NRVHBA PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVE
The New River Valley Home Builder Members Association, Inc.
October 6, 2010 - NRVHBA wins Virginia Building Code Officials Association Citizen’s Award
The New River Valley Home Builders Association, a professional trade organization dedicated to being the respected voice of the residential and commercial building industry, recently won the Virginia Building Code Officials Association Citizen’s Award. This award is given to a person, group, or organization for their support and efforts in the education of citizens of the importance of building codes throughout Virginia, and for going above and beyond to enhance citizen safety and awareness of the importance of building codes. The award was accepted in Virginia Beach on October 4 by First Vice President Shelia Stump.
August 5, 2010 - Reinventing Home for Empty Nesters
By Chris Pfohl, President, (Home Builders Association)
It’s official! You’ve dropped your youngest child off at college and are returning back to an empty nest. While it is can be bittersweet to see your child leave home in search of independence and adulthood, it can also be a joyous time for you now that you finally have the house all to yourself.
Your home was once centered around your family’s hectic schedule. Now that you are no longer spending time carpooling and helping with last minute science fair projects, it’s time to figure out how you want to change your home to reflect your new lifestyle and interests.
Click here for some ideas that might get your creative juices flowing. (DOC)
June 21, 2010 - NAHB Applauds EPA’S Decision to Delay Lead Paint Certification Enforcement
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to delay enforcement of the new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule will provide much-needed time to get more remodelers and other contractors trained – and for EPA to get the word out to consumers about the importance of hiring a certified remodeler, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
"EPA listened to our concerns and did the right thing," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
In revised guidance released on Friday, EPA acknowledged that remodelers in many parts of the country have been unable to obtain the required training to comply with the rule – a problem that NAHB has urged the agency to solve since the rule was announced two years ago.
The issue came to a head in May after floods devastated parts of Tennessee and there weren’t enough certified remodelers to complete much-needed home repairs. NAHB and its state home builders association proposed a delay in enforcing the rule -- a decision EPA consented to in its letter on Friday.
While remodelers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians and other contractors must adhere to lead-safe work practices, including special equipment filters and a ban on open flames, EPA will not take enforcement action against firms that have been unable to obtain certification until Oct. 1 of this year. Individual contractors must apply to enroll in a training class by Sept. 30 and complete the training by Dec. 31, 2010.
"This rule potentially affects about 79 million homeowners. That’s how many homes were built before 1978, when lead paint was banned," Jones said. "We need significantly more contractors certified than the 300,000 who have taken the training course, and we also need to make sure that affected homeowners understand the importance of hiring a certified contractor."
Homeowners can find a certified firm at http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm. Remodelers can contact the New River Valley Home Builders Association at 443-0090 or www.nrvhba.com to find Certified Renovator training sessions.
June3, 2010 - NRVHBA Moves to a New Office in Blacksburg
The New River Valley Home Builders Association, a professional trade organization dedicated to being the respected voice of the residential and commercial building industry, is proud to announce its new office at 103 Professional Park Drive, Blacksburg, inside the Chamber of Commerce building. Moving to a central location with a more professional office space are highlights of the move. In addition, being so close to the Chamber of Commerce will also allow for synergy with another organization which has compatible goals. The new phone number is 443-0090.
April 20, 2010 - "Better Building. Safer Homes." Campaign Raises the Profile
The New River Valley Home Builders Association (NRVHBA) in partnership with the Virginia Building & Code Officials, Region II (VBCOA) wins national award for building safety
CHRISTIANSBURG, VA. - The "Better Building. Safer Homes." Campaign received the International Code Council’s (ICC) 2010 Raising the Profile Award for outstanding commitment to building safety. This is the first time that a partnership between two organizations has been awarded this honor.
The award is given to an individual or organization whose acts or contributions have raised the public awareness of the work accomplished by code enforcement personnel to improve public safety in the built environment.
Launched in January 2010, the campaign is a joint venture by the Virginia Building & Code Officials Association (VBCOA) Region II chapter, and the New River Valley Home Builders Association (NRVHBA) to raise public awareness of the importance of building codes and building safety.
"The mission of the "Better Building. Safer Homes. " Campaign is to promote better construction practices and safer homes for all those who live in the New River Valley. "Cathy Cook, VBCOA Region II Chair said. "Our goal is to work together with citizens, contractors, and local government to ensure that our buildings and communities are as safe as possible. In a nutshell, we’re promoting better building and safer homes. "
The goal of the “Better Building. Safer Homes.” Campaign is to create a more informed general public when it comes building safety and protection from contractor fraud. Part of the campaign is the "Better Building. Safer Homes" blog at betterbuilding-saferhomes.blogspot.com. The blog provides Virginians with useful information on laws and regulations that ensure their safety during the building and construction process.
Through community outreach projects, such as free how-to clinics, the campaign educates the general public on issues involved in new construction, remodeling and home improvement, and how to locate professionals that can guide and protect them during the process. The campaign also focuses on educating local government and the building profession about building safety and codes, in order to protect people and their property.
"By partnering together, our two organizations can fill in the gaps for anyone who is building, remodeling or in the beginning stages of planning," Chris Pfohl, NRVHBA president said. "Together, we’re building homes that are safe, healthy and will grow in value."
Representatives for the "Better Building. Safer Homes." Campaign, Cathy Cook and Chris Pfohl, will accept the award at the ICC’s national reception in Washington D.C. on May 4.
About VBCOA:
The Virginia Building and Code Officials Association (VBCOA) is a statewide organization of building safety professionals dedicated to the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of all persons who live, work, or visit the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since 1929, we have worked to foster partnerships among all groups associated with the construction industry. By working together we can build better buildings and safer communities.
April 26, 2010 - Update Your Home Safely with a Certified Remodeler
by Chris Pfohl, President
New River Valley Home Builders Association
You’ve made the decision to finally remodel the outdated kitchen and living room of your home. But if you live in a house built before 1978, a new federal law regulating the removal of lead paint may affect your home remodeling project.
In 1978, the use of lead paint was officially banned from residential construction. Before that, however, lead paint was used in more than 38 million homes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
> Read more
March 10, 2010 - Christiansburg, VA - The New River Valley Home Builders Association, a professional trade organization dedicated to being the respected voice of the residential and commercial building industry, recently recognized new executive officers and outstanding members at its annual Inaugural Gala:
| 2010 NRVHBA Executive Officers | |
| President | Chris Pfohl, Rome Mechanical |
| 1st Vice President | Shelia Stump, SAS Builders, Inc. |
| 2nd Vice President | Jason Boyle, Green Valley Builders, Inc. |
| Associate Vice President | Wendy Morefield Swanson, Simon and Associates, Inc. |
| Treasurer | John Neel, Gay and Neel, Inc. |
| Secretary | Rob Simmons, Brown Insurance |
Builder of the Year: Builder members in good standing who has shown outstanding support of the association and/or community involvement and who is currently building or developing in the NRV.
Associate of the Year: Associate member in good standing who has shown outstanding support of the association and/or community involvement.
Design Excellence Award: Association member or firm who has designed a project in the NRV which has been built or under development in the past year.
| 2009 NRVHBA Awards | |
| Builder of the Year | SAS Builders, Inc. |
| Associate of the Year | Jeff Porter, 84 Lumber Company |
| Design Excellence | James Oliver, Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. |
| Association Service | Debbie Clay, NRV Loans |
| Committee Person of the Year | Shelia Stump, SAS Builders, Inc. |
| Community Service of the Year | Shelia Stump, SAS Builders, Inc. |
| Johnny Haynes Memorial Award | James Oliver, Highlander Construction & Development, Inc. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2010
For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer Cooper, Executive Assistant
540-381-0180
info@nrvhba.com
Christiansburg, VA - The 2010 Home Expo, sponsored by the New River Valley Home Builders Association, The Roanoke Times, and Christiansburg Parks and Recreation, has a limited number of booths still available for the show. The popular annual show, with over 100 vendors and 2,000 of visitors, is March 12-14, 2010, at the Christiansburg Recreation Center. Exhibitors can include both builders and vendors that serve contractors in some way, such as subcontractors, mortgage companies, landscapers, and even decorators. For more information on exhibiting at the Home Expo, visit the New River Valley Home Builders Association website located at www.nrvhba.comor call 381-0180.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2010
Heat Your Home Efficiently This Winter Season
By Chris Pfohl, President, New River Valley Home Builders Association
As temperatures drop this winter season, one thing inevitably rises — your home fueling costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), families spend on average $1,400 a year on home utility bills — with home heating and cooling making up 46 percent of the cost. With this winter’s forecast, ensuring your home is energy-wise is essential for your comfort and budget.
Here are some ways that you can keep the cold out and the costs down this winter:
Caulk and seal air leaks in your house. By reducing air leaks, an average household can cut 10 percent of their monthly energy bill. While sealing windows and doors can help, usually the worst culprits are utility cut-throughs for pipes (plumbing penetrations), unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets, and gaps around chimneys and recessed lights. Your local builder or remodeler can recommend an energy auditor to help spot the inefficiencies.
Check your insulation. The DOE recommends you check and replace insulation in your home if you:
The places to check include the attic, ceilings, exterior walls, basement walls and crawlspaces. When replacing insulation, look at the R-value of the product — the higher the R-value, the better. If you cannot afford to replace the insulation in all areas of your home, choose the attic as it is the most cost-effective. For attic insulation, make sure the R-value falls between 30 and 60.
- Have a home built before 1980
- Are uncomfortably cold in the winter
- Build an extension or new addition onto your home
- Pay high energy bills
Upgrade your thermostat. You can easily lower electricity bills by choosing to upgrade to a programmable thermostat, which automatically lowers the heat at night or when you are not home, which can save up to 10 percent on your annual heating bill.
Perform routine maintenance. Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month, or as indicated by the manufacturer. Make sure radiators, baseboard heaters and warm-air registers are clean of debris and are not being blocked by furniture or draperies.
As an added benefit, some energy-efficient improvements may qualify for a federal tax credit. Find more information about what qualifies at www.nahb.org/efficiencytaxcredit.
These are just the tip of the iceberg. For more tips on how to efficiently heat your home, as well as guidelines based on your type of home and climate, visit DOE’s Web site at www.energysavers.gov.
To find a builder or remodeler in your area that can help you with these upgrades, contact the New River Valley Home Builders Association at 381-0180 or visit our website at www.nrvhba.com.
