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When Florida first
began unifying its state building code and, in the process, looked to
mandate hurricane protection and establish high-wind zones for increased
protection, the matter was hotly contested. Those in the hurricane protection
industry will tell you it was strongly lobbied against by the building
and trade associations. The argument was that requiring all new construction
to meet these provisions would increase building costs, which would be
passed on to end users—notably, homebuyers—to the detriment
of the building industry.
Well, they were right—partly. Building structures to meet the new
codes and including hurricane protection does cost more. By most accounts,
it adds about five percent to the selling price of a home. What’s
more it usually lengthens the permitting process—the timeframe needed
to get the plans stamped and sealed by an engineer or architect. But has
this had a detrimental effect on the building industry? That’s hard
to imagine.
In recent issues, Hurricane Protection has talked with two prominent builders:
ARBC Corp. (HP, Fall 2003, page 12), an Arthur Rutenberg franchise homebuilder
known for its upscale designs, and Kraft Construction Co. (see page 12
in this issue), a $300 million–plus builder of condominiums, schools
and commercial properties. Both companies are examples of builders who
“get it.”
Todd Strasbaugh, ARBC vice president of construction, told us the hurricane
protection they build into their homes is “an added plus. It’s
definitely something that benefits the consumer.” Does that make
it an added value to the home? “Yes,” he said. “It gives
people a sense of protection—they’re not going to have objects
flying through the windows—and that sense of security is definitely
a bonus.”
Meanwhile, Tom Abraham, senior vice president of construction for Kraft
Construction, sees no downturn in the building market. In fact, he sees
nothing but good news for the building and storm shutter markets for years
to come—Collier County alone has five to seven years ahead of it
just in new high-rise condominium building.
Obviously, the severe impact on the building industry hasn’t happened.
But what about that five percent or so increase in selling price? There
is still that, and it is real. But let’s consider what a homebuyer
gets for that extra money. The Institute for Business and Home Safety
(IBHS), a non-profit organization of insurers and reinsurers, has studied
the matter. It reports that the investment in opening protection can reduce
loses from wind-borne debris by 30 to 40 percent in homes from Texas to
North Carolina. That’s an ROI everyone can live with.
Howard Shingle, EDITOR and Kerri Caldwell, PUBLISHER
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