Christopher Muvdi Masano Bradley, Attorneys at Law
A Season of Change Message from the President, Fall 2024
Peter J. Bonargo IV, President
Welcome to Fall 2024. Just like the leaves will begin to change, the HBA of Berks County is also in a season of change. The days will become crisper, there will be those post season baseball games, and cool evenings. Shorter days.
Well, the HBA is on the search for new board members for our Board of Directors. To grow our association, we would like to see some new faces to assist with the direction and future of the HBA of Berks County. NOW is the time to step up to the plate. Help us manage into 2025 and further.
We are also looking for people to fill out a few committees. Just like any team, we would like some additional members to sit on our committees, like Membership, Education or the Golf committee. The fresh insight and desire to make change is what we are looking for in our committee teams.
In 2025 we are bringing back the annual home show, however, we have changed the name and the venue. The Home Expo will take place March 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2025. The venue, you ask? The new Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Reading Fightin Phils.
Speaking of the Phils, the past few years the Philadelphia Phillies have been on a great post season run. For the Phillies to reach further than ever before, they had to plan, implement, and dare to change.
This new venue at FirstEnergy Stadium provides a top-notch big-league training and workout facility, larger locker rooms, and a first-class conference center. The EXPO has room for more than a hundred vendors across two floors. We will have access to the locker rooms and great views of the field from both levels of the building.
There is ample FREE parking at the building. Access to the building could not be easier from the parking lot. A concession stand in the venue, so you and our guests never have to leave the building. This is the chance to get into a space that everyone will want to come out and see. There is plenty of space for growth and expansion.
Anewalt’s Landscape Contracting customers and friends, Dr. and
Mrs. Tom Ebersole
ten Home Trends Which Keep on Trending
By Karen L. Chandler
Are you building or renovating a home this year? It helps to know what features count when it comes to considering your property value and the big investment that’s right around the corner!
Eco-friendly Building Materials
Eco-friendly home construction saves you money long-term, increases property values, and reduces property maintenance. You’ll see lower water bills with low flow faucets and toilets, rainwater management, and efficient irrigation, and lower energy bills through energy STAR features. Ecofriendly products mean a healthier home without fumes from typical construction materials and recycled materials generally last longer, are more durable, and require less maintenance than traditional materials.
Smart Homes
Living in a smart home means the convenience of controlling your home with your smartphone plus saving money with a thermostat that adjusts itself to a comfortable temperature and lights, computers, and televisions you can turn off from anywhere in the house. And don’t forget that feeling when you aren’t sure if you locked your door when you left for the day. Your smartphone can make it happen when you live in a Smart Home!
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design means incorporating nature into your indoor living spaces. The healthy benefits of light are considered as skylights and windows fill rooms with light, boosting mood and productivity while reducing energy costs. Biophilic design plans create harmonious pathways throughout a home and focus on indoor-outdoor living to encourage connections among people and nature.
Efficient Kitchens
Trending kitchens have plenty of counter space, storage for awkwardly sized kitchen equipment, and plenty of hiding spaces for all those plastic containers. But an efficient kitchen is also an open space encouraging entertaining and has the convenience of high-tech appliances. Hidden appliances are growing in popularity as builders can conceal them with panels blending right into kitchen cabinets. And concrete counters are in demand because of their sustainability and long-lasting features.
Customized Organization
Storage features that keep your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and entertaining spaces free of clutter create a relaxing atmosphere for daily life. Special organizing options in the kitchen can be spice organizers, pull-out drawers in your cabinets, or extra pantry storage. Closets can include sliding shoe racks, belt and tie storage, jewelry drawers, and cabinet doors. A home office will benefit from built-in cabinetry to keep supplies out of sight. And the garage and outdoor areas can always use storage for tools, sporting goods, and extra cabinets or shelves for seasonal decorations.
Outdoor Living
A blend of indoor and outdoor living areas continues to trend. A large patio door leading to an outdoor space brings light and easy access to a patio highlighted by an outdoor kitchen and lounge areas. The newest outdoor lighting is efficient with bright, adjustable LED lights which can shine on important areas of your property for both beauty and safety.
Single-Story Living
Even though “ranch” or “rambler” homes lost popularity after the 1950s, they’re coming back. Single-story homes are easier to clean, cheaper to heat and cool, and give your builder flexibility for cathedral ceilings, oversized windows, and skylights. A one-story home is perfect for all life stages and if there’s room, easily accommodates an addition if extra space becomes necessary.
Multi-Generations Under One Roof
Whether there’s a health, financial, or convenience reason, many families have grandparents, adult children, or grandchildren moving in. Building trends take open spaces for gathering, separate entrances and entertainment areas for privacy, additional bathrooms, and soundproofing into consideration to reduce stresses from different age groups living under one roof.
Home Offices
Custom home offices are becoming key as more people are working remotely. A converted bedroom isn’t always the answer for an office if it’s too close to other living spaces without the soundproofing necessary to reduce distractions. The ideal office can be planned far from the TV and include features like a built-in desk and customized storage features.
Pickleball Courts
The demand for local pickleball courts is inspiring homeowners to dream of the convenience of having their own courts. A pickleball court can be designed right into a building plan, created with eco-friendly materials, and gives another option to consider in a new or renovated home.
Pick Your Perfect Kitchen in 2025
By Karen L. Chandler
It’s time to get personal when it comes to your new kitchen. Heading into 2025, kitchens will focus on showing your own personal style, while keeping efficiency in mind with cool new features.
Even though minimalist kitchens are still popular and while we all hope to hide clutter, bringing in personal touches can mean veering away from the allwhite kitchen and diving into color! In 2025 kitchens, you’ll see color palettes highlighted by terra cotta, rich blue, and deep green popping up in backsplashes, cabinets, and wall paints. And adding features bringing nature to mind adds to the latest and greatest in kitchen design.
Keeping it personal means that current jewelry trends encouraging mixing different colored metals have found their way into kitchen design. If you can’t change out your stainless-steel kitchen sink but love the look of gold cabinet hardware, it’s time to go for it.
Adding some open shelving will give you the perfect spot to display cookbooks, dishes, and collectibles, plus even
some essentials, all the while adding personality to your new kitchen. Styling your open shelves with things you love will inspire you as you cook and create a welcoming space for entertaining.
And while you’re adding personal style to your kitchen, the latest in kitchen islands can be anything you’d like. Whether an island serves as a dining table, incorporates a wine fridge, or gives you a huge counter space to roll out cookies and pie crusts, it’s all up to you. Your island is an ideal place to incorporate your favorite trendy color in the base cabinets or countertop.
Getting down to the nitty-gritty of planning your kitchen means thinking about materials, and sustainability is a priority for 2025. Bamboo, recycled wood, and low VOC paints not only look great, but don’t add toxins to your healthy kitchen.
And a beautiful kitchen popping with personality will be an even bigger win with the convenience of smart features. Blending technology with appearance means an increase in function as you enjoy voice-activated controls, programmable options, and a bit more fun throughout daily tasks.
Trends come and go, but the kitchens in this half of the decade are definitely changing from what was popular even in recent years. Homeowners can be inspired to make their own choices and shake off the expectations of the same old, same old.
No matter how you decide to get personal with your kitchen in 2025, choosing what makes you happy will warm up the heart of your home and maybe even make the kitchen your favorite place in the house.
By Karen L. Chandler
By Karen L. Chandler
No matter why your basement is wet, it’s going to cause a problem! Leaving a basement wet can cause health issues and may eventually affect your home’s structure.
First things first! What do you see or smell when you head down to the basement?
The easiest way to tell if you’ve got a problem is dampness on the walls, or even worse, water lying on the floor. Less obvious may be the musty odor you’ve gotten used to smelling down there and you’re thinking all basements smell that way! More subtle signs of a real problem are spots of mold or mildew hiding in corners or growing on your stored items, or white powdery mineral deposits, called efflorescence, appearing on the walls. And don’t believe that peeling paint or wallpaper, warped or rotting wood, and rust on metal surfaces is normal just because it’s a basement.
But why is this happening in your basement?
Let’s go alphabetically, starting with condensation. When warm, damp air hits your cool basement pipes and concrete walls or floors, it creates water drops. That extra water creates an increasingly damp environment. If you’re curious about the level of condensation in your basement, try taping a piece of aluminum foil onto an area that looks damp and check after a day or so to see if there is moisture showing on the outside of the foil. That moisture is a good sign that you have a condensation problem.
Now may be the time to call in your Home Builders Association professional to assess the situation for you, but if you’d like a temporary fix, set up fans, open windows, and hook up a dehumidifier to see if it helps. Wrapping your cold-water pipes with foam insulation can keep moist air from condensing there.
Moving onto another likely culprit for that wet basement!
Rain or melting snow that isn’t flowing away from your home’s foundation is known as runoff and it’s a big deal during fall and winter months. Runoff water finds its way through the soil against your foundation and creates enough pressure to make cracks so it can enter your basement.
If you head downstairs, especially after heavy storms or while snow is melting, and spot obvious damp spots on your walls or floor, it might be time to worry. Double check that your downspouts are all pointing so falling water lands about four feet away from your house and make sure your gutters aren’t overflowing with forgotten fall leaves. A more complicated and likely reason to call in a professional is to ensure that your yard slopes at least one inch per foot away from your foundation.
Do you live in an area that’s known to have underground springs or is it raining or snowing and melting so often the soil never dries?
That high level of water underground may be the reason your basement never really seems dry and may cause ongoing damp spots on the walls and floor. All that water can seep into your foundation no matter how many fans you run or how many DIY tricks you try! Calling in a pro from your Home Builders Association to give a real diagnosis of your situation plus ideas for solutions is the way to go at this point.
OK. So, you’ve decided how serious your wet basement may really be.
If it’s just an occasional problem, boost your air circulation with fans, clean up a puddle, and install a dehumidifier! If you’re still on the fence and considering whether you can handle the issues downstairs or if you need to call for help, it’s time to think about the problems with leaving that basement wet.
It’s only damp, what’s the worst that can happen?
We can start with the gross pests that enjoy a damp space like the one brewing in your basement, meaning all the bugs that are disgusting, damaging, and downright unhealthy will love the space. We are talking cockroaches, silverfish, and termites, and they bring along with them the possibility of structural problems and an increase in allergens. And how about rats and mice? A damp basement is the perfect place for rodents to hang out, breed their young, and increase the risk of allergies and respiratory issues.
And speaking of respiratory problems, that damp basement is a prime spot for mold. While lots of different types of molds
can accumulate right downstairs, the scariest black mold is one kind you really don’t want to grow in your home. If anyone in the house is showing extra allergy symptoms, or having trouble breathing, it’s time to have a professional check your basement for mold. Molds can be joined by dust mites and increased chemical fumes that are both likely in damp spaces.
Is the structure of your home safe when your basement is always wet?
It’s a good question and something to consider. Moisture can rot the wood beams and floor supports, cause cracks in your walls, sagging floors, and in the worst cases, allow the basement ceiling to collapse. And let’s not forget that water and electricity do not get along! If water in your basement meets your electrical systems, it can cause a fire or give someone a scary electric shock.
The bottom line with your wet basement is that it’s an important issue and one you need to address! Whether it’s an on and off again puddle to deal with on your own or an ongoing worry, make a plan to dry things out and be sure to call in a pro when you need advice or help.
BUILD THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS –WITHOUT EVEN MOVING!
By Karen L. Chandler
Whether you’ve been living in your home for years or you’ve just found a super-outdated house in an ideal location, you just may be thinking of a home renovation.
The thought of packing your belongings and crashing at your parents’ home or braving weeks of drywall dust as you cram into one end of your home during ongoing construction is scary, but the rewards will be worth it!
Your home design dreams can come true and will be just around the corner with a reno that creates a living space that blends well with your lifestyle and includes all the features that both increase your property value and include everything that makes everyday living easier and safer.
Choosing a professional from your Home Builders Association will help you identify exactly what you want or don’t want in your new home design and make it easier to navigate the overwhelming new options in the building materials and features of today’s housing.
Property Value is Key
No matter how long you intend to live in your home, keeping your property value should be top of mind when it comes to all the decisions in your renovation journey. The unexpected sometimes happens that will cause you to sell the home you love, so making improvements that gain value and make your home easy to sell will help you both in the short and long term. Adding personality to home design may be trending this year, but during a renovation those personal touches can be kept to areas that are easily changed like wall colors and backsplashes with personality coming through in your furniture and artwork.
Safety Counts
If your home is more than a few years old, there are certainly things that can be repaired or even brought up to code during your renovation. Consider hidden termite or water damage to your structure, wiring issues, or a lack of insulation that will be uncovered and subsequently repaired when walls are removed during a reno. As your builder moves around your home, it’s likely that other problems, even to your roof or foundation, can be uncovered and repaired while the crews are onsite. Ensuring that
your home is safe moving forward is one of the unexpected benefits of a home renovation. And if you’re concerned about the quality of the air in your home being as safe as possible, your builder can help you choose the healthiest building options available.
Update Your Style
gallons of water yearly, and a leaky toilet can waste even more. You can check for leaks by inspecting your faucets, pipes, and toilets regularly. If you see any drips or signs of a leak, call a plumber as soon as possible.
Take shorter showers.
Is your home stuck in the ’80s when your spirit is unconventionally bohemian? Is your kitchen Early American and your heart lies in the simple shapes of mid-century modern design? Do you like the look of country décor, but you want to lose the closed-in kitchen with the rooster wallpaper and gain an open modern farmhouse feel? Interior design trends are always changing but some styles are considered more timeless than others. While it’s usually wise to keep in mind the style of the exterior of your home, your builder can help you find the right compromise to integrate your personal style during your renovation.
Showers account for a significant portion of indoor water use. If you shorten your showers by just a few minutes a day, it will compound over time and you can save a lot of water and money.
Water your lawn and garden less often. Most lawns and gardens only need to be watered once or twice a week. Watering more often can be a waste of water and lead to runoff.
Include Energy Efficiency
Collect rainwater. Rainwater can be used to water your lawn and garden, wash your car, or even flush your toilet. There are a number of rainwater collection systems available, from simple barrels to more complex systems that can be integrated into your home’s plumbing.
The ongoing rise in energy costs make it a high priority for homeowners to seek out ways to cut back on their energy consumption and finding ways to do that during a renovation may be the easiest option. If you’re considering staying in your home long-term and are looking into installing solar panels on your roof, your builder can check the structure of your roof
In addition to these tips, there are a number of new water technologies that can help you save water. For example, smart irrigation systems can adjust your watering schedule based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels.
There are also smart leak detectors, which alert you if there are leaks early on before they cause damage. And lastly, atmospheric water generators are useful because they can produce water from the surrounding air, however, they can be quite costly.
and the health of your shingles beforehand to be sure heavy panels aren’t installed on an unsafe roof. A renovation is also a great time to investigate other energy sources and opt for a smart energy monitoring system to oversee your overall energy consumption and learn where your energy hogs actually are. Opened walls also offer your builder the perfect time to install more insulation and ensure that your HVAC is sufficient for the changes coming to your home design. Despite the cost of your renovation, the ongoing savings in energy use and costs will be a great boost to your finances and your property value.
By following these tips, you can make a big difference in your water consumption and help to conserve this precious resource. To learn more about the home building process in your area, contact your local home builders association.
Make Your Life Easier
Every day you realize that the outdated look of your home is
room for guests, and even a separate entertaining space to have options for both adults and kids. And a complete home automation system might be the finishing touch of luxury to make your house super functional and your life even easier.
If you enjoy entertaining your family and friends, your outdated home is probably not making those special occasions any easier or any more fun. A home renovation will give you the chance to really focus on how and where you want to entertain, and whether you want to concentrate on your interior spaces or consider a real indoor-outdoor feel with large glass doors leading to a beautiful patio. Removing walls to create an open floor plan in your aging home will give you lots of space to entertain groups, and large kitchen islands or a bar area with lounge seating offer special spots for conversation, and bringing the outdoors in to give easy access to the grill and extra seating will make for some special memories in your updated home.
when more people are in the equation and opening walls to accommodate a larger dining or kitchen table and gaining access to the kitchen will make mealtime a pleasure.
Love Your Home
No matter what renovation path you choose, whether it’s a full home renovation or changing up a room or two, the bottom line is that your home makes you happy. A comfortable and beautiful place to go at the end of the day is truly a sanctuary from the stressors of everyday living. While it is important to consider your property value, forcing yourself to choose the trendiest design, color, or feature will not create the home your investment should bring you. Enlist the help of your Home Builders Association pros to help you determine how to navigate the best choices with both your happiness and your finances in mind.
FANTASTIC FALL CURB APPEAL
Take Time for Your Trees
Don’t Forget Your Lawn
As beautiful as the fall foliage may look on your trees, piles of brown leaves on the lawn really detract from the appearance of your property. Regular raking will keep your leaves under control and keep your lawn looking neat. Fall is also a great time to aerate your lawn to ensure that water and nutrients will reach the roots of your turfgrass. And if you have any bare spots, the cooler temps will be your friend when planting grass seed. If you need help preparing your lawn for winter, contact your Home Builders Association pros for guidance.
Once your trees and shrubs begin to lose their leaves, it’s much easier to trim back dead branches or shape up whichever plantings can be safely trimmed in the fall. If you have questions about which trees and shrubs should be pruned back prior to winter, give your trusted Home Builders Association professional a call. And if you have any tree branches which may cause damage to your home when the wind starts blowing and snow starts falling this winter, call in the pros to safely cut them back.
Don’t get sad when your summer flowers go to seed. Now is the time to spruce things up for a fabulous fall. With a little easy cleanup and maintenance, you’ll be ready to decorate and embrace the amazing colors of the season!
Get After Your Gutters
Keeping the safety of your home in mind means ensuring that your gutters are clear to protect your home from water damage. Accumulating leaves are usually the culprits when it comes to clogged gutters, and they need to be cleared out to prevent ice damming over the winter months. Be sure to call in a professional if you’re uncomfortable climbing a ladder to access those hard-to-reach gutters.
Spruce Up Your Flower Beds
To really amp up your curb appeal, trim back your fading perennials, pull out the annuals which can’t tolerate the colder weather, and dig out any weeds which snuck their way into your flower beds. The fun begins when you add some fantastic fall colors with cold-tolerant plants like mums, asters, and flowering kale. And to really spruce things up, a fresh layer of mulch will give the perfect backdrop for your fall flowers!
Time to Decorate
You’ve set the stage for the fun of fall decorating! Adding more color to the entrance of your home not only amps up your curb appeal, but fall décor creates a welcoming atmosphere for your family and friends. It’s time to think pumpkins and gourds, whether they’re clustered on your porch or decorating the wreath on your front door. And to add to the fun, consider some fall-themed throw pillows and rugs to highlight your front porch along with potted mums in all the seasonal colors.
Touch Up Your Exterior
It’s key to be clean when you’re looking to boost your curb appeal. Fall is a great time of year for a good power wash of your siding and shutters to clear off any mold or grime that built up over the summer. Before it gets too cold out there, you may want to wash your windows both inside and out and
Shine a Light on Your Curb Appeal
As the days grow shorter, outdoor lighting will shine on all your fall curb appeal
How about a firepit?
Always a great spot to gather with friends and family, a firepit not only keeps you warm, but it’s also a great space to cook s’mores and create memories. For a fantastic fire pit that adds a real bump to both your comfort and your property value, contact your Home Builders Association pros for help.
Keep on grilling.
Making amazing food on the grill isn’t just for summertime. And if your grill is close enough to your outdoor seating, it will add even more heat while your guests wait for dinner. Think about including some hearty dishes for outdoor meals that include root vegetables and thicker cuts of meat!
GET COZY IN THE COOLER MONTHS!
Soak in a hot tub.
Include a heater.
This seems like a no-brainer since it’s a simple solution for lots of heat! There are many outdoor heater options to choose from and range from freestanding to wallmounted depending on your needs.
You’ll feel like you’re on vacation in your own yard as you bask in the heat of your own hot tub. Not only will the stress of the day melt away while you enjoy your spa, but a hot tub gives you the perfect place to spend time with your family and guests. The professionals in your Home Builders Association can help you plan just the right way to include a hot tub in your outdoor space to create a resort feel right outside your door.
Even if you dread the thought of winter, all that sunshine and fresh air will boost your mood during the cold months of late fall and winter.
Creating a cozy outdoor space may be just the answer to deal with winter this year and there are some easy ways to transition your property to keep you happy all year long.
Cover your deck or patio.
A cover can increase the time you spend outside, and it can hold in some heat while it protects your furniture and hot tub. You can laugh off some of that late fall or winter rain while you enjoy fresh air and fun under that patio cover.
Don’t forget the entertainment.
The perfect touch to your cozy winter outdoor space is a sound system or outdoor TV or movie screen. Imagine all the dance parties with the kids, enjoying some football games, or watching some great movies all while you’re warming up in your backyard.
Celebrate the seasons.
For true indoor-outdoor living, your outdoor space is the perfect place to decorate for the holidays and the winter season. Add lots of strings of lights, some big pots filled with greenery and ribbons, comfy cushions and throws in seasonal colors, and maybe even a decorated tree to bring everyone at your home a real feel of winter welcome.
Keep it neat. When the winter winds are blowing just a bit too much to spend more than a few minutes outside, you need a spot to store all those outdoor décor treasures that you just picked out so carefully. Think about including a large storage bin so you can stash your cushions and pillows to keep them safe from the weather. And if your furniture needs a safe spot too, it’s a great idea to include a small shed near your seating area to keep your tables and chairs from landing in the neighbors’ yard during a winter storm!
Spending time outdoors is definitely good for you, so keep it cozy this year and head outdoors for some great conversations, food, and relaxation this winter season!
HBA EVENTS
Open House and Nominations Event
November 7, 2024 at Redner’s Event Center (Reading Fightin Phils Stadium)
Home Run Builders & Trade Expo
March 14-16, 2025 at Redner’s Event Center
Reading Royals
Friday, March 28, 2025 –Coca-Cola Ice Box
Golf Event & Lobsterfest
Dates not yet determined. Look for more information next year in the weekly newsletter or on the website under events tab.
All Event Information & Registrations can be found on www.hbaberks.org under the ‘Event Registration Tab’
If your business is within the Berks County area, please consider joining the Home Builders Association of Berks County. Your membership dollars will help fight issues on all three levels: Local, State and Federal. Our members vary from Engineers to Lawyers, Accountants, Builders, Remodelers, Insurance Agencies, Bankers and more.
In order to offer members installment options and the ability to pay via the method of your choice (credit card, ACH, or check), we have joined NAHB’s Dues Hub program.
As a result, you may receive communications from a new software provider, Billhighway. You will also have the option to log in to their member portal to renew your membership and pay directly online. You may also be prompted to create an account before doing so.
Renew Your Membership: https://www.billhighway.com/login.
You may be required to activate an account first, and this can be done by clicking the link near the bottom of the page.
New Memberships:
https://join.billhighway.com/nahb/group/hbaberks
For more info: www.HBAberks.org or 610-777-8889.
Breyer Construction
CT Install America, LLC
D & S Portable Toilets, LLC
Eagle Construction & Remodeling, LLC
Ernest M Martin Excavating
Greater Reading Chamber
Guild Mortgage
Holland’s Electric, Inc
James A Turner Construction Company
Kieffer’s Appliances
M & M Mechanical LLC
Performance Systems Development
Reading-Berks Association of Realtors
Sal’s Landscaping Inc
Stubbs Insurance Associates Inc.
Suzy Rae Designs
21-30 years
A.D. Moyer Lumber Inc
Bachman’s Roofing, Building & Remodeling, Inc.
Blatt & Zaffary Electric Inc
European Builders, LTD
J & L Building Materials Inc
Martin Appliance & Water Conditioning
Martin’s Flooring
Omega Builders, Inc
RKL LLP
Security Service Company, Inc
UGI Utilities, Inc
31-40 years
Berks Surveying & Engineering, Inc
Hearthstone Homes, Inc
LA Kehres Building & Remodeling, Inc
LeRoy Schannauer Plumbing & Heating, Inc
Reading Box Co, Inc
Schlouch, Inc
41-50 years
Berks New Homes LLC
Reading Precast, Inc
OVER 50 years
SW Bauman Jr General Contractor, Inc
Affiliates
Beth Hahn – SAH, Inc
Brad Kehres – L A Kehres Building & Remodeling, Inc
Bruce Rader – Berks Surveying & Engineering, Inc
Heidi Masano – Masano Bradley, LLP
Maria Duncan – Viwinco
Nicholas Taylor – Viwinco
Beth Hahn – SA, Inc.
Thank You to 2024 Foundation Club Members. Call the HBA office at 610.777.8889 to learn how to become a member of the FOUNDATION CLUB.
Duane Bialek ABBI Co., Inc
Kert Sloan Aluminum Associates
Patrick Dolan Dolan Construction
Join the 2025 Foundation Club for $300 and be a supporter of our Berks County Committee for Affordable Housing. All Club Members get a free ticket to Lobsterfest and any other legislative event held throughout the year.
These members understand the important role legislation plays in their businesses and the importance of electing and supporting legislators who are sensitive to the issues affecting the building industry.
Associate Appreciation Month – A Note Of Thanks from PBA President Tom McCosby
September is Associate Appreciation Month at PBA, a time to recognize our associate members and show our great respect for their contribution to our association. I looked up the definition of associate and after weeding through the internet I found a definition I really liked. “An Associate is someone who is closely connected to another person as a companion, friend or business partner.” I liked this definition because it rises above a mere business partner and includes companion and friend. While we join PBA as businesspeople seeking to advance our industry, business, or career, we choose those we associate with and often become lifelong friends.
Our Associates come in many types and sizes, from subcontractors who share the mud with us, to suppliers who keep the products coming to keep the jobs moving, to realtors, lawyers and bankers who provide the expertise we don’t have to move us forward from purchase to sale. Each is a vital partner in the final product.
Subcontractors; these individuals are our daily companions, producing their portion of the final product then moving on to help another. They start on day one clearing the ground and prepping the excavation, turning the work over to another until the last shingle and cabinet is perfect. Few people have the time or experience to do it all, so we are ever thankful to our subcontractors.
Next, we think of our suppliers; they provide the products and services we need to complete not just one job but many. Whether they supply construction material, concrete, lumber, or laminate. Or some portion of the larger picture, such as advertising, tools, or equipment. We can’t forget what they do and why they do it, not just for income but to help build a better tomorrow.
Finally, we can’t forget our white-collar friends. They design what we build, provide us with our customers, the mortgages those customers need, and the legal expertise to prevent a simple misunderstanding from ending our dreams. Just as no one can do it all or know it all, we can’t forget those whose job it is to bring the new ideas, products, and training we all need to stay ahead of the Wolf (Shapiro?) at our door.
It’s clear PBA and all construction would be impossible without our associates. We owe them a debt we can never repay. Because builders are often type A pushers and workers, we may forget all of the things we don’t do, that our associates have to do. Be they great or small, Associates have value they add to our lives and homes, and for this we should all be truly grateful.
Tom McCosby 2024 PBA President
Want to make sure you are included in the Expo Guide register by January 31, 2025