HBWeekly

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Review – July 2024

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Erika Carruth

Based on HBW’s latest construction data reports, there were more than 580 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value in excess of $39 million added to the HBW database for Texas last month; this represents an 11 percent decrease in new pool construction activity compared to the previous month. Among the four major metropolitan areas covered in the reports—Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio—Dallas recorded the highest number of pool starts with 251 permits, while Houston exhibited the highest average value of construction (average value $83,952).

The following provides a detailed breakdown of total permits issued, average construction values, and the leading pool builders driving new projects in each of the four major areas of Texas during the month of July:

Dallas

Last month, Dallas carried the greatest volume of new swimming pool permits in comparison to other Texas regions reviewed, having more than 250 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $17.4 million on record for the one-month period. The average value of construction was $69,195, and more than half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Collin (81 permits) and Dallas (81 permits).

Out of more than 130 contractors with new swimming pool construction activity in the Dallas area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
1-Riverbend Pools	24
2-BMR Pools	8
3-Venture Custom Pools	8

Houston

Houston ranked #2 for new pool construction, having 165 new permits with a total value of nearly $14 million on record last month. The average value of construction was highest in Houston (average value: $83,952) in comparison to other Texas areas reviewed, and the county with the greatest concentration of new pool construction activity was Harris with 108 permits on record for the one-month period.

Out of approximately 100 builders with new swimming pool construction activity on record in the Houston area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
1-St. John Pools	7
2-Anthony & Sylvan Pools	6
3-Regal Pools	6

San Antonio

In San Antonio, there were nearly 85 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value in excess of $3.7 million added to the HBW database last month. The average value of new pool construction was lowest in San Antonio (average value: $44,609) in comparison to other Texas areas reviewed, and the county with the highest concentration of new pool construction activity was Bexar County with 52 new permits for the one-month period.

Out of approximately 40 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:

Builder	Total Permits
1-Keith Zars Pools	13
2-Cody Pools	8
3-Blue Haven Pools	4

Austin

Last month, there were more than 80 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of approximately $4.3 million in the Austin area. The average value of new pool construction was $52,834, and the majority of permits originated from Travis County (68 permits).

Out of more than 50 contractors with new swimming pool construction on record in the Austin area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

Builder	Total Permits
1-Cody Pools	12
2-Denali Pools	4
3-Premier Pools & Spas of Austin	3

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.

Boosting Sales with Building Permit Data

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Erika Carruth

Building permit data is a goldmine of insights for construction businesses looking to expand their reach, optimize their operations, and drive sales growth. By strategically leveraging this data, contractors, developers, and construction firms can gain a competitive edge and discover new opportunities. Here are seven ways to harness building permit data to enhance your sales.

1. Analyze Project Types

Understanding the types of projects being permitted—whether residential, commercial, or industrial—allows you to align your services accordingly. For instance, if there is a surge in commercial building permits, focusing on and pushing marketing efforts around your commercial construction services can increase your relevance and appeal.

2. Track the Competition

Building permit data often reveals which companies are winning contracts and leading construction activity within specific regions or sectors. By reviewing and monitoring your competitors’ activities, you can modify your strategies to compete more effectively, whether through pricing, service differentiation, or project specialization.

3. Improve Customer Targeting

Segmenting your target is an important part of any strategy, and permit data will enable you to segment your customers based on permit data. For example, if you notice a rise in higher value residential permits, you can target homeowners in higher value markets with tailored marketing strategies and premium service offerings that would appeal to their needs.

4. Expand Your Network

Permit data can help you identify potential partners, such as real estate developers or architects who are involved in current projects within a given region. Networking with these professionals can lead to opportunities for collaboration and new projects.

5. Time Your Promotions

Are you interested in reaching your prospective customer at the time when they are most interested or in need of your services? Then, consider leveraging permit data to time your promotions and offers effectively. If you observe a peak in certain types of permits, align your promotional campaigns to capitalize on the increased demand for specific construction services or products.

6. Expand Services

If you notice a growing trend in a specific type of construction project, consider expanding your service offerings to include related specialties. For example, if there is an increase in green building permits, it may behoove you to invest in sustainable construction techniques and materials to attract clients who are interested in sustainability and eco-friendly solutions.

7. Strengthen Customer Relations

Yes, you can use new permit data to follow up with previous clients – How? Permit data will allow you to access and view who may be involved in new projects. Offering your services to previous clients to meet their new construction needs can help you maintain long-term relationships and secure repeat business.

Building permit data is more than just a record-keeping tool or a way to see where and what projects are happening in your region; it is a valuable resource for driving strategic business decisions. By utilizing this data to understand local and regional market trends, optimize operations, and adapt your sales strategies, you can unlock new opportunities and ultimately grow your business.

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.

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Quarterly Review: Q2-2024

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Erika Carruth

Since the beginning of this year, new swimming pool construction has been across the state of Texas. Through Q2-2024, there has been an 18 percent decrease in new pool construction compared to Q2-2023, resulting in more than 3,660 new permits added to the HBW database. This trend is evident across all four major metropolitan areas reviewed—Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio—with year-over-year decreases ranging from 6 percent in Houston and Austin to 28 percent in Dallas, indicating broad-based drops in pool construction activity.

Notably, approximately 73 percent of all new swimming pool construction permits issued through the second quarter of this year have been concentrated in Dallas and Houston.

Below is a detailed overview of permit activity, key counties, and year-over-year changes in each of the four major Texas metropolitan regions:

Dallas

Among the Texas metros reviewed, Dallas has recorded the highest volume of new pool construction, with nearly 1,500 new permits on file with HBW through the second quarter. This reflects a notable 28 percent decrease in new pool construction compared to the same period last year. Of the six counties within the Dallas area, approximately 57 percent of the new permits were issued in Dallas County and Collin County, with 503 permits and 338 permits on record respectively.

Houston

New swimming pool construction in the Houston area has been gradually declining since 2022, and this trend has continued so far this year. From January to June, there have been 1,170 new swimming pool permits issued, representing a 6 percent year-over-year decrease. Within the five counties that make up the Houston metropolitan area, Harris County has accounted for more than half of all new permits, with 784 permits recorded for the six-month period.

Austin

In the Austin area, there has been a modest 6 percent year-over-year decrease in new swimming pool construction, resulting in just over 630 new permits added to the HBW database through Q2. Out of the four counties included in the report, nearly all new pool construction activity is concentrated in Travis County (517 permits).

San Antonio

For the San Antonio region, there have been more than 365 new swimming pool construction permits added to the HBW database through the second quarter of this year, reflecting an 18 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Among the three counties in the San Antonio area, Bexar has seen the highest concentration of new pool construction activity, with 278 permits issued during the six-month period.

Florida Swimming Pool Construction Update: Q2-2024

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Erika Carruth

Since the start of this year (thru Q2), there have been more than 13,765 new swimming pool construction permits added to the HBW database for Florida; this reflects a 9 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction.

Upon examining HBW’s most recent “Swimming Pool Construction Activity Trend Report,” a comprehensive calculation was conducted across six principal regions within the state: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, West, and Central. The data reveals apparent decline across nearly all regions so far this year, with year-over-year dips ranging from 16 percent in the northwest to an insignificant decline of 1 percent in the northeast. The exception is the southwestern region where pool construction is holding steady, as the area has demonstrated a 1 percent increase in comparison to the same time last year.

Among the regions, the southwest has shown the greatest amount of new swimming pool construction activity, recording nearly 4,100 new permits over the six-month period. In contrast, the northwest has reported the lowest volume, with 1,312 new swimming pool construction permits on record through the second quarter.

Here is a detailed summary of new swimming pool permit data for each of Florida’s six regions through Q2 of this year:

Southwest:

As previously highlighted, the southwestern region leads in new pool construction, with approximately 4,100 new permits issued through Q2, reflecting a 1 percent increase compared to the previous year. Within this region, the counties of Lee and Collier have been the primary contributors, having 1,078 and 846 new permits on record respectively.

Southeast:

The southeast has seen approximately 2,580 new pool starts through Q2, marking a 12 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction. The counties of Palm Beach and Miami-Dade are major contributors, accounting for well more than half of all the new permits, with 958 and 621 new permits respectively.

West:

In the west, more than 2,400 new swimming pool construction permits have been recorded through the second quarter, reflecting a 15 percent decrease in new construction activity from the previous year. Hillsborough County stands out with nearly 760 new permits on record for the six-month period.

Central:

There have been approximately 1,910 pool construction permits recorded for Central Florida through Q2, exhibiting a 13 percent year-over-year decrease in new pool construction. Orange County carried the greatest volume of new construction, having with 543 new permits on record for the six-month period.

Northeast:

The northeast region has added approximately 1,470 new swimming pool permits to the HBW database through Q2, reflecting a 1 percent decrease compared to the previous year. The counties of St. Johns and Duval are notable contributors, accounting for nearly 55 percent of all new permits, with 530 and 269 permits respectively.

Northwest:

The northwest region has seen the least amount of new pool construction and the greatest year-over-year decline (-16%), with more than 1,310 new swimming pool construction permits recorded through Q2. The majority of these permits originated from the counties of Walton (274 permits), Bay (231 permits), and Santa Rosa (221 permits).

Florida Home Construction through Q2-2024

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Erika Carruth

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.

Texas Residential Construction Q2-2024

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Erika Carruth

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.

HBW Report: Florida Swimming Pool Construction – June 2024

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Erika Carruth

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)