No more feeling left behind or overwhelmed in our high-tech, digital, ever-changing crazy world.  No more watching others reach your goals before you do!  It’s never too late to start over or reinvent yourself!

Let’s get SMART together.  Join us for a new discussion group.

Check out the Building SAVVY Bookstore for some of the books we will be discussing.

We invite attendees to read, apply and share results.  It’s about awareness, enlightenment and personal growth.

Join us on LEAP YEAR.–Wednesday, February 29 for a Dutch Treat lunch at Pappadeux, 2121 Airport Freeway in Bedford 11:30-1pm for our preliminary discussion about the ART of SALES & MARKETING.  We will take an inventory of what we have done in the past that still works, what no longer works and the potential we haven’t yet tapped.  Then we’ll give you some reading homework to do to prepare you for our next meeting and discussion.

Register Now so we can get a head count.

Upcoming topics will help of master the ART of:

SOCIAL MEDIA–where are you now?  where do you want to be?

SELLING ME–personal branding

SAILING MORE (OR SKIING MORE…SURFING MORE…SLEEPING MORE–whatever floats your boat!)–learn to earn passive income, work smart

SAVING MORE.. (or SPENDING MORE–if you’re a miser) Let’s talk about balance and breaking old habits that are holding you back.

SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT–let’s get organized!

Some major changes that the Texas Association of Builders has implemented in its newly updated contracts for construction and remodeling transactions, include:

• a provision addressing newly state mandated contractor payment requirements in disaster areas and federal OSHA fall protection mandates.
• a new remodeler’s short form contract for small jobs.
• new language addressing regulatory fines caused by your subcontractors in both the sales agreements and subcontractor agreements.
• updated warranty performance standards.

TAB’s contracts package subscription is available to its members for $299.99.   The two-year subscription to the package includes eight residential construction and remodeling contracts, as well as dozens of related addenda and associated agreements. The subscription includes any needed updates that may occur during the two-year cycle between Sept. 1, 2011 and Aug. 31, 2013.  It can be ordered through our local home builders associations.

In addition to making sure you are using up to date contracts with your customers, our Legal Perspective columnist, Stephen Polozola also strongly recommends that you execute subcontractor agreements with each and every member of your team.  Read the Legal Perspective column in the current issue of Building SAVVY for detailed information on Subcontract Agreements.

In the current issue of Building SAVVY*, we reported a story in our Industry News section about the intention of the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) to immediately implement and publish the new design values in Supplment No. 9 to the 2002 Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber upon approval by the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) Board of Review.

In response to comments from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a chorus of opposition from industry groups, the ALSC Board of Review disapproved the SPIB’s proposal to lower design values for all grades and sizes of visually inspected Southern pine.  Instead, the board approved proposed new values for only 2×4, No. 2 lumber, which was the only size and grade the SPIB had tested before submitting its proposal on Oct. 6. In a supplemental ruling issued on Jan. 12, this was expanded to include all lower grades of 2x4s.  In addition, the review board approved a recommended effective date of June 1 for the new design values for 2x4s to “allow for their orderly implementation.”

*Click on the magazine cover you see to your left and flip to page 4 to read more about the new lumber design values and how they may affect your business.  More information and additional resources  are available on a special webpage created by NAHB to address this issue.

Check out our new page where we list the books that most inspire us as well as industry specific resources that we recommend.  You can now order right from the Building SAVVY site.  We get a small commission when you order through us and appreciate that support from you which will be used to enhance our popular builder/remodeler education program.  Make it your mission to read and learn more in 2012!

Twelve remodeling companies in Greater Dallas were named Local Winners in the 2012 Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award competition in sixteen different categories.  The awards are part of an annual competition held by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).   Judging was based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty and entry presentation.

Trophies were awarded at the “2012 – An Evening at the CotY’s”, at the DoubleTree Hotel inRichardson, where the Local CotY Winners and Achievement Award Winners were announced and awarded.

Residential Kitchen Under $40,000 – Marvelous Home Makeovers

Residential Kitchen $40,000 to $80,000 – Euro Design Build Remodel

Residential Kitchen $80,001 to $120,000 – Moisan Remodeling

Residential Kitchen Over $120,000 – CB Construction

Residential Bath Under $30,000 – Kitchen Design Concepts

Residential Bath $30,000 to $60,000 – Marvelous Home Makeovers with Green       Recognition

Residential Bath over $60,000 – von Gillern Construction

Residential Interior $100,000 and Over – RHD Construction

Residential Addition $100,000 to $250,000 – Traver Construction

Residential Addition over $250,000 – Key Residential Ltd.

Residential Exterior $100,000 and Over – Dallas Renovation Group

Residential Exterior Specialty – R.H. Residential Renovations

Entire House under $250,000 – Mickey Stengel Build Design Renovate

Entire House $250,000 to $500,000 – RHD Construction

Residential Historical Renovations/Restorations – CB Construction

Residential Universal Design – Euro Design Build Remodel

New Codes go into effect Jan 1.  Noted speaker/trainer Paul Evans of BMC Select will explore:

What are our local municipalities going to push and not push?

What does the building community have to say about it?

How will current green building programs be affected?

What can we expect to see in the future from IRC and IECC?

Come with your mind open for some great conversations.

Sign up today while there is still space available in this FREE class.

Register

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

12 noon – 3:00 pm

(complimentary lunch will be served)

Acme Brick Company

801 Airport Frwy, Euless, TX 76040

The 2011 Star Awards Finalists and Winners were recognized during the recent Sunbelt Builders Show™

Ted Schlossman of Fort Worth received highest honors by becoming the 14th industry professional to be inducted into the Texas Housing Hall of Honor.

Other winners from the DFW area included:

Grand Awards

Toll Bros, Inc. -Volume Builder of the Year – High Volume

Star Awards

Darling Homes

Multifamily – Best Architectural Design for Attached Homes for a unit $200,001 – $300,000

Gehan Homes

Volume Builder – Best Interior Merchandising for a home $125,001 – $175,000

Rookie Sales Professional of the Year – Jennifer M. Reed

Sales Manager of the Year – Shelly Boulter Ayers

Sales Professional of the Year – Robert Echrich

History Maker Homes

Volume Builder – Best Product Design for a home $125,001 – $175,000

Sandlin Custom Homes

Volume Builder – Best Product Design for a home $175,001 – $250,000

Volume Builder – Best Special Promotion

Simmons Estate Homes

Custom Builder – Best Outdoor Living Space for a home over $2 Million

Custom Builder – Best Specialty Room

Thomas Signature Homes

Custom Builder – Best Interior Design for a home $1 Million – $2 Million

Custom Builder – Best New Custom Home for over $1 million

Toll Bros, Inc.

Volume Builder – Best Interior Merchandising for a home $400,001 – $500,000

Volume Builder – Best Interior Merchandising for a home over $750,000

Volume Builder – Best Product Design for a home over $750,001

Volume Builder – Best Website

U S I Remodeling

Remodeler – Best Bathroom Renovation for $50,000 or less

Venetian Custom Homes

Custom Builder – Best Website

The Greater Dallas Chapter of The National Association of The Remodeling Industry (NARI) will hold its Fifth Annual Remodeled Homes Tour on October 22 and October 23, 2011, benefiting The NOVA Center. This year there will be eight homes on the tour at locations throughout the Dallas metroplex.  These private residences will be open between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and visitors to each home will have the opportunity to see firsthand the outstanding skills and craftsmanship of NARI Professional Contractors. The NARI Remodeled Homes Tour showcases whole house renovations and additions, as well as specific areas such as gourmet kitchens and luxurious bathrooms.  Industry specialists and participating NARI Remodelers will be available to answer questions at each home.

Ticket costs are $15 for an adult. Children under 12 are FREE. Visit www.naridallas.org for more information or to purchase advance tickets.

About NARI

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. The Association which represents more than 8,200 member companies nationwide—comprised of 63,000 remodeling industry professionals— is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”™ To locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit NARI’s Web site at www.nariremodelers.com, or contact the national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Illinois, at 800-611-NARI.

About NOVA Center

The NOVA Center was founded in 2010 and is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping individuals and their families who are battling clinical depression, other debilitating ailments and funding the building of The NOVA Wellness Center.  For more information go to www.thenovacenter.com.