The official magazine of the North Carolina Home Builders Association Vol. 40, No.

3,
May/June 2010

May is
Remodeling Month

NCHBA Legislative
Conference
Builders Classic
Golf Tournament
Register Now Supports Scholarships
for the 21CBEC

In the Spotlight:
Ed and Debbie Butler
At ,A mOment like this,
Aren t yOu glAd yOu hAve Builders mutuAl?

Construction debris can

do irreparable damage to
the unprotected eye.

O ur WorkSafe program provides our policyholders with valuable information

and safety training to avoid accidents like this one.

Your very own field expert can provide free individual consultation at the jobsite and help
you control losses. Plus, our policyholders have unlimited access to our English/Spanish Fall 800.809.4859
Protection Certification, Builders University OSHA authorized safety courses, and toolbox www.buildersmutual.com
talks. We even offer discounted “Safety Stuff,” like safety glasses, through our online
store. Staying safe and productive is just a matter of having the right tools—and the right
insurance company.
View our new and improved risk management website
on www.buildersmutual.com/rm
 Features
Visit us at booth #834

8
V ol . 40, N o . 3, M ay /J une 2010
The official magazine of the
North Carolina
Home Builders Association 2005 Communicator Award Winner

Dedicated to the advancement of the home building industry,

North Carolina Builder (ISSN 1552-8685) is published
monthly for the members of the North Carolina Home Builders
Association, P.O. Box 99090, Raleigh, N.C. 27624-9090.
(800) 662-7129 • http://www.nchba.com
Mike Carpenter
Executive Vice President mcarpenter@nchba.org
and General Counsel
Lisa Martin
7 Director of Government Affairs lmartin@nchba.org
Robert Privott
Director of Codes and Construction rprivott@nchba.org
Golf tournament raises funds for scholarships 7 Jessica Hayes
NCHBA hosted the Builders Classic April 9 in Whispering Pines. Proceeds from the tournament Director of Political Affairs jhayes@nchba.org

will be used to award scholarships to family members of NCHBA member firms who are majoring Kathryn Atkinson
Director of Membership Services katkinson@nchba.org
in a construction-related field.
Deborah Alford
Director of Exhibitions dalford@nchba.org
STARS Awards Gala salutes work of HBA members 8 and Education

Do you need a creative way to make your product or company stand out above the Tracie Garrett
Director of Exhibitor Services tgarrett@nchba.org
competition? If so, enter the STARS Awards and be recognized by your peers for your
Kep Paylor
outstanding professional performance. Vocational Education kpaylor@nchba.org
Mike Elledge
13 Builders and associates receive professional designations 10 Controller melledge@nchba.org
Meet the latest graduates of the North Carolina Builder Institute, the educational arm of the North Erin Jones
Manager of ejones@nchba.org
Carolina Home Builders Association. Political Operations
Heather Crews
Registration opens for 21CBEC 13 Director of Communications hcrews@nchba.org
and Managing Editor
Make plans to attend the premier building expo and conference in the Southeast. The 21st Century
Brittany Carter
Building Expo & Conference will be held September 15-17 in Charlotte, N.C. Assistant Education Coordinator bcarter@nchba.org

Contents
Beth Gray
Receptionist bgray@nchba.org
Publisher Kevin Naughton
Graphic Designer Jason Gabel
Advertising Sales Manager Brenda Poe
Advertising Sales
Jeff Pinwar: (800) 935-1592, ext. 118
4. President’s Message 12. Knowledge Builder jpinwar@printcomm.com
Marsha Suwienski: (800) 935-1592, ext. 106
6. Capitol Insider 13. NC BUILD-PAC marshas@wildblue.net
Brenda Poe: (800) 935-1592, ext. 115
9. In the Spotlight: 14. Code Corner bpoe@printcomm.com

Ed and Debbie Butler Published by:

On the cover: 2929 Davison Rd., Flint, MI 48506 • (810) 239-5763

Brickwood Builders, led by Ed and Debbie Butler, remodeled this 1964 kitchen in Greensboro as part of a whole house remodel. Acceptance of advertising in North Carolina Builder does not
imply endorsement of the product or service by NCHBA. Opinions
expressed in articles are those of the authors and people quoted
and not necessarily those of NCHBA, nor does
mention of specific products in editorial content

NCHBA Calendar
imply endorsement by NCHBA. No material may
be reproduced for further publication without the
express permission of the association.
North Carolina Builder is published for the princi-
2010 Schedule of Events pals and employees of all member firms of the North
Carolina Home Builders Association and its receipt Affiliated with the
is included in the membership fee. North Carolina National Association
of Home Builders.
Builder is published six times per year. Since the
May 25 September 15 mailing list used by North Carolina Builder is compiled according
National Membership Day STARS Awards Gala to membership records, address corrections should be directed to
your local association. Dues paid to NCHBA are not deductible as
charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, they may
June 8-9 September 15-17 be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses subject
to restrictions imposed as a result of association lobbying activities.
NCHBA Legislative Conference & 2nd Quarter 21st Century Building Expo & Conference NCHBA estimates that the nondeductible portion of your 2010 dues
Board Meeting — the portion that is allocable to lobbying — is 25 percent.

Raleigh, N.C. September 18

NCHBA 3rd Quarter Board Meeting

May/June 2010 North Carolina Builder   3


Making Our Voices Heard
A
s NCHBA President, I have had the opportunity to travel
around the state visiting a number of our 65 local home
builders associations. I have observed one thing: we are blessed
with great leadership. Even though the economy is bad and our
members’ businesses are hurting, I have seen many new, creative
and energetic ideas. We are not going to let this temporary
slowdown defeat us as businessmen and businesswomen, nor
defeat us as an association.We, as a group, have too much energy
and enthusiasm to allow that to happen.
Even during this slowdown, our municipal, county, state
and federal governments have continued to crank out rules and
regulations that have a detrimental impact on the affordability
of house. To help combat this barrage of new regulations, we
have organized our Legislative Conference during the Second Quarter
Meeting in Raleigh June 8–9.
The two best investments you can make in your business this year are:
• Attend the Legislative Conference in June
• Make a contribution to NC BUILD-PAC
Experience the
Magic
of Venice
at the 2010 STARS Awards Gala
during the 21st Century
Building Expo & Conference
www.21buildingexpo.com
4   North Carolina Builder
President’s Message
by Lyle Gardner, 2010 NCHBA President
On June 8, you will hear from Lisa Martin, Robert Privott, Jessi
Hayes and Mike Carpenter regarding the political issues facing our
industry. In the evening, we will have a reception for all of the members
of the N.C. General Assembly at the N.C. Museum of History, where
we will have the opportunity to converse with our Senators
and House members in a casual atmosphere. The next day, we
will break into small groups and visit our representatives in
their offices to talk more about state and local issues affecting
our business.
The North Carolina Home Builders Association needs your
help in this year’s lobbying effort. It makes a greater impact on
Gardner elected officials when they are answering to the people who
vote for them, as opposed to a staff member who works for
the HBA and can only vote in Wake County. It is critical that we come
together to have our voices heard by our elected officials. As Benjamin
Franklins said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in
1776, “We must hang together, or surely we will hang separately.”
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel
For more information, contact Kathryn Atkinson at
(800) 662-7129 or katkinson@nchba.org.
May/June 2010
 The benefits of Home Advantage are

easy to grasp

Get a competitive advantage in today’s market. With Home Advantage from Progress Energy, you can stand
out when you build ENERGY STAR® certified homes that are 15 percent more energy efficient than
standard homes. You’ll also receive valuable cash incentives starting at $400 per home.
Plus, each home you build to Home Advantage standards comes with a 5 percent Progress Energy
homeowner discount for the lifetime of the home.

For details on becoming a Home Advantage builder visit

home advantage progress-energy.com/CarolinasHA or call 1.800.327.8704.

©2010 Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.

 Capitol Insider
Make your voice heard at the
NCHBA Legislative Conference

D
ecisions that affect your company’s bottom line are being
made every day the North Carolina General Assembly is in
session. Environmental regulations, tax policy, insurance costs,
labor law, building codes, contractor licensing requirements,
and many other issues can add thousands of dollars to your annual
operating budget, and the North Carolina General Assembly touches
every one of them and more.
Take advantage of this special opportunity the NCHBA Legislative
Conference offers you to educate your lawmakers on the issues that
are impacting your business.
Attending the 2010 Legislative Conference will provide you an
unparalleled opportunity to:
• Lobby members of North Carolina General Assembly to protect
your business
• Establish lasting relationships with your elected State officials
• Share builder concerns in a statewide forum in Raleigh
• Learn the latest policy developments on the key issues affecting
your business
• Demonstrate your industry’s commitment to responsible policies,
pragmatic reforms, effective programs and providing the resources
necessary to meet our State’s housing needs
• Do your part to ensure that NCHBA’s issues are heard by North
Carolina’s policymakers
• Galvanize a united front in North Carolina’s General Assembly
Let’s have 100 percent participation from each of our local
associations. In these challenging times a strong builder turn out on
June 8-9 will send a powerful message to members of the General
Assembly: Housing must remain a priority.
Schedule at a Glance
June 8, 8:30 a.m.—NCHBA Committee Meetings begin and last
throughout the day at the North Raleigh Hilton
June 8, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.—NCHBA Legislative Reception at the N.C.
Museum of History
June 9, 9 a.m.—NCHBA Legislative Day at the N.C. General
Assembly
June 9, 1 p.m.—2nd Quarter NCHBA Board Meeting
Do you plan to stay overnight? Call the North Raleigh Hilton
and ask for the NCHBA Group Rate of $119. The cutoff date for the
group rate is May 17.
How to attend? Just go to www.nchba.org and sign up. There is
no fee to attend any Legislative Conference event.

21st Century
Building Expo & Conference
LISTEN.

LEARN.
LOOK.

LOOK
at all the exciting products and services.
— One new idea can make the difference!
LISTEN
to seminars and classes taught by leading industry experts.
— One new insight can transform your company!
LEARN
from the experts and your peers as you network at the Expo.
— One new contact is often all it takes!

Exhibits: September 16-17, 2010

Conference: September 15-17, 2010
Charlotte Convention Center,
Charlotte, NC
• Door Prizes
• Grand Prize
• Golf Tournament
• STARS Awards Gala
• Builder Blast
Information and Registration:
www.21BuildingExpo.com Presented by the North Carolina
1.800.662.7129 Home Builders Association

6   North Carolina Builder May/June 2010

 Builders Classic Golf Tournament
s Ray Rhodes presents Buddy Hughes with the President’s Cup Trophy,
a competition among former and current local, state or national HBA
presidents. Also pictured are golf chairman Darrell Patterson (right)
and NCHBECF Chairman Frank Wiesner.
The North Carolina Home Builders
Association would like to thank
Builders Mutual Insurance Co. for
sponsoring the Builder Classic Golf
Tournament. Proceeds benefit the
North Carolina Home Builders
Educational and Charitable Foundation
Inc. It was through the insurance
company’s generous support that this
worthwhile event was made possible.
Door prizes were donated by:
• Builders Mutual Insurance Co.
• LKN Properties
• Moen Inc.
• Progress Energy
• Stuart Law Firm
Gift bag items were donated by:
• Builders Mutual Insurance Co.
• deVintage Realty
• Diamond Hill Plywood
• Dominion NC Power
• Piedmont Natural Gas
• Pella Window
• Residential Warranty Company LLC
Hole sponsors were:
• Carter Millwork Inc.
• Custom Home Exteriors
• Dominion NC Power
• HBA of Durham, Orange &
Chatham Counties
• N.C. Professional Women in Building
• PRO-Build
May/June 2010
s Lyle Gardner thanks everyone for attending
the BBQ Cook-off. Buddy Hughes with his
Lexington-style BBQ took home the Pig after
defeating Larry Airey’s Western-style BBQ
and Robert Privott’s Eastern-style BBQ at the
Pig-nic Cookoff sponsored by Builders Mutual s First-place honors at the Builders Classic
Insurance Co. went to the team of Todd Fish, Keith Thomas,
Currie Howell and Brad Cummings with a
score of 59. Also pictured are golf chairman
Darrell Patterson (right) and NCHBECF
Chairman Frank Wiesner.
The team of Buddy Hughes, Ken
s
Michael, Tim Temple and Dave Wilcox came
in a close second place finish. Also pictured
are golf chairman Darrell Patterson (right)
and NCHBECF Chairman Frank Wiesner.
D
espite a cloudy day, golfers hit the links April 9 at Whispering Pines Country Club to raise
money for the North Carolina Home Builders Educational & Charitable Foundation Inc.,
which provides scholarships for students entering the building industry. The Builders Classic
Golf Tournament, sponsored by Builders Mutual Insurance Co., turned out to be another big
success this year as 80 golfers helped raise over $10,000 for the foundation.
The foundation would like to thank the many companies that helped support this event through
contributions of door prizes, gift bag items and hole sponsorships. First- and second-place teams
won gift certificates to the pro-shop at WPCC.
The festivities began Thursday evening with a BBQ “Pig-nic” Cook-off hosted by Pete Mace
and sponsored by Builders Mutual Insurance Co. Robert Privott, NCHBA Director of Codes and
Construction, prepared Eastern-style North Carolina BBQ, Larry Airey of the Lake Norman HBA
cooked a western North Carolina style of BBQ, and Davidson County HBA member and NCHBA
Past President Buddy Hughes prepared Lexington-style BBQ. Attendees cast monetary “votes” for
the best BBQ, which raised an additional $571 for the scholarship program. Buddy Hughes was
voted the winner for the second consecutive year.
North Carolina Builder   7
Experience the
B
Magic
e whisked away to Italy for an evening during the 2010
STARS Awards! Enjoy a beautiful night in Venice on
Wednesday, September 15, at the Hilton Charlotte Center
City Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. No passport or
jet lag required! Join your colleagues and fellow HBA members to
honor the achievements of the industry’s best from North Carolina
and beyond.
The STARS Awards are a centerpiece
of the 21st Century Building Expo and
Conference—the premiere building expo
and conference in the Southeast. Each year,

of Venice
the gala salutes the outstanding professional
performance of HBA members throughout
the region with the presentation of the
prestigious STARS Awards. Mark your

at the 2010
calendar now for a celebration that combines
the suspense of an Oscar-style presentation with live music and an
exceptional multi-media display of the winning entries. North

STARS Awards
Carolina’s own Ulysses Long is back by popular demand with his
soulful vocals and fantastic keyboard skills.
The STARS Awards program honors the achievements of builders,
associates, realtors, media and advertising professionals, and many
others who make major contributions to the residential home building
industry. Local home builders associations are also honored for their
outstanding achievements. With 47 categories to choose from, there
is something for everyone. Category 17, Best Internet Marketing/
Advertising Project, is back in 2010 after a popular debut last year!
Do you have a great project that deserves recognition? Do you
need a creative way to make your product and company stand out
above the competition? If so, enter the STARS Awards! To be eligible
for consideration in the 2010 awards program, you must be a member
of the National Association of Home Builders. Projects must have
been completed between January 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010. Entrants
can choose between two entry deadlines this year:
• Early Bird deadline: All entries (fee and entry materials) must
be received no later than July 12, 2010 Fee: $100 per entry
• Regular deadline: All entries (fee and entry materials) must be
received no later than July 21, 2010 Fee: $150 per entry
The official 2010 Call for Entries with complete entry and event
information can be accessed at www.21buildingexpo.com or by contacting
Kathryn Atkinson at (919) 676-9090 or katkinson@nchba.org.

The marketing benefit of reaching for the STARS

Ever wonder why your company should enter the STARS Awards?
Are you curious as to what companies do with such an award? The
answer goes beyond the trophy and immediate recognition to include
the role that a STARS Award can play in the big picture of a company’s
overall marketing and sales strategy. Marketing programs in general are
all aimed at convincing people to try out or to keep using particular
products or services. Professional recognition such as the STARS
Awards can be a great addition to your marketing tool belt!

What can advertising your STARS Award(s)

do for your business?
• Highlight the quality and benefits of your product or service to
current and potential customers,
• Establish and maintain your distinct identity as a company and
professional,
• Enhance your professional reputation,
• Give you an edge over the competition,
• Encourage existing customers to buy more of what you sell, and
• Promote your business.
Don’t be left out of the 2010 STARS Awards! Enter today!

8   North Carolina Builder May/June 2010


Ed and Debbie Butler of Brickwood Builders
I
n 2004, Ed and Debbie Butler
founded Brickwood Builders,
Inc. as a result of a passion
they share for remodeling.
With other good, professional
remodeling firms already in
existence in the Greensboro,
NC area, they knew it was
necessary to incorporate
strategies to differentiate them
from their industry peers.
In researching remodeling
industry surveys, they found
that the paramount factor in
customer dissatisfaction with
remodeling was the experience
itself, followed by the inability
to establish realistic budgets for a project. Thirdly, customers were
dissatisfied with the quality of the workmanship.
With this information in hand, they set out to build their strategy,
making customer service their top goal. The first sentence of their
mission statement sums up the main guiding principle of their business:
“Provide our customers with an exceptional remodeling experience
and results.”
According to Debbie, “The business model that we created is a
design/build strategy that focuses an enormous amount of energy
around interaction and communication with clients. Remodeling is
a people-business and a solutions-business— it’s not just about sticks
and bricks. Superior quality is an expectation in our market. Our focus
goes beyond that to address the total remodeling experience.”
Ed adds that their business slogan, “Renovating Homes for Today’s
Lifestyle,” is not just a marketing slogan.“It’s important that we correctly
identify a customer’s needs and provide unique and functional solutions
that address these needs. It also means incorporating the concepts of
aging-in-place and green building where appropriate.”
Design/Build
Design/build means many different things within the remodeling
industry. Brickwood’s strategy includes in-house design capabilities,
which makes them responsible and accountable for the process from
project design through construction. If a customer prefers, however, the
process is flexible and they will coordinate on behalf of the customer
with outside professionals such as kitchen designers, interior designers
and architects.
Home owners may have a vision of what they want, but very few
can articulate it well. More often, there is a lack of understanding of
how design options flow through and affect the entire structure.
“You don’t have a blank piece of paper to start with.You have to work
with what is there. Remodeling is all about taking what exists, bringing
solutions to the table and then executing in a manner that is consistent
Quick Facts about Brickwood Builders Inc.
Designations: Ed and Debbie are working on the Certified Graduate Remodeler
designation from NAHB; Brickwood Builders is a North Carolina Certified Lead
Renovation Firm and Ed is a North Carolina Certified Lead Renovator
Web Site: www.brickwoodbuilders.com
May/June 2010
In the Spotlight
with and aesthetically ties in with
the original structure,” said Ed.
Brickwood believes that a
picture is truly worth a thousand
words.To address the visualization
gap that may exist, they utilize the
Envisioneer 3-D software from
Cadsoft for design. Depending
upon the scope of the project,
the whole house or just the
project area can be built in the
system. Once the existing space
is created on the system, various
design options can be explored
and presented to customers. One
of the benefits of the 3-D system
is that it draws the client into the
process and allows them to see the possibilities for their project in a
format meaningful to them. Home owners become more engaged and
begin to have fun, making the planning experience positive.
“The 3-D system is a powerful tool,” Ed said. “It allows us to be
creative and think outside of the box, rather than present a design
we’ve already used elsewhere. We also get to work through some
of the construction challenges in advance as we build the design
on the system.”
Design is an iterative process. Sometimes home owners don’t like the
design they originally asked Brickwood to create or their design concept
does not address the needs they expressed in initial conversations. There
are always multiple options presented and explored with homeowners.
To address the concern over realistic budgets, Brickwood spends
time up-front with customers in their design center reviewing options.
The goal is to assist clients in balancing between what they choose to
spend versus the items they want.
Once the design concept is created, Brickwood guides customers
through the selection process to ensure that materials/products are
consistent with both the design theme and the budget.
Customer Satisfaction
In providing a great customer experience for their clients,
Brickwood Builders hopes to create “customers for life”.
“We want to be the ones customers call back the next time they
have a need,” Ed said. “We get much of our business through repeat
customers or referrals.”
Perhaps one of the best testimonials of the customer experience that
Brickwood Builders provides for their clients is their nomination by a
client for the Piedmont Business Ethics Award given by the Society of
Financial Service Professionals.
“It really means a lot to us. Craftsmanship and making sure every
detail has been covered are big things for us, but the thing that makes
(See In the Spotlight on page 11)
North Carolina Builder   9

Accredited Builder Graduates
Milton Askew
Bluewater Home Construction
New Bern, N.C.
Skip Brewer, CGP
Walnut Cove Builders
Arden, N.C.
Skip is a 30-year resident of
Western North Carolina with
nearly 15 years of building
experience. Skip focuses on
the entire building process
from concept to delivery
of the finished home. He has built model
homes in gated golf communities and works
with the area’s top architects in design-build
capacities to deliver finely-crafted homes.
Typically, Skip is personally on the jobsite
every day. He enjoys continuing education
and plans to graduate with the Accredited
Master Builder designation in 2010. Skip is
a 20-year veteran of sport skydiving, with a
master skydiver license.
Chad Collins, CGP
Collins Design-Build
Durham, N.C.
A licensed general contractor
since 1997, as well as a
licensed home inspector,
Chad Collins has been
transforming clients’ dreams
into elegant, fashionable,
timeless homes while building a reputation
for skilled craftsmanship, superior quality,
and incomparable client service. Chad’s
commitment to excellence has earned Collins
Design-Build, Inc. numerous top industry
awards, including the coveted Triangle Sales
and Marketing Council’s MAME Building
Company of the Year in 2007 & 2008. Collins
is a member of the HBA of Durham, Orange,
and Chatham Counties and is also involved
with NCHBA and NAHB.
Chuck Dees
Riverbanks Construction
New Bern, N.C.
Are you interested in enhancing your professionalism and earning accreditation in your industry? Plan to attend the Fall 2010
NCBI session scheduled for September 15-17 in conjunction with the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference in Charlotte. Go to
www.21buildingexpo.com for a complete list of courses.
10   North Carolina Builder
NCBI Graduates
Ron DeSimone, CGP
Ron DeSimone Construction
Waynesville, N.C.
A native of New York, Ron
DeSimone is a custom home
builder in Western North
Carolina. He enjoyed several
other careers before making
the home building business
his full-time career. DeSimone is a member
of the Haywood Co. HBA, serving in many
capacities including two terms as president.
He built the first certified Green HealthyBuilt
Home in Haywood County and later the first
NAHB Green certified home. DeSimone is
an ENERGY STAR® Partner, committed
to building only green certified homes. He
also holds his Lead-Based Paint Renovator
certification and is a Clear Water Contractor.
Brien Knight
Home Design Custom Builders Inc.
Clayton, N.C.
Brien Knight graduated
with an associate’s degree in
architectural engineering and
has worked in engineering,
construction and sales for the
past 35 years. He received his
N.C. general contractor license in 2007 and
founded Home Design Custom Builders Inc,
specializing in single-family homes.
Joan Swift, CGP, CSP, CRS,
ABRM, GREEN, GRI, e-PRO
Swift Creek Construction
High Point, N.C.
Joan Swift received her N.C.
General Contractors License
in 2005 and co-founded
Swift Creek Construction,
LLC with her husband as her
partner. She loves helping
people realize their dream of home ownership,
whether she is helping them with the design and
building of a home or just purchasing a home.
Joan is also a REALTOR® with HomeSell
Select, LLC. With 10 years of experience in
the real estate and construction industry, she
never stops enjoying meeting new people and
learning new things. Joan is an active member
of the Greensboro Builders Association and
the Triad Green Building Council. She is also
a member of both the Greensboro and High
Point Association of Realtors.
Don Thompson
Thompson-Rhodes Builders
Arden NC
Don Thompson has been a
member of the Sierra Club
longer than he has been a
builder. Therefore, the rise
of green building in the
mainstream is welcome and
long overdue as far as Don is concerned. 
Thompson-Rhodes Builders, Inc. is located
in the wonderful city of Asheville nestled in
the beautiful mountains of Western North
Carolina. “Green” is a relative term and some
of the homes we have built are greener than
others, but every home we build is ENERGY
STAR® rated at a minimum. We work with
our custom home clients to include as many
green features as possible without blowing
the budget and providing the most value for
the dollar.
Joyce Vukela-Mayer
JVM Homes, Inc
Sherrills Ford, NC
Accredited Master Builder
Ken Corbo
Corbo Custom Homes
Currituck, N.C.
Ken Corbo has been in the
building industry for more than
40 years, first starting out with
his father’s business in NewYork
in the late 1960s. After serving
in the U.S.Army and U.S. Coast
Guard, Corbo retired and started Corbo Custom
Homes in 1998. After first building custom
homes, he diversified his company and is now
a regional Katahdin Log Home agent as well as
a Nationwide Modular representative. Corbo
is active on the state and local HBA levels and
has served as President of the Northeastern NC
HBA for the past three years.
May/June 2010
Kevin Lancaster, CGP
Lancaster Construction
In the Spotlight
(continued from page 9)
Simpson, N.C.
Kevin Lancaster’s involvement this award special is that it centers around business ethics and how we serve our customers,”
in the building industry began Ed said.
in 1997 when he started his
own business doing home HBA Involvement
repairs and improvements Brickwood Builders has been a member of the Greensboro Builders Association since its
in the Rocky Mount, N.C. founding in 2004.
area. He received his license from the N.C. “We get a lot out of our membership in the GBA,” said Ed.“The educational and networking
Licensing Board for General Contractors in opportunities have helped us to focus and grow our business.”
2005. Lancaster made the move to Greenville, This year Ed serves as chair of the Remodeler’s Council. As vice chair, Ed assisted the
N.C. in 2006, focusing on residential building GBA leadership in identifying educational and business development programs for the monthly
and remodeling. He is an involved member of Remodeler’s Council meetings in order to provide the membership additional business tools
the Greenville-Pitt County HBA and served during a down economy.
on the Board of Directors for three years. He
also has served on the NCHBA Nominating
Committee for the past two years. Lancaster
is a Certified Lead-Based Paint Renovator.
the environment
Chad Vanne
Stillwater Construction is ripe for planting “green”
Hendersonville, N.C. in a homeowner's Mind!
After graduating with a
BA from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison in 1995, Because of a concern for the environment and
Vanne began building homes potential energy-savings benefits, more and more Let us heLp you
as an AmeriCorps volunteer grow your business.
homeowners are demanding products that are “green”. Visit one of these
for a non-profit housing Locations:

agency. Since that first year of volunteer Norandex Building Materials Distribution offers builders Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 377-5443
service, he has built both affordable and and remodelers numerous eco-friendly products for the
(800) 438-5908
Fax (704) 376-3559
multi-million dollar homes. He currently Elizabeth City, NC 27909
exterior of a home. Insulated vinyl siding that increases a
owns Stillwater Construction Inc., a custom (252) 338-2737
(800) 841-0408
construction company dedicated to the home’s R-value, thermally efficient windows with numerous Fax (252) 338-3123
Fayetteville, NC 28306
practices of energy resource efficiency energy-efficient glass options, insulated doors and roofing (910) 483-3360
when building or renovating residential and materials which conserve energy use, and decking, fence,
(800) 542-7448
Fax (910) 483-3499
commercial projects. Stillwater is experienced railings and other products that are Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 273-8681
in a wide variety of construction methods and (800) 722-2200
made from recyclable materials. Fax (336) 273-0521
techniques used to achieve the same result:
Hickory, NC 28601
a well-designed, high-quality, fair priced To find out more about all (828) 322-7080
(800) 236-5607
creation that reflects the clients’ personality. Fax (828) 322-7274
the “green” products New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 672-8900
available to you through
Accredited Master Associate (800) 548-1610
Fax (252) 672-8904
Jerry Cowan Norandex, contact your Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 772-6220
Builders Mutual Insurance Co. local sales representative. (800) 262-1394
Fax (919) 772-8782
Greensboro, N.C. And remember, if Rural Hall, NC 27045
Jerry is a Senior Territory you’re not selling
(336) 969-2201
(800) 633-0842
Manager with Builders Mutual, Fax (336) 969-2301
“green” you Wilmington, NC 28405
the endorsed insurance program (910) 815-0501
of the NCHBA. He serves might be losing (888 ) 868-4695
Fax (910) 815-0105
the Central North Carolina out on some! Winterville, NC 28590
(252) 321-5632
territory working with (888) 643-0120
Fax (252) 321-5682
over 120 independent insurance agents and 18
local home builders associations to promote
BMIC and the HBA. He is an active member
of the Greensboro BA, HBA of Raleigh-Wake
Co., Winston Salem HBA and the Durham
Orange Chatham HBA. He is also active with
the Membership and Associates committees
with NCHBA and NAHB. Cowan is www.norandex.com
currently a Statesman level Spike with over 920
Spike Credits.

May/June 2010 North Carolina Builder   11

 Knowledge Builder
Tips from your industry experts at Builders Mutual

Win with LOTO

W
e all dream of winning the lotto. For much better odds
though, we can guarantee a win with “LOTO.” OSHA
designed LOTO (lockout/tagout) standards such as 29 CFR
1910.147 for General Industry and 29 CFR 1910.417 and
1910.702 for Construction to help keep workers safe. LOTO standards
help companies and their employees prevent the release of hazardous
energy during maintenance or repair of machinery and equipment.
Hazardous energy
Hazardous energy? Sounds intense! The term might conjure
up extreme images, like a nuclear power plant. Instead, think of
it as an electrical energy hazard, as in batteries and capacitors or
generated power.
Don’t be fooled, though. The standards aim to prevent much more
than electrocution. Hazardous energy also includes kinetic energy,
such as that found in the moving parts of mechanical systems. Also
consider thermal energy, found in extreme temperatures, both high and
low. It even includes potential energy stored in devices like springs,
pressure vessels, gas tanks, or hydraulic systems. All pose serious threats
to those working around equipment or machinery.
While accidents don’t occur frequently, they generally result
in severe injuries. Injuries range from small cuts in minor cases to
fractures, amputations, and even casualties in major incidents. It can
take months to get survivors rehabilitated and back to work.
LOTO programs
OSHA standards describe how to develop, document, and enforce

Recessed Dryer Exhaust

a LOTO program. Each piece of machinery or equipment will have
specific procedures, and the employer then trains its employees on
the program. Periodic inspections, at least annually, serve to monitor

Finish the
that employees followed these procedures correctly and under the
right circumstances.
What might a procedure look like? Whomever maintains or repairs

Laundry Right the machinery or equipment must first isolate it from the energy source,
to make it inoperable. They turn it off at the control panel, pull the main
disconnect, lock it out using effective measures such as padlocks, chains,
line valves, and wedges, then tagout. The tag warns that the equipment
Protect Exhaust Hose should not be operated. Sometimes, lockout proves impossible and tagout
Neatly in the Wall must suffice on its own. They must also communicate to employees not
to interfere during the maintenance work.
Next, they should test the effectiveness of the lockout controls by
• Eliminate One Elbow attempting a restart and check for any other pressures, as with hydraulic
systems, for example. After servicing, only the person who installed
• Minimize Service Calls the lock and/or tag may remove it, who then communicates that the
equipment is back in service.
• Install Cleaner & Faster
Model 425 — 22 Gauge Aluminized Steel Basic blunders
Shown Painted
Seems straightforward, right? Think of the maintenance person
who doesn’t employ the LOTO procedure because the servicing “will
only take a minute.” Yet, it takes even less time for a horrible accident
to occur. Look out for this and other missteps:
• Failing to attempt to restart the equipment to ensure the
effectiveness of the lockout
• Leaving a key in the lockout device, so it doesn’t get lost,
Make your homes safer, roomier and more therefore giving anyone the ability to unlock it
• Attaching multiple service persons’ lockout devices to one
efficient. With a Dryerbox®, the dryer can another instead of individually to the energy-isolating device, so
be placed flush to the wall without the risk when the first lock comes off, so do all those attached to it
of crushing the hose or restricting airflow. The N.C. Department of Labor even offers free 1-hour workshops
on LOTO. Go to nclabor.com to register for one of their July classes
held in Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh.
Model 4D (left) Never gamble when it comes to safety. Forget the lotto, and win
Downward Venting
big with LOTO.
Model 425 (right) Look for “Knowledge Builder,” compliments of Builders
Upward Venting Mutual Insurance Company, in each issue of North Carolina
Builder. Get access to even more free risk management resources
888-443-7937 at www.buildersmutual.com/RM.
www.Dryerbox.com
12   North Carolina Builder May/June 2010
 LISTEN.
LEARN.
LOOK.
erts.
Expo. Make plans to attend the
21st Century Building
Expo & Conference
R T
egistration for the Southeast’s
premier home building tradeshow,
the 21st Century Building Expo &
Conference, is officially open. We
invite builders, remodelers, subcontractors,
realtors and other industry professionals
to attend the 21CBEC in Charlotte, N.C.
September 15-17.
The 21CBEC is your chance to see a
large array of the products and services available from the industry’s
leading manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, a three-day
educational conference includes a line-up of more than 50 general
session seminars, North Carolina Builder Institute courses and NAHB
Education classes.
“We are confident builders are beginning to see a better market
for their products as the economy begins to recover,” said 21CBEC
Director Deborah Alford. “By taking a few hours to visit the 21CBEC
in Charlotte, we think you will come away with something that will
improve your business and help you prepare for the recovery.”
There are three types of registration:
• Expo floor only—FREE. Simply register before Sept. 14, and
you can visit the exhibit hall filled with more than 200 exhibits
showcasing products and services. The Expo floor will be open
September 16 and 17.
• Full Delegate—$75. Register as a full delegate and attend
an unlimited number of our carefully selected general session
seminars. Learn about trends in home building, how to keep your
business successful, new marketing techniques, and much more
during these insightful seminars taught by nationally-recognized
speakers. The $75 fee also includes conference lunches on
Thursday and Friday and Expo floor access. Fee increases to $100
after Sept. 14.
• NCBI/NAHB Course—Fee varies depending on course.
If you are working on an NAHB or NCBI designation, the
21CBEC offers three days of courses to help get you well on
your way. Course fee includes course materials, unlimited general
session seminars, conference lunches on Thursday and Friday, and
the Expo floor.
Online registration is easy. Go to www.21buildingexpo.com and
click on Attendees.
Interested in exhibiting at 21CBEC? Get your product in front of more
than 5,000 industry professionals. Contact Tracie Garrett at tgarrett@nchba.
org or 800.662.7129 to sign up now!
May/June 2010
May is NC
BUILD-PAC
Month
hroughout the month of May, local associations will
be competing against each other to see who can raise
the most money and have the highest participation
for NC BUILD-PAC.
Local associations are broken down into four groups
based on their 2009 fundraising totals. This promotes
friendly competition among similarly sized associations.
Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each category in
each group. The categories are:
• Highest percentage of member participation between
May 1 – May 31
• Highest percentage of goal raised between May 1 –
May 31
• Most new contributors* between May 1 – May 31
The winner in each of the four groups of local
associations will have the option of receiving the prize
money to go toward their local NC BUILD-PAC reserve
or their general fund.This is a great way to earn some extra
money for your association, especially during an election
year when you can use the money to help support local
candidates. Remember that for every dollar given to NC
BUILD-PAC, 30 cents goes directly into the local reserve
account of your local association.
This year we are focused on broadening participation in
NC BUILD-PAC—it is our hope to get at least $10 from
each member from every association for this important
advocacy program. If you have ever thought about
supporting NC BUILD-PAC, this is the month and the
time to do it! Contact your local association to find out
more about what they are doing to raise money for NC
BUILD-PAC and how you can help!
For questions or to get a list of contributors, contact
Erin Jones at ejones@nchba.org.
*A new NC BUILD-PAC contributor is defined as an
individual who has not given to NC BUILD-PAC in the
previous five years (May 1, 2005 – April 30, 2010). The
NC State Board of Elections reporting software will be the
source of information.
North Carolina Builder   13

by Robert Privott, Director of Codes and Construction
North Carolina Building Code Council Update
T
he N.C. Building Code Council will meet June 14 & 15 at the
N.C. State University McKimmon Center, 1101 Gorman Street,
Raleigh, NC. The council will have an appeal hearing starting
at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 14. The public hearing will be held
Tuesday, June 15, at 9 a.m. followed by the Code Council meeting at
the conclusion of the hearing. The agenda for the Council meeting
can be found at http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering/BCC/
engineering_bcc_agenda.asp about two weeks prior to the June 14-
15, 2010 Council meeting.
2012 North Carolina Building Codes
The North Carolina amendment packages, produced by the Ad-
Hoc Committees, will be posted online prior to May 17, 2010 for
public review and comment. The written public comment period
expires July 16, 2010. The proposed North Carolina amendments for
the 2012 codes can be reviewed online at http://www.ncdoi.com/
OSFM/Engineering/engineering_home.asp.
On the STATE BUILDING CODES tab, select the BUILDING
CODES – 2012 EDITION – PROPOSED AMENDMENTS to
review the documents.
Residential sprinklers have been proposed for townhouse
construction in this North Carolina Code cycle. This proposed
amendment was adopted in a residential code amendment package
accepted by the Building Code Council as a Petition for Rulemaking
at the March 8, 2010 meeting. The council also accepted a separate
Petition for Rulemaking that removes the townhouse sprinkler
requirement from the residential code. NCHBA is adamantly
opposed to mandating residential sprinklers in one- and two-family
construction. We will need the support of our grassroots members at
the Council meetings in June and September 2010 and will be calling
on you to support this effort.
There are also substantial changes proposed for the 2012 North
Carolina Energy Code to reflect a 30 percent decrease in energy
consumption for all buildings, with plans to gain a 50 percent decrease
in energy consumption in the 2015 Energy Code cycle. We will need
grassroots support on this proposed change as well.
2009 Code Changes Adopted
by the Building Code Council
The following is a partial list of approved changes to the 2009
North Carolina Building Codes. Note that these changes have gone
through the rulemaking process and the effective date of the rules is
January 1, 2011 unless otherwise noted.
2009 NC Fuel Gas Code
(090310 Item B-2)
Reach your target market.
Advertise your business in the next North Carolina Builder.
Call Jeff Pinwar at (800) 935-1592, ext 118.
14   North Carolina Builder
Code Corner
Privott
310.2 CSST Bonding. CSST Gas piping systems shall be bonded
to the electrical service grounding electrode system at the point where
the gas service enters the building. The bonding jumper shall not be
smaller than 6 AWG copper wire or equivalent.
The effective date of this rule is December 1, 2009.
2009 N.C. Mechanical Code
(071211 Item B2)
504.2 Exhaust penetrations. Where a clothes dryer exhaust
duct penetrates a wall or ceiling membrane, the annular space shall
be sealed with noncombustible material, approved fire caulking, or
a noncombustible dryer exhaust duct wall receptacle. Ducts that
exhaust clothes dryers shall not penetrate or be located within
any fireblocking, draftstopping or any wall, floor/ceiling or other
assembly required by the International Building Code to be fire-
resistance rated, unless such duct is constructed of galvanized steel or
aluminum of the thickness specified in Section 603.4 and the fire-
resistance rating is maintained in accordance with the International
Building Code. Fire dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers
and any similar devices that will obstruct the exhaust flow, shall be
prohibited in clothes dryer exhaust ducts.
The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011.
2009 N.C. Plumbing Code
(081209 Item B2)
901.2.1 Venting required. Every trap and trapped fixture shall be
vented in accordance with one of the venting methods specified in this
chapter. All fixtures discharging downstream from a water closet shall
be individually vented except as provided in Section 911.
The delayed effective date of this Rule is January 1, 2011.
2009 N.C. Residential Code
(080909 Item B1)
R202 SUNROOM ADDITION. A one-story structure attached
added to an existing dwelling with a glazing area in excess of 40 percent
of the gross area of the structure’s exterior walls and roof.
The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011.
(071211 Item B3B)
R302.4 Flame Spread. Vinyl Siding and vinyl soffit materials
when used in townhouse construction shall have a Flame Spread Index
of 25 or less as tested in accordance with ASTM E-84.
The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011.
(080909 Item B2)
R311.2.2 Under stair protection. Enclosed accessible space
under stairs shall have walls, under stair surface and any soffits protected
on the enclosed side with ½-inch (13 mm) gypsum board.
The delayed effective date of this rule is January 1, 2011.
May/June 2010
BUILD THE COOLEST HOUSES WITH

SOLARBORD
RADIANT BARRIER SHEATHING
Send radiant heat back where it came from
As temperatures and cooling costs soar, the
new frontier in house construction is increasing
energy efficiency. Solarbord uses heat-reflecting
foil laminated to OSB to stop 97% of the sun’s
radiant energy. That can mean attics are up to
30˚F cooler, which translates into cooler houses,
lower energy costs and happier homeowners.
Make it the crowning achievement of every build
Solarbord, SFI CoC certified, installs like any
roof sheathing and gives builders an extra edge
in these energy-conscious times. And because
it’s made in the USA and backed by a 25-year
warranty, you’ll have total confidence in its
quality and durability.

RADIANT BARRIER SHEATHING

Build energy efficiency into every house – watch the video at SolarbordOSB.com to find out how.
 For starters,
choose
natural
gas
tankless
water
heating.
Natural Gas water heating adds value to every home you build. Now, Rinnai offers an easy-to-install, exterior-mount
natural gas tankless water heater perfect for one- or two-bathroom homes. Give your new homebuyers the added comfort and
efficiency of an ENERGY STAR® qualified tankless water heater while maximizing floor space and helping them save energy.

PSNC Energy is an authorized service provider for Rinnai.

Call 1-877-207-5418 or visit psncenergy.com/builder to learn more.

PSNC Energy appliance sales, installation, maintenance and repair are not a part of the regulated services offered
by PSNC Energy and are not in any way sanctioned by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. There is no advantage
to customers of PSNC Energy if they buy these products or services from PSNC Energy. A customer does not have to buy
such products or services in order to continue to receive the same safe and reliable natural gas service from PSNC Energy.