A super-green demonstration home in an Ottawa suburb shows how builders can exceed Ontario’s new Green Code targets using insulated panel systems, continuous insulation, advanced framing, and rigorous air sealing. Lessons apply to any builder ready to move beyond code minimums.
How Refinancing Programs and Housing Policy Shape Opportunities for Home Builders Government housing policy directly influences how home builders operate, from the availability of buyer financing to the regulatory environment for construction lending. When policymakers propose expanding refinancing programs or investigating bank lending practices, the ripple effects reach every corner of the residential construction industry.
Every month, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development release a report that home builders across the country watch closely. The monthly housing starts report tracks how many new residential construction projects have broken ground, broken down by single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and regional activity. When a report shows that
The process of obtaining building permits has long been one of the most frustrating bottlenecks in residential construction. Builders, contractors, and developers routinely face weeks of waiting for plan reviews, scheduling conflicts with inspectors, and lost paperwork that delays projects by months. Tampa, Florida recently took a significant step toward solving these problems by approving
How Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Reform Could Reshape the Housing Market for Builders The debate over reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) that underpin much of the U.S. housing finance system, has intensified once again. Economists and policy experts argue that without significant congressional reform, these institutions will continue
Understanding the EPAs Approach to Construction Site Stormwater Runoff The Environmental Protection Agency has long recognized that sediment-laden stormwater runoff from construction sites poses a significant threat to water quality across the United States. When rain falls on exposed soil at active building sites, the runoff carries dirt, silt, and other pollutants into nearby streams,
What New Urbanism Means for Modern Community Development New Urbanism is reshaping how residential builders and developers approach community design. The philosophy centers on creating walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods that reduce dependence on cars and foster stronger social connections. Unlike conventional suburban subdivisions that separate homes from shops and services, New Urbanist communities integrate housing, retail,
The quality of your finished homes depends directly on the quality of your relationships with the tradespeople who build them. Too many builders treat subcontractors as interchangeable vendors, cycling through crews based on the lowest bid and wondering why quality suffers. A trade partner council offers a structured alternative that transforms these transactional connections into
Running a successful home building business in today’s market requires more than skilled crews and quality materials. Builders must also equip themselves with the right business solutions for home builders to manage costs, streamline operations, design efficiently, and communicate effectively with clients and subcontractors. From project management platforms to estimating software and design tools, the
What the 2008 Housing Numbers Tell Builders About Surviving a Market Crisis The year 2008 was a defining moment for the home building industry. As the subprime mortgage crisis unfolded and the broader economy tipped into recession, builders confronted land values that had collapsed, mortgage lenders that were failing, and consumer confidence that had evaporated.
