JEFF HORWATH - MASTER BUILDER

JEFF HORWATH EARNS BUILDER CERTIFICATION

Madison—Jeff Horwath of Jeff Horwath Family Builders Inc. in Hartland, Wisconsin
has earned the Master Builder Certification™ designation from
the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA).

The Wisconsin Builders Association® administers the Master Builder Certification™ program to
further professionalism and expertise in the Wisconsin home building industry. The WBA’s Master
Builder Certification™ or MBC is a voluntary certification program for Association members. The
purpose of the program is to create a means by which WBA members can differentiate themselves
from other industry practitioners in the state.

Certification requires proof of professionalism on several levels. Those levels include construction
experience, customer service, consistent use of warranties and trade contract agreements, the willingness
to use binding arbitration and mediation, a commitment to follow a higher-performance building standard,
a commitment to follow a builders’ Code of Ethics, and a commitment to continuing education relative
to the industry. Candidates must have a minimum of three years experience in construction, which includes
business aspects, and they must derive primary income from the residential construction and remodeling industry.

Builders who want to pull building permits must hold two credentials from the Department of Commerce:
the Dwelling Contractor Credential and the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential. The second credential
requires 12 continuing education credits every two years.

Master Builder Certification™ is more rigorous and requires 24 continuing education credits every two years.
Core courses (minimum 9 credits) provide a solid foundation. The balance of credits may be earned with
Electives that give MBC candidates additional opportunities to gain valuable knowledge on the latest information
on building science, business practices, safety, and sales and marketing. All courses must be approved by the
WBA Education Committee’s Board of Advisors. This Board comprises eight people, including WBA builders
and remodelers, a WBA associate member, a recent customer of a WBA builder or remodeler, a representative
from the state Department of Commerce, a representative from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade,
and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and a local home builder association Executive Officer.

One- and two-family homes in Wisconsin must be built to the specifications outlined within Wisconsin’s
Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) and other administrative rules. Contractors must know UDC specifications
and must know how to follow the permitting and inspection process within the municipality where they plan
to build. WBA’s builders are encouraged to go beyond the Uniform Dwelling Code and construct the
highest-quality home within the home owner’s budget. In the same way, WBA encourages builders to go
beyond the minimum continuing education credits required by the Department of Commerce, Safety &
Buildings, and earn their Master Builder Certification™.

The Master Builder Certification™ program was launched in July 2008. The Master Builder Certification™
designation is a way to identify builders who demonstrate a commitment to excellence by meeting WBA’s
requirements for earning the Master Builder Certification™ designation. The role of the Wisconsin Builders
Association® is to ascertain whether each candidate has met the requirements for displaying the Master Builder
Certification™ logo. The privilege to use and display the Master Builder Certification™ logo is granted to
individuals who satisfy WBA’s rigorous requirements. The use and display of the Master Builder Certification™
designation or logo in no way indicate that the Wisconsin Builders Association® guarantees, warrants or
certifies the builder’s services.