Blogs

Residential Products Online content is now on probuilder.com! Same great products coverage, now all in one place!

Human Resources

The 3 Most Important Hires for Increasing Sales

There are three positions small builders should create and fill to grow their sales.

Building Software

Tired of Underbidding? Time for a New Method

How can builders use data they already have to bid better?

Construction worker with computer tablet

Opinion

Tech and Home Building: Garbage in, Garbage Out

Why do we see home builders making the same mistakes with technology time and again?

Truck overloaded with garbage from construction site

Opinion

New Year, New Beginnings

There's no denying 2020 was a roller-coaster of a year. But now, there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and we're hopeful 2021 will be different

Daybreak at end of dark tunnel signaling a new beginning

Opinion

Does Propane Have an Edge on Household Energy Costs?

A recent Department of Energy forecast examines the representative average unit costs of five residential energy sources: electricity, natural gas, heating oil, propane, and kerosene

Business Management

Is Your Construction Team Prepared for Cyber Risks?

Cyberattacks could impact your project designs, bid data, and security system information. Be prepared and proactive in protecting your business

Hand of cyber criminal reaching out from laptop screen to pick-pocket

Opinion

No More Apologies for Great Company Culture

It's clear now: Culture is what drives the success of today's best-in-class home builders

Project Management

The Importance of Making Data Use More Efficient

Information rendered as structured data, aggregated from multiple sources, and organized in a common data environment could be a key differentiator for builders

Project Management

The Domino Effect of Idle Time in Construction

Tackling instances of idle time is necessary to avoid process bottlenecks and mitigates accidents, reduce reworks, and improve project coordination.

Business Management

4 Ways to Reduce Construction Costs

2020 has been a roller-coaster ride. To combat rising construction prices, it's time for builders to look for new ways to cut expenses

Sales + Marketing

Building a Home on a Budget: 4 Tips for Potential Buyers

Four tips builders can suggest to win over potential buyers with a tight budget

piggybank in a vise as buyers struggle to afford a home

Leadership

A Smooth Road After COVID-19

Make decisions for your business based on facts not fear and let employees know what is the big picture

The word 'fact' illuminated inside a light bulb

Opinion

Home Building's Response to the Changing Times

As the way we live has changed due to the coronavirus pandemic, home builders are adapting and rethinking their businesses, from operations to sales to business management

Drawings of people self-isolating in individual homes due to coronavirus

Human Resources

How Charity Outreach Can Help You Attract and Retain Talent

There's a role for charity outreach in business beyond doing good for the community: it can aid in attracting and retaining talent, particularly Millennials and Gen Z

Codes + Standards

Will GFCI Revisions for Manufacturers Confuse Trades?

The back and forth on changes for ground-fault circuit interrupters and revisions to UL 943 has the potential to affect not just the reputations of home builders, electricians, and manufacturers, but the safety of homeowners and consumers as well

Human Resources

3 Tips for Recruiting and Retaining Construction Workers Post-COVID-19

As the country begins to reopen following coronavirus restrictions, construction companies need a new approach to recruitment practices

Construction worker training a younger worker on the jobsite

Outdoor Living

Top 5 Landscaping Features That Increase Home Value

It's well known that curb appeal is important. These landscaping elements can make the difference in increasing a home's value

Home with a cheery entry area with potted pelargoniums and a purple door

Design

Small Housing Hacks for Maximizing Space

Not everyone can live in four-story mansions. There are many people who live in less than 500 square feet and living in these small space...

Codes + Standards

3 Ways to Use Building Codes to Slow Climate Change

Architects, builders, manufacturers, and inspectors have a role to play in improving energy efficiency and resiliency through building codes

Sales + Marketing

5 Ways Builders Can Connect and Reconnect With Customers and Prospects

Use these tips to shift your marketing outreach during and post-pandemic to offer more of a human touch

Opinion

Hard Costs: The Hard Truth

It's time to focus on hard costs as a key component to affordable housing

Construction workers framing house under construction

Affordability

Pittsburgh Combats Affordable Housing Shortage with Modular, Factory-Built Homes

As Pittsburgh lost much of its population when the steel industry declined, the Rust Belt city saw thousands of homes demolished over the...

Rendering of modular homes built on Pittsburgh's Black Street

Business Management

Use Culture to Help Your Company Climb Out of COVID-19

Use the downtime caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to review and improve your company's culture

Coworkers fist bumping at a conference table show teamwork and positive company culture

Trade Contractors

Subcontractors: Understand Your Liability and Defense Obligations in Contracts

The unfortunate reality is, everything can be done correctly, but the subcontractor still has to defend and potentially pay a lot of money

Building Technology

Closing the Gap Between Buyers and Builders

In order to close the gap between buyers and builders, builders need to think less about how to plug the holes in our boats (the problems...

The 10 Most Livable US Cities in 2024

Report Offers Insights Into Current US Homebuyer Demographics

These Cities Are Leading the Way in New-Home Construction