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Builder Tips December 20, 2019

Construction Software to Trim Costs

Trying to trim costs is a never-ending battle for all builders. But with new technology like Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, builders have a shot at shaving off some of the waste to keep their companies in the black. The initial phase of implementing new software can take time, but builders are increasingly putting in the effort, knowing that it will benefit their businesses for years to come. Top Cost-Saving Benefits of Construction Software Integrated plans allow for accurate takeoffs, which reduce material wasteSharing documents increases collaboration and reduces team and contractor errorsEfficiency in managing construction saves on labor costs Reduce Materials Waste Takeoffs that provide inaccurate materials lists can cost a lot. Mike Kowalski, a structural engineer in Jacksonville, Florida, says he finds an average of $1,000 potential savings per house when he is working with national builders. After analyzing hundreds of plans from high-volume builders, Clark Ellis of…

Trends August 12, 2019

Make Doors and Windows Key Elements in Your Interior Designs

When people think of interior design, doors and windows usually aren’t the first elements that come to mind. Most people think of furniture, accessories or maybe even colors. But more and more, doors and windows are taking on a heightened importance as design essentials in home interiors — especially in smaller homes. There are several reasons for this and ways you can achieve a similar look in your home or professional projects. Create the illusion of tall ceilings and larger rooms High ceilings can make rooms look and feel more spacious and grand. But if that’s not an option at your residence, there are ways to make your ceilings appear taller. 1. Use floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors like JELD-WEN’s EpicVue Wood line (below). Even standard-height ceilings feel taller with a tall glass addition. This is also a great way to modernize the look and feel of older homes. 2.…

Construction Professionals July 29, 2019

6 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Window and Door Brand

Builders are loyal to brands that offer the features, benefits and durability they require. With doors and windows, most settle on one or two brands that meet their price and performance specs, and that offer strong warranties they know the dealer and manufacturer will stand behind. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates overall input costs for different categories of construction. These are further broken out into different types of materials before averages are calculated. For instance, if oil prices rise steeply, the total input costs may rise even if many other materials, like lumber or copper, decrease. The fluctuations affecting your company may vary from the average due to the types of materials you are using. Since you can’t control input prices, you need to counteract the increases somehow. No matter your situation, you can survive rising costs by using new strategies. Here are some methods to help you manage…

Builder Tips July 1, 2019

6 Ways to Maintain Profits with Rising Supply Costs

Fluctuating costs give any business headaches. Residential construction is especially prone to shifting prices for materials, and builders need to manage input costs to retain profitability. For both March and April of 2019, Associated Builders and Contractors calculated that material prices have increased by about 2.5% from the previous year. With trade instability, normal market flux and the global competition for materials, construction material costs will likely keep rising. But no matter what the climate, it is up to builders to adjust their methods to maintain margins on their projects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates overall input costs for different categories of construction. These are further broken out into different types of materials before averages are calculated. For instance, if oil prices rise steeply, the total input costs may rise even if many other materials, like lumber or copper, decrease. The fluctuations affecting your company may vary from the…

Builder Tips June 11, 2019

Smart Builders Are Using Wellness Design to Create Healthy Homes for a Healthy Return

Home buyers are increasingly seeking a healthy indoor environment, but they don’t necessarily have the construction vocabulary to define a healthy home. In response, a growing number of builders are using home designs that promote healthy living and mentioning health in their consumer messaging. Wellness architecture, as the trend is called, comes at a time when more people are monitoring their food and personal care products for chemicals and toxins. This is naturally extending to areas like indoor air quality and the use of healthy — and often sustainable — materials in both furnishings and buildings. Here are healthy design options that customers want. Top seven ingredients for healthy home design Integrating wellness into your plan One company ahead of the healthy home trend is Thrive Home Builders in Denver, a builder participating in the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program. “A lot of our clients care more about health [than energy…

Builder Tips June 3, 2019

Home Footprints Are Trending Smaller. Here’s How You Can Still Make Margins.

For more than three decades, the size of newly constructed U.S. homes trended larger. Between 1973 and 2010, the average square footage for new home construction increased from 1,660 to 2,392 square feet.1 However, between 2015 and 2018, average square footage decreased from 2,689 to 2,557 square feet per unit.2 Though that doesn’t seem like a lot, the reversal of this trend is bound to change the metrics involved in the construction industry. To help keep you ahead of the curve, we’ve compiled some of the best ways to ensure that you can continue to make profits in this business environment while building the homes that people want to live in. Home sizes are trending smaller as people realize that bigger is more expensive, both in the short and the long term. The fad of tiny homes, as houses and apartments that range from 150 to 400 square feet are…

Builder Tips May 27, 2019

How to Find and Retain Skilled Labor in a Competitive Market

Construction work is on the upswing and the number of available jobs now far exceeds the number of qualified personnel available to fill them. This labor shortage is one of the top concerns for builders this year. The recession of 2008-2009 forced many who worked within the trades to turn toward new careers and discouraged younger generations entering the workforce from considering a path in construction. The Wall Street Journal reported that the number of construction workers aged 24 and younger declined 30% between 2005 and 2016. Now, in the booming economy of 2019, skilled craftsmen and construction-savvy professionals are in high demand. Here are a few strategies that companies can implement to find the employees they need, develop their skills and reduce costly turnover. Appeal to students Construction work and the building trades have historically carried the misguided stigma that working with your hands and pounding nails is for…

Builder Tips May 20, 2019

Avoid the Biggest Threat to Wood Windows and Doors

Fire, flood, and wind can all wreak havoc on the wood in your home. But they are not the biggest threat to your house. That distinction, according to experts, belongs to the ever-hungry termite — and one especially destructive member of the family, the Formosan subterranean termite. Five things you may not know about termite risk The Formosan termite is believed to account for 90% of all U.S. termite damage.1U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair termite damage.2U.S. residents spend at least $1 billion on Formosan termite control and repairs each year.2Pest control specialists have no easy way to combat the Formosan termite.Formosan termites are the most economically serious pest in Hawaii, costing residents $100 million annually. What can builders do to combat termites? Builders have tried a number of approaches to preventing termite damage, and adding protection at the beginning of a project…

Builder Tips May 13, 2019

Maximize Views With Glass Walls and Thoughtful Design

There’s no denying that glass walls are one of the hottest trends in residential construction — especially if you’re lucky enough to have a view lot. Whether multiple windows grouped together or glass walls that slide, pivot or accordion open, the effect brings endless views while satisfying an ongoing desire for a deeper, more intimate connection with the outdoors. The additional glass also brings in more natural light and can improve health. And windows with insulating argon gas can lower energy costs and help homes stay cool in summer and warm in winter. While surging in popularity today, the desire for glass walls has always been there. Jason and Signe Smith, who co-own smitharc architects in Dallas, Texas, have been fielding requests for big glass walls for more than 20 years. The difference today? Availability. Previously, larger units had to be imported and were cost-prohibitive for all but the most…

Builder Spotlight May 6, 2019

Builder Scott Moran Chooses JELD-WEN
Products for His Custom Homes

JELD-WEN is shining the spotlight on builders in 2019. Our second featured builder is Scott Moran, owner of Hallmark Homes, which builds custom homes in Bismarck, North Dakota. In this Q&A, Scott discusses the fulfillment he receives from building and giving back and why he chooses JELD-WEN products for his custom homes and customers. Why did you decide to become a builder? My grandfather, from Jamestown, North Dakota, was a home builder for many years. When I was a young kid in the ’70s, I would go with him to work and was fascinated by what the builders did. They did everything from start to finish back in those days. They built the cabinets. They built the trim. You didn’t have a subcontractor like we do today. It was amazing to watch him create something from the ground up. My wife, Vicki, and I were living in Spokane, Washington, but…