Thank you for your support as past and current members while the association grows and changes. There are many exciting events and improvements occurring such as the upcoming Home Builders Expo in February 2013 as well as educational seminars which are currently being scheduled.  Many of our members enjoyed the annual Sport Clay Shoot held this past August and are looking forward to our annual holiday party.  WCBA events provide our members with valuable opportunities to gain recognition in the market, increase their education and network with other building professionals.

 Just a reminder cost to join or renew is a very affordable $180.00 for annual membership.  I've recently been appointed to head the membership committee for the WCBA and I will be in touch with all members as your renewal date arrives. Again thank you for your support.  Without you, the WCBA would not exist.

As children return to school and familiar autumn colors decorate the trees once again we can all look back in relief that we have survived the heat wave of 2012 - and the greatest recession of the past half century. It's true that our economy still faces uphill challenges and that markets nationwide continue to move slowly in tentative anticipation of the fall elections. Still, confidence levels continue to climb along with the rising consumer indexes. Prospective and existing home-owners are more and more willing to spend money on construction loans for new home starts or major remodeling projects. While the summer heat slowed down roofing activity somewhat, this market segment in particular is rebounding nicely as roofers are able to return to the job site. The evidence is conclusive: American consumers are spending money on their homes again. The great news for ALL WCBA members is that economists generally agree that this trend will remain throughout the 2012 and beyond.   

Projections increasing along with Building Permits
When the U.S. Department of Commerce released its latest report on new housing starts and permits, according to BuilderOnline.com, it showed that permits were up 6.8% in July. This figure represents the highest industry-wide number since August of 2008. The July figure also showed that single-family permits have increased 4.5% and multifamily permits have reached an encouraging 11.2% increase. Again, economists are confident that this uptick will continue throughout 2012 and even into 2013. Their conclusions are based on a combined analysis from five contributing industry experts: the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Forest Economic Advisors, the Engineered Wood Association, the National Association of Home Builders, and the National Association of Realtors.  In a recent article in Random Lengths Report, an analysts predicted forecasts for new-home construction for the balance of 2012 by 12.3% based on a faster-than-expected growth rate witnessed in the first half of the year. Economists stand by their forecasts despite factors such as the upcoming election, difficult economic conditions and the typical seasonal slowing in the 4th quarter.

Jobs: Puzzling Labor Shortage in Construction
Despite the sobering reality that unemployment continues to hover around 8% across the nation, the construction industry has been having trouble finding qualified help. Alarmingly significant labor shortages are being identified in many trades, including framing, trucking and mills. One possible reason for the shortage of skilled workers is the recession itself. It is surmised that many skilled tradesmen (and women) decided to change careers or return to school (in order to seek more stable professions). Other reasons include the increasingly tougher laws on illegal immigrants, as well as stricter enforcement of drug testing by employers. One analysis who offered his insights to Random Lengths Report warned, "When this market really accelerates - I think within the next year - look out. Not enough loggers, not enough log truck drivers, not enough mill workers, not enough long-haul truckers, and now not enough construction workers. I think we're in for a wild trip." 

Lumber & Sheet-goods Prices Reflect Industry Improvements
Pricing on lumber and other building commodities material prices have shown steady increase over the past few months. After a July decrease, lumber costs jumped 4.5% in August, where they averaged approximately 17.6% over the same period in the previous year. This also illustrates the overall upward trend that has been witnessed throughout all of the current year. Since May of 2012, lumber has consistently been 13-20% higher than the costs in the corresponding months of 2011. Economists agree that these cost increases are attributable to (along with diminished supply),  a slow but steady recovery within the building industry.

Sometimes for the better of all concerned a change must occur.  That time with our Association is now.  Your board and officers have come to the conclusion that it is in the best financial sense for the Association to vacate the present rented office facilities and hold our monthly meetings at various locations around Washington County.

This decision was arrived at after much deliberation by the board of directors and officers weighing out a variety of the pro's and con's.  A vote which was taken at the last board meeting was unanimous and based on the fact that the office space is vastly underutilized with the conclusion that a better use of the membership dues should be achieved instead of spending all dues on rent and utilities. 

Starting on November 15th your first monthly meeting outside of our present location will be held at The Little Swiss Chalet (at the ski hill) 105 Cedar Creek Road, Slinger.  Phone for the Chalet is 262-297-1463 or a web site of www.littleswiss.net.   This meeting format is designed to offer networking, education and information and will start promptly at 5pm to 6pm for the networking /social hour with dinner following from 6pm to 7pm and lastly a guest speaker from 7pm to the conclusion at 8pm.  We do request that you sign up for this event via the Constant Contact system now in place so a proper count for attendance can be projected.

This new style of monthly meeting will offer you the ability to meet and network with fellow members, have a great dinner and gain knowledge of things affecting our industry focusing in on construction and business related topics.

Transition teams are working out the details of the relocation of the Association as this is being written and will be shared with you as soon as possible.  In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you at The Chalet and the start of a new chapter for our Association.