Threshold Nov. 18

NOVEMBER 2018
INSIDE
HEAT YOUR HOME
SAFELY
ROUTINE HOME
MAINTENANCE
EVENT PHOTOS

THRESHOLD IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE PRESENTED BY
THE GREATER CEDAR RAPIDS HOUSING & BUILDING ASSOCIATION
FEATURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
6
HEAT YOUR
HOME SAFELY
10
BUILDING OUR
COMMUNITY
ACE OF EASTERN IOWA
OLYMPIAD
16
ROUTINE HOME
MAINTENANCE
A publication of the
Greater Cedar Rapids
Housing and Building
Association
INSIDE
10 NEW MEMBERS
22 THE SPIKE CLUB
27 GCRHBA BOARD
EVENT RECAP
12 MEMBERS ONLY BREAKFAST
14 FALL PARADE OF HOMES
20 SUBURBAN OKTOBERFEST
24 MORTGAGE BURNING
2 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S MESSAGE
MELISSA
OLSON
Building Relationships
In October we finished up our Fall 2018 Parade
of Homes with 16 new and 3 remodeled
homes. I want to personally thank the
17 builders and remodelers that participated
in the Fall 2018 Parade of Homes, the
countless associate members that assisted in
building these beautiful homes, our Parade
of Homes and Marketing Committee for
assistance with the parade, our Presenting
Sponsor Hills Bank and Trust, our Supporting
Sponsor Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting
Gallery, our Parade of Homes publishing
partner The Cedar Rapids Gazette, and our
community for continually supporting our
members. We will announce the Fall 2018
Parade of Homes Award Winners at our upcoming
2018 Annual Awards Banquet on
November 8 at the Epic Event Center. We
hope to see all of you there to support the
hard work of these builders and remodelers!
Our members are continually building
relationships with other professionals in
the housing & building industry. Networking
is important in any business and membership
with the GCRHBA opens so many
doors for those interested in building relationships.
We strongly encourage our members
to please continue to support other
members and building these relationships
to make our association strong! Thank you
to Jim McGrew and Suburban Lumber for
hosting Oktoberfest on October 18. Suburban
Lumber provided an opportunity for
our members to network with live music,
pizza, and beverages.
Sincerely,
Melissa Olson, Executive Officer
Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building
Association
MEMBERSHIP VALUE
Invaluable Networking Opportunities. With
more than 140,000 members from all areas
of the housing industry, GCRHBA is a onestop
networking shop! From local networking
receptions and monthly membership meetings
to regional trade shows, the International
Builders’ Show and special-interest councils,
GCRHBA provides hundreds of ways for you
to meet and build relationships with fellow
professionals, future customers and suppliers.
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 3

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
November 2018 Presidents Message
MIKE FARR
Thank you for your membership and participation!
Are you looking for workers? Kirkwood
has students that are looking for internships
and jobs as they graduate. Contact the HBA office
or Kirkwood about finding a student!
On Halloween, we had a burning of the
mortgage at the HBA office. In 2007 we bought
or condo and in just 11 years we were able to
pay it off! I want to thank all of the leaders before
me and the boards for making it a priority!
And want to thank all of you as members, for
your participation and support for making this
a reality!
Our annual meeting on November 8th will
not only honor the 2 honorary members, but
also our normal awards, plus 2 additional new
awards! We are also going to acknowledge our
Spike members. So Spikes, we will have a special
gift for you, if you attend this meeting! We
are also kicking off a new membership drive.
Look for the details in an upcoming email
from Melissa! I hope to see you all there!
In October, we had an afterhours meeting at
Suburban Lumber. We had 102 people at that
meeting. I want to thank Jim McGrew and his
team for hosting a very successful event!
Please get us feedback on our new Threshold
and website! If you are interested in hosting
an afterhours meeting, please contact Melissa.
Take Care,
Mike Farr, President,
Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building
Association
NETWORKING AFTER HOURS
MEMBER EVENTS
2018 Annual Awards
Banquet
Thursday, Nov. 8
5-8 PM
The Epic Event Center
2987 County Home Road, Marion
See page 5 for more information.
4 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

The Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association
cordially invites you to attend the
2018 Annual
Awards Banquet
November 8, 2018
Social Hour 5-6 p.m. Dinner 6-7 p.m. Presentation 7-8 p.m.
The Epic Event Center
2987 County Home Road, Marion
Free to one member from a member company.
Additional guests $20/person.
Please email reservations by November 6
eo@crhba.org
Pop a
balloon to
win a
prize!
All Spike
Members will
be recognized
and receive a
special prize.
on the agenda
Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity
Home Builders Blitz 2018 Presentation by Jeff Capps
Guest Speakers:
Ralph Palmer and Al Sattler, Honorary Members
Induction of the 2019 Board of Directors
Membership Awards
Fall 2018 Parade of Homes Awards
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 5

HEAT
YOUR HOME
SAFELY
Natural gas is commonly
used in homes as an
energy source. And like
any energy source, it
must be used correctly
to be efficient and safe.
Article provided by National Association of Home Builders
6 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

Natural gas is a versatile, clean-burning
fuel. It is often used to heat your home,
cook food, heat water to bathe with, dry
clothes, and even start the fire in the fireplace.
In its natural state, it is a non-toxic,
colorless, tasteless and odorless gas. The
“smell” you recognize as natural gas odor is
added so you will know if there is a gas leak
in your home.
RESPONDING TO
GAS LEAKS
Gas may escape from faulty appliances,
loose connections, service lines inside or
outside your home, or from the gas main.
If you ever smell gas, take these precautions
immediately:
• Do not light any matches or turn any
electrical switches on or off in your home.
• Ventilate the room or home by opening doors and windows.
• If the odor is very strong or you hear a hissing noise, leave
your home immediately. Go to a neighbor’s home and call
the fire department.
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 7

MAINTAINING YOUR
FURNACE OR BOILER
You should also regularly inspect your furnace or boiler. A properly
maintained furnace runs more efficiently and saves you money.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to perform the inspection.
If the instructions are missing, follow this checklist for inspecting your
furnace or boiler:
• Make sure the unit is free of dust, rust or any other signs of corrosion.
Make sure the space around it is clear of paint, solvents, rags,
paper or any other combustible products.
• Check the air filter regularly, everyone to two months. Replace or
clean it if necessary. You can save 5% or more on your energy bills
by doing so regularly.
• Check the blower by thoroughly examining it and the belt (if
your furnace has one) for cracks or excessive wear. Replace it if
necessary.
• Inspect space heaters annually as well. As with any gas appliance,
trouble signs to look for are: a yellow flame; soot; a lingering pungent
smell; or overheating.
8 THRESHOLD OCTOBER 2018

CARING FOR GAS
APPLIANCES
Many homes have gas appliances in
the kitchen and laundry rooms. A few
simple precautions will help to keep gas
appliances running safely and efficiently,
too.
Never use the top burners
or the oven of a gas range
for home-heating purposes.
Ranges and ovens are designed
as cooking appliances
only. Used improperly, they
present a fire and burn hazard,
and a malfunctioning gas
range can produce toxic carbon
monoxide.
Gas clothes dryers also
need to be checked periodically.
Make sure the dryer
vent hose is free of lint. Lint
buildup in the hose can cause
a fire. Check the manufacturer’s
instructions for information on
how to remove lint from the hose or call
a qualified appliance repair contractor.
Even if everything appears to be in
working order, it makes good safety
sense to have all your gas appliances
and furnace checked by a qualified
heating contractor on a regular basis
(annually is recommended). T
CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR
LOCAL HVAC EXPERT
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 9

BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
ACE of Eastern Iowa Olympiad
Last month nine students
competed in ACE of Eastern
Iowa’s first ACE Olympiad,
teachers and industry folks
collaborated at the ACE
conference and finished the day
with an outstanding career fair at
Kirkwood Community College.
The day produced quite a bit of
interest and excitement for ACE
careers! Please check out more
information on their Facebook
page, ACE of Eastern Iowa.
NEW MEMBERS
Joseph Blood
Royale Pools
Garry Hoefle
Leisure Zone
Brent Votroubek
Skogman Realty
10 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

ACE OF EASTERN IOWA OLYMPIAD
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 11

R
The Greater Cedar Rapids Housing
& Building Association presents
MEMBERS ONLY BREAKFAST
the Fall 2018 Parade of Homes.
Tour new and remodeled homes
in the greater Cedar Rapids
area to see the
latest advances
in home
construction
and design.
new homes:
HOME 1 • Legacy GreenBuilders & Developers
334 RIDGE VIEW DR., FAIRFAX
HOME 2 • Schrage Construction, Inc.
2768 CREEKVIEW TRAIL, PALO
HOME 3 • Scallon Custom Homes, LLC
6710 COTTAGE HILL LANE NE, CEDAR RAPIDS
HOME 4 • Sattler Homes & Remodeling
314 WORTHINGTON CT., HIAWATHA
HOME 5 • Platten Construction LLC
6107 MICHAEL DR. NE, CEDAR RAPIDS
HOME 6 • JP Homes
9300 FEATHER RIDGE WAY, CEDAR RAPIDS
HOME 7 • B. Hancock Construction, Inc.
3062 DELL RIDGE LANE, HIAWATHA
VISIT THIS YEAR’S HOMES!
HOME 8 • Frey Homes LLC
3088 WINDSOR DR., ROBINS
HOME 9 • Donohoe Custom Homes
3104 BRIMLEY PASS, ROBINS
HOME 10 • Skogman Homes
8726 GRAND OAKS DR. NE, CEDAR RAPIDS
HOME 11 • Skogman Homes
1482 CRESCENT OAK LANE, MARION
HOME 12 • Premier Plus Custom Homes
1159 KETTERING RD., MARION
HOME 13 • B. Hancock Construction, Inc.
1184 FOXBOROUGH DR., MARION
HOME 14 • Garman Built
345 LINDEN ST., ALBURNETT
HOME 15 • Flynn Homes, Inc.
1622 38TH ST. SE, CEDAR RAPIDS
HOME 16 • H&H Home Builders
4396 PIONEER TRAIL SE, CEDAR RAPIDS
remodeled homes:
ONLY OPEN OCT. 6-7
HOME A • Jim Buresh Construction Co.
4771 DOE RUN DR., CEDAR RAPIDS
HOME B • Sunderman Construction
2987 COUNTY HOME RD., MARION
HOME C • Home Town Restyling
2410 HILLVIEW DR., MARION
Tickets are $10 each and are available at each parade home, Hills Bank & Trust locations and Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.
Or you can purchase discounted tickets at any local Casey’s General Store for $9. Children 12 & under are FREE!
$
1 00
*
OFF
Fall 2018 Parade Ticket
NEW HOMES
Thursday, October 4 • 5-8 p.m.
NEW & REMODELED HOMES
Saturday, October 6 • 12-5 p.m.
Sunday, October 7 • 12-5 p.m.
*Valid on one ticket. Not valid at Casey’s General Store.
Sponsored by
12 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 13

Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association members are invited
to a breakfast and private showing of the Fall 2018 Parade of Homes!
Wednesday, October 3 rd
8:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Breakfast
Join us for a made-to-order omelet bar, coffee,
and networking at the Members Only breakfast.
Hills Bank and Trust Company
3905 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids
Lower level - please park in the River of Life parking lot
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Tour
Members Only Tour tickets are required to enter the homes.
Stop by Hills Bank during breakfast to pick up your tickets.
Cost: $20/member
A FREE lunch coupon at any local Subway sponsored by
The Gazette will be provided with your Members Only Tour ticket.
Email your reservation by October 2 nd to eo@crhba.org.
Members Only Breakfast Sponsored by:
14 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018
Member FDIC

THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 15

Routine
HOME
Maintenance
Your home may be the biggest
investment you will ever make.
Taking good care of it with regular
maintenance is necessary to preserve
its value and ensure it will provide a
comfortable, safe shelter for you and
your family for years to come.
> Maintenance Inside the Home
> Maintenance Outside the Home
> Simple Repairs
Contact your local HBA for
help with home maintenance.
Article provided by National Association of Home Builders
16 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 17

INSIDE MAINTENANCE
Fireplaces
When you’re ready to use your fireplace, be sure
to build the fire on the andirons or grate, never
on the fireplace floor.
To prevent
soot and to
add color to
the fire, throw
in a handful
of salt.
Store your
firewood
outside, away
from the
house and not directly on the ground.
Have a CSIA-Certified chimney sweep inspect
your chimney and fireplace annually, especially if
you build a lot of fires in the winter.
Sinks
It’s also a good idea to clean your faucet’s aerator
– which is the spring inside the end of the faucet
– every three to four months.
To maintain your
garbage disposal,
you should
run cold water
through it during
use.
Air Filters
Many types of
heating and air
conditioning
systems contain
filters to remove dirt and dust from the air. Check
the instruction book or search online by model
number: In many cases, the home owner should
change filters at least every three months.
Walls
Masonry walls sometimes develop a white
powdery substance. This is called efflorescence,
a crystallized soluble salt that can be
removed by scrubbing with water and a
stiff brush.
Safety and Security
If you have a home security system,
regularly check the alarms and circuit
breakers to ensure they are in working
order. Inspect the sensors one by one.
The batteries in your smoke and carbon
monoxide detectors should also be
checked twice a year to ensure they are
operable. Hard-wired and battery-powered
detectors should be replaced every 10 years.
Floors
To maintain unpainted concrete floors in your
basement or garage, first apply a concrete
sealer, which makes them easier to clean.
When you’re ready to clean them, use a solution
of four to
six tablespoons
of washing
soda in a gallon
of hot water.
Add scouring
powder to the
solution for
tough jobs.
The best polish
for vinyl floors in
water emulsion wax.
For hardwood, be sure the floors have a polyurethane
finish before cleaning with water.
Hardwood floors that do not have a polyurethane
finish will need to be waxed periodically.
Use liquid or paste “spirit” wax.
18 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE
Roof, Gutters and
Downspouts
A qualified roofer
should inspect
your roof every
three years. Skylights
should also
be inspected each
time your roof is
inspected so leaks
don’t develop from
cracks and interruptions around the seals, caulking
and flashings.
Make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get
clogged with leaves or other objects.
Garage
The moving parts of garage doors should be oiled
every three months.
Siding
Inspect your siding yearly to determine if your
wood-sided home needs to be repainted. Trim shrubbery
away so that it does not touch the siding.
The exterior of your house is built to withstand
exposure to the elements, but a periodic
cleaning will improve the appearance and, in
many instances, prolong the life of siding and
other exterior products.
Windows and Doors
Inspect exterior windows and doors yearly to
see if the caulking around them has split and
cracked. If so, replace the caulk and clean any mildew.
For a simple solution to wash extremely dirty exterior
windows, combine equal parts vinegar and water or
three tablespoons
of denatured
alcohol per quart of
warm water. Use a
piece of crumbled
newspaper to wash
the glass to avoid
lint left behind by
paper towels.
SIMPLE REPAIRS
Walls
Use spackling to fill nail holes and cracks in plaster
walls and gypsum wallboard.
Pipes
Noisy water pipes should be fixed promptly. The condition
that causes noisy pipes may be accompanied by
vibration that can cause fittings to loosen and leak.
Frozen pipes should be thawed slowly to prevent the
formation of steam, which could cause the pipes to burst.
Faucets, Sinks and Toilets
If you have a water leak, the washer in your faucet
usually needs to be replaced.
For clogged drains, use a plunger and/or a plumber’s
snake.
To unclog a toilet, use a coil spring-steel auger, which
can be found at hardware or home-improvement
stores.
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 19

20 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018
OKTOBERFEST

THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 21

THE SPIKE CLUB
Growing our Strength
through Member Recruitment, Retention and Involvement
Recruiting new members to your local association is
an activity recognized and rewarded through the Spike
Club. Those who participate are called Spikes, and they
are among the most valued members of the association.
Member-to-member recruitment and retention efforts
are the largest source of growth for the federation.
Spikes bring grassroots growth and stability. These
efforts lend to the development of the general membership
and our leadership pipeline, keeping the face
of the federation true to that of our industry and the
scope of interests we represent.
Spikes are the membership leaders of our federation,
building the voice, power and influence on every level,
in every state.
WE’RE MORE THAN HOMES.
We build communities.
Homes are the foundation of our
communities. Visit nahb.org/join
to join our network of craftsmen
and innovators.
22 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

SPIKE MEMBERS
SUPER SPIKE
James Sattler 466.00
Mike Farr 346.25
ROYAL SPIKE
Michael Flynn 267.00
Mike Sattler 224.50
Wayne Winn 207.00
Randy Dostal 181.00
Rob Hajek 173.00
Tom Takes 171.00
Doug Kohoutek 167.25
Jim Buresh 157.75
RED SPIKE
Mark Wood 126.00
Drew Retz 117.25
Tari Dailey 110.75
Alvin Frey 102.75
GREEN SPIKE
Joseph Ahmann 75.00
Robert Meyer 74.50
Paul Brundell 70.50
Jim McGrew 69.00
YELLOW SPIKE
Joe Sattler 43.50
JR Blok 43.00
Steve Erusha 42.00
Ron Valenta 34.00
BLUE SPIKE
Todd Frazier 24.00
Kyle Skogman 23.00
Bryan Thumma 21.00
Chad Pelley 20.50
Benton Frey 13.50
Brian Ophoff 12.50
Ray Vasser 11.00
Chris Mottinger 9.50
Dustin Lee 7.50
K Flynn 7.75
Dustin Kern 6.00
SPIKE
CANDIDATES
Six (6) credits needed to
become a SPIKE MEMBER
Bob Rathje 6.00
Jeff Platten 5.50
Paul Scallon 5.50
Tom Kurtz 5.00
Mark Ralston 5.00
Chuck Rhode 5.00
Todd Richardson 5.00
Pat Sauter 5.00
Mark Sillman 5.00
Jeff Melcher 5.00
Al Sattler 4.50
Jerry Sunderman 4.50
Timothy Vaske 4.00
Todd Wood 4.00
Ben Dahl 3.50
Kirk Sadilek 3.50
Jamie Buresh 3.00
Chad Kelly 3.00
TJ Heefner 2.50
Terry Bjornsen 2.00
Matt Burger 2.00
Rex Hamilton 2.00
Jennifer Hughes 2.00
Brad Joens 2.00
Dave Vanous 2.00
Mark Bertelli 1.50
Marc Daubitz 1.50
Brian Hancock 1.50
Mike Delaney 1.00
Casey Johannes 1.00
Hanna Kustes 1.00
Brad Nielson 1.00
Justin Wright 1.00
Zechariah Garman .50
Come to the
2018 Annual
Awards
Banquet
and find out
who will win the
2018 JEFF TEGELER
Spike of
the Year
Award
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 23

MORTGAGE BURNING
LUNCHEON
24 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 25

SUPPORT SMALL
BUSINESSES
Small businesses are the backbone of
America. They build a strong economy and
strong communities.
Many builders, remodelers and related
businesses in the housing industry are small
businesses making vital contributions to our
economy. In fact, 15% of the U.S. economy
relies on housing.
A healthy housing industry means more
jobs and a stronger economy. Constructing
100 new single-family homes creates 297
full-time jobs, $28 million in wage and business
income and $11.1 million in federal,
state and local tax revenue.
Housing, like no other business sector, is
“Made in America.” Most of
the products used in home
construction and remodeling
are manufactured here in the
United States.
That’s why it’s important to
support small businesses.
CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTORY
OF LOCAL HBA MEMBERS
Article provided by National Association of Home Builders
26 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018

Connect with Us
President
Mike Farr
Cascade Manufacturing Co.
Office: 563.852.3231
mgfarr@cascade-mfg-co.com
Vice-President
Rob Hajek
Home Repair Team
Office: 319.626.4663
robh@homerepairteam.com
Board Member
Jeff Capps
Cedar Valley Habitat for
Humanity/ReStore
Office: 319.366.4485
jeffcapps@cvhabitat.org
Board Member
Randy Dostal
Thomas Dostal Developers
Office: 319.431.3881
allamericanlc@hotmail.com
Board Member
Andrea Rhoades
Corridor Business Journal
Office: 319.665.6397
Andrea@corridorbusiness.com
Board Member
Robert Riley
Windows by Pella, Inc.
Office: 319.363.5768
robert.pellawindows@gmail.com
Second Vice-President
Dustin Kern
DK Land Services, Inc.
Office: 319.654.6706
dustin@dklandservices.com
Board Member
Mike Flynn
Flynn Homes, Inc.
Office: 319.366.6826
mike@flynnhomes.com
Board Member
Hunter Skogman
Skogman Homes
Office: 319.363.8285
hskogman@skogman.com
Treasurer
Justin Zimmerman
CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
Office: 319.363.2697
justin.zimmerman@claconnect.com
Board Member
Benton Frey
Frey Homes, LLC
Office: 319.640.2300
benton@freyhomes.com
Board Member
Dean A. Spina
Bradley & Riley PC
Office: 319.861.8725
dspina@bradleyriley.com
Secretary
Jim Sattler
Jim Sattler Custom Homes
Office: 319.395.9157
jsattler@sattlerinc.com
Board Member
Joe Greathouse
Kirkwood Community College
Office: 319.398.5411
joe.greathouse@kirkwood.edu
Board Member
Ryan Sullivan
Amerhart, Ltd.
Office: 608.825.3322
ryan.sullivan@amerhart.com
Immediate Past President
Chad Pelley
Ahmann Design
Office: 319.395.7900
cpelley@ahmanncompanies.com
Board Member
Jim McGrew
Suburban Lumber Company
Office: 319.362.3115
jmcgrew@suburbanlumber.com
Board Member
Bryan Thumma
Affordable Heating & Cooling
Office: 319.462.3638
bryan.thumma@affordable-hvac.com
Remodelers Council First
Vice-Chair
Joe Sattler
Sattler Homes & Remodeling
Office: 319.395.9475
joe@sattlerhomes.com
Board Member
Amy Miller
Hills Bank and Trust Company
Office: 319.654.8007
amy_miller@hillsbank.com
Executive Officer
Melissa Olson
Greater Cedar Rapids Housing &
Building Association
Office: 319.395.0778
eo@crhba.org
Board Member
JR Blok
Blok Construction
Office: 319.533.4394
jrblok2@mchsi.com
Board Member
Drew Retz
Jerry’s Homes, Inc.
Office: 319.294.2290
drewr@jerryshomes.com
THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018 27

Need an
?
Visit crhba.org for all your
housing & building needs.
Free Referrals • Reputable Members • Peace of Mind
crhba.org • 319.395.0778
28 THRESHOLD NOVEMBER 2018