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.
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Hello Members,
I hope you are enjoying the start of spring!
We are very excited for our spring events, and hope you are as well. On April 2, we will be having a GMM at Akdo in Bridgeport and on May 7, we will be having our annual member mixer at Elicit Brewery in Fairfield. I hope to see 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. ” EXECUTIVE WELCOME LETTER
2025 OFFICERS
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
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.
LIFE DIRECTORS
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.
COMPANY HISTORY:
We founded BILT in response to the shifting building culture that’s leaving homeowners with cheap, cookie-cutter homes that have lost the craftsmanship that makes a home timeless. We are on a mission to preserve and restore craftsmanship along the East Coast, one home at a time. With over 20 years of experience, we have seen it all and know how to approach every project holistically to ensure your home is built to last.
BILT
Associate Spotlight
Associate Spotlight
Associate Spotlight
MEMBER EVENTS
Beyond the Blueprint
RECAP
The HBRA’s sixth annual “Beyond the Blueprint” panel, “"Future-Proof Homes: Innovating for Resilience in a Shifting World,” presented by Fairfield Integrated Systems, was held Wednesday, March 5th at the Knobloch Family Farmhouse at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. A rainy night did not deter guests from coming to hear a panel of industry experts discuss how current influences such as the housing crisis, ever-evolving smart building technology, and headline-making natural disasters are all shaping how they design and build homes, transforming the housing industry for the coming decade and beyond.
PANELISTS:
Melissa Fitter, PE, Cuono Engineering
Cheryl Russ, Glengate Company
Lauren Vallario, Lauren Vallario Designs
Garrett Wilson, Garrett Wilson Builders, LLC
MODERATOR:
Geoffrey Knapp, Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group
Photos: CTC&G and Kirt Washington Photography
Beyond The Blueprint RECAP
NEW MEMBERS
Clean Bees | Dileep Chandran
Find out more HERE
Soho Group | Gabriel Swire
Find out more HERE
Soho Group | Matthew Sullivan
Find out more HERE
Woodbury Supply | Neil King
Find out more HERE
Woodbury Supply | Aaron Ishman
Find out more HERE
Chris Giolitto Real Estate | Chris Gioletto
Find out more HERE
Foster Reeve: Architectural & Ornamental Plaster | Mike Mitchell
Find out more HERE
The Tradesmens | Ed McManus
Find out more HERE
UMI Stone | Claudia Polanco
Find out more HERE
Tips and Tools
Tips and Tools
Tips and Tools
Tips and Tools
SALES SHEET
GO BEYOND.
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.
AdvanTech X-Factor Panels
HELP US INTRODUCE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO TRADE CAREERS AND BUILD YOUR WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW!
On Saturdays in March, the HBRA in Fairfield County and "Pathways to Construction Trades" will be hosting a series of workshops for high school juniors and seniors to introduce students to careers in fields such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and more.
HBRA members and industry professionals are invited to join us for lunch on the final day of the class to meet the students who have just completed the training program. You will be able to network with the students who are your potential future employees, answering their questions and encouraging them to enter fields where skilled labor is in high demand.
$10 per person
SATURDAY, MARCH 29TH 12:30PM
Membership Discounts & Deals
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.
Steps to Access NAHB Discounts:
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!
Steps to Access NPP 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 benefits
Nearly 60% of U.S. Households Unable to Afford a $300K Home
NAHB has updated its housing affordability graph for 2025, and the latest data show that 76.4 million households — 57% out of a total of 134.3 million — are unable to afford a $300,000 home.
The graph is based on conventional underwriting standards that assume the cost of a mortgage, property taxes and property insurance should not exceed 28% of household income. Based on this methodology, NAHB economists have calculated how many households have enough income to afford a home at various price thresholds.Read More
Cost and Tariff Uncertainty Weighs on Markets
The uncertain timing and scale of tariffs, combined with the last legs of the fight against inflation, have rattled financial markets. Equity markets are in correction territory as investors react to a flurry of public finance proposals, including the largest proposed tariff hikes since World War II. However, improved clarity is on the way, as President Trump indicated that details concerning reciprocal tariffs will be announced on April 2..Read More
Elevate your space with Jalco’s premium accessories and finishing parts, crafted to add a polished, high-end touch to any project. With over 35 stunning finishes available, these small details make a big impact on luxury and style.
Discover the art of fine finishing at Bender!
Schedule an Appointment
Where Inspiration Surfaces
BROOKFIELD
NAHB Student Competition Honors
Next Generation of Builders
The 2025 International Builders’ Show (IBS) boasted its largest attendance in 17 years with more than 81,000 builders, remodelers, developers and other home building professionals filling the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).
While hundreds of students participated in the industryleading education and networking opportunities offered at the show, their attention was on the prestigious NAHB Student Competition they’d been working toward for months.Read More
Housing Starts Up in February as Builders Still Contend with Rising Costs
Limited existing inventory helped singlefamily starts to post a solid gain in February, but builders are still grappling with elevated construction costs stemming from tariff issues and persistent shortages related to buildable lots and labor.
Overall housing starts increased 11.2% in February 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.Read More
Builder Confidence Falls on Cost Uncertainty
Economic uncertainty, the threat of tariffs and elevated construction costs pushed builder sentiment down in March even as builders express hope that a better regulatory environment will lead to an improving business climate.
Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 39 in March, down three points from February and the lowest level in seven months, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.
“Builders continue to face elevated building material costs that are exacerbated by tariff issues, as well as other supply-side challenges that include labor and lot shortages,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “At the same time, builders are starting to see relief on the regulatory front to bend the rising cost curve, as demonstrated by the Trump administration's pause of the 2021 IECC building code requirement and move to implement the regulatory definition of ‘waters of the United States’ under the Clean Water Act consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision.”.Read More
CONNECTICUT LIGHTING CENTERS
X Design Consultation including on-site walk-throughs and Recessed lighting layouts
X Large offering and inventory of integrated LED Recessed Lighting
X Indoor and Outdoor Lighting for all applications
X Door, Cabinet & Bath Hardware
X Motorized & Manual Window Shades
X Lutron Lighting Controls Standard Wallbox to HomeWorks
X Bath Ventilation Fans
X Builder programs
Watch Video Highlights from the 2025 International
Builders’
Show Leadership Meetings
NAHB members who were unable to join us in Las Vegas this February for the leadership meetings at the 2025 International Builders’ Show can watch some of the highlights on nahb.org, including:
NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz provides an post-election economic outlook.
NAHB 2024 Chairman Carl Harris and Home Building Institute (HBI) Board Member Eugene Graf announce the 2024 Chairman’s Award recipient and 2024 Shirley McVay Wiseman recipient. “Read More
NAHB’s Best in American Living Awards Highlight Top Design Trends for 2025
More than 600 projects and professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry—including singlefamily production, multifamily development, remodeling and offsite construction—were honored at the 2024 Best in American Living™ Awards Read More
Upcoming Events - Register Now!
Sat. March 29: Pathways to Construction Trades Lunch
HMTX Industries in Norwalk | 12:30pm
Join us for lunch and meet high school juniors and seniors who have completed the "Pathways to Construction Trades" workshops, focused on introducing students to careers in the building industry trades. Meet your future employees and encourage them to enter the industry!
Weds. April 2: April General Membership Meeting
AKDO Intertrade in Bridgeport | 5:30pm-8:30pm
Join us for networking and delicious food from the Bodega Taco Truck!
Weds. May 7: May GMM & Member Mixer
New Location-Elicit Brewing Co. in Fairfield - avoid traffic and take the train! Food, local craft beer & wine, and table display opportunities!
Weds. June 4: GMM & Annual Meeting
Ring’s End Darien - Join us to kick off summer!
Outdoor networking, food trucks, live demos, and raffles!
Mon. Sept. 15: Annual HBRA Golf Classic
Tashua Knolls Golf Course, Trumbull
Our biggest event of the year. Sponsorships, 18 and 9 hole golf foursomes & individual, dinner-only, volunteer opportunities, and raffle prize donations all available! This event sells out fast - register today to secure your spot!
NAHB Recognizes Kohler Co. with Global Humanitarian Award for Safe Water for All Initiative
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Global Opportunities Board proudly presented Kohler Co. with a Global Humanitarian Award for Kohler’s water stewardship program Safe Water for All. The award was presented to Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Officer for Kohler, at the 2025 Design and Construction Week, featuring the NAHB International Builders’ Show® and the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry Show.
Population explosion and extreme weather brought on by climate change have caused a severe water crisis. According to UNICEF, an estimated 1.42 billion people, including 450 million children, live in areas of high or extremely high water vulnerability. Through Safe Water for All, Kohler is helping to bring access to safe water and sanitation to communities living with water scarcity, ineffective infrastructures or the effects of displacement.Read More
3 Ways Smart Builders Can Stay Ahead of Rising Material Costs
Lumber prices are on the rise again. Concrete costs more than ever. Steel? Don’t even ask.
If you’re a builder, you already know — every bid is a gamble. Will costs spike before you lock in materials? Will you eat into the margins to finish the job?Read More
Single-Family Construction Ends Year with Growth; Greater Uncertainty for 2025
A lack of existing home inventory helped propel single-family construction growth in all geographic regions to end 2024, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Home Building Geography Index (HGBI) for the fourth quarter of 2024 released today.
“Single-family housing construction ended the year with growth as a shortage of existing homes for sale continues to increase demand for newly built homes,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “Multifamily construction was lackluster in highdensity areas, while construction in smaller counties continued to grow and gain market share”
Read More
Be Unstoppable with Help from UPS®
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:
• 50% off Domestic Next Day / Deferred
• 30% off Ground Commercial / Residential
• 50% off International Exports & 40% off Imports
• Up to 50% off on additional services.
• Plus, UPS Smart Pickup® service is free.
Don’t Let Shipping Mishaps Slow You Down
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.
Start covering your shipments today: savewithups.com/nahb
Drive Your Business Forward with Mercedes-Benz Vans, the Newest NAHB Member Savings Program
The NAHB Member Savings program recently launched its latest partnership with Mercedes-Benz, providing NAHB members a special offer on some of the most innovative and reliable commercial vehicles in the industry.
With over 278 dealer partners across the country and a U.S.-based production facility, Mercedes-Benz Vans is ready to serve the business needs of NAHB members wherever they are.
Read More
Help Keep Everyone Safe on Jobsites with Free Videos from NAHB
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
Home Builders Tell Congress How Permitting Roadblocks Raise Housing Costs
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
Innovative Options and Designs to Complement Your Home
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Do you have a positive attitude that contributes to a high company morale? Are you goal-oriented and self-motivated? Can you connect with our customers and build strong relationships? Are you an effective communicator? Do you present yourself professionally? If so, you may be a perfect candidate for a career at Ring’s End!
Ring’s End is a Connecticut-based lumber and building materials retailer serving Connecticut, South County, Rhode Island, and Southern Westchester County, New York. We are a thirdgeneration, family owned and operated business with a rich history dating back to 1902. With 20 retail locations, Ring’s End continues to expand and evolve as an industry leader.
The positions at Ring’s End are as diverse as the employees who hold them. Discover your passionjoin the Ring’s End team today!
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
• Integrity
• Passion
• Pride
• Accountability
• Community
Work Environment & Commitment to Safety
• 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
• Discretionary bonus program Benefits
• Medical plans including HMO, POS, and HDHP (with HSA)
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Account & Dependent Care Accounts
• Employee Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
SAVE ON TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT DURING APRIL BREAK AND ALL YEAR!
T h e m e P a r k s T h e m e P a r k s
HBRA members can get discounted tickets
HBRA members can get discounted tickets and deals at theme parks including Walt and deals at theme parks including Walt Disney World & Disneyland, Universal Studios, Disney World & Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Hersheypark, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Hersheypark, Legoland, Knott’s Berry Farm, & many more! Legoland, Knott’s Berry Farm, & many more!
CLICK HERE! CLICK HERE!
O V I E , T H E A T R E & O V I E , T H E A T R E & N C E R T T I C K E T S N C E R T T I C K E T S
showers got you stuck inside? Save on showers got you stuck inside? Save on s to Broadway and NYC shows, concert s to Broadway and NYC shows, concert s, plus movie tickets at AMC Theatres, s, plus movie tickets at AMC Theatres, l Cinemas, Showcase Cinemas, l Cinemas, Showcase Cinemas, mark, & more! mark, & more!
CLICK HERE! CLICK HERE!
H O T E L S & T R A V E L H O T E L S & T R A V E L
Save up to 60% OFF regular rates on hotels, Save up to 60% OFF regular rates on hotels, up to 20% on rental cars & flights, or up to 55% up to 20% on rental cars & flights, or up to 55% on travel packages at top destinations on travel packages at top destinations including Orlando, Miami, San Diego, and including Orlando, Miami, San Diego, and more! more!
