Management
A compilation of Custom Builder's articles, surveys, ideas, trends, and tips on management for residential builders, remodelers, and architects serving the residential construction industry.

Four experts explain how paying attention to cash flow can help keep builders from robbing Peter to pay Paul

Michael Lehrer, FAIA
President
Architect Michael Lehrer on great windows, hand-built models, and builders with high emotional intelligence

Photos courtesy of Green Gables Design & Restoration
"You never want to get to the next phase and realize somebody's not happy."

Allowing employees to be 100% "off" when they're not at work helps ensure that they're bringing full effort to their jobs.
Research across a number of professions has shown time and again that productivity and accuracy decrease when employees aren’t given sufficient time off to recharge.

Meadolark Design + Build's work runs the gamut of styles. This design pays homage to the mid-century modern home originally on the site (Photo: John Carlson at Carlson Productions).
A scientist and an accountant combine their varied skills in a sustainable building company

Make sure your new sustainable project receives a fair valuation

This hillside house in Phoenix built by Cullum Homes at The Estates at Paradise Reserve won Custom Home of the Year from the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. Cullum also built the adjacent subdivision, The Village at Paradise Reserve, using a new model of unitized pricing to build out both. Photo: NCKX Photography
Two custom builders seek to improve margins: one by unitizing pricing relationships with trades, the other by pursuing a coveted homebuyer group

Many of Architect Ken Brinkman's infill homes have the older characteristics of Chicago's old, stately neighborhoods with modern interiors (Photos: Herbie Rooprai).
Business smarts and old-meets-new design have helped Environs Development carve itself a niche with stately infill homes in Chicagoland

Guaranteed maximum price contracts require a true team effort and an open-book policy

The more you understand what is the ideal growth rate for your business, the more you can plan and focus on executing.

Some Design/Build business models are more a product of evolution than what is best.

The health of your business, not market conditions, must improve if you want to be more successful.

You don’t have to be a big builder to have an advisory board.

Today’s great business leaders are masters of thinking several moves ahead.