BUILDING
CONNECTIONS
Recognizing Excellence In The Building Industry
MARCH 2021
96% OF BUILDERS ARE REPORTING SHORTAGES AND DELAYS FOR LUMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS AT THE START OF 2021.

KEY POINTS
  • Lumber prices inched over $1,000 per 1,000 board feet, according to Random Length Lumber Futures for March. That’s double the price from just three months ago.

  • OSB’s and SYP still very scarce with no near fix in sight. These are going to go higher – Just not enough OSB available.

A BUILDER'S PERSPECTIVE ON ENERGY STAR® HOMES
"I make a couple thousand dollars per home." ~ LaMontagne Builders
Since 1964, three generations of the LaMontagne family have been offering homes for sale in Manchester and southern New Hampshire, becoming one of the state’s most respected developers of family communities. In addition to developing more than 18 communities – equating to 1,300 homes in 24 designs – LaMontagne Builders won “Builder of the Year” from the NH Home Builder’s Association in 2019.

Assistant Vice President Karen LaMontagne believes the key to her family’s success is their continued dedication and passion for what her grandfather started. Her father, Robert, now runs the company with the help of Karen and her sister, Christine. “We have been in the community for 50 years, so I think our process, customer service, and quality has helped our success,” Karen said. 

But LaMontagne Builders has faced challenges as well over the years, and like the rest of the home construction industry, is still managing the impacts of COVID-19 on their business. One way that LaMontagne Builders has been able to adapt to changing customer preferences and earn money back on more efficient homes is by participating in the NHSaves ENERGY STAR Homes program. 

Karen was reluctant to participate at first – but after learning more about the program from Mike Loughlin, who manages the program for the NHSaves partner Eversource – she decided to give it a try and hasn’t looked back. “Other rebate programs are a lot of work, management, and time for me and it’s usually not worth it,” Karen said. “The ENERGY STAR Homes program is the easiest thing we do. I send out a one-page enrollment form, they show up to inspect, and then I get a check. It’s truly the easiest way I make a couple thousand dollars per house.”

To learn more about participating in the NHSaves ENERGY STAR Homes Program, visit https://nhsaves.com/programs/energy-star-homes-program/
HOMEOWNERSHIP IS TOP SOURCE OF HOUSEHOLD WEALTH  
The primary residence continued to be the largest asset on household balance sheets in 2019, according to the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances. Home owners had a median net worth of $255,000 — more than 40 times the median net worth of renters ($6,300), which reflects both the value of homeownership and the difficulty in obtaining it. 
NH Codes Blog Continues...
By Rob Pickett, RobPickett & Associates, LLC, 
www.robpickettandassoc.com • robpickettandassoc@gmail.com
Like the building process, the design of the thermal envelope starts at the foundation and moves up. There are several online sources that provide guidance and details for the building thermal envelope. Following on the presentation in January by Peter Yost, a large portion of innovation in sealing a home against water and air intrusion has to do with product selection. Does the product itself provide the answer? What about installation? Are contiguous products (e.g., sealants on barriers) compatible? Is training available from the supplier?
Builders and code officials can rely on accredited agencie reports to determine if an innovative product can achieve the performance its manufacturer claims. Some companies like Dow and Simpson Strong‐Tie have incredible commitments to research and development. These manufacturers have a huge impact on builder decisions and have support staffs who provide assistance.
t is known that building methods and materials can change quickly, which is the “why” for the 3‐year code development cycle. However, the building industry doesn’t change that fast, which is why it balks when new codes are published. Look at green building... what was abnormal, costly, and impossible in 2007, eased by 2010, and is readily available in 2020. The question is, when will new editions of the International Energy Conservation Code be as stable as the rest of the IRC?
Members enjoyed a fun day of skiing at Cannon Mountain earlier this month at the NHHBA ANNUAL SKI DAY! A mid-day casual lunch allowed networking with other members. Don't forget to purchase raffle tickets for your choice of weekend getaway! $50/ticket - contact: Lisa  info@snhhbra.com or 603-475-2855.
March 10, 2021 - Two Sessions - Must Register by March. 8th
NH Building Officials Association Online Series

9-12PM - IBC Chapter 17 Special Inspections and Tests. The morning presentation will highlight the special inspector’s duties, other stakeholders, jurisdictional inspections versus special inspections, and building department duties.
1-4PM - Break out into a round table discussion between Building officials, architects and engineers on the importance of special inspections, how best to implement a special inspections program and the inconsistent use of Chapter 17 in New Hampshire.

Save $$, be sure to mention you are a NHHBA member and pay $50. (NHBOA@nhmunicipal.org)

MONTH OF MARCH - FREE TRAINING
LADDER SAFETY SERIES - Every year over 100 people die in ladder-related accidents, and thousands suffer disabling injuries. Join the American Ladder Institute (ALI) and participate in the fifth annual National Ladder Safety Month.
Week One: Choosing Your Ladder. Week Two: Safety Before the First Step (Inspection and Set Up). Week Three: Safety While Climbing
Week Four: Safety at the Top. Week Five: Ladder Safety Misconceptions

Training Sessions Here
MARCH 10, 2021 AT 3:30-5:30
GROW YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
Expert panel answers your questions
Learn how to build a website that converts visitors into clients and how to drive traffic to your business using SEO and digital marketing and much more! The presenter: CleverLight Media is a digital marketing agency based in Nashua, NH that specializes in web design and development, digital marketing and print design. 
You will receive ZOOM call login information in an email once you're registered for the workshop.  info@snhhbra.com

Ongoing - More Grant Funding Available!
GET CERTIFIED FOR FREE - RRP & Lead Abatement
There is grant funding available to cover the cost of training for all contractors working in NH! SAVE hundreds!

To take advantage of this funding please enter the code "leadfree" at checkout and then click "apply".

During registration you will be asked what NH town you work in, or plan to work in. We may ask for verification of jobs in this town, or an intent to bid form. View our upcoming schedule and register for training at: https://lead-edu.info (make sure you use "lead-free" code)

Call Lead-EDU at (603) 781-4304 
CAPS COURSES COMING - BEGINNING SEPT.
Instructor: Jeff Lavoie, All-Ways Accessible
Classes will be held in-person at the NHHBA office in Concord
Sept. 29, 2021 CAPS I - Marketing & Communicating with the Aging in Place Client
Oct. 6, 2021  CAPS II – Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging In Place            
October 13, 2021 CAPS III – Details & Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place  

Save the Date(s) - swayman@nhhba.com
NH STATE HOMESHOW HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR September 24-26, 2021
Because of the COVID vaccine being rolled out in phases the decision was made to reschedule the show in the best interest of exhibitor and consumers.

NEW SHOW FEATURES - Redesigned Home Show website to be launch mid-March Show will be in-person & offer virtual components. All in-person vendors will be included in the virtual show at no extra cost. Exhibitors that are unable to participate in-person may participate in the virtual only show for $500.00. The virtual show will be promoted in all advertising. Reserve Your Booth Now! Contact swayman@nhhba.com
STUDENT BUILT PROJECT CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS
Students from six area high schools continue working on the nearly 400 square foot small home. The home will be sold upon completion. Lakes Region Builders & Remodelers Association facilitate funding and support.

GREAT VIDEO ON HYDRO CARBONS VS ELECTRIC
Interesting perspective... there are always two sides to every story

The Biden administration has already started mandating that states begin the phasing out of all fossil fuels over of as little as 5 years in some states like California & VT. Momentum to jump on the band wagon is starting in NH. This initiative could end badly for our industry in cold regions 6 because the best electric building heating equipment does not work great when it is really cold. The second big issue is that NH is barely able to supply adequate power to its users during peak times now. 

California for the past two years had to institute rolling blackouts during the summer months. The green energy folks talk about saving the planet and clean it is which the video I shared disputes.

Should these bills pass it could cost lots of heating trade jobs in NH. Homeowners should be able to choose how they want the heat their homes and power their vehicles. If everyone who owed an electric car had to pay for the energy it takes to fill it up, they would go back to gasoline.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
www.summit603.com
aroybuilders@gmail.com
islandconstructionnh.com
Drivers are commonly involved in motor vehicle collisions associated with the following common errors: backing, distracted driving, driving left of center, following too close/tailgating, passing, right-of-way violations, left turns, and speeding or matching speed to conditions. All of these driving errors are preventable, as they are due to poor errors in the driver’s judgement. For more information regarding driver safety, please contact Acadia’s Virtual Loss Control Team at 207-874-5701 or virtuallc@acadia-ins.com.
TRACK BILLS THAT MAY AFFECT YOU! KNOW THAT NHHBA ADVOCATES FOR YOU!
The next Government Affairs Meeting will be held Monday,
March 8th at 3:00pm. Meetings are open to all members of NHHBA.
*The committee normally meets the 2nd Monday of the month.

OUR VALUED PARTNERS
NHHBA | pdanis@nhhba.com | (603) 228-0351 | nhhba.com