Business

Advice from industry experts for how to run your business, based on the real-world experience of your peers.

Understanding Your Biggest Competitor

You may not think of yourself as a tour guide, therapist, doctor, marriage counselor, or investment advisor. But those are the skills custom builders need in today's market




Custom Builder

The Power of Stories

At the 2023 Jeff Shore Sales and Marketing Summit, we sat down with author, speaker, trainer, and home building sales expert Ryan Taft to explore his thoughts on storytelling, including its role in successful sales and relationship building

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Best Practices

The rule of 8, 9, 12 but never 16

Todd Hallett and I are running a LeanPlan Workout session this week in Tennessee with one of my favorite builders. In the years I have known them…

Best Practices

Watch out for this extreme common framing error that causes warranty nightmares

Whether you call them crickets or saddles, the little patch of roof that is bridging water past a chimney or other element obstructing water flow is…

Design

One-of-a-Kind Green Homes

These custom-built homes make a strong design statement while delivering a high level of energy and resource efficiency.

Leadership

10 steps to mastering field quality – A positive indicator for a recovering industry

The 5th article in my series on Quality Management was just published by Professional Builder Magazine and appears concurrently on www.HousingZone.…

Data & Research

Remodeling Market Index recedes slightly in second quarter

The second quarter results of the Remodeling Market Index (RMI) slipped under pressure from a softening labor market, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), dropping two points to 45.

Design

Design axioms of a world-class inventor

Chances are, you’ve never heard of Tony Fadell. But I would bet a very large sum of money (okay, $100) that you’ve heard of his most notable creation…

Leadership

Using strategic relationships to grow your business

A key area of business that many builders fail to master is strategic relationships. Mark Richardson offers tips for leveraging those around you to improve your business.

Financial

Sabal Financial Group announces builder lender program, appoints director

Financial services firm Sabal Financial Group, L.P., announced the launch of a builder lender program in an effort to offer non-recourse construction and acquisition and development (A&D) loans to established home builders in California.

Editorial/Topical

Retirement redefined: Custom-built homes for aging in place

These custom homes were designed for retirement, but their owners are at very different stages. Here’s how they were planned for aging in place.

Leadership

Lean Builder Blog: Do operations still matter on the West Coast?

I have spoken at PCBC, the big West Coast building conference most of the past 15 years and I always enjoy it. The event has been very well-run,…