Eco-Update: Solar and Sustainability in Florida

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Earlier this summer, we reviewed the latest green building efforts in Florida through South Miami’s recent commitment to solar on new and renovated structures.  Since then, there have been quite a few stories published about solar and sustainable construction efforts happening throughout Florida; news about solar has been buzzing in the Sunshine State, and with Florida being one of HBW’s focus areas for construction leads, we decided to dig a little deeper to highlight just a few more earth-friendly efforts that have made headlines in the past month…

Solar is looking up in St. Petersburg, Florida.

It appears that South Miami has a friend in St. Petersburg, Florida.  The gulf coast city just outside of Tampa is looking to help pave the way for solar.  Similar to the law recently passed in South Miami, St. Pete’s City Council is considering a new law that would require solar panel installations on new homes; unlike South Miami, this law would also require solar panels to be installed on repaired roofs that have sustained heavy damage.

If the ordinance is passed, St. Petersburg would become the seconds city in Florida to require solar to be installed on new homes. Questions regarding the potential cost to homeowners was addressed by the Tampa Bay Times and answered as follows:

The typical new Florida home uses about 12,720 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Adding an 8 kilowatt photovoltaic system at $2 per watt, minus the 30 percent federal tax credit, equals an average up-front price for residential solar panels at $11,000, according to the Florida Solar Panel Center at the University of Central Florida. That would lead to a monthly power bill of $11 instead of $125 per month.

While the ordinance has a road of discussions and review ahead, a tentative schedule calls for considering a final version by December, with the effective date in 2018. (source: Tampa Bay Times)

HERO program is behind sustainable improvements for Palm Beach homeowners.

As recently announced by Renovate America, homeowners across Palm Beach County now have access to “HERO”, a financing program that supports energy, efficiency and wind-resistance improvements.  Haven’t heard of HERO yet?  Well, if you are in Palm Beach County and looking to make sustainable improvements to your home, it is worth knowing about how HERO can assist in managing the cost.  The program enables homeowners to pay for upgrades over a period of time through an additional assessment on their property tax bill.  As a result of a partnership between the Florida Development Finance Corporation and Renovate America, HERO is the largest Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program in the country.

Improvements that meet the eligibility requirements include solar, energy-efficient HVAC systems, storm shutters and other wind damage protection that meet or exceed Florida Building Code requirements.  The products eligible for financing through the program have the potential to lower utility bills and/or insurance premiums and offer homeowners additional safety and comfort.

In addition to Palm Beach, other Florida counties that offer HERO financing include Broward, Brevard, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Brevard, Orange, Leon, Nassau, Pasco and Charlotte.

Volusia County has a solar energy cooperative.

Earlier this week, Volusia County provided residents an opportunity to take part in a solar co-op.  The co-op has a variety of partners including but not limited to the League of Women Voters of Volusia County, Sierra Club’s local chapter, Stetson University and the City of Deland.  The group is the 16th solar cooperative in Florida.  To continue to move forward in Volusia County, the cooperative will need secured commitments from a minimum of 30 homeowners.  The informational sessions are free to attend, and the co-op is free to join.  The first session is scheduled for September 20, 2017 at Stetson University, with other sessions to follow through October and November at various locations throughout Volusia County.  For more information, visit the FL SUN website.

For more industry news and construction business 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.

Home Builders Helping Houston

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Ways home builders (and anyone) can help residents of Houston rebuild and recover in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

You don’t have to be in Houston to know that it sustained massive flooding and damage from its recent hit by Hurricane Harvey.  Open any newspaper or watch any news network in the U.S., and the heartbreaking images of the devastation that Houston is facing can be overwhelming.

The truth is that recovery from natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey take time, but they also take the right people and groups to make the rebuilding happen.  As home builders, we are in a unique position to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need.  From working with building material suppliers to partnering with Houston-area builders to support their businesses and growing demand, home builders can do much more than write a check.

When searching the internet for ways to support Houston, the list is seemingly never-ending.  For this reason, we have selected a handful of options and sources for supporting victims of Hurricane Harvey.  While this list is not to endorse or favor any one organization over another, it is to serve as a starting point and guide to get you going on your own efforts to be part of Houston’s recovery.

  1. American Red Cross – While this seems the most obvious, it is always worth looking into the many relief programs that are being led by the American Red Cross. Beyond receiving direct donations, they mobilize a network of volunteers, on the ground, to get to the families and people who need it most. If you would like to volunteer with the Red Cross, you should visit the volunteer section of redcross.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to apply to be a volunteer.  In addition to any donations or volunteering you may offer, sharing their social media posts that direct people to the correct contacts and phone numbers for help can also help them reach those in need.
  2. Donate Blood – In addition to donating blood through the American Red Cross which provides 40% of the nation’s blood (source: ARC), local centers like the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center are in great need for blood donations. It has been stated that the greatest need is for O positive and O negative.  To find a list of locations, click here.
  3. Find a Charity – If you are looking to provide direct support (financial or other) to a local charity in Houston, then you will certainly want to do your research. You can check out credentials of charitable organizations through websites such as Charity Navigator.  Charity Navigator provides valuable information about charities and now offers a specific section for Hurricane Harvey.  To confirm an organization’s charitable status, there is always the IRS.  By using their EO Select Check Tool, you can confirm their listing as a nonprofit.  Keep in mind that smaller groups like churches may not be listed.
  4. Help Rebuild – While immediate needs for survival and cleanup are occurring now, there will be a need for rebuilding in the near future. Groups like Habitat for Humanity Houston have an inside line to those in need of shelter and are constantly open to new volunteers.  This is where you and your business have a chance to make a difference.  By offering a group of volunteers, leading a building project or sponsoring a home, you can put your construction expertise to good use.  As previously mentioned, you may also reach out to contractors in the area to learn of their needs and see how you can partner up on relief efforts.
  5. Donate Food and Clothing – According to a recent release from CNN, “Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is asking people to donate clothing, medical supplies, baby items, and food to nearby shelters. Feeding Texas is coordinating with local food banks to distribute food and cleaning supplies. The organization is asking people to drop off non-perishable food, bleach, and paper towels. The Texas Diaper Bank is seeking diaper donations. You can mail them to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Texas 78238 or drop them off at the same address.” (source: CNN).  Houston Food Bank is Houston’s largest food donation foundation; it will be providing food and supplies in the short term and for many months to come to residents in southeast Texas.  Through its partner agencies and network, the Food Bank aims to get food to those in greatest need.  They currently have volunteer openings as well as a list of food and supply donations needed.

While we could write a book on the many charities currently active in Houston, we encourage you to seek a partner that is the right fit for you and your business.  Once you find a charity, make sure to contact them directly to get an idea of what they need most.  Often, especially with food banks or shelters, donations of clothes and food will be sent with the right intention but may not be right for that particular organization.  Inquire about their wish list and find out how you and your business can be most effective in rebuilding the Houston community.

For 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.

Florida Top Home Builders – July 2017

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HBW residential construction report and builder spotlight for July 2017

FL New Residential Construction Permits by Area – July 2017

Since June, residential construction is looking up across Florida.  During the month of July, there were more than 6,200 housing starts reflecting a 24% month-over-month increase.  Out of the five areas reviewed (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Southwest, Southeast), Tampa came out on top for total starts having nearly 1,600 new residential construction permits on file for the month.  Orlando was next and following close behind with more than 1,420 new permits.

While Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton were the most active builders having the most starts across the state in July, when taking a closer look by area, there are a few other builders making their mark as well.  Here’s the breakdown of top builders and new construction activity for July and by region:

TAMPA

As previously mentioned, Tampa was the leading area for starts in Florida last month.  Nearly 200 active builders were responsible for close to 1,600 housing starts with an average value of approximately $255k.  Lennar Homes was the leader with more than 180 starts, and most of the leading builder’s new permits originated from Pasco and Hillsborough counties.  The top three builders are as follows:

Lennar Homes – 181 permits, average value: $248k

D.R. Horton – 139 permits, average value: ~$200k

Standard Pacific Homes – 115 permits, average value: $279k

ORLANDO

Last month, Orlando had more than 1,420 housing starts with the highest average value ($308k) of any other region in the state.  Out of the 200 active builders on file with HBW in July, D.R. Horton was positioned on top with close to 200 housing starts and an average value of construction close to $254k.  Here is a look at the top three home builders in Orlando for the month:

D.R. Horton – 194 permits, average value: $254k

Pulte Homes – 93 permits, average value: > $316k

Lennar Homes – 92 permits, average value: ~$204k

SOUTHWEST

In July, there were more than 1,400 housing starts with an average construction value just over $253k in Southwest Florida.  More than half of all new construction took place in Lee and Sarasota counties.  Out of the close to 250 active home builders on file, Lennar Homes led for total new permits with 224 housing starts. The top three builders in the southwest region for July are as follows:

Lennar Homes – 224 permits, average value: $210k

D.R. Horton – 106 permits, average value: $221k

Pulte Homes – 88 permits, average value: $201k

JACKSONVILLE

Nearly 150 home builders were active with new residential construction in Jacksonville last month.  Out of the 970+ housing starts at an average construction value of $247.5k, close to 40% took place in St. Johns County.  The top three home builders in the area for the month are as follows:

D.R. Horton – 152 permits, average value: $153k

Dream Finders Construction and Homes – 117 permits, average value: >$290k

Lennar Homes – 69 permits, average value: $277k

SOUTHEAST

In the southeast region, there were more than 820 housing starts with an average value of $271k.  St. Lucie County had the most new construction on file out of all southeast counties reviewed with 233 permits for the one-month period.  Out of the 200 active home builders in the area, Lennar Homes was a leader for total permits having 122 housing starts with an average value just over $151k.  Here is a closer look at the top three home builders for total new residential construction permits:

Lennar Homes – 122 permits, average value: >$151k

D.R. Horton – 102 permits, average value: >$227k

GL Homes – 65 permits, average value: ~$407k

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures for Florida residential construction was directly derived from HBW 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.

5 Ways to Get Your Company “Out There”

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Beyond the standard self-generated social media posts, here are five ways to get your business noticed.

Content, content, content – today it is all about content.  From Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to generating buzzworthy videos and posts, your marketing success depends largely on the content you are generating, and distributing.  The truth is that you can create content for days; whether you provide an aerial video of your latest construction project or choose to highlight new products or services, if you have an active business you have plenty of content.  What you do with that content is really what counts.  We all know how easy it is to simply tweet or retweet, upload a video to YouTube or tag clients in the latest FaceBook news, but distributing content effectively is much more complex than any single post.

One post can only go so far.  Social networks are called “social” because they are social by nature.  Your content must be shared (and shared again) in order to spread across your audience.  Sure, you can tap into the latest viral news or video or produce your own buzzworthy content, but there are more strategic ways to make sure you maximize your reach.  Here are five ways to get noticed and share content beyond a singular post in your network:

  1. Other Networks – While your FaceBook page may have thousands of “Likes” and your Twitter account gains new followers every day, don’t overlook the power of other networks. Reach out to a publication that is distributed to your target audience.  From online publications and construction newsletters to industry magazines, the options are endless.  Consider writing an advice or how-to article to submit to your chosen publication.  While you won’t have the opportunity to plug your product, you most certainly will have the chance to highlight your expertise and get your company name out to an extended audience.
  2. Partner with Giants – Every industry, including construction, has their big fish and giants. Those giants are often influencers within the industry and can be great partners for sharing content.  Before approaching any big player (individual or corporation), make sure you have a clear understanding of your objective.  Perhaps you would like to quote them in your marketing materials or embed their latest video on your website. No matter how you choose to include them in your marketing plan, make sure it is mutually beneficial and designed for them to share the content within their networks as well.
  3. Nurture Relationships – While you should always be seeking and nurturing prospects, don’t overlook your current clients. One kitchen renovation or landscape design should not be the end of your relationship.  Your current clients are just as valuable as your future clients when it comes to sharing content.  For this reason, you must keep them engaged and continue to serve as a resource for them.  In turn, they will have the opportunity to share your latest newsletter or how-to video within their networks.
  4. Signature Content – Your email signature can be a powerful player in sharing content. Think about it… Every email that leaves your business has the ability to be forwarded and shared; with hundreds of emails each day, your team’s signature should have information beyond an address and website.  Consider having members of your sales team add something new to their signature each month.  From promotional discounts to eye-catching images that link to your portfolio, give your team the tools and content they need to get noticed in everything including email.
  5. Lead Follow-up – When following up with your leads (including your latest HBW leads), it is important to send more than a generic “Did you get my message?”. In addition to the featured link that will be in your signature (see #4), you should also provide them with something educational.  For example, if you are looking to offer new windows, consider providing a link to a company video that shows them the signs of windows needing to be replaced and how they can better prepare their home for changes in weather and energy savings.

By combining your current social media marketing efforts with other groups and outlets, you will be able to multiply your reach and increase the likelihood of getting noticed where it counts.

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.

7 Things to Know About Swimming Pool Construction in Florida

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HBW Insider: Florida New Swimming Pool Construction Report through Q2-2017

New swimming pool construction is only getting better for Florida-based builders.  Through the second quarter of 2017, new pool construction is up 6% in comparison to the same time last year, resulting in more than 12,000 new permits in the HBW database.

FL Pool Permits by Area thru Q2-2017

Upon review of the latest Swimming Pool Construction Activity Trend Report from HBW, here are seven insider highlights that provide a summarized and closer look at where new swimming pool permits are available and growing:

  1. Every Florida area reviewed, with the exception of the southwestern region, experienced a year-over-year increase in new pool construction ranging from 4% to 12% through the second quarter. The southwest portion of the state remained steady and consistent with last year, neither increasing nor decreasing in activity.
  2. The greatest year-over-year increase in new pool construction could be found in the northern region at a 12% gain. The western region had the second greatest increase through Q2 at 11%.
  3. Out of the six regions reviewed (Central, West, SE, SW, NE, NW), Southwest Florida had the greatest total number of pool starts through the second quarter of this year with 3,050 permits on file with HBW.
  4. Lee County (SW) is the #1 county in the state for total new swimming pool permits. With just over 1,000 starts, there has already been an 11% year-over-year increase in new pool construction in Lee County.
  5. Other counties with high concentrations of new pool construction include:
    • Orange County, Central FL (806 permits, +7%)
    • Palm Beach County, SE (800 permits, +3%)
    • Collier County, SW (739 permits, +2%)

FL Top 5 Counties for Total Pool Permits Q2 2016 vs. 2017

  1. In comparison to 2016, the greatest % of growth in new swimming pool construction through Q2-2017 could be found in counties including:
    • Pasco County, West (+35%)
    • Clay County, NE (+25%)
    • St. Johns County, NE (+23%)
  2. While Florida is seeing increases in new pool construction overall, a couple of areas have undergone a dip in starts since last year and include the following counties:
    • Sumter County, West (-23%)
    • Manatee County, SW (-21%)
    • Broward County, SE (-14%)

HBW will continue to monitor new construction patterns closely and provide monthly and quarterly reports to keep you in the know. 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 Q2 Review

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Through the second quarter of this year, Florida has experienced a 13% year-over-year increase in housing starts.

We are just halfway through the year, and Florida is already on target for having the best year for total housing starts in more than 5 years.  From January to June, there have been 36,280 housing starts recorded by HBW throughout the state, a 13% increase in comparison to 2016.  From the northern-most regions of the state to the higher value areas of South and Central Florida, new residential construction activity has spiked across the board.  With increases ranging as high as 30% (West FL) to smaller spikes of 6% (Southwest FL), permit data has been growing in the HBW database.

FL Resid. Permits by Area thru Q2-2017

The western region of Florida has experienced the greatest increase in comparison to the same time last year; through Q2 there were more than 8,000 housing starts in the west, reflecting a 30% year-over-year increase.  More than half of all new residential construction activity in the west took place in the counties of Hillsborough (2,611 permits) and Polk (2,022 permits), with both areas reflecting an annual increase of approximately 24%.

Another area teeming with new construction is Central Florida.  Through Q2, there were nearly 7,400 housing starts in Central Florida which positions it just about 8% ahead of last year.   The Orlando city-central county of Orange had the highest concentration of housing starts for any county in Florida with approximately 3,050 new permits (+7%) on file through Q2. The coastal county of Brevard has experienced the greatest growth since last year as it had a 24% increase in residential construction, resulting in 1,015 new permits for the six-month period.

Moving to the south, the southern region of the state has seen significant growth in new residential permits in comparison to the same time last year.  With just under 4,000 housing starts, the southeast experienced a 22% year-over-year increase in housing starts, and Miami-Dade County  (1,235 permits) held the highest concentration of new permits.  In the southwestern region, there has been a 6% year-over-year increase in housing starts through Q2, resulting in more than 6,600 new permits.  New construction is spread somewhat evenly across the counties of Lee (1,984 permits), Sarasota (1,512 permits) and Collier (1,410).  All southwest counties reviewed, with the exception of Manatee and Charlotte, are ahead of last year’s figures for new residential construction.

Finally, we reviewed the northwestern region inclusive of a couple of neighboring counties (Baldwin and Mobile) in Alabama.  New residential construction has been steady and increasing.  Through Q2, there were nearly 4,750 housing starts in the northwest, reflective of a 7% increase in new construction activity in comparison to 2016.  Baldwin County had the greatest total number of starts on file for Alabama (1,103 permits), and Santa Rosa County’s 11% increase and 737 starts resulted in it ranking #1 for northwestern counties in Florida.

FL Top 10 Counties for New Resid. Permits – Q2 2016 vs. 2017

When looking at higher-value (>$500k) residential construction starts, Central Florida has the highest total at 553 permits, and the southeast is not far behind with approximately 500 higher value permits on file for Q2.  While the southeast region is tracking just below last year’s figures, the central portion of the state is on a pace to set itself slightly ahead of last year for total starts above $500k.

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures for Florida residential construction was directly derived from HBW 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 Residential Construction 2nd Quarter Review

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HBW Report: New Residential Construction Permits in Texas through Q2-2017

Through the first half of this year, Texas is ahead of 2016 in new residential construction.  With more than 36.2k housing starts on file with HBW this year, Texas has experienced a 9% year-over-year increase in new home construction.

TX Total Permits by Area – Q2-2016 vs. Q2-2017

Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Houston and Dallas continue to drive growth in the Texas housing market.  Just through the second quarter, there were more than 15.2k housing starts in Houston, reflecting an 11% increase in comparison to the same time last year.  More than half of all new residential permits in Houston originated from Harris County which has experienced a year-over-year spike of more than 13% in new home construction.

While Dallas ranked second highest for total housing starts (>11.7k permits), it remains a leading metro area for higher value (>$500k) homes in Texas.  Through the second quarter of this year, the Dallas area experienced a 12% year-over-year increase in new residential construction, and approximately 8% of those starts were for construction projects valued over $500k.  Out of the Dallas counties reviewed, Tarrant and Collin were standouts as more than half of all new home construction took place there through the second quarter.  The Dallas county that is experiencing the most year-over-year growth in housing starts by far is Rockwell County where there has been more than a 43% increase in new residential construction permits.

Moving on to the Austin area, there has been a small but noticeable year-over-year increase of 4%, with incremental growth each quarter.  Out of the nearly 5,900 housing starts in Austin through June of this year, the bulk of new construction took place in Travis County (3,492 permits), where there has been more than a 15% year-over-year increase in new residential construction.  While there were drops in new permits averaging around -15% in both Williamson and Bastrop counties, the increases in all other Austin areas reviewed are keeping home building rates steady.

San Antonio was the only metro area in Texas that did not experience an increase in housing starts through Q2.  That being stated, the minor dip of -1% in housing starts is not sounding any alarms, as the area is tracking similarly to residential construction patterns thru Q2 of last year.  Out of the close to 3,400 housing starts in San Antonio through June, just about half took place in Bexar County (1,573 permits), where there has been more than a 4% increase in residential construction activity in comparison to the same time last year.

TX Top 5 Counties for Total Permits thru Q2 – 2016 vs. 2017

Information utilized for the reports and graphs for Texas residential construction was directly derived from HBW 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.

Atlanta on Track for a Record Year

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New residential construction in the Metro Atlanta area is on track for being the best year for housing starts in over five years.

Through the second quarter of this year, Atlanta is already showing signs of a chart-topping year for housing starts.  Since the start of the year through June, there have been more than 12.3k housing starts in the Metro Atlanta area, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.  Over the last five years, Atlanta has exhibited growth in new residential construction, and if housing starts continue at the current rate, this year will be its best year yet.

 

ATL Permits 2012-2016

From a county-wide perspective, Gwinnett County continues to be a hot spot for new home construction.  With nearly 2k housing starts through Q2, the area has experienced a 3% increase in comparison to the same time last year.  Over the last several years, Gwinnett has exhibited an upward moving trend, and 2017 is no exception.  Not far behind, Fulton County is also a top locale for new homes; with more than 1,350 housing starts, Fulton has experienced a 10% increase in residential construction in comparison to Q2-2016.  Additionally, Fulton holds the highest concentration of higher value (>$500k) housing starts and is somewhat consistent with last year’s totals for higher value construction.

While Forsyth County has experienced a drop in new home construction (-22%) in comparison to the same time last year, it still ranks third-highest for total housing starts (1,218 permits).  On the other hand, the counties of Cherokee and Cobb both show signs of growth since last year and are currently positioned fourth and fifth with 1,073 and 902 permits through Q2 respectively.

ATL Top Counties for Total Permits Q2 2016 vs. 2017

When taking a look at some of the smaller counties in Georgia, there have been significant increases in housing starts since last year.  For example, the smallest county in Georgia (Clarke County) has nearly 40% more housing starts through Q2 of this year, and housing starts in the less populated county of Newton have nearly doubled in comparison to last year.

Being only halfway through 2017, there is room for fluctuations and changes in construction patterns.  That being said, on the current course Atlanta is experiencing a healthy dose of residential construction, and this year is trending and tracking as one for the books.

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures for metro Atlanta residential construction was directly derived from HBW 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.

Houston Leads Texas Residential Construction in July

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HBW Report: Texas Residential Construction July 2017

TX New Resid. Permits by Area – July 2017

Overall, new residential construction was up in Texas last month.  With a total of approximately 7,260 housing starts and $1.7B in total construction value, the Lone Star State experienced an 11% month-over-month increase in new home permitting.  While San Antonio experienced the greatest spike in new construction since June (50%), it was Houston that remained on top of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio) for total housing starts.  Here is a breakdown of the latest permitting activity by area:

Dallas

Out of the nearly 300 active builders on file in Dallas during the month of July, D.R. Horton remained the leader in new home construction for the one-month period.  Across the metro Dallas area there were nearly 2,400 housing starts with a value in excess of $719M in July, reflecting a 7% month-over-month increase.  Highest concentrations of new residential construction permitting activity could be found in the counties of Tarrant (721 permits) and Collin (610 permits).  Dallas has consistently held a higher value in real estate, and the value of new construction follows the same trend, as it tops the other major metro areas with an average value of more than $300k.

Houston

Houston is a powerhouse when it comes to new residential construction.  While the area is on the lowest end for average value ($199,557) of new home construction, it continues to kick out the greatest amount of housing starts each month.  Last month, there were 323 active builders in Houston, and Lennar Homes led with 208 permits on file for the period.  Having experienced a 19% increase in housing starts in comparison to June, the Houston area had nearly 3,200 new residential construction permits and more than $638M in total value on file with HBW.  The majority of new construction could be found in Harris County, where there were 1,850 housing starts with a total value greater than $361M for the month.

Austin

Austin was the only area that experienced a dip in residential construction activity in July.  With a 10% month-over-month decrease in housing starts, Austin had 969 new permits and nearly $227M on file last month.  Out of the 120 active builders pulling permits in the area, D.R. Horton was the leader with 135 housing starts; most of the mega-builder’s activity took place in Travis County.  Building activity in Travis County accounted for 65% of Austin’s new construction as there were 636 permits and nearly $142M in total value there for the one-month period.  The average value of new construction in the area was a moderate $234,158.

San Antonio

While the area of San Antonio carried the lowest amount of housing starts as per usual, it experienced the greatest month-over-month increase in construction.  Having a boost of nearly 50% since June, there were 699 new residential construction permits and more than $164M in total value on file with HBW for the month.  Out of the more than 145 active builders in the area, Continental Homes experienced the greatest amount of new home building activity with 76 new permits on file.  Close to half of all new construction in San Antonio was concentrated in Bexar County (335) and across the metro area the average value of new homes ranked second highest in the state at $235,399.

Information utilized for the reports and graphs for Texas residential construction was directly derived from HBW 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.

Building Top Crews and Management

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Quick tips for bringing your team to the next level

Let’s face it – the employment struggle is real.  I have yet to find one contractor that isn’t dealing with the pains of the labor shortage and lack of training.  It’s true… the industry can truly use a boost, and vocational training programs should be more widely available and developed.  Rather than reviewing the obvious, it’s time to talk about working with the team and crews that you already have in place.  We could all use a skilled recruiter in our back pockets, but the truth is that attracting and retaining new talent will depend quite a bit on how attractive your company culture and current working conditions are to start.  Will there be opportunities for growth within the company?  Will you offer training and career development?  These are questions that your current team and future hires will be asking you and themselves before they join or continue with your company.  Here are a few areas to consider when building your current team and attracting new talent to your business:

  1. Moving on Up – While it is important to hire from within, you also want to make sure that any “move up” is the right move, rather than a matter of timing, convenience or need. Especially in small construction firms, it is easy to offer a promotion to a high-performing individual, without assessing if the new role is right for him/her.  One’s performance level in one position may be very different in another if he/she does not have the skill set, expertise and/or experience in the new scope of responsibilities.  While having opportunities for career growth is important for attracting and retaining top employees, carefully assess whether or not that person’s abilities and interests are an appropriate match for the position.  Although they may appreciate the new challenges and opportunities, they most certainly will not appreciate being set up for failure.
  2. Raise the Bar – In my days as a young athlete, I had a coach who had a helpful catch phrase; although he would scream it rather than say it, I have always applied the sentiment to sports, business and life. He would exclaim, “Don’t get comfortable!” As soon as you get comfortable, so will your team potentially get comfortable with mediocrity.  Don’t get too comfortable – Challenge your team to achieve more and motivate them to expand their knowledge base and experience beyond their required “duties”.  Provide regular trainings, safety updates, management seminars (on and off site), and incentives and compensation for higher learning.  Education will not only increase the strength and professionalism of your company, but it will also build employee morale and confidence as they gain a greater understanding of their work and the industry.
  3. Facilitate Teamwork – Not everyone is going to work best as part of a team, and that’s OK.  Some employees may be better suited for isolated projects or singular focus areas.  That being said, you must have an environment that lends itself to a team mentality.  Communication and delegation are key components to a successful management team, and if the team is not cohesive, goals and objectives will not be streamlined and shared.  Some ways that you can build and nurture a team environment for your management and crews is to have regular team meetings that provide an open forum for feedback; employees should be recognized for their contributions and input, and open and constructive conversations should be encouraged.  Some businesses find team building workshops on an annual or semi-annual basis help reinforce team unity.  Grouping a few employees together on a new project or proposal can also force groups to work together and learn from each other.  New employees or departmental shifts should include “shadowing” for a period of time so that training on process and procedure is consistent and team members are empowered to teach and learn from one another.

There are many management and team building resources available through books, magazines and online; it would take a lifetime to learn and incorporate every tip and trick out there.  The best course of action is to find the methods and resources that best fit your business, company culture and budget.  A little time invested in your team building on the back end will result in hefty returns in your home building on the front end.

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