The TBA Weekly Report is sponsored by Roberts Sand Company, serving the sand and gravel needs of TBA members. For immediate service, call 576-1414.

The Tallahassee Builders Association’s recent Parade of Homes™ was a huge hit in the community, as evidenced by the record number of visitors to the 29 news homes on display. But while “buying new and buying now” is always good advice, the fact is that a great many people use the Parade of Homes™ to garner ideas on making improvements in their existing homes. That’s why TBA, in conjunction Leon County declaring June as “Remodeling Month,” is putting a special emphasis on promoting its Remodelers Council members educating consumers on how to maximize their home-improvement experience. That process began last week when the TBA Today article in the Sunday Tallahassee Democrat Homefinder.com section deal with “How to Select a Remodeler.” Future articles will include the most popular remodeling projects, how to increase the energy-efficiency of a home through remodeling, and the special needs of older adults when it comes to making their homes more accessible. 
 

Building Code Changes
Take Effect on July 1

The Florida Legislature recently passed a massive building code bill with a number of provisions that impact our industry starting July 1, 2013. It addresses unlicensed contractor activity by increasing the maximum civil penalty that may be imposed from $500 to $2,000 against unlicensed contractors for both state and local certification and registration and increasing the civil penalty that may be charged per day from $1,000-$2,500.  The increased penalties and fines apply to both construction contractors and electrical contractors. Other key provisions:

• Authorize local building departments to retain 75 percent of the outstanding fines against certified or registered contractors and requires them to transmit 25 percent of the fines they collect to the state;

• Clarify that a modification to an existing home that does not include the addition of a bedroom does not require a septic tank evaluation and inspection;

• Authorize an electronic copy of building site plan may be maintained at the building site for inspection and retention purposes;

• Update statutory references to reflect the correct title of the Florida Building Code-Energy Conservation Code; expands the definition of “building energy rating system” to recognize state and national programs, and clarifies functions of energy raters and energy auditors;

• Removes the Department of Business & Professional Regulation from the administration and oversight of the building energy rating systems within the state and allows the “free-market’ to work;

• Extends the grandfathering date for registered electrical contractors to the year 2015;

• Adds products that are approved utilizing an evaluation entity such as ICC, IAPMO and Miami-Dade to the expedited review process and adds “impact protective systems” to the list of products that may be eligible for state approval;

• Clarifies that when changing out an existing residential air conditioning system, the new system must only comply with the manufacturers installation instructions and that duct sealing and inspection is not required;

• Removes the specific fire sprinkler code citation and simply references the International Residential Code to specify that the Florida Building Commission may not mandate fire  sprinklers in single-family homes and allows for incentives for residential fire sprinklers when mutually agreed upon by builder and code official;

Clarifies state agencies, school boards and local governments must choose green building and sustainability programs on a project-by-project basis rather than adopt a single program. 
 

TBA member Mark Worley, CIP, GMB,  of Worley Construction will teach the “Business Management for Building Professionals” course on Friday, May 31 at the Betty Easley Conference Center in SouthWood. The fee for the class is $135 for TBA members. For some, the class is the third and final requirement to attain the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation. To register for the class, e-mail . The class teaches the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. The course will give you a solid foundation for managing small to medium size building/remodeling and service companies. This course explains critical elements from planning to evaluating progress and presents practical tips and tools for managing a business successfully. You’ll get a solid grasp of business best practices and practical tools of value whether you are a new or experienced business owner. 
 

TBA Past President Karen Koelemij of Orange State Construction will be in Washington, DC next week to meet with members of the Florida Congressional delegation on key housing issues during the NAHB Spring Legislative Conference and Board of Directors meeting. Koelemij will be discussing the mortgage interest deduction, immigration reform, and housing finance reform. One of the scheduled meetings is with Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) who is at the epicenter of the national immigration debate. Koelemij is a Senior Life Director at NAHB, where he father John Koelemij is a Past President and member of the National Housing Hall of Fame. 
 

A reminder that TBA members who enjoy saltwater fishing could have a huge payday on June 8 when $3,000 in Grand Slam cash will be available at the annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament at the Carrabelle Boat Club. Chairman Garth Easton of Pro-Build and his hard-working Fishing Committee have lined up solid sponsor support... now it's time for members to sign up with boats or as individuals. Click here for a registration form. The Inshore Grand Slam pays $1,500 and is sponsored by Pro-Build and Bobby Dollar’s Appliance Consultants/GE. The Offshore Grand Slam also pays $1,500 and is sponsored by Lowe's. 
 
 

Remember to friend and follow TBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tallahasseebuildersasociation

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

View the 2013 TBA
Membership Directory
 

BUILDER OF YEAR

ALAN WEEKLEY Alan Weekley Homes

ASSOCIATE OF YEAR

ALAN ROBISON Capelouto Termite & Pest Control

PRESIDENT'S AWARD

BILL KIMBERL, IV, CIP Kimberl Construction, Inc.

HALL OF FAME

MARK WORLEY, CIP, GMB Worley Construction

The TBA Weekly Report is sponsored by Roberts Sand Company, serving the sand and gravel needs of TBA members. For immediate service, call 576-1414.

The Tallahassee Builders Association honored the winners of its 2013 Parade of Homes™ last week, including the Platinum Award “Best in Show” in Greystone by Robert Hartsfield of Hartsfield Construction, Inc.
 

The Hartsfield home, which also won the Gold Award (first place) in the $380,000-$445,000 price category, features an outdoor kitchen and swimming pool with a water feature. The open floor plan makes the house ultra-livable. Gorgeous mosaic tiles, granite countertops, and extensive interior detailing adds to the home’s allure, and it’s energy-efficient too with tankless water heaters and natural gas appliances.
 

Other major Parade of Homes™ winners are:
 

GOLD AWARD WINNERS
 

$150,000 -$225,000
BEC and Company
 

$225,000 - $299,900
Tallahassee Homes
 

$300,000 - $375,000
Adams Quality Homes
 

$449,000 - $649,900
Alexander Dinkelman, Inc.
 

$675,000 - $1.2 Million
Hannon Construction Company
 

SILVER AWARD WINNERS
 

$150,000 - $225,000
Premier Fine Homes
 

$225,000 - $299,900
Premier Fine Homes
 

$300,000 - $375,000
Premier Fine Homes
 

$380,000 - $445,000
Foundation Homes
 

$449,000 - $649,900
Vintage Homes
 

$675,000 - $1.2 Million
Big Bend Builders
 

Blue Star Homes, LLC (under 1,900 square feet) and Premier Fine Homes (over 1,900 square feet) were honored with the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) New Home Certification Awards, while Realtors® Choice Awards went to Premier Fine Homes (2), Adams Quality Homes, Big Bend Builders, Foundation Homes, and Vintage Homes. 
 

TBA Thanks Generous
Parade of Homes Sponsors

PLATINUM SPONSORS
City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utilities
James Hardie Building Products
 

GOLD SPONSORS
Capelouto Termite & Pest Control
Capital City Bank
Perkins Electric
Pro-Build
Roberts Sand Company
Smith, Thompson, Shaw, Minacci and Colon’, P.A.
Super-Lube Auto Service
Tallahassee Democrat/Tallahassee.com
 

SILVER SPONSORS 
Blue Book Building and Construction Network
Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
ES Green & Company
Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)
Jenkins Brick and Tile Company
Hancock Bank
Nichiha Fiber Cement
Seminole Trusses, Inc
South Georgia Brick 
  

Co-Chairs: Mark Worley, Worley Construction; Thomas Asbury, Jr., Premier Fine Homes
 

Members: 
Jeanie Armstrong-Martin, Centennial Bank
Tom Asbury, Premier Fine Homes
David Brady, Pro-Build
Carole Butler, CAPS, Carole Butler Interiors
Jane Conn, ES Green & Company
Sean Deiler, Premier Fine Homes
Cari Evans, Tallahassee Democrat
Garth Easton, Pro-Build
Ralph Hippard, Building Information Systems
Bill Kimberl, CIP, Bill Kimberl Construction
Jerry McFarland, CIP, James McFarland Builder
Linda McKenzie, Carpet One
Vicki O’Neil, City Gas
Laura Kuleshova, City Gas
Wade Shapiro, Legacy Insurance Solutions
Mark Trudeau, CIP, Trudeau Fine Homes
Alan Weekley, Alan Weekley Homes
Jackie Wilson, Brian Barnard’s Flooring 
   

TBA’s Remodelers Council will meet Wednesday at 11:30 am at the TBA office with Brian Barnard’s Flooring hosting the luncheon and seminar on the Schluter-Shower System...a complete waterproofing system for tiled showers. The Schluter System is a Universal Underlayment for Ceramic and Stone Tile and was recently featured in This Old House and Ask This Old House. Schluter Profiles create a clean, finished look while protecting the tile/stone edges from damage, and eliminating the need for messy caulking, resulting in a permanent, maintenance-free installation.  The system eliminates leaks, prevents mold growth and dramatically reduces total installation time to ensure success and make shower, steam shower and bathtub installations easier than ever. Schluter Systems are perfect for the professional remodeler to present a beautiful finished project and to feel confident that it will hold up over an extended time period. 
 

A reminder that TBA members who enjoy saltwater fishing could have a huge payday on June 8 when $3,000 in Grand Slam cash will be available at the annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament at the Carrabelle Boat Club. Chairman Garth Easton of Pro-Build and his hard-working Fishing Committee have lined up solid sponsor support... now it's time for members to sign up with boats or as individuals. Click here for a registration form. The Inshore Grand Slam pays $1,500 and is sponsored by Pro-Build and Bobby Dollar’s Appliance Consultants/GE. The Offshore Grand Slam also pays $1,500 and is sponsored by Lowe's. 
 
 

Remember to friend and follow TBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tallahasseebuildersasociation

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

The TBA Weekly Report is sponsored by Roberts Sand Company, serving the sand and gravel needs of TBA members. For immediate service, call 576-1414.

The Platinum Best in Show and Gold and Silver winners of TBA’s 2013 Parade of Homes™ will be honored this Wednesday evening, May 15 during a general membership meeting at the Hotel Duval. Click here to order your tickets for the event which begins with a 6:30 pm reception and follows with dinner and the awards presentation. The Parade opened last Saturday and runs consecutive weekends, ending on Sunday, May 19. Parade books are available at Publix stores in the area or can be view online by clicking here. Also set to be honored are the Realtors Choice Award winners and the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Green Home Certification winners in two price categories. At the awards dinner, the national anthem will be performed by Kristina Petrandis of Premier Fine Homes. 
 

Generous Sponsors Make
Parade of Homes Possible

When most people think of the Parade of Homes™ they naturally focus on the builders of some of Tallahassee’s finest new homes found in the area’s most lifestyle-rich communities. But the Parade would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors… companies that offer important products and services to the builders. Please support these sponsors of the Tallahassee Builders Association’s 2013 Parade of Homes™.

 
PLATINUM SPONSORS

City of Tallahassee Natural Gas Utilities

James Hardie Building Products
 

GOLD SPONSORS

Capelouto Termite & Pest Control

Capital City Bank

Perkins Electric

Pro-Build

Roberts Sand Company

Super-Lube Auto Service

Tallahassee Democrat/Tallahassee.com
 
SILVER SPONSORS

Blue Book Building and Construction Network

Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet

ES Green & Company

Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)

Jenkins Brick and Tile Company

Nichiha Fiber Cement

Seminole Trusses, Inc.
South Georgia Brick
 

TBA members who enjoy saltwater fishing could have a huge payday on June 8 when $3,000 in Grand Slam cash will be available at the annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament at the Carrabelle Boat Club. Chairman Garth Easton of Pro-Build and his hard-working Fishing Committee have lined up solid sponsor support... now it's time for members to sign up with boats or as individuals. Click here for a registration form. The Inshore Grand Slam pays $1,500 and is sponsored by Pro-Build and Bobby Dollar’s Appliance Consultants/GE. The Offshore Grand Slam also pays $1,500 and is sponsored by Lowe's. 
 

As a result of the BP oil spill on April 20, 2010, BP has created the Deepwater Horizon Settlement Program.  The Program provides builders, contractors and suppliers, among others, with a mechanism to recoup revenue losses incurred in 2010.  Many business owners assume that their losses have to be directly related to the oil spill to qualify for the Program, but that’s not the case.  BP has provided billions of dollars to businesses and communities that felt the indirect, trickle-down effects and saw changes in their revenue. Through the Program, BP has acknowledged that virtually every type of business was either directly or indirectly harmed, making most businesses eligible for the Program. While the revenue loss does not have to be directly related to the oil spill, claimants must meet causation requirements based on geographic location and business type.  Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell has represented Florida businesses for decades and has chosen to co-counsel with the Economic Recovery Group in order to best serve these specialized claims.  As of April 30, 2013, more than 154,000 claims have been submitted, nearly 53,000 of which are in Florida. More than half of all claims involve a business or individual economic loss.  Filing can be complicated and cumbersome without legal counsel, but an evaluation can be done fairly simply. For more information about the BP Settlement Program you may contact Bobby Long through the web site www.rumberger.com. 
 

Members of TBA’s Green Building Council enjoyed an excellent presentation last week by John Griffin of Tru-Seal, LLC, who spoke on the duct sealing solution known as AeroSeal; John can be reached at or 850-727-5393… TBA Green Building Council Chair Suzanne Cook, CAE, IOM, of the Florida Green Building Coalition used last week’s Council meeting to honor TBA members Jane and Randy Conn of ES Green & Company for being the first in the state to earn an FGBC certifier designation… TBA members will be receiving their 2013 Membership Directory in the mail this week; the Directory was produced by specialty publisher E&M Consulting, Inc…. TBA President Shane Lambert, CIP and Parade of Homes™ Committee Co-Chair Mark Worley, CIP, GMB appeared on the Preston Scott Morning Show on WFLA Radio last Friday morning to promote the Parade of Homes™… Brian Barnard's Flooring will sponsor TBA’s May 22, 2013 Remodelers Council meeting at the TBA office, according to Council Chair Bill Kimberl, CIP, of Kimberl Construction. 
 
 

Remember to friend and follow TBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tallahasseebuildersasociation

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

 
DATES and TIMES 
May 11-12, 18-19, 2013
 
29 Parade Homes Open:
Saturdays 10 am to 6 pm
Sundays Noon to 6 pm
 
Parade Books Will Be
Available at Tallahassee
Publix Stores
 

BUILDER OF YEAR

ALAN WEEKLEY Alan Weekley Homes

ASSOCIATE OF YEAR

ALAN ROBISON Capelouto Termite & Pest Control

PRESIDENT'S AWARD

BILL KIMBERL, IV, CIP Kimberl Construction, Inc.

HALL OF FAME

MARK WORLEY, CIP, GMB Worley Construction

PARADE BEST OF SHOW

DOUG BARTON, CIP, CAPS Barton Construction

The TBA Weekly Report is sponsored by Roberts Sand Company, serving the sand and gravel needs of TBA members. For immediate service, call 576-1414.

The stars of the TBA 2013 Parade of Homes™ will be out on Wednesday evening, May 15 when the Parade winners will be honored at the Hotel Duval. Click here to order your tickets for the event which begins with a 6:30 pm reception and follows with dinner and the awards presentation. The Parade opens this Saturday and runs consecutive weekends, ending on Sunday, May 19. Parade books are available at Publix stores in the area or can be viewed online by clicking here.

Earnhardt Chevrolet,
Hancock Bank Sponsor

TBA owes a debt of gratitude to two longtime members for their support of the annual Parade of Homes™. Barbie Jordan of Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet provided the vehicles for judges to visit and score this year’s 29 Parade homes and Deborah McClellan of Hancock Bank hosted a luncheon for Parade builders, drivers, and judges during the judging last Friday. Parade judges were all from out of town this year, including home building and design professionals from Fort Walton Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Valdosta. Parade winners will be announced May 15.
 

TBA’s Green Building Council meets for a sponsored lunch and seminar this Thursday at 11:30 am at the Myers Park community room under the leadership of Chair Suzanne Cook, CAE, IOM, of the Florida Green Building Coalition. The meeting’s sponsor/speaker is John Griffin of Tru-Seal LLC, who will make a presentation on Duct Diagnostics and sealing. The average home or business is leaking 20-30 percent, wasting money on electricity. Through the Aeroseal process, Tru-Seal seals the duct leakage, saving the customer money and making the indoor environment cleaner and healthier. 
 

TBA’s Governmental Affairs Committee stays in contact with local elected and appointed officials. Last week, the Committee, chaired by Past President Jerry McFarland, CIP, met with Leon County Commissioners Kristin Dozier and Mary Ann Lindley, and the county’s Director of Building Plans Review & Inspection Ed Jarriel. Dozier and Lindley offered their insights into the county budget, rising storm water and waste management fees, and the recently adopted noise ordinance. Jarriel announced the pricing for weekends and after-hours inspections ($82.24 per hour, minimum of two hours) and the number (606-1389) that builders could call to arrange the inspections.
 

TBA’s newest “Construction Industry Professional” (CIP) is Alan Robison of Capelouoto Termite & Pest Control; Robison, who has been in the pest management business for 15 years and with Capelouto since 2007, becomes the 15th TBA member to earn the professional designation, which is based on experience, education, and exceptional customer/client service…  TBA President Shane Lambert, CIP, and Executive Officer Paul Thompson, CAE will be the featured speakers this Thursday at the annual meeting of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Tallahassee; the invitation came from longtime TBA member Laura Jo Hewitt of Prime Meridian Bank; Lambert and Thompson will speak on the “The Pulse of the Market in Tallahassee and Statewide”… TBA Past President Jerry McFarland, CIP, will speak May 7 to the Monticello Chamber of Commerce… building permits in Leon County, which averaged around 300 a month recently, soared to over 600 in April 2013, a sure sign that construction market is rebounding… the Tallahassee Economic Index, a newly-established measurement tool, dropped 12.13 points in March to 52.10 following a 3.94-point increase in February and 6.96-point increase in January; the index is a composite of various statistics collected locally that are designed to give an indication of economic performance… Builder Page Pittman and Realtor® Jason Naumann were featured in the Saturday Tallahassee Democrat Real Estate Marketplace section for their Parade of Homes™ entry in Midtown… contractors can earn seven free continuing education credits and obtain excellent building code training during a May 14 workshop here in Tallahassee; the registration form can be found under News on the home page of the TBA web site at tallyba.com. 
 
 

Remember to friend and follow TBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tallahasseebuildersasociation

   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer
 

 
DATES and TIMES 
May 11-12, 18-19, 2013
 
29 Parade Homes Open:
Saturdays 10 am to 6 pm
Sundays Noon to 6 pm
 
Parade Books Will Be
Available at Tallahassee
Publix Stores
 

BUILDER OF YEAR

ALAN WEEKLEY Alan Weekley Homes

ASSOCIATE OF YEAR

ALAN ROBISON Capelouto Termite & Pest Control

PRESIDENT'S AWARD

BILL KIMBERL, IV, CIP Kimberl Construction, Inc.

HALL OF FAME

MARK WORLEY, CIP, GMB Worley Construction

PARADE BEST OF SHOW

DOUG BARTON, CIP, CAPS Barton Construction