Blog

HBA Hammer Time on WHHI with Meg James and Brantley King

Sarah Clemmons - Thursday, May 24, 2018

The April 2018 C.O.

- Tuesday, May 08, 2018

How does it feel when your project finally gets stamped as completed and your clients can enjoy their beautiful new or newly remodeled home? That sense of relief and accomplishment means a lot to the morale of a company and its team. HBA Staff is looking for new ways to communicate all that we as an Association experience and accomplish in a month's time.

As a result, the last Friday of each month will bring a new e-blast that we are calling "The C.O." to represent the completion of a large project that really is a lot of small pieces accomplished by a wide variety of contributors. Join us throughout the rest of 2018 with your comments, suggestions and even your own accomplishments throughout the previous month. Submissions can be made to info@hhahba.com prior to the last Friday of the month.




24 Years of Lowcountry Home Magazine Annual Publications

The 2018-2019 Lowcountry Home Magazine was released on Thursday, April 5 with a stunning home by ACH Custom Homes featured on the cover. Micheline Levie of ACH Custom Homes was on hand for the honor along with nearly 50 attendees. Click on the image above for more information on Lowcountry Home Magazine and visit the HBA Facebook for a to view more photos from the event.

50 Years of RBC Heritage Golf Tournaments at Harbour Town Golf Links

The HBA and its sponsor partners welcomed guests and dignitaries like U.S. Representative Mark Sanford to the 18th Fairway Lawn Hospitality Tent at the RBC Heritage from Wednesday, April 11-Sunday, April 15. 

Special thank you to tent partners:






69 Education Foundation Scholarship Applications Received


The Education Foundation received a record number of scholarship applications at a whopping 69! Thank you to Education Foundation partner Grayco, Inc. for their support of Education Foundation Day at the RBC Heritage. With their contribution, the Education Foundation was able to raise close to $1,000 for the scholarship fund through raffles at the Heritage Hospitality Tent. To learn more about helping the Education Foundation reach its final fundraising goal, visit the Education Foundation website or contact HBA Staff at 843-681-9240 today!

300+ Attendees at the 48th Annual HBASC Bird Supper on Tuesday, April 18

HHA HBA members and staff met and took a photo with Governor Henry McMaster who received the Hammer and Trowel Award. The Hammer & Trowel Award is given annually to a public official (elected or appointed) or to any government employee who has had the greatest positive impact on the State’s housing industry during the previous twelve months. Selection is determined by an endorsement from a local home builder association and secret ballot from the HBASC executive committee.

Since 1970, HBASC members and South Carolina's legislators have attended the Bird Supper. The Bird Supper offers an opportunity to sit with elected officials to make sure they know how legislative decisions affect each local district’s building industry climate and ultimately each HBA member’s livelihood. Being able to join fellow HBA members from around the state and gather with legislators over a delicious dinner of fried quail, chicken, grits, green beans, biscuits, and other fine Southern cuisine is an experience like no other. Keep reading below for an April 2018 HBA Government Affairs update!

In addition the Bird Supper, the HHA HBA delegation also attended the HBASC Board Meeting where Executive Officer Meg James accepted the 2017 Builders Top Gun Trophy for the win by Cleland Site Prep at Hermitage Farm in Camden in November 2017. Click on the image below of Meg and BIA of Central South Carolina Executive Officer Earl McLeod to see all the photos from the 2017 Builders Top Gun Tournament.

5 Community Organization Presenters at the April Workforce Development Solutions Lunch and Learn and 40+ Attendees

Gregg Witt and Sean Henrickson from TCL brought the TCL Welding Simulator to the April Workforce Development Solutions Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, April 18. Sarah from the HBA started off with a 59 out of 100 and ended with a 88. Like your momma always said, "Practice makes perfect!"

Special thank you to Linda Klingman of HRCoastal for presenting AND sponsoring the April Workforce Development Lunch. Click on the HRCoastal logo below for more information on HRCoastal and contact Linda for all your workforce recruitment and retention needs!

For more information on the April Workforce Development Solutions Lunch and Learn presentations, contact Sarah via sarah@hhahba.com today!

50+ Attendees at April RMC Happy Hour at May River Flooring


HBA Executive Officer Meg James pictured with (from left to right), Kenny Nix of May River Flooring, Shellie West of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Daniella Squicquero of The Hilton Head Life. 

Thank you to May River Flooring for your hospitality and for the delicious food catered by Chipotle! For more information on May River Flooring and their full line of flooring offerings, please click their logo below!

300+ Student and Faculty Partners at Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence


Much to the surprise of the HBA, our partners at Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence nominated the HBA for an award and...we were selected! Thank you to Dr. Michael Lovecchio and his team at BJACE for nominating the HHA HBA for Outstanding Business and Industry Friend of Career and Technology Education Award given by the Career and Technology Education Administrators' Division of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. We are so honored to be in partnership with an organization dedicated to CATE improvement and innovation.

Did you know...that the HBA holds a seat on the BJACE Advisory Committee that shapes the curriculum at BJACE including but not limited to construction trade courses? If you are interested in learning more about BJACE or getting involved in the Advisory Committee, please visit their website here or contact HBA Staff at 843-681-9240 today!



Government Affairs Update

Discussions remain active on the local implementation of the following issues:
  • USPS Implementation of CBUs (Cluster Box Units)
  • Beaufort County and municipality specific watershed management and stormwater permitting as required by South Carolina DHEC.
  • H.4683 Beachfront Management Reform Act which includes wins for builders and developers on the coast of South Carolina. Special thank you to Senator Chip Campsen for his support of establishing an appeals process for future baseline and setback line establishments.
For more information on the above referenced bill or any current conversations regarding the local and state building industry, please contact Executive Officer Meg James via meg@hhahba.com.



# of Permits Pulled April 16-22


Beaufort County
Single Family New Construction-18
Single Family (Addition, Renovation, etc.)-29

Jasper County
Single Family New Construction-21
Single Family (Addition, Renovation, etc.)-1

For all of your weekly permit data needs in Beaufort or Jasper Counties, call on HBA member Construction Week. To learn more about Construction Week, visit their website here or email Paul Wachter at pwachterwp56@gmail.com. 


On the HBA Horizon

5/1: HBA Member Appreciation Night at Ferguson
5:30 pm-7:30 pm
114 Bluffton Rd-Bluffton
Register here

5/16: Education Foundation Scholarship Banquet
6:30 pm
South Carolina Yacht Club
10 Yacht Club Drive-Hilton Head Island
Register here

6/6: Paints and Pastries at Beaufort Glidden
7:30 am-9 am
1100 Ribaut Rd Suite 3-Beaufort
Register here

7/13-7/15: HBASC State Convention in Savannah
Education, Networking with HBA members across South Carolina and more!
Register here

8/4: 29th Annual Builders Cup Golf Tournament
9:00 am
Port Royal Golf Club-Hilton Head Island
Contact HBA Staff via info@hhahba.com for information on sponsorships, registration and volunteer opportunities. Registration will be updated and released by mid-May.

ProSource April Clearance Event

Sarah Clemmons - Thursday, April 05, 2018

 

The April Clearance Event for your ProSource of Savannah is underway!!  Starting April 2 through April 30 you have the opportunity to save HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS for you or your clients on all your flooring needs!  Clearance Event pricing is displayed throughout the showroom to show you just how much you can save!

Members, we invite you in for a free Member Appreciation lunch, all food and drinks included on April 20, starting at noon!  This is our way of saying “thank you” for your patronage and a way to also get to know the team here at ProSource of Savannah.  A great opportunity to network as well as see what more we can do for you and your business!

That’s not all!  For every purchase you make during the month of April with a total of $500.00 or more, you will be entered into a drawing for one or more of our 14 exciting prizes, including a 55 inch HDTV, Yeti cooler, IPad and many more fantastic prizes!  Drawing will be held at 1 PM on April 20 during the Member Appreciation lunch. There are no limits on how many entries you can have!  Members must be present to win!

We look forward to seeing you in the month of April to share in this fantastic opportunity to save money and grow your business!  Please feel free to inquire about any product and savings we can offer to you.  We look forward to helping your business grow and are excited about the deals we can offer you during this event to help jumpstart your business this spring!

Sincerely,

Chris Odom
Account Manager

Prosource of Savannah
167 Knowlton Way #115
Savannah, Ga 31407
912-965-9099

Play & Gourmet Welcomes New Staff Member

Meg James - Thursday, February 01, 2018

Play & Gourmet Home Technology and Appliances has a new staff member and family member. Ron Angner Sr., the father of the company’s CEO, brings more than 50 years of experience in computer science, Operations and electrical engineering to his new role as general manager of home and kitchen appliances. He is working closely with sales, installation and integration of home and kitchen appliances, including washers and dryers, refrigerators, ovens, outdoor kitchens and more.

“I left the corporate world to join our family business,” Angner said. “This allows me to be more hands-on. I’m operational at heart. I like to get my hands dirty solving problems. I love working with customers and making them happy.”

Angner’s career began in the late 1960s as a design engineer and supervisor for Bell Labs for whom he has 21 patents including designing the computer systems for 911 dispatch and air traffic control. He also has worked in network systems and technology for AT&T, and later on developed billing and customer care systems for telephone companies for Advanced Technology Systems. Before joining the Play & Gourmet staff, he spent 19 years as principal and senior vice president of network operations for a local management consulting company.

About Play & Gourmet

Play & Gourmet is the local expert in smart home integration, WiFi networks, home and kitchen appliances and technical support. Their staff of professional home automation integrators can set up, install and maintain the complete connected home — including lighting, shades, entertainment, security, kitchen appliances and more. Their clients include private residential and corporate entities. Play & Gourmet’s showroom of home technology and kitchen appliances is located on Persimmon Street in Bluffton and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.playandgourmet.com or call 843-815-4292.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: HHA HBA Inaugural Fall Fishing Tournament

Hazel Digital Media Admin - Monday, January 22, 2018

For those of you who have been angling for an HBA Fishing Event, the HBA staff and the Fishing Tournament Committee proudly announce the HHA HBA Inaugural Fall Fishing Tournament on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8 at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center. 

Fishing enthusiasts will catch redfish, trout and flounder for over $4,000 in team payout!

The Captains Meeting for the tournament will be held the Friday evening before the Tournament start at first light on Saturday, October 8. Weigh-in will be strictly enforced between 3 PM and 5 PM on Saturday, October 8. Competitors and spectators alike will be welcomed to an after-tournament Fish Fry and Awards Ceremony to be held at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center on Saturday, October 8 from 4-7 PM.

For more information on sponsorship levels and team registrations, please review the Fishing Tournament package or contact the HBA Staff directly at 843-681-9240 or via info@hhahba.com.

COVERT AIRE LENDS HELPING HAND TO OUR COMMUNITY

Meg James - Wednesday, January 10, 2018


January 10, 2018


 COVERT AIRE™ LENDS HELPING HAND TO OUR COMMUNITY


BLUFFTON, S.C. – For the 3rd consecutive year, Covert Aire™ is excited to announce the results of their 8 week winter charitable efforts that included Operation Warm Up, a Toys 4 Tots toy drive and a canned food drive for those in need in our community. 

Through their Operation Warm Up campaign, Covert Aire™ teamed up with other companies to help people without heat in our community. The Bluffton-based heating and air company, Covert Aire™, donated over $10,000 to replace, repair and install heating/air systems in several Lowcountry homes. 

This year there were over 25 applications submitted to Mike Covert, President of Covert Aire. Locals submitted stories about their family members, neighbors, friends and co-workers who needed help with their heat this winter and Covert himself read each application as part of the decision process. 

The company successfully installed a brand new Bryant heat pump system at no charge for a special family with a sick daughter who since birth has defeated life altering and life ending diseases. They were also able to help a single mother caring for three children keep her family warm this winter by installing a 3 zone ductless heating system for her house that previously had no heating system at all. In addition, Covert Aire™was able to perform some minor repairs and cleanings for several other families.

“Our employees look forward to Operation Warm Up each year,” says Covert. “Being able to help those in the community who would otherwise face a cold winter is so rewarding for myself and my team.”

Covert Aire™ was pleased to team up with Mingledorff's,Inc. an HVAC distributor, the Lowcountry Radio Group ( SC 103.1/Surf104.9/Easy FM), and Bryant Home Comfort to help these special families stay warm this winter.

Additionally, Covert Aire™ successfully collected over 100 toys for children for Bluffton Self Help.  They also collected over 200 canned goods for the Beaufort Help food bank.

About Covert Aire™
Covert Aire™ is an award winning family run business based in Bluffton, SC celebrating their 10th anniversary. They serve a broad geographic area throughout Beaufort County, the SC Lowcountry and the midlands, sea islands and sand hills of Georgia. Covert Aire provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning products and services for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, healthcare, and retail. Our staff is Nationally Certified by organizations such as NATE, EPA, NIULPE, ACCA, ASHRAE and other certifying organizations. Their mission statement is focused on helping people HVAC needs and corporately as a company that “gives back” to the community they live in. Covert Cares.

CONTACT FOR PUBLICITY:

Lisa Carroll - Moonstar Ad.Pr LLC 

(843) 304-1922, lisapr@hargray.com

More Space Place franchise Featured

Meg James - Tuesday, January 02, 2018

Bryan Mudrak, owner of the local More Space Place franchise was featured in the article below on 1851franchise.com in late 2017. 


When Bryan Mudrak decided that it was time to break out of traditional corporate America to take on a business of his own, he wasn’t sure where to start. But after working as a corporate marketing director and building a career by climbing the corporate ladder, he knew that it was time to take on something new.

To get some advice on what to do next, Mudrak reached out to his friend, Peter, who ran his own business. That’s when Mudrak learned all about the franchising opportunity offered by More Space Place, a leading brand known for its custom closet designs and Murphy wall beds. Peter invited Mudrak down to see his store and learn more about how to operate the business at his location in Sarasota, Florida. Mudrak liked what he saw, so he decided to do a little more research. Over the next year and a half, he visited several other locations and talked with members of the brand’s franchise development team. Recognizing that he had a chance to be a part of something special, Mudrak signed a franchise agreement to open up his own More Space Place location on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

Since launching his location on January 1, 2004, Mudrak has grown alongside the More Space Place brand. The concept merged with Closet & Storage Concepts, enabling him to expand his reach as an entrepreneur even more than he originally anticipated.
 
“What makes Closet & Storage Concepts/More Space Place so unique is the product offering that we have. It fits into a very niche market that isn’t overcrowded with competitors, giving us the opportunity to reach a lot of consumers and enhance our businesses as franchisees,” said Mudrak. “There’s also a lack of repetitiveness that I really enjoy. Every project is new and consumers crave different things, allowing me to take on something exciting and fun every time I work with a customer. Plus, you can’t beat our business model. We get paid 50 percent of each project upfront and then the other 50 percent when the job is complete, which means that there isn’t a whole lot of out of pocket expense when it comes to dealing with transactions.”
Closet & Storage Concepts/More Space Place’s proven business model isn’t the only thing that makes the brands stand out. Franchisees who sign on to open their own location gain access to a strong support system that includes both initial and ongoing training. Local owners also benefit from the combination of both brands working together—the corporate teams and franchisees behind Closet & Storage Concepts and More Space Place pull from their collective best practices to create the best possible business ownership environment for franchisees.

“The merger with Closet & Storage Concepts has streamlined our processes. There haven’t been any major changes when it comes to the day to day aspects of our business, but they’ve brought some positive enhancements to the table,” said Mudrak. “Now that both brands are working together, we have some better manufacturing and delivery processes that help the overall turnover of our products. Our quality levels have also gone up.”

Mudrak is one of the many franchisees taking full advantage of what the More Space Place franchise system has to offer, especially after the merger with Closet & Storage Concepts. Bob Lewis, CEO of Closet
& Storage Concepts/More Space Place, notes, “Bryan is an excellent business operator and his experience running his More Space Place franchise has been an important asset to me as we completed the acquisition and merged the operations of the companies.”

Both Closet & Storage Concepts and More Space Place are continuing to experience growth as more franchisees sign on board. And between their long lists of competitive advantages and affordable initial investment rates that ranges from $90,950 - $172,150 for More Space Place owners, it’s easy to see why. Mudrak says that success is well within reach for franchisees who are driven and eager to follow the system.

“Be prepared to work. You can’t come in with the expectation that you’re going to get rich right away. But if you follow the step-by-step process, you’re going to become established in your marketplace and get to a point where you’re successful,” Mudrak said. “If you have that drive to do the work and you’re passionate about being in business for yourself, I believe that you can do very well in this business.”

Residential Permit Application Package

Meg James - Thursday, December 14, 2017

Thursday, December 14, 2017
The Town of Bluffton Building Department has updated its Residential Permit Application Package in order to reflect changes in the Stormwater Affidavit. Please download the Residential Permit Application Package or the Stormwater Affidavit for your records.  


Local Business Leader Recognized as One of Nation’s Most Powerful Women in Consumer Technology

Meg James - Wednesday, October 25, 2017

October 25, 2017

Local Business Leader Recognized as One of Nation’s
Most Powerful Women in Consumer Technology

Bluffton, SC – Sandy Benson, owner of Custom Audio Video, a premier audio video integration company located in Bluffton, was nominated one of America’s most powerful women in consumer technology by Dealerscope, a consumer technology publication. Benson was one of 17 women nationally to earn this recognition, joining women business leaders from global companies including Cisco, LG and Samsung.

“One of the most gratifying things about this award was that I am from the Hilton Head – Bluffton area. It was amazing to be included with such industry leaders from big companies and bigger markets. It says a lot about the progressive community here,” Benson says. “I am obviously pleased and honored to be included on this ranking among the strongest leaders and most effective mentors in the industry.”
“It represents the time and effort that we put into each customer that we serve and how much work it takes to build a successful company.”

Benson has demonstrated that women can lead a technology-based business to success, and at the same time raise a family and maintain a connection with the community. Through challenging times, she managed to drive Custom Audio Video into a leading position in the AV integrator market in her region. 

Prior to owning Custom Audio Video, Benson worked as a pharmacist, having received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University in 1983. 
For more information about the recognition, go to http://www.dealerscope.com/longform/dealerscope-2017-powerful-women-in-consumer-technology/

Since 1996, Custom Audio Video, a full service AV design, sales and installation team has strived to stay at the fore-front of the technology industry.  Servicing the entire Lowcountry in the residential and commercial arenas, CAV has continued to provide their clients with the latest and greatest in products, installation and service.   Custom Audio Video also continues to be an imprint in the communities they live and work in with the many philanthropic contributions supporting many non-profit organizations.  

For more information contact us at (843) 815-5130 or visit the CAV website at www.custom-audio-video.com.

COASTAL SIGNATURE HOMES AIDS LOCAL FAMILY

Meg James - Monday, June 26, 2017





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: Coastal Signature Homes
For Publicity, contact Lisa Carroll, Moonstar Ad. PR LLC 
843-304-1922 or lisapr@hargray.com

June 26, 2017

COASTAL SIGNATURE HOMES AIDS LOCAL FAMILY

BLUFFTON, S.C. - The Coastal Signature Homes team recently organized a fundraiser in support of a local family welcoming their child born with Spina Bifida. With the help of the Bluffton community, the event raised over $11,000 for the Calderon family and their new baby, Ellis, to help with ongoing expenses.
Employees of the local custom homebuilder wanted to lend a helping hand when they learned that Luis Calderon, an employee of Stromer Plumbing - one of the builder’s most trusted and valued trade partners - was facing a challenging personal difficulty.
 
“Luis always shows up, does his work with a smile on his face, helps us find solutions and is a positive force on our job sites,” explained Leah England, Director of Client Engagement at CSH. “I was completely surprised to learn that Luis and his family were going through such a difficult time because he never showed it and never complained.”

Luis and his wife Mercedes were expecting their fourth child, a son they decided to name Ellis. However, they had received the devastating diagnosis of Spina Bifida. Because one of their older children, Bella, also suffers from the condition, the Calderons knew all too well the uphill battle in front of their unborn son, as well as the financial difficulties the family would endure from the necessary costly treatments.
 
Spina bifida is a birth defect where there is incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord that can result in many physical and neurological problems.

The family made the decision to move forward with an innovative in-utero surgical procedure that could lessen the effects of the disease. However, the treatment required Mercedes to be away from their young family for 3 months thus putting the burden of daily family management on Luis.
 
“I wasn’t sure how much we could help,” explained England. “But I knew we had a model home that could serve as a beautiful venue for a benefit.”

England said she also knew that CSH could count on the company’s wonderful past and present client base to come together for this very deserving family.

“When the team approached me about hosting a benefit event in support of the Calderons, I was in total support,” said Steve Tilton, Coastal Signature Homes owner and Principal. “I’ve always said we are a family here at Coastal Signature. Organizing a fund-raiser for one of our own and tapping into the various talents of my team to make it happen was an authentic demonstration of that core value.”

Attendees of the fundraising event enjoyed BBQ, music, dancing, lawn games and even snuggled with the baby of honor, newborn Ellis. Thanks to the participation of several local companies who reduced their rates for goods and services, support of the event through social media, and the addition of a silent auction, Coastal Signature Homes was able to sell 250 tickets and raise $11,550 for baby Ellis and his family.
 
When asked about their experience with Coastal Signature Homes’ event benefiting their family, Mercedes Calderon explained that she took it as an opportunity to discuss her faith, and that God’s blessings can sometimes come when you least expect and from surprising sources.
 
“No matter what obstacles you may be going through,” said Mercedes Calderon “by believing and trusting in God through your situation, you can get through anything and everything. We feel so blessed that CSH would think of us and go to the trouble to put on a benefit for us. It has opened our eyes in a different way. The amount of support that the community gave blew us away. It has truly blessed us,” said Calderon.

To donate to the Calderon Family to aid in the ongoing costs of Spina Bifida treatments for their children, Isabella and Ellis Calderon, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/ellis-medical-fund.

Coastal Signature Homes would like to thank: David and Joanna Sweet, Hampton Lake, Downtown Deli, The Chiggers, Stromer Plumbing, Grayco, Pace Lighting, Callawassie Island, Ferguson, Lux Medical Spa, Teak and Table and Bluffton School of Dance.

About Coastal Signature Homes   
Coastal Signature Homes of Bluffton is a company of strong roots in the building industry with homes located in many communities throughout the Lowcountry. CSH is a member of the Hilton Head Homebuilders Association and recipients of multiple HBA Lighthouse Awards. They partner with GuildQuality, the leading provider of customer satisfaction surveying and performance reporting for the residential construction industry. It ensures their Coastal Signature Homes customers receive the highest standard approaches to the building process. For more information contact Coastal Signature Homes at 843-757-8889 or visit www.coastalsignaturehomes.com.

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