HBA members know experiences make houses into homes

The American home is more than just a dwelling. Our experiences, emotions and memories are forever associated with the home in which they occurred.

Whether it was a baby's first steps, birthday parties, holidays or the little day-to-day things that make up our families' lives, we think back fondly of the homes in which these events took place.

In last year's HBA Magazine, I wrote about my family's last home in southeast Springfield.

I told how our daughters grew from preschoolers to teens, and how we used to put notches in the laundry room doorway where the girls would proudly stand to be measured a couple of times a year.

I also talked about the pet cemetery in the backyard, and how the present owners have no idea they're living with the ghosts of "Shark," "Miranda," "Bob," "Sarah," and "Son-of-Bob."

These hamsters and fish were very dear to our daughters and became lasting memories associated with that home.

Members of the Home Builders Asso-ciation of Greater Springfield understand that the home is not just shelter.

As the true professionals in the home building and remodeling industry, we take very seriously the responsibility we have to our clients.

Members of the HBA have imposed on themselves a code of conduct and a commitment to enforce ethical business practices.

Every member has gone through an extensive screening process, measuring experience, customer satisfaction, and fi-nancial stability.

Unlike nonmembers, each builder, remodeler, and associate member of the HBA is required to maintain both workers' compensation and general liability insurance.

This assures the buyer that claims of injured workers will not come back on the buyer or his/her property. If an individual is using a contractor without this protection and a worker is injured, the financial responsibility would most likely fall on the property owner.

Besides the Home Show, the HBA will present the Parade of Homes in June, featuring many of the finest home builders in southwest Missouri showing the latest trends in home design. In the fall, remodeling will be showcased during the Remodeling Show.

Remodelers and their associates will demonstrate services and products in this growing field.

Members of the Home Builders Asso-ciation of Greater Springfield are proud to be a part of the southwest Missouri community and will make every effort to provide the public with the highest quality in building or remodeling services.

(Ed Alden is president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield.)