HBA Home Remodeling Expo Draws Attention of Local Media

The Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield's annual Home Remodeling Expo today announced it experienced its best attendance since 2007. The enthusiasm surrounding the weekend activities at the Fairgrounds E*Plex drew considerable attention from the local media as well. Here is a summary / recap of a portion of the local news coverage of the event:

KY3: In addition to coverage on their Friday newscasts, KY3 morning host Maria Neider interviewed Shannon Lee (Rock Solid Construction) and Susie Cornell and Denise Wright (Decorating Den) live from the show on the Saturday morning show. Those interviews can be viewed below:

Shannon Lee (Rock Solid Construction) Live on KY3 Saturday AM

Susie Cornell and Denise Wright (Decorating Den) Live on KY3 Saturday AM



Springfield Business Journal (October 11-17 Issue):

Remodeling expo brings professionals, homeowners together

Home Remodeling Expo sells out of booth space

Housing investments require close eye on costs

A Conversation With ... Gene Douglas



KOLR & KSFX:

Remodeling Expo in Downtown Springfield, MO



Springfield News-Leader:

Home remodeling ideas abound at Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield's expo

KSPR: Mandatory Fire Sprinklers for Homes Could Come in 2012

KSPR 33 news reported that the Springfield Fire Department is already pushing for mandatory fire sprinkler systems in all new homes, when Missouri's current moratorium on such honerous mandates expires at the end of 2011.

In 2009 the city decided not to adopt the current code which would, if adopted in its entirety, be illegal under state law because it requires sprinklers in all new homes. Currently the state of Missouri prevents cities from requiring sprinklers be put in new homes. Instead, builders are required to provide homebuyers information that gives them details on the option to put sprinklers in the house, including cost and safety considerations.

HBA of Greater Springfield CEO Matt Morrow was interviewed for the story and emphasized that the focus should be put on older homes built before modern building codes were in place where nearly all residential fire deaths take place. You can news story that aired on Thursday, August 26 below:



Morrow also provided KSPR with a series of documented studies demonstrating that fire deaths happen in older homes (not new ones) and that analyzed the cost per life saved of fire sprinkler systems versus any number of other ways communities might invest dollars to increase safety (widening roads, for example). The cost per life saved of mandating fire sprinkler systems in new homes is 792 times more costly than the average of the other ways communities could spend money on life safety (that's 79,200 percent higher cost per life saved than the other choices). KSPR chose not to utilize the information, but it can be accessed by clicking here.

Thanks to the work of the HBA affiliates in Missouri, the state legislature passed a law last year requiring builders to OFFER installation of a fire sprinkler system at the purchaser's expense and it stated that no permitting jurisdiction can currently adopt a code requiring residential fire sprinklers. But that law sunsets December 31, 2011. To document compliance with this state law, builders who build custom homes or sell spec homes are encouraged have the purchaser fill out the the Residential Fire Sprinkler Option Form, which was developed by the state’s HBA affiliates in partnership with the Missouri Fire Service Alliance. Home buyers should sign this form as part of the official purchase documentation to record the offer and compliance with state law. Builders are then asked to share a copy with the HBA for response tracking. To download the form, click here. An educational brochure for consumers is also available, outling the cost and safety considerations of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems. Download a copy of the brochure by clicking here.

KY3: Check up on your contractor before starting a home improvement project... Are they HBA Members?

Contact KY3's Cara Restelli reported this week on the tragic story of an 80-year-old Branson woman who lost thousands of dollars to a landscaping contractor who never completed the job. In this case, a simple Internet search would have revealed a criminal background. But consumers in general should always take full precautions when hiring someone to work on what for most is their single largest investment - their home.

Among the recommendations made by KY3 is to insist that your contractor is a member of the local home builders association. You can watch the Contact KY3 story on KY3.com or below. And you can check always on your contractor to see if they are an HBA of Greater Springfield member by clicking here (http://www.springfieldhba.com/FindaPro.html).

KY3: Home sizes in the Ozarks, as elsewhere, are shrinking

Contact KY3's Cara Restelli reports that, reversing a 30-year-old trend, American homes are getting smaller. Not only have home prices declined from their highs in 2006 but also builders have started delivering less square footage on new homes.

This story aired on Monday, July 26 on KY3 News. HBA Past President Kevin Clingan was interviewed for the story.