Well-known KONP News Radio personality and account executive Diana Johnson has joined the staff of the North Peninsula Building Asso-ciation. She will oversee membership development, as well as marketing eff orts for NPBA consumer products and events such as its popular Expo. She also will oversee expanding member-ship participation in events such as the annual golf tour-nament, which this year will be held on Sept. 27 at Th e Cedars at Dungeness, as well as helping drive increased membership attendance at the asso-ciation’s general meetings.

Johnson brings an extensive background in business manage-ment, sales and marketing to the association, as well as experience in construction-related business devel-opment. Th e Washington State Uni-versity graduate holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business adminis-tration.

“We’re just thrilled Diana has agreed to join our team,” said NPBA President Garret Delabarre. “With the economy improving, and construction picking up for the fi rst time in several years, she adds the high-quality expertise and experience we’ve focused on at-tracting to move the NPBA to the next level of excellence.”

Johnson joins recently hired Ex-ecutive Offi cer Lary Coppola at the NPBA. He is the former president and CEO of Wet Apple Media, pub-lishers of the Kitsap Peninsula Busi-ness Journal, WestSound Home & Garden and Remodel Kitsap maga-zines, and past mayor of the City of

Port Orchard.“Diana’s expertise and connections

to the business community will defi -nitely help move the NPBA in the di-rection we intend to go,” said Coppo-la. “I’m looking forward to working

together with her, as we both feel we’ll make a great team whose skills and experience complement each other.”

While with KONP, Johnson was responsible for numer-ous successful radio advertis-ing and marketing campaigns for a wide range of clients, which included writing and

voicing ads, as well as event planning, in addition to serving as a radio per-sonality on KONP’s popular "Morn-ing Scramble" program.

Prior to her stint in radio, Johnson spent nine years as offi ce manager for Tru Line Construction, where she was responsible for daily opera-tions and various other projects that included design work and oversee-ing various phases of construction. She also held a position with Hanson Medical as a  sales  representative for premier products and instruments in  the medical industry, spearhead-ing the sales department in several new product launches.

In her spare time the Sequim resi-dent enjoys volunteering at her chil-dren’s school for various fundraisers and spending time with her family.

“I can’t wait to get started,” stated Johnson. “Th e challenges are a ter-rifi c fi t for my skill set and I’m look-ing forward to working with Lary in helping move the NPBA forward and accomplishing the ambitious goals it has set.”

Mission StatementThe North Peninsula Building Association

represents builders and associates of the building industry. We advocate constant improvement of

building and business practices to provide quality construction in our community.

Vol. 6, Issue 9 www.npba.info 360-452-8160 350 West Washington Street, Suite 3, Sequim, WA 98382 September 2013

JOHNSON

Diana Johnson joins NPBA staff

One of the virtues of a newly constructed home is the savings that come from reduced energy and maintenance expenses. Data from the 2009 American Hous-ing Survey (AHS) off er proof. Th e AHS classifi es new construction as homes no more than 4 years old.

For example, for routine main-tenance expenses, 26 percent of all homeowners spent $100 or more a month on various upkeep costs. However, only 11 percent of owners of newly constructed homes spent this amount. In fact, 73 percent of new homeowners spent less than $25 a month on routine maintenance costs.

Similar fi ndings are available for energy expenses. On a median per square foot basis, homeown-ers spent 78 cents per square foot per year on electricity. Owners

New homes are less expensive to maintain

of new homes spent 65 cents per square foot per year.

For homes with piped gas, homeowners spent on average 53 cents per square foot per year. Owners of new homes spent 38 cents per square foot per year.

Th ese data highlight that a new home off ers savings over the life of ownership due to reduced operat-

ing costs. Th is is one of the many reasons that the current system of appraisals needs updating to re-fl ect the fl ow of benefi ts that come from features in a new home.

For more information, or a list of our members who build new homes, contact the North Penin-sula Building Association at 452-8160 or visit www.npba.info.

FMI (www.fminet.com), a lead-ing provider of management con-sulting and investment banking* to the engineering and construc-tion industry, announces the re-lease of the 2013 Th ird Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. Th e NRCI score of 60.3 is a 0.2-point improvement over Q2.

Although the numbers aren’t drastically rising, the sustainabil-ity and continuing upward move-

ment is encouraging. Th is score remains the highest score for the NRCI index since Q1 2009. Th e index for the overall economy rose to 72 points and the com-bined index sentiment for econo-mies where panelists are doing business rose 3.2 points.

Cost of construction materi-als, cost of labor and productivity continue to hold down the index. Additionally, investments in tech-nology, equipment and training

are needed to keep the economy from going stagnant.

Panelists for this quarter’s NRCI suggest that the uncertainty for investments is a result of the im-migration/labor bills, delays in implementation of “Obamacare” and the impact of residential growth on nonresidential con-struction. Th ese issues are causing the industry to sit back and wait to see the outcomes before mak-ing any risky investments.

Nonresidential Construction Index Remains Constant

Vol. 6, Issue 9 September 2013

Continued page 3

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The NPBA thanks its members for their recruitment efforts and continued support of the association.

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Well-known social media expert Frank J. Kenny will be the featured speaker at the North Peninsula Building Association’s Sept. 26 general meeting. The meeting will be held at the Red Lion Inn in Port Angeles and begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., with dinner be-ing served at 6:15 p.m. There will be a no-host bar available.

Kenny is best known for his work with non-profit associations like the NPBA and Cham-bers of Commerce for teaching their members how to increase their business using popular

social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instragram, Pinterist and others.

The program will be a live, hands-on demon-stration, with free Wi-Fi available in the meet-ing room. Members are strongly encouraged to bring their laptop computers, as well as tablet computers like the iPad, and to come learn how to unravel the secrets of social media.

Cost of the dinner is $15. Reservations can be made by calling 452-8160 or via e-mail at lary@npba.info. For more information, visit www.frankjkenny.com.

Social media guru to headline Sept. 26 membership meeting

Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market for single-family homes showed strong continued improvement in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the National Asso-ciation of Home Builders’ (NAHB) latest 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released last month. The index increased 24 points to a level of 53, which is the highest second-quar-ter number since the inception of the index in 2008 and the seventh consecutive quarter of year over year improvements.

“Builders and developers for the 55+ hous-ing sector are feeling optimistic as they are seeing more consumers return to the mar-ketplace,” said Robert Karen, chairman of NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council and manag-ing member of the Symphony Development Group.

That sentiment was echoed by NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “The 55+ HMI for single-family homes almost doubled from a year ago,” he stated. “Sentiment in other seg-ments of the 55+ market housing was strong as well. This is consistent with the increase in builder confidence we’ve seen in other NAHB

Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market shows significant improvement in Q2

surveys recently. At this point, the main chal-lenge for builders in many parts of the coun-try is finding enough buildable lots in desir-able locations and workers with the necessary skill set to respond to the increased demand.”

North Pacific Building Association (NPBA) President Garret Delabarre noted that, “Our members are seeing an uptick in work, and some of that is being fueled by 55+ market — especially in Sequim.” However, Delabarre also pointed to the recent sale of a new home in Port Angeles by local builder Michael Cau-dill that was listed for $194,000 — but actual-ly sold for $202,000, as evidence of an overall improving local market.

There are separate 55+ HMIs for two seg-ments of the 55+ housing market: single-fam-ily homes and multifamily condominiums. Each 55+ HMI measures builder sentiment based on a survey that asks if current sales, prospective buyer traffic and anticipated six-month sales for that market are good, fair or poor (high, average or low for traffic). An index number below 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as poor than good.

Vol. 6, Issue 9 September 2013

A Catered AffairAdvanced Door SystemsAJ Webb ConstructionAir Flo HeatingAll Weather Heating & CoolingAngeles ConcreteAngeles Millwork & Lumber Co.Angeles Overhead DoorsAlpha Builder CorporationB Middleton ConstructionBerneking Concrete HomesBill’s PlumbingBlack Diamond QuarryBlue Mountain Tree ServiceBob's ElectricBurton's FlooringChris Duff General ContractingClark County Home Builders AssociationClawson ConstructionClayton Coleman Construction and PaintingCJ ExcavatingCEDConstant PaintingCountry HomesCozi Homes ConstructionCrumb Grabbers BakeryDave's Heating & Cooling ServiceDela Barre ConstructionDuff EnterprisesEagle Home MortgageEstes BuildersEverwarm Hearth & HomeExcel UtilitiesFirst FederalFeeley ConstructionFinish RiteGlass ServicesH2O PlumbingHartnagel Building SupplyHiday ConcreteHoch ConstructionHuttig

Thank you to the following companies for your continued support

of the Homes for Our Troops Project!

The NPBA thanks its members for their recruitment efforts and continued support of the association.

Clallam PUD - Your Partner in Conservation

www.clallampud.net/conservation

By Lary CoppolaThe North Peninsula Building Association

has set Saturday, Oct. 5, as the day it will host this year’s salmon derby. All partici-pants must duly licensed and comply with all Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife fishing regulations, including those regulations specific to Marine Area 6. All anglers are responsible for complying with any closures posted by the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife at the time of the derby.

The derby area is from Angeles Point, due north to the Canadian border, to Green Point due north to the Canadian border. Fish caught outside the derby area are in-eligible. The derby area is identified on the map above. (Not to scale.)

The rules are as follows:• Derby begins at 6 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. • All fish must be returned to derby head-

quarters by boat and be in line for weighing before the derby ends at 2 p.m.

• Fish will be weighed in the round. • Derby officials will note the time each

fish was brought in. • In the event of a tie, the first fish weighed

in will prevail. • All prize-winning fish will be cleaned

and inspected at the close of the derby.• Derby tickets are $40 per person. Pur-

NPBA schedules fishing derbyMembers and non-members

alike welcome to participate

chase deadline is 6 a.m. on Oct. 5. • Every person on board any participating

vessel must have a derby ticket whether they are fishing or not.

• Refunds will issued in the event of weather that is considered by derby staff to be unfishable or if the derby area is closed by the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife.

• Cash prizes will be awarded to the three largest salmon caught.

• Prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m. • Participants must be present to win and

present their derby ticket. • Participants who violate these rules will

be disqualified.• All ticket holders will be entered into the

drawing to win additional prizes and must be present to win.

All of the components of the 55+ single-family HMI showed major growth from a year ago: present sales climbed 24 points to 54, expected sales for the next six months in-creased 25 points to 60 and traffic of prospec-tive buyers rose 26 points to 48.

The 55+ multifamily condo HMI also post-ed a substantial gain of 24 points to 43, which is the highest second-quarter reading since the inception of the index. All 55+ multifam-

ily condo HMI components increased com-pared to a year ago as present sales rose 26 points to 44, expected sales for the next six months climbed 26 points to 46 and traffic of prospective buyers rose 19 points to 38.

The 55+ multifamily rental indices also showed strong gains in the second quarter as present production increased 19 points to 50, expected future production rose 20 points to 52, current demand for existing units climbed 20 points to 62 and future demand increased 21 points to 63.

Continued from page 2

Vol. 6, Issue 9 September 2013

Garret DelaBarre, DelaBarre Construction PresidentAnnie O’Rourke, Draft ing Solutions Secretary/State DirectorJulie Myers, First Federal TreasurerBill Feeley, Feeley Construction 1st Vice PresidentGreg McCarry, Westerra Homes 2nd Vice PresidentRick Gross, Estes Builders LLC Immediate Past President/State DirectorMark Smith, Mark Smith State DirectorLarry Hanna, LP Hanna Construction Builder DirectorScott Schwagler, J & J Construction Builder Director Dan Donovan, Allform Welding, Inc. Associate DirectorTracy Gudgel, Zenovic & Associates Associate DirectorKelly Raymond, Cherry Creek Mortgage Associate DirectorRoger Wheeler, RJ Services, Inc. Associate DirectorBill Roberds, Excel Utility Construction Inc. Life DirectorLary Coppola, Executive Offi cer

2013 NPBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

Full contact information can be found at NPBA.info/members.

Our 40 employee owners and our families thank you for shopping locally!

Whatever your home improvement, maintenance or building project, come see us

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Use this checklist to help you select a home builder or home remodeler.

• Contact the North Peninsula Building Association for the names of member build-ers and remodelers at www.npba.info. Feel free to ask family, friends or co-workers for personal recommendations.

• Make sure the builder or home remod-eler you choose has a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers.

• Find out how long they have been in business and ask for proof that they are li-censed, bonded and insured.  It usually takes three to fi ve years to establish a fi nancially sound business. You want to make sure they

Checklist for fi nding and hiring a builder or remodeler

Doing your homework will help you have a more successful experiencewill be around aft er the construction is com-plete to service any warranties.

• Check out the company’s rating and if there have been any complaints fi led with your local Chamber of Commerce, the State of Washington (https://fortress.wa.gov/lni/bbip/Search.aspx) or the Better Business Bureau: (www.bbb.org).

• Make sure the builder/remodeler has suffi cient workers compensation and general liability insurance. If not, you may be liable for any construction-related accidents on your premises.

• Ask the builder/remodeler to provide you with names of previous customers. If they won’t, beware. If they do, ask the customers if they would hire the builder/remodeler again.

• Ask if you can see the builder/remodel-ers work, both completed and in progress. Check for quality of workmanship and materials.

• Do you feel you can easily communicate with the builder/remodeler? Remember you will be in close contact with him or her throughout the construction process and

aft erward as you live in your new home.

• Make sure the builder/remodeler pro-vides you with a complete and clearly written contract. Th e contract will benefi t both of you. If you are having a new home built, get and review a copy of the home warranty and homeowner manual as well.

• Be cautious of unusu-ally low-priced bids. If the builder/remod-eler is unable to pay for the materials and labor as the proj-ect proceeds, this may indicate a potential prob-lem. Keep in mind that less expensive does not necessarily mean better!

You can find more helpful advice on home building and remodeling at www.nahb.org/forconsumers or www.nahb.org/remodelers.