Gopal Ahluwalia, Staff Vice President for the Research Economics Group at NAHB presented the 2009 Remodeling Outlook last week at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. A formal press release will be sent out soon containing information from his presentation, but we have aquired a sneak peak at some of the stats. See below.
Categories: Business Matters · National News
2009 HBA President Tom Skaar never had a game plan for what he wanted to be when he grew up. He never had ambitions of being a firefighter or police officer. He never went out looking for the perfect career or life path.
But in 1978, it found him when a realtor friend in need asked for help running a small home building business. Little did Skaar know that his simple “yes” would lead to 30 years in the industry, his own building business, and a leadership position guiding one of the largest HBA’s in the country.
Along the way, he threw himself whole-heartedly into a wide spectrum of HBA activities. Skaar was a Street of Dreams builder in 1985, participates in the political sphere on the state and local levels, is a Life Spike, sits on the Board of Directors and has committed himself to several committees. As “el presidente,” as he’s known around the association, he’s sure to remain quite active during the next year.
Skaar has been married to the love-of-his-life, Tracey, for the last 26 years and has twin daughters, Andrea and Brittany, who share his quick wit and love for traveling.
Background Information
Title/Company: Owner/Partner of Pacific Western Homes
Years with the HBA: I’ve been with the HBA off and on since 1982. More on than off I suppose you could say. I’ve been super involved since 1997. The only reason I didn’t get involved sooner was due to an ornery boss who didn’t believe I should be investing my time in “non-work related activities.”
Business Basics
Education: I graduated from high school but never went on to college. I guess you could say my education in the industry was a result of hard won experience.
Secrets to Success: Get up early and work late. Work harder than everyone else. Be smart. Make informed decisions and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Measuring Success: I think it’s important to ask if people enjoy being around you and doing business with you. I think you can also measure success by how balanced your life is. Work is important but family has to be a priority.
Business Mentors or Heroes: Ken McBride, Jay Sterling and Jack Forrell. These fine men were bankers and friends who believed in me through the good and bad times. I’ve had relationships with them for over 30 years. Another would be Pat Ritz, the President and founder of Oregon Title. He also stood by me through it all.
Making the Call
Business Decision You’re Most Proud Of: Diversifying my company by going into the multi-family side of the business. This decision was the catalyst for many good things in my life and gave me the opportunity to retire at a relatively young age.
One You’d Like to Have Back: Getting involved in Central Oregon. I made this decision late in my career and it was definitely a mistake.
Principals I Use For Big Decisions: I try to base my decision-making around maintaining integrity. I ask myself if something is fair, if it’s the best decision for all involved and if it makes sense in the big picture view of things.
The Best Business Advice You’ve Received: Bill Gentry beat into my head that I should never be satisfied with the status quo but rather should always strive to improve.
Where I’ve Been, Where I am Going
What I Learned From My First Job: As a teenager, I was a lifeguard and learned that driving power boats on a big lake can be a whole heck of a lot of fun.
First “Career” Job: I was part of the retail grocery sector and worked at Albertsons for a while.
As a Kid, I Wanted to Be: Honestly, I had no idea. I was never focused on something specific. All of my careers kind of just fell into place.
If I Weren’t Doing This, I’d Be: Working as an airline pilot, traveling around the world to ever more exotic places. Some would say, so what would be different?
Insider Information
People Would Be Surprised to Know: I didn’t fly in my first airplane until I was 21, then six or so years later I got my pilot’s license. Also, I’ve traveled all over the world. I’ve hit every continent except for Antarctica. Big surprise for most of you here.
If I Could Work For Free For Any Cause/Charity, It Would Be: The Home Builders Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Famous Words I wished I’d Said: There are two I like. “Experience: That’s what you get when you don’t get what you wanted,” and “Luck: When opportunity meets ambition.”
I Need More Time on Weekends For: Traveling. New people and cultures fascinate me. I’d also like to hit the road in my motor home more frequently. I haven’t seen that much of the United States.
Categories: Member Highlights
Tagged: Pacific Western Homes, Tom Skaar
In honor of the HBA Green Building Week here is a green building story for your enjoyment. Don’t miss the Eco-Vative Green Building Products Expo tomorrow and Green Building classes this week.
Concrete is one of the single most environmentally friendly construction products available. It offers stability, durability and design flexibility for the residential marketplace and environmental advantages through every stage of manufacturing and use. And it offers sustainability. Because old concrete can be recycled it can be reused almost indefinitely. The following are concrete’s primary environmental benefits:
Created From an Abundance of Raw Materials
Concrete draws upon some of the earth’s most common and abundant minerals for its raw materials. Portland cement, which makes up about 12% of concrete, is manufactured from limestone, clay and sand. Sources of aggregates used to make concrete — sand gravel and crushed stone — are plentiful. In addition, aggregate can contain recycled materials such as slag, a by-product of steel manufacturing. Also, when using Portland cement, a portion of it can be replaced with fly ash, a by-product of coal-burning power plants, and similar materials.
Fuel to Produce Concrete Can Come From the Waste Stream
The process of making cement also can use recycled materials. High-energy wastes such as old tires can be used as fuel in the cement-making process. One million old tires can fuel a single cement kiln for a year — conserving fossil fuels and keeping old tires out of landfills. Other recycled waste used in the production of cement can include used motor oil, disposable diapers, industrial solvents and sludge.
Local Production Reduces Transportation Costs and Fuel
Cement and concrete supplies are highly local or regional. At least 60% of all concrete is produced within 100 miles of the construction site where it is used. Wood and steel products, on the other hand, typically have to be transported hundreds or, sometimes, a thousand miles or more to the job site.
Concrete’s Thermal Mass Yields Energy Savings
The thermal mass of concrete buildings and homes reduces temperature swings — and can save owners energy year-round. During the air-conditioning season, for instance, a concrete building generally only will require the cooling system to be in operation at night — during off-peak hours when electric companies can produce power more efficiently. Also, many of today’s concrete wall systems, such as insulating concrete forms (ICFs), combine the mass of concrete with foam insulation — creating an exterior wall envelope that through thermal mass, reduced air infiltration and increased R-value can reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 40%.
Concrete Reduces Construction Waste Because Fewer Components Are Needed
Concrete construction requires fewer kinds of building products — such as sheathing and insulation —than wood-frame construction. Plus, concrete is created on an “as needed” basis, eliminating the waste inherent in sheet goods and dimensional products for framing. Because fewer materials are needed, building with concrete puts less waste in landfills. And if replacement or demolition is required, old concrete can be ground up and reused as coarse aggregate or pavement sub-base material.
Concrete’s Durability Can Weather Time and the Weather
Concrete does not rust, rot or burn, so housing stock built with concrete components such as wall systems can stand for generations. Concrete is less susceptible to moisture damage and can generally “breathe” and dry — if the concrete structure is not too close to adjacent structures. Concrete driveways will far outlast their asphalt competitors, while items such as fiber-cement siding are much more durable than competing cladding materials. By simply outlasting other materials, concrete conserves energy and resources. In addition, homes built with concrete also are more likely to withstand natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados and fires than traditional wood-frame housing stock.
Concrete Homes Can Create a Healthier Indoor Environment
Concrete can promote a healthier indoor atmosphere because it is practically inert and requires no volatile organic-based preservatives. The solid concrete walls in homes built with exterior concrete framing systems serve as a continuous barrier against air infiltration, which can greatly reduce the level of airborne dust and allergens when a fresh air exchanger and humidifier are used.
Concrete Homes Are Increasing in Popularity
From 1999 through 2005, the share of homes built with concrete walls increased from 5.9% to 17.9%. This increase not only measures a growing popularity in concrete homes, but a change in attitudes as well. Not many years ago, the idea of building a concrete home generated blank stares among potential home owners or prompted questions about why anyone would want to do such a thing. Now, however, many consumers are aware of this type of construction, understand its benefits and want to know how much it will cost and where to find the nearest supplier or builder. A combination of factors is driving these changes in perception and attitude — a rise in energy prices, an increase in the amount and destructiveness of natural disasters and the rise of the green building movement.
Aesthetically, the Depth of the Windowsill Tells the Tale
While growing in popularity, many people still have the mistaken perception that a concrete home looks more like a bunker or fallout shelter than a home. Aesthetically, however, with most concrete wall systems in use today, it’s difficult to drive down a street and pick out which home is concrete. Concrete home exteriors are finished with siding, stucco, brick and stone, just like wood-frame construction. Also, like with wood-frame construction, the interior of a concrete home is finished with drywall, though with some systems such as precast concrete, interior walls are simply painted. For both outdoor and indoor areas, decorative concrete is rapidly growing in popularity for all types of home construction. Traditional concrete flatwork can be stained, stamped, stenciled or polished to achieve a wide variety of patterns, colors and textures. Beautiful custom concrete countertops can achieve a similar range of styles.
So what’s the primary aesthetic difference between concrete homes and wood-frame construction? Simply put, the walls of a concrete home are thicker. But the only way to tell the difference on a finished home is by the greater depth of the windowsill of a concrete home — which is a definite bonus in the eyes of many home owners.
Categories: Educational Opportunity · Green
Tagged: Concrete, sustainable remodeling practices
Don’t miss the Eco-Vative Building Products Expo, the kick-off of HBA Green Week, next Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Doubletree Hotel, Lloyd Center. It will feature green, sustainable products and services for residential builders and remodelers. Plus, the keynote seminar of the day will be from nationally recognized Building Science speaker Mark LaLiberte at 12:45pm.
Green services for residential markets are on the upswing. The value of the green building industry is expected to reach 4.7 billion by 2011, as projected by Sustainable Industries Journal Top Ten Green Building Products publication. Services such as green mortgages, environmental consulting, and green building design are expected to grow along with the upward trend in green building products.
Products like backsplash tiles, cabinet hardware, lighting and countertops are all being made, some of them locally, using materials that are routinely thrown away in quantities large enough to make new things from. Other green products can be recycled at the end of their useful life, contribute to healthy indoor air quality, or reduce the level and amounts of toxics in the building process.
Categories: Business Matters · Educational Opportunity · Green
Tagged: Mark LaLiberte
Susan Davis reports on the transition for the Wall Street Journal.
Interior designer Michael Smith will be in charge of helping the Obama family make the White House a home, the transition office announced Tuesday.
Michelle Obama selected California native Smith, who studied interior design at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles and launched his own design firm in 1990. “He takes particular pride in his family-focused clientele and approach,” the announcements states.
“Laura Bush has been a wonderful steward of The White House and created a beautiful residence for her family,” Obama said in a statement, “I look forward to adding our own touch to the East Wing and creating a living space where our family feels comfortable, happy and settled.” She added that she wants the White House to have a “family friendly feel” that will incorporate “new perspectives” from American artists and designers.
Smith noted the Obama’s “casual style” and said he will be “utilizing affordable brands and products” in the residence.
Affordable furniture chain Ikea is already lobbying for a role in the redecorating effort with an “Embrace Change ‘09” ad campaign blanketing Washington, D.C. metro stops.
Ikea is also featuring an Oval Office replica inside Union Station in Washington, D.C. decorated with—you guessed it—Ikea furniture. The ad campaign also launched a Web site with a count-down clock to when the Obama family moves in and a solicitation to “speak out and let the president know your suggestions for fiscally responsible home furnishings.”
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: Michael Smith, Obama, White House Decorator
With the seasonal slow down in construction activity, winter is a great time to expand you and your staff’s knowledge and improve your skills. The Northwest College of Construction (NWCC) has a diverse offering of courses to do just that.
The NWCC offers an exclusive 50 percent discount on tuition to HBA members for the first course they take along with a 30 percent discount on textbooks and lab fees. The discounts were the result of a recent contribution to the NWCC from the HBA and the Home Builders Foundation totaling $52,000.
With continuing education soon to be required to renew your CCB license, this is a perfect opportunity to learn new skills or brush up on old ones at a great price.
“Courses at the Northwest College of Construction are designed with the busy professional in mind,” said Dave Nielsen, CEO of the HBA. “This was the goal when we partnered with other construction trade associations to create the school. Builders and subcontractors can both benefit from the courses they offer.”
This winter’s course list includes the first in a series of courses toward a Building Envelope Certification, OSHA 10-Hour Safety, First Aid/CPR, Crew Leadership and Company Safety Program Development along with dozens of others geared at giving you a leg up on the competition.
Take advantage of your HBA discount by signing up for a course today. Visit the NWCC’s website, www.nwcoc.com, for more information or to register.
Building Envelope
This two-day window and door seminar is the first in a projected series of Building Envelope Certification programs designed to provide practices for effectively controlling moisture intrusion. These courses are targeted to experienced trades workers and contractors involved with installation of products to the exterior of single and multi-family residences. This course will help you and/or your company standardize building practices, meet the demands of consumers and potentially reduce your risks and insurance costs.
Dates Available: 2/6-2/7, 3/6-3/7
Tuition: $198.00
Books: $93.00 (with member discount)
Lab Fee: $26.00 (with member discount)
OSHA 10-Hour
This course meets OSHA’s requirements for a 10 hour construction industry training program and teaches participants safe practices for dealing with common hazardous situations on the job site. Students who successfully complete this training will receive an OSHA-10 Hour card. Courses in this category are offered for the purpose of continuing education and/or self-improvement and do not require Oregon Department of Education licensure.
Dates Available: 2/6-2/7, 3/6-3/7
Tuition: $180
Books: $17 (with member discount)
First Aid/CPR
This four-hour medic first aid training program covers first aid, CPR, AED, blood-borne pathogens, emergency oxygen, and OSHA safety compliance. Successful participants receive basic First Aid/CPR Certification.
Dates Available: 2/13, 3/13
Tuition: $40.00
Books: $10 (with member discount)
Crew Leadership
This 16-hour course teaches the basic leadership skills required to supervise personnel. It discusses principles of project planning, scheduling, estimating, and management.
Date Available: 2/13-2/14
Tuition: $152.00
Books: $57.00 (with member discount)
Company Safety Program Development
This 16-hour class provides instruction on how to implement and administer a company safety program. This course and the accompanying manual are designed for field managers, safety directors, safety committees, owner safety representatives, and insurance/loss control representatives.
Dates Available: 2/20-2/21
Tuition: $152
Books: $117 (with member discount)
Categories: Business Matters · Educational Opportunity
Tagged: Northwest College of Construction
Thank you to NW Natural for hosting our Beach Party.
Categories: Luncheons
Q. What is a PAC? What does a PAC do?
A. PAC is an acronym for Political Action Committee. It is supposed to conjure up visions of activists sitting in a room and crafting grand political manifestos and then strategically determining how best to fund them. In reality, it’s a sub-set of former or current political hacks (the HBA PAC is the exception of course) relegated to interviewing candidates and determining whether or not what they are saying is true and/or good for our industry.
Q. What do we get for giving candidates and measures money?
A. Politics is often about two things: money and power. Elections cost money and candidates/measures need to raise cash to fund them. Theoretically, cash spent on candidates is so they will remember your group and allow you access to them once they have become an elected official (thus having power). This is mostly true, except when it isn’t, which makes political giving a bit of a risk.
Q. Where does the money for our PAC come from?
A. From your donations. No dues or assessments associated with the HBA are used for PAC expenditures. Each year, the HBA holds fundraisers and cajoles dollars from member’s pockets through begging and shame tactics. This is a fairly successful method, but the largest contributor to the PAC is PAC House.
Q. What is a PAC House?
A. The PAC House is a home generously built and sold by one of our builders each year. The builder dedicates the after expense profits to the PAC, providing the Association with funds for its political endeavors. This is an extremely generous way of supporting the Association, especially in the current marketplace.
Q. WOW! They just give you the profits? What about all the contracting work and stuff? That’s a lot of time and effort on behalf of the Association!
A. It is, but typically the HBA tries to lend a hand by asking contractors to contribute in kind products and services in order to get the house built for cheaper. This way, we maximize profit and have more to spend on “access to elected officials.” Jeff Fish of Fish Construction has built the last five PAC Houses, but we need to find another generous builder for future construction.
Q. How can members get involved in the PAC?
A. Contribute to the PAC and then join our monthly meetings. PAC meetings on the second Thursday of every month, typically at 9:30 a.m. We welcome any and all members who are interested.
Categories: Goverment Affairs
Tagged: Political Action Committee
Building, Marketing and Financing Green
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
$30 HBA members/$40 non-members
Come and learn about what is new in marketing and building the green home. Nationally known speaker, Dave Porter of Countrywide will present on this timely topic. Continental breakfast included.
Click here to register.
High Performance Homes
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
$25 HBA members/$35 non-members
Learn about the rating system for building to High Performance Homes standards and the materials that will comply with this certification. Our panel of experts from Earth Advantage, Oregon Department of Energy and Parr Lumber will take you through this informative session.
Click here to register.
Indoor Air Quality
Thursday, Jan. 29, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
$30 HBA members/$40 non-members
Speakers Duane Woik and Dan Cote take you through a description of best practices in improving indoor air quality for residential new construction projects. This class will include and overview of common offenders, ventilation strategies, and product choices and information. This class is sponsored by Energy Trust of Oregon, ENERGY STAR New Homes, and Earth Advantage. Continental breakfast included.
Click here to register.
Green Tax Incentives for Building & Remodeling
Friday, Jan.30, 8:00-10:00am
$25 HBA members/$35 non-members
This informative seminar will outline the various financial incentives available to energy efficient builders and remodelers, including federal and state tax relief. Continental breakfast included.
Click here to register.
Categories: Business Matters · Educational Opportunity · Green
Tagged: Dave Porter, Earth Advantage, Energy Trust of Oregon, High Performance Homes
The Remodelers Council is pleased to announce a full schedule of fun and interesting RC monthly meetings slated for 2009. The meetings, sponsored by various Remodelers Council members, are a great place to network, learn more about industry leaders and enjoy great food.
The following are meeting dates, along with the featured sponsor for each month. Meetings start at noon and go until 1:30pm at the sponsors showroom/facility unless otherwise noted. Thanks to all our sponsors – these events wouldn’t happen without their generous support.
Jan. 14 – NW Natural Sip & Savor -At the NW Natural Appliance Center 5 – 7 p.m.
Feb. 18 – Chelsea Audio Video
Mar. 18 – Touchstone Granite & Marble
Apr. 15 – An Evening at BASCO (evening event)
May 20 – Genesis Home Technologies
June 17 – Closet Factory
July 15 – Jim Fisher Roofing
Aug. 19 – The Cronin Company (evening event)
Sept. 16 – Superior Home & Design
Oct. 21 – Rejuvenation (evening event)
Nov. 18 – Servpro of Tigard/Tualatin & Beaverton
Dec. 16 – Annual Turkey Fry sponsored by Contract Furnishings Mart (evening event)
Categories: Luncheons
