie View Rd. Kansas City, MO 6415

816-590-5794

www.katwholesale.com

AFFILIATE | Plumbers and Gasfitters Local Union 8

Geary Lesh

5950 Manchester Trfwy. Kansas City, MO 64130 816-363-8888

www.plumberslocal8.com

KCHBA Member Referrals

Thank

Don Julian Don Julian Builders, Inc.

Keith Sauro

Design KC/Real Estate Book & New Home Guide

Justin Pfeifer

Pfeifer Homes, Inc.

Bryan Keller

McCray Lumber & Millwork

Amanda Vasquez

Pella Products of Kansas City

Gary Kerns

Gary Kerns Homebuilders, LLC

KCHBA Staff

Will Ruder Executive Vice President will@kchba.org | 816-733-2216

Kelcee Allen Parade of Homes / Artisan Home Tour Director & Digital Content Strategist kelcee@kchba.org | 816-733-2246

Sheryl Drane Assistant to the Executive Vice President sheryl@kchba.org | 816-733-2221

Kari English Senior Director of Communications & Strategy kari@kchba.org | 816-733-2213

Marcia Jurgens Vice President of Administration marcia@kchba.org | 816-733-2215

Paige Livingston Manager of Communications & Education paige@kchba.org | 816-733-2217

Courtney Reyes Director of Government Affairs & Workforce Development courtney@kchba.org | 816-733-2214

Jordynn Webster Government Affairs & Workforce Development Manager kari@kchba.org | 816-733-2213

September 2023 | Volume 29 | Issue 9

Copyright 2023

Editor Kari English

Contributing Writer Paige Livingston Graphics Kelcee Allen

2023 Executive Committee President Brian Tebbenkamp

Vice President Dennis Shriver

Executive Vice President Will Ruder

Secretary / Treasurer Justin Pfeifer

Immediate Past President Tommy Bickimer

Associate Representative Misty Hanson

Past President Representative Bruce Rieke

To subscribe to Building Business News call (816) 733-2217

To advertise in Building Business News call (816) 733-2213

For change of address requests please email Kari@kchba.org or call (816) 942-8800

For more information, visit KCHBA.org

Member Anniversaries

1961

Saul Ellis and Company, Inc.

1966

Kenny’s Tile

1974

R. M. Standard & Company

1985

Ben Cerra Construction, Inc.

1987

Kansas City Millwork Company

1990

J.S. Robinson Fine Homes

1991

Neese Construction Corp

Town & Country Sheet Metal

1994

Becca Masonry, Inc.

1995

ECS Geothermal Inc.

1999

Ken Praiswater Construction, LLC

2001

James Engle Custom Homes

2004

Wood Brothers Construction Inc.

2019

Lennox Industries

2020

Sarto Countertops

Denizen

Custom Lawn & Landscape, Inc.

2021

Cicada Co

1 Perfect Door

MSI Surfaces

2022

Pro Painters Painting Corp

In & Out Construction, LLC

Open & Shut

Birkby Co

Katanic Built

Steel Creek Construction & Development

Alliance Nationwide Title Agency, LLC

Lifestyles Building & Design LLC

Mike Bryant Heating & Cooling, LLC

2005

Ernst Brothers Home Construction, Inc.

Lancaster Brothers Heating & Cooling

Stucco Inspection and Repair Inc.

2006

Comerio Homes

2008

Encompass Building Materials, LLC

Hermes Landscaping, Inc.

2009

Shaw Excavating and Grading LLC

Inspired Homes, LLC

Monticello Homes Inc ER Marketing 2016

Simplicity

Westside Holding Co., Inc.

DIAMOND

Mike Bryant Heating & Cooling

Ferguson

PLATINUM

First Federal Bank of KC

Kansas Gas Service

McCray Lumber

Nebraska Furniture Mart

SVB Wood Floors

GOLD

Bovard Insurance Group

Builders FirstSource

Capitol Federal

CrossFirst Bank

Fasone & Partners

Fidelity Bank

High Definition Drywall

K&E Flatwork

Kitchens & Baths by Briggs

Morgan-Wightman Supply Company

NBKC

Northcraft Flooring & Design

Owen Lumber

Phelps Engineering

Rew Materials

Rocktops Granite & Stone Fabrication

Star Companies

Sun Lumber Company

Sunflower Bank / Guardian Mortgage

United Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Inc.

SILVER

Denizen

Henges Insulation

Kenny’s Tile

North American Savings Bank

Pacific Mutual Door & Window

PPG Paints

Schlagel

Shamrock Cabinet

Spire

Teague Lumber

Wilson Lighting

BRONZE

Commerce Bank

Complete Home Concepts

Hermes Landscaping

Locks & Pulls

Pella Products of Kansas City

ProSource

Raynor Garage Door

Real Estate Book & New Home Guide / DesignKC

ReeceNichols

SAPPHIRE

Bank of Blue Valley

Behr Paint Company

Canaan Stone Works (CSW)

CommunityAmerica Credit Union

First American Title

Royals Roofscapes

Schlage Locks / Allegion

Surface Center Interiors (SCI)

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Steady Building Activity Through Summer

The pace of new-home construction in the region has remained largely stable this summer despite rising mortgage rates and construction financing costs, according to statistics compiled by the KCHBA. In July 378 permits were issued, which is almost identical to June when 373 permits were issued.

Kansas City, Mo., leads the list of top-permitting cities with 69 single-family homes, although that number has decreased significantly the last few months. Olathe ranks second with 47 units, followed by Overland Park with 35. Lee’s Summit and Gardner both had 22 single-family permits issued in July.

RESIDENTIAL PERMIT REPORT

Residential Building Permit Statistics

Residential Building Permit Statistics JULY 2023

JULY 2023

Comparison of Single Family (Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Wyandotte Counties)

Building Units for Greater Kansas City

Comparison of Permits By Units Issued Year to Date 2016 - 2023

^The Single Family number is units and includes both attached and detached units. %Multi-Family units are in buildings with 5 or more units. # Not available at time of report

Permit information reflects the most recent data at time of publication. In order to ensure accurate recording of residential building permit statistics, the HBA may revise monthly and year-to-date figures when updated data is made available. Copyright 2023 Home Builders Assoc of Greater Kansas City. All rights reserved.

Upcoming Events

Sept. 23 - Oct. 8

Fall Parade of Homes

Sept. 27

Fall Parade Awards Ceremony

Aug. 29

Fall Parade Bus Tour, hosted by the Young Professionals and Professional Women in Building

Oct. 1-31

Careers in Construction Month

Oct. 13

Clay Shoot & Associate Appreciation Lunch

Oct. 16

Young Professionals Week

The

Show® (IBS) is the biggest and best residential construction industry show of the year. Everyone who is anyone is at the Builders’ Show. Be there to experience it all because All Homes Start Here.

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