Reduce Liability with Online Risk Management Course

Many builders find liability insurance to be scarce, expensive and restrictive. In this environment, builders must use comprehensive risk management strategies to reduce construction risks and other exposures.

The Risk Management and Insurance for Building Professionals live online course will help companies understand and apply fundamental risk management and insurance concepts. It takes place over three consecutive Tuesdays: Nov. 1, 8 and 15, from 1-3 p.m. ET.

Participants in this course will learn how to:

• Grasp and apply insurance terminology to their businesses
• Use non-insurance risk management strategies
• Recognize the basics of the types of insurance coverage needed
• Structure company insurance and risk management programs with help from brokers and counsel

Registration is open until 3 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 31. Home Builders Association of Greenville members save $100 off the $299 price.

Free Webinar: Where to Focus Your Marketing Dollars in 2017

Builders Digital Experience (BDX) presents a free webinar, Budgeting for Builders: Where to Focus Your Marketing Dollars in 2017. Kevin Oakley from Do You Convert will be presenting his strategies and ideas during this webinar on October 11, from 2-3 EST. Learn more and register here.

Building Systems Councils 31st Annual Conference to Be September 22-23

The National Association of Home Builders Building Systems Council will hold its 31st annual conference in Asheville, NC from Septmeber 22-23, 2016.

The Building Systems Housing Summit describes itself as:

Improved quality control, maximized energy performance and greater home affordability - these are just a few of the benefits of using systems to build or remodel your next home!

Attend the Building Systems Housing Summit this fall in scenic Asheville, N.C. to learn how integrating modular, panelized, concrete, log or timber frame construction into your building process will help you maximize your business' potential!

Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to network with knowledgeable systems builders and address the topics that concern you most in today's market. Register today and join us on September 22! Brought to you by the National Association of Home Builders Building Systems Councils. To learn more and to register, visit nahb.org/Summit.

Early Registration Deadline

July 28

Registration Deadline

September 9

Hotel Deadline

August 24

PWB Education Event: Deb Sofield's Rules for the Road

The Professional Women in Building Council will host nationally renowned speaker Deb Sofield for an unforgettable education event on July 22nd. Join us for networking, education, and breakfast as we learn the secrets to becoming a better speaker from the master herself. Deb’s “15 Rules for the Road” will help you become more confident, persuasive, and powerful in any situation.

July 22, 2016

8 - 10:30 a.m.

Progress Lighting

Free for PWB members
$29 HBA members, $49 nonmembers

Please RSVP here before July 15th to reserve your spot. Space is limited!

2015 National Green Building Standard Available Now for Free

Green builders, remodelers, developers and verifiers have all heard the news: The ICC/ASHRAE 700-2015 National Green Building Standard™ has been approved by the American National Standards Institute.

But maybe you haven’t heard the equally great news: The standard can be downloaded as a PDF from the National Association of Home Builders BuilderBooks site. And it’s absolutely free.

If you aren’t familiar with how it works, the standard is a green building rating system that assigns points for green and sustainable building practices in the areas of water, resource and energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, lot and site development and home owner education. To be certified, builders, residential developers and remodelers must meet certain thresholds across all categories to meet the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or ultra-green Emerald levels of certification.

What’s new in the 2015 edition? Improvements and more stringent rating levels in the energy efficiency section, changes that reflect new stormwater management practices, an expanded universal design section and more. You can get the details in this Home Innovation Research Labs press release. Home Innovation trains and accredits the verifiers that builders hire to certify their green projects.

Visit builderbooks.com/ngbs to download your free e-book.

Diversity in Design & Construction

Friends of the Home Builders Association, Women in Architecture, would like to invite all those interested to a Diversity in Design & Construction event, with guest speaker Dr. Kinneil Coltman, the Chief Diversity Officer at Greenville Hospital System. The event will be held at the GBS Showroom (103 Old Mill Road, Greenville, SC 29607) on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP by May 5 here.

Building Science Seminar 12/09/15

Join Prime Energy Group as they host a luncheon on December 9, 2015 at the Old Cigar Warehouse. Registration is free and includes lunch, door prizes, and the chance to hear several excellent speakers. This event is being presented by one of our Home Builders Association members, Prime Energy Group. Register today to learn about the benefits of spray foam and other energy programs.

MORE from IBS: Explore Buyer Preferences and Sales Success

In the last five years there has been a dramatic shift in what customers expect from their home shopping experience. That is why it is so important that your online and onsite sales programs work hand-in-hand. If you’re interested in learning more about how to do this, the 2016 International Builders’ Show is your one-stop-shop for all things sales and marketing.

This year, the show is offering several in-depth, three-hour intensive education sessions that dig deep into specific sales and marketing niches. For example, the session From Online to Onsite: Mapping Out Sales Success in 2016 & Beyond 

provides insight on how to build a sales machine that is 300% more effective when sales and marketing roles are united. During this session, participants get an in-depth look at the strategies used to build cohesive online and onsite programs. They’ll also learn how to create a structured online sales program that results in higher prospect engagement and increased appointments.

Another key session, Who (Really) Are Your Buyers? Leveraging Demographics & Personalities to Deliver What Buyers Crave, provides a deeper understanding of consumer science in home buying. Because no two people are exactly alike — we all act, think and communicate in unique ways — it can be a challenge when it comes to making a sale. This session gives builders key insight into consumer behavior and how that translates into more sales.

Don’t miss out on these opportunities to discover how to take your sales to an entirely new level. A real understanding of the people who will be living in your homes, can make a significant difference in your business.

IBS Has Exciting Opportunities for Young Professionals

The NAHB's International Builders' Show (IBS) is coming to Las Vegas in January, so buy your tickets today! If you are a Young Professional who is unsure of what benefit IBS will have for you, read on to see the opportunities at this year's show.

As the number of young professionals attending the Builders’ Show continues to grow, so does the education and events specially tailored to give up-and-coming industry professionals the tools they need to refine their skills, make new connections and have some fun!

Innovative Education
Explore cutting-edge innovations in technology, building materials, products and even financing through an exciting contemporary learning format in the NEW Innovation Hub. Attendees will also become the innovative resource behind developing topics being discussed in some “crowdsourced” sessions. Several sessions on various topics will be held inside the Innovation Hub during the three days of the show.

Residential Construction Management Competition
This competition is one of the highlights of the Builders’ Show and gives students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom via the completion of a management project/proposal to a real construction company.
Proposals are submitted to a group of construction company executives who act as judges and students will defend their proposals to the judges in front of an audience. This is a great opportunity to watch students display their knowledge and skills. The competition takes place Monday and Tuesday, with the awards ceremony from 5-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan 20.

Under-40 Panel Discussion & Mixer
Professional Builder magazine editors will lead a sure-to-be-lively panel discussion featuring some of the industry’s under-40 rising stars. During this session, the panel will reveal some of their challenges and accomplishments, as well as their thoughts about how the industry can attract more young people. Grab a beer and listen to the panel on Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 3:45-5 p.m.

Young Professionals After-Hours Party
One of the best ways to grow professionally is by meeting and networking with other industry professionals. The under-40 crowd will come together to enjoy incredible entertainment, an open bar and late night munchies, at the Foxtail Nightclub in SLS Las Vegas – one of the hottest new hotels on the strip — from 8-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Get complete descriptions and see additional young professional opportunities at IBS.

DHEC is Offering Residential Radon Measurement Training

September 28-29, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Spartanburg Community College

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will offer a two-day course on measuring radon in residential buildings.  The cost of the class is between $210 and $285 depending on whether you are seeking certification in South Carolina or multiple states.  The price includes the exam.  The course prepares you for the National Radon Proficiency Program and the National Radon Safety Board radon measurement certification exam.  You must pass an exam to be certified to measure radon in a home.  For more information and to register, click here.

SMC Education panel event- Constructing the Builder/ Realtor Relationship on January 15th - cancelled.

Please note that the SMC Education Panel Event- Constructing the Builder/ Realtor Relationship, sponsored and hosted by Jeff Lynch Appliance and TV Center on January 15th at 8:30 a.m. has been cancelled. This event will be rescheduled for later in the 2015 year.
We look forward to this event so please stay tuned for more details in 2015.

This WEEK! Greenville Tech Open House Luncheon for HBA Members

Mark your calendar now for November 19, 11:30 a.m.  Greenville Tech's Building Construction Technology Division will host an Open House for HBA members.

This will be an opportunity for HBA members, who are interested in hiring trained employees, to learn about the programs and curriculum at Greenville Tech and meet the faculty and staff.  You also will have the opportunity to meet students, your future employees.  Lunch will be served.

UPDATE: The luncheon will be held in Building 106C (Carpentry/Masonry/Plumbing) of Greenville Tech's Main Campus, 506 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC 29607.

Please RSVP to the HBA Office by calling 864-254-0133, email info@hbaofgreenville.com, or register online by clicking here.

BAR, PREP Now Available Online

Builders who want to earn the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) educational designation and remodelers seeking to complete the requirements for the Certified Graduate Remodeler (GGR) designation have traditionally sat for the Builder Assessment Review (BAR) or theProfessional Remodeler Experience Profile(PREP) to determine what courses they need to complete.

Now, these industry professionals can complete these assessments online: at a lower cost and with a quicker turnaround time.

While builders and remodelers had often enjoyed the networking opportunities that are part and parcel of the BAR and PREP, the logistics were too daunting for too many potential candidates: Travel costs and time away from work add up and prevented these professionals from benefiting from these advanced designations.

The new online assessment tools remove those barriers – and add incentives, including:

• A significantly shorter results turnaround time: 24 hours instead of the current 4-6 weeks.
• Lower cost: NAHB members can take either the BAR or the PREP for $95 – less than half what the in-person class cost.

Students have the option to take the BAR and PREP online or in person through Dec. 31. However, only the online version of these assessments will be available to students next year, effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Earn your CGP designation and set yourself apart from the rest!

The Charleston Home Builders Association is offering two educational courses in October that when completed will allow HBA members to earn the Certified Green Professional Designation (CGP). Andy Barber, CGP, will teach both courses. A brief overview of each course is below. Click here to learn more and register for these classes at CharlestonHBA.com.  Both courses will be taught in Charleston, SC.

Business Management for Building Professionals - October 9, 2013
Learn the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. This course will give you a solid foundation for managing small- to medium-size building/remodeling and service companies. This course explains critical elements from planning to evaluating progress and presents practical tips and tools for managing a business successfully. You will get a solid grasp of business best practices and practical tools of value whether you are a new or experienced business owner.

Green Building for Building Professionals - October 10, 11, 2013
Implementing cost-effective green building into your construction practices begins with up-front planning that examines the whole house and the building science behind it. In this two-day course, you will learn how to apply the ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard™ in the construction of a new home, remodel, site development or multifamily project. With a focus on flexibility and a sound knowledge base, the course provides the tools for a successful green project.

Whether you are trying to earn your designation or just need continuing education credits, these classes are for you!

NAHB: Top 12 Accomplishments 2012, Number 10: Webinars

Builder Review Daily is highlighting the top 12 actions taken on behalf of Home Builders so far this Spring.

Accomplishment number 10: Production of a Wide Variety of Educational Webinars that Have Given our Members Access to Top Industry Experts and Advice

NAHB has produced 20 educational webinars and has 15 more informative offerings to come in 2012. NAHB webinars offer expert discussion on industry issues, trends and best practices, and give our members access to top industry experts.

Designed to meet the needs of a broad range of participants, our webinars are relatively inexpensive to produce and provide a cost-effective way to reach our members with the information they need to improve their businesses. One of the recent highlights of the NAHB webinar program was the well-attended and well received State of the Industry: A Mid-Year Update webinar in July. Speakers included NAHB CEO Jerry Howard, Chief Economist David Crowe, and Chief Lobbyist Jim Tobin. More than 500 individual sites were registered for this offering, which was a record high. Another very popular offering was the Financing for Home Builders webinar, which was provided free to members and gave guidance on how home builders can access and maintain credit for their projects. Our webinar speakers have been evaluated as top experts in their field, and 94% of webinar attendees surveyed said it is likely they will participate in a future such event. In total, more than 1,700 sites and more than 50 HBAs have participated in NAHB webinars this year. For all of NAHB’s upcoming Wednesday Webinars, go to www.nahb.org/webinars.

Education Opportunities: Webinars in the month of September

NAHB has new Webinars designed to help you! All from the comfort of your office!  This months topics include:

• Selling Universal Design So Buyers See it as a Plus.
• Surviving the LIHTC Compliance Period.
• Top 10 Green Building Strategies You can Implement Now.

Selling Universal Design So Buyers See It as a Plus
Wednesday, September 19, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

Homes with universal design features are, by definition, for everyone. But too often, the ease-of-use features that help everyone – young, old, able, mobility-challenged – are presented to mature buyers as aging-in-place features or ADA compliant. Such terms can raise the spectre of a frail old age to prospective buyers who are just looking for a more user-friendly, lower-maintenance home that complements an easy-living lifestyle. Our expert speakers will explain the importance of educating the consumer on the benefits of specific universal design features and the importance of highlighting such features as enhancements to all buyers' lifestyles.

Speakers:
Jane Marie O’Connor, CAPS,CAASH, MIRM, CSP, CMP, 55 Plus, LLC
Gian Hasbrock, MIRM, Wowism
Bill Owens, CAPS, Owens Construction, Powell, Ohio
Presented by NAHB 50+ Council

Surviving the LIHTC Compliance Period
Thursday, September 20, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

During this one-hour webinar, industry experts will share their fool proof tips for surviving the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) compliance period. From getting the development off to a good start to successfully maintaining the asset, participants will learn the importance of reading the legal documents, identifying and implementing a preventative maintenance plan and staying on top of complicated program requirements.

Speakers:
Bill Harris - Moderator
Melody Poetzsch, HCCP, SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners, Inc.
Oke Johnson, LEDIC Management
Patricia Murphy, HCCP, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

See the schedule of upcoming Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and HCCP webinars here.

Top 10 Green Building Strategies You can Implement Now
September 26, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

Presenter Jeannie Leggett Sikora provides practical strategies for moving from conventional construction to green home building. Based on her interviews of experts and field observations, study of independent research, and review of product data, Sikora will show you easy-to-implement green building options to help you construct homes with a price tag both you and your customers can count toward green home certification.

Speaker: Jeannie Leggett Sikora
Presented by NAHB BuilderBooks

To learn more about NAHB’s Webinar Wednesdays series, check out www.nahb.org/webinars.

Education Forum: Targeting zip codes for upcoming Remodeling/Building

You've heard the weather man say, "get alerts for bad weather in your area as accurate as your ZIP CODE!"  On Wednesday, August 8, you can do the same thing.....only with remodeling and builder jobs in a specific ZIP CODE.  


The Greenville News will bring the location of potential future jobs to you!  Whether you are a builder, remodeler, specialty contractor, or one of the many businesses that support those businesses, you can learn exactly where your marketing dollars should be spent and learn the location of the hot spots for remodeling and new construction, right down to the zip code. 


This is really something you do not want to miss out on.  In fact, whether you are a contractor, banker, retailer, or any other business, this information is incredibly valuable, and available to you as a benefit of membership in the Home Builders Association of Greenville.

• When: August 8, 2012, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• Where: Hubbell Lighting Headquarters
• Sponsored by GBS Building Supply and Progress Lighting

To register, click here.

NAHB's Top 12, Number 9: Effective Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

Builder Review Daily is highlighting your HBA's Top 12 actions this Spring on behalf of home builders.

Number 9, Effective Marketing on a Shoestring Budget:

NAHB added to its online course offerings with the recent introduction of the “Effective Marketing on a Shoestring Budget” program.

Participants in this course learn how to analyze target markets, identify competitive advantages, create accurate pro formas and monitor outcomes, which are essential skills to any business. The course compliments two others that were added to our offerings prior to the Builders Show that focused on the subjects of customer service and the basics of building. A fourth online designation course will be offered by the end of this year for those seeking to be recognized as a “Certified New Home Sales Professional.” Such offerings allow our members to obtain professional designations that can help set them apart from the competition while fulfilling their continuing education requirements on their own schedule. NAHB’s online courses are interactive and include content in audio and video formats, on-screen text, transcripts and other downloadable resources. In addition, each online course offers a discussion forum where students can pose questions and share perspectives with their peers and an NAHB-approved featured instructor. NAHB also offers group discounts to companies and organizations who wish to educate a group of individuals on the same topic.

NAHB's Top 12, Number 8: 12 Webinars

Builder Review Daily is highlighting your HBA's Top 12 actions this Spring on behalf of home builders.

Number 8, 12 Webinars:

NAHB has produced nearly a dozen educational webinars since the IBS that have brought expert instruction and advice directly to our members’ offices and local HBAs.

NAHB webinars provide up-to-the-minute education on industry issues, trends and best practices. They are designed to meet the needs of a broad range of participants, including builders, remodelers, sales and marketing professionals, real estate agents, brokers, multifamily professionals, architects and designers. Because these events are relatively inexpensive to produce, they provide a cost-effective way to reach out to our members with the information they need to improve their businesses. In the year to date, some of our most popular webinars have focused on universal design techniques, the future of aging-in-place remodeling, findings of our cost of doing business study, and marketing and design trends. Another very well-attended webinar offering was our Builders Guide to Appraisals webinar, which was offered free to members on May 16 and provided expert advice on improving communications with lenders and appraisers, dealing with appraisals in distressed markets, and ways to address appraisal errors, among other subjects. Yet another always-popular offering was the Spring Construction Forecast webinar, in which three world-class economists offered presentations and took questions regarding the current and expected state of the housing industry and its components. Altogether, our webinars have been viewed by members across at least 42 HBAs from more than 1,000 sites across the country since the IBS. Contact: Steve Melman (800-368-5242 x8245).

Learn about employment trends and rules at June 6 Education Forum

The cost of a bad hire and how to avoid it is the title of an article this week by Stephanie Klein in the Denver Business Journal.  In the article, Klein discusses the importance of a well-craft hiring process.  "Hiring the wrong person can cost your business thousands of dollars and have ramifications that echo far beyond that single bad hire," Klein writes.

Read the complete article by Stephanie Klein in the Denver Business Journal by clicking here.

Your HBA of Greenville is planning an Education Forum that will help you understand the importance of recruiting and managing a successful team of employees.

The next Education Forum is Wednesday, June 6, 11:30 a.m., at Hubbell Lighting Headquarters.

• Topic: Human Resources: Recruitment, Management, and Diversity
• Speakers: Lawanna Dendy, PHR, GBS Building Supply, and Carrie Scott, SPHR, Find Great People
• Sponsors: GBS Building Supply and Progress Lighting

To register for the Education Forum, click here.