Granite State Builder Summer 2020

GRANITE STATE

Official Magazine of The New Hampshire Home Builders Association

COVER STORY

+ Stunning, Efficient, Green

New Hampshire Builders Celebrate Log Home Construction's Rich History

+ Rebuilding After the Coronavirus + NH State Home Show Highlights

PROFESSIONALS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

HomeBuilders A S S O C I A T I O N

SUMMER 2020

BE WELL AND STAY SAFE, BECAUSE YOU MATTER TO US!

business and we take this responsibility very seriously. We’re here to help the communities we serve and we’re doing so in the safest manner possible.

The safety of our customers and our team is our #1 priority.

Now you have the option to place your orders via phone or email for free delivery or curbside pickup. Check out belletetes.com for your local store information, and place your orders via email to orders@belletetes.com.

Shop from the safety of your home!

www.belletetes.com

JAFFREY, NH 603.532.7716

ANDOVER, NH 603.735.5544

PEMBROKE, NH 603.224.7483

PETERBOROUGH, NH 603.924.9436

SUNAPEE, NH 603.763.9070

MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 603.253.4404

NASHUA, NH 603.880.7778

ASHLAND, NH 603.968.7626

WINCHENDON, MA 978.297.1162

IN THIS ISSUE

VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 3

GRANITE STATE

Official Magazine of The New Hampshire Home Builders Association

STUNNING, EFFICIENT, GREEN In July, New Hampshire builders celebrate log home construction's rich history.

119 Airport Road • Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 228-0351 Fax: (603) 228-1877 NHHBA.com • info@nhhba.com

HomeBuilders A S S O C I A T I O N

NHHBA OFFICERS

PAGE 6

PRESIDENT

Joe Harnois FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Christine LaMontagne

REBUILDING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS

VICE PRESIDENT OF ASSOCIATES

Trudy Sutherland VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY

Matthew Blanc

Builders, realtors and marketers are bouncing back, learning to thrive, with some help from technology and innovation.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Lynette Rogers NAHB NATIONAL BUILDER DIRECTOR

Joe Harnois NAHB STATE REPRESENTATIVE

PAGE 4

Kurt Clason ASSOCIATE NATIONAL DIRECTOR TO NAHB

Will Infantine PAST PRESIDENT COUNCIL

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NH STATE HOME SHOW

Sandy Lamontagne EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sharon Wayman EDITORIAL BOARD

PAGE 15 2 PRESIDENT’S LETTER A message from Joe Harnois

10 GREEN BUILDER 2020 National Green Building Standard approved by ANSI 12 GSB NEWS News from the Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association

14 SPECIAL REPORT Eversource adapts to support energy efficiency industry during COVID-19

More than 300 vendors and exhibitors covering every aspect of the home building and remodeling industry put their expertise in front of more than 5,000 visitors.

Getting back to work will require extraordinary measures for these extraordinary times

18 GSB BUZZ Out and about with our members

20 THE FINISH NAIL It's not about the newest tool, it's about making the best of what you've got COVER PHOTO COURTESY BOB CARPER/ NEW HAMPSHIRE LOG AND TIMBER HOMES

Scan the QR Code to take the NHHBA Member Directory with you.

Add the page to your home screen or visit: http://appk.me/NHHBA

BECOME A MEMBER Annual NHHBA membership includes a one-year subscription to Granite State Builder.

Non-members may request a subscription for an annual fee of $27.80.

Contact us for more information (603) 228-0351 • info@nhhba.com • nhhba.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Brion O’Connor Krysten Godfrey Michael Loughlin

16 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

FIND PROFESSIONALS QUICKLY!

NHHBA.com

Ernesto Burden Sharon Wayman Paul Morin, CGB Bill Burke

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Ernesto Burden ART DIRECTOR

John R. Goodwin MANAGING EDITOR

Bill Burke PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Jodie Hall

Granite State Builder is published four times a year by McLean Communications, Inc. and is distributed to NHHBA members.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the publisher’s written permission is prohibited. Statements and opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, McLean Communications, Inc. and Granite State Builder disclaims all responsibility for omissions and errors. Annual NHHBA membership includes a one-year subscription to Granite State Builder. Non-members may request a subscription for an annual fee of $27.80.

© 2020 McLean Communications, Inc. GRANITE STATE BUILDER MAGAZINE

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER / Joe Harnois

DEAR NHHBA MEMBER

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hese past few months have been challenging times for everyone in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen our lives as we knew it almost come to a complete halt. We faced the uncertainty of whether our

businesses would continue operating, and if they did, what changes would have to be made. Thanks to the governor’s Emergency Order No. 23, the construction industry was deemed as an essential business.

The governor’s Emergency Order No. 23 is an important example of the value of being a member. The New Hampshire Home Builders Association (NHHBA) is recognized and respected as a strong voice at the State House. Thanks to the Association’s legal counsel and lobbyist at Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, the governor’s Emergency Order No. 23 was passed relative to interim municipal operations and construction/building inspection services deeming the construction industry as an essential business. The permit/inspection language in Section 6 in the emergency order is almost verbatim to the working drafts submitted. This was a big win for our industry.

The legislative efforts at the State House is an important reason to be a member of the Association.

The next time you pay your annual membership dues, remember the governor’s Emergency Order No. 23. That is what your dues pay for. Other states were not equally as successful. The continued lobbying efforts at the State House are to protect the construction industry. I encourage members to get involved and attend the monthly Government Affairs Committee meetings, which are are normally held the second Monday of each month at 3 p.m.

For more information, contact swayman@nhhba.com.

The strength of our Association is due to membership. I would like to thank each and every member and volunteer for their continued support.

Joe Harnois 2019/2020 NHHBA President

HomeBuilders A S S O C I A T I O N

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SUMMER 2020

SPECIAL REPORT / Krysten Godfrey

Rebuilding During the Coronavirus Builders, Realtors, Marketers Bouncing Back, Learning to Thrive

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he coronavirus pandemic effectively stopped thousands of New Hampshire residents from working this spring and spiked unemployment rates as high as 16%. However, because real estate agents, builders and others in the construction industry were deemed essential workers in the Granite State, spring has been business as usual — with a few caveats.

The New Hampshire Home Builders Association worked quickly to make sure

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its members had the tools and information they needed to not only protect fellow employees and customers, but also to obtain financing to keep their businesses afloat.

The National Association of Homebuilders also created special web resources focused on maintaining safe job sites, working with local officials and supporting customers by sharing information about mortgage assistance options and government relief programs.

“Every time information from the Small Business Association was received, it was forwarded to members. When information about the Paycheck Protection Program was received, it was emailed to members, which connected them to webinars and provided information on how to apply for it,” said Sharon Wayman, executive director of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association.

While nationally, Zillow predicts home

SUMMER 2020

prices will likely fall 2% to 3% through the he says. In those same regions, 240 were end of the year, and home sales could fall under agreement. At the same time last as much as 60% before both begin to slowly year, those counties saw 500 listings on the recover to baseline levels by the end of market, with 500 coming off in three days.

2021, New Hampshire members anticipate Agents are relying more than ever on a rosier outcome. The New Hampshire technologies like videoconferencing to Association of Realtors reports that closed reach potential buyers and are ensuring sales for single-family homes in March their websites include as much content as 2020 were down just 1.2% compared to possible to lure in buyers, who are spending 2019. While consumers more and more time onmay have put the brakes on line. If buyers aren’t able “You may not have buying and selling in the to see all of the facets of near-term, local builders are a lot of traffic come a home in person, they in, but if someone cautiously optimistic. want the next best thing, Moe Archambault, who Archambault says. does come in, you heads sales and marketing “We are doing 3D have a good shot at for Moe Marketing Realty Matterport video where selling that house.”

Group, LLC, and provides you set a 3D camera in marketing services for the Bedford-based numerous locations in a house and you LaMontagne Builders, says business are able to show a complete room to your has not slowed down LaMontagne’s two control,” he says. “Ten years ago, 3D video new communities under construction in might have cost a lot more money to proMerrimack and Hooksett. The Merrimack duce. Now that we have the cameras and community, which began development one software to put all of the pieces together.” year ago, has 66 homes that are just over For customers who do opt to attend 50% sold out. The Hooksett community, showings, agents follow CDC guidelines comprised of 87 homes, is also about half and Gov. Chris Sununu’s executive orders. sold out — putting both right on schedule They all keep buyers and sellers safe by in terms of sales. providing hand sanitizer, disinfectant One of the reasons for that is because the wipes, face masks and disposable booties. homebuying season for new construction Because buyers are more cautious, if they actually began a little bit before the corodo attend a showing, it often means they navirus struck, Archambault says. Because are very interested in buying. families are sensitive to the start of school “You may not have a lot of traffic come coinciding with their move-in dates, most in, but if someone does come in, you have people want to build way ahead of when a good shot at selling that house,” Archamthey plan to move in. In terms of sales of bault says. move-in ready homes, the selling season Dick Benson, owner of Brix & Stix was going well until the virus hit and conConstruction Corp. in Concord, has been sumers hit the pause button. working in the building industry for 42 “Although, we did sell three homes last years. Thanks to his company’s reputation, week,” he says. “There are buyers who need strong word-of-mouth referrals and webto buy right now. Buyers are still coming site leads, business is humming right along. out and we are able to meet face to face He’s still working with subcontractors he’d with them by social distancing and wearing had relationships with for 30 years and masks.” his staff of six remains busy. Brix & Stix is Archambault predicts a stabilization — building six houses this year and is spendrather than a cooling — of New Hampshire ing a lot of time remodeling older homes. home prices. There are still more homes “Our phone is ringing off the hook,” coming off the market than coming on the he says. market. In early May, during a three-day Although the company builds homes, period, there were 138 new listings that new additions, decks and completes other came on the market in Rockingham, Hillsrenovations, customers this year seem to borough, Merrimack and Belknap counties, be redoing their bathrooms and kitchens.

NHHBA.com

Because they have been hunkering down at home, it’s possible that they are noticing what improvements need to be made.

“The calls we are getting are from homes that are 20 years or older,” says Benson.

Because interest rates have dipped once again, it’s a good time for consumers to obtain funding from lenders. However, the prices of construction materials continue to go up, and are as high as they’ve ever been — making finishes like roofing and siding more expensive, with kitchens coming in at an average of more than $20,000, Benson says.

With the market slightly paused due to the state’s stay-at-home order, now is a great time for builders and real estate brokers to market their services to customers.

Direct mail, for example, is a great way to target potential customers if you have a targeted list, because there is not a lot of competition right now, says Steve Chaisson, co-owner of Allegra Marketing, RESOURCES with locations New Hampshire Home in Bedford and Builders Association nhhba.com Portsmouth.

Moe Marketing Digital marketRealty Group ing tactics, such moehomes.com as e-blasts and LaMontagne Builders pay-per-click lamontagnebuilders.com advertising are New Hampshire also great investAssociation of Realtors nhar.org ments for comBrix & Stix panies looking Construction Corp. to stay front-ofbrixandstixconstruction.com mind during the Allegra Marketing pandemic. allegramarketingprint.com “People are starting to get stimulus checks, which is prompting them to think of renovations and giving them some windfall money in the bank, if they haven’t been laid off,” Chaisson says. “For every sector that's struggling, others are prospering.”

Wayman agrees that she’s hearing from members that they are busy getting quotes on jobs and taking measurements.

“If people were planning on doing something, they’ve now been in their homes more and have given it more thought — and they are starting to move on it,” she says.

GRANITE STATE BUILDER MAGAZINE

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COVER STORY / Brion O’Connor

July is National Log Home Month Log and timberframe homes range from rustic to contemporary, and can meet or exceed all of today's Energy Star ratings.

Stunning, Efficient, Green New Hampshire Builders Celebrate Log Home Construction's Rich History

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ention the phrase “log home,” and sepia-toned images of rustic sporting cabins made of rough-hewn timbers set by a remote lake surrounded by towering trees may come to mind. But today's log homes are state-ofthe-art creations that combine energy efficiency and brilliant architecture. In short, these modern log homes aren't Abe Lincoln's log cabin.

“The No. 1 reason most of our clients say they choose to build a log home is its unique, cozy aesthetic,” says Mike Heffernan, regional manager for Real Log Homes in Claremont, which has designed and produced over 35,000 log home packages since 1963. “Log homes evoke a feeling of nostalgia.

“One of the first things I hear when I connect with an interested customer is, 'Ever since I was a child, I always wanted to live in a log home,'” Heffernan says. “It’s something many have dreamed of since childhood. The environmental and time-saving benefits are an added plus.”

There are a litany of reasons to consider modern log home construction, say the experts, and those reasons are on full display during July, National Log Home Month. Log home construction has a rich history in New Hampshire, and throughout the Northeast.

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“It is a natural construction that has gone on for hundreds of years, and has been modernized for the world we live in today,” says Jeff Elliott, president and founder of Coventry Log Homes in Woodsville. “The great thing is once you set the log on the wall, it completes the outside and inside at the same time.

“Log homes are a dream for many people. They're so homey and inviting to most, and they bring the feeling of nature into your environment. Log homes are very much in demand, and we stay busy shipping them all around the world.”

Bob Carper of New Hampshire Log and Timber Homes, in Glen, noted that log homes are made of all-natural materials which are renewable, and therefore rated “green” by the Green Building Standards.

“Most of the log homes built in New England are built with white pine logs, which are a highly renewable resource,” says Carper. “In fact, most lumber harvesting companies tell me that white pine in New England is not fully harvested and is left to rot in the forest because mature trees are not being harvested.”

Even during construction, modern log homes have a lower impact on Mother Nature by generating less waste.

“All the logs are pre-cut in a factory,” Heffernan says. “Walls, SUMMER 2020

PHOTOS COURTESY BOB CARPER/NEW HAMPSHIRE LOG AND TIMBER HOMES

floor systems and roof structure are fully pre-cut logs. Logs are 100% renewable, natural materials. There is no fiberglass and no drywall on log walls.”

But nostalgia and environmentalism are just the start. The real value of a log home is found in the long list of benefits it provides for the homeowner. First, they take less time to put together.

“A four-man crew, one lead, two skilled carpenters and a laborer can erect and weather-tight a 1,600-square-foot, pre-cut log home in 10 to 14 days,” Heffernan says. “The walls go up, a water-based polyurethane is applied on the interior, two coats of stain on the exterior, and you're done for 5 to 7 years.

“Because our homes incorporate more pre-cutting than competing packages, the challenges of extensive on-site cutting are reduced,” he says. “A typical Real Log Home, under factorycontrolled conditions, receives well over 5,000 precision saw cuts and arrives ready for assembly. This helps ensure a precise fit, which means a quicker assembly, with fewer mistakes, often resulting in lower labor costs.”

According to Elliott, a log home continues to provide value after construction is completed.

“Log homes have natural insulating value — using a thermal mass NHHBA.com

effect — that not only holds the heat or cooling but will retain it and give it back to you,” he says.

Likewise, Heffernan says log homes provide “energy savings resulting in both environmental and economic benefits.”

“These homes naturally stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” he says. “The huge weight of the log walls become a thermal sink and air pockets in the dried cells of the wood act like the trapped air in fleece, reducing the fluctuations in the temperature swings between day and night. As long as the log home is built with a complete joinery system and attention to eliminating any air infiltration, we often see 5-Star Energy Ratings in our log homes.

Even though our log homes are tight, the walls are organic. They 'breathe,' so no air-to-air exchanger is needed.”

But a log home needs to be built right, and that attention to detail underscores the need to hire a specialist to both save time and avoid potential mistakes.

“Every year we work with a few homeowners who want to build their own log home,” says Heffernan. “If they have some construction background and the tools, it’s possible.

“When a customer first suggests they would like to undertake the task, I go over what's required and remind them the logs are very GRANITE STATE BUILDER MAGAZINE

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PHOTOS COURTESY REAL LOG HOMES

heavy and construction will require a telehandler to unload and construct,” he says. “At this point, many Do It Yourself customers will choose to do the finish work, but will usually ask me to find a local log builder to put up the log shell and get the building weathertight.”

Similarly, Carper says it is “very important that a builder specializes in log home construction because it is a very unique type of construction.”

“Most log home packages are cut to precise dimensions and are therefore tricky, in that the builder must make sure that dimensions of the foundation and the subfloor are very accurate,” says Carper, adding that log home packages won't “tolerate variations in subfloor and foundation dimensions which could be accommodated in conventional construction.

“The log home builder must make sure that, when they stack the logs, the corners must be plumb or the pre-cut log package won't fit or there will be gaps between the butt splices of the logs,” he says.

“In addition, while stacking the logs the builder must drill through the log courses for outlet and switch wiring, which will be utilized by the electrician to install wiring inside the log walls.”

Many lenders won't allow homeowners to be their own contractor, due to the complexity of log home construction and the potential risks of a long build time and an inferior home, says Carper.

“Every time I have a customer who built their own home, there have been serious problems with the finished product,” he says.

Most packages sold by Carper's company are “milled log homes, 8

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but we also have a hand-crafted division,” he says. Milled log homes are typically ordered by customers for the following reasons: • They're less expensive and fit within the budget range of most customers looking to build a log home.

• Because all logs are milled to the exact same dimensions, they are easier to build and finish the interior because all logs are the same.

• Most milled logs are kiln-dried to an average of 19% moisture, which means less settlement due to drying.

• Hand-crafted logs are air-dried, and can experience settlement up to four inches, depending on the size of the logs and their moisture content.

Though more expensive and prone to more “settlement” (which should be addressed during the design phase), hand-crafted log construction is attractive for larger homes due to the following features, according to Carper: • They are visually stunning, typically employing larger logs, where the size of the logs matches the scale of the home.

• They can be even more energy-efficient, due to the higher thermal mass factor provided by the larger logs.

• Finally, Elliott offers a familiar word of advice for anyone interested in building a log home: Do your homework.

“Buying the right package from the beginning, working with a good reputable company and finding a builder you can trust and communicate with are the most important things to consider,” Elliott says. “Buyers too often rely on the cheapest price to make decisions, when in reality you always get what you pay for.

“In this log home industry, every company has an angle, they all do it a little different and supply different materials in their package,” he says. “Pay attention to what you're getting.”

RESOURCES New Hampshire Log and Timber Homes, LLC Glen • (603) 822-2253 • newhampshireloghomes.com Coventry Log Homes, Inc. Woodsville • (800) 308-7505 • coventryloghomes.com WHS Homes — Real Log Homes, Timberpeg, American Post and Beam Claremont • (603) 542-5407 • realloghomes.com SUMMER 2020

NHHBA.com

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GREEN BUILDER / NAHB

2020 National Green Building Standard Approved by ANSI

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he 2020 edition of the ICC-700 National Green Building • A new Chapter 12: Certified Compliance Path for Single-Family Standard (NGBS) has been approved by the American Homes, Townhomes and Duplexes, that provides a new compliNational Standards Institute (ANSI) and is available for ance path customized for single-family dwellings. public use.

• A new water efficiency performance path that demonstrates Having been developed over the past three years, this latest compliance using an index that generates a score relative to a NGBS installment expands the scope of applicable building occustandard baseline home. pancies, keeps abreast of new technologies • An option to utilize a phased approach and advances the standard’s tradition as for multifamily remodeling projects. the industry benchmark for residential • A range of updated performance base projects designed and built for high lines and references. performance.

• And, a substantially revised remodeling This fourth edition of NGBS brings chapter that offers a choice of prescriptogether two industry leaders — the tive or performance compliance paths International Code Council (ICC) and the for energy and water efficiency.

National Association of Home Builders “The 2020 NGBS takes a leap forward (NAHB) — who took on a leadership role by adding new provisions for mixed-use to commission an independent consensus residential buildings that are so popular in committee of a broad range of stakeholdurban and suburban communities,” says ers charged with the development of the NAHB Chairman Dean Mon, a homenext generation of the NGBS. Home Innobuilder and developer from Shrewsbury, vation Research Labs served as secretariat, N.J. “NGBS continues in its tradition of or administrator, of an ANSI-approved providing builders with the flexibility and standard development process, as it has choices in meeting market preferences for done in previous iterations. green building and staying relevant to our First published in 2009, the NGBS customers.” provides a pathway by which builders and “Green building and sustainable condevelopers may seek third-party certistruction solutions help to maintain the fication of new homes, multifamily and health and safety benefits that building NGBS is the only residential green mixed-use buildings, developments and codes and standards provide for commubuilding standard that is American remodeling projects. In addition, buildnities worldwide,” says Code Council Chief ers and consumers whose projects are Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “The National Standards Institute (ANSI) NGBS-certified may be eligible for federal updated NGBS ICC-700 provides designers, accredited. The NGBS includes highor state incentives. As of April 2020, more contractors, developers and policymakers performance building practices in six than 216,000 residential dwellings have with the tools and blueprint for green conareas: lot design and development, been certified to the Standard through struction strategies and practices. These resource efficiency, water efficiency, NGBS Green — a national third-party certools also aid occupant comfort and health, tification program administered by Home save money and preserve resources during energy efficiency, indoor environInnovation Research Labs. the design, construction and operation of mental quality, and building The 2020 edition builds upon years of buildings.” operation & maintenance. experience of building and certifying to The NGBS provides the road map for the NGBS. Significant changes include: residential professionals to integrate green features at a most ap• An expanded scope that now includes compliance for the propriate level for their businesses and housing markets. Whether non-residential portion of mixed-use buildings, as long as the new to high-performance building or a seasoned veteran, builders residential portion of the building is greater than 50% of gross and remodelers can rely on the 2020 NGBS to help achieve their floor area (previous editions defined criteria only for the residengoals for high-performance buildings. Individuals can download a tial portion of the project). complimentary PDF copy at nahb.org/ngbs.

• An expanded scope that also includes assisted living facilities, The print edition will be available for purchase mid-May at residential board and care facilities and group homes.

BuilderBooks.com.

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SUMMER 2020

Featuring the best in design and dĂŠcor for the home and garden Patios for Entertaining and Relaxation page 24

A Cornucopia of Corn Recipes page 18

Designers Transform a Seaside Home page 34

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME

Fa b u l o u s o u t d o o r s pa c e s j u ly/a u g u s t 2 0 14

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A Pool House Designed with Flair Savoring Local Produce page 56 An Award-Winning Guesthouse on Squam Lake page 60

page 50

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Available at newsstands across New Hampshire and online at NHHomeMagazine.com NHHBA.com

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GSB NEWS / Brenda Richards, Executive Officer

News From the Lakes Region Builders & Remodelers Association Workforce Development Addressed at Breakfast Meeting February’s breakfast meeting welcomed guest speaker, William Bald, president of Melcher & Prescott Insurance. He talked about the key to engaging, hiring and retaining talent to grow and sustain business. He offered great tips and tools, including the popular employee passes for urgent care visits.

Workshops and Training January kicked off the first of the 2020 education series with a Load Development Workshop, headed up by guest speaker Bob McCue from Weyerhaeuser. Bob discussed engineering terms and definitions, including moment, shear and deflection, and members brought in their own computers for hands-on training and for a basic understanding of the loading requirements in the IRC.

Huot Tech Students Impress at Membership Meeting The January membership meeting was a memorable evening with students from the Huot Career and Technical Center and the building community. It was great to hear from the kids about their future plans. LRBRA members also shared their career paths and how they came into their respective professions. Having the culinary students prepare a wonderful meal was “icing on the cake.” The construction and plumbing students wowed the group by showcasing the new Huot House build and workforce collaboration.

The new project is not a tiny house but rather an affordable off-site, custom-built home that offers students a great learning experience in all aspects of building, and can be transported to a homesite upon its completion. The one-bedroom home — with just under 400 square feet, featuring granite countertops, radiant heat in the floors and architectural shingles — is fully applianced with washer and dryer, gas range, oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher and will be expansive-ready should the owner wish to add on later.

Area businesses and suppliers have helped provide high-quality materials and the build follows the newest building code requirements.

The students had been making great headway with the build before the school was closed in mid-March due to the pandemic. They can pick back up where they left off when school gets underway again. Upon its completion, the home will be offered for sale and would make a great starter home, guest house or accessory dwelling.

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SUMMER 2020

Parade of Homes Kick-Off The Happy Hour Kick-Off to the this year's Lakes Region Parade of Homes event took place at Baron's Major Brands in Belmont in early March. Builders and sponsors were invited to learn more about the three-day tour and how to use this event as a major marketing tool to reach new customers.

Senior Sign Build Our high school seniors get a little love! Inter-lakes high school seniors were surprised with a huge yard banner — adorned with the names of all the graduating seniors — placed at Meredith High School. Lakes Region builder members Hayward & Co. and building instructor Matt Towle, along with a few students, built the frame with materials donated by Middleton Lumber, in Meredith.

The NHHBA Calendar of Events

THANKS Our Sustaining Partners!

LAKES REGION

Your Support helps us be the leader for the home building and remodeling industry in New Hampshire!

• The OSHA-10 classes scheduled for March and offered free to members, as well as the half-day Net Zero workshop set for April, both have both been postponed.

• Our golf tournament set for June has been moved to September 10.

PLATINUM

• The Lakes Region Parade of Homes event is scheduled to take place during Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 10-12, 2020.

We continue our mission even through these challenging times, providing builders and associate members the opportunity to gain industry knowledge, develop as experts, and nationally, be a part of the most highly respected homebuilding industry.

GOLD

CONSUMER

SILVER

MEDIA

VENDOR MIXER

RESOURCES Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association lakesregionbuilders.com • (603) 387-1817 Lakes Region Parade of Homes lakesregionparadeofhomes.com NHHBA.com

Visit NHHBA.com GRANITE STATE BUILDER MAGAZINE

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SPECIAL REPORT / Michael Loughlin

Eversource Adapts to Support NH’s Energy Efficiency Industry

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fforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 continue to have significant and wide-spread impact on communities and businesses around the globe. During this unprecedented time, the nearly 2,000 Granite State businesses that support the energy efficiency industry have been significantly impacted. According to E2, a national nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors and professionals who advocate for the environment and economy, more than 11,000 New Hampshire residents were directly employed in the energy efficiency industry prior to the outbreak. As of March 2020, the energy efficiency industry in New Hampshire lost 2% of its workforce. Nationwide, the industry saw approximately 69,800 people lose their jobs.

How do we overcome this as an industry?

By adapting and working together.

Meeting Customers’ Needs in Real-Time According to JD Power, 43% of utility customers nationwide reported they were using more energy in the month after stay-athome orders were issued. During this time, Eversource saw that number jump to 50% of residential customers as they transformed their homes into their workplace, classroom, gym, playground and concert venue.

Alternatively, business customers have seen a reduction in energy usage, but with less income and bills still needing to be paid, they looked for ways to cut costs.

To meet our customers’ needs while protecting their health and safety, and the health and safety of trusted contractors who perform efficiency upgrades, we and the other New Hampshire utilities adapted our Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program to provide virtual assessments.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, facilitated by Eversource, is a comprehensive, whole-house approach to optimize energy efficiency and comfort at home, helping homeowners protect the environment and reduce their energy bills.

During the virtual assessment, residential customers received energy-saving expertise from an energy specialist over the phone or by video service. The energy specialist identified energy-saving opportunities in the home 14

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and prepared a custom energy report, including information on rebates for recommended services or equipment.

We also introduced no-cost virtual assessments for our small business customers.

Small business customers who completed an assessment were mailed recommended energy-saving products they could install themselves such as LED lightbulbs, advanced power strips and Wi-Fi thermostats so they could start saving on their energy costs immediately.

Educating the Efficiency Workforce Eversource, in collaboration with the other New Hampshire utilities, worked with nationally recognized training organizations to offer a series of virtual trainings and webinars at no cost to participants in an effort to support the energy efficiency workforce as it faces significant impacts. The trainings help energy service professionals build their skills and knowledge of energy efficiency so they are prepared to go back into action in the post-COVID-19 recovery when homeowners and businesses are likely to seek out energy efficiency and other cost-saving measures.

As of the end of April, more than 50 energy service professionals in New Hampshire had taken advantage of the trainings.

Moving Forward As we prepare to adapt to the “new normal,” we need to continue to commit to ongoing education and take a creative and global approach. Now is the time to learn how colleagues in the green building industry are using energy-efficient technologies to maximize building methods, achieve greater returns on their project investments and make a positive contribution to the clean energy industry.

For example, James Hartford from River Architects shared during the Eversource 2019 “Path to Net Zero Commercial Buildings” conference how the Netherlands utilized on-site build environments and modular-ready installations to upgrade multifamily housing units to Passive House, and how he implemented those best practices for one of his projects.

While some of these building methods and technologies may seem intimidating, New

Hampshire homebuilders and remodelers have the tools and support to build more efficiently thanks to the NHSaves’ initiative and programs offered by Eversource.

For new construction projects, NHSaves’ Drive to ENERGY STAR, ENERGY STAR Homes initiatives and the Drive to Net Zero competition are designed to provide a pathway for homeowners to achieve a super energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR-certified or Net Zero home by providing homeowners and building experts tools and resources to maximize energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

ENERGY STAR-certified homes are 15% to 30% more efficient than a standard, code-built home. And both ENERGY STARcertified and Net Zero homes deliver better durability, comfort and reduced maintenance and utility costs. Additionally, this style of homebuilding reduces the amount of pollen and allergens in the home, providing homeowners with improved air quality. With homeowners spending more time at home, these features are likely to become even more sought-after in new homes, even after COVID-19-related restrictions are lifted.

The most recent winner of the Drive to Net Zero competition, Janet Taft, said it succinctly as she described what building a Net Zero home meant to her. She said, “I’m most proud about the energy efficiency of this home and the intelligent way it was built. It gives our whole family a lot of pride that we tried to minimize our impact. Reducing our carbon footprint is a very important thing to do, and we should all work to preserve this planet that our kids are inheriting.”

As businesses adapt, Eversource remains a committed partner in providing energy- and cost-saving solutions. For more information on how Eversource can assist with energy efficiency improvements and help you achieve Net Zero construction, please visit eversource.com or call 866-554-6025.

Michael Loughlin is an Energy Efficiency Program Manager for Eversource and oversees residential and new construction energy efficiency services, incentives and programs in New Hampshire. He can be reached at michael.loughlin@ eversource.com or (603) 634-2022.

SUMMER 2020

NHHBA NEWS

Highlights from the 53rd Annual NH State Home Show

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ore than 300 vendors and exhibitors covering every aspect of the homebuilding and remodeling industry put their expertise in front of more than 5,000 visitors at the New Hampshire State Home Show, produced by the New Hampshire Home Builders Association.

The 53rd Annual New Hampshire State Home Show, held March 6-8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, included daily door prizes, seminars, demonstrations and the popular Junior Lego Build for some of the younger attendees.

For more information about the Home Show, visit nhstatehomeshow.net

Current NHHBA president, Joe Harnois instructs attendees on "Basic Installation Practices of Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms."

Home Show attendees learn more about pools, sunrooms and hot tubs offered by Crocker Sales, of Merrimack.

Kirk O'Brien, of DeWalt, answers questions on the show floor.

Susan Crupi, director of Design Services at David R. Crupi, LLC, presents a demonstration on kitchen and bath design.

Consumers stop by the Crystal Hills Water Systems booth at the 53rd annual New Hampshire State Home Show.

Kids dive into the always-popular Junior LEGO Build Contest at this year's home show.

Rose Woodyard, a boat builder with Newfound Woodworks, Inc., of Bristol, presents a demonstration on cedar strip boats — canoes, kayaks and rowing boat kits.

NHHBA.com

Representatives of BathFitter answer questions.

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS / Ari B. Pollack, Esq.

Extraordinary Measures During Extraordinary Times

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ike every other economic sector, New Hampshire’s residential building trades were deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether considering the issuance of stay-athome orders, the definition of “essential services,” new job site safety protocols or the availability of municipal permits and construction inspections, COVID-19 turned “business as usual” into “business unusual,” and seemingly did so overnight. During this

period of time, the Association worked with the governor’s office, state officials, municipal representatives and other stakeholders to protect and preserve basic industry needs.

First and foremost, and in light of Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order No. 17 to stay at home, residential construction trades had to be included as an essential service to maintain even the most basic job site activities. Without the ability to travel to job sites, receive delivery of materials, conduct construction activities and process permits and inspections, the completion and occupancy of projects would be rendered moot. Fortunately, Exhibit A to Emergency Order No. 17 included amongst its “Other Community-Based Essential Functions,” “construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction).”

In other words, the Association’s members could stay open for business and building.

Second, with the ability to operate as an essential service, residential construction needed the availability of critical support services. Here, Section 6 of Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order No. 23 spoke to the suspension of municipal permitting and inspection services. While efforts to follow modified processes were required, the order provided a pathway to approval and 16

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construction progress in the event municipal services were simply unavailable due to closures relating to COVID-19. Thus, rather than encounter obstacles that would suspend construction, the order instead allowed contractors to document evidence of construction progress using photographs and video as a means of continuing forward. Following a return to normalcy, follow-up inspections would allow municipal officials to inspect completed work and potentially require alterations.

Third, job site safety had to remain paramount.

In addition to the typical occupational safety protocols for construction activities, new protocols relating to COVID-19 needed to be instituted and monitored on job sites. Whether from regulatory sources, NAHB or other relevant stakeholders, numerous publications emerged to stress the importance of wearing gloves and masks, job site distancing, separate arrival and departure rules, new break time and break-area rules and cleaning of contact surfaces. The Association, in turn, distributed guidance and warned members that diligent adherence to safety protocols was critical to remaining eligible to function as an essential service. In other words, being slack about job site safety and worker distancing would inevitably lead to the tightening of essential services, perhaps to the exclusion of the residential building trades.

The patchwork of emergency orders and new job site safety protocols made it possible to continue some sense of normalcy. This patchwork was only made possible through strong stakeholder communication and flexible cooperation. Given the uniqueness of the situation, it would have been far easier to close job sites, redirect efforts at other priorities and allow the industry to languish. Instead, stakeholders shared in their prioritization of construction activities and worked hard to achieve compromises and creative solutions to keep job sites moving forward.

Certainly, temporary emergency solutions are not perfect.

Numerous consequences of the pandemic were unavoidable and hard-felt — i.e., hardship in marketing/showing properties to buyers, complications for appraisals, suspension of in-person closings.

Nonetheless, the ability of the industry to forge ahead — in some manner — was itself essential and, ultimately, would ease our return to normalcy when conditions allowed.

Ari B. Pollack, Esq., is an attorney licensed in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and a registered lobbyist in New Hampshire representing the legislative interests of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association. Ari practices with the firm of Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, P.C. in Concord, New Hampshire.

SUMMER 2020

NHHBA.com

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GSB BUZZ

Out and About With Our Members Seventh Annual Belt Sander Race The Southern New Hampshire Home Builders and Remodelers Association came together for some friendly race competition and a casual dinner. The seventh annual Belt Sander Race was hosted by Josh Cilley (pictured), of Whitewood Millwork in Dover, and sponsored by Jeff Semprini, of AZEK, and Kirk O’Brien of Dewalt Tools. This year's winners were Lynette and Karl Rogers of Homescapes of New England.

NHHBA Annual Ski Day On February 26, NHHBA members from around the state came together at Cannon Mountain to build (if you'll excuse the pun) friendships and enjoy a day on the snow. As always, it was great having members together in a fun and casual setting. We hope to see you next year!

A Helping Hand to Webster House The Greater Manchester/Nashua Home Builders and Remodelers Association (GMNHBRA) presents an Amazon gift card to Webster House, in Manchester, from funds raised at the GMNHBRA's Annual Holiday Silent Auction. The Webster House exists to help youths who are unable to live at home for a period of time, providing a safe environment that includes counseling and support.

To learn more about Webster House visit websterhousenh.org From left: Kevin Walsh, of Resource Options, Inc.; Lorinda Gilbert, of St. Mary's Bank; Lou Catano, executive director of Webster House and Lisa Bowman, executive officer of GMNHBRA.

To learn more, please visit ememberbenefits.com/NAHB or call 866-430-NAHB (6242) to speak with a member specialist 18

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SUMMER 2020

THE FINISH NAIL / Bill Burke

No New Tools, Only New Uses Implements Haven't Changed, Just the Way They're Used

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here was a time when I spent my days hammering combs on concrete foundation forms. Now I hammer the computer keyboard, sometimes forming sentences about people who spend their days on job sites.

I haven't climbed in and out of a foundation hole in nearly 25 years, so when it came time to embark on a modest home improvement project, I found myself full of questions in need of a professional's perspective. I have a huge respect for NHHBA members who balance business acumen and science with institutional

knowledge and experience — people like Paul Morin, who normally writes this piece — so with a head full of queries based on late 1980s experience, I called a flooring guy I know with a question about a new high-tech tool. He told me he probably wasn't the the best source.

“As a flooring guy, I work in blunt force most of the time,” he said.

“There are very few finely tuned implements involved. It's more hitting things with a mallet.”

He was underselling himself, however. This is a guy who spent time in Vermont, North Carolina and lived in Japan as he learned to become a luthier. He knows all about careful handiwork. It just doesn't come into play when he's hauling bundles of flooring stock up a stairwell.

“I'm really good at sharpening a chisel,” he admits when prompted about the zen-like approach he learned in the Aichi Prefecture.

“I've spent years learning to sharpen a chisel properly. Some of the 20

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guys I work with see it as some kind of mystical art. It's not, but when I bring that chisel to work, it usually gets used to set nails.”

He told me that even though there are always new tools coming on the market, they're not always the best answer. Sometimes, you just use what you have on hand — even if it's not the intended purpose.

“My co-worker and I have an ongoing contest to see who can find the most creative way to sharpen a pencil,” he offers as an example — before adding a caveat. “And please don't do this.”

The competition started with a utility knife — the typical embarkation point for beginners.

Technically, sharpening pencils is not what it was made for, but it certainly works. From there, the ante was upped considerably. The next step was the mystical Japanese chisel. It likely thought it would fulfill its purpose in the hands of a craftsman, shaving paper-thin layers of wood until it revealed a carefully made heirloom. Not so much.

Next came a hand plane, then a block plane.

It didn't matter, however, because Flooring Guy had to admit defeat recently.

“Matt currently holds the title because he managed to sharpen his pencil with a table saw.”

That doesn't mean the challenge won't go unanswered.

“No one has tried it with a mitre saw, but that might be the new frontier.”

There are other tools in his flooring van not typically found on most job sites. Case in point: a beat-up old microwave.

“It turns heads — it's totally useful but unexpected. My co-worker is super frugal. He's Mr. Leftovers in the Pyrex. Every day around noon, people start heading out to sub shops or getting delivery, and he pulls out this delicious home-cooked dinner in Pyrex. He goes out to the van and brings in that microwave, and everyone else onsite stops what they're doing to watch. They're usually impressed.”

Turns out it's not about the newest tool, it's about making the best with what you've got.

SUMMER 2020

Don’t Lose Your Edge!

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