Blogs

Residential Products Online content is now on probuilder.com! Same great products coverage, now all in one place!

Business Management

Young, Old, and Gold

The September/October issue of Pro Builder magazine is my favorite among the “kids” we’ve delivered so far this year

Proud papa of this baby of another magazine issue

Building Technology

AI for Home Builders

The application of artificial intelligence is accelerating across all aspects of today's business world, but where does it work for the housing industry?

Imagining the future with artificial intelligence as a Terminator movie scenario

Opinion

So You Want to Be a Disrupter in Housing?

What does it mean—and look like—to be a true disrupter shaking up an industry stuck in its ways and resistant to change?

Housing industry disrupter changes black arrow direction to red opposite

Codes + Standards

The Inefficiencies of the Latest Energy Code

The 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) hampers the return on investment for builders and homebuyers

DuPont rigid foam insulation panel to help homes be more energy efficient

Affordability

The Right Immigration Reform Means More Affordable Homes

A national political stalemate over immigration reform has caused a dangerous ripple effect in housing's construction workforce

U.S. immigration and construction labor shortage

Remodeling

Getting Older Homes Up to Snuff for Energy Efficiency

To reduce the climate impacts of residential buildings, the U.S. Department of Energy is making new funding and tools available to help upgrade the energy efficiency of older, existing homes and is now accepting proposals

Aerial view of older single-family homes that need better energy efficiency

Builders

Homes for Life Today

I'm told the standard three-bed, two-bath suburban house, like the one I grew up in, no longer suits today’s buyers. What's changed? Pretty much everything

1960s ranch house design with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms

Sales + Marketing

Winning Strategies for Selling New-Construction Homes

Recent market conditions have taught home builders some valuable sales lessons and have also forced builders to take a hard look at how they're engaging homebuyers in order to meet rising expectations

Salesman handing over keys after selling a new-construction home to a young couple

Opinion

Work at What You Love

Home builders who are truly passionate about providing safe, quality, comfortable homes in their community will power through these challenging times and find satisfaction in both the effort and the results

Happy home builder who enjoys his work standing in front of brick home under construction

Customer Satisfaction

Strive for Perfection

Even an attempt at perfection is difficult, but if you set perfection as your company's goal and everyone involved strives for it, you'll be winning against the competition, regardless

Home builders striving for perfection with their customers get scores of 10

Opinion

The Wrongs of Make It Right in New Orleans' Affordable Housing

The legacy of the Make It Right Foundation's failed efforts to restore and revive underserved neighborhoods in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward goes well beyond leaky roofs and toxic mold

Make It Right house in distress in New Orlean's Lower Ninth Ward

Business Management

David Drees: Best Practices for Managing a Private Home Building Operation

Recognized as one of the nation’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, Kentucky-based Drees Homes offers a management model for other privately held home builders to follow

Business Management

The Pain of Ignoring Change—Consequences for Your Business

It can be tempting for construction pros to continue doing things as they’ve always done them, but that approach can lead to some serious drawbacks—not to mention costs

Opinion

Jobsite Safety ... Last?

Jobsite safety should be job one, but its status as a top priority seems to be slipping in deference to labor shortages and production demands, putting workers (and home builders) at increased risk

Construction jobsite accident from a fall

Building Technology

Construction Innovation: Framers Fitted for Tech

When it comes to high-tech construction, framers are fitted for tech. The construction industry should embrace that

Opinion

Housing's New Now

There is no "new normal," only now. Use this time after the height of the pandemic and its upheaval to set the stage for sustainable success for your business

Sponsored

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3 Porch Projects to Complete This Winter

No matter the time of year, homeowners can take advantage of their outdoor spaces with the right planning and tools. Below are three porch...

How To

6 Things You Can Do to Fix Your Construction Website Now

Don’t ignore your website’s potential; just as it can bring in business and revenue, it can also lose you money by failing to engage prospects and convert leads. Here are some remedies

Business Management

Reducing 3 Types of Construction Waste to Increase Home Builder Profit

Waste in home building is a much broader term than most home builders think. Here’s how builders can take stock of all forms of waste throughout the construction process to achieve greater profitability

Building Software

3 Ways Machine Learning Can Be Useful in Construction

How artificial intelligence technologies are changing the way home builders build

Trade Contractors

3 Ways Home Builders Can Address Labor Shortages by Investing in Trade Partners

Improving communication, streamlining the process, and providing training can help make you a home builder of choice with trade contractors

Sales + Marketing

11 Tactics for Creating an Outstanding Construction Brand Identity

Branding isn’t just your company logo, it’s how you want customers to perceive your business. Follow these 11 steps to create a great brand identity for your construction company

Innovation

Housing's Incremental Innovation Path

Is the housing industry slow to change, or is its incremental adoption of innovation a product of its culture?

Home Builders Institute's Schools to Skills Grant Application Open Through December

As Mortgage Rates Rise, Buyers Lose Purchasing Power

Renters Are Choosing Single-Family Homes for These Features