How to choose the right builder for you and securing finance

Friday, January 29, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

During this seminar you will get great tips on selecting the right builder to fit your criteria. You will also know what to look for when selecting a lender, how to prepare to meet with your lender, understand how a construction loan works from beginning to the final stages.

Mari Charles is the Executive Officer of the Brown County Home Builders Association. Mari has been with the Association for 16 years.

Kim Reed is a Residential Loan Officer with Bank Mutual. Kim has worked in the banking industry for the past 13 years. Kim is also active in the Association’s activities and events and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Focus on Energy – Kevin Hogan

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® your personal Gold Mine
Friday, January 29, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Buying your home was one of the largest investments you have made. Now you can enhance your home’s performance by making improvements that are smart for you, your family and the environment. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® helps you care for your investment by making energy efficiency improvements that save you money and increase the comfort, safety, durability and value of your home.

Join Kevin Hogan as he introduces the Focus on Energy Program, Wisconsin’s resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Kevin will discuss how a homeowner can take advantage of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and the financial incentives that may be available. Come ready to ask the expert your questions about energy efficiency for your home!

Kevin Hogan is a Technical Coordinator for the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® program responsible for recruiting, training, and monitoring Contractor Allies throughout the state of Wisconsin. He also provides training and technical support to all sectors of the program as needed. Kevin has been a certified energy consultant in both the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR^® Homes program (for new residential construction) and the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® program (for existing homes) for more than eight years. His expertise includes residential ventilation design, indoor air quality evaluation, air leakage remediation of building shells, and home performance analysis for new and existing homes.  Over the past 27 years, Kevin has attended numerous building science related courses, classes, and seminars.

Wilco Cabinets – “Green” Panel of Experts

Baby Steps to Being Green

Saturday, January 30, 10:30 a.m.  – 11:30 a.m.

A panel of experts will present easy and cost effective options to being green in your new home or remodeling project. They will use a good, better, best format to help you make informed decisions on what building products, electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, countertops and appliances to consider for your project. Find out how being “green” can be easy, save you money, and conserve our natural resources.

Read the article on the Green Panel of Experts in the January 10, 2010 issue of the Press Gazette Homestyle Magazine and hear the panel live at The Home Expo.

“Green” panel of experts is made up of: Contractor/Builder - Pat Drury, Drury Designs, Inc.; Lighting – Barry Siewert, Green Bay Lighting; Plumbing – Rick Kummers, Vern Kummers Plumbing; Cabinetry and Countertops – JoEllen Wilinski, Wilco Cabinet Makers; Appliances – Zach Uvaas, American TV / Kennedy-Hahn Appliances.

Greenleaf Landscaping & Gardens - Dorene Schuster

Create the Perfect Backyard Retreat

Saturday, January 30, Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Surround yourself with beauty on a beautiful patio, gazing at a fireplace, or gather around an outdoor bar or kitchen, built-in grill and more. Create cozy outdoor rooms or make your back yard an adventure with paths and destinations within your yard. Include water features that are both low maintenance and high impact. Have plants that add the finishing touches throughout all four seasons. Not to forget lighting that gives your outdoor spaces ambiance and safety at the same time. Come and be inspired for your Spring project.

Ken & Dorene Schuster, owners of Greenleaf Landscaping & Gardens specialize in complete landscape design, installation and seasonal maintenance for over 40 years. Garden & Gift Center open March thru December.  Unique plants, great ideas for gifts and decor.

VanVreede’s TV & Appliance – Mark Liechtman & Gary Brynjulfson

Why Should I Own An Energy Star Rated Appliance?

Saturday, January 30, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

This seminar will show you not only how to save money on energy cost but how you can save by investing in major appliances that will use less water, dry faster, keep your food longer, and make your life easier.

Mark Liechtman is a District Manager with Whirlpool Corporation representing many different appliances.

Gary Brynjulfson, Vice President, VanVreede’s Appliances, Electronic & Furniture. Gary has over 35 years in major appliance business and is part owner of VanVreede’s.

Kaufman Residential Design, LLC – Karl Kaufman

Smart Home Design

Saturday, January 30, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This seminar will discuss the latest trends in design and sustainability for new home construction. The present economic and environmental conditions have given us new opportunities and we will discuss how these will affect our designs. Thinking about these items early in the design process allows us to take full advantage of their benefits. Those attending the seminar will be able to make informed decisions on housing trends that are appropriate for their family and lifestyle.

Karl Kaufman is a Professional Builder Designer and the owner of Kaufman Residential Design, LLC. He specializes in the designing of new homes and renovation of existing homes.

Karl has a degree in Residential Architectural Design with over 30 years of experience in the building industry and has had the pleasure of working with many homebuilders and homeowners in the Green Bay/Fox Valley area.  His experience has provided him with a great design background and has given him exposure to a wide variety of design styles and solutions.  Karl has also worked with many of the different construction methods available.  This experience has helped him create well thought-out, accurate home designs that meet the needs and desires of his clients.

Karl has been a member of the American Institue of Building Design since 1996. This is a national organization of professional designers that specialize in residential design. This organization is dedicated to providing quality work that meets the highest professional and ethical standards. 

Valley Cabinet – Jim Killingbeck

Demystifying “Green” Terminology

Saturday, January 30, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

What exactly is EPP, EMS, SFI, and VOC? We will explain these and other terms to better explain green products. At Valley Cabinet our focus is not just on producing quality products with superior service. Over the years we have expanded our focus to include the needs of the environment while producing healthier and safer products for our customers. Our commitment to the environment encompasses everything from the energy we use to the use of low VOC and low formaldehyde finishes to sustainable products in the cabinet industry.

Jim Killingbeck is the Director of Safety at Valley Cabinet, Inc. Jim has 24 years experience working with safety and environmental issues. Jim began packaging the “green” certification program for Valley Cabinet several years ago. Jim is a graduate of Marion College University.

Sun Comfort – Greg Howat

Learn how adding a Sunroom can add value to your home while saving money on heating and cooling

Sunday, January 31, 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Why consider a sunroom? What options are available? What are the key differences between a 4 season and 3 season room? How does a sunroom change your heating/cooling expense? Does a sunroom improve the value of a home? If you have asked yourself any of these questions, come to this seminar and find the answers.

Sun Comfort is specialized in the sales and installation of sun rooms, screen/vinyl replacement windows for patios or porches, decking systems and elegant outdoor furniture. Our design consultants have a combined 30+ years of experience they share with homeowners in Northeast Wisconsin.

Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes, Inc. – Ed Schmidt

High Performance Green Homes

Sunday, January 31, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

By attending this seminar you will learn many techniques available today to build an energy efficient, comfortable and durable home. Many of these techniques can also be used on existing homes to help them perform better.

Ed Schmidt started Schmidt Bros. Custom Homes, Inc. 16 years ago. His company builds new homes, does additions, remodels and helps homeowners upgrade their existing homes with energy efficient features.

MimiWorks – Mimi Robillard

Master the Art of Furniture Placement for Living Spaces

Sunday, January 31, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Mimi will demonstrate various furniture layouts emphasizing the need to address primary and secondary seating, walkways, and focal points. Make best use of existing space as possible. Bring trouble floor plans for assistance.

Mimi Robillard is an Interior Designer and Owner of MimiWorks Interior Design since 2003. Mimi has a four year degree in Interior Design from Kansas State University and has over 25 years working experience in the business. Mimi looks forward to projects of all sizes – accessorizing, remodel and/or new construction.