Remodelors Council Playhouse on Display at Home Show - Raffle Will Benefit Make-A-Wish

The playhouse the Remodelors Council built for the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be on display at the HBA Home Show January 28-30 at the Expo Center in downtown Springfield. Volunteers from Make-A-Wish and the Remodelors Council will be at the playhouse to sell raffle tickets with proceeds to benefit Make-A-Wish. One lucky person will win the playhouse – the drawing will be held at the close of the show (Sunday at approximately 4:45 pm.)

List of volunteers/contributors:

Access Builders, Inc.

Acme Brick Company

ADsmith Communications

Alside

American Glass

Beaman Electric, Inc.

The Carpet Shoppe, Inc.

DJ Roofing Supply, Inc.

HA Construction Design

Herrman Lumber Co.

Insight Design Architects, LLC

Jim Murphy & Sons Construction

KPC Tile & Stone

The Light House Gallery

Meek's - The Builder's Choice

National Home Products

New Horizons Hardwoods

PHD Painting, Inc.

Paul Davis Restoration of SW MO

Prestige Millwork, Inc.

Rebecca Elliott Interior Design, LLC

Rhoads Design & Construction

Rock Solid Construction

Sam Bradley Homes

Sherwin Williams

Signs Now

Southern Supply Company

Steward Construction, LLC

Trinity Land Development

Up-Tyte Construction

HBA Remodelors Council Builds Playhouse to Help Make-A-Wish

The Playhouse was built by the HBA Remodelors Council for the benefit of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. The house will be used to grant a child's wish. It is currently on display at the Battlefield Mall, outside of JCPenney’s - enter the mall through the main entrance (on the east side of the mall). The Playhouse will be on display through the middle of December. For more information about the house, click here. The list of donating companies includes:

The Carpet Shoppe, Inc.
DJ Roofing Supply, Inc.
HA Construction Design
Herrman Lumber Co.
Insight Design Architects, LLC
Jim Murphy & Sons Construction
KPC Tile & Stone
The Light House Gallery
Meek's - The Builder's Choice
National Home Products
New Horizons Hardwoods
PHD Painting, Inc.
Paul Davis Restoration of SW MO
Prestige Millwork, Inc.
Rebecca Elliott Interior Design, LLC
Rhoads Design & Construction
Rock Solid Construction
Sam Bradley Homes
Sherwin Williams
Signs Now
Southern Supply Company
Steward Construction, LLC
Trinity Land Development
Up-Tyte Construction

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From its humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, it has evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish every 40 minutes. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is the largest wish granting organization in the world. For more information visit www.wish.org.

Asking the insurance questions protects the homeowner

Too many times at the HBA, we hear from homeowners during or after the home building or remodeling process—after they’ve already selected a builder/remodeler that isn’t an HBA member or they’ve tried to do it themselves. They want answers and they need help because they are not satisfied. It is very difficult to help them at this point. When homeowners contact the HBA before selecting a builder or remodeler, they can often prevent many problems because hiring an HBA of Greater Springfield member is an excellent way to ensure that your contractor is from this area and maintains the necessary insurance to protect you.

Missouri law requires companies working in construction with one or more employee to carry workers' compensation insurance. According to these statutes, someone who qualifies as an employee can include a sub-contractor, a volunteer -- even a family member helping to complete a job. It does not just refer to a traditional "W-2" employee. A contractor should be willing to provide proof of insurance documentation at the homeowner's request. As well, the state Division of Workers' Compensation has a brochure which explains the law as it pertains to those in construction and the state's website provides an online search resource to double check workers' comp coverage. To download the informational brochure, click here. To access the online resource to check a company's coverage, click here. (It is important to note that sometimes a company may carry coverage under another corporate/DBA name.)

During the membership application process and at annual renewal, all HBA members must provide proof of workers' compensation and general liability insurance. These insurance requirements protect you, the homeowner, from liability for on-the-job accidents or other complications on the worksite. Proper liability insurance also protects you in the event of any future construction defects for years to come.

An HBA builder/remodeler has completed a rigorous process to become a member of this association. Builders and Remodelers are required to have been in business in the area for at least two years, and have completed a minimum of five projects. Those projects are then inspected at various stages of completion by experienced HBA builders to ensure their quality. Our builder members welcome your questions. They will provide proof of insurance and references readily. By calling the HBA at 417-881-3711 or by visiting our website at SpringfieldHBA.com, you can obtain a list of builder/remodeler members and begin your homebuilding or remodeling process confident in the knowledge you will be working with one of the industry’s proven professionals.

NFPA Warns Some Residential Fire Sprinklers Could be Combustible

On Tuesday July 6, 2010, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued a safety alert related to buildings equipped with residential fire sprinkler systems containing antifreeze solutions.  Following a recent fatal fire incident which prompted a research study and a series of fire tests, there has been concern raised over the potential for the antifreeze solution in the residential fire sprinkler system to ignite in certain fire situations.

According to the NFPA, any system that contains antifreeze should have the antifreeze drained from the system and replaced with water.  NFPA is recommending that those who are responsible for a residential occupancy with a fire sprinkler system should have a fire sprinkler contractor test their system for antifreeze.  NFPA also advises that all residential fire sprinkler systems currently being installed should avoid designing or installing a system that would require antifreeze.

Antifreeze systems were first recognized and approved for use in residential occupancies in the 1989 edition of the NFPA fire sprinkler installation standards.  The approval was meant to address one of the biggest hazards inherent in residential fire sprinkler systems: their tendency to freeze and burst in cold weather, potentially causing severe damage to homes. It is unknown what affect this latest recommendation will have on the broader freeze/burst issue. 

In Missouri, residential fire sprinkler systems of all kinds are still optional for home buyers. Thanks to the work of the Home Builders Association and other consumer advocates, Missouri law (as of 2008) prohibits local jurisdictions from instituting mandatory fire sprinkler systems in single family residences. Rather than mandating the costly upgrade, the law (known as "mandatory option") requires builders of new homes to provide their customers with information, pricing, etc. on residential fire sprinkler systems. "Mandatory option" allows home buyers to make informed decisions about whether to purchase a fire sprinkler system for their home, or to decline such a system. The "mandatory option" law, as currently written, expires at the end of 2011. If nothing changes between now and then local jurisdictions will at that time gain the authority to mandate costly fire sprinkler systems in new homes - taking the choice out of the hands of home buyers.

More information regarding NFPA’s safety alert on antifreeze in residential fire sprinklers and the list of recommended action to take for systems containing antifreeze can be found at www.nfpa.org/antifreeze.   

Is Homeownership Right for You?

With the end of the federal government's short-term tax incentives for first-time home buyers, now could be a prime moment for others to make their move and buy that new home they've been considering.

In this video, National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe explains the positive factors for home buyers in today's marketplace. Good reasons to consider homeownership abound -- including mortgage rates that are near historic lows, attractive home prices that appear to have stabilized in many markets, and an excellent selection of new and existing homes on the market.

MODNR: Consumer Tips for Getting an Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate

Five things consumers need to know about the program

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, APRIL 14, 2010 via the Missouri Department of Natural Resources – A federally-funded home appliance rebate program is intended to improve energy efficiency and stimulate the economy using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or Recovery Act. States around the nation are giving rebates to consumers to replace inefficient home appliances with energy-efficient models. Every state has specific energy needs, so rebate programs may look different from state to state.

Missouri’s $5.6 million Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program starts April 19 and will fund rebates for five appliance categories - space heating, space cooling, water heaters, clothes washers and dishwashers. The Recovery Act funding for the program equals approximately $1 per Missouri citizen. Consumers can qualify for rebates from $75 to $500 with a maximum of $575 for multiple appliances.  The department anticipates issuing 48,000 rebates during the program. Rebate reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Experience in other states shows the program is very popular, and the funds will go fast.

Missouri has scheduled its rebate program to coincide with the “Show Me Green” ENERGY STAR® sales tax holiday. Consumers who wish to take advantage of the rebate program and the state sales tax holiday must purchase the ENERGY STAR appliances between April 19-25 in participating retail and installation contractor businesses.

Consumers should plan ahead and be ready to buy the qualified appliance when the programs begin next week.  Here are five ways to maximize consumer savings:

1. Learn more about the Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program.

Consumers must purchase ENERGY STAR appliances to replace older, less efficient models. Consumers must recycle the old appliance to qualify for a rebate.  Consumers may want to consider the following steps to help during the rebate program. 

• Step 1 – Make a Purchase: Starting April 19, consumers may visit a participating retailer or installation contractor partner to purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances and reserve a rebate. 

• Step 2 - Reserve a Rebate: Starting April 21, a limited number of rebates will be available for consumers to reserve directly online at www.MissouriApplianceRebate.com or via telephone at 877-541-4848. The program’s online reservation system will enable consumers to quickly and easily reserve a rebate and print out their rebate application directly from a web-enabled computer.  Participation in this program is expected to be high.  This could mean longer wait times if consumers try to reserve a rebate on the phone instead of at the store or online.  Consumers will have 60 days after reserving a rebate to purchase a qualified appliance from a participating retailer or installation contractor. 

• Step 3 – Recycle: Most participating retailers and installation contractors will collect and recycle the old appliance when they deliver the new appliance. Consumers can also recycle their old appliance at a recycling facility or turn-in event. Consumers must show proof of recycling. Visit the Web site at MissouriApplianceRebate.com for details on recycling. 

• Step 4 – Document and Mail: Consumers must sign and mail their completed rebate application form along with the proof of purchase, residency and recycling to Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program, Dept 21282 P.O. Box 3688, Medina, OH 44258-3688 within 60 days of making a reservation. Consumers can expect to receive a rebate check(s) for valid claims within 4-6 weeks from the day they mail in their rebate application. 

2.      Meet the Eligibility Requirements – Consumers will qualify for a rebate only if they meet all of the following conditions: 

• Must be a Missouri resident and 18 years of age or older. 

• Own the property where the appliances will be installed, with the exception of clothes washers.  Renters are eligible for clothes washer rebates. 

• Buy only one appliance per appliance category per address. Rebates range from $75 to $500 with a $575 maximum rebate allowed for multiple appliances. 

• Purchase an ENERGY STAR-qualified appliance from a participating retailer or installation contractor. 

• Mail in the rebate application form along with all required support documentation postmarked within 60 days of making the reservation.

3.      Be Ready to Buy on April 19. 

1. Research before April 19 – Visit the Web site -MissouriApplianceRebate.com and locate participating retailers and installation contractors to learn about the eligible appliance categories and models. Choose the make and model of the appliance(s) and take the information to the participating retailer or installation contractor. 

2. Buy on April 19 or 20 - Consumers best chance for securing a rebate is through a participating retailer or installation contractor. The funds may go quickly.  If a particular retailer or installation contractor is not currently registered as a partner in the program, consumers may contact them to participate. 

3. Don’t give up – A limited number of reservations will be available directly to the consumer on April 21 and unclaimed rebates may be available later in the program. All ENERGY STAR purchases from April 19-25, even those without a rebate reservation, will benefit from the “Show Me Green” ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday, and other “green” rebates may apply. 

4. Keep a Copy of the Paperwork – To secure a rebate, consumers are required to mail in a copy of their completed and signed rebate application (with unique ID#), proof of purchase, proof of residency and proof of recycling.  Consumers should make sure to save copies of all of the paperwork! 

5. Enjoy the Savings - ENERGY STAR qualified appliances are designed to use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard appliances, resulting in savings for the consumer, as well as reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants.

To learn more about the Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program, please visitMissouriApplianceRebate.com.

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VIDEO: Investing in Your Future: Is Home Ownership Right for You?

Thinking of buying a home? Wondering if owning a home is a good investment? In this video, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist Dr. David Crowe explains the benefits of home ownership, and explains why now might be the very best time to make your move.