Florida Top Pool Builders – August 2018

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An HBW report on pool permit data in Florida for the month of August 2018

FL New Pool Permits by Area – August 2018

Each month, we take a look at the latest permits flooding the HBW database.  When looking at pool construction in Florida last month, there were just about 1,700 new pool permits with a total value in excess of $73 million added to the HBW database.  Out of the five major regions reviewed (Tampa, Southwest, Southeast, Orlando, Jacksonville), the southeastern region held the greatest total number of swimming pool starts (450 permits) while holding the lowest average value of construction (average value: $38,969).  On the flip side, Jacksonville held the highest average value of construction (average value: $48,342), while having the fewest total swimming pool starts for the one-month period (168 permits).

FL Average Value of New Pool Construction – August 2018

Out of the hundreds of contractors on file throughout the Sunshine State, the top five pool builders for having the greatest total number of pool starts in August are as follows:

1 – Dreamscapes Pools and Spas ranked #1 having 87 swimming pool starts: Orlando (70 permits); Tampa (17 permits).

2- Aragon Pools and Spas ranked #2 with a total of 51 new swimming pool construction permits in the southwest region of Florida.

3 – All Seasons Pools ranked third highest for new pool permitting activity having a total of 44 swimming pool starts: thirty-six (36) permits in Orlando, seven (7) permits in Jacksonville and two (2) permits in Tampa.

4 – Coast to Coast Pools had a total of thirty (30) swimming pool starts on file with the bulk of new swimming pool construction taking place in the southwest region (29 permits).

5- A & G Concrete Pools made its mark as a leading pool builder in the southeast portion of the state with twenty-six (26) new pool permits on file for the one-month period.

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 Review – August 2018

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A report on residential construction activity in the Sunshine State during the month of August.

Despite the 18% month-over-month dip in housing starts last month, Florida still had a sizable amount of new home construction permitting data on file.  During the one-month period, there were approximately 5,770 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database.  Out of the five major regions reviewed (Southwest, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Southeast), the greatest concentration of housing starts took place in the southwest region (1,382 permits), and the highest average value of new construction could be found in the southeast region (average value: $337,669).

When looking at the leading builders statewide, D.R. Horton ranked #1 for total new permits in every region with the exception of Tampa, where Lennar Homes took top spot.  Here is a closer look at new home construction throughout Florida and by region:

Southwest

The Southwest ranked #1 statewide for total new residential construction permits on file with HBW.  Last month, there were 1,382 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $342.5M.  The average value of new construction was on the lower end of the spectrum coming in close to $248k, and the county with the greatest total number of housing starts was Lee County (441 permits).  Out of the 240 active builders on file for the one-month period, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:

#1 – D.R. Horton (264 permits)

#2 – Lennar Homes (187 permits)

#3 – Pulte Homes (123 permits)

Orlando

Last month, the Orlando area had 1,285 housing starts with a total construction value of just over $397M.  The average value of new home construction was on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $309k), and the counties with the greatest concentration of housing starts included Orange (526 permits) and Volusia (339 permits). Out of the 170+ active builders on file for the one-month period, the following took top spots for total new permits:

#1 – D.R. Horton (160 permits)

#2 – Meritage Homes (111 permits)

#3 – Lennar Homes (108 permits)

Tampa

In Tampa, there were approximately 210 active builders on file for the month, resulting in 1,191 new permits with a total construction value of nearly $343.5M.  The average value of construction was just over $288k, and the bulk of new permits originated from the counties of Hillsborough (476 permits) and Polk (314 permits).  Lennar Homes took top spot for total new permits on file, and the top three builders for the one-month period are as follows:

#1 – Lennar Homes (164 permits)

#2 – D.R. Horton (134 permits)

#3 – M/I Homes (73 permits)

Jacksonville

There were just about 150 active builders in Jacksonville last month, resulting in 1,068 new residential construction permits with a total value of $251.5M added to the HBW database.  The average value of construction was lowest in Jacksonville in comparison to the other regions reviewed coming in at $235.5k, and the majority of new permits originated from the counties of St. Johns (408 permits) and Duval (326).  The top home builders for total new permits on file for the one-month period are as follows:

#1 – D.R. Horton (176 permits)

#2 – Lennar Homes (109 permits)

#3 – Dream Finders Homes (101 permits)

Southeast

In the Southeast, there were 180 active builders on file for the month of August, resulting in 842 new residential construction permits with a total value in excess of $284M. The average value of construction was highest in the southeastern region in comparison to other areas reviewed (average value: $337,669), and the county with the greatest amount of housing starts was the northernmost county of St. Lucie (275 permits).  As with most areas, D.R. Horton ranked #1 for total new permits for the one-month period, and the top three builders were as follows:

#1 – D.R. Horton (78 permits)

#2 – Pulte Homes (63 permits)

#3 – Lennar Homes (55 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.

Choosing the Right Social Media Platform for Your Business

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In previous posts, we’ve talked quite a bit about Instagram, LinkedIn and other social networks.  From getting the most out of ad campaigns and using Instagram “Stories” to amping up your posts and videos, there are many features to explore and utilize in the world of social media.

While social media is now really part of any solid marketing strategy, as a small business owner or contractor, you may only have the budget (and time) for a select few social channels/outlets.  Truth be told, you shouldn’t start an account unless you are ready and have the infrastructure for maintaining it, and sometimes that means starting out with just one social media profile.  So, where does one begin?  How do you choose which social media platform is right for you and your business?

While there is no one right answer for everyone, you should take a look at a few factors:

  1. Who are the primary users of the platform? Are they your target audience?
  2. How many users/viewers are active every day?
  3. What type of content do users post? For example, if you can’t easily produce video, don’t expect to be very active on YouTube.
  4. How often will you need to post to stay relevant and engaging?

If you have the ability, be present on as many social platforms that reach your audience as possible.  If you still need help narrowing down your options, here are some easy statistics and facts that can assist in finding the best social media platform for you:

FaceBook is a powerhouse simply due to the fact that it has been around for some time and has set the stage for other applications.  That being stated, it also owns Instagram, so the growing popularity of Instagram doesn’t take away from its power, especially because it is very easy to link posts from both accounts.  When looking at the latest stats on users, the number of daily users and primary age group of users should be of greatest interest.  According to a survey conducted by Pew Research in January 2018, here are some statistics worth considering:

  • Around two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) use Facebook. Out of the users, 74% of women and 62% of men in the U.S. use the platform.
  • People in urban areas are more likely to use FaceBook than those in suburban regions.
  • The older generation (65+) have doubled their presence on FaceBook with 41% of older Americans being active users.
  • When looking at daily use, 74% of users report visiting FaceBook on a daily basis, while there are 63% on Snapchat, 60% on Instagram, 46% on Twitter and 45% on YouTube.
  • When reviewing age ranges, out of Americans from ages 18- to 24, 94% use YouTube, 81% use FaceBook, 78% use Snapchat, 71% use Instagram and 45% use Twitter.
  • YouTube is now used by nearly 75% of U.S. adults.
  • Pinterest has a larger reach with women (41% of women surveyed said they use Pinterest), while the male users is much lower (16% of men surveyed said they use it).

While statistics are important, the decision will ultimately come down to what works best for your business, customers and target audience.  Remember that social media isn’t just about getting your name out there and inviting new customers; it is also about keeping your current customers and affiliates engaged.

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.

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Report – August 2018

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The latest permit data on file with HBW for new swimming pool construction in Texas during the month of August 2018.

As with every HBW report, we base construction reports on the latest construction permitting data available, and today, we are taking a look at new swimming pool construction in the four major Texas metro areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.

During the month of August, there were more than 750 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $42M added to the HBW database.  Out of the four major metro areas reviewed, Dallas ranked #1 for total starts (415 permits), while Houston took the top spot for highest average value of new construction (average value: $72,319).

With the leading pool builders having mostly a regional focus, each area had different companies taking the top spots for total new permits on the leaderboard.  Here is a look at the leading pool builders by region and related data on file for the one-month period.

Dallas

Total Number of Permits: 415

Total Number of Active Builders: 142

Average Value of Construction: $47,971

Top Five Builders (based on total new permits in August):

Builder  Average Value
Riverbend Pools  $     46,364.00
Gold Medal Pools  $     51,607.00
Robertson Pools  $     47,529.00
Premier Pools  $     45,313.00
Claffey Pools  $     62,057.00

 

Houston

Total Number of Permits: 222

Total Number of Active Builders: 107

Average Value of Construction: $72,319

Top Five Builders (based on total new permits in August):

Builder  Average Value
Anthony & Sylvan Pools  $      51,456.00
McKinney Custom Pools  $      49,300.00
Premier Pools  $      50,944.00
Platinum Pools  $      66,995.00
Southern Charm Pools  $      58,571.00

 

Austin

Total Number of Permits: 65

Total Number of Active Builders: 36

Average Value of Construction: $58,846

Top Five Builders (based on total new permits in August):

Builder  Average Value
Cody Pools  $    38,208.00
Anthony & Sylvan Pools  $    74,500.00
Texas Pools & Patios  $    42,000.00
Superior Fiberglass Pools  $    18,800.00
Monarch Pools  $  225,000.00

 

San Antonio

Total Number of Permits: 51

Total Number of Active Builders: 23

Average Value of Construction: $35,748

Top Five Builders (based on total new permits in August):

Builder  Average Value
Keith Zars Pools  $             36,048.00
Cody Pools  $             42,061.00
Blue Haven Pools  $             40,467.00
Gary’s Pools & Patio  $             30,000.00
Gary Zars Pools  $             29,254.00

 

To gain more information on the pool builders 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.

Texas Home Building Report – August 2018

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A review of new residential construction permit data in Texas for the month of August 2018

Texas Residential Construction Permits by Area – August 2018

While Texas didn’t break any new residential construction records last month, there were thousands of new permits added to the HBW database.  During the month of August, there were 6,684 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $1.6 billion on file.  Here is a closer look at residential construction and the leading home builders by area for Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio:

Houston

Houston ranked #1 out of the four areas reviewed for having the most housing starts last month.  Across the metro area there were approximately 2,775 housing starts with a construction value totaling nearly $582M, with well more than half taking place in Harris County (1,541 permits).  Out of the 325 active builders in the area last month, the following ranked in the top five for total new permits:

#1 – D.R. Horton

#2 – Lennar Homes

#3 – KB Homes

#4 – Perry Homes

#5 – K. Hovnanian Homes

Dallas

In Dallas, there were more than 2,370 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $678M during the month of August.  The counties with the highest concentration of new residential construction included Collin (684 permits) and Tarrant (618 permits).  Out of the 240+ active builders in the Dallas area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file:

#1 – D.R. Horton

#2 – Lennar Homes

#3 – Bloomfield Homes

#4 – Pulte Homes

#5 – Highland Homes

Austin

Last month, there were more than 980 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $226M in the Austin area.  The bulk of new residential construction activity could be found in Travis County (674 permits), and out of the approximately 115 active builders in the area last month, the following ranked in the top five for total new permits:

#1 – D.R. Horton

#2 – KB Homes

#3 – RSI Communities

#4 – Pulte Homes

#5 – CalAtlantic Homes

San Antonio

In San Antonio, there were 555+ housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $121M on file for the month, and more than half of all new permitting activity originated from Bexar County (308 permits).  Out of the 80+ active builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file with HBW:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – KB Homes

#3 – Continental Homes of Texas

#4 – Bella Vista C.M.I.

#5 – Armadillo Construction

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.

Communication is Crucial During Hurricane Season

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Hurricane Season is here, and it is time to have those important conversations and reminders on safety with your crews and clients.

source: wikipedia

There is just no way to avoid it… Hurricane Season comes every year, and every year you must prepare your home, business and clients for any possibility the storms may bring.   And thanks to the recent wakeup call from Tropical Storm Gordon, hurricanes and storms have come to the forefront of almost everyone’s mind (at least in the South). The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially began June 1st and runs all the way through November 30, and this past week, Hurricane Florence became the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season.  Looking ahead, and according to ABC7 Weather, forecasters are predicting 3-5 major hurricanes for the U.S. this year. As we already know from experience, it takes just one major storm to cause catastrophic damage and loss to property and lives.

No need to fret just yet.  There is still ample time to jumpstart your hurricane preparedness plans and resources.  While you should already have an evacuation and storm safety plan in place, this is the perfect time to fine-tune your preparations and kits, as well as prepare your crews and employees should there be a hurricane coming your way.  While there are a number of safety supplies you will need to procure and properties you will need to secure, there is one crucial part of hurricane season that can sometimes get overlooked and that is Communication.

Communication – This is a huge piece of the puzzle when it comes to Hurricanes.  How and what you communicate to your employees and customers will partially determine how you “weather” the storm.  First, your crews must know how to prepare the job site, the agreed upon time frame for ceasing construction prior to a storm and how you will remain in contact with them during and after the storm.  You will want to talk with crew members to decide who will be available to tend to job sites and customers immediately following the hurricane; while this part may change depending upon how team members may be personally impacted, it is still important to have established and agreed upon a role for each member of your crew.  The same goes for your office staff; they too should have an office prep plan to secure computers, back up files and store important paperwork, along with a plan for checking in to confirm their safety.

Your clients, especially active job sites, will need to receive the same level of communication.  Clients have their own personal safety and families (and businesses) to worry about, and it is your job as a construction professional to make them feel comfortable and confident that you are taking all appropriate steps to secure their property or construction project.  Share with them your plan for preparing materials and property, securing the job site, removing debris, building materials and equipment that could pose a hazard during high winds.  Help them to understand that you are informed, care about their well-being and property, and provide them with a realistic timeline for when you plan on stopping and restarting construction activity.

With all clients, active and inactive, you are well positioned to provide storm safety resources and tips for ensuring that their homes and properties are properly prepared for high winds and heavy rain.  Use this time as an opportunity to engage your 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:

More resources can be found online, including helpful tools for getting safety on the radar of your crews and customers.  While it is not realistic to personally prepare every client and contact for an impending storm, communication will go a long way in helping them prepare and understand how your business puts their safety first.

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.

On the Importance of Safety Training and Fall Protection

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A trained crew is a safe crew, and safety should be a top priority your job sites.  According to OSHA, there were nearly 4,700 worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2016.  Out of those, 991 (21.1%) were in construction — In other words, one in five worker deaths last year were in construction. The leading causes of private sector worker deaths (excluding highway collisions) in the construction industry were falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution, and caught-in/between. These “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (63.7%) construction worker deaths in 2016, according to BLS. Eliminating the Fatal Four would save 631 workers’ lives in America every year, and by eliminating those hazards on your job site you would significantly lower your risk of having a crew member become a statistic.

So what are the most frequently cited violations?  As reported by Federal OSHA for fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017), the following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards:

  1. Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
  2. Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
  3. Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
  4. Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
  5. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
  1. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
  2. Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
  3. Machinery and Machine Guarding, general requirements (29 CFR 1910.212)
  4. Fall Protection–Training Requirements (29 CFR 1926.503)
  5. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (29 CFR 1910.305)

With Fall Protection being the #1 most cited OSHA standard, it is important to have not only the proper fall protection equipment, but the proper training. Employers must be proactive and set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling from overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.

OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of six feet or greater in the construction industry, and fall protection must be provided to all employees working over dangerous equipment and machinery no matter the fall distance.

According to OSHA’s website, there are a number of areas that an employer can address to prevent crews from being injured from a fall injury; those preventative steps are published as follows:

  • Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover).
  • Provide a guard rail and toe-board around every elevated open sided platform, floor or runway.
  • Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt) employers must provide guardrails and toe-boards to prevent workers from falling and getting injured.
  • Other means of fall protection that may be required on certain jobs include safety harness and line, safety nets, stair railings and hand rails.

 

OSHA requires employers to:

  • Provide working conditions that are free of known dangers.
  • Keep floors in work areas in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition.
  • Select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.
  • Train workers about job hazards in a language that they can understand.

While most employers do not have a large enough operation to conduct safety training in-house, it is still their responsibility to follow OSHA’s standards and ensure crews are following proper safety procedures.  There are a number of training companies that can provide programs at your office or on the job, as well as develop safety policy and procedure for your team.  The investment made in training now will more than pay off down the line by avoiding costly penalties and heavy losses.  Another major benefit is that training can boost team morale and give your employees the confidence they need to focus on the job knowing that their employer cares about their well-being and work conditions.

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 Swimming Pool Report – July 2018

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A review of new swimming pool construction and related permit data on file with HBW for the month of July 2018.

Last month, there were nearly 1,950 new swimming pool construction permits added to the HBW database for Florida.  Here is closer look at the new construction activity and leading pool builders by region:

Southwest

By a small margin, the southwest region of Florida held the greatest number of swimming pool starts last month.  Having nearly 495 new pool construction permits with a total value in excess $21.3M, the southwest ranked #1 for total permits.  The average value of new pool construction was second highest out of the five areas reviewed coming in at just over $43k, and more than half of all new permits originated from the counties of Collier (150 permits) and Lee (140 permits).  Out of the 115 active builders on file for the month, the following ranked in the top three for total new permits:

#1 – Aragon Pools & Spas

#2 – Pinnacle USA

#3 – Coast to Coast Pools

Southeast

In the southeastern region of Florida, there were nearly 485 pool starts with a total value of approximately $18.2M last month.  The average value of new swimming pool construction was lowest in the southeast landing at just over $37.6k.  More than half of all new construction could be found in the larger counties of Miami-Dade (137 permits) and Palm Beach (142 permits).  Out of the 155+ active builders on file for the month, the following companies ranked in the top three for total new permits:

#1 – A & G Concrete Pools

#2 – Louden Bonded Pools

#3 – Pool Builders, Inc.

Orlando

In the Central Florida/Orlando area, there were nearly 375 pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $14.2M last month.  The average value of new pool construction was on the lower end of the spectrum for Florida coming in just over $37.9K, and the greatest volume of new permitting activity could be found in Orange (94 permits) and Osceola (130 permits) Counties. Out of the 80+ active builders in the area during the month of July, the following ranked in the top three for total permits on file with HBW:

#1 – All Seasons Pools

#2 – Bob’s Pool Service

#3 – Atlas Pools of Central Florida

Tampa

Last month, there were nearly 360 pool starts with a total value of approximately $15.2M in Tampa.  The average value of construction was moderate at $42.4k, and the highest concentration of new permits originated from the counties of Hillsborough (110 permits) and Polk (92 permits).  Out of the 100+ active pool builders in the area last month, the following ranked in the top three for total permits on file with HBW:

#1 – American Pools & Spas

#2 – Tampa Bay Pools

#3 – Olympus Pools

Jacksonville

There were 230 pool starts with a total construction value in excess of $10.8M in Jacksonville last month.  The average value of new pool construction was on the higher end of the spectrum in comparison to other regions across the state coming in at just over $47k.  The bulk of new construction could be found in the counties of Duval (82 permits) and St. Johns (90 permits).  Out of the approximately 65 active pool builders on file for the month, the following ranked top three for total permits:

#1 – Pools by John Clarkson

#2 – Renaissance Pools & Spas

#3 – Blue Haven Pools

To gain more information on the pool builders 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.

Using Instagram Stories for Your Business

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How to make the most of Instagram Stories to boost your business profile…

Photo Source: Instagram Press

Despite what you may think, Instagram Stories are not just for teens and millennials looking to post a series of their favorite selfies.  No, Instagram Stories can be so much more and an effective tool for getting your business and Instagram activity noticed.  Just a few months ago (June 2018), Instagram announced that it had reached 1 billion monthly active users, after passing 800 million in September 2017 with 500 million daily users.  What do all of those high figures mean?  It means a lot of potential views for your business services and products.

So, how do you get started?  The first step is simple – You need to establish a business account.  The next steps include gathering your high-quality images and videos that you may already be using in some of your established marketing pieces.  We could go on for days on ways to maximize your presence on Instagram, but for the purpose of this post, we are going to focus on Instagram’s feature that may look familiar if you are already working with Snapchat – Instagram Stories.

What are Instagram Stories?  It’s really quite simple.  The “Stories” feature enables you to create photo and video sequences that post just to your story and can be viewed for 24-hours.  While you may not initially understand the power of a 24-hour post, think of incentives, giveaways, company events, holidays, featured projects, product launch – the list goes on.

You can really add almost anything to your story, so it can be tempting to just click “add post to your story” on every image or video that is of interest to you – Resist the urge.  As that may be fine for a personal account, as a business, you will want to be more strategic with the content you post.  After all, it is the first thing that a viewer will see when they click on your profile.

Here are a few ways to make Instagram Stories work for your business:

Harness the Power of Brand Ambassadors – Brand ambassadors don’t have to be celebrities.  Rather, think of them as celebrities of your brand.  Real people who really use your products or live in the homes you’ve designed or built.  Encourage your employees, clients and partners to post photos related to your business and tag you.  With one click, they can be front and center on your “Story”.  You may even consider building a story around your top picks (or pics) for the week.

Give Up Control – Whether you know a social influencer, industry figurehead, well-known client, local celebrity or partnering business, any one of them may be a good contact to have conduct a social “takeover”.  Perhaps you can swap control for a day where they control your story and vice versa.  Takeovers occur when your brand allows an influencer to control content for a specified period of time, and Instagram Stories are a great place to test it and see how it can work for your business in other social arenas.  There are brands that build entire campaigns around takeovers, and it may be an option for changing things up in your Instagram Story.

Create an Actual Story – Yes, the word “story” is even in the name of the feature, but much of the content won’t actually portray a true story with a beginning, middle and end.  Creating a consistent story will take a little more thought, but using it to demonstrate a before and after project or the history of your company during an anniversary year can be a really cool and interesting way to draw in your audience.

Show the Imperfections – Many viewers prefer organic and real content, and real content isn’t perfect; as once stated by Thomas De Quincey, “Even imperfection itself may have its ideal or perfect state.”  While the photos with perfect lighting and models serve a purpose, they become less believable in large amounts.  Make sure to add a little flavor to your story by showing real photos (#nofilter) with real people, on the job and in action.  Sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes stories give viewers a feeling that they are getting exclusive information and a chance to really get to know your business.

With there being so many ways to post interesting stories to Instagram, don’t be afraid to experiment now and again.  The more fun (while staying professional) you have, the more fun the viewer will have in learning about your company.

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 Home Builders – July 2018

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An HBW report on the top ranked home builders for total new permits on file during the month of July 2018.

Florida Total New Residential Permits – July 2018

Last month, residential construction was on the rise in the Sunshine State.  Having experienced an 18% month-over-month increase in housing starts, there were nearly 7,100 total new permits added to the HBW database for the one-month period.  Out of the hundreds of home builders active throughout the state, Lennar Homes ranked #1 for total permits in four out of five regions reviewed, while D.R. Horton took top spot in Orlando.

Here is a closer look at new residential construction and the leading home builders by area for the month of July:

Southwest

Housing starts were up by a 17% month-over-month increase in the southwestern region of the Sunshine State last month.  Ranking #1 for total new permits out of all areas reviewed, there were just about 1,710 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $412M in the southwest. Out of the 265 active home builders in the area, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits for the one-month period:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – D.R. Horton

#3 – Pulte Homes

#4 – Neal Communities of SW FL

#5 – Taylor Morrison

Tampa

Not far behind the southwest, Tampa experienced a 20% month-over-month increase in residential construction, resulting in close to 1,700 housing starts with a total construction value of $480M for the month of July.  Out of the 225+ active home builders in the area last month, the top five for total permits on file are as follows:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – D.R. Horton

#3 – Pulte Homes

#4 – M/I Homes

#5 – Taylor Morrison

Orlando

Last month, Orlando experienced a 27% month-over-month increase in housing starts, resulting in 1,578 new residential construction permits with a total value of $478M.  Out of the approximately 190 active builders in the area last month, the top five for total new permits for the one-month period are as follows:

#1 – D.R. Horton

#2 – Park Square Homes

#3 – Meritage Homes

#4 – Lennar Homes

#5 – Pulte Homes

Jacksonville

In Jacksonville, housing starts were up 19% in comparison to June.  During the month of July, there were more than 1,265 housing starts with a total construction value of approximately $292M added to the HBW database. Out of the 145+ active builders in the area, the top five for total permits on file are as follows:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – D.R. Horton

#3 – Dream Finders Homes

#4 – KB Homes

#5 – David Weekley Homes

Southeast

This summer, housing starts in Southeast Florida have been consistent and steady, having no major monthly shifts in residential construction.  Last month, there were approximately 850 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $238M. Out of the 190 active home builders in the area last month, the following took the top five spots for total housing starts on file:

#1 – Lennar Homes

#2 – D.R. Horton

#3 – Pulte Homes

#4 – Standard Pacific Homes

#5 – GL Homes

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.