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Contractor Communication During the Coronavirus Crisis

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Erika Carruth

As most of us are already aware, communication is a vital component to nurturing relationships with prospects and clients, but now more than ever it has become essential for the survival of a business. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted individuals, families, and businesses on multiple levels, and it has changed the mindset and priorities for many buyers. Safety measures and how you operate your business hold more weight for a decision-maker now than in the past, as health and safety have become a primary focus area for nearly everyone, across all markets.

For this reason, many businesses are in a position where they are being forced to shift their service models and methods for communication and delivery. And while these shifts are necessary and in some ways expected by clients, if you do not effectively communicate the efforts you are making to ensure safety standards are met, clients may be less likely to move forward with a new project or continue with an outstanding order.

In order for your business to remain resilient and strong during these uncertain times, here are a few areas to consider when it comes to internal and external communication:

Employees– Your clients are not the only people concerned about safety measures, as well as the financial security of your business. Many employees are concerned about job security and their health and safety on the job. In order to provide peace of mind and stability for your team, keep communication consistent and transparent regarding the state of your business, financial forecasts, and any potential changes ahead. Additionally, all new safety guidelines and practices should be constantly trained and reinforced, with accountability measures and disciplinary actions in place. Keep in mind that with information and safety practices being new, it may take a few reminders to ensure that employees are following all rules and regulations; that being stated, consequences for not following the rules should be clearly stated in communications including but not limited to email, verbal instruction, toolbox talks, as well as a signed agreement of understanding of the new policies to be followed.
Inventory and Suppliers – There is no denying the fact that inventory and supply chains have been paused and interrupted by the pandemic. While you may have not experienced shortfalls in inventory and supplies yet, it is time to think ahead and prepare. Based on your current and anticipated demand, take the time to run through inventory to ensure that you have adequate supplies for a sustained period. Additional measures that you can take include communicating with all current and potential distributors to discuss outstanding needs and to diversify your distributor sources in case a supplier cannot meet an order request.
Insurance Coverage – While you may not want to think about it, right now is the time to review your insurance policy if you have not already done so. For example, do you have business interruption insurance? What does your policy cover and how do you process claims? Setting up a time to meet with your insurance agent for a phone or zoom meeting is necessary for you to review your policy and understand precisely what is covered in the event of an extended incident.
Customers– Communication with customers is critical right now to address any concerns regarding your operations and safety measures in place. Through personal contact by phone and email, as well as public announcements on social media and your website, you should inform your customers about the status of your operations, the protective measures you’ve implemented, and how you will keep them safe when you and your crews are on their property.

In uncertain and challenging times, it can be difficult to communicate information that is uncomfortable to discuss or that we would prefer to overlook, but the truth is that customers and employees need to feel safe and secure. By communicating about the difficulties that we are all facing and sharing the steps and measures that you have in place to overcome them, you are building trust both inside and outside of your business.

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

Florida Top Swimming Pool Builders – May 2020

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A review of the leading pool builders in Florida based on total new permits on record with HBW for the month of May 2020

As published on the HBW Blog last week in a post entitled “Florida Swimming Pool Construction Review – May 2020”, there were 1,690 new swimming pool permits with a total construction value of $81.2 million on record with HBW for the month of May 2020. 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 33 percent of all new permitting activity.

When taking a closer look at the leading pool builders driving the new construction figures, most contractors had a local or regional focus, resulting in variations in the top five pool builders for each area. Here is a closer look at the leading pool contractors with the greatest volume of pool starts on record with HBW for each Florida region during the month of May 2020:

Southwest

Last month, there were nearly 125 active 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-Aragon Pools & Spas	101	$ 33,663.00
2-Coast to Coast Pools	51	$ 48,660.00
3-Pinnacle USA	24	$ 54,687.00
4-Holiday Pools of West FL	24	$ 36,563.00
5-Fountain Pools & Water Features	20	$ 55,894.00

Tampa

In the Tampa area, there were approximately 95 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-Olympus Pools	44	$ 55,991.00
2-Tampa Bay Pools	19	$ 62,260.00
3-Gulfstream Pools & Spas	15	$ 57,667.00
4-T&D Pool & Spa Construction	13	$ 90,233.00
5-Holiday Pools of West FL	12	$ 48,673.00

Orlando

In Orlando, there were more than 80 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-All Seasons	21	$ 37,186.00
2-Bobs Pool Service	20	$ 19,900.00
3-Intercoastal Pool & Spa Builders	15	$ 26,710.00
4-Atlas Pools of Central Florida	10	$ 60,178.00
5-Bob Herrold’s All Seasons Swimming	10	$ 47,691.00

Southeast

Last month, there were more than 120 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 for the one-month period:

Builder	Total Permits	Average Value
1-Swimming Pool Contractors	42	$ 25,640.00
2-A&G Concrete Pools	25	$ 44,994.00
3-RHR Pools	14	$ 66,563.00
4-Sunsational Pools & Spa	14	$ 43,786.00
5-Van Kirk & Sons	11	$ 42,010.00

Jacksonville

Last month, there were approximately 60 pool contractors in Jacksonville with pool starts on record with HBW, 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-Island Pools	11	$ 58,129.00
2-Poolside Designs	9	$ 66,167.00
3-Pools by John Clarkson	8	$ 60,958.00
4-Pools & Spas of Central FL	8	$ 31,875.00
5-Stanley Pools	7	$ 62,857.00

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 Swimming Pool Construction Review – May 2020

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A review of permit data for new swimming pool construction in Florida during the month of May 2020

Last month, Florida experienced approximately a 4 percent month-over-month decrease in new swimming pool construction, resulting in more than 1,690 new permits with a total construction value of $81.2 million on record with HBW. Out of the five major regions reviewed (Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Southeast, Jacksonville), the southwest ranked #1 for highest volume of pool starts (543 permits), while the highest average value of new pool construction could be found in the Tampa area (average value: $57,243).

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 543 pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $25.4 million last month. The average value of new pool construction was $46,747, and the county with the highest concentration of new construction activity was Lee County (173 permits).

Southeast

Last month, the southeastern region of Florida ranked #2 for new pool construction, having nearly 390 new permits with a total construction value in excess of $16 million on record with HBW. The average value of new swimming pool construction was lowest in the southeast (average value: $41,582) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed, and nearly all new permits originated from the two counties of Palm Beach (158) and Miami-Dade (116 permits).

Tampa

In Tampa, there were approximately 315 pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $18 million during the month of May. As previously mentioned, the average value of construction was highest in Tampa (average value: $57,243) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed, and the county with the greatest concentration of new pool construction activity was Hillsborough County (98 permits).

Orlando

Last month, there were nearly 270 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value of approximately $12 million added to the HBW database for Orlando. The average value of new pool construction landed on the lower end of the spectrum (average value: $44,543) in comparison to other regions reviewed, and more than half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Orange (84 permits) and Brevard (63 permits).

Jacksonville

In Jacksonville, there were 176 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $10 million on record last month. The average value of new pool construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $54,923) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed, and nearly half of all new permits originated from St. Johns County (83 permits).

Florida Top Home Builders – May 2020

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A listing of leading home builders in Florida based on total new residential construction permits on record with HBW for the month of May 2020

As published on the HBW blog last week, there were 4,750 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $1.4 billion in the Sunshine State last month. 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 housing starts.

Based on the latest construction data reports available from HBW, D.R. Horton and Lennar Homes have and 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, with each builder having approximately 545 new residential construction permits on record in Florida for the one-month period.

With construction and contractors having a local focus in certain areas, we have reviewed HBW reports to identify leading home builders by region and based on the total number of housing starts for the given period. Here is a breakdown of the top five contractors, their total permits and construction values by area based on construction activity on record with HBW during the month of May 2020:

Tampa

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-Lennar Homes	170	$ 53,110,908.00
2-The Villages of Lake Sumter	132	$ 41,277,768.00
3-D.R. Horton	114	$ 28,042,148.00
4-Highland Homes	56	$ 11,740,918.00
5-Pulte Homes	54	$ 15,477,281.00

Southwest

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-Lennar Homes	143	$ 29,836,099.00
2-Taylor Morrison	76	$ 22,438,421.00
3-Neal Communities of SW FL	74	$ 15,158,794.00
4-D.R. Horton	69	$ 15,455,219.00
5-Pulte Homes	38	$ 9,156,894.00

Orlando

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-D.R. Horton	192	$ 51,068,365.00
2-Lennar Homes	72	$ 23,120,886.00
3-M/I Homes	71	$ 22,408,339.00
4-Mattamy Homes	62	$ 17,486,740.00
5-Minto Builders	60	$ 19,410,139.00

Jacksonville

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-Dream Finders Home	137	$ 27,826,708.00
2-D.R. Horton	91	$ 15,078,562.00
3-Lennar Homes	66	$ 15,870,729.00
4-American Classic Homes	65	$ 6,365,000.00
5-Richmond American Homes	43	$ 10,777,414.00

Southeast

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
1-Lennar Homes	93	$ 18,634,003.00
2-GL Building Corp	90	$ 36,758,680.00
3-D.R. Horton	78	$ 13,599,669.00
4-Maronda Homes	33	$ 4,197,475.00
5-Pulte Homes	30	$ 11,433,104.00

HBW Report: Florida New Home Construction – May 2020

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A review of the latest permit data for new residential construction in Florida during the month of May 2020

Based on the latest construction data reports available from HBW, there was a 16 percent month-over-month decrease in new home construction in Florida last month. During the one-month period, there were 4,750 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $1.4 billion.

Out of the five regions reviewed (Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Southeast, Jacksonville), Tampa carried the highest volume of new residential construction (1,252 permits), while the Orlando area had the highest average value of new home construction (average value: $312,097) 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 2020:

Tampa

Last month, Tampa led Florida for new home construction as there were 1,252 new permits with a total construction value in excess of $371 million on record with HBW. More than half of all new construction took place in the counties of Hillsborough (354 permits) and Polk (325), and the average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum in comparison to most other regions reviewed (average value: $296,615).

Orlando

In Orlando, there were approximately 1,120 housing starts with a total construction value greater than $349 million last month. The bulk of new construction took place in the counties of Orange (386 permits) and Volusia (248 permits), and the average value of construction was highest in Orlando (average value: $312,097) in comparison to all other Florida regions reviewed.

Southwest

In the southwestern region of Florida there were more than 865 housing starts with a total construction value of approximately $250.5 million last month. The majority of new home construction took place in the counties of Lee (287 permits) and Manatee (224 permits), and the average value of construction was $289,200.

Jacksonville

Last month, there were approximately 860 housing starts with a total construction value greater than $213 million in the Jacksonville area. The majority of all new residential construction permits originated from the counties of St. Johns (360 permits) and Duval (263 permits), and the average value of new home construction was lowest in Jacksonville (average value: $247,476) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed.

Southeast

In the southeast, there were more than 650 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $200 million on record with HBW for the month of May. The bulk of new permits originated from the counties of St. Lucie (271 permits) and Palm Beach (182 permits), and the average value of new home construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $304,646) in comparison to other areas reviewed.

Texas Top Home Builders – May 2020

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A review of the leading home builders in Texas during the month of May 2020, based on total housing starts and permits on record with HBW

As published on the HBW blog last week (Texas Residential Construction Review – May 2020), there were just over 5,000 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $1.2 billion in Texas last month. While the previous post highlighted the total number of permits available in the HBW database for the given period, this week we are reviewing the leading home builders driving construction in the four major metro areas of the Lone Star State.

Month after month, D.R. Horton has and continues to lead new home construction in Texas. During the month of May, the mega-builder had 722 total housing starts on record from the combined areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, and when reviewing total new residential construction permits, the company landed as the leading builder in three out of four areas.

Another leading home builder that is consistently making its mark in Texas is Lennar Homes. Last month, Lennar Homes had 390 new residential construction permits on record with HBW from the four Texas metro areas reviewed, and it landed in the top five in all four regions.

As each metropolitan area of Texas has its own unique construction patterns and local contractors, the volume of housing starts varies for each contractor by region. For this reason, here is a look at the top five home builders by metropolitan area and as based on the total number of new residential construction permits on record with HBW for the month of May 2020:

Dallas

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
D.R. Horton	266	$ 46,940,639.00
Lennar Homes	107	$ 21,581,941.00
Meritage Homes	81	$ 18,059,164.00
First Texas Homes	56	$ 20,030,733.00
Highland Homes	49	$ 17,612,817.00

Houston

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
D.R. Horton	296	$ 38,452,342.00
Lennar Homes	192	$ 27,916,660.00
K Hovnanian Homes	109	$ 13,427,690.00
Pulte Homes	101	$ 23,264,468.00
Meritage Homes	75	$ 11,410,355.00

Austin

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
D.R. Horton	137	$ 26,522,222.00
Pacesetter Homes	63	$ 10,463,416.00
Gehan Homes	56	$ 16,164,444.00
Lennar Homes	46	$ 6,433,160.00
Taylor Morrison Homes	37	$ 13,136,605.00

San Antonio

Builder	Total Permits	Total Value
Lennar Homes	45	$ 10,790,350.00
Rausch Coleman Homes	24	$ 6,000,000.00
D.R. Horton	23	$ 4,105,475.00
Meritage Homes	21	$ 5,550,000.00
Continental Homes of Texas	15	$ 3,750,000.00

Texas Residential Construction Review – May 2020

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A report covering new residential construction permits on record with HBW for Texas during the month of May 2020

Last month, Texas exhibited a 19 percent month-over-month decrease in new home construction. Based on HBW’s latest construction data reports for the four major metro areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, there were just over 5,000 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $1.2 billion for the one-month period. Out of the four areas reviewed, Houston (2,069 permits) ranked #1 for highest volume of new residential construction, while Dallas maintained its lead for holding the highest average value of housing starts (average value: $271,327).

Here is a closer look at the total new permits, construction values and leading counties by Texas metropolitan area for the month of May 2020:

Houston

Out of the four major metro areas in Texas, Houston ranked #1 for total housing starts, having 2,069 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $395 million on record last month. The average value of new home construction has been consistently lower in Houston (average value: $190,831) in comparison to the other metro areas reviewed, and approximately half of all new permitting activity took place in Harris County (1,031 permits).

Dallas

The Dallas area ranked #2 for new home construction as there were 1,720 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $467 million during the month of May. The average value of residential construction was highest in Dallas (average value: $271,327) in comparison to the other Texas areas reviewed, and the county with the highest concentration of new home construction activity for the month was Tarrant County (608 permits).

Austin

In Austin, there were 826 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $196 million last month. The average value of construction landed mid-range (average value: $237,465) in comparison to other areas reviewed, and more than half of all new permits originated from the County of Travis (479 permits).

San Antonio

Last month, there were 387 housing starts with a total construction value greater than $101 million in the San Antonio area. The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $261,261) in comparison to the other areas reviewed, and the bulk of new home construction took place in Bexar County (244 permits).

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Report – May 2020

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A review of construction data for new swimming pool permits in Texas during the month of May 2020

Last month, there were 530 new swimming pool construction permits with a total value greater than $27 million added to the HBW database for Texas. Out of the four major metro areas reviewed, Dallas carried the highest volume of new construction activity (264 permits), while Austin held the highest average value of new construction projects (average value: $58,968).

Here is a closer look at the total permits and average value of new swimming pool construction in Texas during the month of May 2020:

Dallas

As previously mentioned, the Dallas area ranked #1 for new swimming pool construction last month, having nearly 265 pool starts with a total construction value in excess of $12.7 million. The average value of new pool construction was $48,281, and the county with the highest concentration of new permits was Tarrant County (93 permits). Out of the nearly 110 active pool builders with new swimming pool construction permits on record last month, Claffey Pools held the greatest amount of pool starts (11 permits).

Houston

Last month, there were nearly 185 pool starts with a total construction value of approximately $10.6 million in the Houston area. The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $57,594) in comparison to other areas reviewed, and the majority of permits originated from the County of Harris (113 permits). Out of the approximately 85 active pool contractors with new construction in the area last month, Platinum Pools ranked #1 (20 permits) for having the greatest number of new permits on record for the one-month period.

Austin

In Austin, there were 45 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of approximately $2.7 million last month. Out of the four metro areas reviewed, Austin held the highest average value of new pool construction (average value: $58,968), and just over half of all new permits originated from Travis County (24 permits). Out of the more than 25 contractors with new pool construction activity on record last month, Cody Pools (10 permits) ranked #1 for the greatest number of new permits for the one-month period.

San Antonio

In San Antonio, there were 37 pool starts with a total construction value in excess of $1 million last month. The average value of construction was lowest in the San Antonio area (average value: $27,349) in comparison to other areas reviewed, and nearly all new construction took place in Bexar County (28 permits). Out of the more than fifteen contractors with new permits on record last month, Keith Zars Pools (8 permits) ranked #1 for total pool starts for the one-month period.

Florida Pool Construction Report – April 2020

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Erika Carruth

A review of new pool construction permits on record with HBW for Florida during the month of April 2020

In April of this year, there were 1,760 new swimming pool construction permits with a total construction value of nearly $84 million added to the HBW database for Florida. Out of the five major regions reviewed (Southwest, Tampa, Southeast, Orlando, Jacksonville), Southwest Florida carried the highest amount of new swimming pool construction activity (623 permits), while the highest average value of new pool construction could be found in Jacksonville (average value: $61,748).

Here is a closer look at the total permits, construction values and leading builders for new swimming pool construction in the Sunshine State during the month of April 2020:

Southwest

Total Permits: 623

Average Value of Construction: $ 46,065

Top County for New Pool Construction: Lee County (195 permits)