NAHB Remodelers Council/NARI/Industry groups?

[jwork101]

Allans thread got me thinking about the NAHB/NARI and joining again, I see that in the chicagoland area here my local HBA is holding a potential member meeting. I'm a bit concerned that the NAHB may have too general of a focus, although I know the remodelers coucil exists.
Any experience with the two groups guys?
I really want to join one to persue certifications, marketing, networking, etc. But I've never made the decision...time to make it.
-James

[Allan Edwards]

James:

I can’t speak to your local association, but I would assume Chicago must have a very active chapter. I believe educational courses and certifications are thru the NAHB with classes held in various cities. Peter Bush is very knowledgeable about this (you out there Peter?).

[Andrew R.]

James ,
You can usually attend a couple, maybe a few RC metings as a guest to see if you are interested. Doesn't hurt to let a sponsor pass it on that you are looking at them.

[Peter Bush]

Yep, I'm here Allan. Sonny gave me a heads up, that I was being paged. I've been busy restructuring my job costing system.

James,

We live in Sevierville, TN a rather small community in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. Our local NAHB association has ~250 members. These are builders, remodelers, and associates. An associate member might be a material supplier, banker, insurance agent, subcontractor, etc.

We tried a Remodeler's Council a few years back, I was Chair. There wasn't enough interest at that time - we only had about 6 members. The dues is also a little higher, since the builder member is the baseline and the Remodelers Council is a sub-organization with it's own modest dues for it's specific goals.

I would highly recommend you join! Take full advantage of any and all educational venues. The Remodelers Show was in Chicago last year - with lots of great seminars and exhibits. The National builders show is just a month away in Orlando - and it's HUGE!!
There's also the Certified Graduate Remodeler program and the Certified Master Builder. Great programs for teaching business skills specific to contractors. I'm an instructor here locally. February is half price month on classes!

The association is also a great source of networking with other members. There are many member benefits, that when taken advantage of, will more than pay for any annual dues.

If you have more specific questions let me know.

Peter Bush CGR, CMB

[Ollie R]

James,

We just joined the Greater Chicagoland NARI association and attended our first monthly meeting/seminar where the topic was legal, accounting, and insurance issues for the remodeler. Boy, did I learn a lot! The members were really knowledgeable and friendly to a newcomer. I would look into NARIGC if you mainly do remodeling.

Ollie R

[jwork101]

I do. Any info on the NARI Chicago? Location or maybe a website?

[Ollie R]

James,

The website is www.narichicago.org and the phone # is 847/298-6212. You'll talk to Mimi -- she's great. Ask her about the next few monthly meeting topics. They look really interesting. I think you can attend a meeting to see if you like it before you commit to joining. We have gotten access to all sorts of promotional materials that we put in our proposal and building contract packages now. If you want any other input you can email me at info@randbcustombuilders.com.

Ollie

[Jef@FDB]

James- you are on the right track in joining one of these two organizations. Which one is up to you? Each organization will sell you on their benefits, as they should.

The most important benefit for us has been a local "remodeling tour of homes" - absolutely invaluable for marketing. Does either of them offer a tour?

Also, do they have a "local" website? If so, how much traffic does it get? This can be a valuable tool for you.

More importantly, I suggest looking at their memberships. Are there -specific to you- "peer" companies involved? Is your direct competitor a member? (I think its good to know your competition) How diverse is the group? what type of companies?, combo of big and small?

Your best experiences with an organization like these will actually come from the members themselves. I suggest calling a few as well.

Good luck,
Jef

[Ode...]

James,
After twice serving as President of the RCs, I do not think it a choice of the two. It is instead only a choice of which is the most active, and promotes its members the most. Check your news that might reflect this. Make NARI and the NAHB RC prove this to you. They need you as much as you need them.
You may be most benefited by a combination of a couple of groups. Some locally are members of BNI for networking, and the NAHB RC for the much reduced insurance benefits, so they show when they have to for the RC meetings, and always when the BNI meet.
Because new home construction has always been the big horse in the race picked to win, remodeling has always taken the back way in the NAHB. However in recent years, they are taking great strides in taking over the remodeling too such as bold talks with NARI to merge.
As of this year, the remodeling industry gross should take over and maintain the lead in the building industry, so the experts predict. From my prospective, it looks to be a toss up on who wins. NAHB has the bucks while NARI definitely has the proven focus. Check out the names associated with the acronyms if nothing else.