Florida Home Construction through Q2-2024

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Is residential construction in Florida picking up in 2024? Based on the latest Building Activity Trend Reports from HBW, the outlook is favorable to growth; since the start of this year (thru Q2), there has been a 10 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction, resulting in 56,175 new permits on record with HBW.

From the six regions reviewed (Southwest, West, Central, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast), the greatest volume of new residential construction permits could be found in the West (13,400 permits) where there has been a 10 percent year-over-year increase in residential construction.

When it comes to growth through the second quarter of this year, the northeast exhibited the most significant gains in new home construction, having experienced a 25 percent year-over-year increase in permits (11,200 permits).

Here is a closer look at permit data for new home construction in Florida (by region) through the second quarter of this year:

West

As previously noted, the western region of Florida carried the greatest amount of new residential construction permits (13,400 permits) through Q2, reflecting a 10 percent year-over-year increase in residential construction.  Out of the seven counties that make up the west, more than half of all new home construction took place in Polk (5,000 permits) and Pasco (2,912 permits) with Polk reflecting an impressive 61 percent year-over-year spike in new home construction.

Southwest

Not far behind the west, the southwestern region of Florida ranked #2 for new home construction, having 12,924 new residential construction permits through Q2, reflecting a 16 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the five counties that make up the western region, more than 60 percent of all new permits originated from the two counties of Lee (4,533 permits) and Manatee (3,251 permits).

Northeast

In the northeast, there have been approximately 11,200 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database since the start of this year (thru Q2), reflecting a 25 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same period last year.  Out of the eight counties that make up the area, just over half of all new permits originated from the counties of Marion and St. Johns where there were 2,997 and 2,746 permits respectively for the six-month period.

Central

Through the second quarter of this year, there have been more than 7,200 new residential building permits added to the HBW database for Central Florida, reflecting a 13 percent decrease in new home construction in comparison to the same period last year.  Out of the six counties that make up the area, nearly half of all new home construction took place in the two counties of Orange and Brevard where there were 1,769 and 1,621 new permits on record with HBW respectively.

Northwest

Out of the six regions reviewed, the northwest is by far the most expansive, consisting of 16 Florida counties as well as 2 bordering counties in Alabama.  Through the second quarter of this year, there have been approximately 6,320 new residential building permits in the northwest, reflecting a 7 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction.  Out of the 18 counties included in the report, more than 50 percent of all new permits originated from the counties of: Bay, FL (1,147 permits); Santa Rosa, FL (955 permits); Baldwin, AL (720 permits); and Walton, FL (716 permits).

Southeast

Through the second quarter of this year, there have been more than 5,130 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the southeastern region of Florida, reflecting a 14 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same time last year.  Out of the seven counties that make up the area, more than 60 percent of all new permits originated from the counties of St. Lucie and Palm Beach where there were 1,954 and 1,170 new permits on record with HBW respectively.

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 Q2-2024

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After two years of consistent decline in the residential construction market, the Lone Star State appears to be pulling back up; through the second quarter of this year, there has been a 14 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction, resulting in more than 40,000 new permits added to the HBW database.

Out of the four metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Houston carried the greatest volume of new home construction (20,045 permits), while San Antonio demonstrated the highest year-over-year gain in new home construction activity (+41 percent).

Here is a closer look at each Texas region reviewed, including the total permits and leading counties for new home construction through the second quarter of this year:

Houston

As previously noted, Houston carried the greatest volume of new permits in comparison to other Texas areas reviewed.  Through the second quarter of this year, there have been 20,045 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the Houston area, reflecting a 21 percent increase in new home construction in comparison to the same period last year.  Out of the five counties that make up the Houston area, Harris County held the highest concentration of housing starts, having experienced a 2 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction, resulting in 9,018 new permits on record for the six-month period.

Dallas

In the Dallas area, there were more than 11,760 new residential construction permits on record through the second quarter of this year, reflecting a 4 percent year-over-year decrease in new home construction.  Out of the six counties considered as part of the Dallas area, the counties of Collin (5,611 permits) and Dallas (2,263 permits) held more than half of all new residential construction permits on record for the six-month period.

Austin

Through the second quarter of this year, the Austin area exhibited a 20 percent year-over-year increase in new residential construction activity, resulting in approximately 4,120 new permits on record with HBW.  Out of the four Austin-area counties reviewed, Travis and Williamson held nearly all new home construction activity having 1,954 and 1,333 new permits respectively.

San Antonio

In San Antonio, new residential construction is off to an impressively strong start. Since the start of this year (thru Q2-2024), there have been more than 4,100 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for the area, reflecting a 41 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction. Out of the three counties reviewed, well more than half of all new residential construction activity originated from Bexar County where there were approximately 2,800 new permits through the second quarter.

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.

HBW Report: Florida Swimming Pool Construction – June 2024

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In Florida, there were nearly 2,000 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of approximately $157 million added to the HBW database during the month of June; this reflects just over a 20 percent month-over-month increase in new swimming pool construction statewide.

Upon review of the latest HBW construction data reports for the five major regions of Florida (Southwest, Tampa, Southeast, Orlando, Jacksonville), we found that the greatest volume of new pool construction activity took place in the southwestern portion of the state (765 permits), while the highest average value of new swimming pool construction could be found in Jacksonville (average value: $93,993).

Here is a closer look at the permit data (by region) for new swimming pools in the Sunshine State last month:

Southwest

Total Permits: 765

Average Value of Construction: $80,332

Top Counties for New Pool Construction (based on total permits): Collier (250 permits); Sarasota (177 permits)

Leading Contractors (based on total permits):

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Aragon Pools & Spas58
2-Pinnacle USA49
3-Coast to Coast Pools48

Tampa

Total Permits: 390

Average Value of Construction: $84,815

Top Counties for New Pool Construction (based on total permits): Hillsborough (134 permits); Pinellas (65 permits)

Leading Contractors (based on total permits):

BuilderTotal Permits
1-T&D Pool & Spa Construction32
2-Tampa Bay Pools on the Gulf17
3-Cody Pools14

Southeast

Total Permits: 369

Average Value of Construction: $70,284

Top Counties for New Pool Construction (based on total permits): Palm Beach (116 permits); Miami-Dade (101 permits)

Leading Contractors (based on total permits):

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Fountain Blue Pool Services16
2-A&G Concrete Pools15
3-Pools by Greg13

Orlando

Total Permits: 291

Average Value of Construction: $66,993

Top Counties for New Pool Construction (based on total permits): Orange (89 permits); Brevard (63 permits)

Leading Contractors (based on total permits):

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Dreamscapes Pools & Spas34
2-Bobs Pool Service23
3-Martin Pools & Spas9

Jacksonville

Total Permits: 179

Average Value of Construction: $93,993

Top Counties for New Pool Construction (based on total permits): St. Johns (91 permits)

Leading Contractors (based on total permits):

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Pools by John Clarkson10
2-Tier 1 Pools and Spas8
3-Agua Pools & Spas8

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.

Florida’s Top Home Builders – June 2024

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According to the latest HBW reports, the database has registered over 7,635 new residential construction permits with a total value exceeding $2.4 billion last month. Upon further review of the reports, we have identified the primary home builders leading new construction across Florida’s five principal regions (Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Southeast, and Jacksonville).

Statewide, two key builders dominated the residential construction landscape – Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton collectively account for more than 25 percent of all newly recorded residential construction activities last month, securing 1,179 and 785 new permits respectively.

Outlined below is an overview of the leading home builders in each of Florida’s five major regions during the month of June 2024:

Southwest

Last month, there were 375 contractors with new residential construction permits on record in the southwestern region of Florida, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits added to the HBW database during the one-month period:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Lennar Homes425
2-Pulte Homes205
3-D.R. Horton184
4-Taylor Morrison100
5-Neal Communities of SW FL82

Tampa

Last month, there were more than 225 home builders with new permits on record in the Tampa area, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits during the one-month period:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Lennar Homes281
2-D.R. Horton255
3-Taylor Morrison133
4-Meritage Homes133
5-Richmond American Homes77

Orlando

In Orlando, there were more than 155 home builders with new permits added to the HBW database last month, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-D.R. Horton158
2-Lennar Homes109
3-Meritage Homes91
4-Pulte Homes84
5-Hanover Family Builders59

Southeast

In the southeastern region of Florida, there were nearly 150 home builders with new home construction on record with HBW last month, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Lennar Homes228
2-GL Building Corporation98
3-D.R. Horton52
4-Holiday Builders30
5-Minto Communities28

Jacksonville

Last month, there were approximately 125 home builders with new permits on record in the Jacksonville area, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits during the one-month period:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Lennar Homes136
2-D.R. Horton136
3-Dream Finders Homes107
4-Dream Finders Construction105
5-Pulte Homes54

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 Top Home Builders – June 2024

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Last week, our analysis of HBW’s construction permit data for Texas revealed significant activity in the residential sector last month. During this period, there were approximately 6,840 new residential construction permits, amounting to a collective construction value nearing $2.2 billion. Today, our focus shifts towards an examination of the same reports, with particular emphasis on identifying the primary home builders driving new residential development across the four principal metropolitan areas of Texas (Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio).

Statewide, Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton maintain dominant positions in the new home construction market. Together, these industry leaders accounted for approximately 17 percent of all new home construction activity last month, securing 584 and 521 new permits respectively.

Below is a quick overview of the top five contractors in each of the four major metro areas of Texas, based on total new permits issued during June 2024:

Houston

Last month, there were 310 home builders with new residential construction activity on record with HBW in the Houston area, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-D.R. Horton383
2-Lennar Homes297
3-David Weekley Homes191
4-K Hovnanian Homes162
5-Perry Homes149

Dallas

In Dallas, there were 280 home builders with new construction activity on record last month, and the following ranked as the top five that were listed for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Lennar Homes114
2-Bloomfield Homes92
3-Meritage Homes72
4-Perry Homes66
5-Trophy Signature Homes64

San Antonio

Last month, there were more than 80 active contractors with new home construction activity in the San Antonio area, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Lennar Homes126
2-KB Homes59
3-D.R.Horton42
4-Perry Homes29
5-Continental Homes of Texas22

Austin

In the Austin area, there were 80 home builders with new construction activity on record with HBW last month, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Pulte Homes71
2-KB Homes68
3-Lennar Homes47
4-Mosaic Construction Services47
5-Perry Homes41

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 Swimming Pool Construction Monthly Review – June 2024

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Last month, there were more than 655 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of approximately $45.5 million added to the HBW database for the Lone Star State.  Out of the four metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Dallas carried the highest volume of new swimming pool construction activity (258 permits), while the highest average value of new pool construction could be found in Houston (average value: $87,206).

Here is a closer look at the latest permit data for new swimming pool construction in the four major metro areas of Texas last month:

Dallas

As previously noted, Dallas carried the greatest volume of new swimming pool construction in comparison to other Texas areas reviewed, having 258 new permits with a total construction value in excess of $15.4 million on record for the one-month period.  The average value of new pool construction projects was $59,754, and the bulk of new permits originated from the counties of Dallas (94 permits) and Collin (62 permits).

Out of more than 140 contractors with new swimming pool construction on record in the Dallas area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Riverbend Pools23
2-The Blue Lagoons Construction8
3-Venture Custom Pools7

Houston

Just behind Dallas, the Houston area ranked #2 for new swimming pool construction, having 251 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $22 million on record last month.  The average value of new pool construction was highest in Houston (average value: $87,206) in comparison to other Texas areas reviewed, and the county with the greatest concentration of new pool construction activity was Harris County (160 permits).

Out of more than 135 pool contractors with new construction activity on record in the Houston area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits for the one-month period:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Cypress Custom Pools16
2-Platinum Pools15
3-Blue Haven Pools11

Austin

In Austin, there were 95 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of nearly $5.6 million on record last month.  The average value of new pool construction was $58,792, and nearly all new pool construction activity took place in Travis County (72 permits).

Out of nearly 55 contractors with new swimming pool construction activity on record in the Austin area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Cody Pools14
2-Denali Pools8
3-Taurus of Texas GP5

San Antonio

Last month, there were more than 50 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of approximately $2.6 million on record for the San Antonio area.  The average value of new pool construction was lowest in San Antonio (average value: $49,833) in comparison to other Texas areas reviewed, and the majority of all new construction took place in Bexar County where there were 37 new permits for the one-month period.

Out of nearly 30 contractors with new swimming pool construction activity on record in the San Antonio area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

BuilderTotal Permits
1-Keith Zars Pools9
2-Gary Pools SA6
3-Cody Pools5

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 Review – June 2024

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Based on HBW’s latest construction data reports, there were more than 6,835 new residential construction permits with a total value of nearly $2.2 billion in Texas last month.  Out of the four major metro areas that were included in the report (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin), Houston ranked #1 for total housing starts (3,356 permits), while Dallas took the lead for higher value residential construction, having an average value of new home construction in excess of $396k.

Here is a look at the new residential construction permit data on record for each of the four major cities in Texas during the month of June 2024:

Houston

As noted above, Houston ranked #1 for new home construction last month, having 3,356 new permits with a total construction value of approximately $971.5 million.  The average value of new residential construction projects was $289,477, and the majority of permits originated from the counties of Harris and Montgomery where there were 1,551 and 983 new permits on record respectively.

Dallas

Dallas ranked #2 for new home construction, having 2,023 new residential construction permits with a total value in excess of $801.5 million last month.  The average value of new home construction was highest in Dallas (average value: $396,217) in comparison to other Texas areas reviewed, and the county with the greatest concentration of new home construction activity was Collin (852 permits).

Austin

In Austin, there were 856 new permits with a total construction value in excess of $293 million last month.  The average value of new home construction was $342,528, and more than half of all new residential construction activity took place in Williamson County where there were 473 new permits on record for the one-month period.

San Antonio

Last month, there were more than 600 new residential construction permits with a total value of nearly $121 million in the San Antonio area.  The average value of new home construction was lowest in San Antonio (average value: $200,408) in comparison to other Texas regions reviewed, and the bulk of all new permits originated from Bexar County (412 permits).

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.

Atlanta Residential Construction Review: Q2-2024

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New residential construction in the Metro Atlanta area has continued to see gains this year in comparison to last year. Through the second quarter of 2024, there has been a 25 percent year-over-year increase in new home construction, resulting in more than 11,820 new permits added to the HBW database. And while the Metro Atlanta area has experienced an overall increase in new residential construction, there are a handful of counties that have exhibited higher concentrations of new permits than others – There are five counties (out of 24 that make up the Metro Atlanta area) that carried nearly 50 percent of all new permits through the second quarter of this year; those counties are as follows:

Gwinnett County (2,375 permits; +39 percent YOY)

Cherokee County (952 permits; +7 percent YOY)

Fulton County (909 permits; +16 percent YOY)

Forsyth County (748 permits; +34 percent YOY)

Cobb County (746 permits; +24 percent YOY)

When using the data derived from the latest HBW Building Activity Trend Reports to identify areas with the greatest year-over-year increases in new home construction, we found that there are a few counties with significant growth so far this year; those counties are as follows:

Dawson County (482 permits; +141% YOY)

Douglas County (350 permits; +55% YOY)

Jackson County (510 permits; 50% YOY)

Hall County (690 permits; +48% YOY)

In addition to the leading counties listed above, there were a few other notable Metro Atlanta counties that carried a higher volume of new residential construction activity through Q2-2024; those counties include but are not limited to: Paulding County (663 permits); Bartow County (475 permits); and Newton County (422 permits).

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 Swimming Pool Construction Q2-2024

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In Atlanta, new swimming pool construction has continued to reflect a decline over the last couple of years.  Since 2022, HBW has identified a consistent drop in swimming pool construction with annual decreases ranging from 8 percent (2022) to 26 percent (2023). So far this year (thru Q2-2024), new swimming pool construction in the Metro Atlanta area has demonstrated a slower start as there has been a 9 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction activity, resulting in 1,379 new permits on record with HBW.

For the purpose of HBW reports, the Metro Atlanta area includes data from twenty-four counties.  Based on HBW’s latest Swimming Pool Construction Activity Trend Report for the second quarter of this year, the counties with the highest concentration of new swimming pool construction include: Fulton County (284 permits); Cobb County (184 permits); Gwinnett County (141 permits); Cherokee County (116 permits); and Forsyth County (101 permits). While Fulton and Forsyth are off to a slow start when it comes to new pool construction, all other top listed counties have exhibited growth so far this year with year-over-year increases ranging from 26 percent (Cobb County) to 4 percent (Gwinnett County).

Although demonstrating slower markets, other Metro Atlanta area counties that are carrying a higher volume of new pool construction permits so far this year include Coweta County (82 permits), Hall County (76 permits), and Fayette County (56 permits).

Information utilized for the above listed figures for Metro Atlanta swimming pool 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.

7 Easy Marketing Tips for Construction Professionals

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Not every busy is large enough to carry a marketing team, but every business (big or small) does need to engage in marketing efforts to reach their target audience. In previous posts, we have explored a myriad of opportunities available through social media marketing, as well as methods for direct marketing to leads gained through HBW. Today, we are going to get down to the basics and highlight some quick and easy ways for construction professionals to start or improve their marketing efforts.

Here are a few tips to get started:

  1. Create or Upgrade Your Website: Is your website optimized? Are all of the services, products, team members and contact information up to date? Whether you are in need of a website upgrade or simply need to make updates to your current website, conducting regular review of your pages is vital to ensuring that it is visible to search engines and accurately represents your company and brand.
  2. Optimize for Local SEO: Focus on local search engine optimization by including location-based keywords (e.g., “construction services in [Your City]”) on your website and in your content. Google your company and key search strings for services in your area to see where you fall in the search engine lineup. If your company falls in results in page 2 or beyond, you can benefit from an improved SEO plan.
  3. Utilize Social Media: In previous posts, we have reviewed different platforms and social media strategies to make the most of your pages and profiles. If used properly, social media can be a powerful tool in engaging prospects. Whether you choose to establish a presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or more, be sure to develop regular posts that offer authentic content including project updates, before-and-after photos, and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
  4. Collect Customer Reviews: It is important to integrate a method for receiving customer feedback directly, and encouraging satisfied clients to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or your website. Feedback (both positive and negative) can offer important insight into clients’ needs and areas that may be in need of improvement, and positive reviews build trust and credibility.
  5. Offer Free Consultations: Not every business can offer free consultations, but every business can offer incentives to act. Providing free initial consultations or useful guidance and information to prospective clients enables you to connect and showcase your expertise.
  6. Get Local: From the Chamber of Commerce to local trade associations, your local area will have ample opportunities for connecting with the community, prospects and potential partners. By attending local business events, joining construction industry associations, and participating in community activities, you will open the doors to new opportunities for building relationships and referrals.
  7. Create Educational Content: Prospects are looking for educational content to help them make a decision on their new pool, kitchen renovation, roof repair, landscape design and more. Instead of just advertising your services, consider offering educational resources to help potential customers make decisions about services. This type of content allows you to share your expertise and can be provided through blog posts, videos, whitepapers, and webinars about construction tips, trends, and FAQs. This content can be shared on social media, websites, as well as sent directly to contacts you make through HBW permit data, and more.

The above listed tips are just a few of many to boost your business and reach your target audience, and they can quickly and easily be implemented to enhance your online presence, attract more clients, and grow your business effectively.

For more information on construction business 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.