Top Florida Home Builders – August 2019

Posted on by

A review of the top home builders with new residential construction permits on file with HBW for the month of August 2019

Earlier this week, we reviewed the latest construction permit data available from the HBW database for new home construction in Florida in our post “Florida Home Construction Update – August 2019”.  Today, we are taking a deeper dive into the same construction permit data to identify the leading contractors and home builders in the Sunshine State during the month of August.

For our purposes, leading home builders are those with the highest concentration of new residential construction permits on file for a given period.  In Florida, permit data is pulled from five major regions: Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Southwest and Southeast.

Looking at the figures statewide, and as reported in our last post, there were approximately 5,560 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $1.5 billion on file for Florida last month.  Out of the hundreds of companies with active permits on record for the one-month period, D.R. Horton (768 permits) and Lennar Homes (710 permits) ranked as the leading builders for total new permits.

Here is a breakdown of the top five leading home builders by Florida region during the month of August 2019:

Southwest

Builder Total Permits
Lennar Homes 163
D.R. Horton 151
Taylor Morrison 91
Pulte Homes 88
Neal Communities of SW FL 54

 

Tampa

Builder Total Permits
Lennar Homes 279
D.R. Horton 173
Pulte Homes 87
M/I Homes 62
Highland Homes 39

 

Orlando

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 188
Lennar Homes 102
Mattamy Homes 98
Taylor Morrison 67
Meritage Homes 44

 

Jacksonville

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 211
Dream Finders Home 97
Lennar Homes 94
KB Homes 87
Richmond American Homes 62

 

Southeast

Builder Total Permits
GL Building Corp 111
GHO Homes 39
Lennar Homes 72
D.R. Horton 45
Kolter Signature Homes 36

 

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 Home Construction Update – August 2019

Posted on by

An overview of the latest residential construction permit data for Florida based on the HBW database

When reviewing the latest residential construction permit data on file with HBW for the Sunshine State, we reviewed the five major regions of Tampa, Orlando, Southwest, Southeast and Jacksonville.  For the month of August 2019, there was a combined total (from all regions) of approximately 5,560 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $1.5 billion, reflecting a month-over-month decrease of nearly 19 percent in new residential construction permits.

From a regional perspective, Tampa continues to lead with the highest level of new home construction month after month, having more than 1,400 new permits on file in August, and Orlando held the highest average value of new home construction (average value: $318,841).

Here is a closer look at the latest stats on new home construction in Florida by region last month:

Tampa

As previously mentioned, Tampa has been maintaining its lead in Florida as a hot spot for new home construction.  Last month, there were more than 1,400 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $405 million in the area.  The average value of new home construction was on the upper range in comparison to other regions reviewed, landing at $288,530, and nearly all new construction took place in the counties of Polk (499 permits), Pasco (391 permits) and Hillsborough (383 permits).

Orlando

While Orlando ranked second highest for total new construction permits on file with HBW, it ranked #1 for having a higher average value of construction (average value: $318,841).  Last month, there were approximately 1,217 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $388 million in the Orlando area, and the area with the highest concentration of new home construction was the city-central County of Orange (406 permits).

Southwest Florida

In the southwestern region of Florida, there were approximately 1,190 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $299 million last month.  The average value of new home construction (average value: $251,477) landed in the mid-range in comparison to other regions reviewed, and just about half of all new residential construction permits originated from two counties: Lee County (326 permits) and Sarasota County (276 permits).

Jacksonville

Last month, there were approximately 1,080 housing starts with a total construction value of more than $236.5 million in the Jacksonville area.  The average value of new home construction was lowest in Jacksonville (average value: $219,250) compared to other Florida regions reviewed, and more than half of all new permits originated from the counties of Duval (449 permits) and St. Johns (303 permits).

Southeast Florida

Last month, there were just over 670 housing starts with a total construction value of more than $198.6 million in the southeastern region of Florida.  The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum, coming in at $295,576, and nearly half of all new home construction took place in St. Lucie County (304 permits).

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Understanding Content Marketing

Posted on by

What is content marketing?  Well, if you have been following the HBW Blog, you probably have a fairly good idea.  Just check out our previous posts “7 Tips for Content Marketing Success” or “Seven Apps for Improving Social Content” to gain insight on ways to use and improve content in your marketing efforts.

For the purpose of this post, we are going back to the basics and revisiting the fundamentals of content marketing and how it plays an important role in your strategy.  According to Oxford, content marketing is “a type of marketing that involves the creation and sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) that does not explicitly promote a brand but is intended to stimulate interest in its products or services.”  In other words, it is everything that you put on the internet and social media that is not a direct ad – It is a way to share your brand and company activities without aggressively or directly selling to the viewer.  We are essentially being inundated with content marketing every day, and most of the time the viewer is completely unaware of it.  From videos and blog articles to your daily social news feeds, you are living in a world that is engrossed in content marketing.

So, how does content marketing benefit your business? In short, it increases your visibility, integrity and authenticity when done properly.  Content marketing is a necessity in the current digital marketing landscape, and it is one of the most practical and effective parts of your marketing strategy.  A few of the many benefits include:

  1. More Content – Yes, it sounds simple, but by having more content on your site and social profiles, you are offering more ways and information to engage your target audience. Stale and outdated content makes for a stale and outdated looking business in the digital world, so it is important to keep the content flowing, fresh and relevant to the latest buzz within your business and industry.  By having new videos, stories, case studies and regular activity on your social media profiles, you are keeping your brand front and center, as well as demonstrating that your business is active and informed.
  2. More Visibility – With every new post that you add to a blog or website, you have just added another page that will be indexed by Google. Increased pages and better-quality content provide your business with more opportunities to rank for more search inquiries.  For this reason, it is important to know the keywords and topics that are most frequently searched by your target audience and to include them in the body and headers of your posts, stories and videos.
  3. More Credibility – When viewers access your content, they are immediately forming an impression of your brand. Content that is helpful, informative, professional and speaks to the viewers’ needs will ultimately increase your credibility and reputation.  Additionally, it can expand your reach by being shared by other reputable sources within the industry; with your content being published by a third party, it is likely to show up in your target audience’s news feeds which builds an additional layer of trust and reinforces your company’s position as a leader in the industry.

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 – August 2019

Posted on by

An HBW review of the latest swimming pool construction permit data and leading contractors by area for the month of August 2019

If you have been keeping up with the HBW blog, then you already have a little insight into the latest statistics on Florida’s swimming pool construction last month.  In our most recent post, the southwestern region of Florida was in the spotlight, as 33 percent of all new swimming pool construction took place there during the month of August.  When looking at the Sunshine State overall, there were approximately 1,850 new swimming pool permits with a total construction value in excess of $84 million last month.

When it comes to swimming pool contractors, the leaderboard widely varies by region.  For this reason, here is a summary of the latest swimming pool construction permit data and leading pool builders, by Florida region, for the month of August 2019:

Southwest Florida

As previously mentioned and explored in last week’s blog post, Southwest Florida ranked #1 for new swimming pool construction last month, having nearly 615 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of more than $26.8 million.  The average value of construction landed on the lower to average range in comparison to other major regions reviewed coming in at $43,819 for the one-month period.

Out of the 130+ swimming pool contractors on record for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Company Total Permits
Aragon Pools & Spas 70
Coast to Coast Pools 59
Waterscapes Pools & Spas 25
Pinnacle USA 22
Casa Pools 22

 

Tampa

In Tampa, there were 380 swimming pool starts with a total construction value in excess of $19.6 million last month.  The average value of construction was higher in Tampa in comparison to other regions reviewed, coming in at $51,606.

Out of the 125 active pool builders on file, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits for the one-month period:

Company Total Permits
Olympus Pools 47
Natural Springs Pools 19
Challenger Pools 18
Gulfstream Pools & Spas 17
Tampa Bay Pools 14

 

Orlando

Not far behind Tampa, the Orlando area had approximately 365 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $16 million last month, and the average value of new construction was $43,820.

Out of the approximately 100 active swimming pool contractors on record for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Company Total Permits
Bob’s Pool Service 57
Dreamscapes Pools & Spas 24
All Seasons 15
Martin Pools 15
Atlas Pools of Central Florida 14

 

Southeast Florida

In the southeastern region of Florida there were 340 pool starts with a total construction value of $14.6 million during the month of August.  The average value of new pool construction was lowest in the southeast in comparison to other regions reviewed, coming in at $43,017.

Out of the 140 pool contractors with new construction activity on record for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Company Total Permits
A & G Concrete Pools 31
Pools by Greg 18
Paradise Swimming Pools & Spas 12
Crystal Pools 11
Rosmel Pools 11

 

Jacksonville

Finally, in Jacksonville there were just over 150 new swimming pool permits with a total construction value of nearly $7.3 million last month, and the average value of new construction was $47,000.

Out of the nearly 70 active pool contractors in the region last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on record with HBW:

Company Total Permits
Blue Haven Pools 10
Island Pools 7
Crown Pools 7
Pools by John Clarkson 7
Superior Design Pools 7

 

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.

New Pool Construction Holding Strong in Southwest Florida

Posted on by

An HBW report on the latest permitting data for new swimming pool construction in Southwest Florida during the month of August 2019

When reviewing the latest construction permitting data available from the HBW database, we found approximately 1,850 new swimming pool permits in Florida for the month of August alone.  And while that may be just about on par for new pool construction during the summer months, with monthly totals ranging from 1,820 to 2,110 from May through August, one Florida region has been consistently holding its lead in new pool construction month after month: Southwest Florida

Based on HBW’s construction data reports, more than 33 percent of all new swimming pool construction in Florida last month took place in the southwest.  During the month of August, there were nearly 615 new swimming pool starts with a total construction value of more than $26.8 million.  The average value of construction landed on the lower to average range in comparison to other major regions reviewed (Southeast, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville) coming in at $43,819 for the one-month period.

When looking at figures from a countywide perspective, 70 percent of all new swimming pool construction took place in Lee County (184 permits), Sarasota County (143 permits) and Collier County (103 permits), where the average value of new construction ranged from as low as $41,930 (Collier County) to as high as $45,670 (Lee County).

Last month, there were more than 130 active swimming pool contractors that had new permits on file in the area.  When looking at the contractors with the greatest total amount of starts on record for the one-month period, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Company Total Permits Average Construction Value
Aragon Pools & Spas 70  $  37,857.00
Coast to Coast Pools 59  $  46,364.00
Waterscapes Pools & Spas 25  $  46,340.00
Pinnacle USA 22  $  44,569.00
Casa Pools 22  $  33,432.00

 

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.

HBW Report: Texas Swimming Pool Construction – August 2019

Posted on by

A review of the latest monthly permitting data available for new swimming pool construction in the four major metro areas of Texas

During the month of August, approximately 715 new swimming pool permits were added to the HBW database for the combined Texas metro areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.  Out of the four areas reviewed, Dallas ranked #1 for total swimming pool starts (320 permits), while Houston held the highest average value of new construction (average value: $61,367).  Here is a breakdown of the permit data and counties with the greatest concentration of new construction activity in Texas last month:

Dallas

As previously mentioned, Dallas ranked #1 for total new pool construction permits during the month of August.  There were 150 active pool builders on file for the one-month period, contributing to a total of 320 pool starts and a total construction value of nearly $13 million.  In comparison to the other metro areas reviewed, the average value of new pool construction was on the lower end of the spectrum in Dallas (average value: $40,086), and the counties with the highest concentration of new permits were Tarrant (88 permits) and Dallas (70 permits).

Houston

In Houston, there were 130 pool builders with permits on record with HBW last month, resulting in nearly 250 new permits with a total construction value of $15.2 million.  The average value of new construction was highest in Houston (average value: $61,367) in comparison to the other metro areas reviewed, and the bulk of new construction took place in Harris County (148 new permits).

Austin

In Austin, there were approximately 55 active swimming pool contractors with permits on record last month, resulting in nearly 95 new permits and a total construction value in excess of $5.1 million.  The average value of new pool construction landed in the upper/mid-range (average value: $54,766) in comparison to other Texas metro areas, and the majority of new permits originated from Travis County (73 permits).

San Antonio

New swimming pool construction remained low in both activity and value in San Antonio and surrounding areas last month. There were just over 25 pool contractors with new permits on record last month, resulting in roughly 55 new permits with a total construction value nearing $2 million.  The average value of construction was lowest in San Antonio (average value: $36,479) in comparison to other Texas metro areas reviewed, and more than half of all new construction took place in Bexar County (38 permits).

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

HBW Report: Texas Residential Construction Review – August 2019

Posted on by

A monthly review of the latest construction permit data for Texas during the month of August 2019

Texas New Residential Construction Permit Totals by Metro Area – August 2019

The latest figures are in for new residential construction on file with HBW for the Lone Star State during the month of August, and it appears that the market has experienced some fluctuations over the summer.  From the combined areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, there were 5,660 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $1.3 billion last month which reflects just about a 12 percent month-over-month decrease in new residential construction.  Looking at the totals from the summer months (June thru August), new residential construction was strongest during the month of July (6,460 permits), while June and August were somewhat consistent, ranging from 5,660 to 5,825 housing starts on a monthly basis.

Last month, the area with the greatest amount of new construction activity in Texas was Houston; with 2,484 housing starts and a total construction value of nearly $476 million, Houston has experienced a month-over-month decrease in new home construction of approximately 12 percent.  Dallas ranked second-highest with 1,626 permits, followed by Austin (1,086 permits) and San Antonio (464 permits).

When looking at the average value of new home construction, Dallas continued to lead as it held an average value of nearly $293k for new residential construction, followed by Austin with an average construction value of $255,567.

Out of the hundreds of active home builders with permits on record with HBW last month, D.R. Horton maintained its lead in Texas, ranking #1 in three out of four major metro areas (Houston, Dallas, Austin) and having more than 525 new permits on file.  Other top home builders with higher concentrations of new permitting activity throughout the state include Lennar Homes (281 permits) and Pulte Homes (249 permits).

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

3 More Marketing Tactics

Posted on by

A continuation of the previous “3 in 3” article, reviewing three additional marketing tactics that can be easily executed in minutes

In follow up to last week’s post 3 in 3 – Three Marketing Tips in Three Minutes, we decided to take a look at a few more marketing tactics that you and your team can execute in limited time.  You don’t need to be a marketing guru to follow these tips, and whether you have a seasoned veteran or new recruit handling your marketing efforts, all levels of experience can benefit from a few reminders and refreshers.  Here are three more tips to keep the momentum going:

  1. Ask Customers – Surveys serve a variety of purposes, especially in marketing. First, a survey allows you to gauge your customers’ interest in a new product, service and experience with your brand; such feedback can act as a guide to help you develop content around your target audience’s interests so that you maximize engagement.  Additionally, surveys are a great way to gather information and quotes for testimonials.  For this reason, your survey should not be limited to multiple choice; instead, offer a chance for them to provide honest and open comments that you can address when there is an issue and share when there is a success.
  2. Recycle – Just like recycling and repurposing paper and plastic, so can you recycle your content. When repurposing previously published content, it is important to make sure that you are connecting the content to something relevant today. For example, you may have posted an article or video that highlighted the features of a new project or installation; consider revisiting the project in five years to demonstrate the longevity of a roof in a construction project or the growth and expansion of a garden in a landscape design.  Additionally, posts with instructional content or product information may be repurposed to address recent questions.  Seasonal content may also be repurposed and expanded with any new information that may have developed since the original message was published.
  3. Email Your List – As an HBW subscriber, your lead list is growing every day, and with it comes the need for maintenance. Often, we gravitate to new leads, new names and new opportunities, and while keeping it fresh is vital to your marketing success, you will also want to maintain communication with contacts who may be further down the list.  For this reason, you should have consistent, and somewhat regular, communication with all of your contacts.  Use your time wisely, and consider reaching out to customers and contacts just to wish them a happy holiday, provide valuable advice about their property or offer an exclusive discount.  Monthly or quarterly e-newsletters or news briefs can also be helpful in keeping in touch while simultaneously providing value to your customers.

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.

Planning for Severe Weather Events

Posted on by

A look at preparations that construction professionals and business owners can take to keep their crews and businesses safe during hurricanes and severe weather events

If you are anywhere near the State of Florida (even Georgia at this point), then by now you have witnessed the state of chaos that ensues when a hurricane is announced.  Gas stations are already backed up with long lines, and many grocery stores remain sold out of water; with the mad rush, it is easy to join the wave of panic when it comes to preparing your family and your business for a hurricane.  But don’t panic just yet… As of today, 08/30/19, there is still ample time to make efforts to secure your office and job sites, as well as provide helpful information to the public and your clients about staying safe before, during and after the hurricane makes landfall.

Prepare Your Employees – From your employees to your subcontractors, now is the time to confirm their availability and readiness post-hurricane. First and foremost, you should have an established evacuation plan and system for everyone checking in and reporting their safety status.  Down power lines and trees may prevent them from getting to where they need to be in a timely manner.  This system should factor in potential power outages, flooding, satellite/internet interruption, as well as the various locations where crew members may be situated; it can be as simple as a call-in system, phone/call tree, and/or a form that everyone fills out in advance.

Prepare Job Sites – With the latest report (source: Weather Channel) reflecting a delay in the storm making landfall in Florida, there is still time to prepare your job sites.  While having your crews out during the weekend isn’t ideal, I have yet to meet a client who would turn down the support and property preparation. In addition to securing open projects and making sure they are watertight, all equipment, tools, materials and machinery should be removed from job sites.  Loose objects and materials become major hazards with heavy wind, and by leaving them on the job site, you are leaving your clients and surrounding neighbors at risk for property damage.

Prepare Your Clients – As outlined in a previous post (“Communication is Crucial During Hurricane Season”), communication with customers before and after the storm should be an integral part of your preparations. Even if you do not have an open job with a client, informing your client base of your closing or revised hours would be the bare minimum and can be executed with a simple email blast. As a construction professional, you are well positioned to provide storm safety resources and tips to your clients for ensuring that their homes and properties are properly prepared for high winds, heavy rain and potential flooding. Use this time as an opportunity to engage customers and provide tools to guide them through what can be a daunting, and sometimes panic-filled, process.  OSHA, FEMA, CDC and other government agencies offer checklists and hurricane preparedness advice that can benefit you and your clients, including but not limited to:

Checklist for disaster and emergency supplies kit

A worksheet and tools for building your emergency response plan

Tips for Preparing an Emergency Food and Water Supplies

Clean Up Safety Guidelines

Prepare the Office – Preparing your business and office goes beyond shutters and protecting high value equipment and technology. Important insurance documents, client records and legal paperwork should be secured in a waterproof/fireproof container.  Additionally, all digital files and databases should be backed up in at least two places; don’t rely on cloud-based technology alone.  Consider external drives for back up, one stored onsite and one offsite.

Having a hurricane or disaster-preparedness plan in place doesn’t just apply to Hurricane Dorian and areas susceptible to hurricane force winds.  From earthquakes and wildfires to hurricanes and tornadoes, your business should have a clear and written plan for all team members; by being proactive and planning ahead now, your team can feel more secure, safe and perhaps avoid the last-minute chaos that is so common with severe weather events.

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.

3 in 3 – Three Marketing Tips in Three Minutes

Posted on by

Three easy marketing maneuvers that you can execute and add to your strategy in less than three minutes of time

As a construction professional, marketing is most likely not on the top of the list when it comes to skills or priorities.  Especially small business owners are looking for new ways to reach their target audience, but limited time (and budgets) can easily hold them back from creating or improving upon their marketing strategy.

Although this post is titled “3 in 3”, by no means does a strong marketing strategy take three minutes to create or execute – Rome wasn’t built in a day.  That being stated, there are some easy actions that one can take to up their game and make the most of smaller opportunities when it comes to marketing and developing content.  Here are three easy actions to build your presence on the web and reach your target audience.

  1. Create a Calendar – I cannot stress the importance of scheduling when it comes to marketing. It is just too easy to lose track of the last article, social media post or online interaction without following a clear schedule for creation and distribution.  When it comes to editorial content, a calendar is a must if you want to be successful and efficient.  An editorial calendar is a powerful tool that will serve as the structure from which you build your strategy.  From blog posts, event announcements, holidays, milestones and project timelines, calendars need to be in place to ensure that action items become completed items.
  2. Respond to Comments – If you are on social media or have a blog, chances are you have comments. Even if you have decided to stay away from social media entirely (not recommended), you probably have comments or feedback somewhere online about your business (Yelp, Google Reviews, BBB).  Whether comments are positive, negative or simply “meh”, you should respond both in a timely manner and professionally.  You would be surprised by how quickly a negative review can become a positive and public interaction just by taking the time to engage in thoughtful discourse.  Sure, most business owners dread the thought of having to interact with an irate customer or internet “troll” within a public domain, but go in with a level head and rip off the band-aid; it can potentially hurt more to ignore it.
  3. Refresh Leads – As an HBW subscriber, you have access to continually refreshed and new leads. From the latest residential construction permit data to new swimming pool construction, there is no reason for you to allow your lead pool to go cold.  Additionally, you will want to make sure you have a contact management system in place that enables all members of your sales team to track and update current, active and future leads.

The list can go on (and will in future posts), but keep in mind that each action is only effective if you take the time to do it consistently.  One time is not enough, and by taking a little time and attention to review and improve upon your marketing efforts and web presence now, you and your business can experience benefits for years to come.

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.