Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the STARS Awards?
The STARS Awards program honors the achievements of home building industry professionals from across North Carolina. Winners receive recognition in areas such as marketing and advertising, web design, sales/information center, landscape design, interior merchandising, architecture/floor plan, remodeling/renovation and special projects.
2. Will we be notified if we win?
All winners are announced and recognized at the STARS Awards Gala. No winners will be announced or notified in advance.
3. If we win, what gets printed on the award?
The award will be printed with the Company Name and Project/Individual Name as given for that specific entry.
4. What is included in the square footage?
Square footage is based on heated space.
5. Can I submit the same project for multiple categories?
Yes, projects may be submitted for as many categories as are applicable that you wish to enter it into.
6. Can I submit more than one entry for the same category?
Yes, provided you are okay with the entries competing against each other.
7. Can I update my photos after the deadline?
No, after the deadline no entry materials can be modified, added or removed.
8. What if I submit my entry to the wrong category?
Carefully review your submission because entries submitted to the wrong category will not be re-categorized. Provided the submission deadline has not passed, you can change your entry category.
9. How do I pay for my submission?
We offer two convenient ways to handle your entry fees. You can choose the method that best fits your workflow:
- Individual Submissions
For those submitting one entry at a time, you can pay via Credit Card at the final step of the submission process. This is the quickest way to finalize a single entry. - Bulk Submissions (Pre-payment)
If you are preparing multiple entries, this option allows you to pay for them in a single transaction.
- Purchase Credits: Visit the Purchase page to buy submission credits in advance.
- Apply Credits: While filling out your entry forms, save them as a draft and select the "Submission is Complete and Prepaid" option within the form.
Important Notes:
Refunds: Please plan your purchases carefully, as unused pre-paid submission credits are non-refundable.
Future Updates: We are currently working to streamline this process. By next year, the purchase cart will be fully integrated into your Account section for easier access.
Entry fees are determined by the date you finalize and submit your entry, rather than when the draft was created.
Early Bird Discount: To qualify for early-bird pricing, your indvidual entries must be fully submitted before June 10th.
Standard Pricing: Any individual entries submitted after this date will be subject to the standard entry fee.
Note: Simply saving your work as a draft does not lock in the discount; the submission process must be completed in full by the deadline to receive the lower rate.
10. Who judges the STARS Awards?
The judges for the STARS Awards are from all over the US. The majority of the judges do not reside in North Carolina. This allows for impartial judging. Judges are chosen based on their expertise in the areas represented by the categories.
11. Do the judges rank the entries?
No, each entry is judged on its own merit and not compared to other entries in that category.
12. What if I am a member of more than one Local HBA?
Choose your primary Local HBA from the drop-down list and then type the additional Local HBAs in the space provided.
13. Can I submit my entry by email?
No, all entries must be submitted using the online platform.
14. Can I send a check to pay for my entries?
Yes, checks can be mailed for entries and will be added to your account by NCHBA. Checks must be received before the stated deadlines. Make checks payable to NCHBA with STARS Awards in the memo field and mail them to:
NCHBA - STARS Awards
5580 Centerview Drive, Suite 415
Raleigh, NC 27606