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2013 Fall Board Meeting
We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2013 HBAG Fall Board Meeting in just a few short weeks!
Where: Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort- The Grand Sandestin
When: September 24-26, 2013
Cost: $200 for members, $100 for guests
Register and find more information about the meeting here!
HBAG Member Rebate Program
No one likes to leave money on the table. So, what would you think if you could get a rebate for your loyalty to many of the nation's leading product suppliers? Well, now you can! HBAG's Member Rebate Program increases your bottom line. For the minimal effort of informing us about the home construction products you use and when you close on a home or project, you'll be putting money back in your pocket. Both Builder and Remodeler companies, no matter how large or small, qualify for the program, and you are not required to use products from every manufacturer. For more information and to register click here.
Registration is now open for the 2014 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, Nevada February 4-6, 2014! A block of rooms has been reserved at Caesars Palace for Georgia Delegation to make reservations beginning September 3, 2013.
Visit www.buildersshow.com to register, reserve a room, and for more information regarding IBS 2014.
We hope to see you in Vegas!
ALL- A Liveable Lifestyle Home Program
HBAG is very excited to announce the launch of the new
ALL program. ALL
stands for:
A Liveable Lifestyle Home
ALL is a voluntary certification program presenting design features built into a new home or within a remodeled home that promote a liveable and accessible lifestyle. It is a home for all people - young or old, and of all abilities.
ALL is a state-wide program. It works for builders and consumers in all price points and home types.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Bettie Sleeth at bsleeth@hbag.org. Greater Atlanta HBA member and ALL founding partner, Betsy Sheppard, betsy@gilbertsheppard.com has created the website and marketing materials. Bettie Sleeth and Betsy Sheppard are available to make presentations on the ALL Home Program to your local association or other groups.
Be sure to like the ALL - A Liveable Lifestyle Home Program Facebook page by clicking here!
Blower Door and Duct Envelope Tightness (DET) Equipment
HBAG and DCA have partnered to bring DET equipment rental units to your local HBA or an association close to you. The rental fee is $100.00 per day. Please visit www.hbag.org and click on the DET Equipment Rental box for more information. If you would like to become a DET verifier or would like more information on the rental program you can contact HBAG at 404-763-2453.
Quick Links Online Advertising Read NAHB's Eye on Housing Read NAHB's Eye on the Economy Become a Sponsor of HBAG
Home Builders Association of Georgia
3015 Camp Creek Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30344 Phone: (404) 763-2453 Fax: (404) 559-1531
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New Construction Codes
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has issued a Notice of Intent to Adopt new Code Editions and Georgia State Amendments, effective January 1, 2014.
New editions of 6 mandatory construction codes and 1 optional code will go into effect January 1, 2014. All new houses and other structures permitted after that date will have to comply with new codes. They are as follows:
- 2012 International Residential Code (IRC)
 - 2012 International Building Code (IBC)
- 2012 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
- 2012 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
- 2012 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
- 2012 International Fire Code (IFC)
- 2012 Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPPC) (*optional)
All of these codes have Georgia amendments which are posted on the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) website.
HBAG has been very involved in the adoption process of these code editions over the past 2 years, with representatives on most of the review task forces. The DCA Board will issue final approval for adoption at the November 6, 2013 meeting. Georgia is transitioning from the 2006 editions of most of these codes so numerous changes have occurred. Check with your local HBA for training sessions scheduled for the Fall of 2013. HBAG will host a training session highlighting some of the key changes to the IRC at its annual meeting in Sandestin on Wednesday, September 25, 2013.
Code books may be purchased from the International Code Council (ICC) at www.iccsafe.org, or from NAHB at www.buildersbook.com. Local HBA's, such as the Greater Atlanta HBA may also have the code books available in their bookstore. Local colleges and technical schools usually have these codes available in their bookstores if they teach construction or engineering.
To request additional information on Georgia's construction codes, training programs for local code enforcement officials, or technical assistance, contact:
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Codes and Industrialized Buildings Section
Telephone: 404-679-3118
codes@dca.ga.gov
www.dca.ga.gov
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Builder Confidence Rises Three Points in August
Courtesy of NAHB- Sept. 3, 2013
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose three points to 59 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for August. This fourth consecutive monthly gain brings the index to its highest level in nearly eight years.
"Builders are seeing more motivated buyers walk through their doors than they have in quite some time," said NAHB chairman Rick Judson. "What's more, firming home prices and thinning inventories of homes for sale are contributing to an increased sense of urgency among those who are in the market."
"Builder confidence continues to strengthen along with rising demand for a limited supply of new and existing homes in most local markets," noted NAHB chief economist David Crowe. "However, this positive momentum is being slowed by the ongoing headwinds of tight credit and low supplies of finished lots and labor."
Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for 25 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as "good," "fair" or "poor." The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as "high to very high," "average" or "low to very low." Scores from each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.
Two of the HMI's three components posted gains in August. The component gauging current sales conditions rose three points to 62, while the component gauging sales expectations in the next six months gained a single point to 68 and the component gauging traffic of prospective buyers held unchanged at 45.
All but one region saw a gain in its three-month moving average HMI score in August. The Midwest and West each posted six-point increases, to 60 and 57, respectively, while the South posted a four-point gain to 54 and the Northeast held unchanged at 39.
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EPD Announcement - NPDES Permit
EPD Director Jud Turner issued a directive allowing construction projects that began on or after August 1, 2013 to file for coverage under the current 2008 NPDES Permit, even though that Permit expired on July 31, 2013. Coverage will be allowed until the new 2013 NPDES Permit is finalized, issued and effective. EPD's No Action Assurance is conditioned upon compliance at the construction site with all requirements and conditions of the applicable NPDES State General Permit issued on August 1, 2008.
This decision assures the construction industry that there will be no gaps in coverage while the final administrative procedures needed to issue the new 2013 NPDES Permit are completed. HBAG has been working diligently with our industry partners and EPD to come up with a workable solution during this unforeseen delay.
EPD has received approval from US EPA but the 2013 NPDES Permit still has to go through the public notice process even though EPD established a stakeholders advisory group to review the new Permit. HBAG was an active participant in the stakeholder group. EPD must address any concerns raised during the 30-day public comment period which began on July 30, 2013. A public hearing was scheduled for August 30, 2013 at the EPD Tradeport office in Atlanta. EPD will issue the new NPDES Permit as expeditiously as possible after all the administrative procedures requirements are met.
HBAG applauds Director Turner and EPD staff for this directive and for all their efforts to resolve this issue on a timely basis. If you have any questions, contact Bettie Sleeth at bsleeth@hbag.org or 678-468-9900 or Kelly Lass at klass@hbag.org or 404-763-2453.
EPD Announcement - No Action Assurance
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DRBC Workshops
The state has developed and is conducting a comprehensive training program for building officials and the construction industry on the importance, implementation and enforcement of the Disaster Resilient Construction Appendices. The training will focus on the provisions within the appendices and aid in helping a community to determine which options may apply to provide increased requirements beyond what may be currently enforced. The one day workshops consist of (2) three hour sessions with a lunch break. The appendices workshops are provided free of charge and registration is required:
Contact DCA to register:
Dee Leclair, DRBC Project Manager
Phone: 404-327-7909
Upcoming 2013 Workshops:
Nov. 15 - McIntosh County, GA at 9 AM
Nov. 21 - South Fulton County, GA at 9 AM
Dec. 4 - Bartow County, GA at 9 AM
Dec. 10 - Columbus, GA at 10 AM
If you have any questions, please contact the Construction Codes Program at 404-679-3118 or constructioncodes@dca.ga.gov.
More information about the workshops is available on the DCA webpage.
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