HBWeekly

Florida Top Home Builders – May 2022

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Erika Carruth

A review of the leading home builders in the Sunshine State during the month of May

As published on the HBW blog earlier this week, there was approximately a 28 percent month-over-month increase in new home construction in Florida during the month of May, resulting in 11,427 new residential construction permits with a total value of nearly $3.3 billion added to the HBW database. Out of the hundreds of contractors with new residential construction permits pulled for the one-month period, there were a few that were standouts for carrying a high volume of new permitting activity.

Based on HBW’s latest construction data reports, D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes continue to lead Florida for new home construction. Across the five major regions reviewed (Tampa, Southwest, Orlando, Southeast, Jacksonville), D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes landed in the top five for new home construction, having approximately 1,355 and 1,540 new permits on record for the month respectively.

With construction and contractors having a local focus in certain areas, we have utilized HBW reports to identify leading home builders by region, based on the total number of new permits on record for the given period. Here is a breakdown of the top five contractors, their total permits and average value of construction (by area) as derived from the HBW database for the month of May 2022:

Tampa

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Lennar Homes	409	$ 279,696.00
2-D.R. Horton	328	$ 260,582.00
3-Pulte Homes	180	$ 266,178.00
4-The Villages of Lake Sumter	142	$ 221,541.00
5-Ryan Homes	129	$ 239,553.00

Southwest

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-D.R. Horton	375	$ 212,522.00
2-Lennar Homes	352	$ 146,844.00
3-Pulte Homes	341	$ 201,208.00
4-Neal Communities of SW FL	190	$ 216,639.00
5-Taylor Morrison	170	$ 217,576.00

Orlando

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-D.R. Horton	431	$ 254,730.00
2-Lennar Homes	398	$ 224,092.00
3-Minto Communities	71	$ 309,770.00
4-KB Homes	67	$ 291,812.00
5-Pulte Homes	66	$ 352,512.00

Jacksonville

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Dream Finders Construction	185	$ 236,141.00
2-Lennar Homes	168	$ 274,062.00
3-Richmond American Homes	131	$ 286,296.00
4-D.R. Horton	131	$ 228,848.00
5-Mattamy Homes	98	$ 190,541.00

Southeast

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Lennar Homes	214	$ 152,147.00
2-D.R. Horton	88	$ 196,146.00
3-Pulte Homes	85	$ 325,529.00
4-Kolter Signature Homes	81	$ 439,874.00
5-Holiday Builders	62	$ 315,187.00

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 Residential Construction Update – May 2022

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Erika Carruth

An overview of permit data for new home construction in Florida during the month of May

Based on the latest construction data reports available from HBW, there was approximately a 28 percent month-over-month increase in new home construction in Florida last month, resulting in 11,427 new residential construction permits with a total value of nearly $3.3 billion added to the HBW database.

Out of the five regions reviewed (Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Southeast, Jacksonville), the southwestern region carried the highest volume of new residential construction activity (3,269 permits), while the Southeast (average value: $322,226) had the highest average value of new home construction for the one-month period.

Here is closer look at the total new permits, construction values and leading counties by region for new home construction in Florida during the month May 2022:

Southwest

In the southwestern region of Florida there were approximately 3,270 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $854.2 million last month. The average value of new home construction was lowest in the southwest (average value: $261,296) in comparison to other regions reviewed, and the majority of all new construction activity took place in the counties of Lee (995 permits) and Manatee (859 permits).

Tampa

Last month, Tampa ranked #2 for new home construction as there were 3,173 new permits with a total construction value in excess of $933.2 million on record with HBW. More than half of all new construction took place in the counties of Polk (1.070 permits) and Pasco (798 permits), and the average value of construction was $294,119.

Orlando

In Orlando, there were more than 2,155 new residential construction permits with a total value of nearly $645.7 million last month. The bulk of new construction activity took place in the counties of Lake (532 permits) and Orange (491 permits), and the average value of construction (average value: $299,464) landed on the higher end of the spectrum in comparison to most of the other Florida regions reviewed.

Jacksonville

Last month, there were approximately 1,650 new residential construction permits with a total value of $454.5 million in the Jacksonville area. The majority of all new residential construction permits originated from the counties of St. Johns (628 permits) and Duval (518 permits), and the average value of new home construction landed on the lower end of the spectrum in comparison to other regions reviewed (average value: $275,927).

Southeast

In the southeast, there were more than 1,180 permits with a total construction value of nearly $381 million on record with HBW for the month of May. More than half of all new permits originated from St. Lucie County (671 permits), and the average value of new home construction was highest in the Jacksonville area (average value: $322,226) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed.

Florida’s Top Swimming Pool Builders – May 2022

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Erika Carruth

A list of the leading pool builders in Florida based on total new permits on record with HBW for the month of May 2022

Earlier this week, we reviewed the latest permit data for new swimming pool construction in Florida, at which time we noted that there were 3,325 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $224 million on record with HBW for the month of May. New construction activity was widespread across the state, and out of the five major regions reviewed (Southwest, Southeast, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville), the southwestern region carried nearly 30 percent of all new swimming pool construction activity.

When taking a closer look at the leading pool builders driving new construction activity, most contractors had a local or regional focus, resulting in variations in the top five pool builders for each region reviewed. Here is a more detailed overview of the leading contractors with the greatest number of new permits on record with HBW during the month of May 2022 in the Sunshine State:

Southwest

Last month, there were nearly 210 pool builders in Southwest Florida with new construction activity on record with HBW, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits for the one-month period:

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Pinnacle USA	66	$ 61,106.00
2-Holiday Pools of West FL	36	$ 50,085.00
3-Contemporary Pools	31	$ 67,630.00
4-Coast to Coast Pools	30	$ 44,852.00
5-Aragon Pools & Spas	29	$ 33,793.00

Tampa

In the Tampa area, there were approximately 165 pool contractors with new construction activity on record with HBW last month, and the following ranked as the top five for total new swimming pool construction permits:

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Bob’s Pool Service	57	$ 20,000.00
2-Challenger Pools	38	$ 95,104.00
3-Tampa Bay Pools	23	$ 93,025.00
4-Gulfstream Pools & Spas	19	$ 83,155.00
5-T&D Pool & Spa Construction	17	$ 51,973.00

Orlando

In Orlando, there were approximately 115 pool contractors with new permits on record with HBW last month, and the following ranked as the top five for total new swimming pool construction permits for the one-month period:

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Dreamscapes Pools & Spas	64	$ 42,864.00
2-All Seasons	50	$ 62,075.00
3-American Pools & Spas	28	$ 71,379.00
4-Martin Pools	17	$ 60,496.00
5-Atlas Pools of Central Florida	15	$ 118,812.00

Southeast

Last month, there were more than 230 pool contractors in the southeastern region of Florida with new construction permits on record with HBW, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-A & G Concrete Pools	49	$ 67,403.00
2-Fountain Blue Pool Service	41	$ 55,992.00
3-AAA Custom Pools	23	$ 45,176.00
4-Van Kirk Construction	17	$ 83,940.00
5-Pool Builders	17	$ 51,314.00

Jacksonville

Last month, there were nearly 100 pool contractors in Jacksonville with new construction activity on record with HBW, and the following ranked as the top five for total new permits for the one-month period:

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Waterside Pools	24	$ 70,511.00
2-Agua Pools & Spas	20	$ 83,890.00
3-Pools by John Clarkson	16	$ 103,856.00
4-Breakwater Construction Group	12	$ 76,667.00
5-Watson Outdoor Services	11	$ 66,364.00

HBW Report: Florida Swimming Pool Construction – May 2022

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Erika Carruth

A review of permit data for new swimming pool construction in Florida during the month of May

Last month, Florida experienced a 25 percent month-over-month increase in new swimming pool construction, resulting in approximately 3,325 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $224 million on record with HBW. Out of the five major regions reviewed (Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Southeast, Jacksonville), the southwest ranked #1 for greatest volume of new pool permits (972 permits), while the highest average value of new pool construction could be found in the Jacksonville area (average value: $77,790).

Here is a closer look at new swimming pool construction permit totals by area, along with average value of construction and leading counties in each region:

Southwest

In the Southwest, there were 972 permits with a total construction value of nearly $62.7 million last month. The average value of new pool construction was $64,479, and the counties with the highest concentration of new construction activity were Lee County (363 permits) and Manatee County (216 permits).

Southeast

Last month, the southeastern region of Florida ranked #2 for new pool construction, having approximately 770 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $51.7 million on record with HBW. The average value of new swimming pool construction was $67,368, and more than half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Palm Beach (283 permits) and Miami-Dade (185 permits).

Tampa

In Tampa, there were approximately 675 permits with a total construction value in excess of $47 million during the month of May. The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum in Tampa (average value: $70,127) in comparison to the other regions reviewed, and the counties with the greatest concentration of new pool construction activity were Hillsborough (197 permits) and Polk (163 permits).

Orlando

Last month, there were nearly 550 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value in excess of $34 million added to the HBW database for Orlando. The average value of new pool construction was lowest in Orlando (average value: $62,223) in comparison to other regions reviewed, and more than half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Orange (172 permits) and Brevard (118 permits).

Jacksonville

In Jacksonville, there were approximately 365 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of $28.3 million on record last month. The average value of new pool construction was highest in Jacksonville (average value: $77,790) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed, and the majority of new permits originated from St. Johns County (160 permits) and Flagler County (75 permits).

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Report – May 2022

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Erika Carruth

A review of permit data for new swimming pool construction in Texas during the month of May

Based on the latest HBW construction data reports, there were more than 1,200 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of nearly $70 million added to the HBW database for Texas last month; this figure reflects a 15 percent month-over-month increase in new pool construction. In the reports, four major metro regions were reviewed including Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. The breakdown of permits from each area is as follows:

Out of the four major metro areas, the highest concentration of new pool construction activity could be found in Dallas (604 permits) which accounted for 50 percent of all new permits on record, while the lowest level of new construction activity could be found in San Antonio (99 permits).

Across the state, the average value of new swimming pool construction ranged from a high of $72,895 (Houston) to a low of $36,975 (San Antonio). Here is a look at the average value of new pool construction projects by area:

When reviewing the reports to identify the counties with the greatest volume of new pool construction activity, there were five counties that were standouts, holding approximately 65 percent of all new residential construction permits on record for the one-month period; those counties are as follow:

Harris County (Houston) – 185 permits
Tarrant County (Dallas) – 162 permits
Dallas County (Dallas) – 160 permits
Travis County (Austin) – 140 permits
Collin County (Dallas) – 128 permits

Texas Top Home Builders – May 2022

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Erika Carruth

A review of the leading home builders in Texas based on new permits on record with HBW during the month of May 2022

As published on the HBW blog last week (Texas Top Spots for New Home Construction – May 2022), there were nearly 9,500 new residential construction permits with a total value of in excess of $2.6 billion added to the HBW database during the month of May for the Lone Star State. While the previous post highlighted the Texas regions with the highest concentration of new residential construction activity, this week we are reviewing the leading home builders driving construction in the four major metro areas of Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio).

One home builder that has consistently dominated the Texas market is D.R. Horton. During the month of May, the mega-builder had approximately 1,365 new permits on record with HBW from the combined areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, and it ranked on the top of the charts as the leading builder in three out of four metro areas reviewed.

Another prominent home builder that has consistently held a strong presence in the market is Lennar Homes. Last month, Lennar Homes had a combined total of more than 850 new residential construction permits on record with HBW from the four metro areas reviewed, and it landed in the top five listing within each of the four regions.

As each region of Texas has its own unique construction patterns and local contractors, the volume of new residential construction activity varies for each contractor by region. For this reason, we have identified the top five home builders by metro area, as based on the total number of new permits on record for the month of May 2022; those builders are as follows:

Dallas

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-D.R. Horton	308	$ 86,895,513.00
2-Lennar Homes	188	$ 38,362,570.00
3-Meritage Homes	159	$ 42,973,747.00
4-Pulte Homes	153	$ 26,947,651.00
5-Bloomfield Homes	131	$ 48,140,846.00

Houston

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-D.R. Horton	917	$ 235,344,000.00
2-Lennar Homes	482	$ 90,555,720.00
3-Meritage Homes	172	$ 37,792,294.00
4-Perry Homes	171	$ 52,878,386.00
5-KB Homes	165	$ 30,522,000.00

Austin

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-D.R. Horton	132	$ 28,567,407.00
2-KB Homes	119	$ 27,941,132.00
3-Pulte Homes	114	$ 44,083,450.00
4-Lennar Homes	107	$ 18,878,070.00
5-Taylor Morrison Homes	97	$ 34,135,460.00

San Antonio

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-LGI Homes	81	$ 15,339,825.00
2-Century Communities	80	$ 14,057,550.00
3-Lennar Homes	75	$ 13,237,025.00
4-KB Homes	66	$ 15,268,760.00
5-Perry Homes	32	$ 12,149,550.00

Texas Top Spots for New Home Construction – May 2022

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Erika Carruth

A list of the top ten counties in Texas for new residential construction based on the total permits on record with HBW for the month of May

Based on HBW’s latest construction data reports, there were nearly 9,500 new residential construction permits with a total value of in excess of $2.6 billion added to the HBW database during the month of May for the Lone Star State; this figure reflects approximately a 4 percent month-over-month increase in new residential construction.

In the HBW monthly reports, the four major metro regions of Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio) were included, and the breakdown of permits for the month are as follows:

When utilizing the reports to identify the counties with the highest levels of new residential construction activity, nearly 58 percent of all new permits were found to originate from five counties within the metro areas of Dallas and Houston.

Here is an overview of the top ten counties for new home construction in Texas last month:

Harris County (Houston) – 1,481 permits
Montgomery County (Houston) – 1,179 permits
Fort Bend County (Houston) – 1,164 permits
Tarrant County (Dallas) – 901 permits
Collin County (Dallas) – 780 permits
Bexar County (San Antonio) – 675 permits
Travis County (Austin) – 674 permits
Dallas County (Dallas) – 604 permits
Denton County (Dallas) – 489 permits
Williamson County (Austin) – 447 permits

5 Tips for More “Clicks”

Posted on June 8, 2022 by Erika Carruth

A review of five ways to amp up your email marketing game

Are your emails getting the response you expected? Has your open rate plateaued? If you are finding that email engagement is challenging, you are not alone. As with anything in your marketing playbook, email marketing requires thoughtful planning, monitoring, and management. Just because you send an email, does not mean that it will be read, and just because you have a list of contacts does not mean that they are interested in another addition to their inbox.

For this reason, we have put together five ways to review and improve your email marketing campaigns as follows:

Make a Statement from the Start – Your subject line has power; after all, it is the first thing that your contact reads. It is worth taking the time to craft a strong subject line that will get noticed and entice the reader to “open”. Some ways to do this include opening with a question, engaging with a teaser/cliffhanger, or inviting the recipient to an exclusive or limited time offer.
Find the Optimal Time – Timing is everything, and when it comes to sending emails certain times and days are better than others. According to Constant Contact, one of the most effective ways to find the best time to send is to segment your list into 2-3 equally sized groups and send the same copy of your email during different times of the day (morning, afternoon, and evening). You should apply this test for a few different mailings and keep track of which version gets the most engagement.
Verify Contacts – When did you last update your contacts lists? Have you cleaned up the bounces and invalid addresses? The first step to verifying your contacts is to ensure the source of your contact information is relevant to your business/industry and validated, such as the leads generated by HBW. Next, you will need to manage those contacts and update any changes in information over time.
Get Buy-in – Once you have new contacts, make sure you send an introduction email inviting them to future communications. In this first email, you may choose to let them know why they are receiving the email and what exciting new content is on the horizon. Keep it short, sweet and to the point to get buy-in and an official “subscriber”.
Create Segments – Designing emails that speak to the readers’ interests is vital to the success of any email marketing campaign. One way to customize content and to whom it is distributed is to segment your lists. If you’re still working with one large email list, now is the time to think about ways you can reach out to smaller more targeted groups. You may choose to organize your contacts based on their location, interests, and/or purchasing patterns.

By taking a little extra time to verify contacts, manage data, and customize email messaging and timing, you will be able to fine-tune your email marketing campaign so that you see more “opens” and less “unsubscribes”.

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.

Florida Swimming Pool Construction Review – April 2022

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Erika Carruth

An overview of permit data for new swimming pool construction in Florida during the month of April

During the month of April, there were more than 2,665 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of approximately $166.4 million added to the HBW database for Florida. Out of the five regions reviewed (Southwest, Tampa, Southeast, Orlando, Jacksonville), the southwestern portion of the state carried the highest concentration of new swimming pool construction activity (945 permits), while the highest average value of new pool construction project could be found to the north in Jacksonville (average value: $77,756).

Here is a breakdown of permit data on record with HBW for new swimming pool construction in the Sunshine State during the month of April 2022:

Southwest

Total # of Permits: 945

Average Value of Construction: $60,615

Leading Counties for Total Permits: Lee County (267 permits); Collier County (240 permits)