Benefits of Membership
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Nationally Recognized Educational Programs |
- POWERFUL REPRESENTATION: The Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV) is a 6,400-member statewide organization of home builders and firms that provide products and services to the home building industry. HBAV dedicates approximately 60% of its annual resources to representing the home building industry before state lawmakers and state regulators.
It is vitally important for the home building industry in Virginia to have an effective voice in the halls of the State Capitol in Richmond because Virginia is a “Dillon Rule” state, which limits the powers of local governments to those powers expressly authorized by the state legislature. Consequently, local governments cannot impose new fees or taxes on the home building industry or impose overly burdensome new provisions in their local land use ordinances unless they have been approved by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor.
Each year the Virginia General Assembly considers over 3,000 bills and resolutions. HBAV reviews every bill introduced annually to the state legislature, identifies those that could impact the housing climate (positively or negatively) of the state, and directly lobbies state legislators for their passage or defeat. Each year HBAV supports or opposes approximately 150 individual legislative bills and resolutions.
In two recent surveys of state legislators by Virginia Business magazine, HBAV has been identified as one of the top five “most effective” lobbying organizations in the state.
Likewise, HBAV is the home building industry voice on matters before state regulators that could impact the housing climate of the state. Hardly a week passes without HBAV meeting with the Department of Housing and Community Development (Uniform Statewide Building Code), Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Conservation and Recreation (stormwater management), Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board, Department of Health (water and septic) or the Virginia Housing Development Authority.
- TIMELY NEWS AND INFORMATION: During each annual legislative session, HBAV publishes a weekly Legislative Bulletin on matters before the state legislature that could impact the housing climate, in order to enable members to urge their state delegate and/or state senator to support or oppose certain legislation. Between the annual legislative sessions, HBAV publishes Building Briefs, which updates the members on a wide range of topics of interest. Every other Monday, HBAV e-mails the membership the Monday Morning Memo, which features a calendar of upcoming HBAV events, summaries of the interactions between HBAV and the numerous state regulatory agencies and departments of importance to the housing industry, political news from across the Commonwealth, as well as other items of interest to the members of HBAV. Nine times a year, HBAV also publishes the Virginia Builder magazine which updates the industry on the latest trends and forecasts for housing, features legal issues of interest or concern, introduces the newest building products and building methodologies, and features news and events from across the state.
- NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: The HBAV networking opportunities are cited as the most valuable member benefit by many builder and associate members of the organization. HBAV has numerous Committees, ranging from the State Legislative Committee to the Local Presidents Committee and the Membership Committee that allow members from across the state to meet on a timely basis to discuss issues of local and/or state concern. In addition, the HBAV Board of Directors and all standing committees of the association meet on a quarterly basis to compare notes and develop a proactive housing agenda. HBAV also annually sponsors a several-day Annual Convention that allows builder and associate members to attend informative morning business sessions and enjoy afternoon and evening leisure activities. Networking opportunities also exist at the HBAV-sponsored Certified Graduate Builder programs each spring and fall. Join and take advantage of this opportunity to develop business relations and problem solve with the states housing leaders.
- NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: Each spring and fall, HBAV sponsors the NAHB Certified Graduate Builder Program on the campus of the University of Virginia. With successful completion of the required course hours, members can earn a Certified Graduate Builder (CGB), Graduate Master Builder (CMB), Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) and/or Certified Graduate Associate (CGA) certification. The HBAV Graduate Builder Program has been recognized as the best CGB program in the nation, and attracts builder and associate members from around Virginia and across the country.
- ACCESS TO EXPERT ADVISORS: HBAV has an experienced staff and team of third party experts, ranging from engineers to lawyers, available to assist you in your daily business activity.
- GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE, WORKERS COMPENSATION & HOME WARRANTY COVERAGE: HBAV has formed strategic partnerships with insurance carriers to provide special programs and discounts to our member companies on Health, Life, Dental, Disability, Long-Term Care, and other insurances. The association owns and operates an independent insurance brokerage that specializes in consulting with member companies on employee benefits and other related employer risks
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HBAV members also have access to a group health insurance program underwritten by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield that is designed specifically for builder and associate members. This program gives HBAV members access to Value Added Benefits at no additional charge. The estimated value of added benefits is $850.00 annually, per employee.
Discounted Long-Term Care Insurance is available from John Hancock Life Insurance Company and Dominion Dental Services underwrites our Association Dental program. HBAV also promotes Building Industry Insurance Association (BIIA) Workers Compensation.
In addition, HBAV has contracted with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty to provide home warranty coverage at a discount. The program awards home builders with cost discounts and usually reduces builders’ general liability insurance costs.
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- LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNTIES & PROFESSIONAL CREDIBILITY: Through your involvement and affiliation with HBAV, you will significantly enhance your credibility as a member of the one of the most respected and widely known trade associations in the state. You will also have the opportunity to become a member of an HBAV Standing Committee, Board of Directors and/or Executive Committee. Such involvement will sharpen or improve your leadership skills and enable you and your local members to impact the housing policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
