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Texas Top Home Builders – April 2016

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Erika Carruth

As noted in our Texas residential construction report earlier this month, more than 5,000 new permits were added to the HBW database in April. Out of the nearly $1.2 billion in new residential construction that took place in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio in April, there were a handful of home builders that were leading new projects across the state. Looking at all four metropolitan areas combined, the top three builders who had the most housing starts on file last month were as follows:

#1 D.R. Horton – Continuing to dominate new residential construction in Texas, D.R. Horton has more than 460 new permits on file with HBW in April.

#2 Pulte Homes – Moving up one spot from #3 in March, Pulte Homes has 277 housing starts for the month.

#3 Lennar Homes – Still holding close to second, Lennar Homes came in third highest for total housing starts with 272 new permits on file for the month.

Although D.R. Horton continues to have a strong presence in new residential construction projects across the state, when we take a closer look at each area there are some other prominent builders that make the top spots for housing starts. Here are some highlights and listings of the top five home builders by area for the month of April:

Dallas

In Dallas, D.R. Horton didn’t just continue its lead… it was actually up 25% in housing starts in comparison to March. With 192 permits and a total value close to $30M, D.R. Horton held strong and in #1 for April. Next in line, Pulte Homes made a giant month-to-month leap in residential construction since March with twice as many housing starts (113 permits) and a total construction value in excess of $24M. Not on the top five list last month but in the #3 spot this month, First Texas Homes had 64 housing starts for the month and a total construction value of nearly $20M.

Top Dallas Home Builders April 2016

Houston

Still leading, D.R. Horton came out on top in Houston with 161 housing starts in April and more than $23.5M in total construction value. Although in second, Lennar Homes had a 14% increase in starts in comparison to March, placing it very close to D.R. Horton with 160 permits on file and a higher total construction value in excess of $25M. Up two spots since March, Perry Homes was third highest for new residential construction with 119 housing starts and a leading construction value of nearly $27M.

Top Houston Home Builders April 2016

Austin

Just as in March, D.R. Horton maintained the #1 spot for total housing starts in April with 106 new permits on file and more than $18M in construction value. Moving up one spot since March to #2, KB Homes had an 85% increase in activity with 95 housing starts in the area and more than $14M in construction. Pulte Homes also jumped up since March (from fifth to the third) with 74 new permits on file and a total construction value in excess of $16.5M.

Top Austin Home Builders April 2016

San Antonio

In San Antonio, Continental Homes held steady and maintained its lead from March with 83 housing starts and more than $18M in construction. Although there is a significant gap between the first and second top spots, coming in at #2 KB Homes had a 20% increase in residential construction activity in comparison to March. With 31 new permits on file with HBW, KB Homes had more than $7M in construction value in April. Up one spot since March, Meritage Homes was the third highest for total housing starts with 27 new residential construction permits and nearly $5M in construction value.

Top San Antonio Home Builders April 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.

Managing Your Workload During Vacation

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Summertime is here which means vacation for you and your team. Here are a few tips for making the most of your time away from the office.

Vacation – What’s that? Vacation is becoming a bit of a legend for the busy home builder. Between constant email and ongoing high-maintenance jobs, the unreachable and seemingly mythological idea of vacation can feel impossible – not to mention the tidal wave of email and mountains of paperwork most of us fear facing upon return. How can anyone truly have a “relaxing” vacation when unplugging is an impossibility and the phone notifications just don’t stop?

The answer isn’t simple. The truth is that events, questions and client emergencies may crop up, but there are a few steps you can take to make your summer family time more of a vacation and less of a traveling office.

Clear the Desk – Although you may have to put some extra hours in, by clearing your desk of outstanding items, from email to hard mail, you will avoid being completely overwhelmed upon your return. Purge your desk of useless clutter, and have all completed documents filed away. Try to complete all pending items, including estimates and follow-up reports. The less you have when you leave, the more time you will have to get to new business after vacation.
Empower Your Team – Let’s face it… Your work won’t stop just because you leave. For this reason, make sure you have a team member covering your core communications and responsibilities. This leader should be reliable and well-informed on what to expect, how to handle expected scenarios and know how and when to reach you. Have them keep a list of action items as well as track any actions they have taken on your behalf. Keep it simple, and even if their support is not needed, you will have peace of mind in having back-up.
Make Your Absence Known (and your presence) – Some business owners worry about the mice at play when the cat’s away and don’t inform their team of their upcoming leave. This is not a good idea, and may cause more harm than good. By having everyone aware of your leave, from clients to employees, it allows you to answer any questions in advance that may come up during your vacation; additionally, clients who are accustomed to receiving immediate attention from you won’t be shocked when they don’t receive a lightning-fast response. For clients, it can be as simple as an out-of-office message on voicemail and email that informs them of your date of return. For your employees, consider having a brief meeting informing your team of your back-up leader or direct report that will be acting as your proxy. Your team should be encouraged to present all items in need of your attention prior to your departure date. It is also a good time to let them know that you will be checking in periodically and following up with them on progress and projects. Although you will be out of the office, your authority should be clearly present.
Unplug (partially) – Although completely unplugging for a week is ideal, most of the time it is not possible. In order to still maintain a sense of vacation, try scheduling a time to check email and voicemail once a day while away. Only get to the things that require immediate attention; everything else can wait. Be careful with opening Pandora’s box because it can be very easy and tempting to get caught in the wave of email. Limit yourself to one hour or less, and do not get sidetracked with every message. Plugging back in while on vacation should just be to get to any immediate items that are crucial and cannot wait until you are back in the office.
Add a Day to Your Vacation – Adding a day doesn’t mean having one more day of beach time or sightseeing. The extra day that you should add is your first day back in the office. No matter how much planning and delegating you did to prepare, you will have outstanding emails and work waiting for you – Just expect it. Try to block one day to catch-up on your emails, mail and inbox. Close your office door, and don’t schedule any meetings. This one day is important because it will allow your first official day back in the office to be clear and back on schedule.

With a little strategic planning and proper delegating, the mythical unicorn called vacation can be a reality. Everyone needs to break away from the routine now and again, and taking a few days to be unproductive can result in you being refreshed and ready to take on projects with more verve and vitality than before you left. A little down time may just be what you need for a little upswing in production.

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

HBW Report: New Swimming Pool Construction in Florida – April 2016

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Earlier this week, NOAA reported that most of the United States will be faced with one hot summer. The report indicated an expectation of well above average summer temperatures, according to the latest outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, which means temperatures in the warmest third of all summers in the current record (1981-2010). (source: climate.gov). With already warmer temperatures in Florida, it is the ideal time for consumers to consider pool construction before the real heat sets in. Although most will plan ahead, there was certainly no shortage in pool construction across Florida in recent months. From Jacksonville to South Florida and major cities in between, Florida had nearly 1,600 swimming pool starts in April and more than $66.2M in total construction value.

Florida Pool Permit Totals by Area – April 2016

Based on reports from the HBW database, more than 50% of new swimming pool construction in Florida last month took place in the southwest and central (Orlando) regions of the state. Southwest Florida was in the lead for total swimming pool starts with 460 permits on file and nearly $18.8M in total construction value. The second highest for pool construction was the Orlando area with 387 new permits in April and a total value close to $15M. Although Southeast Florida was third for total permits (318 permits), it was second highest for total value with more than $15.1M in new construction for the month. Tampa and Jacksonville came in at fourth and fifth for the month with 259 new permits (total value: $10.1M+) in Tampa and 168 new permits (total value: $7.1M+) in Jacksonville.

From a county perspective, and as one may expect, all of the top five counties for total new permits were in the southwest and central regions of the state. Lee (SW) County was #1 for total starts with 150 new permits and more than $6.1M on file with HBW for the month. Also in the southwest portion of the state, Collier County was second highest with 130 starts and nearly $5.7M in total construction value. Orlando continued to hold strong last month with 118 new swimming pool permits on file and close to $5.3M in total value. In at #4 and #5 we have Manatee (SW) and Brevard (Orlando) counties which had 113 and 112 swimming pool starts respectively.

FL Pool Permits by Top Counties – April 2016

As for average value of pools constructed in Florida last month, the southeast region of the state pushed up to #1. In the first quarter of the year, Jacksonville had maintained the highest average value of the five areas reviewed, but at the start of Q2, swimming pool construction in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties are pushing totals and values in the southeast. The average value of pools constructed in SE Florida last month was $47,703. Jacksonville is second highest for average value with $42,387. Southwest Florida came in third with an average value of $40,849. Here is a look at the average value of swimming pool construction across the state:

FL – Average Value of Pool Construction April 2016

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures 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.

Summer Industry Conventions and Trade Shows

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Erika Carruth

With summer here, it is a perfect time to plan for your next business vacation.

Industry conventions and trade shows can be a great way to refresh your team and get inspired by new products. Whether attending as an exhibitor or as a guest networking on the floor, industry events can provide a reason to regroup and assess which of your own products or services can use an upgrade. In addition to the trade show floor, there may also be educational programs or seminars that can assist you in upping your game and staying “in the know” on the latest trends in home building.

With summertime officially here in just one month, it’s only natural to begin thinking about the next family vacation or getaway. Although personal breaks are important, don’t forget to provide the same opportunities for recharging your team and business. Choosing the right event for your company is a good place to start… You will want to make sure there are networking opportunities, product previews of interest and educational programs that suit your needs. Logistics are also a major factor. You will need to plan ahead to ensure that travel and related expenses have been factored in and fit your budget. Whether you are making time this summer or simply need some ideas for the coming year, here is a list of industry tradeshows and events that are worth checking out this summer:

BOAF Annual Conference & Expo, June 5-9, 2016 (Clearwater, FL) – Although this event is presented by the Building Officials Association of Florida, this expo is not designed solely for Building Officials. The BOAF Annual Conference & Expo caters to various building professionals and offers educational sessions from Florida building code to business ethics. The program runs for five days, but if you just want to attend the expo, plan on being there for two (June 6-7).
Build Expo Houston, July 13-14, 2016 (Houston, TX) – The Houston Build Expo takes place at the NRG Center this summer. Along with demos of thousands of products and services, their website lists a variety of seminars and educational sessions that are complimentary to attendees.
FWCCA Annual Convention & Trade Show, July 21-24, 2016 (Orlando, FL) – The Florida Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association is holding their annual trade show in Orlando this summer. With ten guest speakers and educational sessions each day, this event provides a nice summer getaway for industry professionals who focus in this area of home building.
Brevard Home and Garden Expo, July 23-24, 2016 (Melbourne, FL) – If you offer home and garden services in Central Florida, this event would be worth considering to be an exhibitor as it caters to the public. If not as an exhibitor, it is also a great way to see what other home builders are offering in the area.
Southeast Building Conference, July 27-30, 2016 (Kissimmee, FL) – A great summertime event, SEBC is in its 28th year. It is the largest building industry trade show in the Southeast, and it offers three days of educational seminars and more than 200 exhibitors.
Home and Garden Expo of Oklahoma, July 29-31, 2016 (Tulsa, OK) – Just as most Home and Garden Expos, this event in Oklahoma caters to the public interested in home improvement products and services. If you offer services in Oklahoma, attending as an exhibitor can provide exposure for your business, while attending as a guest can allow you to connect and network with similar businesses in the area.
Sunbelt Builders Show, August 3-4, 2016 (Grapevine, TX) – Operated by the Texas Association of Builders, this show is one of the largest of its kind in the country. According to its site, this show draws thousands of residential construction industry professionals and offers more than 200 exhibit booths. Taking place at the Gaylord Texan Resort, it is a convenient location for HBW subscribers in Dallas.

For tips on getting the most out of your tradeshow experience, check out last year’s post on planning for industry events. For more information on construction business tips and industry updates, 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 Update: Final Rule on Reporting Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Last week, OSHA issued a final rule on reporting workplace injury and illness; here is what you need to know about the latest requirements to take effect this summer.

Keeping up with the changing and evolving rules and regulations of OSHA can sometimes feel like a full-time endeavor. For this reason, we offer periodic “OSHA updates” to highlight some of the regulations that pertain to you, the construction professional.

Just a few years ago, OSHA updated the rules on employers’ requirements and responsibilities for tracking and reporting workplace injuries and illnesses electronically. Last week, on May 11^th, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the final rule regarding this effort to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Although employers are already required to collect data on injuries and illnesses that occur in the workplace, the new rule requires that employers must submit the data to OSHA; this is no longer a voluntary step in the process. The intention is not only to ensure that the appropriate information is collected when an injury or illness takes place, but the new rule also exists so that OSHA can use the data to improve workplace safety and injury prevention through the use of behavioral economics.

According to the latest press release from OSHA, more than three million workers suffer from workplace injuries on an annual basis, yet limited to no information is currently available to OSHA or the public about injuries and illnesses that occur at an individual employer’s place of work. With the new rule, high-hazard industries “will send OSHA injury and illness data that the employers are already required to collect, for posting on the agency’s website.” (source: OSHA press release). This will keep the public (investors, clients, job-seekers) and OSHA informed of safety conditions at a particular workplace, as well as encourage employers to maintain and/or improve current workplace safety conditions and programs.

So, you may be asking: “Does this new rule apply to my business?” The answer is simple: If you are a business with 20 or more employees, then keep reading… Under the new rule, if you have 250 or more employees, you will be required to electronically submit injury and illness information to OSHA through Forms 300, 300A and 301. If you are a company with 20-249 employees, then you are required to electronically submit OSHA Form 300A only.

The new requirement will take effect August 10, 2016 with phased in data submission beginning in 2017 (source: OSHA.gov). The new rule does not change an employer’s current obligation to complete and retain illness records under the Recording and Reporting Regulation (Standard 1904.0). To gain access to more information on the final rule, visit the Federal Register. To review instructions and referenced forms for recording work-related injuries and illnesses, click here.

Florida Residential Construction Review – April 2016

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Out of more than 3,800 new permits in Florida that were added to the HBW database last month, approximately 27% were from the Orlando area.

Opening the second quarter of 2016, Florida is looking good as the HBW database continues to grow with new permits and new leads. Focusing on Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Southeast and Southwest Florida, we found more than 3,800 housing starts on file for the Sunshine State and nearly $1.1 billion in total construction value.

FL Total Permits by Area – April 2016

In the center of it all (Central Florida), Orlando was #1 for total housing starts. With 1,032 new permits and more than $294M in construction value, Central Florida is flourishing in new residential construction. The average value of homes started in the area last month was $285,020, the second highest average in the state. Orange County (the center of Orlando) was #1 in the state for total starts with 342 permits and close to $111M in total construction value. Osceola County was the next highest for total housing starts in Central Florida with 260 new permits on file and a total construction value just over $43.8M.

The southwest region of Florida was not far behind Orlando with 960 housing starts in April and a total construction value in excess of $262M. Four out of five of the counties reviewed in the southwest region made the top 10 list for total starts in Florida (see chart below). New residential construction activity was somewhat evenly dispersed throughout Lee, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties. Lee County took the lead in the area for total housing starts (240 permits), while Collier County was on top for total value of construction (~ $82.7M) last month.

Tampa was third highest last month for both total housing starts and average value of new residential construction. There were nearly 800 housing starts and more than $221M in new construction in the Tampa area last month. The average value of homes started in April was $278,372, and the bulk of construction activity took place in Hillsborough County; Hillsborough had 319 starts last month and the highest total construction value in the area of more than $103.7M. Polk County was second highest in activity with 202 new permits and a total construction value greater than $40.1M.

In Jacksonville, there were clearly two counties that dominated in new residential construction. Out of the 669 housing starts and more than $168M in construction taking place in the Jacksonville area, Duval and St. Johns counties carried the bulk of the activity. More than 242 housing starts with a total value in excess of $73.7M took place in St. Johns County last month. Duval County was second highest in the area with 210 housing starts and a total construction value greater than $37.7M.

Finally, in the southeast region there were fewer total housing starts in comparison to other regions throughout the state. With 368 new permits on file for the month, SE Florida made up for the lack of total starts by having the highest average construction value of any other area in the state (average value: $378,373). Palm Beach County was #1 in the southeast for total housing starts (102 permits), while Miami-Dade County took the lead for highest total value of new construction (> $43M).

FL Average Value of Residential Construction – April 2016

When comparing counties throughout Florida, Orlando’s Orange County was #1 for total housing starts in April (342 permits), while Tampa’s Hillsborough County came in at a close second with 319 new permits on file. Here’s a closer look at the top 10 counties throughout the state for the month:

FL Top 10 Counties for Total New Resid. Permits – April 2016

Texas Residential Construction Report – April 2016

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Erika Carruth

The stats are in for April, and Texas residential construction held strong for the month with more than 5,000 new permits on file with HBW. Out of the nearly $1.2 billion in new residential construction occurring in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin combined last month, Houston led with the most housing starts (2,020 permits), while Dallas experienced the greatest increase in starts since March (+8%). Across the board, every metropolitan area reviewed was slightly ahead of totals for March, and overall, there was more than a 3% increase in housing starts from March to April.

Texas Residential Construction Permit Totals – April 2016

Earlier this month, Forbes reported on the nation’s top 10 hottest markets for 2016 (as per Zillow), and Dallas took the #1 spot. According to the report, the Dallas-Fort Worth area is expected to see home values increase by 5.6% this year (source: Forbes). Consistent with the Forbes report, Dallas is also on top in the HBW database for highest average value in residential construction (~$293k – April). Additionally, the total value of residential construction in the Dallas area was the highest out of the four areas reviewed with more than $498M in April.

Average Residential Construction Value (April 2016):

Dallas – $292,532

San Antonio – $240,971

Austin – $228,562

Houston – $190,515

On the other end of the spectrum of average construction value, we have Houston. Just a few weeks ago, the Houston Business Journal cited the slump in crude oil prices as the cause for a drop in Houston’s luxury home market. According to the most recent data released by the Houston Association of Realtors, sales of homes valued at or above $500,000 dropped by 12.4% year over year in March. Although demand for high-value custom homes has reportedly fallen in Houston, the area came out on top for total housing starts (2,020 permits) and was second highest for total construction value for the month (~$385M).

In Austin, new residential construction remained steady in comparison to March with just over a 1% increase in activity and a total construction value close to $207M. Out of the 904 housing starts in Austin last month, more than half occurred in Travis County.

Finally, we took a look at San Antonio which had more than $106M in total construction value for the month. Although the area had the least total new residential construction permits on file in April (441 permits), San Antonio was second highest for average value of residential construction (~$241k). Nearly half of April’s new residential construction took place in Bexar County – Bexar also made the Top 10 list for total housing starts.

Texas Top 10 Counties for Total New Permits – April 2016

Information utilized for the graphs and above listed figures was directly derived from HBW construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest building activity in Texas and beyond, please contact HBW for details.

5 Tips for a Better Website

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Just like home building, website design requires plenty of planning and maintenance to serve its purpose now and in the future.

Whether you currently have a website or are looking to launch one, there are a few simple things to keep in mind to ensure you are getting the most out of your web presence. Your website doesn’t only serve as a way to be found on the internet; it is one of the first places your HBW leads will look to learn more about your company and services. Even if you have a website manager who handles the technical aspects of your site, you are most likely responsible for website content. In addition to reflecting your brand, your website should be user-friendly, easy to navigate and provide the information that your target audience will be searching. Here are five areas to review when building a new website or simply making “renovations” to your current one:

Keep it Simple – Long gone are the days of lengthy “About” sections and a never-ending scrolling list of services. Consider this: The attention span of a human is only 8 seconds (source: The Telegraph), one second less than a goldfish, and our fast-paced digital world isn’t helping. Thanks to smartphones, scrolling news feeds and our on demand lifestyles, there is simply not enough time in the day for a visitor to sift through mountains of text. For this reason, make your website simple, fresh and clean. Your navigation bar should be free of clutter, and your contact information and social links should be obvious and easily accessible.
Pay Attention to “Home” – Don’t neglect your “Home” page; it is the one page that most of your site visitors will see, and it serves as both an anchor and front door to your business online. A busy first page can be cumbersome to navigate and too time-consuming for the reader to get to any other page. Think of a driveway and entryway to a home – the more cluttered and obstructed in design, the more challenging it will be to enter the home. The same concept applies to your opening page. The home page should consist of the essentials including a clear headline and sub-headline, main call-to-action, visible navigation bar, supporting image and key features and benefits. Other important information like resources, testimonials and product and service details should be viewable through other pages and links, easy to locate and one-click away.
Be Mobile – Almost every new website will have a mobile version, but what about the one you launched five years ago? If not up-to-date, it is possible that the site is not viewable from certain mobile devices. Once you have a mobile version, you will want to test every page from both tablets and phones (ios and android). The content should be formatted to fit a variety of screen sizes, and images should load properly. Also, keep in mind that some viewers may still prefer the desktop version of your site, so offer the option to view the site on “Desktop Version” at the top and/or bottom of each page.
Be Unique – Don’t limit your site by following a singular model. Although you should aim for simplicity in design, you still want to make a strong first impression. Having a website that looks like everyone else, including your competition, offers less than a memorable experience for your visitors. The more authentic your images and content, the better chance you have to stand out from the crowd. Being unique can simply be attained by remaining true to your brand and offering images and videos that originate from your company. Although stock images and video can be useful in some instances, when it comes to your website, your unique designs and offerings should be showcased in a framework and layout that is distinctive and reflective of your brand.
Track it – This one gets overlooked time and time again. Many small businesses may check how many “likes” or “followers” they have on social media but fall short when it comes to website visitors. It’s easy enough to gauge and analyze site visitor traffic by getting started with Google Analytics. It is free and an important tool for monitoring visits and learning more about pages and content that are of interest to your audience. It is also useful in tracking the impact of your marketing efforts including social media campaigns and any email marketing or other communications you may develop to reach your HBW leads.

Just like any home or property, a website requires upkeep and upgrades to stay current and in proper functioning order. Through appropriate maintenance and repair, your website will continue to have the curb appeal it needs to get the visits and prospects in the door.

Contractors Ask: What About Snapchat?

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Erika Carruth

Image source: Snapchat.com

Think that Snapchat is just a fad for teens? Think again. What started out as an easy video story and messaging app for teens and millennials has become a surprisingly useful and growing tool for marketers. According to a recent article by Bloomberg, Snapchat’s use is rapidly growing, with more than 10 billion video views and 100 million users each day. Even more impressive is that the number of views is up from 8 billion since February – Now that’s growth that will certainly garner attention.

As a construction professional, you may or may not have considered using Snapchat at this point, but if the unmistakable and instant growth hasn’t sparked your interest, consider the major powerhouse companies using the app. Netflix already being in the business of video is an obvious match for the app, successfully using it to provide sneak peeks of upcoming movies and series. At the same time, you have leading corporations like AT&T, McDonald’s, Amazon, Audi and many more that have hopped aboard the Snapchat train to share their brand and start conversations.

Snapchat is no longer just about photos that disappear in 10 seconds – Unlike most social media apps that serve as a repository for images and videos, Snapchat offers the convenience and fluidity of quick messaging as well as posts that can remain for 24 hours. The basic idea of Snapchat is that it enables the user to seamlessly transition between different styles of “chat” from video, audio, text, photos and drawings; it is face-to-face conversation amplified. The app makes it possible for private conversations to shift between mediums, enabling the user to customize the experience and maximize the conversation.

For home builders, the app can be useful in a variety of ways. Snapchat users can send messages to an individual or groups of people while chatting which can be effective when sharing related projects and designs to prospects and clients. Additionally, if you are on a video call, you can send images as an overlay so that the designs being discussed can be viewed simultaneously by the other party. As part of your marketing strategy, Snapchat can be useful in the following:

Spotlight an Event – Whether you are participating in a tradeshow or having a community or charity event, Snapchat provides your audience with a front-row seat even if they can’t actually be there.
Social Incentives – Just as with any social media platform, contests and incentives that are communicated through Snapchat have the potential to engage your audience and get them “in the door”. You may also offer discounts and promo codes to fans.
Behind the Scenes – Prospective clients want to see proof in your work, and moving beyond one-line testimonials, Snapchat provides authentic and real evidence of your work and professionalism. By taking viewers inside a renovation project or providing a first-hand look into the design process, they can get to know you and your business in a new and personal way.
Product Launch – If you have a new product or service, you may use Snapchat to build buzz and interest with sneak peeks and teaser videos.

Just as with any new marketing tool, you will want to take your entire marketing strategy into account before jumping into Snapchat with both feet. It should complement your current efforts, and messages should be aligned with your brand and have a clear objective. Consider your target audience and primary client base to assess if it is the right tool for reaching them. Although you may want to save the personal pics and “stickers” (cartoons/emojis) for the teens, a high-quality video of on-site progress or photo of your latest remodel may be the way to start, or close, a conversation with a future client.

HBW Report: Florida Swimming Pool Construction

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Erika Carruth

In the first quarter of 2016, more than 4,700 new swimming pool construction permits were added to the HBW database for Florida.

Each month, we have a chance to review the latest figures and reports from HBW, gaining valuable insight on residential and commercial construction. At the closing of the first quarter of 2016, we gathered the latest data to review new swimming pool construction in Florida. In Q1, there were 4,713 pool construction starts throughout the Sunshine State with a total construction value exceeding $194M.

The southwest region was in the lead for total new permits on file with 1,491 pool starts and nearly $61.5M in total construction value. Southeast Florida was also busy in the first part of the year with 1,032 new pool construction permits and more than $44.5M in total value. Central Florida (Orlando area) was third highest for total new permits with 980 starts and close to $35M in total construction value.

Florida Swimming Pool Permit Totals – Q1 2016

From Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and the southeast and southwest corners of the state, the average value of pool construction varied. Jacksonville was on top with the highest average value of more than $51k, while the Orlando area held the lowest average value ($35,593) for new swimming pool construction.

FL Average Pool Construction Value – Q1 2016

When taking a look at the counties with the most new swimming pool construction activity, the southwest region holds three out of five spots on the top five list. Lee County (SW) had the most new permits on file in Q1 with 438 pool starts and more than $18.6M in total construction value. In the southeast, Palm Beach County was second highest for new swimming pool construction with 420 new permits on file and a total construction value of nearly $16.9M. Collier County (SW) held on to third with 385 starts and nearly $16.8M in total value. Orlando’s Orange County (344 permits) and the southwest region’s Manatee County were fourth and fifth highest for total new swimming pool construction permits in the first quarter.

FL Top 10 Counties for New Swimming Pool Permits – Q1 2016