When you see the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri (HBA) logo in use by a business, what should you assume? A safe assumption is that active HBA members have had extensive opportunities to learn the latest about industry trends, customer service, how to design new communities and new homes that will best meet the consumer's needs and how to run a successful business.

That is because the HBA might be thought of as sort of an industry-specific educational institution for higher learning. Membership dues are charged to those who choose to join. Those dues might be thought of as a sort of educational tuition being paid by the builder or other contractor. Being an HBA member means that a home builder or remodeler has made the decision to identify with the official not-for-profit association representing the home building industry. That is a good sign, for the consumer working with an HBA member. Often, it is the least informed, least trained, least innovative, least financially stable contractors who make the choice not to join the HBA.

The HBA provides many services to its members. Among those services are:

Educational Seminars: A steady stream of classes on customer service; land use and home construction environmental regulations; home design and energy efficiency trends; green home building techniques; and even "in-the-field" classes such as proper techniques for finishing concrete flatwork; and much more. Every aspect imaginable in home building is available through educational training with the local HBA and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Information: There is a constant flow of information both from the local HBA and NAHB. A local HBA member automatically becomes an NAHB member too. Specialty publications of all kinds, as well as technical help centers; provide HBA members with all of the latest available information intended to help them provide technically superior homes that deliver good value for the money.

Local, State and Federal Government Contact: It is important to efficiently wade through government bureaucracies and their rules and regulations involving home building and remodeling. This helps to minimize unnecessary costs and delays that ultimately could be problems for the buyer.

The HBA and NAHB work to facilitate dialogue with governments throughout the St. Louis region, in the state capitol in Jefferson City and in Washington, D.C. to help keep housing affordable and housing policies favorable for home buyers.

Together, these HBA services mean that builders and others who belong to the HBA are exposed to a wide variety of tools, technology and technique which can be of great value to the home buyer.

And the HBA is more than just home builders. Leading remodeling companies in the St. Louis region also belong to the HBA and are classified as builder members. There also are associate members of the HBA which include many lumber suppliers, building products suppliers and many more who provide services such as painting, electrical, plumbing, roofing and concrete. Many professional businesses such as law firms, banks, engineers and architects also are associate members.

Of course, not every HBA member takes equal advantage of the opportunities available through the HBA. Doing business with an HBA member is not an iron-clad guarantee that there will be no challenges or obstacles. A buyer must always use good judgment in entering into any contract. In exercising good judgment, a buyer should want to know whether his/her builder and other contractors and suppliers they may choose have made the commitment to join the HBA. It is the only organization of its kind that is working constantly to help its members understand how to deliver a better home to the consumer and to keep newly-built homes more affordable.

So, next time you are looking at a newly-built home with all the excitement that goes along with it, look also for the HBA logo. Ask if the builder is an HBA member. It is yet another of the many reasons to make a decision that will be right for you and your future.

You can search for HBA builders and new homes by visiting www.stlhba.com!