Quinn Satterfield, Inc. Takes Over Leadership of Allegheny

Allegheny LLC, an upscale, gated development situated off Jonesville Road in Simpsonville, announced new leadership with Rick Quinn, member of the HBA of Greenville Board of Directors and 2008 Builder of the Year, and Joe Satterfield, both of Quinn Satterfield, Inc. as its managing partners.

Brandon Eich, former president of Ike Construction, Inc. was the managing partner. Ike Construction filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in August. He is no longer a partner in the project.

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NAHB Predicts "Great Recession" has Ended

The contraction in economic output (real GDP) slowed considerably in the second quarter and available data point toward resumption of positive growth in the third quarter of this year. It is now likely that the official end to the "Great Recession" lies somewhere within the quarter that just ended, although the decision about exact timing won't be announced for some time.

The housing production component of GDP, residential fixed investment (RFI), is part of the imminent swing from negative to positive economic growth, thanks partly to the temporary $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers. The troughs in home sales and housing starts occurred in the first quarter, and RFI should make a positive contribution to GDP growth in the third quarter of the year.

Subscribers to NAHB Economics Reports can read the entire report by clicking here.

Where Do My Dues Dollars Go?

Where do my dues dollars go? And what am I getting for what I pay? These questions are most often asked by new members and representatives and often by members who have not participated in the association for several years - until, a dues increase occurs or your membership is up for renewal. Suddenly, the association is asked to prove itself. Once proven, the member usually discovers that the services provided, either directly or indirectly, are of higher value than the actual amount of the total dues. Let's take a look at the Home Builders Association of Greenville dues and what services are provided. The total dues that the HBA of Greenville currently invoices are $505 for Builder and Associate members and $90 for Affiliate members. It is important to know and remember that the amounts are split between three different associations (HBA of Greenville, HBA of South Carolina, and National Association of Home Builders) plus South Carolina Builders PAC.



Let's first take a look at the $150 that is sent to NAHB. The HBA of Greenville is affiliated with NAHB. When you join our local association, you also join NAHB. That membership entitles you to everything from discounts on car rentals, hotels and office supplies to mobile phones, shipping, computers and other services. Your NAHB dues also support the University of Housing, which provides training and certification programs through our local association. One of the most significant services your dues support at the national level is representation on behalf of members at our nation's Capitol. Promoting legislation that is favorable to Home Builders is something that must be done. No member can afford to do it alone at the national level, and the industry can not afford to be without that representation.

Next is the $90 that we forward to the Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBASC) on your behalf. At the state level, your dues support representation in the legislature, as well as various offices within state government. From building codes, to land use, to environmental and energy standards, taxes, property rights and job site safety, HBASC is working on your behalf in Columbia representing you. You can not find anyone willing to monitor the hundreds of proposed regulatory and legislative changes that our occuring for $90 a year.

The funds you pay to the S.C. Builders PAC are discretionary. You can choose not to pay that portion of your dues without recourse against you or any loss of benefit of membership in the home builders association. However, when you do pay that amount, you are doing your fair share to help the association's government affairs program to elect people who will represent your industry's interests in Congress, the State House, and at Town Hall.

Finally, there is the amount that stays here in Greenville. Your dues fund all of the programs your Home Builders Association of Greenville implements to meet your professional needs from government affairs to education programs to networking meetings to keeping you informed about what is happening in your industry. A professional staff is retained to carry you that work and implement the policies of the association.

Together the three Associations (local, state and national) form one of the nation's largest and strongest trade organizations that benefit an industry of such fundamental importance. Our associations comprise the only organization working around the clock exclusively in the interest of the residential building industry.

Where Do My Dues Dollars Go?

Where do my dues dollars go? And what am I getting for what I pay?

These questions are most often asked by new members and members who have not been active in the association until a dues increase occurs or your membership is up for renewal. That is when the association is asked to prove itself. Once proven, the member usually discovers that the services provided, either directly or indirectly, are of higher value than the actual amount of the total dues.

Let’s take a look at the Home Builders Association of Greenville dues and what services are provided. The total dues that the HBA of Greenville currently invoices is $505 for Builder and Associate members and $90 for Affiliate members. It is important to know that these amounts are split four ways:

• NAHB: Builders and Associates—$150
• NAHB: Affiliates—$5
• HBA of South Carolina: Builders and Associates—$90.00
• HBA of South Carolina: Affiliates—$10.00
• HBA of Greenville: Builders and Associates—$250.00
• HBA of Greenville: Affiliates—$60.00
• S.C. Builders PAC: Builders, Associate, and Affiliates—$15.00

Let’s first take a look at the $150 that is sent to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The HBA of Greenville is affiliated with NAHB. When you join our local Association, you also join NAHB. That membership entitles you to everything from discounts on car rentals, hotels, and office supplies to mobile phones, shipping, computers and other services. Your NAHB dues also support the University of Housing, which provides training and certification programs through our local association. One of the most significant services your dues support at the national level is representation on behalf of members at our nation’s Capitol. Promoting legislation that is favorable to Home Builders is something that must be done. No member can afford to do it alone at the national level, and the industry can not afford to be without that representation.

Next is the $90 that we forward to the Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBASC) on your behalf. At the state level, your dues support representation in the legislature, as well as various offices within state government. From building codes, to land use, to environmental and energy standards, taxes, property rights and job site safety, HBASC is working on your behalf in Columbia representing you. You can not find anyone willing to monitor the hundreds of proposed regulatory and legislative changes that are occurring for $90.00 a year.

The funds you pay to the S.C. Builders PAC are discretionary. You can choose not to pay that portion of your dues without recourse against you or any loss of benefit of membership in the home builders association. However, when you do pay that amount, you are doing your fair share to help the association’s government affairs program to elect people who will represent your industry’s interests in Congress, the State House, and at County Square.

Finally, there is the amount that stays here in Greenville. Your dues fund all of the programs your Home Builders Association of Greenville implements to meet your professional needs from government affairs to education programs to networking meetings to keeping you informed about what is happening in your industry. A professional staff is retained to manage your Association and carry out that work and implement the policies of the Association

Together the three Associations (local, state and national) form one of the nation’s largest and strongest trade organizations that benefit an industry of such fundamental importance. Our Associations comprise the only organization working around the clock exclusively in the interest of the residential home building and land development industry.

Legislative Committee Hears Report on Plans for Regional Sewer

The Legislative Committee met yesterday with Ray Orvin, Executive Director of Renewable Water Resources (ReWa), the governmental entity that treats sewage in Greenville, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties.

Orvin reviewed ReWa's new 20-year strategic plan that was developed by a group of interested citizens called Upstate Roundtable.

Among the issues on which Orvin reported is the ongoing consolidation of sewer treatment plants. Orvin stated that in the last 20 years ReWa has reduced the number of treatment plants in its system from 27 to 8. All 8 are modern facilities that have minimized the impact that sewer has on the environment. He reported that a part of the strategy for the future is to recycle and reuse the treatment effluent. The ultimate goal is to stop discharging completely into our local waters.

Orvin also reported on the relationship with the various subdistricts, which collect sewer and transport it to ReWa. He announced that one of the subdistricts, Slater, will be merging with another subdistrict, Metro, in 2010.

The association was involved in the development of the ReWa strategic plan. Participants from the HBA included Gale Crawford, Past President, Graham Proffitt, Past President, Drew Norwood, J.D. Martin, and Michael Dey, Executive Vice President. Please thank them for volunteering.

HBA of South Carolina and Charleston Jointly Sue Dorchester School District Over Impact Fee

The Home Builders Association of South Carolina and the Charleston-Trident Home Builders Association have initiated legal action against Dorchester County School District 2 challenging an impact fee resulting from special legislation adopted by the General Assembly in 2009. Both associations allege that the special law, and the fee, are in violation of the Constitution of the State of South Carolina.

In 2009 the General Assembly adopted special legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Rose allowing Dorchester County School District 2 to impose a $2,500 impact fee on new homes. “We believe this violates the constitution because it gives only one school district the authority to collect the tax,” Phillip Ford, Executive Vice President of the Charleston-Trident Home Builders Association, said.

“The state’s constitution is very clear in prohibiting special legislation that applies to only one county, city, or school district,” Ford said. “It is unfortunate that we have to take this action, but it is important that all South Carolinians challenge their government when they believe their government has made a mistake,” Ford said. “We believe it is important to insure that our public schools have adequate funding to meet their needs and mandates, but we also believe that those funds should come to them from legal sources.”

“Regardless of the schools need for funding, our constitution protects citizens from this type of special legislation when a general law provides guidance for the state as a whole,” said Mark Nix, Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina.

The lawsuit will be filed on September 29 in Dorchester County Court of Common Pleas.

Claims Cost you More When your Workers Comp Premiums Are Lower

A major factor in underwriting of Workers Compensation insurance is loss ratio, defined as losses divided by premiums. Not long ago a loss of $10,000 by one contractor paying $20,000 a year in premiums would generate a loss ration of 50 percent. However, in today's economy of smaller payrolls that same $10,000 loss, coupled with an annual premium of $10,000, would generate a loss ratio of 100 percent and make that contractor a much less attractive risk to an underwriter.

In order to protect yourself from unwanted premium increases, or the dreaded cancellation notice, loss management and aggressive safety programs are a must.

Don’t cut back on your safety program. Time and money spent on loss control now will generate a better return than it did when your premiums were much higher. To make sure your safety program is up to the task, contact the Loss Control Department at the S.C. Home Builders Insurance Self Insurance Fund (SCHBSIF) by calling 800-678-8178.

Did you know that builder members of the Home Builders Association of Greenville have exclusive access to workers comp insurance with SCHBSIF? Take advantage of all of the benefits of membership by visiting http://www.hbaofgreenville.com/page/advantage.

New Lead Paint Rules for Remodelers

Remodelers and builders who do renovation or remodeling projects in homes built before 1978 must soon comply with new lead paint safety requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Any company doing work in these homes must be certified, follow specific work practices and keep detailed records. At least one employee in these companies must be trained in these new requirements by April 2010. See http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102723640849&s=1027&e=001FN7zVibcm1ubMoFqW_6oxOy26oTzwL68DFOnmz_gO8khTPi7AtBgosYPOb_91Uf0G8aRz_uFI8cEP6MO6-TDvDCjpg_6jpUgZwBUtRUsZp64VdkGwiIjnA== for more information.