Your Monthly Newsletter
Building Connections is a monthly digital magazine produced and published by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County. Inside you will find the latest association news, legislative updates, upcoming events, and featured articles about the industry.
Contact Us: hbra@buildfairfieldcounty.com www.buildfairfieldcounty.com @hbraffc (203) 335-7008
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Andersen is proud to support the Home Builders and Remodelers Assn. of Fairfield County and its members.
EXECUTIVE WELCOME LETTER
Hello Members,
I hope the new year is off to a great start for you! We had such a great turnout at our PWB Hosted GMM at Waterware in Stamford. Our PWB committee introduced this year's plan for their Circle of Care program and we introduced our new Workforce Development initiative.
IBS is in just a few days, and I look forward to seeing many of you there!
For those of you who don’t know, we have recently launched a new Young Professionals Recruitment Program. For nonmembers aged 45 years and under, their first year dues is now only $75! Please let nonmembers you know of this great deal!
As you may have already seen, we rolled out a new website. This website is designed to market you and your business! In conjunction with that, we have been doing a social media push to promote your businesses on our new website. We are always looking for new content- If you are interested in a spotlight or want to write an article, please let me know.
Be sure to keep our online membership directory in mind whenever you are looking for a business: www.buildfairfieldcounty.com/directory. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can do anything for you or your business: kerry@buildfairfieldcounty.com.
Kind Regards,
Kerry Brunn Executive Officer
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County
“ The mission of the HBRA is to help promote, protect & improve the building industry in Fairfield County. Our association is dedicated to promoting, strengthening, and informing our local home building market and those who work within it to ensure that we areindependently and collectively - a viable economic engine of growth now and in the future. ”
Immediate Past President John Hertz Hertz Construction Inc.
President: Rob Michaud Michaud Development Group
Senior VP: Brian Kurtz Interstate + Lakeland Lumber
VP & Treasurer: Chris Shea Domus Constructors, LLC
Secretary: Karen Bradbury Closet & Storage Concepts
Lisa Heldwhite Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC
Geoff Knapp Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group
Robin Carroll Karp Associates
Tori McBrien McBrien Interiors
Bepin Mgushi Fixitup Building and Remodeling
Kevin Polcer Polcer Home, LLC
George Pusser Cornerstone Contracting
Stephanie Rapp
Stephanie Rapp Interiors, LLC.
Joanne Carroll JMC Resources
Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders
Kim DiMatteo Cross Insurance
Jerry Effren
The Greyrock Companies
Gary Fanali City Carting
Peter Fusaro Preferred Builders
Michael Palumbo ERI Building & Design
Peter Gaboriault
Bear Paw Builders
Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc.
NAHB has launched a
matching campaign to support rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by natural disasters this year.
NAHB will match donations made to the Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund (HBIDRF) from 11/1/24 to 3/1/25.
$150 Expo Pass | $695 Expo+Education Pass *NAHB Member pricing valid through February 22, 2025
Members of the HBRA of Fairfield County are automatically NAHB Members, which means that you can experience the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) at the member rate. CLICK HERE to Learn More & Register!
trends & strategies to wow your customers
I f t h e r e ’ s o n e t h i n g mo s t b u i l d e r s c a n a gr e e o n , i t ’ s t h a t ma n a gi ng
c l i e n t e x p e c t a t i o n s c a n s o me t i me s f e e l l i k e h e r d i n g c a t s . Cl i e n t s
o f t e n c o me i n t o a pr o j e c t f u l l o f i d e a s , Pi n t e r e s t b o a r d s , a n d
e x c i t e me n t , wh i c h i s gr e a t ! Bu t t u r ni n g t h o s e i d e a s i nt o
s o me t h i n g b u i l d a b l e wh i l e k e e p i ng e v e r y o n e h a p p y ? T h a t ’ s
wh e r e t h i n gs c a n ge t t r i c k y . T h i s i s wh e r e a n i n t e r i o r d e s i gn e r
b e c o me s a b u i l d e r ’ s be s t a l l y . Ac t i n g a s t h e t r a n s l a t o r b e t we e n
c l i e n t d r e a ms a nd c o n s t r u c t i o n r e a l i t i e s , a d e s i g n e r h e l p s c l a r i f y
t h e v i
,
mo r e
s mo o t h l y . F o r b u i l d e r s , i t me a n s l e s s b a c k - a nd - f o r t h , f e we r d e l a y s , a n d,
Translating Big Ideas into Buildable Plans
The HBRA’s Professional Women in Building Council presented our first GMM of 2025 on February 5th at Waterware Showrooms of Stamford. Members and industry guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks while touring the showroom and playing “PWBingo!” $5 for every Bingo Card turned in will be donated by the PWB to Circle of Care.
PWB Chairwoman Robin Carroll of Karp Associates introduced the Professional Women in Building Council and spoke about the PWB’s 2025 charity initiative with Circle of Care, helping to provide assistance to children and families facing pediatric cancer treatment.
Again this year the PWB is participating in the “Art From the Heart” program, and will be designing and building room makeovers for two children currently undergoing cancer treatment. The PWB is currently accepting donations to help cover the $3500 cost of our first room makeover of the year.
If you or your company would like to support this cause, CLICK HERE to make an online monetary donation, or email Rebecca at rstgermain@toofer.com if you would be able to donate materials, services, or labor.
Geoff Knapp also introduced our Workforce Development Program. Pathways to Construction Trades will be having classes every Saturday in March, teaching high school juniors and seniors about the value of entering into the trades. If you are interested in learning more please CLICK HERE
Again this year the HBRA will be offering the “Meet a Member” feature, where a different HBRA member will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and speak about their business at each GMM. We still have opportunities for members to participate at upcoming meetings – email kerry@ buildfairfieldcounty.com if you’d like to be our next “Meet a Member!”
Thank you to Waterware Showrooms for hosting, and our Professional Women in Building Council members for presenting!
Learn more:
https://www.waterwareshowrooms.com
https://buildfairfieldcounty.com/pwb/#!form/PWB
Dwello | Caroline Cameron Contact Here
Haley Design Company | Tara Coniglio
Creating beautiful homes that are warm, inviting, and livable. Read More
HTMX Industries | Rick Taylor
Headquartered in Norwalk, CT, HMTX Industries is a global LVT flooring manufacturer serving a diverse cross-section of the construction and renovation marketplaces. Read More
R&J Flooring Supply is a new kind of distributor. Backed by our family owned hardwood flooring mill, we've added product lines from other high quality manufacturers Read More
In the Master Builder tradition, Riverside Design + Build provides a seamless process of designing and constructing custom residences for our clients Read More
We’re a family-run business with integrity in our bones and passion in our hearts. Rejecting today's fast-paced, corner-cutting building culture, we are committed to quality craftsmanship that stands the test of time. Read More
Krystal Stone Designs, where imagination meets reality. Our innovative approach to design ensures that each project is a unique reflection of our clients' visionRead More
Providing clarity of thought for your financial future.We offer a comprehensive approach to private wealth management that helps to chart a course based on focus, strategy and discipline. Read More
A subflooring panel with a built-in barrier for jobsite durability.
AdvanTech X-Factor panels are the latest innovation from the subflooring brand builders have trusted for more than 20 years for the FLAT OUT BEST™ start to a quiet, stiff floor. AdvanTech X-Factor is a new class of premium subflooring with a fade-resistant, watershedding surface on a high-performance engineered wood panel. With a built-in protective top layer, it takes the moisture resistance teams expect from an AdvanTech panel to the next level and pairs well with AdvanTech™ subfloor adhesive for a Squeak-Free Guarantee™1
The built-in, water-shedding top layer provides a distinctively smooth, even, premium subfloor surface that is marker friendly and easy to clean.
Log in at www.nahb.org
Through agreements with more than 20 national companies, NAHB offers exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services that can benefit your business, employees and family. Members save big when they take advantage of these offers.
Please Note: Your nahb.org login is separate from your buildfairfieldcounty.com login.
If you do not have an NAHB account, select “Register” on the right side of the screen.
You will need the PIN you received when you first joined the HBRA – find yours by logging in to your account at buildfairfieldcounty.com, or contact the HBRA office and we would be happy to let you know!
After you log in, go to www.nahb.org/NAHB-Community/Member-Benefits/Savings Click on “Learn More” under the discount you want to use and follow the instructions.
See the NAHB "Member Savings Program at a Glance" handout for a full list of available discounts!
Through the HBRA of Fairfield County’s partnership with NPP you can save on products for your business and employees. Membership is free. Visit www.mynpp.com/association/hbra-of-fairfieldcounty/
If you already have an account, select “Log In” at the top right to log in. If you do not currently have an NPP account, enter your information on the form on the right and follow the website prompts to create an account. Click on the discount you would like to sign up for and follow the instructions.
See the NPP handout for a full list of available discounts!
For a full list of all
buildfairfieldcounty.com/membership-benefits-discounts/
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today that federal permitting inefficiencies delay housing projects, raise construction costs and exacerbate the nation’s housing affordability crisis.
Testifying before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., told lawmakers that “most land developers have been forced to step away from particular parcels of land due to the uncertainty of being able to obtain the necessary permits.”
Read More
In a move widely expected to raise residential construction costs, the White House has announced that 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum products will take effect in March.
“Through an executive order on his first day in office, President Trump made it a top priority to reduce housing costs and increase housing supply to ease the nation’s housing affordability crisis,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris.Read More
Constrained housing affordability conditions due to ongoing, elevated interest rates led to a reduction in single-family production to start the new year.
Overall housing starts decreased 9.8% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.37 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The January reading of 1.37 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months.
Read More
Builder sentiment fell sharply in February over concerns on tariffs, elevated mortgage rates and high housing costs.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 42 in February, down five points from January and the lowest level in five months, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).
Read More
The U.S. construction industry added 8,000 jobs in December and some 196,000 jobs over the course of 2024. But those numbers are down from November as more states saw losses in construction jobs.
Overall, the U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in December, up from the 212,000 added in November. All states showed job growth except West Virginia, which was flat, and South Dakota, which registered a small drop in overall hiring.Read More
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A limited amount of existing inventory along with solid demand helped new home sales end the year on an up note, even as buyers continue to grapple with housing affordability challenges.
Sales of newly built, single-family homes in December increased 3.6% to a 698,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from an upwardly revised November number, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The pace of new home sales in December was up 6.7% compared to a year earlier.
“New home sales ended 2024 higher on ongoing limited resale inventory conditions,” said Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan. “Read More
The International Builders’ Show (IBS) is less than a week away and the show floor is going to have it all – products, connections and experts you won’t see anywhere else. In the middle of the hustle and bustle will be NAHB HQ, located on the first floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall.
Read More
Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., issued the following statement after President Trump issued an executive order on housing relief:
“NAHB commends President Trump for acting on day one to make housing a national priority by issuing an executive order that seeks to lower the cost and increase the supply of housing. President Trump understands that America is facing a housing affordability crisis and the only way out of this crisis is to remove barriers like unnecessary and costly regulations that are raising housing costs and preventing builders from building more attainable, affordable housing.
Read More
The latest edition of Building Women Magazine, available now to NAHB members, introduces 2024 Professional Women in Building (PWB) Chair Luellen Smith.
The annual magazine features Smith’s mantra of "Building the Future with PWB" where she discusses prioritizing mentorship and growth including ramping up efforts for local council support and encouraging more women to engage in mentorship.
Read More
Fueled by solid demand, single-family construction moved higher in December despite several headwinds facing the industry, including high mortgage rates, elevated financing costs for builders and a lack of buildable lots.
Overall housing starts increased 15.8% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.50 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the highest rate since February 2024.
The December reading of 1.50 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. Within this overall number, single-family starts increased 3.3% to a 1.05 million seasonally adjusted annual rate. The multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, increased 61.5% to a 449,000 pace.
Read More
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The world moves fast – and your NAHB UPS® Savings Program has the tools you need to help your small business move even faster. We’re here to help you push envelopes and ride the edge of what’s possible. We’ll be right by your side with everything you need to keep blazing forward. Let UPS® help make your business unstoppable. Members enjoy the following savings every time you ship:
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A lot can go wrong in shipping – package loss, breakage, porch piracy theft. The good news is that you can mitigate the financial impact of some shipping mishaps with InsureShield® shipping coverage. Through your NAHB UPS® Savings Program, you have access to insurance that can help keep your business moving despite the everyday risks of shipping. All you have to do is enter the value of the goods in the declared value* field of your UPS® approved shipping system and you are on your way to better shipping experiences.
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The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the fourth quarter, posting a reading of 68, up five points compared to the previous quarter.
The NAHB/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as good than poor. The results of the RMI are seasonally adjusted.
Read More
NAHB has a library of dozens of jobsite safety videos that are free to anyone in the construction industry. Through a partnership with the JobSite Safety Institute and the National Housing Endowment, NAHB has been producing the Video Toolbox Talk series for years. There are informative videos on numerous safety topics such as fall prevention, ladder safety, electrical safety, mental health awareness, and more.
Read More
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KRISTEN SULLIVAN, GATEHOUSE PARTNERS
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today that federal permitting inefficiencies delay housing projects, raise construction costs and exacerbate the nation’s housing affordability crisis.
Testifying before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., told lawmakers that “most land developers have been forced to step away from particular parcels of land due to the uncertainty of being able to obtain the necessary permits.”
On this issue, Harris noted that the Clean Water Act (CWA) stands out among the regulated community because it is unclear which parts of the land parcel may be considered “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) and therefore require a federal wetland permit. Read More
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Strategic Vision
To be the premier resource in the building supply industry.
Mission Statement
To provide the very best products, industry knowledge, customer service, and shopping experience. We do this by employing the best team in the industry, ensuring we maintain a diverse, evolved work environment that values cooperation and teamwork. We look for innovation and continuous improvement in everything we do.
Our Values
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• Total commitment to safety and teamwork
• Zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment
• On-the-job training/certifications Compensation
• Weekly pay
• Direct deposit & electronic pay stubs (paperless)
• Competitive wages and overtime compensation
• Profit sharing
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