Blogs

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Business Management

Use Culture to Help Your Company Climb Out of COVID-19

Use the downtime caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to review and improve your company's culture

Coworkers fist bumping at a conference table show teamwork and positive company culture

Trade Contractors

Subcontractors: Understand Your Liability and Defense Obligations in Contracts

The unfortunate reality is, everything can be done correctly, but the subcontractor still has to defend and potentially pay a lot of money

Building Technology

Closing the Gap Between Buyers and Builders

In order to close the gap between buyers and builders, builders need to think less about how to plug the holes in our boats (the problems...

Opinion

Into the Breach—Again

The economic impacts of COVID-19 were a gut-punch to a housing industry on the cusp of a full recovery, but we'll come back from this, too

Human Resources

5 Ways Training Promotes a Harassment-Free Culture During and After COVID-19

Whether your employees are working on a jobsite or from home, an effective harassment-prevention training program can help your organization

Building Technology

Home Builder Shares How Tech Conquered Disorganization

Once left in a labor lurch, home builders are leveraging advanced construction management and scheduling software not only to carry on, but to carry their business to new heights

construction hard hats on table with computer and phone

Opinion

New Study Measures COVID-19’s Impact on Homebuying Activity

The uncertainty caused by the pandemic has led to many buyers deciding to wait things out, but there are some bright spots for home builders

homebuyers with question marks in front of their faces

Business Management

Tips for Managing You and Your Team While Working From Home

The key word in working from home (WFH) is “working.” Builders, consultants, and PR folks share tips for creating a productive space and routine for remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic

Innovation

Why Builders Can’t Afford to Ignore the Smart Home Tech Trend

Three ways builders can stay ahead of the smart-home tech curve

Opinion

Wanted: Small Homes at Affordable Prices

Research finds a builder-buyer disconnect in providing smaller, more affordable homes and that the number of single women homebuyers is decreasing

A young woman sitting at home on sofa works on her laptop with a coffee on the table

Opinion

Lessons From a Crisis—Getting Through Coronavirus

Without the power of a collective effort, I’m afraid we’ll still be talking about these issues in 10 years' time or longer

Business Management

Predicting Profit: How to Know Your Margin Before You Close

Nine strategies to help home builders control their costs and predict profit before starting a project

Codes + Standards

Why Are Building Codes Important?

Building codes not only provide a standard benchmark contractors must meet, they also establish a building’s safety and energy performance for years to come

Opinion

A Problem in Common: Balancing Regulations With Environmental Stewardship

To find the balance between fees and regulations and address issues of environmental stewardship and housing affordability, keep in mind that we all caused this problem, so we all should share in the costs and solutions to fix it

Banner about no affordable housing because costs are up due to regulations

Show Village

After the International Builders' Show, the Show Goes On—On Demand

The information at the International Builders' Show is extensive and rich, but there's no way you can see or digest it all during the show. And you don't have to, since this info is available on demand after IBS

crowds of people in the home building industry at the International Builders' Show 2020 in Las Vegas networking and looking at product demonstrations

Financials

Can Building a Passive House Cost the Same as a Code-Built Home?

Designer and builder Natalie Leonard shares how an energy-efficient Passive House can cost the same to build as a code-built home

Opinion

Myths and Misconceptions About Going Solar

As home builders prepare for California's solar mandate, solar panel installer Mark Vogel dispels the myths and misconceptions

Opinion

Home Builder as Concierge, Delivering Customer Service Excellence

Your ability to deliver a positive, personalized customer experience to homebuyers is a critical driver in sales

Homebuyer hand pressing concierge bell for customer service assistance

Business Management

What Do Homebuyers Want? Builders Adopt a New Strategy

Homebuyer desires are ever-changing and transient. Getting back to some core principles can help builders refocus their business and attract buyers in the process

Point of View

Video: Can Automating Your Documents Make You A Better Builder?

Edwards/Mooney & Moses, an insulation, garage door and gutter installer in central Ohio, was hand keying thousands of work order...

Opinion

How Can Builders Prepare for More Solar?

More U.S. markets are adopting mandates requiring solar energy for new construction. Here are answers to common questions

Solar energy mandates mean more work installing solar panels on rooftops

Opinion

Welcome to the '20s

What's in store for home builders in the coming decade?

the direction moving forward for home builders

Opinion

Professional Builder's Change for the Better

Pro Builder embarks on a redesign that promises a richer experience for readers of the magazine and users of the brand's website and social media

Financing

Buying Land? 10 Tips to Find the Best of What’s Left

Think all the good land was bought by big builders? 10 tips for small builders to find and buy land

Vacant building lot awaiting development

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