Sep 10 2007 1:06PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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Just got back from the NAHB Fall Board meetings in Seattle. I talked to a lot of remodelers out there and things seem to be going pretty well for most of them. The consensus seemed to be along the lines of working harder to get the projects, but the work is out there. Now of course those struggling the most right now are probably the ones who wouldn't come to the meeting, but still it seems there's a generally positive attitude out there.

Some other items of note from the meetings:

• Donna Shirey of Shirey Contracting in Issaquah, Wash., was selected for the "observer" position for the NAHB Remodelers. This puts her in line to be the chairwoman in 2010.
• NAHB appears ready to jump into the green arena with the approval of its new green professional designation. Green was probably the hottest topic at the board meetings and this should join the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) as a popular designation.
• The new lead paint rules are expected to come down from the EPA early next year. NAHB's legal staff is at this point expecting it to be a mixed bag, with the association getting some of the changes members wanted, but also for there to be several issues with the new rules. If the rules are bad enough, NAHB may consider a costly legal challenge. For more on the pending standards, visit www.epa.gov/lead or the lead paint section on NAHB's site.