Does Your Builder Belong to the HBA?

When you see the Flagler Home Builders Association logo in use by a business, what should you assume? A safe assumption is that active HBA members have had extensive opportunities to learn the latest about industry trends, customer service, how to design new communities and new homes that will best meet the consumer’s needs and how to run a successful business. That is because the HBA might be thought of as an industry-specific educational institution for higher learning. Membership dues are charged to those who choose to join. Those dues might be thought of as an educational tuition being paid by the builder or other contractor. Being an HBA member means that a home builder or remodeler has made the decision to identify with the official not-for-profit association representing the home building industry. That is a good sign for the consumer working with an HBA member.

The HBA provides many services to its members. Among those services are: Educational Seminars: Classes on customer service; land use and home construction; environmental regulation; home design and energy efficiency trends; securing financing; and annual Florida Building Code update classes. Every aspect imaginable in home building is available through educational training with the local HBA and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Information: There is a constant flow of information both from the local HBA, state HBA (FHBA) and NAHB. A local HBA member automatically becomes an FHBA and NAHB member too. Specialty publications of all kinds provide HBA members with all of the latest available information intended to help them provide technically superior homes that deliver good value for the money. Local, State and Federal Government Contact: It is important to efficiently wade through government bureaucracies and their rules and regulations involving home building and remodeling. This helps to minimize unnecessary costs and delays that ultimately could be problems for the buyer. The HBA, FHBA and NAHB work to facilitate dialogue with governments throughout Flagler County and in the state capital of Tallahassee and in Washington, D.C. to help keep housing affordable and housing policies favorable for home buyers.

Together, these HBA services mean that builders and others who belong to the HBA are exposed to a wide variety of tools, technology and techniques which can be of great value to the home buyer. And the HBA is more than just home builders. Leading remodeling companies in Flagler and surrounding counties also belong to the HBA and are classified as builder members.

There also are associate members of the HBA which include many lumber suppliers, building products suppliers and many more that provide services such as painting, electrical, plumbing, roofing and concrete. Many professional businesses such as banks, architects, insurance companies, pool builders and interior designers also are associate members. Of course, not every HBA member takes equal advantage of the opportunities available through the HBA.

Doing business with an HBA member is not an iron-clad guarantee that there will be no challenges or obstacles. A buyer must always use good judgment when entering into any contract. In exercising good judgment, a buyer should want to know whether his/her builder and other contractors and suppliers they may choose have made the commitment to join their local professional trade association (HBA). It is the only organization of its kind that is working constantly to help its members understand how to deliver a better home to the consumer and to keep newly-built homes more affordable.

So, next time you are looking at a newly-built home with all the excitement that goes along with it, look also for the HBA logo. Ask if the builder is a Flagler HBA member. It is yet another of the many reasons to make a decision that will be right for you and your future. If you are interested in buying a new home, you will find contact information on all of our members under the OUR PROFESSIONALS tab and we hope you buy your new home from a member of the Flagler Home Builders Association!

Our Parade of Homes for this year has ended, but that does not mean you cannot still be a part of the Parade and view the homes, floor plans, features and slideshows of all the entries! Go to: www.FlaglerParadeofHomes.com