To maintain NCBI designations, graduates must complete eight (8) hours of continuing education each year after the initial certificate date. The eight hours may be earned by taking NCBI courses or by completing approved national, state, or local seminars, college classes or outside courses which relate to the home building industry.

The 21st Century Building Expo & Conference offers the perfect opportunity to get your recertification hours for 2010 before the December deadline.  Sign up for an NCBI or NAHB course, or register as a Full Delegate and attend as many general sessions seminars as you can fit into your schdule. Make sure you get your instructor to sign the recertification form for general session seminars.

Initial NCBI certification is valid for one (1) year, ending on December 31 of the year following certification. (For example: certification earned in February 2009, would expire on December 31, 2010. Eight hours of continuing education must be completed before the recertification date of December 31, 2008). Graduates who allow their certification to lapse must take eight (8) hours per year up to a cap of 24 hours after a three (3) year lapse.

For questions about NCBI recertification, contact Brittany Carter at or 800.662.7129.

The Moore Co. HBA once again sponsored the Home of the Year Competition: Battle of the Schools, a competition among Union Pines, Pine Crest and North Moore high schools to build a new home. Union Pines took first place this year, and three of the school’s students have received job offers as a result of their work on the house.

Each year the schools’ architectural drafting and construction technology students construct a home to provide the students with practical, hands-on experience in the world of construction. Some of the criteria for judging include presentation of package, appearance, craftsmanship, custom features, creativity and overall quality. The students work on the projects throughout the year and upon completion in the spring, the homes are auctioned to the highest bidders. These funds are then used to continue future projects.

Fifteen builders, remodelers and other home building industry professionals were honored May 17 at a gala dinner by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at the 12th annual NAHB National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C.

Congratulations to the following North Carolina recipients:
• In the Multi-family Luxury category, the award went to Circle at Concord Mills in Concord, N.C. developed by Crescent Resources LLC of Charlotte, N.C.
• Chapel Hill, N.C. builder Michael Chandler of Chandler Design-Build was honored as the Builder Advocate of the Year.
• The Green Home Builders of the Triangle, hosts of this year’s conference events, took home the Program of the Year honors.

NCHBA Past President Charles Mullen and his wife Pam, owners of Mullen & Co. in Rocky Mount, were honored last week as the 2010 Small Business of the Year by the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce.  Mullen & Company was selected as this year’s Small Business of the Year based on staying power, growth, innovation, increased sales volume, and community involvement, according to a chamber press release.

The Mullens launched into the green scene as builders of the “first ever certified green home” in the Rocky Mount area, and did so at a time when the economy and building industry were challenged.  Mullen & Company was also the first construction company in eastern North Carolina to build an ENERGY STAR-qualified home and, to date, has completed more site built certified homes than any builder east of the Raleigh market.  Presently, they are the only contractor in the area to develop an “all ENERGY STAR community.” 

Click here to read the article from the Rocky Mount Telegram.