According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), single-family construction declined across nearly all major metros in Q2 2026. The data reported that densely populated metro counties continued their fifth quarter of decline and fell 13.9%. However, the decline was not as steep compared to the previous quarter’s 15.8%. The smaller markets, noted as outlying counties in small metro areas and the microcounty, saw improvements. The outlying counties in small metro areas grew for the first time in a year, posting a reasonable 0.9%…
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Construction job openings rise to 326,000 in July
Construction sector jobs increased again in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. However, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) analysis is skeptical that a majority of the work is in residential construction. The positive is that construction jobs are up more than the previous month, at 326,000 in July compared to the June increase of 298,000. Notably, July’s postings are stronger than last’s year’s numbers of 305,000 jobs. Hiring in July increased from 3.8% to 4.4% and layoffs plateaued at 1.9%, while the…
Read MoreWhy you should join our free live webinar
In today’s housing market, general contractors and remodelers face a persistent dilemma: how to scale revenue without stretching their existing businesses past their limits. The answer increasingly lies in targeted, high-margin residential niches, none more lucrative right now than bathroom remodeling. Driven by accelerating aging-in-place demand and a national shift toward practical home upgrades, bathroom renovations offer swift turnarounds and reliable profit margins. Yet entering or expanding within this category without a clear blueprint can quickly lead to operational friction and costly missteps. That is why the upcoming Lunch &…
Read MoreCalifornia’s new bill would make ADUs cheaper to build
California legislature just passed the bill SB 1117, which restructures how fees are paid for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The current law exempts ADUs under 750 square feet from local impact fees. However, projects over 750 square feet are required to pay the full impact fee per square foot. The bill proposes a marginal fee structure instead. AIA California supports this measure, citing that it would increase demand for design services and improve project feasibility. SB 1117 currently awaits Governor Newsom’s signature. “Homeowners and builders across California have made accessory dwelling…
Read MoreHow builder size impacts material costs
A majority of builders agree that building a home is 15% more expensive now than it was this time last year. According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) July 2026 NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), builders feel the pain of these increases, but especially the smaller builders. The HMI results aligned with reality, with 28.4% of builders reporting that common material prices increased by 5% to 9.99%. Analysis of July’s PPI indicated that the price of goods increased 6.7% year over year. “Not all builders experienced the…
Read MoreResidential Contractor Editor’s Choice 2026 Products to be Announced
Residential Contractor will announce our picks for the Editor’s Choice Products in the Fall issue of the magazine, coming soon. These products and companies are selected for exemplifying innovation, quality, performance and value for today’s residential remodelers, specialty contractors and custom home builders. Additionally, two speciality awards will be presented for Jobsite Innovation and Jobsite Safety. From the structure and building envelope to interior finishes, mechanical systems and design technology, our 2026 Editor’s Choice selections highlight products we believe deserve a place on every residential contractor’s radar. Selected by the editors of Residential Contractor,…
Read MoreArchitectural details are more popular in exterior remodels
When clients look to remodel, it’s often for two reasons: cosmetic or performance, or more often a mix of both. B&B Siding and Roofing, a contractor serving New Jersey and Staten Island, noticed that today’s modern buyers are prioritizing curb appeal and detail in exterior treatment. Fiber cement siding is a growing choice among clients, noted B&B. This aligns with the National Association of Home Builders’ study on exterior material trends. While vinyl remains the overall pick, fiber cement recorded steady growth from 3.20% to 22.61% over the past 25 years.…
Read MoreThree West Coast kitchen design trends
RL Remodeling’s clients span the California coast from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego to Santa Barbara. Dana Laksman, General Manager at RL Remodeling, notes that while no two clients are alike, there are features she finds are requested in multiple projects a week. The most notable shift is away from the stark white-washed kitchens. Laksman notes she often deters clients from this design choice, which leaves little to hide. Instead, she notes that warm-toned and two-toned kitchens are in style, sourcing materials such as natural white oak or walnut.…
Read MoreIndustry prepares for new tariffs on Canadian goods
Announced in mid-July, a new 50% tariff on Canadian goods, including lumber, will go into effect on Aug. 19, 2026. That is, unless the two countries strike a different deal in a week. As first reported by North Country Public Radio (NCPR) in Canton, New York, a community close to the Canadian Border is preparing for the effects. James Putman, owner of JP Building Supply, which provides local homebuilders and contractors with building materials and lumber, noted that even though his business was doing well, he imports about a third…
Read MoreMedian lot value cools off
A new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that the national median lot value declined in 2025. As the first barrier to building spec homes, the estimated 4% decrease is a positive trend for builders. While this data varies based on region, the Northeast and West reported record highs and a trend towards smaller lots. Builder concerns over lot shortages decreased since 2021, when it hit an all-time low. “According to the May 2025 NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey, 64% of builders rated the…
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