At Home in Berks August 2014

AUGUST 2014Home Builders Association of Berks County

on the TerraceTapasInterior Décor &Finishing Touches

2014 Parade of Homes WINNERS

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32For Advertising Opportunities: call 610.685.0914 Ext. 1Read At Home In Berks Magazine Online at HBAberks.org

The written and visual contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction of print or digital articles without written permission from Hoffmann Publishing Group, Inc., and/or the Home Builders Association of Berks County is forbidden. The placement of paid advertisements does not imply endorsement by HBA of Berks County.

Publisher: Hoffmann Publishing Group, Inc. 610.685.09142921 Windmill Road, Suite 4, Sinking Spring, PA 19608

2014 HBA BerksBoard of Directors

Officers:

PresidentPatrick J. Dolan, AIA, LEED APDolan Construction Inc. (Reading)

First Vice President Edward F. Anewalt IV, CLP

Anewalt’s Landscape Contracting (Bernville)

Second Vice President James E. Gavin, Esquire

Masano Bradley Attorneys at Law (Wyomissing)

SecretaryChad E. Camburn, P.E.

Bursich Associates, Inc. (Pottstown)

TreasurerEvan L. Hand, III

National Penn Bank (Wyomissing)

Immediate Past President Cathy Sloan, CGR, CAPS, CGP

Aluminum Associates/Sloan Corporation (Temple)

Builder/Remodeler Directors

Daphne D. Frownfelter, CKDDeer Mountain Kitchens, LLC

(Robesonia)

Brad KehresL A Kehres Building & Remodeling

(Leesport)

Eric KellerBerks Fire Water Restorations, Inc.

(Reading)

Bryan MollB & G Glass (Reading)

Diane K. SalksRiverview Tree & Landscaping, Inc.

(Temple)

Associate Directors

David HallowellHeffleger Kitchen Center (Reading)

Sherrie HallowellTompkins VIST Bank (Wyomissing)

Bruce T. Rader, P.E., P.L.S.Berks Surveying & Engineering, Inc.

(Fleetwood)

HBA StaffExecutive Officer

& At Home in Berks Editor-in-Chief

Christian D. Malesic, MBA, IOM

Member & EventCoordinator

Barbara M. Bohrman

Contents

Features:

Angles

Departments

8 Tapas on the Terrace Perfection in Landscape Lighting.

12 The Space Age Has Reached the Kitchen All about Induciton Cooking.

14 Incentivizing Efficiency Energy Efficient New Homes Program.

16 What to Expect When You Are Expecting… A Kitchen Renovation.

19 Interior Décor & Finishing Touches

From wallpaper to appliances, learn how to makeover your home.

21 2014 Parade of Homes WINNERS ANNOUNCED! Find out who stole the show.

24 The Dangers of NOT Paying The penalties of not paying your bills on time.

26 Keys to a Successful HVAC Upgrade Determining when to replace an outdated unit.

30 Terrific Window Treatment Tips Style, Function & Focal Points.

6 From the President HBA of Berks County President Patrick Dolan.

32 Membership Pages New and returning members, member to member discount programs, and an overview of all Association-related events from August – October 2014.

6 AT HOME IN BERKs August 2014

From the President

Patrick J. Dolan, AIA, LEED AP Dolan Construction Inc.

Earlier this summer we celebrated our Parade of Homes. During the Parade, I caught several interesting com-

ments by people touring a remodeled home. In general, the comments went something like “No one builds homes like they used to any more.” The comments had me thinking about what this meant and why so many felt this way. The home being described was originally built in 1876. I can only assume people were admiring some of the details throughout the home such as the deep window sills, the pediments over the interior windows, the random width wide plank flooring, the exposed stone walls and arched stone openings. Yes, all of these de-tails were quite exquisite in this old home.

This really had me thinking; I wonder if the tail is wagging the dog in our industry? Allow me to ask this question another way. If these are the things that are important to us in our homes, when was the last time we asked for them? Perhaps the problem is that we have a slight disconnect between what is being sought after and what is provided by the home building industry. Could the answer lie in the process in which we design our homes?

Using Architects

Did you know that architects report that only 6.2 percent of their total billings come from residential building? There is a book that highlights some of these issues entitled “Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better—Lessons from the Harvard Home Builder Study.” This study reveals the trends in the home building industry and that over the last few years, 25% of all homes built in this country were built by the top 10 builders, and the top 100 builders built half of our homes. The trend of large-scale builders and large-scale development continues. What worries me is this question of “are we getting what we want from our homes?”

Surely the large builders through con-ducting market research understand their customer well, right? Well, ask yourself that question. Certainly there are trends that seem to be popular and holding, such as the open floor plan and communal living space as opposed to the traditional colonial with smaller segregated rooms. But, if you were in some of these homes and they feel

“soulless,” what is it that is missing? Where is the character you desire?

Perhaps it’s time to re-engage the archi-tects and engineers in the process of home

building again? Many years ago the master craftsmen was both the architect and the builder, but we have separated the two professions. I think we can see that in the resulting work sometimes.

I know what many of you are thinking, especially those of you in the building trades, that sure you’d love to have or offer these types of features, but it is simply too expensive to do all of this exquisite detail and architectural expression. While it is true that things will generally cost more as we add detail and expression, I also argue the gap at which they cost more will only continue to grow as we continue to move away from such architectural expressions. When the trades stop learning and using the skills required to do certain tasks, their costs only escalate. I also challenge us to think about how those expressive details can be executed using traditional means and methods. Do you know who is really good at figuring that stuff out? Architects and Engineers. Do you know whom we are not using in home building anymore? Architects and Engineers. Is there a cor-relation? I’m not a rocket scientist (just an architect ), but I have to believe there’s some relationship here.

I don’t mean to suggest by all this that every project should have an architect. The home builders obviously work very hard to streamline their costs and deliver as much home as they can for the home buyer. And, we all know that the cost usually reins #1 on people’s priority list. I suppose that answers our question doesn’t it? But, if you challenge yourself to something more on your next project, I encourage you to speak to the design professionals early in your process. There are a number of good architects in the area who can guide your thoughts and design process. I assure you the craftsmen are still here. Let’s not lose them. And, let’s keep some heart & soul in our homes.Happy building.

August 2014 AT HOME IN BERKs 7

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features

on the TerraceBy Lori Jean Anewalt

Tapas



on the Terrace

Beautiful fall nights are here. A gentle breeze, the sounds of rustling leaves…it’s time to take the Friday evening mojitos and tapas on the terrace.

Landscape Lighting Gentle landscape lighting can set the tone for an enchanting evening

outdoors. Why gather inside when landscape lighting can allow you to partake of nature long into the night?

Top reasons home owners should consider landscape lighting are:

To highlight a structure or plant.For safety and security. To extend the use of the landscape long into the evening.The right lighting creates a welcoming ambience for family and friends.

Up-to-date styles of decorative lights and premium brands are endless. Installing the right lights can address a plethora of needs and wants such as up lighting, down lighting, silhouetting, focal point lighting, deck & hardscape lighting, and specialty lighting.

Tapas

continued on page 10



“I like to think that the moonis there even when I am

not looking at it.”– Albert Einstein

Highlighting, Security, & Long Nights with Nature

Let’s begin with the basics of highlight-ing the front door, the house number, or house address. By adding a functional light, guests simply know where they are going.

Taking the lighting a step further, high-lighting can include gazebos, pool houses, pergolas, or a cabana bar. Think about graz-ing stonewalls to highlight the texture of stone or brick especially in a century old home. Then, there are the pillars, columns, and paths.

Let’s certainly not forget about incor-porating soft lighting of plants, which can add a unique awareness of the backyard. Suggestions integrate lighting up azaleas or silhouetting a focal tree against a house. Doing so can elevate your senses; you may find yourself noticing leaf patterns, tones, and shapes that you never noticed before.

Case Study #1:Turn Small into ‘Private’

Home owner Kevin G. resides in an established Wyomissing neighborhood in a longstanding stone home. His corner property was ideal for a backyard landscape transformation, creating the opportunity for Kevin and guests to relax outdoors with the addition of landscape lighting long into the night.

In his rather small backyard, the lighting creates a warm, well balanced, and com-fortable outdoor space. The incorporation of suitable lights illuminates the landscape without disturbing his neighbors. The proj-ect’s up lighting accentuates the stately stone architecture of his home.

Without physically being there, it is difficult to appreciate how intricately the lighting has transformed the landscape. Designer Eddie Anewalt comments, “The plush lawn creates a sense of softness. It’s quiet. You can feel nature. There are a vari-ety of colors, textures, and leaf sizes ranging from quite small to that of an elephant ear. Depending on the time of year, you have pale leaf color of hostas to that of shiny magnolias. There is a sense of ‘closure’ as a result of the arborvitae living fence that enframes the property. It’s an ‘escape’ rather than being in a suburban setting, all gently illuminated by landscape lighting.”

of the house for Tom, Jeannie, and visiting friends and family.

They converted the existing incandescent landscape lighting system to a super energy efficient upgraded LED (Light Emitting Diodes) system. Jeannie shared that the LEDs illuminate the focal features better and emit a softer, less glaring light.

The landscape lighting includes moon-lighting, gentle up lighting on the softscape around the house, silhouetting of a focal dogwood tree onto the house and specialty lighting to accentuate the architecture of the house. Jeannie is particularly fond of the moonlighting, the imitation of the moon’s light.

The moonlighting placement at Tom and Jeanie’s house involved a team of two: a tree climber and a lighting professional. The climber ascends the trees, in this case, 40-50 feet up. The lighting professional guides the climber to mount the fixtures at the optimum position. Visitors cannot see the fixtures; instead, they are subtly struck by the light source and its soft natural effects cascading downward on the ground.

Case Study #2:Energy Efficiency + Amazing Ambience

Berk’s home owners Tom and Jeanie E. had the opportunity to revisit the landscape lighting of their rural home. The lighting system adds to the overall secure feeling



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More on Modern-day LEDsIt’s also worth mentioning that mod-

ern-day LEDs used in landscape lighting address environmental and financial concerns and are growing in popularity compared with the traditional incandes-cent lights.

Although the initial cost of LEDs may be higher, LEDs will prove to be a wise choice on many levels. For simple comparison sake, a 6 to 8 watt LED has an average life span of 30,000 hours compared to the 60 watt incandescent light bulb’s 1,200 hour life span, drastically reducing the maintenance required for LEDs in comparison with the incandescent lights. Imagine chang-ing LEDs only once in 15 years versus changing incandescent bulbs yearly. What a way to save time! LEDs use significantly less energy thus reducing Carbon Dioxide emissions and generate far less heat than the incandescent bulbs. Furthermore, filters and diodes are available in different colors and can create different effects.

Hence whether the moon is out or not tonight, carpe diem (seize the day), take pleasure in those tapas on the terrace. Turn the night into light and accentuate nature.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Lori Jean Anewalt is a co-owner of Anewalt’s Landscape Contracting, specializing in creating beautiful outdoor living spaces. To learn more about their services, talented landscape design-ers, or Certified Landscape Architect, visit them on the web at www.AnnewaltsLandscape.com. Contact Lori at (610) 926-3836 or by email at [email protected].


An ice cube will not melt if placed directly onto an induction cook-ing zone. If placed in an induction

ready pot over a zone, it melts in no time flat. Faster. More control. Safer. Welcome to induction cooking.

Induction cooking refers to a type of surface cooking, as there is no such thing as an induction oven. With every passing year, public awareness of induction tech-nology has grown and nearly every major appliance manufacturer produces some sort of induction cooking appliance.

Powered by electricity, induction ap-pliances look nearly identical to their smooth-top glass, electric cousins, but in-duction cooktops work much differently.

On the tempered glass surface of an induction cooktop, a burner (or burners depending on size) is clearly defined. But, don’t think of them as ‘burners’, think of them as ‘zones.’ A burner, by definition, creates heat. An induction zone does not

generate heat. Rather, beneath the glass, electromagnets are hard at work producing magnetic fields. When induction-ready cookware is placed on a zone, the magnetic field interacts with said cookware generat-

By Conal Roney

ing heat directly on the pot or pan. Unlike electric or gas units that are the source of heat, induction cooktops and ranges make the cookware the source of heat.

The American market has three types of induction products available: counter-top units, built-in cooktops, and ranges. Countertop units usually have a single zone and can be priced as low as $50. These models are small enough to store away when not in use and plug into a regular electrical outlet. Built-in induction cook-tops are most commonly sold in 30” and 36” widths. Cooktops in 30” widths have four zones while 36” units have five zones. Smaller built-in units are available, but

there are limited choices in sizes less than 30.” A variety of induction rang-es exist and they are mostly available in 30” wide models and never wider. Induction ranges typically have four zones and feature an electric oven. All induction built-in cooktops and ranges are powered by a 220-volt electrical line. Though prices vary by brand, expect to pay more for induction cooktops and ranges than their electric or gas relatives.

Special induction-ready cookware must be used. Don’t worry. There are many companies producing induction ready cookware sets or individual pieces for every

features



JUNE 2014 AT HOME IN BERKs 13


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budget. The special cookware; however, isn’t really special. An induction ready pot or pan must have iron within its composition.

You might already have induction ready cookware and not know it. To test your current cookware, place a magnet on the bottom of any pot or pan. If the magnet adheres to the bottom, the pot will work with induction.

By creating magnetic fields instead of generating heat through electricity or an open flame, induction appliances are much more energy efficient than gas and electric models. Loss of heat is common in electric and gas cooking, but induction cooking focuses more energy on the cookware. This focus induces water to boil faster.

Control is another benefit of induction cooking. Raging boils can be brought down to a gentle simmer almost instantaneously.

Once of the best reasons to switch is safety. Induction cooktops and ranges tend to be safer to use. Though powerful, induction appliances cool faster after use than gas and electric models. The heat on the surface of an induction cooktop is a byproduct of the heat generated from the cookware. There are no heating elements below the glass like in electric units or metal grates above the surface like in gas models that remain hot long after use has ended.

Making the switch to induction cooking may mean replacing your pots and pans and this can add to the overall expense of the switch, but induction ready pots and pans are available for every budget.

As a rule, induction cooktops and ranges are generally priced higher than their electric or gas counterparts and prices vary from brand to brand.

Seemingly out of a science fiction novel, induction cooking is space age in its technology and it will continue to invade American kitchens because of its energy efficiency and respon-siveness. Though a bit pricier, more and more consumers are adopting induction technology. If you are on the fence between induction cooking vs. gas or electric cooking, visit our showroom to see an induction product in person. Seeing induction tech-nology in action might sway your decision.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Conal Roney is the Marketing Director of Kieffer’s Appliances serving Berks County and beyond. Visit them online at www.Kieffers.com or, for a real treat, check out www.KieffersBlog.com —it’s not your typical appliance blog. Contact Conal by phone at (215) 699-3522 or by email at [email protected].

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Home builders in Pennsylvania now have an additional incentive to build energy efficient homes.

FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania utilities and ENERGY STAR® have partnered together to create the Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program, which provides fi-nancial incentives to builders of new homes that meet ENERGY STAR V3.0 standards.

What’s the Incentive? For each newly built home serviced by

Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power that receives ENERGY STAR V3.0 certification, the builder is eligible for a rebate of $400 plus $0.10/kWh saved an-nually over a non-certified “reference” home built to the standard 2009 IECC code.

For a home to qualify for the program (in addition to meeting ENERGY STAR V3.0 standards), it must be 15% more ef-ficient than the current 2009 IECC code, must be located within the service area of a FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania utilities (Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, or West Penn Power), and must have a certificate of occupancy date on or after October 28th, 2009, for Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn Power, and June 1st, 2013, for West Penn Power.

What’s Does This Mean?ENERGY STAR® Homes are differ-

entiated by the performance of the home’s building envelope and installed energy-con-suming equipment. Examples include:

■ Effective Insulation Systems: An effective Insulation System ensures even temperatures throughout the house, lowering utility costs and improving quality. The quality insulation also keeps a home much quieter.

■ Tight Construction: A tightly sealed home improves comfort and air quality by reducing drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests and noise. The tight construction will lower utility and maintenance costs.

■ Efficient HVAC Equipment: Energy efficient HVAC systems are quiet and regulate humidity to improve comfort while using less energy to operate.

■ High Performance Windows: High performance windows use advanced technologies to help keep a house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

■ Efficient Lighting and Appliances: Energy efficient products such as lighting, fixtures, fans, and appliances help further conserve energy throughout a home.

■ Third Party Testing: A HERS rater is responsible for ENERGY STAR certification. When a rater certifies the home, they provide the ENERGY STAR seal on the home for guaranteeing ENERGY STAR quality and adding credibility. Make sure to show your home buyers the ENERGY STAR seal.

features

By Mike Arblaster



Sign On NowThere are many reasons why a builder should get involved with The Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program. First, ENERGY STAR certified homes have shown to sell faster and for more mon-ey than comparable non-certified homes (based on average sales price and time on the market in the study: Market Impacts of ENERGY STAR Qualification for New Homes, Appalachian State University 2011).

Customers want a comfortable home, especially during hot summers and cold winters. Nobody likes sleeping in a bedroom on the top floor that is uncom-

fortably hot during the summer, or spending time in a room

during the winter that is drafty, or so dry that they get a static shock when they touch a doorknob.

ENERGY STAR V3.0 ensures a home is tightly

sealed and comfortable during any season.

Second, customers also want to spend less on their utility bills. With the effi-ciency standards of ENERGY STAR V3.0, they will save money all year. Additionally, ENERGY STAR V3.0 certification means that builders are using higher quality prod-ucts in the home that last much longer, so customers can save long term on replace-ments and repairs.

Certified homes are tightly sealed, which not only keeps them cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, but also prevents

unwanted dampness and mold. This not only adds to the comfort of the home, but also increases its durability, which means even less repairs down the road when the buyer is interested in selling the home. For these reasons, customers are demanding ENERGY STAR certification when buy-ing a new home.

Third, FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania util-ities are providing incentives to builders to build ENERGY STAR V3.0 certified homes. FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania utilities are also providing builders with $400 + $0.10 kWh saved annually over a non-cer-tified reference home. Since ENERGY STAR homes can save 30 percent or more in energy use than non-certified homes, the $0.10/kWh rebate could amount to hundreds of dollars or more depending on the home.

The more efficient the home, the higher the rebate, and builders of multifamily projects receive an incentive per unit, which could equal thousands of dollars per building! Builders who participate in the program will also receive free technical training, marketing materials, and recog-nition on the program’s website.

In today’s housing market, home buyers look at many houses and weigh countless options before they ultimately choose the house that they will call “home.” Partnering with The Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program and building to ENERGY STAR V3.0 standards helps your houses stand out from the rest by pro-viding homebuyers with more comfortable, durable, energy-efficient homes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mike Arblaster is Program Coordinator at Per-formance Systems Development, a FirstEnergy / ENERGY STAR partner to encourage high per-formance home building. For more information go to energysavepa-newhomes.com or contact Mike by phone at 814.282.3689 or by Email at [email protected].

Connect with the HBA…

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@HBAberks

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Channel: HBAberks


Magazine articles give much advice about how to select a kitchen professional and what

to look for when remodeling your kitchen. You have poured over numerous kitchen photos from magazine articles and web-sites. You painstakingly asked all the right questions to the three or four kitchen pro-fessionals. Then, you chose the one who will make your dream kitchen a reality. You signed the contract, paid the deposit, and are waiting for the renovation to begin—now what happens?

What to Expect When You Are Expecting…

a Kitchen Renovation

By Daphne D. Frownfelter, CKD

features

Behind the ScenesThe kitchen professional needs to have

their preliminary meetings with their trade contractors or with their employees for ar-eas such as electric, plumbing, carpentry, etc. They need to order some items, such as the kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, and faucets. Delivery dates will most likely drive the timing of the renovation. A good kitchen professional will keep you informed about what they are preparing and will coach you through the preliminaries that you will need to do as well.

Camping? At Home?As simple as it sounds, YOU WILL BE

WITHOUT YOUR KITCHEN during the entire renovation.

Think of this adventure as a long camping trip where you get to sleep in your own bed. How will you cook meals? Clean the dishes? Refrigerate your food? Almost all kitchen renovations will require the con-tractor to remove the refrigerator from the kitchen itself. Can you put the refrigerator in an adjacent room? Do you have a spare in the garage? In the colder months, can you store perishables outside in plastic bins?

A big challenge arises when you need to make meals without a range or oven. Now is the time to pull out all the small appliances that you might not have used for a while. You may have an electric fry pan, electric griddle, sandwich maker, crock-pot, and a few others. You can use an elec-tric griddle for toasted sand-wiches, pancakes, and bacon. You can use an electric fry pan many more dishes than the fried ones. Get creative. The backyard grill and camp stove are also great appliances that you can use to make a quick meal.

When you are without water from the kitchen, the bathroom or laundry room is the next best source. Please take care that you are diligent about grease buildup and food particles since you don’t have a gar-bage disposer in these drains. The drain in a bathroom vanity sink, for example, is smaller than the kitchen sink. Food lodged in the trap may be an unwelcomed added expense.

Eating out may be fun for a short while, but will get old soon. A better choice is to focus on making nutritious meals you always make at home. I like to tell my cli-ents to choose the milestones when they would like to eat out. The day the kitchen cabinets arrive, for example, is a great day for a celebration.



Nifty GadgetsConsider adding an allowance of $200 to

$300 to the overall price of the kitchen for small appliances that you always wanted to try such as an induction hotplate. I lent mine to more than one client and they love the way the burner is cool after they are finished making a meal.

A countertop microwave is a useful ap-pliance if it is available. If you purchase a countertop microwave, how about using it in the family room after the kitchen remodel is complete, or split the cost with another family member or friend who will inherit it when you are finished?

Please note: Electric cords on small appliances are short in order to limit the danger of tripping and causing damage or bodily harm. Manufacturers recommend that you cook food under a fume hood that you will not have. Always place small appliances on a solid surface and always follow the manufacturer’s safety instruc-

tions when using small appliances.

Before the work begins, your kitchen professional should

prepare you for how he or she goes about the remodeling process.

With that in mind, the renovation is a work in progress. You may see something you don’t believe is the way it should be. Keep communication open, but expect that your professional also saw the mishap and will fix it before the end of the project.

Paint colors are often a cause of anxiety for kitchen clients. Typically, I call the first coat of paint the, “OMG, what did I do” coat. Some paint colors need more than two coats before they look good. Pumpkin colors in particular have first coats that are less than impressive. Talk with your professional about the color soon so they can make a change early, but feel comfort-able that you will need to see the finished product before you make a final call.

One day, much happens and the proj-ect is flying by. Other days will be slower causing you to wonder what work is being completed. The ebb and flow of work is normal. Don’t hesitate to ask if you are on schedule, but don’t worry if you see a few slow days.

Pay close attention to the details of the project when you sign the contract, for example: during the planning process you may make a concession on a detail such as changing the type of drawer runners in the cabinets. In your mind, you are getting the upgrade, but you agreed to, and paid for, the standard runners. The day the cabinets come, you see the standard drawer runners

and think that the manufacturer made an error. You always have the contract to refer to so you can be sure you receive that for which you paid.

Don’t Worry…Be Happy!Again, the kitchen professional wants

you to be happy. If you don’t like what you

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see, be open about it. Once I had a client who received everything for which they asked, and after the install, wanted a different color. Remedies do exist. Talk with your professional. He or she may be able to have the cabinets refinished in your home to get the look you want. Other times, the kitchen professional needs to remove, refinish, and reinstall them. Of course, you can’t expect the pro-fessional to remedy the situation at no cost, but there is no harm in asking for a price. Likewise, if the contract is settled (complete and paid in full) and you don’t like the price of the new remedy to suit your tastes, you are also free to go shopping for another professional. No one should expect to live in a kitchen they don’t like when there is a practical solution.

The kitchen remodel is now complete. The dust has settled, literally. You may look back and remember the meals out, the meals in, the dishwashing in the laundry room, and the spills in the dining room. If you plan the journey to be an adventure where you will be in charge of the good and the bad, you will have many good memories of the process.

In the end, you have a new kitchen to enjoy. You have better eating and storage space. You may have new appliances, new countertops, and a new lease on the way you prepare meals. You also have improved the value of your home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Daphne D. Frownfelter is Certified Kitchen Designer at Deer Mountain Kitchens and is a Director on the Board of Directors of the Home Builders Association of Berks County. Visit on the web at www.DeerMountainKitchens.com or contact Daphne at (610) 693-5566 or by email at [email protected].


Walls Set the Tone“A lot of homeowners have been afraid of

wallpaper, but there are a lot of cool con-temporary designs to accent with wallpaper. It used to be a room had a feature wall with paint. That has transitioned from a paint feature wall to a wallpaper feature wall,” explains Cathy Lutz, Sales Associate at the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store (www.sherwin-williams.com) in Reading.

The use of wallpaper in interior décor is making a re-appearance after being out for the past ten years according to Lutz, who is also seeing the trend for paint finishes shifting from satin to flat as the flats have become easier to clean.

Return to Classic Craftsmanship

Berks Commercial Renovations (berkscr.com) in Mt. Penn is seeing the return of

“Old World Charm.” One example of this is through the appearance of plain banis-ters with painted spindles. The company is seeing the trend of carpeting being removed from steps while it remains on main floors, thicker crown molding, and reglazing tile to change colors.

Final interior décor touches go beyond col-ors, accent pieces, carpeting and woodwork. Those final touches are just as important when making decisions on appliances.

features

Interior Décor & Finishing Touches

By Jessica Whitmore




It’s Still All About the KitchenSteam ovens are becoming popular in the kitchen according to

Terry Hinkle at Maidencreek TV & Appliance in Reading (www.maidencreektvandappliance.com). These ovens, which are not much bigger than the size of a microwave, complete the cooking process through a detachable water reservoir.

“Everybody wants to cook better and not use the microwave all the time. It becomes a way of life in the kitchen. The steam oven can cook anything and keep the food fresher,” shares Hinkle.

He sees the trend for wall ovens for convenience, ease of use of not having to bend over to open the oven door, increased hol-iday cooking, and increased storage under the range. The French door refrigerators, with the freezer located on the bottom of the appliance instead of the freezer and fridge side-by-side, is being seen more often in the kitchen.

“You are in the freezer once a day. The fridge is where you are at, and this gives easy access and more room,” explains Hinkle.

The color of appliances is just as important. While stainless steel still remains popular according to Hinkle, a couple options give you the same look without the increased cleaning needed to maintain the look of stainless steel.

The Frigidaire Gallery line has Smudge-Proof Stainless Steel appliances that come with a protective coating. GE has a Slate line, which comes in a dark matte that hides everyday use of fingerprints and smudges.

Hinkle sees a finishing touch in laundry rooms through the use of the PureWash Eco-Friendly Laundry System in place of traditional laundry detergent. The system does not require deter-gent but adds enhanced oxygen and Photo Catalytic Oxidizers to the cold water used for the washing machine. It doesn’t require maintenance and turns itself off and on depending on the demand for water.

“It saves water and electricity and the clothes come out cleaner. It is similar to what hospitals use for laundry.” explains Hinkle.

New You Home RedoEntertainment systems are becoming part of the finishing

touches of interior décor as well.Charlie Bock, owner of Stereo Barn in Sinking Spring (stereo-

barn.com) divides a home into two entertainment areas: first floor living of family or living rooms and basement living.

“People want the big picture with a thin profile and the big sound with small speakers. They want the big effect that doesn’t dominate a [first floor] room,” shares Bock. This includes flat panel TVs, which now have “razor-thin borders that hang like a picture,” and Amplified Sound Bars that create “big sound without five to six speakers.”

Bock is seeing the trend for basement entertainment to include ceiling-mounted projectors and permanent screens mounted on the wall.

“I can give you a 106-inch screen with a projector mounted on the ceiling with a bigger, brighter picture than a TV within the same price,” shares Bock. He also explains that projectors are now brighter so lights can stay on while entertaining.

Besides having the trendy entertainment system, Bock reminds that big spaces result in having over your children and their friends.

This means adults and kids can be entertained in the same house with separate entertainment spaces—the first floor living and the basement living.

“You want to know where your kids are. You want your kids and their friends over because you have the big screen,” encourages Bock.

If any of the trends don’t fit your personal style, Lutz recom-mends to “just don’t do the trend. Follow your own trend. Be more comfortable with what you like, not just the current trend. Be unique and be an individual.”

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2014 PARADE OF HOMES

The Votes are In!Let’s Find out who stole the show!

Best Exterior: Garman Builders, Inc.New Home – Under $300,000

Best Kitchen: Garman Builders, Inc.New Home – Under $300,000

Best Kitchen: Keystone Custom HomesNew Home – $300,000 - $600,000

Best Kitchen: Turnberry Custom HomesNew Home – Over $600,000

Best Exterior & Best of Show:Turnberry Custom HomesNew Home—Over $600,000

Best Exterior: Keystone Custom HomesNew Home – $300,000 - $600,000

Best Kitchen:Berks Commercial Renovations, Ltd. Remodeled Home

Best Bath:Keystone Custom Homes – Penn Hills New Home – Under $300,000

Best Bath: Keystone Custom Homes –Buckingham PreserveNew Home – $300,000 - $600,000



2014 PARADE OF HOMES

Outdoor Living: Sal’s Landscaping Remodeled Home

Best in Show: Berks Career & Technology CenterNew Home – Under $300,000

Best in Show: Keystone Custom HomesNew Home – $300,000 - $600,000

The successful Berks County Parade of Homes bounced back with a vengeance after a year and a half hiatus. Builders and Remodelers from all over Berks County rose to the occasion with spectacular ideas for both indoors and out. Outdoor usage concepts were a huge hit, but the creativity of all projects won the judges overall.

The Berks County economy is finally coming back and people are now thinking about building or remodeling again. The Parade of Homes offered the public the opportunity to talk with the Builders and Remodelers, to see what’s new and available, and to dream big on their own designs to make into reality.

Best Bath: Turnberry Custom Homes New Home – Over $600,000

Best Interior: Keystone Custom HomesNew Home – $300,000 - $600,000

Best Bath:Berks Commercial Renovations, Ltd.Remodeled Home

Best Interior: Turnberry Custom Homes New Home – Over $600,000

Best Interior:Berks Career & Technology CenterNew Home – Under $300,000

Best Interior:Berks Commercial Renovations, Ltd.Remodeled Home



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By James E. Gavin, Esquire

Angles

In tough economic times, like those that we have experienced over the last several years, it is not uncommon for people to

fail to pay some bills when they come due. Regardless of whether the failure to pay is the result of a lack of funds or some other reason, the reality is that it happens.

The construction industry is not insulated from people who fail to pay. Occasionally, cir-cumstances arise where a property owner does not pay a builder for work performed. Sometimes contractors do not pay trade contractors for work performed. The difference is that in the construction in-dustry, the law encourages prompt payment and penalizes those who do not pay promptly.

Construction Protected in PAHistorically, problems arose where builders and trade contrac-

tors were not receiving timely payment, or payment in full, for work performed. This prompted the state legislature to act. In 1994, the Pennsylvania legislature enacted the “Contractor and Subcontract Payment Act” (“CAPSA”), 73 P.S. §§501-516, to facilitate the payment process for both contractors and trade con-tractors working on private construction projects in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, CAPSA applies to private agreements, whether written or oral, to perform work on any real property located within the state. The type of improvements that fall within the scope of CAPSA are very broad and include repairing or demol-ishing parts of the property, excavating, clearing, grading, filling or landscaping real property, or furnishing material or providing labor for any improvements.

Without getting into the fine detail of the law, the bottom line of CAPSA is that bills associated with private construction are payable when due. It may seem like a simple concept, but it is also one that is often ignored. Although payment may be withheld, it may only be withheld for a good faith reason.

No Good ReasonsPeople often have many different reasons for not paying a

builder. Sometimes it is as simple as they changed their mind about what they want and don’t believe they should have to pay for what they received. Sometimes people withhold payment in hope of getting a better price. Payments are even withheld at

times because they come due at inconvenient times. None of these reasons, however, are acceptable under CAPSA.

Pay If It Is Done CorrectlyFortunately, CAPSA addresses what constitutes a good faith

reason to withhold payment. Specifically, payment may be with-held for “deficiency items.” A “deficiency item” is defined by CAPSA as being work performed that the owner, the contractor, or inspector will not certify as being completed according to the

specifications of the construction contract. In other words, payment may be withheld for either defective work

or work that was not performed. Withholding payment for any other reason is a violation

of the law.

Penalties are SteepCAPSA encourages prompt payment by

penalizing people who withhold payment for reasons other than those permitted by law. In other words, if payment is wrongfully

withheld, there can be consequences. The consequences provided for in CAPSA

include interest, penalties, and attorney fees. Beginning with interest, unless otherwise agreed by

the parties, interest will accrue at the rate of one percent (1%) per month or twelve percent (12%) per year. In addition to the interest, when payment is wrongfully withheld, CAPSA may impose a penalty of one percent (1%) per month or twelve percent (12%) per year to the amount due.

The practical effect of the interest and penalty provisions of CAPSA are that if payment is wrongfully withheld, the party failing to pay could have twenty-four percent (24%) per year added to the bill. Using very simple math, that is $24.00 for every $100.00 withheld.

In addition to the foregoing, if the contractor or subcontractor gets an attorney to represent them to recover the money owed, they may also recover their attorney fees. CAPSA makes an award of attorney fees mandatory for the substantially prevailing party.

The rules contained in CAPSA apply to both property owners and contractors. As property owners face these penalties if they fail to pay a contractor, contractors will face these penalties if they fail to pay their trade contractors.

Although times are tough, as CAPSA demonstrates in matters of construction, one should always be aware of the risks associated with not paying your bills on time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:James E. Gavin, Esquire is the 2014 2nd Vice President of the HBA of Berks County and is an attorney at Masano Bradley Attorneys at Law (www.MasanoBradley.com). Though Jim has a breath of experience in all areas of civil trial practice, he concentrates in commercial litigation, mortgage foreclosure, bankruptcy, insurance defense litigation, and personal injury litigation. Contact Jim by email at [email protected] or by phone at (610) 372-7700.



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KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL HVAC Upgrade

By Michael DeBerdine III

Home heating and cooling make up more than 50% of a typical home-owner’s utility bills, according to

the U.S. Department of Energy. If you’ve got an older model furnace, boiler, or air conditioning system, chances are you’re paying more than you should to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

New HVAC equipment can provide in-creased efficiency, lower utility bills, better air quality, and a more consistent tempera-ture throughout your home. Yet, despite these benefits, many homeowners put off installing new equipment because they focus on the initial expense. It’s important to keep in mind that replacing an older unit is an investment that may actually pay for itself through increased energy efficiency—and that some companies offer no-interest financing that can make new equipment more affordable.

Whether or not you are in the market for a new air conditioning or heating system, there are a variety of factors to consider when determining when it may be time to replace an outdated unit.

Tell-Tale Signs of a Faltering SystemThere are a variety of recognizable signs that any home owner can look for to deter-

mine if their HVAC system needs to be replaced.

• SYSTEM AGE: If your system is 10-20 years old, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy recommends arranging an evaluation by a qualified contractor to evaluate it. In addition, if your furnace or boiler has a pilot light, which continuously drains energy, the Energy Department recommends upgrading the unit.

• TEMPERATURE CHECK: If the room that your furnace or boiler resides in feels hot, even when the system is not in operation, your equipment may be experiencing high idle loss (and potentially costing you bundles in unnecessary energy bills).

• UNEVEN HEATING AND COOLING: If you notice that some rooms don’t get as warm or cool as others, and there is not a uniform temperature throughout your home, your system may not be functioning properly.

Angles

If any of the above items apply to your equipment, it’s time to consider a replacement.



A/C and SEER:The Value of Efficiency

If your current Air Conditioning (A/C) system is 10+ years old, you could save up to 40% —or more—on your energy bills by replacing it with model that has a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). SEER is a measure of the efficiency of an A/C system that compares the amount of cooling provided vs. the amount of ener-gy the system consumes. The higher the SEER rating for an A/C system, the more efficient it is.

Ratings for A/C systems manufactured today range from 13 to over 24 SEER. Older systems may have a SEER of 10 or even lower. You can significantly re-duce your annual cooling bill with a new, high-efficiency A/C system (see SEER vs. Cooling Cost Savings chart for details).

Another factor to consider is size: bigger is not always better when it comes to A/C. Air conditioners remove heat and humidity from a designated area, and a system that is too large may cool the area too fast, leaving part of the humidity—and dampness—be-hind. To get the best performance, be sure to discuss A/C system size with an HVAC professional.

In addition, there are a variety of man-ufacturer’s rebates available at this time of year that can put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket, so don’t forget to research what rebates are available before making your final decision. A trusted HVAC con-tractor can help you choose a model that best fits your unique needs.

A New Heating System: Options and Advantages

The home heating equipment avail-able today is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than ever before. Manufacturers have raised the bar over the past several years, offering a variety of advanced design features that increase efficiency and decrease emissions.

Older furnace and boiler systems have efficiencies ranging from 56-70%, while modern systems can achieve efficiencies as high as 97% by converting almost all fuel to useful heat. Increased efficiency can yield significant savings, sometimes reducing a home owner’s energy bills by close to one half.

When considering a replacement, the first decision to make is the type of fuel. In our region, most homes heat with nat-ural gas, heating oil, electricity, or propane. Currently, about 30% of the homes in our region use heating oil as fuel. Many of these home owners have considered converting their system to natural gas because of the difference in cost between natural gas and heating oil. Consumers opting to convert to natural gas should do so under the guidance of a contractor that has been recommended by the local utility and has experience with both types of heating systems.

Heating Equipment ChoicesOnce a home owner selects a fuel type, the

next step is to determine what type of equip-ment will work best for their needs. When selecting equipment, consider these factors:

• FURNACES: Whether fueled by gas, propane, or oil, a furnace pulls in the surrounding air, heats it up, and blows it out through ductwork to warm your home. Furnace models available today are extremely efficient, offering direct drive blower motors that can be adjusted to any home’s configuration. They are also quieter, more reliable, and offer increased home comfort.

12 SEER

Source: EnergyStar savings calculator

16 SEER 18 SEER 20 SEER

50%

45%

38%

17%

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent e

nerg

y sa

ving

s ov

er 1

0 SE

ER

SEER vs. Cooling Cost Savings

• BOILERS: A boiler operates by way of heating water or creating steam and then circulating the water or steam throughout the home via radiators, pipes, and vents to generate warmth. Modern boilers can automatically adjust their heating level based on outside temperatures, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars on their yearly utility bills.

• HEAT PUMPS: Heat pumps use a cycle of evaporation and condensation to transfer heat throughout the home. Today’s high-performance heat pumps generate more heat at a lower cost than ever before, and modern technologies are setting new standards in comfort, reliability, and efficiency.

Because there are numerous brands, siz-es, and models to consider within each category, the advice of an experienced HVAC professional is invaluable, espe-cially a professional with a background in all types of equipment.


Today’s A/C systems offer higher SEER ratings, which means they

operate much more efficiently

than older models and significant

savings on energy costs. This chart shows energy

savings of various newer models

compared to an older system with a

10 SEER rating.



Three Keys to Installing a New HVAC System If you decide it’s time to upgrade your HVAC equipment, I recommend these three

simple guidelines during the process:

• ENSURE PROPER SIZING: Contrary to what some home owners may think, too much capacity can actually make a system less efficient. Purchasing equipment that is too large for your home can cause the system to cycle on and off frequently, which makes it difficult to reach peak operating temperatures producing extra wear and tear on equipment. Work only with a company that has installed hundreds of A/C systems. An experienced contractor will factor in the square footage of your home, its insulation, the number of windows, and other factors to determine the proper sizing for your new equipment.

• QUALITY MATTERS: It’s easy to get drawn in by bargain basement pricing—especially when it comes to an expensive purchase such as replacing your HVAC system. But, consider the value over the life of the equipment, not just the initial cost. Buying durable equipment from trusted manufacturers may cost more initially, but will provide better performance, lower operating costs, fewer maintenance hassles, and often include valuable warranties.

• KNOW YOUR TECHNICIAN: Before you sign on the dotted line, ask about the training and level of experience of the technicians who will be doing the installation. Also, since HVAC equipment needs to be regularly maintained, it makes sense to work with a local contractor who is familiar with the installation and can be easily reached if a problem arises.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael DeBerdine III is President and CEO of the Jerome H. Rhoads family of companies, which provides comprehensive energy services including heating oil, natural gas, propane, fleet fueling and equipment installation and service. The organization serves Berks County through local subsid-iaries including Boyertown Oil and Propane and E.G. Smith Inc. For information, visit www.boyertownoil.com or www.egsmithinc.com. Contact Michael by Email at [email protected].



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Nothing gives a room more drama and pizzazz than beautifully de-signed window treatments. Strictly

speaking, windows, along with walls, floors & ceilings, form the “shell” of any room. So, before you look into the wide range of design possibilities, analyze your window needs and determine just what you want your window treatment to do.

It Starts with YouSome home owners are adamant about

not obstructing wonderful vistas, while others have an unsightly view they want to mask. In addition to whether you want to cover or enhance your view, basic light & privacy needs, sizes, shapes, and styles must be taken into consideration. If every-thing is carefully considered in creating a custom window treatment design, the fin-ished product will be a window treatment that enhances not only a window, but your entire room, while offering the necessary privacy and light control.

Here are a few things to consider to help you determine the best possible window treatments for your home.

Function. How is the window being used? Do you need to block outdoor light? Is privacy your priority? Or, do you have a beautiful view that needs capturing?

Focal points. Are your windows a natural dramatic architectural feature of your room? If so, you have a built-in focal point, and should plan your treatments accordingly.

Style. After determining what your window treatment will do, consider the theme or style of the room…casual, contemporary, traditional, or trendy. How striking do you want the treatment to be? Do you want the treatment to serve as a quiet background in your room, or would you prefer to have your window take center stage and become the room’s focal point? However you chose to treat your windows, they are really a decorating opportunity to help you set your room’s mood and style. Once you’ve defined your style, think “out of the box” for hardware needs. For example, in a family room with a casual sports theme, consider using golf clubs or even pool cues as window treatment hardware. In a trendy or contemporary room, perhaps a high-tech, quasi-industrial look of cable wires for drapery hardware will dramatically enhance your design.

A Room to Live InNow let’s consider your living room. Often times these rooms boast some sort of

outstanding architectural feature…perhaps a fireplace, a soaring ceiling, or tall windows. Whatever architectural feature your living room possesses, a beautiful window treatment is a must. The more elaborate the treatment, the more it will add to the overall beauty of your room. If a bold decorative statement is called for, perhaps a luxuriously designed swag and jabot treatment designed in a soft flowing silk fabric, or dramatic taffeta would be to your liking. If you’d like to subtly frame your windows, then lush side panels mounted on a unique decorative rod would give your windows a very subtle, yet dramatic impact. Not only do custom window treatments add beauty, design and uniqueness to your decorating plan, they are truly crafted for you and your windows alone. And, if budget is a consideration, it’s always better to drape a window generously with a lesser priced fabric, then to skimp with a costly one.

Angles

Terrific Window Treatment TipsBy Yvonne Staskel



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Yvone Staskel, the owner of Decorating Den Interiors, offers convenience, quality, service, satisfaction, and affordability on every job. It all starts with You at Your Home! Contact Yvonne by email at [email protected] or by phone at 610.777.3313.

Want To Hide An Unattractive View without shutting out sunlight? In addition to using hard window treatments to cover the glass itself, why not try framing your windows with beautiful printed or textured sheer side panels?

Add Some Splash! Try accenting your window treatments with tiebacks, fringe or beads. It’s not only a clever way to get an even more custom look, but will add a splash of the unexpected to your design.

Add Some Drama! Decorative rods, brackets and finials have expanded dramatically and beautifully in today’s marketplace. From wood, to metal, to unusual materials, today’s rod choices are varied, unlimited and gorgeous! They’re guaranteed to set off your window in a truly dramatic fashion.

Large Room? Small Windows? If you have a large room with smaller windows, then your perfect solution might be to extend your custom window treatments beyond the window—perhaps even covering the entire wall. By extending your window treatment side panels and top treatments beyond the edges of small windows, your room will actually appear just a bit larger and more expansive. This will help your small windows appear more proportionate to your large room.

Small Room? Small Windows? How about using your window treatment as a soft background, rather than a focal standout? Try to keep your window treatment design, and color simpler in style that blends easily into the surrounding walls! You’ll definitely find that your room will tend to appear larger.

Scrumptious Side Panels! Consider framing the beauty of your windows with scrumptious side panels. From silks, to tapestries, to sheer fabrics, side panels truly add beauty, flair and

excitement to any window design.

Shady Shades! Never before have Roman shades been as popular as they are today! These beauty shades provide privacy in the most decorative of ways!

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2014 Upcoming Events…

Membership happenings

AUG5-9

SEPt3-6

SEPT15-19

SEPT20

OCT6

OCT18

Fall NAHB Board MeetingPhoenix, AZAll Day

Restoring Hope Foundation2014 BuildWelgo Home, HamburgAll Day

Restoring Hope Big RevealWelgo Home, Hamburg2:00 pm

Fall Crazy GolfRich Maiden Golf Club11:30 am – 5:00 pm

HBA Fall Clean Up DayHBA Property8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Association Leadership InstituteSt. Louis, MOAll Day

Performance Systems Development

Mike Turns40 W. Evergreen Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118

PH: (484) 684-5625Email: [email protected]: Patrick J. Dolan

UGI HVAC Enterprises, Inc.

Larry Lill225 Morgantown Road, Reading, PA 19611PH: (484) 955-9116;Email: [email protected]: Patrick J. Dolan

welcome new members

Walter GrethGreth homes

John NewtonGreth Homes

Gene & Carol WiseWise signs

Landmark HomesZachary Eshbach

Malsnee Tile & Stone, Inc.

2014 Foundation Club Members:(In date order)

Call the HBA office at 610.777.8889 to learn how to become a member of the FOUNDATION CLUB. These members understand the important role legislation plays in their businesses and the importance of electing and supporting legislators who are sensitive to the issues affecting the building industry.

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Membership happenings

THANK YOU to renewing members of the Home Builders Association of Berks County (HBA)

31+ Years

26-30 YearsBernard G. Spohn Construction, Remodeling, PaintingL A Kehres Building & RemodelingMiller Builders’ Supply Co. Inc.

21-25 Years

16-20 Years84 LumberBlue Lake BuildersDonald R. Heimbach Building ContractorStackhouse Bensinger, Inc.

11-15 YearsYork InternationalPaul W. Essig, Inc.

6-10 YearsBarwis Construction, LLCApex Professional Mechanical Services Inc.Lezzer Lumber, Inc.Morgan EnterprisesStubbs Insurance Associates, Inc.

2-5 YearsHarron’s Insulation & Ceilings, Inc.Huck Surveying, Inc.Landis C. Deck & Sons Site ContractorsDave Roche Electric, Inc.Berkshire Building Services, Inc.Quality Floors Inc. Barbey Electronics Corp. Weinhold ConstructionBerks Commercial Renovations, Ltd.Kelly’s KleaningNew Spaces, LLCPetersheim Bros., Inc.Reading-Berks Association of REALTORSStokesay Castle, LLC

1st Year AnniversaryEagle Construction & Remodeling, LLCTap Pro Tavern Services LLC

Aluminum Associates / Sloan CorporationContact: Kert E. Sloan 610.921.2201

5% discount on all services

Berks TransferContact: Bob Quinn 610.926.7626

$50 off 1st can order to new customers

Quality Floors Inc.Contact: Chuck Smith 800.446.6035

10% off any order(Not valid with any other offers or prior purchases)

Member 2 Member Discount Program

As one of the many benefits of membership in the Home Builders Association of Berks County (HBA), the following members are offering the discounts listed to HBA members only. If you would like to join the HBA or offer a Member 2 Member

Discount, contact the HBA office: 610.777.8889.

Geoff Penske Buick GMCContact: Victor Popescu 610.777.1300

GM affinity program & partnership with HBA (Call Victor for more details on how you can save)

Martin’s Flooring, Inc.Contact: Richie Zook 877.445.7799

Free Interior Design & Special HBA Contractor Pricing (Ask about our contractor referral program)



What’s HOT ON

2014 Parade of Homes AwardsThe Berks County Parade of Homes 2014 was held on Friday-Saturday-Sunday (May 30th–June 1st)

and on Friday-Saturday-Sunday (June 6th–8th) with Friday hours from 3 pm to 7 pm and Saturday & Sunday hours from 12 Noon to 6 pm.“Best of” Awards were presented in both the New Homes category and the Remodeled Homes category. New Homes were awarded, per each of three price ranges, in each of four sub-categories with

Best of Show awarded to top overall point-earners in all sub-categories combined: Exterior, Interior, Bathroom, and Kitchen.

Remodeled Homes were awarded in each of four sub-categories: Interior, Bathroom, Kitchen and Outdoor Living.

HBAberkschannel

What is a Contract? (Offer + Acceptance)

This video defines “contract” and “consideration” in terms anyone can understand. It also details the offer and acceptance steps of reaching an agreement and discusses counter-offers. As part of an on-going educational series of business topics, Executive Officer Christian D. Malesic, MBA, IOM presented “PA HICPA & Contracts in Plain English” to a live audience of HBA members. (Length: 9:20)

Private Tour: 2013 Build of HBA Restoring Hope

Your personal, private tour of the Pieller home (2013 Build) of HBA Restoring Hope brought to you by the Home Builders Association of Berks County in Pennsylvania, USA.

The HBA of Berks County has always represented the best builders, remodelers, trade contractors, and associated professionals in the construction industry. This is our way of thanking and giving back to a community that provides us our livelihoods. The HBA Restoring Hope Foundation (RHF) is neighbors helping neighbors so a community can rebuild itself. It is not a ‘hand out’ but a ‘hand up’ for one family in the country each year. (Length: 10:22)

Big Reveal: 2013 Build of HBA Restoring Hope

Watch the family react as they see their “new” home for the first time. The Big Reveal (Saturday, September 14th, 2013) of the HBA Restoring Hope 2013 Build to Lisa Pieller and her children, Ashley & Eric, organized by the Home Builders Association of Berks County in Pennsylvania, USA. (Length: 14:14)

Crackle Finish: The Magic of Paint

Use a Crackle Finish to make old furniture new again with that antique look that makes it original. The five Berks County locations of Sherwin Williams worked together to present various tips, tricks, ideas, and lessons on how to make things looks brand new on a tight budget. (Length: 5:49)

610.589.4007

www.advanced-construction-solutions.com

2 Hillside Drive, Newmanstown, PA 17073

Exceeding Expectations.Every Job. Every Time.

Exceeding Expectations.

Roofing

Remodeling

Siding

Repairs

Skylights

Chimney Work

Gutters & Gutter Guards

Windows & Doors

Commercial PropertyMgmt & HOA Maintenance

PA#095739

Free Estimates ▪ Fully Insured ▪ Excellent Warranties ▪ Exceptional Customer Service

ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION S O L U T I O N S L L C



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At Home in Berks August 2014

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