Member News Archive

Past News for NRVHBA Members

Blacksburg Community Named Finalist for Sustainable Development Award
Mt. Tabor Meadows Commons is a Finalist for 2010 Vision Awards from Urban Land Institute November 16, 2010 – Mt. Tabor Meadows is one of three project finalists for the 2010 Vision Awards Sustainable Development recognition from the Richmond district of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The 2010 Vision Awards recognize local firms, localities and people for their contribution to excellence in design and innovative development practices which promote the responsible use of land and for leadership in creating thriving and sustaining development in our community. Projects must exemplify use of sustainable or renewable features; specifically Mt. Tabor Meadows is a sustainable residential community that contains EarthCraft, LEED for Homes, ENERGY STAR and EPA Indoor airPLUS homes.



“Every home in our community is built using green building standards to meet EarthCraft and ENERGY STAR certifications,” said Justin Boyle, builder and developer for Mt. Tabor Meadows. “What that means for you is a quality, well-built home that is healthy, comfortable, reduces utility bills and protects the environment.” ULI is a national organization providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Winners will be announced at the ULI Vision Awards Reception at Richmond CenterStage on December 1, 2010. - Green Valley Builders
> Read the full press realease (PDF)


HERS Rating Lowest Yet for Shelter Alternatives, Inc.
November 8, 2010 – Local design build team Shelter Alternatives, Inc. recently received notice from the certification agency EarthCraft Virginia that a new home Shelter built in Floyd this year received an energy rating 61% lower than required by current energy code. The 1.5 story custom brick home, designed and planned in partnership with the owners and local architect Melissa Obiso, reached a new level of efficiency for the company, showing that properly applied building science principles translate to lower energy bills and greater comfort for homeowners.
> Read the full press realease (PDF)


National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 24-30: The Town of Blacksburg teams up with a local remodeler to increase awareness during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
October 19, 2010 – Every year, millions of children are exposed to dangerous amounts of lead, which if ingested or inhaled, can lead to serious developmental problems. Major sources of lead exposure among U.S. children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in residential homes. Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable. To increase awareness of lead poisoning prevention, Blue Ridge Home Improvement (BRHI), a Blacksburg remodeler and leader in the industry for over 30 years, is teaming up with the Town of Blacksburg along with the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 24–30.
> Read the full press realease (PDF)


National Aging-in-Place Week is October 11-15: A local remodeler helps aging home owners improve their homes accessibility
October 14, 2010 – Remodelers trained as Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) can help home owners adapt their home for easier accessibility and improved functionality, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). During Aging-in-Place Week, October 11-15, Blue Ridge Home Improvement (BRHI), a Blacksburg remodeler, is helping home owners learn more about the benefits of remodeling their home to meet their changing needs.
> Read the full press realease (PDF)


What’s This New Lead Paint Rule? Blue Ridge Home Improvement helps to educate the public about the EPA’s new federal Renovate, Repair & Painting (RRP) Rule
September 28, 2010 – Every year millions of children are exposed to dangerous amounts of lead, which if ingested or inhaled, can lead to serious developmental problems. Major sources of lead exposure among U.S. children are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust found in residential housing.

Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable. That’s why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a new federal rule to help renovators contain hazardous lead dust. The new rule requires anyone who disturbs lead paint in homes built before 1978 to acquire training and certification for lead-safe work practices.

But what does the new EPA rule mean for homeowners? Blue Ridge Home Improvement in Blacksburg is helping to answer that question. As a leader in the remodeling industry for over 30 years and the first remodeling company in the New River Valley to have undergone the necessary training to become EPA Lead-Safe Certified, President and Remodeling Consultant Tim Lawrence, CAPS, CGR, GMB knows a thing or two about risks and prevention of lead paint exposure and had this to say about the new rule.
> Read the full press realease (PDF)


Simon & Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce that we have recently received certification as a “qualified HUBZone small business concern” by the U.S. Small Business Administration (Certification number 39846).
August 25, 2010 – This is in addition to having received Small Business certification through the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) (SWaM Certification number 010796). Simon & Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned, full-service environmental consulting and contracting firm located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Simon & Associates, Inc. has been providing innovative and cost effective services to clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region since 1986.


Local builder encourages other businesses to join in helping BHS and BMS in re-establishing their learning environments by contributing to the PTAs.
August 23, 2010 – Shelter Alternatives, Inc. and their subsidiary company, Energy Check, have made donations to the Parent Teacher Associations assist the schoolteachers in moving BMS to the old CMS, and converting the BMS campus to BHS.
> Read the full press realease (PDF)


Local Builder Selected to Participate in a Study of Safety & Sustainability
July 28, 2010 – Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. (HCD) participated in a joint study conducted by the Center for Applied Behavior Systems at Virginia Tech and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. HCD was one of 10 builders throughout Virginia asked to participate in a joint study conducted by the Center for Applied Behavior Systems at Virginia Tech and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The purpose of the project is to conduct research on the environmental sustainability and occupational health and safety activities of small construction businesses.
> Read the full press realease (PDF)


USGBC Awards Local Blacksburg LEED® Silver Certification
July 16, 2010 – Blacksburg - Today, Green Valley Builders was awarded LEED Silver certification by USGBC for achievement in green homebuilding and design. LEED for Homes is a green home certification program that rewards homes that are designed and built to be energyand resource-efficient and more healthy and durable for the occupants. LEED-certified homes complete a technically rigorous process that often includes a home energy (HERS) rating and onsite inspections to verify that the home is built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier place to live.

> Read the full press release (PDF)


Shelter Alternatives, Inc. Named Best Green Business by Virginia Sustainable Building Network
July 12, 2010 – Blacksburg - Local design and build team Shelter Alternatives, Inc. recently travelled to the 2010 Virginia Green Innovation Awards presented by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network, where they received recognition as the Best Green Business. Ed Tuchler, president and owner of Shelter Alternatives, Inc. and past NRVHBA president, accepted the “Best Green Business” award as Virginia Sustainable Building Network celebrated their 15th Anniversary of promoting environmentally sound building practices at the University of Richmond Jepson Alumni center on June 29, 2010. The award acknowledges Shelter Alternatives’ long term commitment to sustainability as custom home builders, and applauds recent efforts to adapt to changing markets with the creation of a new business, Energy Check, which provides home performance testing and energy retrofit contracting services.

> View photos
> Download the full press release (doc)


Cocktail Party & Exclusive Tour of the Homes on Piedmont Street
Thursday, June 10, 2010 – BLACKSBURG, Va. - Highlander Construction is hosting an exclusive reception and special tour of the Piedmont Street houses for the Up on the Roof social network. LIVE MUSIC, FOOD & BEVERAGES PROVIDED!
404-3 Piedmont Street, Blacksburg


Saturday, June 5, 2010 – BLACKSBURG, Va. – Issues Related to New Construction FREE Educational Seminar Presented by Jamie Oliver, President, Highlander Construction & Development & Kerry Gillispie, Associate Broker, Long & Foster Realtors. From mortgage interest rates to new tax credits, there has never been a better to build the home of your dreams. Whether you've picked out a plan or just investigating the long-term benefits of taking advantage of current resources, you have questions about how to get started.

Our FREE seminar will walk you through the answers and help you understand the issues related to new construction including:

• Buying versus Renting; Building versus Buying
• Initial steps and lot selection
• How to select a builder/contractor
• Factors affecting cost

Additional Featured Speakers Include:
Cathy Cook - Building Official, Town of Blacksburg.
Will speak on the criteria for selecting a builder.

Debbie Clay - Mortgage Broker, West Star Mortgage.
Will speak on the process of acquiring construction and permanent loans as well as current mortgage rates.

Dustin Derrick - President, Evergreen Insulation.
Will speak on energy efficiency and air quality measures in new homes.

Courtyard Marriott, Blacksburg
105 Southpark Drive, Blacksburg, VA


April 23, 2010 – BLACKSBURG, Va. – Snyder & Associates is celebrating its 25th year in business. The Blacksburg based General contractor was started by Georgia Anne Snyder-Falkinham in 1985. The company initially focused on residential development, but now specializes in new & remodeled commercial construction. Also, there is a waterproofing and excavation division.
> Read the story.


April 9, 2010 – BLACKSBURG, Va. – Blue Ridge Home Improvement of Blacksburg has been named the April 2010 “Remodeler of the Month” by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
> Read the story.


March 11, 2010 – BLACKSBURG, Va. – Congratulations, Tim Lawrence! You have been selected as the 2010 April Remodeler of the Month.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers received a number of fine entries for consideration. We applaud your quality work, customer service, community involvement, and dedication to the industry.

As the April Remodeler of the Month you will be spotlighted in the April edition of Qualified Remodeler magazine. You will also be highlighted on NAHB’s website so that your peers will be aware of your accomplishment. We hope that the additional promotion of your excellence will be fruitful for you and your business, Blue Ridge Home Improvement (BRHI).