Business View Magazine March 2023

71 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 3 According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of lumber has risen by over 73% since the pandemic’s beginning. At the same time, the price of steel and concrete has also increased significantly. Despite these factors, the industry continues to see high demand for new homes and remodels, which Person explains has seen association members working hard to cope. “There was such high demand for new constructions and renovations coming out of COVID that the current slowdown is letting our members catch up on the orders they had. Some members shut down sales offices because they couldn’t keep up with orders. “Pricing is also a major factor behind the slowdown. Many builders are finding it difficult to accurately price a home with all the changes in pricing models.” The HBRA of Central Connecticut is helping meet some of these challenges through direct advocacy interventions, including with manufacturers. Pearson illustrates the point by highlighting that “There has been difficulty in getting meter sockets on time across the country, causing buyers to delay the closing by a couple of weeks or even a month sometimes. When combined with interest rates rising ever so often, buyers are getting priced out of a house or having to take a second look at their options.” “To help solve this for our members, Sheila Leach, our Vice President of Operations, researched the meter socket supply chain, including visiting the manufacturers and distributors. She identified when shipments came into Connecticut, helping prioritize deliveries for builders with the most aged orders.” Instances like this characterize the HBRA of Central Connecticut’s mandate towards its members. However, as Person explains, its mandate extends to other areas critical to helping members succeed. “At the core of all we offer our members is customer service,” he says. “We are responsive to members and provide a high level of customer service - answering every phone call and not just fulfilling member requests, but exceeding the expectations of what we promise.” “The HBRA of Central Connecticut has a history and culture of helping members succeed, with the belief that a rising tide raises all ships. This philosophy has helped us attract members who initially were concerned about joining an association with their competitors. However, once they join, they quickly realize it’s not a group of competitors, but of peers working together, supporting each other, and growing the industry.” Advocacy is another key pillar of the HBRA of Central Connecticut’s mandate, including at local, state, and federal levels, helping defeat things that would hurt its membership, as Person notes. In this capacity, the association engages with the state legislature and regulatory agencies HOME BUI LDERS AND REMODELERS ASSOCIAT ION OF CENTRAL CONNECT ICUT