Texas Home Builders Review – April 2017

Posted on by

Out of the nearly 5,500 housing starts in Texas last April, D.R. Horton remained at the top in the Lone Star State.

TX Total Residential Permits by Area – April 2017

During the month of April, the four major metro areas of Texas had a combined total of nearly 5,500 housing starts and a total construction value in excess of $1.3B on file with HBW.  From Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, the mega-builder, D.R. Horton, led the state having more than 615 new residential construction permits for the one-month period.  While D.R. Horton had the most new home building activity of any builder on file and was #1 in three out of four metro areas, there were other notable and solid builders active during the month of April.  Here’s a closer look at leading builders by region:

HOUSTON

As per usual, Houston had the greatest number of housing starts for the one-month period in comparison to other metro areas.  Out of the 2,065 new residential permits and more than $412M in total construction value, nearly half of all housing starts took place in the most populous county of Texas, Harris County (1,113 permits).  And while D.R. Horton was on top with 140 housing starts, Perry Homes had the highest average value for starts at $234k, 17% above the average value for the area.

Houston Top 5 Builders – April 2017

DALLAS

Dallas ranked a close second for total housing starts in April.  The growing city had just about 1,930 starts and more than $597M in new residential construction for the month.  And while the highest concentration of new permitting activity took place in Tarrant County (584 permits), there was a healthy level of activity ranging from 350-400 housing starts each in counties including Dallas, Denton and Collin.  As property value maintains its high in the Dallas area, so does the value of new construction.  Dallas held the highest average value of construction out of the four major metro areas for the month at nearly $310k.  Out of the top builders, K. Hovnanian Homes held the highest value of construction at more than $414k, nearly 35% above the area’s average.  As for total permits, D.R. Horton maintained its lead; the prominent builder had more than 300 housing starts, and more than half of all new activity took place in Tarrant County.

Dallas Top 5 Builders – April 2017

AUSTIN

Austin area builders contributed to the more than 820 housing starts and $180M of construction value on file for the month.  Nearly 75% of all new residential permits for the month of April took place in Travis County.  D.R. Horton had the majority of its 174 housing starts taking place in Travis County as well, resulting in it ranking #1 in Austin for total new residential permits.  Gehan Homes was also notable in April; while it ranked fourth highest for total permits, it carried the highest average value of new construction.  With an average value just over $311k, Gehan Homes ran approximately 43% above the average value of new construction in Austin for the month.

Austin Top 5 Builders – April 2017

SAN ANTONIO

Out of the 627 housing starts and nearly $148M in construction value in San Antonio, Continental Homes took the top spot with 74 new permits on file for the month of April.  While the builder’s construction activity was widespread across all counties reviewed, the greatest amount of new permitting activity took place in Comal County.  KB Homes held a close second with 71 housing starts for the month, and while David Weekley Homes ranked fifth, it had the highest average value of construction ($275k+) landing it approximately 17% above the average value for the area.

San Antonio Top 5 Builders – April 2017

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.

Atlanta Q1 Pool Construction Update

Posted on by

Pool construction is on a high for the start of the year in the Metro Atlanta area.

 

When you think of Atlanta, chances are swimming pool are not at the top of the list, especially during the cold winter months.  Well, things may be changing a bit, as swimming pool construction has consistently been on the rise in Atlanta and surrounding areas over the last four years, and the first quarter of 2017 was no exception.  From the start of this year, swimming pool construction is up 15% in comparison to the same time last year.  Counties across Georgia had spikes in pool construction ranging from 3% to more than 300% in the first quarter alone!

Out of the nearly 440 new permits on file with HBW for the first quarter, Fulton County was a standout for total pool starts.  With more than 90 new permits, Fulton County experienced a year-over-year increase of 22% in Q1 2017.

Next in line, Cobb County had nearly 60 swimming pool starts in the first quarter of this year, reflecting a 12% year-over-year increase in pool construction.  Not far behind and ahead of last year by 14%, Gwinnett County ranked third for new pool permitting activity in the first quarter.  Gwinnett has experienced slow but incremental growth in swimming pool construction for more than five years and had 42 pool starts in Q1 of this year.

Just behind Gwinnett County, Cherokee ranked fourth highest for total pool starts.  While new pool construction has fluctuated in Cherokee County over the last five years, this northern area is ahead of last year by 17%, having just over 40 new pool permits on file in the first quarter.

Rounding out the top five counties for total new pool permits, Forsyth County had a small year-over-year increase of 3% in the first quarter.  Just north of Atlanta and one of Georgia’s fastest growing counties, Forsyth has shown growth across the board over the last five years and had approximately 40 pool starts in the first quarter of this year.

ATL Top 5 Counties for New Pool Construction – Q1 2017

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures for metro Atlanta 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.

Texas Swimming Pool Construction Quarterly Review Q1 2017

Posted on by

Across Texas, new swimming pool construction appears to be slow for the start of the year, but with permits on the rise in Houston, it is clear that some areas are on their way up.

In the first quarter of this year, construction of new swimming pools across the Lone Star State was down 6% in comparison to Q1 2016.  Out of the more than 1,600 swimming pool starts from the metro areas of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin combined, Houston was the only area that saw a significant increase in new pool construction.  With a 15% year-over-year spike in pool construction, there were more than 500 new pool permits from the Houston area added to the HBW database in the first quarter.

TX Pool Permits by Area – Q1 2016 vs. 2017

And while Dallas is down 13% in comparison to 2016, it reigned supreme for total swimming pool starts.  In the first quarter, there were nearly 800 new swimming pool construction permits pulled in Dallas, with three out of five counties ranking in the top five for total starts across the state.

Over the past five years or so, the metro areas of Austin and San Antonio rarely, if ever, surpassed the two hundred mark for pool permits each quarter.  Both areas had dips in new pool construction ranging from 12%-18%, with total permits in each area varying between 125 to 170 starts for the period.  In Austin, there were nearly 170 new swimming pool permits on file for the first quarter, positioning it third for total starts.  San Antonio had the fewest total starts on file for the period; with just over 125 total permits, San Antonio experienced the greatest decrease of 18% in comparison to last year.

When narrowing our attention to top counties for total new pool construction, Harris County in Houston was in the lead.  Despite the 13% year-over-year decrease, Harris County had the highest concentration of pool starts with 266 new and active permits at the start of this year.  Not far behind, Collin County (Dallas) ranked second highest with more than 250 new swimming pool permits, and while it is significantly behind figures from 2016 (-28%), it still carries more new construction activity than most Texas counties.

TX Top 5 Counties for New Pool Construction – Q1 2017

The top third and fourth ranking counties are also from the Dallas area…  The counties of Tarrant and Dallas each had approximately 180 pool starts in the first quarter; while behind Q1 2016, both counties have exhibited quarterly fluctuations in pool construction in recent years and have ample time to close the gap this year.

Next in line and closing the top five, Travis County in Austin ranked fifth for total new pool construction permits in the first quarter.  With more than 125 pool starts, Travis County remains consistent with the last couple of years, reflecting a steady decline in pool starts in the area.

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

Florida Quarterly Swimming Pool Construction Review Q1 2017

Posted on by

In the first quarter of this year, the HBW database was replenished with nearly 8,000 new swimming pool permits from Florida, Texas and the Metro Atlanta areas combined.  Here’s a look at Florida’s jumpstart on 2017.

The Sunshine State is off to a sunny start for new pool construction in 2017.  With more than 5,700 pool starts in the first quarter of the year, Florida is ahead of last year by 6%.  Out of the six major regions reviewed, the southwest had the highest concentration of swimming pool starts (1,434 permits).  Even with the 5% dip in new pool construction in comparison to Q1 2016, the southwest is leading the market.  The southwestern county of Lee is also leading the state and ranked #1 for new pool construction.  With close to 460 new swimming pool permits on file with HBW, Lee County is just about 2% ahead of Q1 2016.

Coming in at a not so distant second, Central Florida continues to boom in residential construction and swimming pools.  Already more than 15% ahead of last year, there were approximately 1,170 pool starts in Central Florida during the first quarter of 2017.  The city-central county of Orange ranked second highest in the state with more than 360 pool starts, a 2% increase over the previous year.

Southeast Florida is holding steady and consistent with last year as there were just over 1,060 new pool permits added to the HBW database in the first quarter.  While Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties account for more than 50% of new pool construction, areas like Indian River and St. Lucie are showing healthy signs of growth as they are well ahead of last year’s figures.

The Tampa area and surrounding counties that make up the West portion of the state have seen the greatest increases in new swimming pool construction at the start of the year.  With a 16% year-over-year increase in new pool construction, the western region of Florida had 1,000 swimming pool starts, with more than 300 taking place in Hillsborough County.  The counties of Polk and Citrus had their best quarter on record over the last year with year-over-year increases up to 41%; on the other end of the spectrum, Sumter County has maintained its decline in swimming pool construction as it had a 23% decrease in new pools in comparison to last year.

FL New Pool Permit Totals – Q1 2016 vs. 2017

While Northeast Florida does not have the highest number of pool starts, it is the area with the greatest increase in pool construction (+22%).  With nearly 620 new swimming pool permits, all northeastern counties, with the exception of Marion, are ahead of or on target with Q1 2016.  The greatest amount of new construction could be found in St. Johns County where there were more than 210 pool starts in the first quarter of this year, reflective of a 34% increase over last year.

Finally, we took a gander at the northwestern portion of the state, including a couple of bordering counties from Alabama.  In the northwest, while pool construction has not been abundant, it has been on the rise over the last five years.  In the first quarter, the NW region exhibited a 4% year-over-year increase and has more than 420 new swimming pool permits on file for the period.  Baldwin County in Alabama saw the greatest gains in pool construction with a 43% year-over-year increase, and in Florida, Walton County is holding steady and experiencing the greatest amount of new pool construction out of all northwestern counties reviewed.

FL Top 10 Counties for Pool Permits – Q1 2017

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

Safety Apps for Construction Professionals

Posted on by

Safety is a #1 priority in construction, and now there are a few helpful apps to make managing safety even easier.

While there is no substitute for a solid safety policy and training program, there are technologies and apps that can make managing job site safety a little easier.  All construction professionals know that the cost of accidents is greater than any investment one can make in safety.  Getting a policy in place is one thing, and having employees follow those guidelines is certainly an entirely different issue.  For this reason, we reviewed a few popular apps that can be integrated into your safety practices and amp up your job site safety efforts:

  1. First Aid by American Red Cross – Yes, you have the posters in your office and a guide in the truck, but in the moment of an accident, basic rescue information can be difficult to recall. This is a good time for the First Aid app by American Red Cross.  Even if a team member is already trained in CPR and first aid, a quick reference guide that can be quickly accessed by phone is useful for anyone on the job.  The app is free and offers instruction and information in English and Spanish.
  2. Scribe for OSHA – When an incident takes place on your job site, OSHA needs to be notified. Scribe from OSHA is designed to guide users through the reporting process. The app provides information on data to be collected and reported, as well as how to find local offices and submit reports.
  3. ERG 2016 – Chemical spills and exposure to hazardous materials are a serious matter, and the truth is that dangers from exposure to chemicals are often unknown. Now, you can take the mystery out of hazmat accidents with the guide to chemicals and precautions offered in ERG 2016.  The app provides an indexed list of dangerous materials, the general hazards posed and recommended safety precautions.  It is useful to review the guide when hazardous materials are introduced to the job site, as well as when exposure to harmful chemicals takes place.
  4. FallClear Lite – There isn’t an app to replace fall protection tools and safety kits, but there is an app to help assess required clearance for various fall arrest scenarios. FallClear is a useful app for workers and supervisors who are already trained in fall protection.  Users can upgrade to the “Pro” version to add information regarding the weight of the worker.  Additionally, the app creates a summary of clearance calculations that can be recorded and shared via email.
  5. Heavy Equipment Inspection – No need to bring the clipboard or laptop, the Heavy Equipment Inspection app is a quick go-to tool for conducting equipment inspections from your phone or tablet. The app offers both mechanical and visual checkpoints for inspecting heavy equipment. Once the inspection form is completed, users can save it to the device as a pdf. or excel file, making it easy to share via text, email or cloud drive.

Just as safety is something that all employees should have at the forefront, so should everyone have access to safety apps.  Supervisors can sync their apps with their safety managers in order to share incidences, images and reports.  While no single app should replace your standard safety procedures for handling and documenting job site injuries and illnesses, technology can provide your team with quicker access to life-saving information and tools for managing safety issues in the field.

To get the latest on industry updates, 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.

Florida Residential Construction Quarterly Review

Posted on by

With more than 16,700 housing starts in the first quarter of 2017, Florida residential construction is 6% ahead of 2016.

Florida’s population is rapidly growing, and over the last five years, the demand for new residential construction has grown with it.  In just the first quarter of 2017, the Sunshine State had just over a 6% year-over-year increase in new residential construction.  Out of the six major regions reviewed, all areas with the exception of Southwest Florida experienced growth.

FL Resid. Permits by Region – Q1 2016 vs. 2017

The western portion of the state, including the major metropolitan area of Tampa, led in Q1 as it had just about a 25% year-over-year increase in housing starts.  Out of the nearly 3,700 housing starts in the west, the counties of Hillsborough and Polk held the majority of activity with a combined total of more than 2,150 new residential construction permits.

With a 6% increase in housing starts in comparison to 2016, Central Florida is continuing its solid and steady growth in the residential market.  Central Florida had more than 3,400 housing starts in the first quarter of this year, and while the city-central county of Orange is having a slower start to the year (-6%), it led the Central Florida area with just about 1,300 new permits being added to the HBW database.  The Central Florida counties with the greatest amount of growth in comparison to 2016 are Seminole and Brevard.

While Southwest Florida is just about 5% behind last year’s residential construction activity, it ranks third highest for total housing starts.  In Q1, there were more than 3,000 housing starts in the southwest region, and the highest concentration of new homes could be found in Lee County (918 permits).  Although most counties experienced lows in Q1, growth could be found in both Sarasota (+20%) and Lee (+9%) counties.

In the northeast, Jacksonville and neighboring areas experienced a healthy dose of new residential construction, landing it just about 3% ahead of Q1-2016.  Out of the 2,569 housing starts in the northeast region during Q1, St. Johns County had the highest concentration of starts (901 permits), and residential construction activity is consistent with the previous year.  With close to 350 housing starts, Marion County reflected impressive growth with more than a 70% year-over-year increase in residential construction.

Northwest Florida and neighboring areas of Alabama are holding steady in residential construction; with more than 2,200 housing starts, the region was slightly ahead (+1.6%) of 2016 in the first quarter.  While the entire northwest region is stable as a whole, counties such as Leon and Wakulla are showing strong growth relative to their size and average residential construction activity of the previous year.  Northwestern counties with the greatest concentration of housing starts include Baldwin in Alabama (555 permits) and Santa Rosa in Florida (322 permits).

FL Top 10 Counties for Resid. Permits – Q1 2017

Finally, we have the southeast portion of the state where there were more than 1,760 housing starts in Q1 of this year.  While the area is ahead of 2016 by 6%, counties like Miami-Dade and St. Lucie have really taken off since the start of 2017.  The highest concentration of housing starts could be found in Miami-Dade, where a 74% year-over-year increase resulted in nearly 530 new residential construction permits in Q1.  St. Lucie County is also ahead of the previous year; with a 21% increase in residential construction, St. Lucie had 380 housing starts and appears to be continuing its growth pattern from the last several years.

There is still plenty of time (three more quarters) for other areas to catch up, and HBW will continue to track the latest new residential construction permitting activity and provide subscribers with the data and leads needed to reach their targets this year.

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 Quarterly Residential Construction Report Q1-2017

Posted on by

In the first quarter of 2017, Texas was ahead of last year by 6% in new residential construction, and Houston is leading the way.

This week is the week of quarterly reviews.  Most recently we explored the state of new residential construction in the Atlanta area, and today we are reviewing the steady increase in housing starts across the Lone Star State.  With more than 16,100 housing starts in the first quarter 2017, Texas experienced a 6% increase in residential construction in comparison to Q1-2016.  Out of the four top metro areas of Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio), Houston had 6,675 housing starts on file with HBW in the first quarter of this year, ranking it #1 for total new permits.  Houston remains just about on track with 2016 for new construction activity as it experienced a small 1% increase in the first quarter.

TX New Resid. Construction Permit Totals – Q1 2016 vs. 2017

Having a greater gain on 2016, Dallas had a 9% increase in housing starts in Q1-2017; with 5,152 housing starts, Dallas ranked second highest for total new residential construction permits. While housing starts and home value have been increasing in Dallas year-after-year for the last five years or so, the early stats on housing starts are already showing signs that the Dallas area is tracking to be ahead of 2016.  Last year, Dallas also held the greatest number of permits for homes valued over $500k, and the pattern at the start of 2017 reflects the same increase in higher value residential construction.

While Austin ranked third highest for total residential construction permits in the first quarter, it carried the greatest year-over-year increase in housing starts.  With a 16% increase in new permits, there were nearly 2,800 housing starts in the Austin area in Q1-2017.  Travis County held the highest concentration of starts (1,546 permits) of any Austin-area county.  And while all counties in Austin reflected year-over-year increases ranging from 9%-35%, Hays County is starting out with the greatest amount of growth in residential construction being 35% ahead of the previous year.

In San Antonio, new residential construction is holding tight and very much in line with last year.  As of the first quarter, San Antonio was on target with a 1% increase in housing starts resulting in more than 1,500 new permits in the HBW database.  Bexar County had a 9% year-over-year increase in residential construction with more than 700 housing starts in the first quarter.  On the other side of the coin is Comal County; with 500 housing starts in Q1-2017, Comal has some catching up to do in order to be steady with 2016 as it is currently behind by 21%.  While off to a slow start, Comal County has consistently exhibited growth every year over the last five years, and there is still plenty of time for gains in construction permitting activity.

Across the state, the top five counties with the highest concentration of new construction were in Houston, Dallas and Austin.  In Houston, Harris County was positioned at the top of the stack with 3,571 housing starts in the first quarter, an 8% increase in comparison to Q1-2016.  Coming in next highest was Collin County (Dallas area); with a 10% year-over-year increase in housing starts, there were more than 1,650 new residential construction permits in Comal County for Q1.  Just behind and holding in a close third, Travis County (Austin) had nearly 1,550 housing starts in the first quarter, pushing it ahead of 2016 by 17%.  Here is a closer look at the top five counties for total permits in Texas:

TX Top 5 Counties for Resid. Construction – Q1 2016 vs. 2017

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.

Atlanta Residential Construction 1st Quarter Review

Posted on by

With more than 5,300 housing starts in the first quarter of 2017, most of the metro Atlanta area is on an upswing since the start of the year.

Atlanta and its surrounding counties are off to a stellar start in 2017.  In Q1, metro Atlanta and surrounding areas have experienced a 6% increase in housing starts in comparison to 2016, and some of its larger counties (i.e. Fulton and Cobb) had year-over-year (Q1) increases ranging from 20% to more than 40%.

While Gwinnett County had the greatest number of housing starts (825 permits) in comparison to other metro Atlanta counties, it has some catching up to do when looking at 2016.  In Q1, Gwinnett is slightly behind, reflecting a 6% decrease in new residential construction in comparison to the same time last year.  That being stated, there is still plenty of time to catch up or even surpass previous figures.

One area that is ahead and ranked second highest for total permits is Fulton County.  Along with being Georgia’s most populous county and the only county with over one million inhabitants, Fulton is ahead of 2016 by 20%, having nearly 600 new permits on file with HBW in Q1 alone.  The area had been on an upward growing trend in new residential construction from 2012 to 2015, and while 2016 reflected a drop in housing starts, the first quarter of this year is showing signs of recovery.

One county that is not off to an advanced start but still carries a higher concentration of new permits is Forsyth County.  While the area had more than 550 housing starts in the first quarter of this year, it has experienced just about a 30% decrease in residential construction activity in comparison to the start of 2016.  As previously mentioned, there is still plenty of time left in the year to see if the decrease is a pattern or just a slower quarter for the county.

Atlanta Top 5 Counties for Total Permits – 2016 vs. 2017

When shifting our perspective from totals to overall growth, a few other Georgia counties come on to our radar, such as Newton County.  While on the smaller side for population and density, Newton County has been increasing in residential activity over the last five years, and in Q1 it had the highest increase in new permits of any county reviewed. With an 87% increase in residential construction in comparison to Q1-2016, there were more than 100 housing starts on file for the quarter.

Another noteworthy county for growth is Cobb.  With 377 housing starts in Q1, Cobb County is ahead of Q1-2016 by a whopping 43%.  While new residential construction was slower in Cobb County in 2015, last year was promising as it had experienced a year-over-year increase of more than 60% in housing starts.  And in 2017, the area appears to be continuing the growth trend.

In the higher value markets (>$500k), the usual players are on the leaderboard.  Fulton County leads with 70 homes valued over $500k in Q1-2017, and the counties of Cobb and Dekalb are also holding their positions from 2016 as they continue to rank in the top three spots for higher value residential construction in Metro Atlanta.

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.

Quick Tips for Successful Client Negotiations

Posted on by

If all of us saw things the same way, well life would be pretty easy, and boring to say the least.  Even in our best efforts to understand our clients’ desires and needs, we are bound to come face-to-face with a challenging negotiation process from time to time.  While we don’t want to give away the farm, we also need to meet our clients as close to halfway as possible so that all parties feel like they have a fair win and value in the final contract.

When working with new or current clients, it is essential that you are prepared to address any requests or situations that may arise. Whether you’re negotiating the payment terms for an upcoming new construction project or defining the scope of a remodel, negotiation skills are required in the conversations that you will have with a client along the way.

Here are 5 quick and easy tips for strengthening your negotiation skills with clients:

  1. Don’t be the First – While I firmly believe in being upfront and transparent in business and the negotiation process, don’t be the first one to put the offer on the table. Of course, there are instances in the bidding process where you will have no choice but to show your cards from the start, but even then, get all details and requirements before stepping foot in the proverbial waters.  When you have flexibility and room for negotiation, don’t jump to put a price on it.  By taking the time to understand your client’s budget and parameters, you can offer products and services that are an easy fit, rather than a hard sell.
  2. Bundle Up – Think of your mobile phone service… They are constantly offering bundles. Bundles are an easy way to sweeten a deal that may be heading a little sour.  Have bundles already in mind before you get to the table.  By bundling additional products or services at a visible discount, you will automatically add value without taking a hard hit to the bottom line.
  3. Turn Down the Volume – It is easy to get excited and want to explain every detail and sell a customer on all of the bells and whistles, but take a moment to pause. The loudest one in the room is not always the most successful one in the negotiation process.  Instead, slow down and take time to process requests before being reactive and saying “yes” to everything.  With a little silence, you might find that you give room for the client to fill the empty space, often providing useful information on their perspective and expectations.  Also, being too quick on the trigger can hamper your professionalism and come off across as too eager.  A little time of pause throughout the process can provide just the right amount of breathing room and a little time for articulating a solid and effective response.
  4. Let the Numbers Talk – Although personal attention and communication are important when it comes to maintaining client relationships, in negotiations you can let the numbers do some of the talking. When a client sees their savings, timelines and cost comparisons in writing, the whole proposal holds more weight.  You can talk about designs and pricing, but power is frequently found in the final numbers; by reviewing them together, you can answer questions and provide a cost breakdown in a way that makes sense.
  5. Walk Away as Needed – You may find yourself in a situation where you just don’t seem to see eye-to-eye no matter your approach or offers. By all means, you should exhaust all options, but don’t exhaust your resources.  As home builders, we can lead ourselves to extremes to meet clients’ needs, but we shouldn’t go so far that we eventually go into the red.  Know your value proposition and your limits with cutting costs.  When going for a big fish, it is easy to land into big loss just for the sake of securing the job.  If the negotiation process is high maintenance from the start, you may just find that it will be that way through the end.  If you are selling yourself short, don’t be afraid to walk away.  Your client may come back in the same sitting or down the line.

While we can’t know every and all possible scenario in the negotiation process, we can be prepared.  By having a clear understanding for your terms and worth, you will gain firm ground by knowing what you can and cannot offer.  By being clear on your boundaries and taking time to read your clients’ cues, your negotiations can result in a final contract that is agreeable and valuable to all parties.

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.

5 Ways to Big Business on Small Business Week

Posted on by

Small Business Week is happening April 30-May 6, 2017, and it’s not too late to get in on the action.

Small Business Week is here!  We are in it, and events and efforts are in full force.  For those of you who are new to National Small Business Week, it is an annual event that has been in effect since 1963.  The purpose is simple: To recognize the valuable contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the U.S.  As a small business owner, it is a great time to shout from the rooftops and maximize this nationally recognized week by participating in events, recognizing your team and accomplishments and becoming active on social media in the small business arena.

Here are 5 easy ways to get on board this week, even at the mid-week point, to be part of the small business celebration:

  1. Join the Conversation – From sharing the hashtag #SmallBusinessWeek to watching and sharing live events from the Small Business Administration (SBA), it is time to be part of the buzz.  Make connections with your networks in LinkedIn and the like.  Be active and provide comments in related posts and discussions.  Start a conversation of your own with some small business advice or lessons learned along your own path to success.
  2. Share Your Story – Kick your “Throwback Thursday” up a notch this week. Find some classic photos or relics that show where you started; share your passion for your work and the industry.  If you are a landscaper, share photos from your first garden as a child.  If you are home builder, show one of your first projects, clients or jobs.  A little nostalgia is not only fun for your team, but it is a great way to connect to your audience too.  And if you are a user of Constant Contact, don’t forget to use the hashtag #MySmallBizWhy to be part of other small businesses doing the same.
  3. Watch and Share – Starting today, Wednesday (11:30 am – 1:30 pm ET) the National Small Business Week Road Tour kicks off in Indianapolis, IN. The great news is that you don’t have to be there to be part of the event.  You can watch from the comfort of your office or home through their website.  In addition to watching inspiring stories from entrepreneurs and small business owners, you can get in on the conversation using the hashtag #SmallBusinessWeek.  Other live events that will be happening this week and available online include: Thursday 05/04/17 (11:30 am – 1:30 pm CT) in Arlington Texas and Friday 05/05/17 (9:00 am – 10:30 am PT) in Fresno, CA.
  4. Take a Webinar – A variety of webinars are being offered today and tomorrow. With topics ranging from how to grow your business online to improving email marketing, the webinar series offers short informational sessions that may provide a much-needed and nice refresher for you and your team.  You can view and register for webinars here: https://www.sba.gov/nsbw/webinars
  5. Give Thanks – There is never a bad time to thank your customers, and without them, small businesses wouldn’t be, well, in business. For this reason, consider sending a personal “thank you” to your longstanding customers.  Don’t want to get personal?  Then a nice customer recognition email or social media post will do the trick.  Linking your customers to your success allows you to connect and show your appreciation for their continued business and support.

Although National Small Business Week ends in a few short days, your efforts to connect to your customers should continue long beyond the hashtags and one-time events.  Regular communication with your customers through a personal “thank you”, recognition of support and sharing of your business is all part of relationship building.  While you will need to move quickly to get on board with this year’s business week, it is important to remember that strong relationships with your customers take time and that you should make a constant and conscious effort to connect throughout the year.

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.