HBWeekly

10 Tips for a Productive New Year

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Erika Carruth

The new year is all about fresh starts and resolutions, making it the perfect time to get organized and set yourself up for a productive year.

productive 2017 HBWeekly.com

A new year brings resolutions, many of which won’t make the cut or endure the year. From the new gym membership that gets cancelled after a week or two to the fit bit that is worn for a week, the intentions are good, but the follow through is often missing. So, the question is how do we make solid plans for resolutions that stick. For one, we make them realistic and attainable. The same goes for organizing and setting ourselves and businesses up for productivity. To be productive, we must set a realistic structure with goals and objectives that can be easily attained. If your resolution is to get more accomplished in an efficient and effective manner, take a look at the following ten tips for being more productive this year:

Remove Distractions – From the constant texts, alerts, emails and phone calls, it is amazing that we can get anything done in one sitting. For this reason, make time in your day (or week) for sessions that have no distractions, and I mean zero. Route calls to voicemail, have the receptionist take messages and close email for an hour or so. This is a great time to kick out those pending estimates, finalize design details on a project or complete any other task that requires your dedicated focus.
Morning Matters – To reduce the risk for procrastination, take care of your most dreaded or larger tasks in the morning, when your energy is up and you haven’t taken on the many other planned and unexpected responsibilities of your day. Rudimentary and less complicated tasks can be handled in the afternoon, when your energy levels are lower and your workload or stress may be elevated.
Pen and Paper – Yes, it’s old school, but having a pen and pad of paper can sometimes be the easiest way to jot down those “to do” items or spur of the moment ideas that come up throughout the day. Rather than trying to remember everything for when you have a moment to sit down and record it, take notes throughout the day. For a more environmentally friendly approach, consider using voice to text note taking on your phone, the voice recorder option, or an app like Evernote or iCloud Notes.
Organize Contacts – If you don’t already have a CMS (Contact Management System), now is a good time to put something in place for accessing and updating contacts. As HBW subscribers receive new contacts with every construction data report, it is important to keep contacts and corresponding notes organized so that your team can quickly and effectively follow up throughout the year. Consider using a universal system so that all team members can access and modify contacts anywhere and anytime with the system syncing simultaneously.
Plan Daily – Most of us have a running “to do” list, but don’t overlook the importance of scheduling your tasks each day. In the morning, set a clear list of action items for the day; this list should be more than just appointments and will include everything from deadline-driven projects to daily responsibilities. As you check off each item, you will not only feel more productive, but you will no longer have the need to think about it later.
Organize Office – Those piles that are building up on the corner of the desk and side tables are ready to be addressed. Take time to clear out all clutter and stacks of documents in your office. If the documents are important, there should be a place for them to be filed. If they are not important, it is time to purge and shred as necessary. By sorting through the dreaded and avoided stacks, you may just find something you have been looking for, as well as unnecessary clutter that you didn’t even know existed.
Focus on Results – Much of our day-to-day activity can feel like we are spinning our wheels. For this reason, it is important to make a conscious effort to focus on result oriented activity. Consider the Pareto Principle when it comes to your input and output; in short, the principle states that 20% of the invested input is responsible for 80% of the results you obtain. This can apply to your own personal efforts, as well as your team members and even customers to revenue.
Don’t be Afraid to Say “No” – Make this new year a time where you learn your boundaries. We don’t always have the capacity or manpower to take on certain projects, and it is important to say “no” to projects that utilize too many of our resources without enough return. Nobody wants to say “no” to new clients or projects, but be clear on your capacity and ability to meet requirements within specific deadlines. As important as it is to not get too comfortable and to push our businesses to grow, it is equally as important to make choices based on realistic parameters and our team’s current capacity and timelines.
Speed Up Your Connections – This one is simple… If your internet connection is lagging or inboxes take minutes to sync, you need to upgrade your speed and functions. Think about it – If everyone on your team could save ten minutes each day in page or document downloads, your business could save hours every month for more important items. It is easy to become accustomed to slower connections and processing, but don’t allow it to become the norm. Make sure the speed of your communication services and computer processors are up to snuff to get more out of everyone’s time.
Trim the Fat – Trim the fat on time-wasting apps and programs. From video games and messenger apps to news feeds and social media, you and your team can go from hero to zero in the productivity sector fast. Down time can be productive if properly utilized, and addictive time-wasting apps are not the best use of anyone’s workplace hours. It’s less about the actual time people use the apps and more about the distractions and additional miscellaneous information that flood work time and space that can hinder productivity. Games and chatting may be an activity of choice after hours, but set the tone with your team to run lean when it comes to social and entertainment apps.

By making a clear and conscious effort to organize and manage your time, you will be able to squeeze a little more out of each day, making 2017 the most productive year yet.

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.

Quick Tips: Year-End Checklist for Business

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Happy New Year, almost. With the new year being just a day or so away, it means new beginnings for your business, as well as tying up loose ends from 2016.

HBWeekly.com checklist

If your business is anything like the rest of us, chances are the past week or so have not been the most productive. From the holidays to vacations, many businesses are down a few team members and up on holiday pay. Although the down time is an opportune time to get organized and prepare for the new year, not everyone planned accordingly. Even though the first business day of the fiscal year (for most of us) will begin Monday, it’s not too late to prepare for the new year. Procrastinators can breathe a sigh of relief because with a few reminders and an easy checklist, you will be able to welcome the new year in an organized fashion. Here is a quick checklist to cover the basics that lie ahead in the coming weeks:

Financials – Although most of the major work behind your financial statements have most likely been reviewed and approved monthly, you should tie up payroll, run year-end reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Transaction Details), organize tax documents and prepare 1099s to ready your business for the coming months. In addition to collecting and organizing all essential documents, you should have an appointment set with your accountant to ensure that everything is ready and filed in a timely manner.
Performance Reviews – As previously mentioned in our recent post “Rewarding Employees During the Holidays”, holiday bonuses and performance-based bonuses are two separate entities. Don’t let your holiday bonus overshadow the importance of a proper and thorough annual review. Annual reviews most commonly take place between December and February, and they are the perfect time to review successes and challenges of the previous year, as well as set clear plans for development and expectations for 2017. Performance reviews are also an opportunity to show appreciation to your team members by recognizing their hard work and providing bonuses based on performance or an agreed upon structure.
Team Development – Although your budget for 2017 is most likely set, don’t forget to leave room for team development. From education to new hires, your team’s growth should match the growth expectations for your business. With increased volume, there should be an equal and comparable increase in your manpower and capacity. If you are planning to focus on new or existing services, make sure your team is sharp and ready to handle the increased focus and demand. Within the first couple of weeks of the new year, it may be beneficial to hold a team meeting to provide details on plans for the coming year (especially additions and modifications) and direction to each department so that everyone starts on the same page.
Technology Tune-up – This item also goes along with your budget, and taking stock in your current technology is another important task. Even if it is not an investment that can be made this year, take the time to plan for the year ahead. Are your computers, mobile devices and communication services up to snuff? Are your software applications and systems updated and able to handle your workload efficiently and effectively? Check that you have everything in place to protect your business data and customer data such as credit cards and personal information. Also, data for 2016 should already be backed up and stored for safe keeping, and your system should be checked to make sure all backups are occurring regularly and are properly scheduled for the coming year.
Cut Expenses – The new year provides a chance for reflection and review, and overhead should be included. A thorough review of your day-to-day business expenses can lead to great savings over time. Do you need or use all of your current subscriptions to magazines or software? Are you getting the best rate on your credit cards and other accounts? Are you using all cell phones and data plans that are active with your phone service provider? Even if you have a solid bookkeeper, you should make a habit of reviewing these operational services and expenses on an annual basis.
Take Inventory – Whether you sell or directly produce products, take inventory of all products or raw materials on hand at the start of the new year. Although you most likely have a running total, make sure you have clear figures recorded for the end of year inventory on January 1^st to avoid having to assess the figure by counting back later.
Back It Up – Assuming that you have performed a “technology tune-up” (see #5), you should have 2016 backed up. In addition to your critical financial data and document files, remember to backup phones, email and communication files. If company phones are not already set for automatic backup to the cloud, all team members should be required to backup their phones to avoid lost time should a phone break or be misplaced.

The closing of 2016 opens a new year and chapter for your business. Start off strong by organizing and backing up the necessities from 2016 and using the data collected to prepare for a year of growth and success in 2017. By checking off the essentials, you will be clearing the slate and making room for new jobs and new business in the months ahead.

Industry Insight: Popular Predictions for 2017

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Erika Carruth

From expected color trends to real estate markets, here is a look at some of the latest industry predictions that are abuzz for 2017.

HBW trend update 2017

The buzz has begun – you know the one that begins before every new year. From top resolutions to industry expectations, your news feed is probably chock-full of ideas and guides for 2017. Within the construction industry, the amount of predictions for everything from design trends to real estate markets can be overwhelming. There are simply so many articles and too little time to read them all, even if you add in the flight and layover time from your holiday travels. To make it easy, here are just a few popular industry predictions to satiate your curiosity and get you in the know on the latest buzz for 2017:

Colors – For those readers who work primarily on interiors, this one may not be a surprise. The top color for 2017 is green, and we’re not just talking about sustainability and the act of going green – this is actual green. According to Pantone Color Institute, the color of the year for 2017 is “Greenery” (Pantone 15-0343). As published on Pantone’s website, Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, described the color as meeting the need to “rejuvenate, revitalize and reconnect with nature.” As for pairings, the color works well with neutrals, deeper shades, pastels, metallics, as well as the 2016 colors of the year “Rose Quartz” and “Serenity”. As with any prediction, there is bound to be some difference in perspective. When looking at predictions from specific paint manufacturers, the expected color palette changes quite a bit…
1. Benjamin Moore – Shadow
2. Glidden – Byzantine Blue
3. Kelly-Moore – Kettleman
4. Sherwin-Williams – Poised Taupe
Hot Markets – What defines a “hot” market? Well, there are a number of factors that contribute to making an area hot for real estate including job opportunities, affordability and availability. As per the latest from Trulia’s chief economist, Ralph McLaughlin, several of the top ten markets are in HBW’s areas of focus – Florida and Texas. In fact, five out of ten on the list are in Florida, with Jacksonville, Cape Coral-Fort Myers and Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach listing as the top three markets. Other areas in Florida that are considered markets to watch are the Tampa/St. Petersburg area and North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton. In Texas, San Antonio is expected to gain some ground, and all areas that are considered “hot” are based on how well they are positioned for growth. As with any prediction, time will tell. At HBW, the regular reports on construction data for both residential and commercial construction will reveal the details on new construction permits and how the activity compares to these predictions throughout the year.
Design – For design trend predictions, Zillow recently provided a Zillow Digs Home Trend Forecast that brought velvet back to the forefront. The forecast analyzed data collected from surveys of interior design experts as well as analysis of the most popular photos on Zillow Digs. The combined effort resulted in four top trends: velvet, jewel colors, marble surfaces and built-in bars. Overall, the theme appears to be leaning toward warm and cozy. The trends that are expected to make their way out in the coming year include industrial style furniture, cool gray tones and quote art.

Keep in mind, predictions and trends are far from an exact science, and they will often vary from source to source. Although it is helpful to know what is buzzing in the industry and with consumers, it shouldn’t take away from the value of listening to your clients. Not everyone’s ideas for design and color will follow the latest trends, so although the buzz is good to share, your client’s interests will continue to be the ultimate guide for you in the coming year and beyond.

For more information on construction business tips and industry trends, 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.

OSHA’s Final Rule on Workplace Injury/Illness Recordkeeping

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Just in time for the new year, OSHA recently issued a final rule regarding the maintenance of records for recordable injury and illness.

source: OSHA.gov

You may have heard about a final rule being released by OSHA regarding recordkeeping for workplace injuries. If not, don’t panic. The final rule, issued December 19, 2016 (effective January 18, 2017), serves primarily as a clarification and reminder that recordkeeping of work-related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing requirement for employers. The official title of this latest final rule is “Clarification of Employer’s Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain Accurate Record of Each Recordable Injury and Illness.” (December 19, 2016)

The latest rule was solely clarification of the existing regulation; according to OSHA’s recent press release (December 16, 2016), there are no major changes expected in the near future so take a deep (cue sigh of relief). No major changes aside, it is worth paying attention to their clarification to ensure that you and your team understand injury/illness recordkeeping obligations. Now, you should already have an injury record keeping system in place that is OSHA compliant. Whether you do or do not, here is a short list of the basics you need to know about the latest rule:

Clarification – The new final rule simply states employers’ obligations, which has been standard practice for the last 40 years. According to a recent press release by OSHA, Dr. David Michaels, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, stated “This rule simply returns us to the standard practice of the last 40 years. It is important to keep in mind that accurate records are not just paperwork; they have a valuable and potentially life-saving purpose.” (source: OSHA.gov).
No Change – Although the recent amendments contain revisions to titles of several existing sections and subparts, as well as changes to text in existing provisions, nothing has been added that requires you to drastically change what you have already been doing in this area of recordkeeping. The latest final rule does not add new compliance obligations and does not require you, the employer, to make new records for any illnesses or injuries that don’t already require such documentation.
Ongoing – As stated in the latest final rule, the duty to record an injury or illness continues for as long as the employer must keep records of the recordable injury or illness – there is no expiration for this responsibility, even in the case where the employer neglects to create the necessary records when first required to do so.

Long story short, the latest final rule is more of a formality and reiterates OSHA’s established position that an employer’s duty to record an injury or illness does not cease and continues for the full five-year record-retention period. Bear in mind, OSHA has stated the ability and right to cite employers for such recordkeeping violations for up to six months after the five-year retention period expires.

Now that you have the basics, share it with your team so that they can also perform a quick review as well as be prepared should an unfortunate workplace incident/injury arise. It is also a good time to review your safety policies and procedures. As the above listed information covers the bare bones of the latest final rule, visit OSHA.gov for more detailed information about workplace injury recordkeeping and employers’ requirements.

To gain direct access to details of OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements as they relate to injury and illness, visit their recordkeeping rule page. For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog. If you would like 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.

Diving into Florida Swimming Pool Construction

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Florida swimming pool construction update for the month of November 2016

FL POOL BUILDERS HBW_edited

Out of the nearly 1,200 new pool permits and close to $50M in construction value in Florida last month, new pool construction was highest in the southwest region; the area had more than 320 new permits on file with HBW in November and a total construction value of approximately $14.3M. In the southwest, the county of Lee was also in the spotlight last month as it had the greatest number of swimming pool starts in comparison to the other counties throughout the state. Here’s a closer look at how the five major areas of Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, southwest and southeast Florida compared to one another last month:

FL Pool Permits by Area – Nov. 2016

Southwest

As the leading area for new swimming pool construction last month, the southwest region had 321 swimming pool starts and approximately $14.3M in construction value. As previously mentioned, Lee County was the leading county for total new permits, with 107 pool starts and approximately $5M in total value for the month. Out of the 93 swimming pool builders with permits on file for the given period, Aragon Pools and Spas had the most starts with 41 permits. The builder’s average value of construction landed just over $32k, with all new activity taking place in Lee and Collier counties.

Southeast

Next in line, southeast Florida was second highest for total new swimming pool permits in November. The area had 264 pool starts and nearly $12M in total value for the month. Most new construction activity took place in the counties of Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, with Palm Beach leading the area. Palm Beach made the top five list statewide with 102 new pool permits and more than $4M in construction value. As for the local builders, there were more than 120 active pool builders for the month, and construction was widely shared across the board. A & G Pools had the greatest volume of permits for the given period with 18 starts and an average value of construction running just over $55k. A & G had new pools on record in every county apart from the southern-most areas of Miami-Dade and Broward.

Orlando

The central metro-area of Orlando was ranked third highest for new swimming pool construction last month as there were close to 240 swimming pool starts with a total value of approximately $9.5M. In line with new residential construction in the area for the last several months, the bulk of pool starts took place in Orange and Osceola counties. Orange County had the highest concentration of permits for the month with nearly 100 starts and just over $4M in total value. All Seasons Pools was a dominate builder when it came to permits as they had 57 pool starts on file with HBW for the one-month period. All Seasons Pools had an average value of construction that was consistent with the average value for the area at approximately $37k.

Tampa

Right on the heels of Orlando, Tampa had 234 swimming pool starts last month with a total construction value close to $9.3M. Corresponding with new residential construction in the area, the larger county of Hillsborough had the most new development. In Hillsborough, there were 76 swimming pool starts and nearly $3.7M in construction value for the month. New permits were shared by 86 active pool builders in the area, with Tampa Bay Pools in the lead for total starts. Tampa Bay Pools had 16 new permits on file for the period and had an average value of construction coming in at $46k, just about 16% higher than the average value for the Tampa area.

Jacksonville

In November, there were nearly 120 swimming pool starts in the Jacksonville area with a total construction value of $4.9M. Nearly half of all new permits originated from the county of St. Johns, where there were 51 starts and more than $2.1M in value. Out of the nearly 55 active pool builders for the month, Surfside Pools and Spas had the most starts on file with 10 new permits for the given period. The pool builder’s average value of construction ran just about 7% higher than the area overall at close to $44k.

When looking at the average value of construction statewide, the southern-most portion of the state held the highest average value of construction. The southeast jumped up two spots since October and held the highest value of construction at $45,157, while southwest Florida held close with an average value of $44,462. Tampa and Orlando were comparable at nearly $40k and held the lowest average value of construction for the month.

FL Average Value of Swimming Pool Construction – Nov. 2016

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures for Florida swimming pool 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.

D.R. Horton Leads Home Builders in Texas – November 2016

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Last month, D.R. Horton continued its lead for total housing starts in Texas, ranking it #1 in the HBW database for new residential construction.

tx-top-builders

It’s been a while (a few months) since we’ve taken a good look at Texas home builders. Just last week, we reviewed new residential construction activity in Texas for the month of November, and now it’s time to review the leading builders behind the figures for new residential construction last month.

It should come as no surprise that D.R. Horton remains on top for total housing starts; after all, they have been on top since the start of the year. With 311 new residential construction permits from the combined areas within the “Texas Triangle” (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), D.R. Horton is tough to beat. In fact, the mega home builder ranked #1 for total new permits in the HBW database last month in every area except San Antonio.

When looking at leading builders statewide, the lineup of the top three remains the same with some variances in figures. Here’s the latest on the top three builders across the Lone Star State:

#1 D.R. Horton – Last month, D.R. Horton had a total of 311 housing starts and more than $53M in total value added to the HBW database. The builder’s greatest number of starts took place in Houston (128 permits), and approximately half of those starts occurred in Harris County. The average value of D.R. Horton’s housing starts in Houston was approximately $139.5k, and the home builder’s highest average value of construction was in Dallas at close to $217k.

#2 Lennar Homes – With 186 housing starts and nearly $40M in construction value, Lennar Homes ranked second for total new residential construction permits in November. Much like D.R. Horton, Lennar Homes had the most total new permits in Houston (87 permits) with greater concentrations of new construction activity in Harris, Montgomery and Brazoria counties. In Houston, Lennar’s average value of construction exceeded $175k, and its highest average value could be found in Dallas at nearly $262.5k.

#3 KB Homes – With Houston having the most housing starts out of the four major metro areas last month, it is understandable that KB Homes also had the greatest number of new residential permits coming from the area as well. Across the state, KB Homes had 122 housing starts with a construction value nearing $20M, and 55 of those starts originated from Houston. Much like Lennar Homes, the bulk of Houston construction for KB Homes took place in the counties of Harris, Montgomery and Brazoria. The builder’s average value of construction in Houston was approximately $136k last month, while its highest average value was in San Antonio at more than $197k.

Now that we have a better understanding of how builders stacked up across Texas last month, here’s a closer look at the top builders within each major metro area:

HOUSTON

As previously mentioned, D.R. Horton topped the list for total new residential permits in Houston last month (128 permits). Not far behind, Perry Homes had 105 housing starts and a total construction value of close to $24M. Hanging in at third highest, Lennar Homes had 87 housing starts in the area and a total construction value of more than $15M.

Houston Top Builders for Total Permits – Nov. 2016

DALLAS

Residential construction in Dallas was also led by D.R. Horton last month, with 75 housing starts and approximately $16.3M in total construction value. Next highest was Lennar Homes with 65 new permits (total value: >$17M), and Calatlantic Homes made its mark in third with 44 housing starts and more than $17.3M in total construction value.

Dallas Top Builders for Total Permits – Nov. 2016

AUSTIN

D.R. Horton was the leading builder in Austin last month with 104 housing starts and $18.5M in total value. KB Homes ranked second with 42 housing starts (total value: ~$7.8M), while Calatlantic Homes came in third highest with 36 new permits and a total value of $7M.

Austin Top Builders for Total Permits – Nov. 2016

SAN ANTONIO

Continental Homes of Texas took the lead in the San Antonio area with 31 housing starts on file and a total value of approximately $6.5M. KB Homes was second highest with 20 starts and a value of nearly $4M, and Meritage Homes held in third with 19 housing starts and nearly $2.3M in total value on file for the month.

San Antonio Top Builders for Total Permits – Nov. 2016

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures for Texas home builders and 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.

HBW Report: Florida Residential Construction Brief for November 2016

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Out of the hundreds of active builders and thousands of housing starts throughout Florida last month, Tampa stood out on top with the greatest amount of residential construction permits in November.

fl hbw report

As HBW subscribers are already aware, thousands of new Florida residential construction permits were added to the HBW database last month. Out of the more than 2,700 housing starts and approximately $792M in construction value on file for November, Tampa pushed up three spots since October to lead with 662 new residential permits and more than $179M in construction value for the month. According to a recent article by Forbes, Tampa is a top area for real estate investors, ranking #5 in the country as investors reported experiencing above average returns (17.62%) over the past year (source: Forbes). The Tampa area was also listed as a top market for overall value (source: Bankrate.com) based on data through Q3 of this year. With the closing of Q4 around the corner, we will wait and see how the area ranks to other regions within the Sunshine State for 2016.

As for November, Tampa was just above the southwest portion of the state for housing starts. In the southwest there were 648 housing starts last month with a construction value exceeding $177M. Next in line, Orlando ranked third highest with nearly 600 housing starts while having the highest total construction value of almost $183.5M. In the Orlando area, the bulk of new construction was centered in Orange and Osceola counties, but every county reviewed had some level of residential construction activity and a variety of new permits. Closing the list, Jacksonville and SE Florida had 480 and 328 housing starts for the given period.

FL Total New Residential Permits – Nov. 2016

When reviewing the average value of new residential construction in the five major areas covering Jacksonville to South Florida, there was a large spread of more than $130k from top to bottom. Since October, every area increased in average value apart from Tampa which had a nominal month-to-month drop leaving it consistent with October. On top, Southeast Florida continues to hold the highest average value which was just over $390k last month. Toward the bottom of the scale, Jacksonville has maintained the lowest average value month after month at $259.5k in November.

FL Average Value of Resid. Construction – Nov. 2016

As for the rankings from a county perspective, Orange County in Orlando maintained its statewide lead for total housing starts with 242 new permits and more than $86M in value last month. In Tampa, Hillsborough County ranked second highest for total housing starts with 204 new permits and nearly $69M in total value. In Jacksonville, the county of St. Johns made a huge leap from #10 in October to ranking third highest in November with 201 housing starts and close to $59M in total construction value.

FL Top 5 Counties for Total New Permits – Nov. 2016

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.

Rewarding Employees During the Holidays

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Erika Carruth

holiday giving office - HBWeekly

With the holidays comes the opportunity to show gratitude and reward your team for a job well done. Some of your team may already have a holiday or end-of-the-year bonus structure in place, but don’t let the expected bonus deter you from recognizing your employees in more creative ways. Performance-based bonuses shouldn’t be considered equivalent to an actual holiday gift. Performance-based bonuses are part of the compensation structure and should be considered separate from holiday gifts. From field workers to office staff, everyone appreciates recognition for their hard work, and the holidays are the perfect time to reinforce a positive company culture that is supportive of your team and their families.

This year, the major holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Eve take place on the weekend, which will not provide much holiday break time during office hours. Unless your business is closing its doors for the weeks during the holidays, which is not an option for most, many employees may need a little boost to remind them that you value their time and effort. Here are a few things to consider when giving thanks through personal and warm wishes for the holiday season:

Company Party – If you haven’t already booked a venue and secured a menu, chances are your holiday party will need to take place in your office or conference room. Although planning ahead is ideal, don’t discard the idea of a party just because we are already in December. It’s not too late to celebrate. Depending on the size of your party (and budget), you may be able to book a nice luncheon or dinner at a nearby restaurant. If that’s not an option, call the caterers at a favorite lunch establishment, and have a party at your office or warehouse. Such casual gatherings provide employees a chance to be social and connect, while providing you a chance to personally thank your team.
Gift Cards – Gift cards can be purchased in bulk, sometimes with a discount, and there’s no wrapping required. Everyone appreciates a credit card gift card that can be used anywhere, but getting one for their favorite coffee shop or lunch spot can provide an additional personal touch.
Paid Time Off – This option is great for this year being that the holidays are on the weekends. Surprise your team with one or two extra paid days off. You may consider the Monday after Christmas and a day before or after New Year’s weekend.
Not So Equal – If you give one employee a holiday gift, then all employees should receive something for the holidays; that’s the equal part. As for the not so equal part, don’t think that all gifts and holiday bonuses must be the same thing or for the same amount. Although gift amounts don’t need to be equal, they most definitely should be consistent. It is easiest to simply give the same gifts to all employees, but if you choose to give tiered gifts, make sure that it is not personal or may be perceived as favoritism. Your safest bet would be to vary the gifts based on clear boundaries such as employee classification (administrative staff, upper management, field staff, etc.).
Check Last Year – Unless you have informed your staff in advance of cutbacks in holiday giving, make sure you are on par with the previous year. Although holiday gifts of any amount are appreciated, your employees most likely have expectations based on the gifts they received last year. Don’t give less than last year, and if you choose to give more, know that you will be raising and setting the bar for next year.

From gift cards and bonuses to paid time off and parties, there are plenty of options for showing your team appreciation this holiday season. More importantly, remember to say “thank you” and provide a personal greeting and well wishes. Along with it being the season of giving, it is also a season of gratitude. Closing the year on a positive note will allow you and your team to be refreshed and ready for a great start to 2017.

Texas Residential Construction Review – November 2016

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Erika Carruth

texas homes HBWeekly.com

It’s no secret that Texas is gaining in popularity. Texas-style urbanism has been making headlines, with the “Texas Triangle” (Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio) reportedly accounting for 66% of the Lone Star State’s population. A new report titled “The Texas Way of Urbanism” from the Center for Opportunity Urbanism (COU) went into more depth about the rise in Texas cities. The report noted that the larger urban areas of Texas have added the most jobs and people since 2000 in comparison to larger coastal cities. Job growth has been impressive throughout the Texas Triangle, with Dallas and Houston having increased by 31% since 2000, while the less populated areas of Austin and San Antonio have experienced some of the fastest job growth in the nation (>52%).

In addition to the significant job growth since 2000, the report by COU stated that affordable housing proved to be an important part of the Texas model of urbanism. Texas cities clearly have significantly less housing costs in comparison to larger coastal cities throughout the nation. Based on the latest permitting data available from HBW, San Antonio had the lowest average value of new residential construction last month ($203,667). As for total housing starts, Houston had the most on file (1,483 permits) out of the Texas Triangle cities, and the area followed the affordability pattern as the average value of construction was $208,136 last month.

TX Total New Residential Permits – Nov. 2016

Out of the nearly 3,400 housing starts and approximately $838.5M in construction value throughout the Texas Triangle in November, the more densely populated areas of Houston and Dallas led for total new residential construction permits. As previously mentioned, Houston continued to lead the state for new residential construction with 1,483 housing starts and nearly $309M in construction value. While Dallas was second highest for total housing starts (1,063 permits), it was the leader for total construction value with a total close to $333M for the month. On a related note, the average value of residential construction in Dallas was also the highest of the four major areas reviewed at $312,877. Austin was next in line and ranked second highest for the month with an average construction value of $245,919.

TX Average Value of Resid. Construction – Nov. 2016

Although total permits were not as high as October, Harris County in Houston remained in the #1 spot for total new residential construction permits. In November, there were 676 housing starts in Harris County with a total construction value of $152.5M. Also in the Houston area, the county of Fort Bend was ranked second highest for housing starts with 348 new residential construction permits and a total value in excess of $52M for the month, bringing it up three spots on the chart since October. Holding steady and continuing to rank third highest for new residential construction, Collin County in Dallas had 343 housing starts and nearly $122M in value added to the HBW database last month.

TX Top Counties for Total Permits – Nov. 2016

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures 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.

Preparing Your Profiles for the Holidays

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Erika Carruth

You may already be decking the halls (and your office) with holiday cheer, but are your website and online profiles holiday-ready?

Earlier this month we discussed a few ways to take advantage of the holiday hoopla that comes with Black Friday, as well as planning ahead for marketing in the coming year. Between the holiday promotions, office parties and vacations, time can easily get away from us, leaving us vulnerable to overlooking some of the most important tasks.

With the holidays comes the opportunity to new visitors on business websites, social media pages and profiles. For this reason, it is important to make sure your website and social media profiles are holiday-ready. Although schedules and meetings may be unstable this time of year, your website and online presence should remain steady. Here are few simple steps you can take to make sure that your business’s website and online profiles remain solid through the holiday season.

Update Schedules – If your office is closing for a holiday party or to observe the holidays during business hours, update your website and social media pages with this information. Obviously, a few hours for a holiday party need not be mentioned, but if you are closing the office for an extended period, publish the correct “holiday schedule”. Additionally, if you are open on days or hours when most other businesses are closed, let your customers know that you are offering services through the holidays.
Out-of-Office – If you or your staff will be taking a vacation, make it a policy to have an automatic out-of-office reply set up prior to leaving. Not everyone is making holiday time vacation time, and few things agitate a customer more than not having a call or email returned. Update voicemail messages and email responses to avoid unnecessary issues. When possible, offer an emergency number or alternate contact to handle pressing matters.
Home Page – Whether it is the home page of your website or main page on your social media profile, make sure to add your holiday promotions. One simple updated image in the slides on your homepage or header of your Facebook page can do the trick. For promotions, you may mention ideas for sprucing up the home/office for the holiday season by including your own products and services as suggestions for gifts, stocking stuffers, décor, etc.
Schedule Posts in Advance – If you don’t already have a social media schedule, now is a great time to begin developing one. Your social media updates and blog posts should be sensitive to the holiday season. In addition to mentioning your promotions, remember to wish your prospects and customers a happy holiday. As you and your staff will be busy with the holidays too, schedule the greeting in advance, like now, so that is doesn’t slip through the cracks.
Clarify Deadlines – Make your deadlines and turnaround time for orders prominent and clear. If you have a price list online, add the holiday deadline to it. If you expect a delay or an overabundance of requests during the holidays, consider posting an update on your social media profile informing clients of turnaround times for orders and requests.
Spruce Up Your Website – We’re not referring to a few bows or reindeer at the top of your page. Rather, sprucing up your site refers to making it clear and easy to get to the action. In addition to having your promotions prominently displayed, your site should be easy to navigate and provide direct access to the promotion. For example, if you are offering a discount on flooring or tile installation, the order or request form should be no more than one click away. Provide easy access to shopping, ordering and online payments.
Use Reports – If you monitor site visitors through Google Analytics or similar tools, now is the perfect time to check out the keywords that generated the most activity during the holiday season last year. Analytics are only effective if used, and by using last year’s statistics, you will know which keywords and promotions should be used this year and which ones should be avoided.
Boost Your Mailing List – Along with gaining new contacts through your December HBW construction data reports, consider adding a sign-up form for your newsletter or discounts to every page of your website. The higher traffic of the holidays provides an opportunity to pull in more email contacts so that you can continue marketing to them through the year, even if they don’t take advantage of this month’s holiday promotion.
Be On-the-Go – I have mentioned this in a few posts, but it is simply too important to go without mention… Make sure your website is mobile responsive. More viewing and shopping will be done from mobile devices this holiday, and your visitors will most likely not move beyond the home page if it is not optimized for mobile viewing. Double-check that your site and latest promotions are clearly displayed in the mobile version of your website, both from phone and tablet.
Check the Links – If your website has been around a while, chances are that it has seen its fair share of links to articles, resources, videos, etc. Some of those links may no longer be active, and you don’t want to send a visitor to the dreaded “404” error page. Although there are quite a few online tools available for scanning your website for broken links, if your website is of manageable size, it shouldn’t take much time to clean out old links and update those you want to keep.

Being holiday ready is more than just bows and mistletoe. Make your online presence inviting and welcoming this holiday season. A little sprucing up of your website and social media profiles can lead to unexpected holiday gifts.