News & Updates

News, updates and announcements from the Johnston County Building Industry Association

Consumer Awareness

Be-prepared

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors Launches Statewide Public Awareness Campaign Alongside National Efforts with NASCLA

"The NCLBGC is pleased to join with NASCLA and enforcement agencies from across the United States during the month of June in a coordinated effort to raise consumer awareness and shine a bright light on contractors who are not operating in full compliance with the law,” Frank Wiesner, Executive Director, NCLBGC explained. "The focus of the effort is to enhance consumer awareness and educate consumers on the importance of hiring licensed contractors. When a citizen hires an unlicensed contractor and gets scammed, they may be putting themselves at great financial risk,” he added.

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Important Tips

Helpful-Tips

These important tips can protect you from substantial financial loss and emotional stress.

  • Plan your project Plan out in detail what you want done and who you will need to complete it. No two projects are the same, and some may require a specially licensed contractor. Contact your local permitting office to see if permits are required to assure code compliance.
  • Get several estimates When comparing estimates from different contractors, don’t just compare the bottom-line cost. Look at the cost, quantity and quality of materials in each estimate. Be sure the estimate includes the total price, the materials to be used, a time table for payments and the expected time line for completion of the work.
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Guide to Buying a Home

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If you are thinking of buying a new home, you must pay close attention to many details to ensure that you find one that will suit your needs and preferences. Before you start shopping, you should sit down with the members of your household to discuss your preferences and the many options available to you. Here are some things you should consider:

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Stephenson General Contractors Celebrates 50 Years

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Mr. Durwood Stephenson is one of the founders of the Johnston County Building Industry Association and has blazed the trail for building in Johnston County for over 50 years!  We asked him about his history as he is celebrating his 50 years in business.   Here is what he shared:

M. Durwood Stephenson & Assoc., Inc. began in a shared office in downtown Smithfield on March 22, 1973, providing smaller custom-built homes, primarily for first-time home buyers. In the late 1970’s, we transitioned to building larger custom-built homes, establishing neighborhoods in our exclusive single-family subdivisions in Johnston County. In 1981, we relocated from shared office space into our custom designed space on Highway 70 in Smithfield, which continues to be our headquarters. In order to accommodate our growth and needs, we also constructed a warehouse for equipment and construction personnel in 1981, a short distance from our office.

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Building Code Council Legislation Introduced

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A major piece of NCHBA's 2023 legislative agenda was introduced in the House and Senate this week. On Monday, HB 488 (Code Council Reorganization and Various Code Amendments) was filed in the House by Representative(s) Mark Brody (R-Union), Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), Tricia Cotham (D-Mecklenburg), and Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance). In addition, a Senate companion bill was filed. SB 378 is sponsored by Senator Jarvis (R-Davidson), Tim Moffitt (R-Henderson) and Jim Perry (R-Lenoir). This landmark legislation tackles several areas of concern for builders throughout North Carolina. This is the eighth building code regulatory relief bill filed in the last 11 years, the previous seven were all successful in passage. This year’s legislation contains the following 13 provisions

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2023 Discover Construction Day was a BIG success!

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The construction industry is no stranger to a lack of skilled labor, so in an effort to show some of our local High School Juniors and Seniors different career options, the JCBIA and JCPS put together a "Discover Construction Day!"

The mission behind Discover Construction Day was to show the students different careers available in the industry and give them an experience to take back and consider.  The Be Pro Be Proud NC truck came, which is full of simulated trades where the students could experience electrical, HVAC, truck driving, crane operating, welding, etc.

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OSHA Penalty Amounts Soar

Safety-First

Violations of safety rules on jobsites are now more expensive as the Labor Department late last week announced its annual cost-of-living adjustments to OSHA civil penalties for 2023. The new penalty amounts are effective Tuesday, Jan. 17.

OSHA’s maximum penalties for violations will increase from $14,502 per violation to $15,625 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations will increase from $145,027 per violation to $156,259 per violation.

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Weak Start for Housing in 2023 Will Give Way to Rebound

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Housing data for the end of 2022 illustrate a market continuing to weaken because of low housing affordability, largely as a result of elevated mortgage interest rates. At the start of 2023, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is near 6.5%, down from a near 20-year high of 7.1% in early November. However, forecasters are expecting the Federal Reserve to end its path of rate increases at the end of the first quarter. This should lead to sustainable declines for mortgage rates in the second half of 2023 and into 2024, enough to spur a rebound for single-family construction. 

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Supreme Court of NC Sides with Building Industry

Gavel

The Supreme Court of North Carolina recently decided a case of major significance to builders and developers. The decision establishes safeguards against local government “permit extortion” which, unfortunately, is a common practice in this state. NCHBA joined the Pacific Legal Foundation in support of the plaintiffs by filing an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in the Supreme Court.

In reversing a decision by a panel of the NC Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court held that the “capacity use” fees at issue in the case were “monetary exactions” subject to constitutional scrutiny and must, therefore, satisfy the “essential nexus” and “rough proportionality” test in order to avoid being treated as takings of plaintiffs’ property. This decision provides explicit legal protection to builders against permit demands which quite often exceed these constitutional restrictions.

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Be Pro Be Proud

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Be Pro Be Proud, Inc is leading the movement to bring a new generation of pride, progress & professionals to America’s skilled workforce. The initiative is led by the Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation, and on Tuesday, Feb 22nd officials from the NC Department of Labor and the NC Home Builders Educational Foundation gathered for a contract signing event to officially mark the establishment of the Be Pro Be Proud pilot program! 

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10 Tips on Building, Remodeling, or Improving Your Home

before-and-after

These important tips can protect you from substantial financial loss and emotional stress.

  • Plan your project Plan out in detail what you want done and who you will need to complete it. No two projects are the same, and some may require a specially licensed contractor. Contact your local permitting office to see if permits are required to assure code compliance.
  • Get several estimates When comparing estimates from different contractors, don’t just compare the bottom-line cost. Look at the cost, quantity and quality of materials in each estimate. Be sure the estimate includes the total price, the materials to be used, a time table for payments and the expected time line for completion of the work.
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Why is CO so harmful?

Safety-First

Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, oil, or propane. Because it has no odor or color, CO gas is impossible to detect by smell or sight, so you can be breathing it in without knowing it. Moreover, because initial symptoms that include headaches, fatigue, and dizziness, exposure is frequently chalked up to normal job-site physical stressors, cold, or flu. 

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Be Wary of Contractor Scams

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The JCBIA has plenty of professional, fully insured, legally licensed contractors, but should you choose to hire someone outside the association, please consider the following:

  • Any project quoted at $30,000 or more requires a valid NC general contractors license.
  • Projects less than $30,000 do not require a license. However, hiring a NC licensed general contractor may offer security in knowing that you have contracted with a general contractor who is authorized to perform work in NC. Ask for proof that the contractor is licensed and then verify at www.nclbgc.org; or call the JCBIA.
  • Be wary of door-to-door repair solicitations or people who demand deposits or payments in cash.
  • Contact your insurance company for guidance before beginning any work. Do not make a large deposit or upfront payment in full. Require a written contract that details the work to be done, materials to be used, a payment schedule that is based on completion of work and a timeline for work to be completed. A licensed general contractor is required to list their license number on all contracts.
  • Do not make payments before work specified on the payment schedule is completed.
  • Do not make payments for any work not specified in the contract unless it has been submitted and approved in writing by you before the additional work begins.
  • Request a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor and verify it is valid by contacting the party who issued it.
  • Contact the NC Attorney General’s office if you suspect you are being price gouged by the contractor at https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/price-gouging/ or call toll free within North Carolina at (877)-5-NO-SCAM or (877)-566-7226.

This year will mark the 7th consecutive above average hurricane seasons and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) is forecasting a 65% chance of an above-normal season. This season is expected to produce a range of 14-20 named storms, 6-10 of which could become hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, marking peak season from August through October.

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3D Printed Construction

3D-Printer

The foundation of all current legal concepts and statutes governing the construction industry are based upon more traditional building methods, and the increased interest in and use of 3D printed construction is leading to a host of new legal questions and considerations. The nuances of this new building technology raise novel questions about complying with existing building code and permit requirements that are premised around traditional methods.

One of the first attempts to address these concerns comes from the International Code Council and its introduction of Appendix AW to the International Residential Code. Similar to other construction codes, this appendix aims to create a widely adopted building code that applies directly to the 3D printed construction industry. The appendix, which incorporates the Underwriters Laboratories’ UL 3401, outlines how officials are to evaluate 3D printed construction. It covers both the evaluation of building elements and structures. As more municipalities adopt this section, it will hopefully lead to a more unified 3D printed construction building code. This will likely reduce barriers to entry by removing uncertainty at the local level, and pave the way for the approval of new projects involving established and proven 3D printing methods.

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Prepping for Summer Weather

Helpful-Tips

Mother Nature’s wicked rages can take a toll on your home, from flooding to tornados. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an above-normal 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season. However, even if you do not live in a hurricane-prone area, natural disasters can happen at any time, anywhere. Due to the unpredictability of the climate, it is essential to take steps now to prepare your house and yard to withstand extreme weather.

Before you begin, review your insurance policies to ensure you are covered for losses that may occur from a natural disaster. An increasing number of homes and communities throughout the country are at risk of wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters. As a result of these growing risks, many insurance companies are providing fewer options, drastically increasing premiums, or dropping out of specific markets. Therefore, you must talk to your insurance company about any concerns or coverage questions you may have.

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Rising Interest Rates slow production

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Rising interest rates and ongoing building material supply chain disruptions that raise construction costs continue to act as significant headwinds on the housing market.

Overall housing starts fell 14.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.55 million units in May from an upwardly revised reading the previous month, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

The May reading of 1.55 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. Within this overall number, single-family starts decreased 9.2% to a 1.05 million seasonally adjusted annual rate. The multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, decreased 23.7% to an annualized 498,000 pace.

“Single-family home building is slowing as the impacts of higher interest rates reduce housing affordability,” said Jerry Konter, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Savannah, Ga. “Moreover, construction costs continue to rise, with residential construction materials up 19% from a year ago. As the market weakens due to cyclical factors, the long-term housing deficit will persist and continue to frustrate prospective renters and home buyers.”

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The Bruce Nichols Conference Room

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Bruce Nichols joined the JCBIA in 1990 as a Builder Member.  He began serving on the Board of Directors in 1992, served as President in 1995 and has served the Association in one way or another ever since.  It has always been a vision of every Board throughout the years for the Association to have their own HOME, and when the opportunity to head up the renovations on the newly purchased building came up Bruce volunteered.  He spent many many hours on the jobsite, and made sure everyone working on the project was a member or would become a member.  Another important aspect to him and the association was to keep the project on or under budget.... and he did just that!  During the Grand Opening, the association presented Bruce with "The Bruce Nichols Conference Room" and the associations first Lifetime Achievement Award! 

 

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301Bridge Street is now HOME!

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In May of 2021 the JCBIA Board of Directors voted unanimously to purchase the property located at 301 Bridge Street and make it the Associations HOME!

The renovation was estimated to take 12 months, but was completed in 10, and the majority of the subs that worked on it were either current members or became members once they worked on the project. Bruce Nichols was in charge of the project and worked tirelessly to make sure the subs were showing up when they said they would, and to make sure that the project stayed within or under budget. The impact on the membership has been positive.  A library has been created for builder members to come in and fill out paperwork for permits, research code issues, or just read, and the association now has a place to hold GMM’s, Career Nights, Builder CE Classes, Board Meetings and more.

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NAHB Legal Action Fund Helps Member Win Long Zoning Dispute

Legal-Action

In February 2019, homes by RYAN (HBR), an NAHB developer member in Pittsford, N.Y., applied to the Legal Action Fund for help with legal costs and strategies to challenge a zoning change within its municipality.

In 2007, HBR applied for and received a rezoning approval from Residential Agriculture District RA-5 to Planned Unit Development (PUD) to develop a 54-lot subdivision on an 87-acre parcel. The project was put on hold indefinitely after the 2008 economic crisis.

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The Cost of What’s Lost: How to Avoid Job-site Theft

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Rapidly growing in relevance, job-site theft is an epidemic affecting contractors throughout the nation. With very little regard for the implications of their practice, thieves would steal the shirt off your back if you weren’t wearing it.

Many contractors are skeptical about whether or not their job-site is at risk. According to a DEWALT study, thieves strike 95% of contractors at least once annually. While prevention can be costly, the losses you suffer are often far greater than the cost of the stolen goods.

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