Greater Pocono Home Show Brings in Spring
[Stroudsburg, PA – March 3, 2011] – Analysts have recently shown that home improvement spending will climb at a double-digit pace through the first half of 2011, which can be directly attributed to the fact that American homeowners are more active, financially savvy, and cost-conscious than ever. As a result, the Pocono Builder’s Association’s annual Home Show is anticipated to be the biggest in over 10 years, thanks to the surge of homeowners seeking out energy efficiency, landscaping and home remodeling. Builders, plumbers, electricians, design professionals and kitchen and bathroom specialists will all be exhibiting the newest products and services.
“The event, designed for homeowners in all stages of home decorating, remodeling and landscaping, includes hundreds of exhibits with merchandise, product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior options,” said Akantha Susko of True North Advertising & Marketing. “With a combination of new products and expert advice from the pros, this annual Home Show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on how to enhance their home’s comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value.”
The Pocono Home Show is the Pocono’s only building and home renovation expo, having been staged annually for over a decade. No other event attracts the same number of quality visitors and exhibitors interested in businesses that serve the Poconos and surrounding areas. This year’s Title Sponsors include Bathfitters, the Real Estate Book of the Poconos, and F/J Hess & Sons Plumbing, Heating and A/C.
The show will be held at the Koehler Field House at East Stroudsburg University March 12th – 13th, 2011. Admission is free, and children’s activities, including the Home Depot Kids Workshop, are available.
Hours for this year’s event are as follows:
March 12th, Saturday -10am to 7pm
March 13th, Sunday – 11am to 5pm
The show is held in by the Pocono Builders Association, which is dedicated to the collective creation of value for its members. For more information, visit wwww.PoconoHomeShow.com or call the Pocono Builders Association at 570-421-9009.
About True North Advertising & Marketing
True North Advertising & Marketing produces and manages many successful marketing projects in the area such as the Greater Pocono Home Show at ESU, True North Maps’ Carbon County Map, Monroe County Map (coming 2011) and Senior Style Magazine. They are also closely affiliated with the Real Estate Book of the Poconos, the Pocono Where To Book and Golfing Guide.
About the Pocono Builders Association
Pocono Builders Association is dedicated to the collective creation of value for its members. The Pocono BA is the unified voice of the Pocono Mountain’s building industry. The organization promotes economic development while respecting the environment and community. To find out more about the PBA visit www.PoconoBuilders.org. For more information on exhibiting or attending the Pocono Home Show email info@PoconoHomeShow.com.
LTS Builders Sees Sharp Increase in Home Sales With Newly Priced Home and Land Packages from $178,900
East Stroudsburg, PA – LTS Builders, the Poconos’ leading home builder for 34 years, and its skilled team of architects, construction managers, and home financing professionals have sharpened their pencils to create home and land packages starting from $178,900. LTS customers are responding with enthusiasm to the new, low price point developed by LTS Builders to satisfy the home buyer’s need for cost effective homes which complement modern family living.
“Our new home and land packages are resulting in our briskest sales of the year,” expresses Rita Smith, Director of Sales. “Our customers excited about the amazing value they are receiving.”
The increase in LTS Builders’ home sales is also a reflection of the changing home buying climate as federal interest rates have started to rise.
Smith explains, “LTS customers are savvy and realize that interest rates are on the rise; this is motivating our customers to take advantage of their buying power and the cost savings available now before the interest rates creep any higher.”
Also inciting a flurry of sales activity at LTS this month was the debut of a new series of LTS Builders home designs. These exciting new home styles are efficiently sized and feature packed, offering families affordable luxury and enhanced lifestyle. The new styles are available in 3 or 4 bedroom floorplans and can be personalized with any number of featured items shown in the new must see LTS Builders Design Studio.
“At LTS Builders, we listen to our customers,” conveys Smith. “We have incorporated all of the most desired home details in an economical package that meets the needs of today’s buyer. People are really excited about these new floorplans; they are exactly what our customers are looking for.”
LTS Builders combines the industry experience, award-winning home designs, and choice of beautiful home sites in the best locations to make dream homes a reality for each of its customers. LTS Builders also has access to financing options that offer low interest rates and give the customer superior buying power. Bringing this all together with premium home features and incomparable LTS quality translates to the lowest cost of home ownership in the Poconos.
Additionally, LTS Builders offers home buyers the closest locations to New York and New Jersey, with scenic surroundings and easy access to area shopping, schools, and more. With so many benefits to the customer, it is easy to see why LTS Builders continues to be the region’s home building leader year after year.
Now is the time to visit LTS Builders and see for yourself why LTS Builders is the Poconos’ leading homebuilder for 34 years running. Call 1-800-LTS-5432 to schedule your tour of LTS Builders communities and model homes, open every day. Appointments are filling fast; be sure to call now. To visit, take the GWB to I-80 west into PA, then take Exit 309 onto Rt. 209. LTS is 1 ½ miles ahead on your right. Check out www.LTSbuilders.com for more information.
Brand New Location and Show Manager for the 2011 Greater Pocono Home Show
Stroudsburg, PA Oct. 1, 2010 – The Pocono Builder’s Association’s Home Show has announced that this year’s show, March 12th – 13th, 2011 will have a brand new location at Koehler Field house at East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA and a new Show Manager, Akantha Susko of True North Advertising & Marketing.
Nicole Foleno, Executive Director of the Pocono Builders Association states “We are pleased and excited that this year’s Greater Pocono Home Show opening March 12 – 13th, 2011, will be held at Koehler Field house at East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA. This venue is in the heart of the Poconos and has ample parking space for all our exhibitors, participants and show attendees. It’s a great location and fantastic exhibit hall for our growing Home Show.”
“The Pocono Builders Association is proud and excited to announce Akantha Susko of True North Advertising and Marketing as the new Home Show Manager. She brings years of experience not only with working with builders and contractors in the Poconos, but also in promoting and coordinating several successful marketing projects in the area. We know she will do a great job!” says Ms. Foleno. For more information about the 2011 Great Pocono Home Show visit www.PoconoHomeShow.com
Pocono Builders Association is dedicated to the collective creation of value for its members. The Pocono BA is the unified voice of the Pocono Mountain’s building industry. The organization promotes economic development while respecting the environment and community. To find out more about the PBA visit www.PoconoBuilders.org
True North Advertising & Marketing produces and manages many successful marketing projects in the area such as True North Maps’ Carbon County Map, Monroe County Map (coming 2011) and Senior Style Magazine. They are also closely affiliated with the Real Estate Book of the Pocono, the Pocono Where To Book and Golfing Guide. For more information on the Pocono Home Show email info@PoconoHomeShow.com.
Dembinski Joins Rinehimer; Company Growth Expected Despite Economy
Bert & Patty Rinehimer & Michael Dembinski
Earlier this month, Rinehimer Construction Inc. added Michael Dembinski, a seasoned industry pro, to its staff. Dembinski (formerly of Richard Henry Construction) will serve as Rinehimer’s senior VP. This comes at a time when the Pocono Pines-based custom home builder has plans to expand its physical presence, which will occur this summer, as it opens a new office at Historic Downtown Business Square on Route 940 in Pocono Pines. Says company president Bert Rinehimer, “This will better serve both our clients and Realtor family, and will benefit our local community for years to come. I’m very fortunate to have such a loyal and talented team, that through their many years of service, have made this all possible.”
By the end of this summer, Rinehimer Construction will have renovated the new Sand Spring restaurant, formerly the Homestead Inn on Sandspring Road in Cresco. Dembinski says the decision to expand in an economic recession is part of an overall plan for future success. “We had the vision to build a stronger business for better economic circumstances to come, and that’s what we’re doing,” he says.
Digging for a good contractor: Pocono industry insiders reveal questions to ask
“Eenie meenie miney mo” won’t cut it for this decision.
Finding a contractor who is trustworthy and dedicated to the job — and won’t rip you off — can be a full-time job.
To make it a little easier for you, we asked some experts in the field about the red flags, and what should be investigated before signing on the dotted line. Our expert panel included Scott Elliot, director of public relations for Pennsylvania Builders Association; Andrew Goode, regional vice president of the Better Business Bureau; and Mike Dembinski, director of sales and marketing for Richard Henry Construction in Pocono Pines.
Where is a good place to start when looking for a contractor?
SCOTT ELLIOT: A good start to remove some of the risk in hiring a contractor is the local builders association. They are usually by county and can be found in the phone book or at www.pabuilders.org. If someone belongs to a builder’s association, they are exposed to new regulations and renewing their skills.
ANDREW GOODE: Avoid scams. Companies that go door-to-door taking about the job they are doing up the road is a scam company. Companies that require all the money up front and not offering a three-day right to revision are scam companies. Get referrals from people you trust, but always go through the same process.
What are a few important tips to keep in mind when searching for a contractor?
ELLIOT: Ask for references from other jobs. If he is a good builder, he will be happy to give those. Follow through and find out what past customers thought. Three or four is sufficient. Go to one or two of them to see the quality of the work. Anytime you can see examples firsthand, it’s a huge plus. Always insist on a written contract, and if changes occur, get them in writing, too. Ask for an insurance certificate, proof of worker’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance. This protects you.
GOODE: Get a written contract with descriptions of what is being done. Re-doing a driveway or roof isn’t descriptive enough. It should be pretty particular. Find out what their refund policy is and how disputes are handled. Call references and ask questions such as if the job was done as promised, if there were any problems and if they cleaned up after themselves. Make sure the contractor knows exactly what you want. Write down specific descriptions of what you want and hand that to each contractor you are considering. Get at least three estimates.
MIKE DEMBINSKI: Check for permits and code compliances. It’s important for the builder or contractor to have a good relationship with communities and the township. Request a tour of past work to see the quality of the workmanship. Ask questions and see it firsthand. Check to see that the contractor is involved with the (Greater Pocono) Chamber of Commerce and the Pocono Builders Association. This is one of your biggest investments, so do your homework ahead of time.
When you receive multiple estimates, how do you know which one is the right one?
ELLIOT: Beware of low bids. Everyone thinks a low bid means you are beating the system. If you get a bid that is really low, it’s a red flag. The contractor could be inadequately budgeting the project.
GOODE: If you get three estimates — $1,000, $5,000 and $20,000, ask the contractor what he plans on doing. $1,000 may only put a top-coat on a driveway. The $5,000 bid may be to rebuild on top of the foundation, and the $20,000 bid maybe to re-do the entire driveway.
DEMBINSKI: Depending on the scope of the project, it never hurts to get more than one quote. Don’t look at the lowest price. Look at the compatibility, quality, references, how the Pocono Builders Association and Chamber of Commerce feel about the contractor. Go with your gut feeling. If all looks good and he has a good track record, good reputation and good working relationship with the community, that will ultimately help you make your decision.
What is the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act?
ELLIOT: A tool to protect consumers from fraudulent contractors. It went into effect July 1, 2009. Contractors must register with the state. If enough consumers complain, they will be reported to the Attorney General’s Office and could lose their registration to work in Pennsylvania. It is another layer of protection.
What does the Better Business Bureau do to help consumers looking at potential contractors?
GOODE: The BBB reports on many contractors. We rate them based on a number of factors — type of business, advertising meeting our standards, complaints, patterns of complaints. We explain why a contractor has a lower rating.
As a builder, what should the initial visit with a potential contractor include?
DEMBINSKI: Some questions to ask include: How long have you been established in business and in the community? How is your relationship with the community, inspection agencies and townships? Ask for references. Make sure you have a level of comfort during the initial meeting. Talk about plan designs, coding and permits. When you decide on a contractor, have an agreement of sale in writing and have it all spelled out with milestones of payments. That way everyone is on the same page.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
How to choose a reputable contractor, according to Pocono Builders Association:
Is the contractor a member of PBA?
Take your time. Investigate. Spend time before you spend money.
Does the contractor have proof of insurance and carry worker’s compensation insurance?
Incorporate any warranties, guaranties or other promises in your contract. Always insist that change orders will be in writing.
Check references — bank, suppliers, subcontractors.
Have your attorney review all documentation prior to signing.
See the quality of work being performed for yourself.
Does the contractor have a permanent location and phone number?
Check with the Better Business Bureau.
Have specific starting and completion dates. Some delays are unavoidable and beyond the builder’s control.
Beware of unusually low bids or advertised pricing.
Resources:
Better Business Bureau: nepa.bbb.org/ or 570-342-5100
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General: attorneygeneral.gov or 717-787-3391
Pocono Builders Association: poconobuilders.org or 570-421-9009
Pocono Chamber of Commerce: poconochamber.net or 570-421-4433
Equal Housing Opportunity |
MLS numbers are provided where available*
