(August 8, 2022) –Builders Association of Northwestern PennsylvaniaandErie Promotions & Expos Inc.have joined forces for the 2023Erie Home & Garden Expobeing held at the Bayfront Convention Center, March 24-26, 2023. “Many of our members participate in both home shows,” stated Michele Bagnoni, Executive Director, Builders Association of NWPA.“With them already dealing with the strain of rising costs and labor shortages the collaboration just makes sense financially and logistically. Having to only pay one vendor fee, schedule one weekend of labor “outside” normal business hours and still have the same exposure to the community is a win-win for everyone.” For over 64 years the Builders Association has held their Home Show, first at Family First Sports Park and then most recently,at the Zem Zem Shrine Club in late February.Erie Promotions & Expos has held the Erie Home & Garden Expo, every March, for over 16 years at the Bayfront Convention Center. Both shows have been successful on their own but together will bring so much more to Erie. Erie Promotions will continue to produce and manage the Erie Home & Garden Expo, butwill introducespecial packages, discounts and benefits to the Builder Association members who will be participating in the Erie Home & Garden Expo. "Erie Promotions & Expos is very excited to collaborate with the Builders Association of Northwestern PA for our Erie Home & Garden Expo,” said Mark Concilla, President, Erie Promotion & Expos, Inc. “Both events have offered great opportunities for the small businesses and attendees in the Erie and regional marketplace and now with this new alliance we will be able to offer a combined event creating win-win opportunities for all, for years to come. " Builders Associationof northwestern Pennsylvania, chartered by the National Association of Home Builders in 1945,is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) supporting the building and related trades in Erie, Warren, and Crawford counties. The Builders Association of NWPAis dedicated to promoting quality craftsmanship through industry leadership, good business ethics and community involvement.
September 29th 4 - 6 p.m.
Heating Showcase with:
BUILDERS ASSOCIATION AND ERIE PROMOTIONS TO COLLABORATE IN 2023 to hold the Home & Garden Expo March 24-26 at the Bayfront Convention Center
Better Business Bureau and BANWPA Renew Partnership
Your Better Business Bureau of Western PA and the Builders Association of NWPA are pleased to announce the renewal of our reciprocal membership that has been in existence since 2014. With this renewal, we look to continue a partnership that combines our organizations’ resources to enhance and strengthen community impact in northwestern Pennsylvania. The mission of BBB is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust and our vision is a marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. These goals are accomplished by setting high standards and creating a community of trustworthy businesses, encouraging and supporting best business practices and providing education about substandard marketplace behavior. “Being that the BANWPA is dedicated to promoting quality craftsmanship through industry leadership, good business ethics and community involvement, BBB is thrilled to continue collaborating with an organization whose objectives align so closely with ours,” says Warren King, president of the Better Business Bureau of Western PA. BBB accreditation means that a company agrees to live up to our Standards for Trust, a comprehensive set of best practices for how businesses should treat the public in a fair and honest manner. The BBB Accredited Business seal has been recognized as a sign of trust for over 100 years and demonstrates that a company maintains a positive track record in the marketplace. With more than 10 million home improvement-related BBB Business Profile views annually, consumers continue to rely on BBB.org to find and research reputable, local companies. “We are always looking for ways to bring value added benefits to our members and we are delighted to continue our partnership with the BBB.For many of our members having the BBB accreditation elevates their reputation in the community because consumers know that not only do they measure up to the BA’s high standards but also those of the BBB,” said Michele Bagnoni, executive director of the Builders Association of NWPA. Like the BANWPA, BBB is a member-based, non-profit organization. BBB is supported locally by over 3,200 Accredited Businesses throughout Western PA, over 200 of which are based in the Erie region, and is 400,000 Accredited Businesses strong on an international basis. As a benefit of our continued partnership, BBB is offering alimited time $100 discount on first year BBB accreditation to all BANWPA members that qualify. This discount is renewable by members on their yearly anniversary. The deadline to apply for BBB accreditation and receive this discounted rate isDecember 31, 2022. Any existing BBB Accredited Businesses who are members of BANWPA and are not currently receiving the $100 discount are also eligible upon renewing their annual BBB accreditation by contacting BBB. For additional information and to participate in this special offer, contact877-267-5222 extension 126ormember@pittsburgh.bbb.org.
Learn more about the BBB member discount and all the other member benefits available both locally and nationally at www.banwpa.com.
NAHB Offers Cybersecurity Resources NAHB recently launched data privacy and cyber- security resources to educate members on the risks associated with the modern technology environment. Business owners need to be more proactive about identifying ways to protect their business and customer data from cyber threats. Developed with assistance from Philip R. Stein, Esq. of Bilzin Sumberg, the resources include a guide, Cybersecurity – What You Need to Know, a Cyber- security Assessment and Checklist and Sample Data Security Clauses for Vendor Contracts.
Make Plans to Attend Building Systems Summit Make plans to attend the Building Systems Housing Summit in Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 18-20, 2022. The summit is the premier conference dedicated to offsite construction and provides the opportunity to meet, learn from, and interact with prominent and influential members of the building systems industry. Top modular, panelized, concrete, log and timber home manufac- turers and builders will connect with suppliers from all over the country to network and participate in educational programs. OSHA to Emphasize Excavation Safety OSHA has announced that its inspectors and enforcement staff will "consider every available tool at the agency’s disposal” – including criminal referrals – to help stem a dramatic spike in deaths from trenching and excavation accidents. In the first half of this year, 22 workers have died in trenching accidents compared to just 15 in the entire year 2021. NAHB has a video toolbox talk builders can use to present to their workers and subcontractors, and additional resources in the NAHB Trenching and Excavation Toolkit.
Lumber Adds $14K to New Home Price Lumber prices have been volatile since April 2020, hitting record highs while also experiencing periods of substantial declines. Between April 2020 and July 2022, softwood lumber prices have increased enough to add $14,345 to the price of an average new single-family home, and $5,511 to the market value of an average new multifamily home, according to NAHB’s latest estimates. Based on July 1 Random Lengths prices, the costs have risen to $29,407 for the softwood lumber products in an average single-family home, and $10,734 for the products in an average multifamily home.
Apply Now for NAHB Awards NAHB Industry Awards are OPEN! Each year, NAHB recognizes the best of the best in our industry. Our prestigious awards celebrate, honor and recognize excellence. As an award winner, the spotlight shines on your business with year-long promotion. So, gather your photos and write descriptions of your stellar projects. Shout out your biggest accomplishments and get the recognition you deserve! Find the award program that’s right for your business and enter.
Confidence in Remodeling Market Falters in 2nd Quarter
Legal Victory in Connecticut A Connecticut court decision has resulted in a win for NAHB members in the state and a blow to NIMBY opposition. NAHB last year filed an amicus brief with the Connecticut Supreme Court in the case of International Investors v. Town Plan and Zoning Commission of the Town of Fair- field. The issue in the case was whether the Town of Fairfield legally extended the time for the developer, Fairfield Commons, to complete the project. The court ruled for Fairfield Commons. It found that special permits and site plans are bound together. A town cannot condition a special permit with a due date before the statutory due date provided for site plans. The ruling maintains pre- dictability for development in the state. Connecticut.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the second quarter, posting a reading of 77, a 10-point decline compared to the second quarter of 2021. The NAHB/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as good than poor. The Current Conditions Index is an average of three components: the current market for large remodeling projects, moderately-sized projects and small projects. The Future Indicators Index (see above) is an average of two components: the current backlog of remodeling projects and the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in.
FHA Extends Appraisal Validity The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently published revised appraisal validity guidance that extends the initial appraisal validity period from 120 days to 180 days and the appraisal update validity period from 240 days to one year for Single Family Title II mortgage programs. The appraisal validity period establishes the maximum time an appraisal report may be used for an FHA-insured mortgage. These changes align FHA appraisal validity periods with industry practices, making it easier for lenders to manage appraisal validity while potentially reducing appraisal costs for mortgagees and ultimately, borrowers seeking FHA-insured mortgage financing. The guidance applies to case numbers assigned on or after June 1, 2022.
Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling Has Broad Implications
The Supreme Court’s recent decision in the case of West Virginia et al v. EPA et al could have a significant impact on federal agencies’ ability to expand regulations beyond the authority granted by Congress. The court voted 6-3 to restrict the ability of the EPA to regulate carbon emissions. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the EPA exceeded the authority of the Clean Air Act when it promulgated the Clean Power Plan (CPP) during the Obama administration. The decision's main relevance for NAHB is its discussion of an administrative law principle, the "major questions doctrine." The major questions doctrine holds that unless Congress clearly states its intent for a federal agency to exercise its authority to regulate an issue, courts must reject the agency's approach. The EPA will not be able to establish a similar rule affecting NAHB members through demand-side efficiency requirements. The Court's application of the major questions doctrine in this case will help NAHB and its advocacy on behalf of members in cases where an agency attempts to create new regulatory programs that depart significantly from statute.