In today’s ultra-competitive construction industry, design-build teams are seeing success that contractors alone typically are not finding. The advantage to this model is in its simplified operating plan of streamlined communication, control and speed without sacrificing quality. Leveraging the whole firm under a single contract drastically reduces the odds of things going wrong since the build is under one group. Compared to potentially playing a game of Telephone between designer, architect and contractor, collaboration is much easier under design-build. Aligning the whole process under one team keeps projects on schedule…
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Contractor’s Guide to Tampa Bay Hurricane-Resistant Home Renovations
Hurricane-resistant home features have long been considered practical, but not necessary upgrades in the past. However, growing awareness of flood risks and storm dangers played an impact in homeowners seeking out these features. Rather than solely being luxury upgrades that boost property values, hurricane-resistant home features are now seen as essential to safety in some areas. For contractor success, knowing one’s demographic is key to thriving in the industry. Taking Tampa Bay as an example, homeowners are increasingly opting for hurricane-resistant home renovations. Features that protect their kitchens and bathtubs…
Read MorePermitting 101: Tips to Keep Projects Compliant and On Schedule
Those seeking to get into design/build work would be wise to gain a deep understanding of the nuance behind the permit process. Maintaining compliance with regulation is key to keeping projects on schedule, so planning for permitting ahead of time prevents any later hiccups. Structural projects that bear any sort of weight tend to be subject to a specific permit, such as pools and decks. Similarly, overhead structures that carry weight above where a human may occupy space are also susceptible to permits, like pergolas and rooftops. Accounting for permitting…
Read MoreHow Technology is Reshaping Home Renovation in 2025 and Beyond
Home renovation is becoming increasingly influenced by technology, demonstrating a shift towards modernity and greater personalization. Four major points have been identified that are tied to how AI is changing the remodeling industry. Artificial Intelligence (AI) The growth of AI as a tool is nothing new, and all industries are seeking ways to incorporate it into their practices. Designers and contractors are adopting AI to aid with layout solutions, assist with materials selections and speed up project timelines. Using AI helps remodelers to stay within budget and ahead of schedule,…
Read MoreTackling Tiny Lots: Designing with Installation and Maintenance in Mind
In order for a landscaping remodel to be successful in accordance with the homeowner’s wishes, it must be feasible. Installing and maintaining renovation projects in small lots require careful consideration of what is practical given the size constraints. Therefore, they require a bit of creativity when it comes to working through the design goals. To strike a balance between what the homeowner wants and what is practical, scaling down is often a good compromise. Rather than completely ruling out a feature that is too big, considering a smaller feature that…
Read MoreContractor insights into industry trends
Findings from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) show that contractor activity has held steady throughout Q2 despite market growth softening. Current concerns include tariff and labor impact, but the outdoor materials market and demand for energy-efficient projects saw gains higher than anticipated. With data pointing to an increase in home improvement projects under $5k and a decrease in projects over $100k, the findings suggest homeowners are prioritizing inexpensive summer projects that take advantage of sunny weather or optimize efficiency in expecting the heat wave. Read More
Read MoreBusiness Roundtable Launches New Workforce Initiative
The Business Roundtable has launched a Skilled Trades Initiative to address U.S. labor shortages by promoting careers in high-demand fields like construction, manufacturing, maintenance and energy. Spearheaded by CEOs such as Marvin Ellison (Lowe’s) and David Gitlin (Carrier), the program partners with companies, experts and nonprofits to create resources, training, and tools aimed at strengthening the industrial and construction workforce. Read More
Read MoreApril Private Residential Construction Spending Dips
Private residential construction spending declined for the third month in a row in April, driven by drops in single-family construction and home improvement projects. Compared to a year earlier, total residential spending was down 4.8%, with single-family spending falling 1.1% in April—ending a seven-month growth streak—and multifamily spending down 11.3% year-over-year. Elevated mortgage rates, material tariff concerns, and broader economic uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on the housing sector. Read More
Read MoreHomeowners spend on renovations despite the uncertain economy
Despite broader economic uncertainty, U.S. homeowners are continuing to invest in home renovations. Sales at building materials and garden supply retailers rose 0.8% in April from March, marking the largest gain since 2022. However, the cost of home repairs and remodeling climbed nearly 4% in the first quarter from a year earlier, primarily due to rising labor costs. According to the Trumbull Times, “Home Depot said Tuesday that it doesn’t expect to raise prices because of tariffs, saying it has spent years diversifying the sources for the goods on its…
Read MoreAging-in-Place Remodeling Work Fell
In the first quarter of 2025, only 56% of professional remodelers reported undertaking projects designed to allow homeowners to age in place (AIP), which marked the lowest percentage since the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) began tracking this data in 2004. This decline is due to economic uncertainties, high interest rates, and stock market volatility, which have dampened consumer spending and investment in home modifications. However, awareness of AIP concepts remains high, 98% of remodelers noting that most or some of their clients are familiar with AIP. According to…
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