birminghambuilder.comBirmingham Builders of Alabama

Skip to content -- The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders strives to protect the American Dream in Central Alabama for housing opportunities for all, while working to promote professional success for its members who build, remodel, and maintain communities, create jobs and improve our local economy. Consumers Members Events Join Our Association Hire a Member Renew Membership GBAHB's mission is to advocate for the home building industry by promoting professionalism and developing community through quality-built homes. GBAHB 2021 Home Building and Remodeling Showcase Out of an abundance of caution and the utmost concern for the health and wellbeing of our guests and exhibitors, we have decided to cancel the 2021 Home Building and Remodeling Showcase. Plans for the 2022 Showcase are already underway and we look forward to welcoming our guests back to Alabama’s premier home building event next year. COVID-19 TESTING Many of you have expressed concerns over the growing COVID-19 crisis and what effect it will have on the home building industry. The HBAA is concerned along with you, but is taking every step possible to minimize its impact on the industry. Get tested for COVID-19 (Coronavirus infection) if you develop any of these symptoms: Fever or chills Cough Sore Throat Shortness of breath Muscle pain New loss of taste or smell Vomiting or diarrhea Consider getting tested, even without symptoms, if: You live or work in a place where you are in contact with a large number of people, or If you think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Visit JCDH.org for information on test sites. Text INFOJEFFCO to 888777 to receive information updates Download Flyer Potential for a Statewide Shelter in Place Order Yes, there is a potential that at some point the state will consider such an effort. We have been in contact with that Governor and her staff for the past few weeks discussing the need to deem construction and related industries as essential businesses. We are continuing those discussions and are working with other construction and real estate trade associations in Alabama to create a uniform front. As of right now, there is no such order in place and workers may continue to work as normal. We do advise that you encourage them to social distance and we urge you to heed all directives and guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Local Shelter in Place Orders Some communities have begun to limit social interaction and work activities. We would urge local associations to reach out to government officials in your area to ensure that those orders include construction as an essential business. NAHB has provided some guidance that can be useful in this area based around the order issued in San Francisco that specifically exempts construction. See NAHB's email on this matter here. Governor’s Order (Dated March 19) There has been some confusion over yesterday’s order from Governor Ivey. Among the prohibitions: “All gatherings of 25 persons or more, or gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between persons, are prohibited. This Order shall apply to all gatherings, events or activities that bring 25 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time.” This order is intended to apply to gatherings of non-essential social events. It is not intended to apply to Alabama businesses or its workforce. Inspections and Permitting Many city and county governments have restricted public access to their facilities. We would encourage that each local association reach out to the permitting and inspection entities in your area to become aware of their plans. We have been approached by various communities and have suggested that they employ online services as appropriate to accommodate permit and inspection requests. For those areas without access to online services, we have suggested a drop box approach that limits face to face contact. Departments that want to ensure social distancing may want to consider inspections that restrict contact with anyone on the jobsite. This would prohibit any walk-through with the builder, but under the circumstances, it would ensure timely inspections. Local governments may consider video/distance inspections through online or cell phone technology. Each community may handle this differently, but let them know that, as an industry, home builders are willing to accommodate those steps that the government feels appropriate and that facilitates timely inspections and permitting. HBAA Activities Your HBAA Senior Officers and staff are conducting business as “usual” for now. At this critical time, the HBAA is focused on anything it can do to minimize any negative affects this crisis may have on you and your business. As you know, we have cancelled the Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards Banquet and are postponing the basic carpentry courses until the crisis has averted. The HBAA will make decisions on other events as necessary as time moves forward. view calendar Upcoming Events 06/17/2021 Spring Parade of Homes Kick-Off Party Learn More 06/18/2021 Spring Parade of Homes - Weekend 1 Learn More 06/25/2021 Spring Parade of Homes - Weekend 2 Learn More 09/16/2021 Steak Cookout and Draw down presented by Remodelers Council GBAHB Office Learn More 09/28/2021 Associate Appreciation Night Learn More 10/11/2021 Marksmanship Challenge presented by Remodelers Council Selwood Farms & Hunting Preserve Learn More Members in the News Steadman Named HBAA Associate of the Year BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA -- Mary Steadman of Birmingham has been named the Home Builders Association of Alabama (HBAA)’s Buddy Berry Associate of the Year for 2019. read the full release Taylor Burton Inducted Into Alabama Building Industry Hall of Fame BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA -- Taylor Burton of Birmingham has been inducted into the Alabama Building Industry Hall of Fame, the highest honor presented by the Home Builders Association of Alabama (HBAA). read the full release Eye On Housing Regulation Now Accounts for $93,870 of the Average New Home Price May 28 th 2021 : A new NAHB study shows that on average regulations imposed by government at all levels account for of the final price of a new single-family home built for sale Of the is due to a higher price for the finished lot attributable to regulations imposed during the lot s development The remaining is the result of regulatory ... read full article Record Numbers of Builders Report Material Shortages May 27 th 2021 : Shortages of materials are now more widespread than at any at any time since NAHB began tracking the issue on a regular basis in the s in is survey for the NAHB Wells Fargo Housing Market Index HMI In response to special questions on the May HMI survey over percent of builders who buy the product in question reported ... read full article Median Age of Construction Workforce May 26 th 2021 : NAHB analysis of the most recent American Community Survey ACS data reveals that the median age of construction workers is the same as a typical worker in the national labor force While the residential construction has been adding jobs during the pandemic access to skilled labor is still a business challenge in The median age of construction ... read full article Domestic Sawmill Output Not Keeping Up with Construction May 26 th 2021 : The historic climb for lumber prices combined with delays and higher costs for other building materials is a significant limiting factor for home building in Despite a historically low level of overall housing inventory and solid demand due to low mortgage interest rates and demographics new construction has been unable to add additional needed supply to the market resulting ... read full article Home Prices Soar in March May 25 th 2021 : In March national home prices continued to rise at a fast and unsustainable rate pu...