HBWeekly

Texas Residential Builders Report – November 2015

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Erika Carruth

Home builders in Texas remained busy throughout November resulting in new permits added to the HBW database and a notable list of top builders throughout the Lone Star State.

Look at any recent housing report, and you will find Texas at the top of the list. According to Austin American-Statesman, Texas home sales are on track for a record year. It was reported that in the 3^rd Quarter of this year, Texas experienced almost an 8% year-over-year increase in home sales, and the median price of homes increased 7.7%.

As we continue tracking activity through Q4 and reviewing HBW construction data reports, residential building remains strong in Texas. In the month of November alone, more than 4,400 new residential permits and related activity were added to the HBW database for Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio combined. Houston topped the list with 1,696 new permits in November, while Dallas came a close second with 1,667 new permits last month. Here is a look at the breakdown of new residential permits in November.

Texas New Construction Totals – November 2015

HOUSTON

Starting at the top of residential activity in Texas, 1,696 new residential permits (total value: $358 million+) were added to the HBW database in November. The bulk of new residential construction activity took place in Harris County (778 permits), and D.R. Horton led construction with 126 starts (total value: $16.7 million). Although D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes held on in #1 and #2 in October and November, Beazer Homes jumped from #11 in October to #3 in November for total residential starts (91 permits).

Houston Top Builders – November 2015

DALLAS

In comparison to October, there was a 3% increase in residential permitting activity in the Dallas area during November, with 1,667 total starts on file (total value: $513.4 million+). The bulk of residential building activity took place in Collin County (453 permits), Tarrant County (435 permits) and Dallas (381 permits). D.R. Horton, First Texas Homes and Beazer Homes maintained the first, second and third spots from October, with D.R. Horton holding an impressive lead of 256 starts and a total value of more than $54.4 million.

Dallas Top Builders – November 2015

AUSTIN

According to the HBW database, there were 587 new residential construction permits (total value: $142.8 million) added for Austin in November. Travis County led with 324 permits, while Williamson County was the second busiest area with 212 starts on file for the month. Much like Dallas, the top three Austin builders for total permits remained consistent from October through November with D.R. Horton leading (88 permits – total value: $13.7 million) and K.B. Homes and Pulte Homes holding the #2 and #3 spots respectively. Although Lennar Homes was not on the Top 10 in October, it made it to November’s Top 5 with 32 starts in the area.

Austin Top Builders – November 2015

SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio experienced an increase in residential construction – In comparison to October, the total number of residential construction starts increased by 7% with 464 new permits (total value: $105 million) on file for the area. Bexar County experienced the bulk of the activity with 215 starts for the month. As for builders, Continental Homes of Texas was back in the lead from August and up from its #2 spot in October, leading the area with 64 starts and a total value of $13.1 million. K.B. Homes held on to one of the top spots at #2 with 32 starts, while Chesmar Homes jumped from the sixth spot in October to #3 in November with 26 starts on file.

San Antonio Top Builders – November 2015

Residential construction permit information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures was directly derived from HBW construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest permits in Texas and beyond, please contact HBW for details.

7 Free (and useful) Apps for Home Builders

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Erika Carruth

With new apps being launched every day, we reviewed free apps for contractors that can be used to make life on the job a little easier.

Just search “construction apps” in the Apple or Google Play stores, and you will get a seemingly endless list of apps from project management to video games. With the various prices and wide-ranging reviews, it can become quite tedious (and time consuming) to figure out which app will be best for you. There really is something for every aspect of construction management, including timesheets, measuring tools, invoicing, estimating… It’s enough to make you stop the search and continue with business as usual. Don’t get discouraged, there really are a number of useful and free apps that can help you both on and off the job site. Here’s a look at 7 apps we have reviewed that you may find useful in managing your day-to-day operations.

Screenshot source: Apple App Store

Google Earth – If you don’t already have Google Earth, download it. It is both useful and somewhat entertaining. You can get a bird’s-eye view (satellite view in this case) of properties and surrounding areas. It is a great tool for prepping to visit a new job site or gain information about the building and area of your HBW leads. Although Google Earth can’t view inside properties (at least not yet), it is a perfect tool for landscapers, roofers, concrete, plumbing, sewer, and pavement contractors when used to estimate measurements and put preliminary figures together for estimates. Just keep in mind that the view is not live, and imagery can be anywhere from 1-3 years old. You may just find some new construction or exterior changes waiting for you when you actually visit the job site.

Screenshot source: Apple App Store

Fieldwire – Looking to manage tasks and plans for your construction site? Fieldwire is a planning app that enables foremen, project managers and superintendents to collaborate while they are on and off the site. Users can look at the latest set of plans, share critical information (photos, punch lists), and manage tasks as a team. Users can update items and specific tasks, assign tasks to teammates, and add notes/comments and photos. Comments are shared in a chat-like format, and all pending and completed tasks are marked and color-coded appropriately, making it easy to track progress, get to priorities and action items. According to their website, the app is currently free for up to 15 users.

Image source: Dropbox.com

Dropbox – Although this app is not specific to construction, it is an easy on-the-go app that should really be a mainstay in your tech tool box. Not tech savvy? No problem. It really doesn’t get easier than this one. You can store, transfer and share folders, files and photos by copying or uploading them to the app. You can access files from your computer, tablet, phone and really anywhere online. Whether it’s a PowerPoint presentation or a client’s back-up file, it can be stored privately or shared publicly with a link. It is also a great way to avoid multiple attachments and downloading issues that are so common with sending files via email. Current plans offer approximately 2GB of storage space free of charge.

Logo source: play.google.com

Square (a.k.a SquareUp) – Another app that is not industry-specific but useful in construction is Square. The Square app is a great way for small business owners to collect payments and outstanding balances from any mobile device. Unlike some other providers, you will not need to transfer the funds to your account through an additional step; Square is linked directly to your business bank account, and money is processed and automatically deposited. The app also offers invoicing features, as well as auto-generated receipts that your client will receive via email. The system also saves email addresses related to each credit card, making it easy for receipts to be automatically sent in future transactions. One word of caution – Make sure you use the “swipe” feature (2.75% per swipe), as rates for manually entered credit cards are higher (3.5% + $.15).

Screenshot source: Apple App Store

PlanGrid – Another app that allows users to collaborate on construction projects is PlanGrid. This app enables contractors and architects to collaborate on all their project plans, specs and photos. Users can upload drawings, and they will sync to all devices in real time. Once the drawings are posted, they can be shared with other team members. The app provides an alert when new drawings are added. Users can add notes, photos, take measurements and use field take off and estimating tools. There is also a function for creating punch lists and assigning them to individuals, as well as creating and distributing issue reports.

Screenshot source: Apple App Store

MagicPlan – Working on the interior of a building? MagicPlan enables users to measure, draw, and publish interactive floor plans, just by taking pictures. The app offers ways to create floor plans quickly and on-the-go without measuring, drawing or moving furniture, and you can easily export from the app. It can be a useful tool for realtors, architects, interior designers, remodelers and inspectors if they don’t already have an app for creating floor plans on site. It’s most accurate on smaller spaces such as those in residential projects. Keep in mind, the app will initially go through a calibration process, so your device will need a camera and internal gyroscope. As for price… You can create and share plans with other MagicPlan account users on an unlimited basis, but exporting plans to others requires additional fees; publications are limited, include watermarks and are for private use. It is worth trying it for free to decide if you want to invest in this type of tool later.

Screenshot source: play.google.com

AutoCAD 360 – Already using AutoCAD? This app is essentially AutoCAD to go, eliminating the need to bring printed (and easily misplaced) drawings to site visits. As a mobile drawing and drafting tool, it enables users to view, redline, edit, comment and share AutoCAD drawings across a variety of devices including desktops, tablets and phones. No CAD experience? No problem. This app is designed specifically for newbies or those with little CAD experience.

As previously mentioned, the list could go on and on, as new apps and features are launched at a record pace. The list above is great way to get started and see which apps work best for you, your business and team. Remember, apps are supposed to make life easier, not more complicated. For this reason, it is worth trying a few and choosing one that you think will best support your operations.

For more information on construction business tips and industry updates, 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.

Construction Expected to Grow in 2016

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Erika Carruth

From the latest industry predictions and reports, the construction industry outlook is positive in the new year.

Although we can’t just look into a crystal ball and know what the construction market will look like in the coming year, we do have great resources for analyzing and predicting market patterns. For example, companies such as Dodge Data & Analytics in New York recently released its 2016 Dodge Construction Outlook, and AIA released its Consensus Construction Forecast. Good News: Based on a variety of sources and predictions, overall construction starts are expected to rise in 2016! Along with the already estimated 13% increase for 2015 by Dodge, it looks like there is a Happy New Year ahead for construction.

There are a number of industry organizations that have predicted growth in the coming year. For this reason, we chose to sample a few economists and reports to focus on the areas that are of most importance to HBW subscribers:

According to Robert Murray, Chief Economist for Dodge Data & Analytics, and as stated in their October press release, construction starts in 2016 are predicted to increase 6% to $712 billion, with the highest gains expected in residential construction (up 16%). Nonresidential building is expected to rise by 9%, while nonbuilding construction is expected to see a decline of 14%.

You may be asking, “What factors are considered and marked for this predicted increase in construction starts in 2016?” The answer is layered but can be boiled down to the following:

Moderate Job Growth
Easier lending standards
Commercial real estate market fundamentals on the upswing
Increased funding from state and local construction bond measures

Another source is Chief Economist Anirban Basu of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC); he has also predicted growth for the construction industry. Anirban stated in a November ABC press release that nonresidential construction is predicted to experience 7% growth in 2016. He attributed the upswing to lower material prices and greater certainty in federal budgeting and policy. At the same time, he recognized the shortage in skilled labor and predicted that it will remain a challenge in the coming year.

When looking at the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters, nonresidential construction as a whole is expected to improve/increase by approximately 8.2% in 2016. As for residential construction, AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, was quoted in ABC’s press release stating, “Led by tremendous demand for energy-efficient spaces, spending on home improvements is on track to reach an all-time high by year’s end.”

With the positive outlook for the coming year, it appears that construction professionals can prepare for increased activity, as well as continued challenges due to the ongoing labor shortage. In order to stay ahead of the reports and on top of the latest construction and permitting activity, contact HBW for a complimentary construction data report.

Giving Thanks – Social Responsibility and Business

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Erika Carruth

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just writing a check to your favorite charity; it is about incorporating social giving and awareness into your company’s culture.

Earlier this week, we mentioned social responsibility as part of “Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Tips”. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, now is the perfect time to look at ways your business may want to adopt social responsibility as part of your corporate structure.

Social responsibility is more than just writing a check to a local charity or sponsoring an event. It is about making your business a community partner and committing to your business activity being an integral part of your community’s growth. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be defined as a company’s sense of responsibility to the community and environment in which it operates, including local, national and international causes. In addition to philanthropic efforts and donations, companies flex their social responsibility muscle in how they operate, from in-house recycling programs and sustainable business operations to contributing to educational and social programs.

In addition to benefiting a cause and the community, businesses have much to gain from being socially responsible. In a study conducted by Cone Communications and Echo Research and reported in Fox Business, more than 90% of consumers surveyed were likely to switch to brands that support a good cause, given similar price and quality. Additionally, 90% of consumers said that they would like to see more of the products and services they use supporting CSR.

Whether you are a large firm or a mom-and-pop shop, social responsibility can and should be a part of your company’s culture. Here is a simple guide to get you thinking about your own business and how you can incorporate social responsibility in your day-to-day business activity:

Choose a Cause or Causes – Choosing a focus for a corporate giving program may sound simple, but it’s not. Survey your team and find out the causes that are of interest to them. Once you choose a focus area, contact the charity or organization(s) to learn more about their needs; set a meeting with their Development Department to discuss current giving programs they may have in place for business partners or propose your own annual event or program. Many nonprofit organizations have guidelines for how to best work with them. They may have particular programs that are shy of funding or areas that are reserved for corporate support. Meet with the organization’s leaders to ensure that you are following their guidelines for representing their organization, using their logo and publicly communicating about the event or giving program. You will need to establish a clear line of communication and a mutual understanding of expectations including the percentage of profit that they will receive as a result of your events or programs.
Spread the Word – Whether it’s an annual golf tournament or an in-house collection, make sure you share your good work. Add the events or programs to your website and public calendar. Add the benefiting charity to your partner links and related literature. Promote the event or program, and provide updates about progress and final outcomes. Create and distribute press releases and schedule donation photo opportunities when appropriate. Don’t overlook employees either; along with fostering their support and participation, encourage them to invite their friends and family to join the effort. You will find that they will be strong advocates, and your company will be rewarded with a boost in team morale.
Commit – Whether you are committing to a particular cause or a regular program or event, stick to it. One-time giving is great but does not constitute Corporate Social Responsibility. In order to be consistent and make it a habit, you will want to be sure the program that you put in place is realistic and sustainable. Set a goal and implement steps for reaching that goal, just as you would for any business effort. Think long-term, and make sure to have buy-in from your staff, as well as the benefiting organization(s). If you communicate to the public that you support socially responsible causes but don’t actually follow through with your promises, you risk damaging your company’s reputation and appearing disingenuous to both supporters and beneficiaries. For this reason, create and commit to a clear-cut timeline with action items that will allow you to reach your goal.

A properly designed and executed corporate giving program gives back to more than just the community or your chosen cause; it gives back to your business. Your business can gain a competitive edge through improved brand recognition, increased consumer sentiment, boosted team morale and appealing to and retaining top talent. The gains to be made on all levels far outweigh the cost of being socially responsible. It’s never too late to start, and giving back will give you and your team even more for which to be thankful.

To learn more about ways home builders and construction professionals can be effective in marketing and business development, continue to check the latest from the HBW Blog. To get ahead and gain leads through custom building activity reports throughout Florida, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma and Alabama, contact HBW for more information.

Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Tips

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Erika Carruth

Every year, the holidays bring sales and Black Friday deals, but it is also a good time to connect with your customers and community.

You don’t have to be in marketing to know that the holidays are jam-packed with holiday sells and appeals to customers. It seems that everywhere you look there is a “sneak peek” or Black Friday schedule begging to be opened. It becomes the background hum of the holiday season, and as a business owner, it can be difficult to get noticed and make a meaningful connection with customers and leads.

If you don’t already have a holiday marketing strategy in place, don’t fret. It really isn’t too late to connect with customers and offer valuable services and products that can be part of the holiday cheer. Although Black Friday is just a few days away, there is an entire month ahead to make the most of the holidays. Here are 5 simple ways to get started:

Take Part in Deal Days – Mark your calendars (and social media schedules)… Black Friday is November 27^th; Small Business Saturday is November 28^th; Cyber Monday is November 30^th. Offer discounts and deals for all days, not just one. Still not enough time? Consider offering a Cyber Monday extension or make it Small Business Saturday for the entire week following Thanksgiving (next week). Whichever day or week you choose, be sure to get the word out through your email blasts, social media and website.
Give Back – The holidays are a time of giving and giving back. Although you may already have philanthropic programs throughout the year, now is the time to share and highlight your work and the causes that are important to your business. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is important to customers. In a public opinion survey conducted by Forbes, 83% of consumers felt that companies should support nonprofits with financial donations, while nearly 90% agreed that companies should try to achieve their business goals while improving society and the environment. Along with your own charity partners, Toys for Tots is a charity that relies on social responsibility during the holidays, and even if you don’t register as a collection site, you can always support their efforts with a monetary donation.
Prepare Your Website – With all of the lines at storefronts, online shopping is becoming the preferred method for securing holiday gifts. Small businesses with successful online storefronts have a distinct advantage. Along with ensuring that all of your product inventory, services, etc. are up-to-date, you will want to beef up security for shoppers where possible and have a mobile-friendly site. The purchasing process should be streamlined and orders should be easily and quickly processed. If you are running specific deal days, have those offers front and center on the “Home” page, and check that your social media links are in functioning order.
Create Packages – Think about your most popular services and products; now think about those services and products that are most likely purchased together. Voilà – You have yourself a holiday package. Don’t think of holiday packages as having to create a new product or service. Use your strengths to your advantage, and don’t be afraid to get creative. As a construction professional, your services and products are catered to each client and may be difficult to imagine as a gift; that being said, a gift certificate for a consultation or an interior or landscape “makeover” may just be the perfect gift. Develop packages that range from the affordable to the extravagant. Think about having a gift list that offers something for every budget and style.
Avoid the Pressure – Although giving your clients “24 hours only” to reserve a deal may seem like a great way to get attention, try to ease off the holiday pressure sales. Your clients are already being inundated with “act now” and “only 2 days left” messages that will quickly become junk mail. Consider a positive spin on the limited time. Instead of “don’t miss this”, try giving clients ideas for fulfilling their last-minute gifts or providing the “perfect gift” for a special someone. Present holiday gift-giving tips, not pressure.

No matter the deal you offer or the holiday package you design, they won’t be useful without communication. Once you decide how your business will focus marketing efforts this holiday season, be sure to communicate with your current clients and get the word out to future clients. Update your website, craft and distribute email and join the buzz on social media. Enjoy the holidays, and offer your clients ways to make the most of their holidays too.

HBW Report: Florida New Pool Construction – October 2015

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Erika Carruth

Florida’s temperatures aren’t the only thing running high this time of year. New pool construction permit data continues to roll into HBW’s database with more than 1,600 new pool construction permits added in October.

Earlier this week, we looked at new residential construction in Florida. Keeping with the Florida theme, we are going to continue to focus on the Sunshine State and take a look at new pool construction permits that were added to the HBW database in October.

While more than half the country is experiencing the cooler temperatures of 50-60 degrees and lower, most of Florida is still in the 70’s and 80’s, offering perfect swimming pool weather. As for Florida’s pool builders, they remained busy throughout the month of October, with more than 1,600 new permits added to the database, just about 5% higher than September.

The southwest portion of the state led with 456 new pool construction starts, and the southeast region increased activity by nearly 50% in comparison to September with 409 new permits added. The Orlando area also experienced a spike (12% increase) in activity since the previous month with 380 new pool starts. In Tampa, new pool construction has remained consistent (266 permits), while Jacksonville saw a sizable drop in activity (35% decrease) in comparison to September with 97 starts in October.

Florida Pool Permit Totals - October 2015

Florida New Pool Permit Totals – October 2015

When looking at pool construction activity county-by-county, Palm Beach County in the southeast area led with 182 new permits in October and a total value in excess of $7 million. Counties in the southwest portion of the state took the second and third spots for total permits on file, with 143 new pool permits in Lee County (total value: $5.5 million) and 123 new permits (total value: $5.1 million) in Collier County. As previously noted, new pool construction continued on a high in Orlando, with Osceola County taking the fourth highest spot for total starts (117 permits – $3 million) and Orange County in the fifth spot with 109 starts (total value: $4 million).

Florida Pool Construction – Top 5 Counties in October 2015

As for builders, there were a number of companies leading each area. Taking a look at the Top 5 companies, the Orlando-based company All Seasons Pools led the state with 76 starts. Aragon Pools & Spas led the southwest area and was second in the state with 58 starts for the month. Holland Pools in Orlando held strong in third with 46 new pool permits. While Tampa Bay Pools led Tampa for new pool construction in October, it was fourth for activity statewide with 30 pools, and Aquadoc, Inc. (SW) came in a close fifth with 29 new permits.

Florida Top 5 Pool Builders – October 2015

To gain access to more pool construction permit information, HBW construction data reports and the latest building activity and trends in Florida and beyond, contact HBW for more information.

HBW Report: Top Florida Home Builders – October 2015

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Erika Carruth

HBW has nearly 4,000 new permits on record for Florida home builders during the month of October, with Lennar Homes holding the #1 spot for total starts in 3 out of 5 areas of the state.

Florida New Residential Construction Permits October 2015

Last week, we took a look at the building activity in Texas. This week, Florida is our focus as October brought in nearly 4,000 new residential construction permits to the HBW database during the one-month period. Lennar Homes was the top Florida builder in October for total number of starts in 3 out of 5 areas of the state (Orlando – 136, Tampa – 124, Southeast – 98).

Looking back at the HBW report and previous blog post for Florida’s Top 10 Builders of September, the Southwest area was leading in total starts. In October, Orlando took the lead for total new permits with 961 starts and a total value of $302,993,357. With the healthy residential construction activity in Orlando, it makes sense to start with Orlando for our database review.

ORLANDO

As mentioned above, Orlando led the state for total starts in October. By county, Orange County was the busiest with 473 new permits on file, and Osceola was second busiest with 251 total permits for the month. As for builders, Lennar Homes took the #1 spot for the month with 136 starts, while Meritage Homes came in second with 98 new permits. As for total value, Meritage was #1 with a total value of $38,905,440, and Lennar Homes held second with a total value of $27,494,898. D.R. Horton also made an impact in the area with 51 starts and a total value of $14,026,542.

Orlando Top 10 Builders – October 2015

TAMPA

If you are looking at local construction news in Tampa, chances are you are reading a great deal about commercial construction in the area. Although the HBW database offers detailed permitting information for commercial construction, when reviewing it for residential activity in October, the Tampa area was second busiest in the state with 864 starts for the month (total value: $237,858,648). Hillsborough (323 permits) and Polk (253 permits) counties had the bulk of new permits added, and Lennar Homes led the area for total permits (124) and total value ($37,791,054), with nearly 70% of Lennar’s starts being in Hillsborough County. The Villages of Lake Sumter held the second spot with 104 new permits on file for the month (total value: $31,970,967), and D.R. Horton came in third with 53 permits and a total value of $12,874,350.

Tampa Top 10 Builders – October 2015

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Southwest Florida came close to Tampa in residential building activity as the HBW database gained 842 new permits in the area for October (total value: $227,903,352). As far as counties are concerned, the activity was spread fairly evenly, with Lee County having 235 starts for the month and Collier (184 permits), Sarasota (181 permits) and Manatee (170 permits) counties all being in close range of each other. Pulte Homes led residential construction for the month with 106 starts and a total value of $26,749,012. Neal Communities held second for total starts with 93 permits (total value: $15,822,535), while Lennar Homes took the third spot with 70 new permits and a total value of $17,478,456.

Southwest FL Top 10 Builders – October 2015

JACKSONVILLE

The HBW database reflected exactly 600 new permits (total value: $142,350,741) on file in the Jacksonville area for October, with the majority of new residential construction taking place in Duval and St. Johns counties. D.R. Horton held the #1 spot for total starts (79 permits) and #2 for total value ($11,918,130). Although Dream Finders Construction, Inc. was #2 for total starts (72 permits), they took #1 for total value ($17,586,873). In the third spot for the month, Mattamy Homes added 46 new residential permits to the HBW database with a total value of $8,487,003.

Jacksonville Top 10 Builders – October 2015

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

Not far behind Jacksonville, nearly 600 residential starts (total value: $214,431,480) are on file for Southeast Florida during the month of October. The bulk of residential construction taking place in the upper counties was focused in Palm Beach (227 permits), while the southern county of Miami-Dade has 147 starts on file for the month. Lennar Homes led with 98 permits (total value: $36,288,643) added to the HBW database, with all activity taking place in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. G.L. Homes held in second with 69 starts (total value: $20,969,177) that all took place in Palm Beach County, while Pulte Homes came in third with 37 new permits on file and a total value of $9,842,238.

Southeast FL Top 10 Builders – October 2015

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures was directly derived from HBW construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest building activity in Florida and beyond, please contact HBW for details.

OSHA Update: Increased Fines Ahead

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Erika Carruth

OSHA penalties are expected to increase for the first time in 25 years.

There are a lot of topics buzzing in the news this week, from important Veterans Day celebrations to Starbucks “holiday” cups. One topic that may have slipped by your radar but is worth some attention is the predicted hike in OSHA fines.

You might be thinking, “This doesn’t pertain to me – I am OSHA compliant.” Nonetheless, it is worth everyone’s attention as the proposed increase is the first increase to OSHA fines in 25 years – Yes, 25 years! Why the sudden increase? Well, it was probably a matter of time. In 1990, the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 exempted OSHA from increasing penalties based on inflation. Last week, on November 2, 2015, President Barack Obama signed a new budget into law that contains an amendment removing the exemption from 1990.

Now, we are left with “catching up” to inflation. The law allows for a one-time increase up to 82%. OSHA has until August 1, 2016 to account for current inflation levels (1990-2015) and issue an interim final rule increasing penalties to account for inflation, which currently looks like an 80% raise in fines. After this one-time increase, the maximum penalties would continue to be adjusted and increased based on the inflation rate every year going forward.

The outstanding question is what the total new increase will be once the one-time adjustment has been made. Although OSHA has the option of implementing an adjustment less than the maximum, popular opinion is that it is unlikely for OSHA to not utilize this opportunity to raise rates to the maximum. If the maximum increase is applied, the current highest fine of $70,000 for repeat and willful violations would exceed $125,000, and serious and failure to abate fines would go from the current maximum of $7,000 to more than $12,500.

Rather than focusing on the doom and gloom of the imminent increase in penalties, employers should use this time to review and prepare. There is no need to panic – This increase does not apply to current or previous violations, and at this point, it is not something that will be retroactive. As previously mentioned, OSHA has until August 1, 2016, which gives you plenty of time to ensure your job sites and crews are OSHA compliant. Employers should review their safety programs, training and policies for compliance and make any adjustments necessary so that they are current.

Increased fines or not, maintaining your safety policies and programs should be standard practice. If you need some motivation to get started, check out: “Safety Update: OSHA Resources and Review” for some direction. Safety in the workplace, especially the construction industry, should be a top priority. Work with your company’s safety professionals (internal and external) to stay on top of safety regulations and OSHA requirements. Allow this proposed increase in fines to be an increase in monitoring and strengthening your company’s safety programs.

HBW serves contractors, construction and design professionals in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma. HBW offers the most current building trend and permitting activity reports. Contact us for a complimentary building data report today.

HBW Report: Top Texas Home Builders – October 2015

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Erika Carruth

It has been reported that Texas broke a record for rainfall during the month of October. From October 22^nd to October 31st, Texas experienced a record 5.32 inches of rain across the state (7.75 in San Antonio). Despite the rain, home builders were still busy with new permits and starts. When searching the HBW database for Texas new residential permitting activity throughout October, we found nearly 5,000 new permits in the areas of Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. Houston led the state in total number of starts with 2,174 permits on record for the month, while Dallas led the state in total value of new residential construction with a total of nearly $464 million.

Now that we have an idea of where the bulk of new residential construction occurred in Texas last month, let’s take a look at which builders were busiest and driving the figures in each area:

Houston: Congratulations Houston – You led the state for new residential construction in October! As previously mentioned, D.R. Horton came in #1 for total number of permits for the month (217 – total value: $29,596,744). In the #2 spot, Lennar Homes had 122 new starts in the area and an impressive $18,960,795 in total value. Perry Homes took the third spot for total permits (106) and was #2 in total value with $22,593,350. Harris County had the highest total value in new construction for the month at more than $203 million.

Houston Top Builders – October 2015

Dallas: Dallas is a hot market for real estate. According to recent report by Market Watch, home prices have increased 12% and even as high as 20% in some areas. With the continued increase in population, (130k-140k people moving to area every year), the demand for housing certainly outweighs availability. This demand continues to keep home builders active. During October, D.R. Horton dominated residential construction in the area with 390 starts (total value: $74,664,175), the most new permits on file in October for any one company (for a given area) in the state. The second and third spots were close with First Texas Homes adding 55 new permits (total value: $16,373,186) to the HBW database and Beazer Homes adding 50 new permits (total value: $13,502,187) for the month.

Dallas Top Builders – October 2015

Austin: According to the Austin American-Statesman, home sales and prices in Austin and across Texas continued to rise in Q3. During the 3^rd quarter in Central Texas, 9,347 homes sold, an 8.7% increase in comparison to 2014 (source:Texas Quarterly Housing Report). The median price of those sales was $260,000, which is a 7.2% increase from Q3 in 2014. D.R. Horton held a significant lead (131 permits – total value: $20,866,918) on new construction in the Austin area at the start of Q4, more than double the #2 spot held by KB Homes (61 permits – total value: $10,195,426). In the third spot, Pulte Homes has 45 new permits on file for the month with a total value of $9,815,758.

Austin Top Builders – October 2015

San Antonio: When it came to rain, San Antonio experienced the worst of it in October, which may have impacted new construction in the area. In comparison to August, there was a minor slump in total starts, dropping just over 25% from our August report. Based on the latest HBW permit report for the area, 433 new permits are on file for the month. KB Homes led the area in total number of permits (51 – total value: $10,205,185), while Continental Homes of Texas came in second for total starts (44) and first for total value ($10,267,437). In the third spot, Bella Vista has 33 new permits (total value: $6,988,830) in the area for October.

San Antonio Top Builders – October 2015

New construction permit information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures was directly derived from HBW construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest permits in Texas and beyond, please contact HBW for details.

Getting Started with Content Marketing

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Erika Carruth

Getting started with content marketing can be less overwhelming when you break it down and start with the basics.

When developing a marketing strategy, there will need to be room for content marketing. Everyone is talking about content marketing, but for those just getting started, it can seem like an overwhelming task. What content should I develop? Where do I publish content? Which medium is best for reaching my target audience? These are all good questions, but to get solid answers and find a direction for your business, you will first need to cover the basics.

Define Content – In short, content marketing provides valuable information to prospects and clients and creates loyalty to the brand. You will want to tell a story, but first you will need to define it. Don’t just post a random article or video because it is available. Be thoughtful about topics, thinking about who it will reach and why it is important to share. The purpose is to drive your audience back to your business, not just to give away information and move on. Your story should encourage your audience to take the next step, so chart out your goals and the direction to which your content is designed to lead them. Once you have generated your content, you will need to entice the reader to “click”, so make sure your headline is clear and provides enough information about the whitepaper or article to warrant a “click”.
Be Consistent – not only in voice, but in content. Try to create a series or bridges between past and present posts and articles. Refer back to previous publications for support, and allow the narrative to continue by offering downloadable guides and whitepapers. Although keeping the message consistent is obvious, frequency of posts may be overlooked. We all experience an ebb and flow of ideas and useful content, but make sure your distribution of such material does not follow stream of consciousness. Be strategic with your content and consistent in how often you provide such information. Once you get started, it is crucial that you stick with a schedule, remain fluid in topics covered and maintain the voice of your brand.
Know Your Audience – and their questions. Put yourself in your target audience’s shoes. What questions would they ask about your product or service? What keywords would they type into Google if they were looking for home building and remodeling advice? What are the most frequently asked questions you receive from clients? There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to content marketing; if there is a specific segment of your audience that wants to learn more about your latest designs or products, consider offering a regular weekly or monthly update covering that specific area of interest rather than a general e-newsletter to all.
Choose a Medium – and stick with it! Where you post information is just as important as what you post. You have many options: Blog articles, podcasts, downloadable guides/whitepapers, infographics, videos. Don’t simply base it on what you want to do say, but think about where the best place would be to say it. If your audience is more active on YouTube, then develop videos that will be of interest to them. If you are looking to reach business professionals, publish articles on LinkedIn and become active in related groups. Although you will ultimately want to have your content shared in as many mediums as possible, narrow down the point of origin to mediums that are most effective for reaching your audience. It is better to be effective in one or two areas then spread thin across ten and not effective at all. Find the medium that works and keep plugging away.
Partner Up – Your content is only effective if your audience reads it. Partner with companies, publications, LinkedIn groups, industry associations, etc. to share your content (and return the favor). Create a network for the conversation to grow, exchanging links and opportunities for your material to be discovered. You may also consider developing “exclusives” for your stronger partners which will provide them with an incentive to drive your message out to their networks. Don’t overlook employees either. Employee Generated Content (EGC) is vital to developing and sharing information. Your team is rich with talent and ideas about your business, products and services. By providing them with an opportunity to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for your business, you will open the door to authentic and trusted content that can effectively drive brand engagement. At the same time, you will need to have a management system in place for viewing how and where they share, but once you create a structure and guidelines, they will be a palpable force driving your marketing efforts.