HBWeekly

3 Quick and Easy Marketing Tactics

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Erika Carruth

Three easy marketing tactics that you can do right now to make a lasting impact on the growth of your business

In the service industry, word-of-mouth advertising is golden, but it will only get you so far when it comes to generating new business. Most small business owners know that services simply don’t sell themselves, and it takes a consistent and strategic marketing effort to build and maintain momentum.

Truth be told, most contractors are not experts in designing and implementing impactful marketing plans, and often smaller businesses do not have the time or budget to hire a full-time marketing manager. For this reason, it is important to have some quick and easy reminders and methods to add some instant strength to your marketing strategy.

Building upon our previous and most recent posts “3 in 3 – Three Marketing Tips in Three Minutes” and “3 More Marketing Tactics”, here is a list of three actions you can take to give a boost to your marketing efforts today:

1 – Make a Video – According to a recent report, roughly 86% of marketers are using video content to advertise, educate, and entertain, and one-third of online activity is spent watching video. That adds up to a lot of space and time where your company can be front and center. Not to mention adding video content to your emails can increase your click rate by 300%! Consider featuring your latest build or a client testimonial to get your video engine going. From there, the door is wide open… From tutorials and DIY to company and industry events, there are so many valuable activities to explore, cover and share. Remember to keep the content professional, visually appealing, informative and under two minutes (preferably ~1 minute) to keep viewers engaged.

2- Share Content – While it is ideal to have everyone sharing your company’s content, it is equally important to share industry-relevant posts from other sources. In addition to demonstrating that you remain current on topics that are buzzing in the industry, sharing content also indirectly engages the other source’s audience. Be sure to tag the source, share their hashtags and provide positive feedback. After all, social media is “social” by design, and by spreading the word on industry news by others, you can begin expanding your own network in the digital realm.

3 – Get Listed – If you have not already done so, your business should be listed with online directories. Just think, mega directory Yelp has over 185 million reviews published, and your business can be just one of the many that has positive feedback on your services that will rank higher with search engines. There are numerous location-specific and industry-specific business listing sites from which to choose, so it is important to list with the sources that are the best fit for your services. You will also want to take into account that someone on your team will need to be responsible for tracking and responding to reviews (positive and negative) and performing profile updates as needed. To get started, some free business listing directories include Google (aka Google My Business), LinkedIn Business Directory, Apple Maps and Facebook.

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for marketing success, your company can test and measure methods and tactics to find the ones that engage your target audience and gain the greatest response. Before you know it, you will have your own list of top marketing tactics that are specific to your business and can be used in your campaigns and strategies moving forward.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog. To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Update – October 2019

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the latest construction data based on new swimming pool permits added to the HBW database for Texas during the month of October 2019

Last month, there were 720 new swimming pool permits with a total construction value of nearly $44 million added to the HBW database for Texas, reflecting a 6 percent month-over-month decrease in new pool construction. Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Dallas ranked #1 for new pool construction having 324 starts on record for the month and the highest average value of construction (average value: ~$70k).

Here is a closer look at the latest construction permit data on record with HBW for the four major Texas metro areas last month:

Dallas

Total Permits: 324

Total Construction Value: $22.7 million

Average Value of Construction: $ 69,909

Top County for Total New Permits: Tarrant County (95 permits)

Out of the more than 125 active pool contractors with permits on record for the month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder

1-Riverbend Pools

2-Puryear Custom Pools

3-Prestige Pool

Houston

Total Permits: 245

Total Construction Value: $14.2 million

Average Value of Construction: $ 57,854

Top County for Total New Permits: Harris County (152 permits)

Out of the more than 105 active pool contractors with permits on record for the month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder

1-Platinum Pools

2-McKinney Custom Pools

3-Cypress Custom Pools

Austin

Total Permits: 88

Total Construction Value: ~$5 million

Average Value of Construction: $ 56,589

Top County for Total New Permits: Travis County (67 permits)

Out of the approximately 45 active pool contractors with permits on record for the month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder

1-Cody Pools

2-Texas Pools & Patios

3-Premier Pools & Spas of Austin

San Antonio

Total Permits: 63

Total Construction Value: $1.8 million+

Average Value of Construction: $ 29,181

Top County for Total New Permits: Bexar County (47 permits)

Out of the nearly 25 active pool contractors with permits on record for the month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder

1-Keith Zars Pools

2-Pool Concepts by Pete Ordaz

3-Aquamarine Pools

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Texas Residential Construction Report – October 2019

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the latest residential construction data from permits on record with HBW during the month of October 2019

During the month of October 2019, there were more than 6,040 residential construction permits with a total construction value of nearly $1.5 billion added to the HBW database for the Lone Star State.

Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Houston carried the highest amount of housing starts (2,471 permits), and Dallas maintained its lead with higher value construction having an average value of construction of approximately $282.8k last month.

When looking at top builders across the state, D.R. Horton continued to dominate in three out four metro areas (Houston, Dallas, Austin) and had more than 640 housing start on record for the one-month period.

Here is a closer look at the latest construction data derived from Texas residential construction permits on record with HBW during the month of October 2019:

Houston

Month after month, Houston continues to be the leading Texas metro area for new residential construction. Last month, there were more than 2,470 housing starts with a total construction value of $485.5 million. The average value of construction was lowest in comparison to the other metro areas reviewed (average construction value: $196,487), and more than half of all new construction took place in Harris County (1,309 permits).

Out of the nearly 315 active builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on record for the one-month period:

Builder	Total Permits
D.R. Horton	235
K Hovnanian Homes	174
Lennar Homes	151
Camillo Properties	143
Perry Homes	114

Dallas

Dallas ranked #2 for new home construction, having more than 2,080 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $589 million last month. As previously mentioned, Dallas continues to maintain its lead for higher value construction, having an average construction value of approximately $282.8k for the month. While the HBW database gained new permits for every county in the area, more than half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Tarrant (576 permits) and Collin (526 permits).

Out of the more than 240 home builders with construction activity on file with HBW last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
D.R. Horton	297
Lennar Homes	130
First Texas Homes	88
LGI Homes	85
Bloomfield Homes	80

Austin

In Austin, there were nearly 870 housing starts with a total construction value of $222 million last month. The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $255,473), and the majority of all new permits originated from the County of Travis (537 permits).

Out of the nearly 115 active home builders in the Austin area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
D.R. Horton	107
KB Homes	61
Lennar Homes	57
Gehan Homes	52
Taylor Morrison Homes	45

San Antonio

Last month, there were 620 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $153 million in the San Antonio area. The average value of new construction was $246,180, and more than 66 percent of all new permits originated from Bexar County (411 permits).

Out of the 85 active home builders with permits on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
Lennar Homes	88
KB Homes	77
Continental Homes of Texas	66
LGI Homes	38
Pulte Homes	26

Florida Swimming Pool Construction Review: Q3-2019

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Erika Carruth

An HBW quarterly report on the latest construction data for new swimming pool construction in Florida from January through September 2019

Since the start of this year (through September 2019), new swimming pool construction in Florida has continued its upward growth pattern that we have seen for the last five years. Through Q3-2019, there have been more than 19,650 new swimming pool permits added to the HBW database for Florida, reflecting a 6 percent year-over-year increase in pool starts. Out of the six major regions reviewed (Southeast, Southwest, West, Central, Northeast, Northwest), the highest concentration of new pool permits originated from the southwestern region (5,262 permits), and the area that has exhibited the greatest amount of growth so far this year is the western region (+14 percent).

Here is a breakdown of total permits, top counties and areas experiencing growth in new swimming pool construction throughout the Sunshine State through the third quarter of 2019:

Southwest Florida

In the southwest, there have been more than 5,260 pool starts since the beginning of the year, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9 percent. The counties with higher levels of new pool construction include: Lee County (1,591 permits), Collier County (1,200 permits) and Sarasota County (1,047 permits).

West Florida

Through Q3-2019, West Florida has experienced a 14 percent year-over-year increase in swimming pool construction, resulting in 3,825 new permits added to the HBW database. More than half of all new pool construction took place in the two counties of Hillsborough (1,191 permits) and Pasco (775 permits), with both counties reflecting year-over-year gains of 4 percent and 27 percent respectively.

Southeast Florida

In comparison to the same time last year, new pool construction is tracking slightly higher in the southeast. Since the start of this year, there have been 3,540 pool starts, reflecting a 2 percent year-over-year increase in new swimming pool construction. The counties with the highest concentration of new permits and carrying more than half of all new swimming pool construction activity are Palm Beach (1,111 permits) and Miami-Dade (976 permits).

Central Florida

Out of all Florida regions reviewed, Central Florida is the only one where new pool construction has been slowing as of late. Last year, the area had experienced an annual decrease of 11 percent in new pool construction, and so far this year, the slowing has continued. Since the start of this year (Q3-2019), there have been 3,090 pool starts in Central Florida, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 5 percent. While new pool construction has decreased in the region overall, the larger County of Orange is exhibiting a rise in swimming pool construction, with a 15 percent year-over-year increase that has resulted in more than 1,100 permits on file with HBW.

Northwest Florida

Since the start of this year, the northwestern region of Florida has experienced a 10 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction, resulting in nearly 2,000 new permits added to the HBW database. Counties exhibiting both higher concentrations of new permits and growth in construction include Santa Rosa County (418 permits) with an 18 percent year-over-year increase and Walton County (303 permits) with a 24 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction.

Northeast Florida

New pool construction in the northeastern region of Florida is ahead of last year’s figures by 7 percent, resulting in approximately 1,940 new pool permits for the area. The areas where more than half of all new construction has taken place include the counties of St. Johns (~650 permits) and Duval (504 permits).

Florida Quarterly Residential Construction Review – Q3-2019

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the latest construction data pulled from permits in the HBW database for Florida during the months of January through September 2019

So far this year, new home construction in Florida is showing signs of growth in comparison to last year. From January through September 2019, there have been more than 64,100 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for Florida, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 2 percent. Out of the six major regions reviewed (Central, West, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Northwest), half have experienced spikes in residential construction ranging from as low as 1 percent (Northwest Florida) to as high as 17 percent (West Florida). The area with the highest concentration of housing starts is West Florida (15,265 permits) which has already experienced a 17 percent year-over-year increase in new residential construction permits.

Here is a closer look at new home construction by area through Q3-2019:

West Florida

Since 2015, residential construction has been climbing in West Florida with annual increases ranging from 6 percent (2015) to 23 percent (2017). As previously mentioned, the region continues to show gains in new home construction as there have been 15,265 housing starts and a 17 percent year-over-year increase in new permits since the start of this year. More than half of all new construction took place in two counties, Hillsborough and Polk. In Hillsborough County there have been 4,564 housing starts through the third quarter, reflecting a 10 percent year-over-year increase, and in Pasco County there have been nearly 4,200 housing starts, reflecting a 23 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.

Southwest Florida

In the southwestern region of Florida there have been 11,610 housing starts since the start of this year (through September 2019), reflecting a 2 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction. The counties with the highest concentration of new residential construction permits include Lee (3,370 permits) and Sarasota (2,315 permits), and the county exhibiting the most growth in new home construction so far this year is Charlotte County (1,372 permits) which has experienced an 11 percent year-over-year gain in housing starts.

Northeast Florida

New home construction in the northeastern region of Florida appears to be just about on par with last year. Through Q3-2019, there have been 10,789 housing starts which is in line with residential construction figures from 2018. More than half of all new construction in the region took place in the combined areas of Duval County (~3,290 permits) and St. Johns County (3,162 permits), and the county currently exhibiting the greatest percentage of growth in new home construction is Alachua County with a 76 percent year-over-year increase in housing starts.

Central Florida

Residential construction in Central Florida has slowed in comparison to last year. Through Q3-2019, there have been nearly 10,600 housing starts, reflecting a 7 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction. Every county with the exception of Lake County (1,212 permits, +104%) is behind construction figures from 2018. The areas with the greatest concentration of new residential construction activity include Orange County (3,906 permits), Volusia County (1,940+ permits) and Brevard County (1,607 permits).

Northwest Florida

In the northwestern portion of Florida, there have been approximately 8,270 housing starts since the start of this year (Q3-2019), reflecting a slight 1 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction. Counties with higher levels of new residential construction permits include Santa Rosa (1,105 permits), Escambia (1,095 permits) and Bay (~1,030 permits), and areas reflecting significant growth include Leon County (+18%) and Wakulla County (+19%).

Southeast Florida

Since the start of this year (through Q3-2019), there have been approximately 7,580 housing starts in the southeast, reflecting a 2 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction. More than half of all residential construction activity originated from the counties of St. Lucie (~2,800 permits) and Palm Beach (1,530+ permits), and counties exhibiting the greatest year-over-year increases in new home construction include St. Lucie (+33%) and Indian River (+15%).

Florida Swimming Pool Construction – September 2019

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the latest permit data available for new swimming pool construction in Florida during the month of September 2019

When reviewing the latest construction data and permits available from the HBW database, we found more than 2,200 new swimming pool permits in the Sunshine State during the month of September 2019. Out of the five major regions reviewed (Southwest, Southeast, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville), the Southwest region held nearly 33 percent of all new swimming pool construction activity, and while Jacksonville had fewer starts than other areas reviewed, it held the highest average value of new construction (average value: ~$53k).

Here is a look at total permits, construction values and leading pool contractors in Florida last month:

Southwest

Last month, new pool construction activity was highest in the southwestern region of Florida in comparison to other areas reviewed. With more than 715 pool starts and a total construction value of nearly $32 million, Southwest Florida ranked #1 for pool construction. More than half of all new permits originated from the counties of Lee (222 permits) and Collier (201 permits), and the average value of new swimming pool construction landed on the lower end of the spectrum at $44,555.

Out of the more than 140 active pool builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits on file with HBW:

Builder	Total Permits
Aragon Pools & Spas	93
Pinnacle USA	60
Coast to Coast Pools	50

Southeast

The southeastern region of Florida ranked second for new pool construction having nearly 500 new permits with a total construction value of approximately $18.4 million added to the HBW database last month. The areas with the highest concentration of new pool construction included Palm Beach County (150 permits) and Miami-Dade County (136 permits), and the average value of new pool construction was lower than most regions reviewed (average value: $37,035).

Out of the approximately 160 contactors with pool starts on file last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
Swimming Pool Contractors	31
A&G Concrete Pools	27
Fountain Blue Pool Service	20

Tampa

In Tampa and surrounding areas, there were more than 440 swimming pool starts with a construction value in excess of $23 million last month. The county with the highest concentration of new pool construction activity was Hillsborough (140 permits), and the average value of new construction across all counties landed on the higher end of the spectrum at $51,923.

Out of the nearly 135 active pool contractors with construction activity on record for the month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
T&D Pool & Spa Construction	32
Olympus Pools	30
Gulfstream Pools & Spas	20

Orlando

Last month, there were 350 new swimming pool permits with a total construction value of nearly $17 million added to the HBW database for Orlando and surrounding areas. The county with the highest concentration of new construction activity was the city-central County of Orange (134 permits), and the average value of new pool construction was $48,361.

Out of the more than 90 active pool builders with construction activity on record last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
Dreamscapes Pools & Spas	46
Bobs Pool Service	24
Atlas Pools of Central Florida	15

Jacksonville

In Jacksonville, there were just over 200 pool starts with a total construction value in excess of $10.6 million last month. The majority of new construction took place in the counties of St. Johns (72 permits) and Duval (56 permits), and the average value of new construction was highest in Jacksonville (average value: $52,967) in comparison to all other Florida regions reviewed.

Out of the approximately 80 pool builders with new permits on record last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
Pools by John Clarkson	18
Blue Haven Pools	15
Waterside Pools	6

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Quarterly Report

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A review of the latest permit data from the HBW database for new swimming pool construction in Texas through Q3-2019

Since the start of this year, new swimming pool construction has been on the rise in the Lone Star State. From the combined metro areas of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin there have been more than 6,770 swimming pool starts through the third quarter of this year, reflecting a 3 percent year-over-year increase in total permits. While Texas has demonstrated a rise in new swimming pool construction overall, some metro areas are seeing gains, while other are slightly behind last year’s totals.

For example, while Dallas holds the highest concentration of new swimming pool permits so far this year (3,291 permits), the area is exhibiting a 3 percent dip in new pool construction in comparison to the same time last year. On the other hand, metro areas like Austin which have less total pool construction permits on record for the nine-month period (841 permits) have been experiencing annual gains for the last few years, and this year Austin is already exhibiting a 17 percent spike in new pool construction.

Here is a closer look at each of the four major metro areas and the latest swimming pool construction data available from January through September of this year:

Dallas

As previously mentioned, Dallas ranks #1 for total swimming pool starts so far this year, having 3,291 new permits on record with HBW. Approximately half of all new permits originated from the counties of Tarrant (804 permits) and Collin (759 permits), and although the Dallas area as a whole is reflecting a 3 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction, it continues to demonstrate strength and growth in a few counties (Denton, Rockwall, Ellis) with annual increases ranging from 8%-11%.

Houston

Houston and it surrounding counties have experienced a ten percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction so far this year, resulting in more than 2,100 new pool permits on file with HBW. More than half of all new permits originated from Harris County (1,293 permits), where there has been a 14 percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction. When looking at annual growth in the market, Montgomery County (324 permits) has seen great gains so far this year, exhibiting a 60 percent year-over-year increase in total permits.

Austin

Another Texas metro area that is demonstrating growth in swimming pool starts is Austin. Through Q3-2019, there have been more than 840 pool starts, reflecting a 17 percent year-over-year increase. Every county in the area is ahead of last year’s figures with gains ranging from 11 percent (Williamson County) to 75 percent (Hays County), and the bulk of all new construction has taken place in Travis County (646 permits) where construction is already ahead of last year by nearly 18 percent.

San Antonio

New pool construction in the San Antonio area has been holding somewhat steady with last year. Through Q3-2019, there have been approximately 535 pool starts, reflecting a minute 1 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction. Nearly all construction has taken place in Bexar County (421 permits) which is ahead of last year’s figures by four percent so far this year.

Texas Quarterly Residential Construction Report: Q3-2019

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Erika Carruth

An overview of the latest building activity trend report for new residential construction in Texas from January through September of 2019

Based on HBW’s latest “Building Activity Trend Report” for new residential construction, the Lone Star State has experienced a bit of a dip in new home construction in comparison to the same time last year. From the start of this year through September 2019, there have been just over 56,900 housing starts in the combined metro areas of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, reflecting a 5 percent year-over-year decrease in new residential construction. All metro areas reviewed, with the exception of Austin, have demonstrated a decline in residential permits ranging from 1 percent (Houston) to 13 percent (Dallas). The metro area with the highest concentration of new permits on file with HBW is Houston; having nearly 24,250 housing starts through Q3-2019, Houston holds more than 40 percent of all new residential construction permits on record for Texas, and the area is holding somewhat steady with last year’s figures.

Here is a closer look at each metro area and new home construction permit data through the third quarter of this year:

Houston

As previously mentioned, Houston ranked #1 for total new residential construction permits through Q3-2019. Holding more than 40 percent of all new permits on record for the nine-month period, there were approximately 24,250 housing starts in Houston, reflecting a steady market with just a 1 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction so far this year. The County of Harris held more than half of all new construction activity (~12,850 permits) and has experienced a year-over-year increase in housing starts of 1.5 percent. Additionally, new home construction appears to be picking up in Galveston County, where there has already been an 18 percent year-over-year increase in new permits.

Dallas

Another Texas metro area that carries a large share of new residential construction activity is Dallas. While the Dallas area has experienced a 13 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction so far this year, it ranks #2 for total housing starts (17,933 permits) on record for Texas. While most Dallas-area counties have experienced a lull in new permits, Ellis County is ahead of last year’s figures by more than 6 percent, resulting in just over 1,400 new residential construction permits. Two counties that hold more than half of all new construction activity for the area are Tarrant County (5,602 permits) and Collin County (4,184 permits).

Austin

Through the third quarter of this year, there have been approximately 9,460 housing starts in the Austin area, reflecting a 6 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction. The majority of new permits originated from Travis County (6,175 permits), where there has been more than a 14 percent year-over-year increase in new residential construction permits so far this year. The bulk of the remaining housing starts took place in Williamson County (2,616 permits) which has been holding somewhat steady with construction patterns from last year.

San Antonio

New home construction in San Antonio appears to be slowing which reflects a shift in the growth pattern HBW has documented over the last few years. Since 2015, new home construction has been on the rise in San Antonio and surrounding areas, with annual increases ranging from 4 percent to 9 percent. So far this year, there have been 5,266 housing starts in the area which is indicative of an 8 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction. The bulk of new permits originated from Bexar County (3,490 permits) where there has been an annual uptick of nearly 15 percent in new residential construction. The overall decline in San Antonio’s residential construction permits is mainly due to the major year-over-year decreases experienced in the counties of Comal (1,225 permits, -32%) and Guadalupe (551 permits, -36%).

New Swimming Pool Construction on the Rise in Atlanta

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Erika Carruth

A quarterly review of the latest permit data for new swimming pool construction in the Metro Atlanta area through Q3-2019

Metro Atlanta Pool Permits Q3-2018 vs. Q3-2019

Over the last five years, new swimming pool construction has been on the rise in Atlanta and surrounding areas year after year, and through the third quarter of this year, there appears to be no sign of this growth slowing any time soon. From January 2019 through September 2019, there have been 1,880 new swimming pool permits added to the HBW database for Atlanta, reflecting a five percent year-over-year increase in new pool construction.

Out of the 24 counties reviewed, Fulton County ranked #1 for total new swimming pool starts, having nearly 310 new permits on file with HBW through Q3-2019. While Fulton County is slightly behind last year’s figures, the area has experienced growth in swimming pool starts ranging from 5 percent to 14 percent since 2015, and with another quarter remaining this year, there is still time for construction activity to pick up.

Just behind Fulton County, Cobb County ranked second for total new swimming pool construction permits through the third quarter of this year. With 240 swimming pool starts on record so far this year, Cobb County is nearly on target and consistent with last year’s figures – a sign of it coming out of the year-over-year decrease (-6%) in new pool construction experienced in 2018.

Next in line, we have the counties of Gwinnett and Cherokee – Both areas have had approximately 165 swimming pool starts since the start of this year, reflecting year-over-year increases of 3 percent and 1 percent in Gwinnett and Cherokee respectively. Unlike Gwinnett County which has experienced annual increases in new pool construction since 2015, Cherokee County’s pattern has been a little less consistent, with some dips in 2018 (-4%) and spikes in 2017 (+13 percent); the outlook seems more favorable and that construction is leveling off so far in 2019 as Cherokee County is on target with last year’s figures (thru Q3-2019), having a slim 1 percent increase in new pool construction.

Information utilized for the above listed figures for Metro Atlanta residential construction was directly derived from HBW construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Atlanta Residential Construction Quarterly Report (Q3-2019)

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Erika Carruth

An overview of the latest construction data for residential construction in Atlanta and surrounding areas from January through September 2019

In Atlanta and surrounding counties there have been approximately 18,270 housing starts added to the HBW database since the start of this year (thru Q3), reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 3 percent in new residential construction. The counties with the highest concentration of housing starts for the nine-month period include:

Gwinnett County – While Gwinnett County has experienced a year-over-year decrease of 12 percent in new home construction through Q3-2019, the area still holds a higher total number of housing starts (2,415 permits) in comparison to other counties reviewed.
Fulton County – Fulton County ranks second for total new permits on record with HBW through Q3-2019 (1,829 permits), and the area ranks #1 for higher value housing starts, having 175 new permits with construction values in excess of $500k.
Cherokee County – In Cherokee County, there has been a one percent increase in housing starts in comparison to the same time last year, resulting in 1,691 new permits added to the HBW database through the third quarter of this year.
Forsyth County – Forsyth County has been experiencing a decrease in housing starts year after year since 2016, and so far in 2019 the pattern hasn’t changed. Through the third quarter of this year, Forsyth County has experienced a 24 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction, resulting in 1,471 new residential construction permits.
Cobb County – Cobb County ranked #5 for total new permits through Q3-2019, having 1,340 housing starts on file for the nine-month period.

While residential construction in the Atlanta area is down overall, there are several counties where housing starts are soaring in comparison to last year, with year-over-year increases ranging from 39 percent (Dekalb County – 1,207 permits) to nearly 300 percent (Clayton County – 724 permits). Additionally, there are nearly 420 new permits carrying residential construction values in excess of $500k on file through Q3-2019, and more than half of all new “higher value” housing starts originated from two counties: Fulton County (175 permits >$500k) and Dekalb (65 permits >$500k).