Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association

Building BuzzBuilding the Future of Bismarck-Mandan Since 1958.

f

March 2014

Permit Report: Jan. 2014Page 2

President’s Letter: Let’s Get Down to Business

Page 3

Don’t Miss Out on Great Member Savings!

Page 5

Home Show Presents Latest Trends in Building

& ImprovementPage 7

Member Minute: BMHBA Members in the News

Page 8

Survey Indicates Growing Concern Over Building Costs

Page 10

Reprieve from Health Care Law Mandate

Page 13

NDAB NewsPages 14-15

Page 2 March 2014BMHBA Building Buzz March 2014 BMHBA Building Buzz Page 3

Building BuzzPublisher/Editor:

Dot Frank

Layout Editor: Chelsea Gleich

Building Buzz is a publication of the Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association

2600 Gateway Ave., Suite 1Bismarck, ND 58503

Phone: 701.222.2400 Fax: 701.250.9730

Like Us! www.facebook.com/bmhbaFollow Us! www.twitter.com/bmhba

Your membership is three-in-one: BMHBA, NDAB and NAHB

Scan to visit www.bmhba.com

Bismarck-Mandan Permit Reports Through January 2014BISMARCK - monthly/yearly permit reports can be found at www.bismarck.org

Permit Type YTD 2014 YTD 2013New Residential Single Family Detached Single Family Attached Duplex 3 or 4 Unit 5+ UnitResidential GaragesNew CommercialAlter Public

5/$1.04M3/$.687M2/$.357M0/$0M0/$0M0/$0M0/$0M8/$.683M0/$0M

13/$2.23M11/$1.84M1/$.189M0/$0M0/$0M1/$.200M0/$0M4/$5.20M1/$.006M

MANDAN - monthly/yearly permit reports can be found at www.cityofmandan.com

Permit Type YTD 2014 YTD 2013New Residential Single Family Two Family Condos ApartmentsRemodel and AdditionsNew CommercialAlter Commercial

0/$0M0/$0M0/$0M0/$0M0/$0M14/$.401M0/$0M4/$.158M

Professionals building our community through promotion of home ownership, education and legislation since 1958.

According to the forecast March is coming in like a lion so let’s hope it goes out like a lamb. As a fellow builder, my fingers are crossed that temperatures start climbing so that I can get a start on new spring construction and finish up the projects that were started last fall.

Driving my determination to get to work is the upcoming Spring Parade of Homes. I hope that those who can take advantage of

the opportunity to showcase their handiwork. The Spring Parade runs over two weekends. The first is April 25-27 and the second is May 2-4. Our parades of homes provide you with a chance to get hundreds of potential buyers inside your homes. Whether it’s the paradegoer who ultimately buys or they provide the referral for your buyer, this is an invaluable marketing opportunity. The office emailed and mailed a survey to gauge participation, if you didn’t have the chance to complete the survey, please contact Dot at 222-2400 to share your Spring Parade of Homes plans.

I’m looking forward to connecting with many of you at our upcoming Home Show. This year marks the

37th year for our annual event. To date, we have 239 vendors and have filled the Bismarck Civic Center’s exhibit hall and arena to capacity. Thank you to those who have supported this event through a booth space. Your participation guarantees a great turnout by Bismarck-Mandan residents and beyond.

The board is taking up some serious topics on behalf of membership this month. We are continuing to monitor and provide feedback on rules, regulations and ordinances that impact you. As we approach our busy building season, the BMBHA focus is on streamlining the storm water requirements and ensuring fair, smart and safe building code requirements.

As always, this is your association. Please don’t hesitate to contact me, another board member or our staff to share your ideas, insight and concerns.

Vance Vetter, 2014 PresidentBMHBA Board of Directors

A Word from Our President: Let’s Get Down to Business

Vance VetterBoard President

EXPANDEDMORE BRANDS • MORE CHOICES

YOUR APPLIANCE SUPERSTORE

Online @ ccappliance.com

For over 70 years, we’ve been the area’s leading Builder Dealer. We’ve added new brands, new products and new choices that give you and your cus-tomers options for their new home. Budget models or high-end gourmet, we have it all. Plus our people are second to none when it comes to advice and assistance.

223-1173 • 309 N. 3rd St. Bismarck

15 BUILDER PACKAGES4/$1.04M4/$1.04M0/$0M0/$0M0/$0M21/$.338M0/$0M3/$.137M

GM has extended a private offer of up to $500 toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles to NAHB members. Members who are business owners can now qualify for up to $1,000 and also add on incentives from the National Fleet Purchase Program and Business Choice to get the best value on vehicles that run your business. To get this offer just visit BMHBA dealer members Kupper Chevrolet, Puklich Chevrolet or Schwan GM Auto Center, choose an eligible GM vehicle, and present your NAHB proof of membership form.

How it works:1. Get your NAHB proof of membership form by calling the BMHBA office or at www.nahb.org/gm. 2. Bring form to your GM dealer and mention this private offer. 3. At time of purchase or lease, present your NAHB proof of membership.

For private offer details, visit www.nahb.org/gm.

Page 4 March 2014BMHBA Building Buzz March 2014 BMHBA Building Buzz Page 5

2014 New Members4T Ranch Developers, Inc. | Jackie Andahl

Phone: 701-333-8087 Real Estate/Developers

BBT Homes, Inc. | Tom SchumacherPhone: 701-391-3200 Website: bbtnd.com

Home Builder (Custom), Home Builder (Multi-Family), Home Designing, General Contractor

Cedar River Cabinetry | Nick Cook IIIPhone: 701-955-5115

Cabinets

Flickertail Construction, LLC | Grant MillerPhone: 701-426-4734

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage - Joe FinkPhone: 701-222-5523 Website: applywithjoe.com

Mortgages, Financial Services

LeeUnLimited | Clint BirkelandPhone: 605-35-5430 Website: powerbench.com

Tools

Modular Dimensions Construction Services USA, Inc. | Byron Robinson

Phone: 407-529-7408

Precision Pavers | Eric EllertsonPhone: 701-741-1119

Landscaping, Landscape Products

Tamarack Materials Northland | Randy BannorPhone: 701-258-0756 Website: tamarackmaterials.com

Drywall, Insulation, Steel Manufacturing, Tools

Calendar of EventsMarch 5: Membership Committee Meeting

March 14-16: Home Show at the Civic Center

March 25: BMHBA Board Meeting

March 25: Bowling with the Builders at Midway Lanes

March 26-27: The ND Water and Pollution Control Conference Stormwater Workshop at the Ramada Hotel in Dickinson

*All Board/Committee Meetings held at the BMHBA office*

2014 Board of DirectorsPRESIDENTVance VetterVance Vetter HomesPhone: (701) 751-8218

1ST VICE PRESIDENTDrew KnutsonKnutson Homes, Inc.Phone: (701) 258-3464SECRETARY/TREASURER Lynn KleinGate City BankPhone: (701) 355-7633Nathan JonesTollberg HomesPhone: (763) 205-2037Scott MoranHallmark HomesPhone: (701) 471-8796 Bill SchmidTownsquare MediaPhone: (701) 250-6602

PAST PRESIDENTEric BrendenNorthwest ContractingPhone: (701) 255-7727

2ND VICE PRESIDENT Greg ZenkerFerguson EnterprisesPhone: (701) 663-2446Paula HaiderHaider Glass SpecialtiesPhone: (701) 250-6787Chad MoldenhauerK & L Homes, Inc.Phone: (701) 258-4584Shannon ReichenbergDiversity HomesPhone: (701) 220-8177 C.J. SchorschFleck’s Furniture & AppliancePhone: (701) 323-0891

Subcontractors are an often over looked but essential part of the home building industry. Many outside the industry do not understand how large a part subcontractors have in the construction of a home. Home builders, as well as remodelers, typically subcontract a large portion of their construction work out to trade contractors who can more efficiently deliver individual pieces of the construction process. Specialized subcontractors perform much or even all of the actual labor.

On average, 25 subcontractors were used to build a single-family detached house in 2012 (according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index July 2012 special questions). Larger builders are more dependent on subcontractors to build their homes. On average, builders who built more than 25 units used 32 subcontractors during 2012, compared to 23 for

builders who built less than 25 units .About 71 percent of those employed in the home

building industry are subcontractors. Monthly employment data for January 2014 (the employment count data from the BLS establishment survey) indicate that total employment in home building stands at 2.231 million, broken down as 647,000 builders and 1.584 million residential specialty trade contractors.

During the past 40 years, the use of subcontractors significantly accelerated. In 2012, sixty-eight percent of home builders subcontracted 75 percent or more of the construction costs, whereas in 1959 less than half as many– 31 percent– subcontracted that percentage. A major reason for this trend is due in part to the increasing complexity, features, and amenities supplied with new homes.

The Essential Subcontractor

GM NAHB Private Offer Continues

Business Owners Can Now Save $1000NAHB members can continue

to enroll to receive increased discounts through December 2014.

Visit www.LowesForPros.com/NAHB and register to save 2 percent on your Lowe’s Accounts Receivable purchases made now through 12/31/2014. Plus, save 5 percent every day when you use your Lowe’s Account Receivable. NAHB members also receive free delivery on purchases of $500 or more.

See LowesforPros.com/NAHB or call 877-435-2440 for more information.

Don

’t M

iss

Out

on

Gre

at M

embe

r Sa

ving

s! Lowe’s ProServices Discounts ContinueThrough December

Page 6 March 2014BMHBA Building Buzz March 2014 BMHBA Building Buzz Page 7

Home Show Presents Latest Trends in Building & Improvement

The Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association (BMHBA) is hosting the 37th Annual Home Show March 14-16 at the Bismarck Civic Center.

“This event grows every year,” says Home Show Chair and BMHBA board member Greg Zenker. “Exhibitors and spectators are always eager to show and see the latest innovations in home building and home improvement.”

More than 239 vendors have registered for the Home Show. Products and services showcased include everything from kitchen cabinets and log construction to music playing showerheads and shingles.

“The Home Show is a wonderful opportunity for renters, first time-homebuyers and seasoned homeowners to meet local builders, contractors and associates in one shot. We are committed to keeping admission affordable for all at $5 per adult, $3 if they print the coupon off of BMHBA.com, and free for students 18 and younger,” said Zenker.

The Home Show will run from 3-9 p.m. on Friday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 and from 12-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 16. For more information, visit bmhba.com.

During the week of March 17-21, the NAHB federation will "Bring Housing Home" with a week-long Legislative Conference designed for NAHB members to engage their federal legislators at home in their congressional districts.

Holding the Legislative Conference for an entire week in March will engage the grassroots and give NAHB time to advance its priorities in the shortened 2014 legislative calendar. Congress will be out of session the entire first week of June, including Wednesday, June 4, when the Legislative Conference would normally take place in conjunction with the NAHB Spring Board of Directors Meeting, which will go on as scheduled.

This week-long event provides a unique opportunity for NAHB members to show federal lawmakers the economic power of the housing industry and to take the concerns of the home building community directly to their representatives and senators in their home offices. It also will allow members who do not normally

participate in the national board meetings or annual legislative conference to make their voices heard. Further, it gives NAHB an opportunity to engage more members, attract associates, multifamily and remodeler members and demonstrate the federation’s clout on the key issues facing the industry.

NAHB’s goal is to hold 535 congressional meetings during the week.

Bring Housing Home: A NAHB Legislative Conference Bowling with the Builders

The BMHBA announces its annual Bowling with the Builders event on March 25 from 6-9 p.m. at Midway Lanes in Mandan. Members are encouraged to gather their co-workers and create a team.

This year’s event will feature two games, shoes, taco in a bag and a beer ticket for each registrant. Registration is $20 per person. Teams consist of five players per lane. Build your own team or be placed on another to up your networking opportunities. Registration is available online at www.bmhba.com/events.

If bowling is not your game, but you still want to get involved, consider signing up as a prize sponsor. Sponsors will get recognition at the event, in the BMHBA newsletter and on the event email and fax. Sponsorships are available for $100.

Page 8 March 2014BMHBA Building Buzz March 2014 BMHBA Building Buzz Page 9

www.qualitytitlend.com 2211 East Main Ave. PO Box 1276 Bismarck, ND 58502-1276

ph: 701.204.6145 | f: 701.425.0425

Construction Sector Share of Gross State ProductMember Minute: BMHBA Members in the NewsBlackRidgeBANK Brings Wollmann on BoardBlackRidgeBANK is pleased to

announce the hiring of Marita Wollmann as mortgage loan officer. Originally from Brookings, SD, Wollmann was a Minnesota State University Moorhead graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She has since resided in Bismarck. Wollmann brings more than 20 years experience in finance, banking, and real estate sales. Her background and strong work ethic provide her with the broad knowledge base and insight to assist her clients with their mortgage needs.

Henderson Named Planning and Housing Development Director

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) has named Jennifer Henderson to head its planning and housing development division.

Henderson previously served as a housing outreach officer within the planning and housing development

division. In her new position, she will oversee the division’s work, providing community leaders and housing developers with the technical and financial assistance needed to define local housing needs, devise development strategies, and position communities for growth.

Bianco Realty Sales AwardsBianco Realty has

named Shirley Thomas and Lynnell Strothman Associates of the Month! Shirley and Lynnell had the most closed sales at Bianco Realty for the month of January 2014. Shirley has been a licensed REALTOR® since 2001 and Lynnell has been a licensed REALTOR® since 1995.

Bianco Realty AwardsJames Jeromchek

and Heidi Hilzendeger have been presented with Bianco Realty’s 2013 Rookie of the Year Award! James and Heidi have both been with Bianco Realty since the start of their real estate careers in 2012.

Bianco Realty Top ProducerShirley Thomas has been presented

with Bianco Realty’s 2013 Top Producer Award! Shirley has received this Award 5 years in a row, she had the most closed sales at Bianco Realty in 2013. Shirley has been a licensed REALTOR® since 2001.

Marita Wollmann

Jennifer Henderson

Lynnell Strothman

Heidi Hilzendeger James Jeromchek

Shirley Thomas

Shirley Thomas

Nationally, as of the fourth quarter of 2013 housing’s share of gross domestic product stood at 15.3 percent, with the residential construction sector responsible for approximately 3.1 percentage points of that total. Similar Bureau of Economic Analysis data also allows a tracking of state-by-state economic output due to the construction sector – residential and nonresidential. These state-level numbers highlight the role of the construction sector as an engine of local economic growth.

The data in the map at right come from 2012, the most recent year reported. Nationwide, construction was responsible for only 3.45% of economic output at that time. However given gains in construction spending in 2013, the construction share has certainly risen over recent months.

In 2012, the state with the highest construction share of gross state product (GSP) was Hawaii, where 5.27 percent of state output was due to construction. Other top states include North Dakota (5.15 percent), Mississippi (5.08 percent), Wyoming (5.08 percent), and Montana (5.05 percent).

The data also enable estimating the change in construction sector state product from 2011 to 2012, a period when the housing recovery began to take hold. States where the construction share rose the most as a percentage of the state’s economy include many states with growing natural resource and energy sectors. North Dakota experienced the most growth at 14 percent.

Page 10 March 2014BMHBA Building Buzz March 2014 BMHBA Building Buzz Page 11

State Adjusts Homeownership Program Income LimitsThe Industrial Commission has adjusted income limits

in state homeownership programs, making more North Dakotans eligible for mortgage loans with below-market interest rates as well as down payment assistance and closing cost assistance.

“The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s (NDHFA) homeownership programs have helped more than 38,000 North Dakota families buy their first home, and have assisted hundreds of new and returning residents in establishing themselves in our communities,” Commission members said in a joint statement. “Last year, more than 900 North Dakota residents were able to make homeownership a reality with the help of these programs.”

The Commission consisting of Governor Jack Dalrymple, as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring oversees the agency.

“The FirstHome™ program’s new maximum income limits will range from $69,600 to $90,850, depending on household size and the county where a financed home is located,” said Jolene Kline, NDHFA executive Director. “The greatest increase was in Williams County where a one- to two- person household can now earn up to $79,000 and a household of three or more may earn up to $90,850.”

The previous income limits in Williams County were $69,500 and $79,925. The limits in Burleigh and Morton Counties decreased from $77,700 for a one- to two-

person households and $89,335 for a household of three or more to $76,700 and $88,205.

The Commission also adjusted income limits for NDHFA’s Start and HomeAccess programs. Start is a down payment assistance program; HomeAccess is a loan program targeted to disabled, elderly, veteran and single-parent households.

The income limits for NDHFA’s HomeKey loan program, which serves very low-income households, are set at 50

percent of the FirstHome limits. The limits for the North Dakota Roots program, a homeownership incentive program targeted to new and returning North Dakotans, are set at 140 percent of federal median income limits.

Last year, 64 percent of the agency’s first-time homebuyers received down payment and/or closing cost assistance. The average FirstHome program loan last year was $136,779. The average borrower’s household income was $52,398.

The purchase price limit for the Agency’s homebuyer programs, excepting North Dakota Roots, is $250,000. The maximum North Dakota Roots loan amount must comply with the current Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac conforming

loan amount or the limits of the applicable loan insurer/guarantor.

For more information on the Agency’s homeownership programs, contact an NDHFA participating lender. Information is also available online at www.ndhfa.org.

Survey Indicates Growing Concern Over Builder Costs

United Tribes Technical College is adding another specialty in workforce development. Training in electrical technology is set to begin March 17. The new offering is part of the college’s TCC DeMaND Program, a workforce training initiative funded by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

UTTC’s Electrical Technology is a certificate-degree program that runs for the brief period of 16 weeks. Like other technical fields in the program, it emphasizes getting students trained and into the labor market quickly.

“The training is concentrated. Students put in full days working through the week just as they will on the job,” says Jesse Peterson, the program’s director. “It involves classroom study and three specially designed experimentation labs.”

The labs give the kind of valuable hands-on opportunity that many students need to gain confidence and skill, Peterson says. Classroom training reinforces skill-

building and focuses on the basics of electrical theory, print reading, electrical codes and safe work practices. In the end, students will know how to properly build, wire and troubleshoot residential and commercial electrical systems.

Although the focus is on electrical, the training also includes instruction in applied math, OSHA 10 regulations, First Aid and CPR, first year college experience, and Native American business planning.

UTTC’s workforce training programs are open to students of all backgrounds. For more information about the Electrical Technology contact Jesse Peterson 701-255-3285 x 1242, jpeterson@uttc.edu.

UTTC Adds Electrical Program

In the latest monthly NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index the special questions asked builders about the problems they faced in 2013 and expect to face in 2014. In January 2014 survey, out of 5 different sections with significant problems faced by the builders, one of the sections relates to building costs. Similar questions were asked about problems faced in earlier years, so it’s possible to trace the evolution of problems builders faced in 2011, 2012, 2013 and expect to face this year.

According to the latest survey, 81 percent of the builders expect building materials prices to be one of their significant problems expected in 2014, up 13 percentage points from the share who faced that problem in 2013 and substantially up from 46 percent in 2012 and 33 percent in 2011.

Second is the cost/availability of labor, according to 65 percent of builders who expect to face it in 2014, up from

53 percent who said they faced the problem in 2013, 30 percent in 2012 and only 13 percent in 2011. More than half of the builders expect cost/availability of developed lots to be a significant problem. This is also up from 46 percent who said they faced the problem in 2013, 34 percent in 2012 and 21 percent in 2011.

With the health reforms in place since 1st of January 2014, 48 percent of the builders expect costs of health insurance be a significant problem in 2014. The problems associated with health insurance were slightly less common among builders in 2012 than in 2011, but higher in 2013 where 33 percent of the respondents indicated it to be a significant problem.

At this stage, the pace of the housing recovery could be stronger, if the rising construction costs did not emerge as a significant obstacle.

What is “Affordable”?The commonly-accepted standard for housing affordability is housing costs that are no more than 30 percent of a household's gross income. Housing costs under this standard

generally include the cost of utilities.

In North Dakota, the median household income is $53,585. At

30 percent of that income, the average North Dakotan can afford to spend

$1,340 per month for housing costs.

Start 2014 with NAHB Payment Processing SavingsNAHB members who have had

their FREE merchant statement savings analysis have saved an average of $1,300 annually. In fact, 8 out of

10 merchants who had the analysis found savings. With 24/7, U.S.-based merchant support and state-of-the-art data security technology, TransFirst offers a complete, potentially money-saving program.

Plus... Now you can accept American Express® Card transactions at the same rate as other payment cards — accepting American Express Cards can potentially bring in new business and help boost your bottom line. And it’s all through TransFirst, all your processing information with one statement and one point of contact.

Call TransFirst today at 800.613.0148 or, to start saving even sooner, FAX or email your merchant statements to 800.297.3405 or NAHBstatements@transfirst.com for an immediate review. More information can be found at TransFirstAssociation.com/nahb.

Page 12 March 2014BMHBA Building Buzz March 2014 BMHBA Building Buzz Page 13

National NewsNational NewsMeet the 2014 NAHB Leadership Team

Delaware builder and developer Kevin Kelly took the helm as NAHB’s 2014 chairman during the NAHB Board of Directors meeting at the International Builders’ Show on Feb. 6.

Kelly is president of Leon N. Weiner & Associates, Inc. of Wilmington, and has several decades of experience in land development, multifamily and single-family home building, and property management.

“Our focus this year will be to ensure that the housing market continues to strengthen,” said Kelly. “We will fight to protect the mortgage interest deduction, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and other vital housing tax provisions. We will work with the Administration and members of Congress in a bipartisan manner to enact meaningful housing finance reform that includes a federal backstop to ensure sufficient mortgage liquidity for homeownership and rental housing opportunities. On the regulatory side, we will oppose unnecessary and burdensome regulations that harm home builders and consumers and seek major reforms in appraisal practices to ensure that appraisals accurately reflect true market values.”

Also moving up on the association’s leadership ladder during NAHB’s Las Vegas board meeting was Tom Woods, a Blue Springs, Mo.-based home builder with more than 40 years of experience in the home building industry. He was elected as the 2014 First Vice Chairman of the Board. Woods is president of Woods Custom Homes. He has developed scores of communities and more than 1,000 homes in the Greater Kansas City area.

Ed Brady, a Bloomington, Ill.-based home builder, was elected as the 2014 Second Vice Chairman of the Board. He is president of Brady Homes, a company founded in 1964 by his father, William Brady Sr. One of the largest home building firms in central Illinois, Brady Homes has developed 20 residential communities throughout the state, building more than 1,800 single-family homes, 2,000 apartment units and more than 100,000 square feet of light commercial property.

Granger MacDonald, a Kerrville, Texas-based builder

and developer with 40 years of experience in the home building industry, joined the NAHB leadership team with his election as the Third Vice Chairman of the Board. MacDonald is president of the MacDonald Companies, a diverse development, construction, and management enterprise with more than 35 neighborhoods completed throughout Texas.

2013 NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, from Charlotte, N.C., remains on the leadership ladder as Immediate Past Chairman. Judson is the owner of Evergreen Development Group in Charlotte, and is a successful builder and developer with several decades of experience in land development and construction of single-family, multifamily and commercial projects.

Rounding out the association’s leadership is NAHB Chief Executive Officer Jerry Howard, from Washington, D.C. Howard heads up a professional staff of more than 230 working out of the National Housing Center in Washington. He has served as the association’s CEO/EVP since February of 2001. Previously, Howard was NAHB’s chief tax counsel.

The White House announced Feb. 10 that it will grant employers with 50 to 99 full-time workers an additional one-year extension to Jan. 1, 2016 to comply with the requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). By that date, these employers must provide health care coverage or pay a tax penalty. Those who own and control multiple business entities may need to jointly calculate the number of employees in all of their business entities, as the law is still unclear whether the owner of multiple businesses is considered a single employer.

Meanwhile, companies with 100 workers or more still face the Jan. 1, 2015 deadline previously announced. However, instead of being required in 2015 to cover at least 95 percent of their full-time employees, these larger employers can avoid a fine by offering health insurance to 70 percent of them in 2015. Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, they will need to provide health coverage to all their full-time workers.

In 2016, all employers with at least 50 full-time workers are required to provide health insurance to their employees and must provide a plan that pays for at least 60 percent of their employees’ health care expenses. Additionally, employees must not pay more than 9.5 percent of their family income for the

employer-provided health coverage. If a qualifying employer decides not to offer a health plan or does not meet these

requirements, it can pay penalties of $2,000 to $3,000 per employee.

NAHB continues to fight to repeal the law and to gain more time for its members to adjust to the ACA. In a letter last year to the Treasury Department, NAHB said, "the employer community needs additional time to properly analyze their workforce and negotiate their plan designs. This is especially true for the small business community, which often lacks access to the human resources staff and technology available to larger businesses."

More information is at nahb.org/healthcarelaw.

Reprieve from Health Care Law Mandate

Fuel is probably the 2nd largest expense for any company involved in transportation, next to payroll. In an effort to continually provide value to its members, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) sought a new affinity vendor for a fuel program that would invest in members and what they believe in. NAHB found that in Associated Petroleum Products, Inc. (APP).

APP is a family owned company formed in 1981 based out of Tacoma, Washington providing a variety of fuel, lubricant, and propane products and services for many industries. They created the APP Fuel Card Program unique to NAHB that benefits our members with a vast network of fueling locations, industry-best purchasing controls, and online management tools that provide fleet managers the security and operational control required to run a fleet of any size, whether you have one vehicle or 400! The program is simple…Members earn $0.015 for EVERY gallon purchased and gain a fuel management program that replaces messy accounting practices and gains accountability for all your fuel purchases.

• Accepted at more than 90% of all retail station and commercial fueling sites in the U.S.

• Track & monitor fuel expenses by vehicle & driver• Consolidate all your fuel expenses with one report,

no more receipts!• Access your account anyway, any time with a

detailed online account management tool• No setup or monthly fees!• No gallon limits on rebates, every gallon counts!• Driver ID & Odometer required for security• Online purchase controls & alerts to help prevent

unauthorized purchases• No member too big or too small to participateGo to www.associatedpetroleum.com/nahb and fill out

the simple form or contact Dennis Gregory at (800) 929-5243, Option 6.

APP Fuel Card Program: Benefiting You, Benefiting Housing

Visit 122 Mandan St, Bismarck | Call 258-4400

Building a New Home? Get 35% O� Lighting at

Page 14 March 2014BMHBA Building Buzz March 2014 BMHBA Building Buzz Page 15

www.ndbuild.com North Dakota Association of Builders March 2014

Dot Frank, Executive Officer 701-222-2400 bmhba.com BMHBA hosted its annual February Fun Night with the support of Jerome Distributing. More than 90 members attended the event, which featured beer samples and a board of directors’ chili cook-off. Past President Eric Brenden was crowned chili champ. 205 vendors have registered for the 37th Annual Home Show, which will take place March 14-16 at the Bismarck Civic Center. Bismarck drew national attention as the county’s top market for 2014 remodeling predictions by Remodeling.net. Board and committee members leading discussion with city staff to ensure a smooth construction season and to iron out details prior to Bismarck’s adoption of the 2012 building codes. Dickinson Area Builders Assoc. Irene Schafer, Executive Officer 701-483-0044 dickinsonareabuilders.com Dickinson held their February General Membership meeting at the Eagles on the 12th of February. We added 9 new members.

Home Show plans are moving forward. We are also starting some early planning for Home Show 2015.

We will have the new building available. However, I fully expect we will be sold out really soon, since I have over 40 prospective exhibitors on a waiting list.

We are planning Safety Training sessions on Forklift Training and Defensive Driving on March 31.

Next GMM will be at Lady J’s Club & Catering on March 12th.

Bryce Johnson, Executive Vice President 701-232-5846 hbafm.com HBA of F-M leaders look forward to participating in relationship-building legislative activities this month including in-state visits with our North Dakota Congressional delegation in conjunction with the North Dakota Association of Builders and a trip to St. Paul for the Builder Association of Minnesota’s Builder Day at the Capitol.

The HBA will hold power limited technician training March 7. We will also host EPA certified renovator training March 19 and a free OSHA 30-Hour Construction Course March 25-28 for members.

Several staff and members will participate in the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Tour de Habitat stationary bike race March 8 to help raise money for the HBA of F-M’s Habitat build coming up this summer.

Our “Chilly” Cook-Off will be 5-7 p.m. March 13 at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Showroom. Forx Builders Association Betty McDonald, Executive Officer 701-746-4536 forxbuilders.com PS Doors included the Forx Builders Association in celebrating their 40th year in business by hosting a great Builders after Hours. It was a fun time for all that attended.

The guys at Structural Materials are busy spring cleaning for their annual Builders after Hours which is scheduled for March 13th.

Our Home Design & Garden Show will be March 28, 29 & 30 at the Alerus Center. Minot Association of Builders Vicky Flagstad, Executive Officer 701-852-0496 minotab.com Builders After Hours is on March 11 hosted jointly by Dakota Stone and Granite and Fire Equipment Co. at the Dakota Stone office. 39th Annual MAB Home & Garden Show is set for March 15-16 at the ND State Fair Center. Williston Area Builders AssociationBeth Sundheim, Executive Officer 701-572-5744 willistonbuilders.com March 5th Government Affairs

Meeting – Dakota Farms 7:30am

March 18th Board Meeting

March 20th General Membership Meeting (McCody Concrete & Bakken Realty)

Thank you to the NDAB 2014 Partners as of Feb. 20, 2014! We truly appreciate your support and we are very excited to serve you throughout the entire year! See you at our first event in June! Silver Partner—Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead

Silver Partner—Northern Plumbing Supply

Bronze Partner—Bank of North Dakota

Bronze Partner—Bell State Bank and Trust Bronze Partner—Minot Association of Builders

Bronze Partner—North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

Around the State

37

2600 Gateway Avenue Suite 1

Bismarck, ND 58503

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #72

Bismarck, ND58501