May 2024 Building Connections

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

Front Cover: Featuring: Domus Constructors, LLC

AUTHENTIC TO YOUR DREAM

Andersen ® A-Series windows and doors are based on the style of home you want. Whether it’s a stately Queen Anne, a bold Modernist design or anything in between, you can now create it with the best-performing, most energy-efficient products Andersen has ever offered. Don’t just imagine your dream home, build it with Andersen.

Learn more at andersenwindows.com

“Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2022 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. DMS 01/22

Andersen is proud to support the Home Builders and Remodelers Assn. of Fairfield County and its members.

EXECUTIVE WELCOME LETTER

New Recruitment Program!

At the HBRA, we are excited for our upcoming events and our new recruitment program!

On June 5, we have our Annual Meeting at Ring’s End, where we will be swearing in our new board. On June 12, we have a Builders Wine and Learn at Hayvn in Darien.

We have also 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! We also have our first Young Professionals Committee Meet Up on May 22. We are excited to get this committee going!

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. ”

Upcoming Events - Save the Date!

Weds. May 22: Young Professionals Happy Hour

Third Place by Half Full Brewery, Stamford | 4pm-5:30pm

The first event of our new Young Professionals Committee! Open bar drinks & networking.

Weds. June 5: GMM & Annual Meeting

Ring’s End Darien | 6pm-9pm

Kick off summer with outdoor networking, food trucks, live demos, and raffle prizes!

Weds. June 12: Builders Wine & Learn

HAYVN Darien | 6pm-9pm

Acadia Insurance & Tooher-Ferraris Insurance will present on how Builders can avoid the costly mistake of workplace injuries, followed by wine tasting with a sommelier.

Mon. Sept. 16: Annual HBRA Golf Classic

Tashua Knolls Golf Course, Trumbull

Our biggest event of the year. This event sells out fastsign up today!

Sponsorships, 18 and 9 hole golf foursomes & individual, dinner-only, volunteer opportunities, and raffle prize donations all available!

2024 OFFICERS

Immediate Past President Kim DiMatteo Cross Insurance

President: John Hertz Hertz Construction

Senior VP: Rob Michaud Michaud Development Group VP: Brian Kurtz Interstate + Lakeland Lumber

Treasurer: Chris Shea Domus Constructors, LLC

Secretary: Karen Bradbury Closet & Storage Concepts George Pusser Cornerstone Contracting

2024 DIRECTORS

Kevin Polcer Polcer Home, LLC

Lisa Heldwhite Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC

Stephanie Rapp

Stephanie Rapp Interiors, LLC

Tori McBrien McBrien Interiors

LIFE DIRECTORS

Joanne Carroll

JMC Resources

Jerry Effren

The Greyrock Companies

Gary Fanali

City Carting

Peter Fusaro

Preferred Builders

Michael Palumbo

ERI Building & Design

Peter Gaboriault Bear Paw Builders

Terrence Beaty

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Chris Steiner Steiner, Inc.

Anthony DeRosa DeRosa Builders

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Membership Recruitment Program

l H B R A m e m b e r s , n e w o r c u r r e n t , u n d e r a g e 4 5

a r e a l s o e l i g i b l e t o j o i n o u r Y o u n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s

C o m m i t t e e , d e d i c a t e d t o f o s t e r i n g n e t w o r k i n g ,

g r o w t h a n d m e n t o r s h i p t o o u r i n d u s t r y

p r o f e s s i o n a l s t h a t a r e 4 5 a n d u n d e r .

E m a i l u s t o j o i n : h b r a @ b u i l d f a i r f i e l d c o u n t y . c o m

Are you an HBRA Member under age 45? Join us for the first Young Professionals Committee event!

$ 3 5 p e r p e r s o n Includes open bar C L I C K C L I C K H E R E T O H E R E T O R E G I S T E R R E G I S T E R

HBRA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS HAPPY HOUR MEET-UP

SPONSORED BY

T H I R D P L A C E B Y

H A L F F U L L B R E W E R Y

4 5 7 5 P a c i f i c S t r e e t S t a m f o r d , C T 0 6 9 0 2 W E D S . M A Y 2 2 4 - 5 : 3 0 p m

MEMBER EVENTS

MAY GMM

RECAP

On May 1st we held our annual May GMM & Member Mixer at Two Roads Brewery in Stratford.

We enjoyed a delicious spread from Gaetano’s Italian Deli and some of CT’s best local craft beer. A record number of our associate members sponsored tabletop displays to showcase their businesses and new products, including our Imperial Sponsors DiMatteo Financial and new member Heidi Holzer Design & Decorative Work.

Our “Member Mixer Scavenger Hunt” was again a hit, encouraging attendees to visit our event sponsors and meet new members as they found the answers to each question on the scavenger hunt card to be entered in a raffle drawing when completed. Congratulations to new member Erin Kelly from EMK Interiors who won!

New HBRA members had the opportunity to take the mic and introduce themselves during our program – welcome to Heidi Holzer Design & Decorative Work, California Closets, and Enviro Flush LLC!

All new HBRA members are welcome to speak and introduce themselves and their companies at their first meeting – email the office at hbra@buildfairfieldcounty. com if you’d like to speak at our next meeting.

RECAP CONT.

HBRA Board President John Hertz also introduced Senior Vice President Rob Michaud of Michaud Development Group, who will be sworn in as President at our upcoming June 5th Annual Meeting at Ring’s End in Darien.

This event would not have been possible without our event sponsors. Thank you again to our Imperial Sponsors DiMatteo Financial and Heidi Holzer Design & Decorative Work, Top Hop Sponsors Acadia Insurance, Andersen Corp., Clarke Distributors, Colin Healy Design LLC, Henry Company, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Productivity Institute, and Tile America, and Keg Sponsors Breakwater Renovation & Design LLC and Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. Photos by Kirt Washington Photography.

UILDERB SPOTLIGHT

COMPANY HISTORY:

Hemingway Fine Homes is a family run organization with deep roots in lower Fairfield County. As a builder comprised of three generations of the Sciarretta family, Hemingway Fine Homes produces homes that are the perfect mix of oldworld craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovation. This unique blend has allowed Hemingway Fine Homes to be recognized by its peers as a leader in the building industry, with Hemingway’s projects being published in numerous publications and the recipient of 44 “Home Building Industry” awards for excellence.

COMPANY APPROACH:

Hemingway Fine Homes is rich in the tradition of quality craftsmanship and an equivalent commitment to using the latest smart home technologies. During the course of its 40+ years of existence, Hemingway Fine Homes has focused its practice in the field of high-end custom residential construction in lower Fairfield, Westchester and Palm Beach Counties. This has allowed Hemingway to be extremely effective in delivering a product that not only meets and exceeds the demands of its clientele and design professionals but that is also produced in a manner that responds to budgetary constraints. Clients consistently remark about the professionalism and care in which Hemingway Fine Homes carries out its projects and their satisfaction with Hemingway is no better evidenced by their numerous referrals.

Hemingway Fine Homes prides itself in constructing a product that is true to the original design without comprising the artistic vision of the architect. With such a goal in mind, Hemingway Fine Homes exercises great effort to keep the owner and architect actively involved in and apprised of developments with all

stages of their project. Hemingway views all of its projects like a Broadway production, in which the owner and architect respectively serve the role as producer and writer and Hemingway Fine Homes, as director, takes their shared vision and makes certain that the same is accurately conveyed and carried out by the actors (subcontractors and vendors). Such a production will only be successful if all of the parties work cooperatively together to attain the ultimate vision, while simultaneously allowing each the freedom to implement the unique talents that they bring to the table.

Hemingway Fine Homes is extremely mindful of the challenges that are confronted by homeowners when they engage in building projects. As a result, Hemingway will structure its management of this project in such a way as to alleviate stress and make the building process enjoyable and fun.

Looking for an Expert Builder in High End Residential

Custom Construction...

Say Hello To

OWNER: Peter Sciarretta

COMPANY MISSION:

Hemingway Fine Homes

www.hemingwayconstruction.com

ps@hemingwayconstruction

203.625.0566

@hemingwayconstruction

To represent and advance the interest and construction of new homes, new additions, renovations, and landscape development for Hemingway Fine Home projects.

Builders

Acadia Insurance and Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group will present on "Builders & Contractors: Revealing the Real Profit Drain of Workplace Injuries & Shield Yourself from the Fallout of Others' Mistakes."

Following the presentation, we will have a wine tasting with a sommelier.

There is no charge to at tend, but preregistration is requested. Deadline to register: Thursday, June 6th.

Weds. June 12th

6pm-9pm

JOIN US FOR A BUILDERS WINE & LEARN.

UILDERB SPOTLIGHT

COMPANY HISTORY:

DeRosa Builders was founded by Anthony DeRosa in 2010. In 2011, Michael joined DeRosa builders where they began to build mostly spec homes through 2014. The company has since built itself on reputation and trust growing into one of the premiere contracting business in Fairfield County and beyond. Our team, along with our many trusted trade partners, architects and designers have consistently provided our clients with a high end product we can all be proud of. For 15 years we continue to raise the bar.

LATEST PROJECT:

We recently renovated 11,500 square feet of a main house, the dock house, the carriage house and the grounds of a historic home overlooking Indian Harbor. The project demanded perfection and we delivered a $23M masterpiece. DeRosa Builders proceeded to win 3 HOBI Awards for this home.

"Well" "Well"

A Designed Kitchen.

Designing the Ideal Kitchen for Health and Harmony.

With over a decade of experience in the interior design industry, as well as being a certified Feng Shui practitioner, Tori McBrien of McBrien Interiors, provides a multitude of ideas for designing your ideal kitchen.

"Our homes should not only be functional and aesthetically pleasing but also bring joy, be designed with intention, feel harmonious throughout and with nature, and have good energy flow."

-Tori McBrien

Thank you

TO

ALL THE CIRCLE OF CARE + PWB VOLUNTEERS: KYLIE’S ROOM SPRING 2024

The PWB’s 2024 charity initiative with Circle of Care, helps 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.

REVEAL DAY VOLUNTEERS: DONATIONS:

Rebecca St. Germain Tooher Ferraris Insurance Group

Michelle Hughes Tile America

Robin Carroll Karp

Lisa O’Mara SmartHome

Jennifer Vangele Cardello Architects

Rachel Foster Northeast

Ava Hunter

Chloe Winston Lighting

Della Heiter

Stephanie Rapp Interiors

Nicole Charney & Nick Schork

Advanced Home Audio

Ramon Alvarado Guiltec

Bob’s Discount Furniture

BED, MATTRESS, BOX SPRINGS, NIGHTSTANDS & VANITY STOOL

Closet & Storage Concepts

CLOSET + INSTALL

Guiltec Development

CEILING LIGHTS, PAINTED ROOM, INSTALLED

CLOSET DOOR & MOLDING FOR CEILING LIGHTS

Michaud Brothers

CLOSET DOORS & MOLDING FOR CEILING LIGHTS

Advanced Home Audio

T.V. + INSTALL

Rings End

MOTORIZED BLINDS + INSTALL

New England Cabinet

PLAYSTATION FLOATING SHELF + INSTALL

Stephanie Rapp Interiors ROOM DESIGN SERVICES + RUG

Chloe Winston Lighting LAMPS

Mara Skowronek PAINT

Polcer Home MONETARY DONATION

Northeast MONETARY DONATION

Katie Canfield VANITY

Lauren Vallario, Jennifer Vangele & NE Home

BEDDING

Cornerstone Contracting, Mindy Gerhardt TRAY

Lisa O’Mara

MINI FRIDGE

Marcia Noble

T.V. PILLOW

Lora Mazurak

FRAMES FOR FAMILY PHOTOS

PWB MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Krystal is the Marketing Manager for East Haven & Ridgefield Building Supply, a Division of US LBM – a leading distributer of specialty building materials in the United States.

Lugo Marketing

East Haven & Ridgefield Building Supply

East Haven & Ridgefield Building Supply features cabinets, windows, doors, decks, roofing, and more. Providing comprehensive solutions and services, EHRBS have been proudly serving builders, remodelers, commercial contractors, architects, and homeowners in New York & Connecticut since 1883. You can typically find Krystal in the Ridgefield, CT location.

As the Marketing Manager for four locations, Krystal leads the marketing efforts of communicating store promotions, contractor & community events,

digital & print advertising, social media management, and web maintenance.

In her spare time, you can find Krystal out on the water in her kayak, at a local coffee shop, farmer’s market or at a “Mommy & Me” Toddler event. Krystal cherishes her family and friends, especially her husband Jonathan and (almost) two-year-old son named Gabriel.

If you would like to meet Krystal and/or learn more about East Haven & Ridgefield Building Supply, please reach out to her at 203-829-0265 or klugo@ridgefieldsupply.com

Follow East Haven & Ridgefield Building Supply on social media:

Krystal

Manager

Hear firsthand from our own HBRA Member, Kirt Washington, on the true worth of investing in professional photography.

To view Kirt Washington's Portfolio or to contact him regarding his many services including photography, videography, drone operation and creating marketing materials for various applications for your residential or commercial projects visit www.kirtwashington.com or email kirt@kirtwashington.com.

PWB MEMBER

SPOTLIGHT

Erin brings over two decades of experience in the architectural design industry, having started her journey in 2003 as an interior designer and design consultant in prominent cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Portland, Oregon. Now settled in Connecticut with Ring’s End, Erin's expertise spans the entire spectrum of project design and specification.

Architectural

With a keen eye for detail, Erin ensures that each client’s vision is meticulously realized. She excels at customizing Ring’s End’s product offerings to fit individual needs, fostering trust throughout the process.

As a valued member of the Ring’s End Architectural Services team, Erin offers comprehensive support, including recommending key products

tailored to project specifications, particularly focusing on millwork offerings. She assists in product exploration through hand samples and showroom displays, providing budgetary quotations, and product design details and specifications.

Erin actively engages with the local architecture and design community, organizing CEU-accredited courses and seminars both in-studio and at curated Ring’s End events. She advocates for women in business and cultivates a positive team dynamic among sales teams and local professionals in marketing, design, and construction. Erin loves to be a connector of all things Ring’s End, consistently mindful of the many resources the company has to offer and the ways they can enrich her clients' experiences.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys tending to her garden and spending quality time with her two young boys, relishing in the tranquility of her cozy fixer-upper in Norwalk while watching the sunset over the trees. If you’d like to meet Erin and learn more about the Ring’s End Architectural Services Team, please reach out to her at (475) 213-6235 or erin.shairzay@ringsend.com

Follow Ring's End on social media:

Erin Shairzay

Products Specialist Rings End, Inc.

Sept. 16 | Tashua Knolls Golf Course, Trumbull

Register now to receive early bird pricing for the 18 and 9 hole tournaments! We also have sponsorship opportunities available. Click below for more information.

A portion of all proceeds will go to support the HBRA’s Partnership with the Circle of Care. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Golfers: 18 & 9 Hole Tournaments

18 Hole: 10am Shotgun Start

Early Bird Pricing: $1000 / foursome or $250 / golfer

Increase after Aug. 16: $1100 / foursome or $275 / golfer

9 Hole: 1pm Shotgun Start

Early Bird Pricing: $500 / foursome or $125 / golfer

Increase after Aug. 16: $600 / foursome or $150 / golfer

All golfers receive on-course lunch and dinner.

Dinner-Only

Network with industry friends, participate in our raffle with awesome prizes, and then see who wins the awards! This year dinner will be back inside, featuring open bar, passed apps, and pasta stations!

Opportunities are available for every budget. This event sells out, so book your sponsorship today!

We are also accepting raffle prize donations.

Thursday, June 6th

5pm - 8pm

Please

Grow With the HBRA Website

Our new website layout promotes our HBRA Members more than ever!

• Navigation Focused on Member Directory

• Homepage Builder Spotlights

• Tips & Tools Provided by HBRA Members

• Homepage Logo Placement for New Members

Builder Spotlights

Stand out to Homeowners as a Featured HBRA Builder on Our Homepage

• Dedicated Builder Pages

• Links Directly to Your Website, Socials & Contact Info

New Members

Homepage Logo Placement for New Members

Focus on Homeowners Finding an HBRA Business

Tips & Tools

Promote Your Business by Educating the Homeowner Through Informative Articles

Join Today & Get Found by Having Your Business Featured on Our Homepage

Curated Nest Featured in NBC's George to the Rescue

New HBRA Member, Lina Galvao is the Co-Founder and Director of Business Development for Curated Nest. This boutique residential design studio serves Westchester County, New York and Fairfield County, Connecticut. Curated Nest provided products and labor, donated from their design industry partners and companies, to provide a modern style with Filipino design influences, for the charitable home renovation featured on NBC's TV Show George to the Rescue.

ABOUT CURATED NEST

The design philosophy at Curated Nest is simple — your home should enhance your authentic everyday life. Our work is driven by functionality and informed by family living, resulting in spaces that are designed to be effortlessly enjoyed even in the inevitable chaos. For more information, visit www.curatednest.com, call 914.222.0752, or email hello@curatednest.com.

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

SAVE WITH NAHB

The National Association of Home Builders offers services and discounts that save members two of the most valuable resources-time and money.

NAHB Contracts

NAHB Contracts offers a variety of residential construction contracts, exclusively for home builders and remodelers. You will save hours of work which means saving hundreds of dollars with every contract.

NAHB Education

Opportunities to improve your skills, advance your career and network with your industry peers. Including live and on-demand webinars, professional designations, bite-size videos with the latest industry info, and peer-to-peer roundtable discussions. .

Housing Economics Plus

Exclusive access to the latest housing forecasts, insightful market trends and the most in-depth economic analysis regarding the housing industry

Structure Productions

NAHB BuilderBooks Award-winning industry publications, education & training products, software, brochures, and more, with many available in both English and Spanish HBRA Members recieve 10% off all print and digital items. M A Y F E A T U R E D H B R A M E M B E R S H I P D I S C O U N T S & D E A L S

Special discounts on professional video and television production services to turn your vision into a valuable brand asset using polished, captivating video

2024 HBRA Print Membership Directory

It’s that time of year again! Listing forms & advertising opportunities are now available for the annual HBRA Print Membership Directory, distributed to all current members and displayed at HBRA events, in member's showrooms, & in local businesses. Your FREE listing is included with membership.

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE FREE LISTING FORM

Advertising opportunities are available for all budgets. A Directory ad is an investment that gives you year-round exposure to fellow members, industry professionals, & consumers. Plus, revenue from ads helps the HBRA expand our services, events, & legislative advocacy to better serve the members of the HBRA.

CLICK HERE TO PLACE AN AD

RING’S END

Since 1902

Bethel | Branford | Danbury

Darien | Fairfield | Lewisboro | Madison New Milford | Newtown | Niantic North Stamford | Norwalk | Orange Stamford | Stratford | Trumbull Westport | Wethersfield | Wilton

JOIN THE RING’S END TEAM!

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

• Long & Short Term Disability

• Paid holidays

• Paid time off (PTO)

• Workplace flexibility

• Education Assistance Program

• Employee Wellness Program

• Legal Consultation Program RingsEnd.com | 800 · 390 · 1000

NEW MEMBERS

Curated Nest Interiors | Lina Galvao

Curated Nest Interiors is a boutique residential design studio serving Westchester County, New York and Fairfield County, Connecticut. Read More

DiMatteo Group Financial Services | Jessica DiMatteo

DiMatteo Group Financial Services provides full-spectrum financial services to work for your goals including: financial planning, wealth management, tax strategy, corporate retirement solutions and pooled 401(k) plans. Read More

EMK Interiors | Erin Kelly

EMK Interiors provides interior design and construction consultation services ranging from a consultation service that will provide you with all the information you need to choose a direction through a turnkey service with intricate customized design tailored to your needs and seamless execution from start to finish. Read More

Enviro Flush, LLC | Craig Jung

Introducing EnviroFlush, the leading porta-potty company committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility! Read More

Further Architecture Office PLLC | Justin Towart

We are architects with a passion for telling compelling stories through progressive design. Our process intentionally moves beyond stylistic solutions to arrive at outcomes that speak to a deep sense of place and meaning for each client, creating enduring projects that transcend scale and budget. Read More

Heidi Holzer Design & Decorative Work | Heidi Holzer

Heidi Holzer Design & Decorative Work creates decorative finishes for residential and commercial clients utilizing creative custom designs and imaginative applications. Read More

Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.| Liz Tyhacz

Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. provides residential and commercial solutions for products and services in lighting and shading. Lutron continues to lead the market in highquality lighting controls as well as innovations in window shade technology for the control of daylight, as well as wired and wireless systems. Read More

Robert Dean Architects | Michele Van Steinburgh

The foundations of our work are in the traditions and classical underpinnings of history—along with the Modernist innovations of our day. This serves us well in designing new-construction projects as well as adaptations and restorations of older houses. Read More

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

NEW MEMBERS

Tara Benet Design | Tara Benet

Tara Benet Design is a highly-coveted, award-winning interior design firm in the New York area. The firm provides interior design and staging services to luxury home owners, new developments, and commercial spaces. Read More

TC Homebuilding, LLC | Tim Vilinskis

TC Homebuilding, LLC provides a full range of building services including: custom homebuilding, design build, rendering, and land development. Renovation, additions, and accessory dwelling unit services also available. Read More

AFFILIATES

Robert Dean Architects | Kate Talbott

Steiner Inc. | Bob Allan

Home Media Designs | PJ Mihalick

JOB BANK

AVAILABLE JOBS:

These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.

SONERICA Capital

JOB TITLE: New Home Builder

SUMMARY: Investor with large land inventory looking for highly experienced New Home Builder. You will be a paid consultant. Your main role is to prepare specs and inspect work. Must have built numerous homes. Intimate hands on experience in all facets of home building including foundation, framing, roofing, siding, sheetrock, interior and exterior trim, floors, HVAC, plumbing, electric, costs, scheduling etc.

CONTACT: Email detailed resume to hbsj7@yahoo.com

Accurate Lock And Hardware

JOB TITLE: Customer Solutions Specialist

SUMMARY: In this role, you will communicate with customers via phone and email, help determine their requirements, process purchase orders, provide quotations, check on order status and expedite orders. You will be part of a team that provides customer service and support for a wide array of products to a network of showroom and contract hardware distributors, OEM accounts, architects, designers and specifiers.

Bear Paw Builders Inc.

JOB TITLE: Part Time Bookkeeper

START DATE: immediately

Salary: $30-$35 per hour

SUMMARY: Experienced bookkeeper experienced in construction job costing with QuickBooks.

CONTACT: peter@bpaw.com

JOB BANK

AVAILABLE JOBS: (Continued)

These opportunities are offered by the HBRA members listed in the specific advertisement. Please do not contact the HBRA regarding these listings.

Chloe Winston Lighting Design

JOB TITLE: Showroom Coordinator

RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with showroom opening and closing duties, answer phones and make customer appointments, greet customers in showroom and make them feel welcomed, receive deliveries and help with in-store merchandise pick-ups, liaise with showroom, manufacturers, and designers, architects, builders and retail customers, and support sales team.

HOURS: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm

Email resume to hello@chloewinstonlighting.com

Lansing Building Products, LLC

JOB TITLE: Outside Sales - Norwalk, CT (lever.co)

START DATE: immediately

SUMMARY: Full time - secures new business while building and maintaining relationships with customers.

CONTACT: (203) 831-0977 or george.harvey@lansingbp.com

Studio KC LLC

JOB TITLE: Jr Designer/Project Manager

SUMMARY: Studio KC is an emerging high end interior design firm located in Norwalk specializing in full home renovations, kitchens, baths and custom millwork. We are looking for a Junior Designer/Project Manager to join our tight knit team. Our office is a fun, fast paced environment where collaboration and mutual support are encouraged.

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

Housing Price and Rent Growth Expectations Increase

Households expect home price growth to increase to 5.1% over the next 12 months, up from 2.6% a year ago, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s 2024 SCE Housing Survey that was released this week. This is the second highest reading in the survey’s history, but below the series high of 7% in 2022. The increase is broad based across demographic groups, but particularly large for respondents residing in the South.

The survey also looked at household expectations for mortgage rates and how it might impact financing decisions, as well as renters’ expectations for rent prices and the possibility of homeownership.

Mortgage Market

Households anticipate mortgage rates to rise to 8.7% a year from now and 9.7% in three years’ time, both numbers a series high. But households on average still believe there is a 61% chance that mortgage rates will fall over the next 12 months, which is also a series high.

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The Impact of Mortgage Rates on Housing Affordability

According to the latest press release from Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixedrate mortgage has now risen to approximately 7.25%. Based NAHB’s priced-out data, at this rate, only about 27.5 million (out of a total of 134.7 million) U.S. households could afford to buy a median-priced new home, based on their incomes and standard underwriting criteria.

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NAHB Supports Challenge to HUD’s RuleMaking Authority

NAHB recently filed an amicus brief in National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies v. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The case involves a challenge by the insurance industry to HUD’s Disparate Impact Rule. The rule has a long history dating back to the Obama administration.

In 2013, HUD published a rule formalizing a “burden-shifting” test for determining whether a housing practice being challenged in court has an unjustified discriminatory effect.

Under the test, the plaintiff must first prove a challenged practice caused or predictably will cause a discriminatory effect. If the plaintiff meets its burden of proof, then the defendant must prove the challenged practice is necessary to achieve one or more substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interests.

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Harnessing Nature and Innovation: The Rise of Bioclimatic Pergola Design

For builders and architects committed to leaving a positive mark on the planet while catering to the increasing demand for luxurious, adaptive living spaces, bioclimatic pergolas represent this innovative convergence.

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Multifamily Developer Confidence Declines in First Quarter

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing declined year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024, according to results from the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 47, down three points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 83, up one point year-over-year.

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How Are Rising Costs Impacting Your Bottom Line?

NAHB is seeking data from singlefamily builders to produce average profit benchmarks for the industry. Specifically, the Economics team is requesting data concerning your company’s 2023 Income Statement and Balance Sheet. This information will remain completely confidential, and only NAHB’s small research team will see the data.

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House Passes Consumer Protection Bill

Today, the House passed House Bill 5272 as amended by LCO 4410 titled: "AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXPIRATION OF CERTAIN LAND USE APPROVALS AND THE NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION GUARANTY FUND" by a bi-partisan vote of 142-0.

The HBRA, along with Attorney Tim Hollister of Hinkley Allen and Jason Klein of Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, worked closely with Chairwoman Eleni Kavros DeGraw to get this bill to a point where today Representative Zullo referred to it as, "Probably the most pro-consumer bills you will see this year". Representative Tim Ackert also referred to it as, "The most pro-consumer bill we've seen in a long time".

Among other things, this bill originally would have allowed towns to force the expiration of land use permits in instances where a developer's work stoppage resulted in a health and safety hazard. The HBRA strongly opposed the premature expiration of land use permits as a method to compel corrective action. After many meetings and fine tuning the bill does the following:

• Instead of land use expirations the bill gives a town the explicit statutory authority to remediate the hazard and seek legal remedy when:

- the ZEO finds a verified health and safety hazard resulting from a work stoppage -and it's determined that the developer does not intend to resume work in a reasonable time

• Increases payout to the New Home Guaranty Fund from $30,000 to $50,000 without increasing the amount a contractor pays into the fund.

• Allows the AG to seek restitution against a proprietor of a business and narrowly defines "proprietor as a person with an ownership interest and has been found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction of violating the New Home Construction statutes - a protection for silent partners of a business sought by the HBRA.

This bill now goes to the Senate for final legislative action. We will continue to provide updates on this and other bills of importance to the residential construction industry as the 2024 legislative session comes to a close.

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Adaptive Reuse: Transforming Communities and Meeting Housing Demand

As cities and towns nationwide navigate post-pandemic recovery, policymakers and housing developers are shifting their focus toward strengthening and enhancing local economies. This offers a promising opportunity for adaptive reuse — also known as office-toresidential conversions — of commercial buildings, driven by evolving work dynamics and the underutilization of older properties.

Originating from historic preservation, adaptive reuse has evolved into a strategy to meet contemporary demands and address the high demand for housing while invigorating local economies. However, such projects are not without challenges, including financial and regulatory hurdles. NAHB’s new Adaptive Reuse Guide dives into the factors influencing adaptive reuse, and offers insights and examples to strengthen local economies and foster vibrant downtowns.

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Single-Family Builders: How Does Your Compensation Measure Up?

Discover how other single-family home builders are compensating their employees with pay and benefits. Get the latest edition of Single-Family Builder Compensation Study from NAHB BuilderBooks to benchmark the compensation and benefits you should offer your employees.

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NAHB Remodelers Reveals the Most Popular Type of Home Remodeling Projects

To kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May, which highlights the benefits of hiring a professional remodeler, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers released survey results on the most popular remodeling jobs by its members. The results revealed that bathroom and kitchen remodels remain the most popular projects.

“Whatever type of home improvement project consumers are looking for, NAHB Remodelers remains committed to professionalism and helping home owners create the home of their dreams,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Mike Pressgrove, a remodeler from Topeka, Kan.

Bathroom remodels were cited as a common job by 65% of remodelers, followed by kitchen remodels (61%). After baths and kitchens, the most popular remodeling categories were...

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NAHB Monthly Update Now Available

To help members articulate key housing priorities, NAHB’s Monthly Update provides the latest messaging framework for the Federation. An exclusive benefit for NAHB members and local and state association leaders, the Monthly Update provides top-line information on housing economics and the housing priorities for the Federation.

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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.

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Top Compromises Buyers Will Make to Reach Homeownership

High mortgage rates and double-digit growth in home prices since COVID-19 have brought housing affordability to its lowest level in more than a decade. Given this reality, a recent NAHB study on housing preferences asked home buyers about which specific compromises they would be willing to make to achieve homeownership.

The study found that:

• For 39% of buyers, accepting a smaller lot is the path to affording a home. This finding highlights the paramount importance of reforming zoning laws that mandate lot sizes, as nearly four out of 10 buyers would be willing to give up land in exchange for owning a home.

• For 36% of buyers, accepting fewer exterior amenities is the way to homeownership — they will simply add that deck or patio at some point in the future.

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Higher Mortgage Rates Hammer Builder Confidence in May

With mortgage rates averaging above 7% for the past four weeks per data from Freddie Mac, builder sentiment posted its first decline since November 2023.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 45 in May, down six points from April, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.

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A Strong Quarter for Townhouse Construction

Year-over-year gains for townhouse construction continued at the start of 2024 as demand for mediumdensity housing continues to be strong.

According to NAHB analysis of the most recent Census data of Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, during the first quarter of 2024, single-family attached starts totaled 42,000, which is 45% higher than the first quarter of 2023. Over the last four quarters, townhouse construction starts totaled a strong 171,000 homes, which is 21% higher than the prior four-quarter period (141,000). Townhouses made up almost 18% of single-family housing starts for the first quarter of the year.

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The Importance of Relationships: Advice from an Award-Winning Sales and Marketing Pro

To help achieve career success, building genuine relationships with your industry peers can provide a much-needed boost.

With more than 35 years of experience in the homes sales and marketing industry, Jeff Shore, founder of Shore Consulting, an Auburn, Calif.-based new home sales training company, was named the NAHB Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year at The Nationals during this year’s International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

“In the realm of residential real estate sales, Jeff Shore is not just a professional, he is a transformative force,” shared Mollie Elkman, president of Group Two Advertising and author of The House That She Built, who nominated Shore for the award. “With a career spanning over three decades, Jeff Shore has left an indelible mark on the industry, reshaping sales strategies, inspiring professionals and generating unprecedented revenue.”

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Podcast: A Big Win in the Supreme Court and Understanding the Realtors Settlement

In the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, hosts CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are once again joined by Tom Ward, vice president of legal advocacy, to discuss the outcome of the Supreme Court’s Sheetz decision and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement.

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Nearly Half of U.S. Households Can’t Afford a $250,000 Home

NAHB has updated its housing affordability graph for 2024, and the latest data show that 66.6 million households, 49% out of a total of 134.9 million, are unable to afford a $250,000 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.

For example, the minimum income required to purchase a $150,000 home with a mortgage rate of 6.5% is $45,975. At the base of the graph are 40.5 million U.S. households with insufficient incomes (below $45,975) to be able to afford a $150,000 home.

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Podcast: Advocating for Housing in a Difficult Environment

In the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, hosts CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez kick off their discussion with the latest data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) that was released Wednesday, which dropped for the first time since November 2023.

“Not surprising, as we continue to see inflation stay stubbornly high and the Fed really signaling they’re not going to have any meaningful rate cuts this year,” Tobin noted. “I absolutely think our members are more pessimistic than they were the last couple of months as this inflationary environment and high rate environment just wears on.”

“The biggest frustrations — and we see that in the commentary — is the fact that there’s demand,” Lopez added. “We’re not in 2008. This is truly a need to build more homes, and people can’t do it either because the AD&C lending is tighter, or people are less qualified or can’t afford to take out that mortgage.”

Tobin and Lopez also delve further into the Biden administration’s mandate for new homes purchased under certain mortgage programs to be built to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), following an earlier podcast episode. This move — which will add $30,000 to the cost of a new home in most states and impact housing availability and affordability — came only seven weeks after President Biden made a call to increase the supply of housing during his State of the Union address. Listen to Full Episode

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