No, we’re not talking about a Statue of Repose, such as Rodin’s The Thinker! There is actually a law, in virtually every state of the U.S., called a Statute of Repose, and that is our topic today.   Having a thriving business in the home construction industry means you must deal with certain daily realities and legalities. Knowing the basics and preparing for such risks will save you headaches and monetary loss down the road. What is The Statute of Repose? The Statute of Repose is a law that cuts off a right to bring a lawsuit after a specified … Read more »

As a builder, you likely build homes year-round. In the not-too-distant past, certain finishing details, such as painting outdoor trim, could not be done under a specific temperature. But times are changing … Cold Weather Painting: Original article by Ted Cushman, Feb. 1, 2008, published in builderonline.com. Q: I have some homes that need exterior painting, and cold weather is closing in. My painters say they can paint outdoors when it’s as cold as 35 degrees F. Should I be worried? A: Things are always changing in the world of house paint. Just a decade ago, labels on exterior-paint cans … Read more »

Original post by Ted Cushman, Senior Editor. Published online in The Journal of Light Construction, January 2016 Slabs and basements in freezing weather? Let’s talk about it. On a 9°F day in December 2014, Connecticut concrete con­tractor Dennis Purinton was pouring a slab on grade. It was the kind of work Purinton had done often enough before. But this time, he had a small audience of experts and sup­plier representatives from around the concrete industry—some of them, like Purinton himself, members of the consensus committee that creates ACI 306, the American Concrete Institute’s Guide to Cold Weather Concrete. Purinton’s goal … Read more »

Original post by Ian P. Faria & Jon Paul Hoelscher of Coats | Rose | Yale | Ryman | Lee, A Professional Corporation featured in The Metropolitan Builder, a Texas publication With the start of the New Year, now is the time to reexamine your business goals for the upcoming months. In addition to getting familiar with any new pieces of legislation that have been passed in your state that will directly impact the construction industry, contractors, builders and suppliers should make sure all contracts and insurance policies are current. You can rest assured American eBuilder is providing you with … Read more »

Understanding what factors influence a potential homeowner’s decision to buy is important. Taking action on this knowledge, however, is key to a builder’s success. For two years, Builders Digital Experience researched home buyers and how they make their decisions. The study revealed what they really thought about resale and new construction, as well as what key elements shoppers looked for when considering a home purchase. Based on this expansive research, they found that 53% of home shoppers just starting their search favored new construction. In the past year, this number has increased to 56%. With a solid interest in new … Read more »

BUILDER RISK Did You Know? Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions anyone will make over the course of their lives. Many prospective homebuyers want to lessen their risk as much as possible and increase the likelihood they will be happy with their purchase decision. Importantly, Builders also want to manage their risk of future litigation from their homeowners. The best way to manage such risk is by Builders giving new homeowners expressed, written warranties when they sell the home. Warranties assure homebuyers that the houses they are buying are in good condition. They also show homeowners that … Read more »

How does your business look online? You’re taking a big risk with your reputation if you haven’t been keeping track. With the growing popularity of sites like Yelp and Angie’s List, consumers are going online to get the personal recommendations that sell them on contracting services. Unfortunately, while 88 percent of people consider these reviews more trustworthy than their friends and neighbors, very few report back once they’re satisfied. Therefore, your chances of getting a bad review are much higher; meaning the smallest misunderstanding with a client could make a real difference to your business. Change your luck by following … Read more »

According to the Associated General Contractors of America, there are 3 simple tasks you can complete to keep business booming. 1. KEEP IN TOUCH with your current clients: The easiest way to land a new client is by keeping an existing one happy. That’s true for repeat work, as well as jobs you get through referrals. Your customers will value your services even more if you make them feel important, so remember to stay in touch. Depending on the project in progress, you may want to reach out to a current client once a week or once a day via … Read more »

As a builder, you have worked diligently to establish and grow a reputation. From this reputation, you generate new and repeat business, which increases your clientele and profits. As you probably realize, part of an impeccable reputation is establishing customer trust that your work is top-quality and designed to please. When you offer your home buyers a 10-year new home structural warranty, you achieve this level of customer trust. How does your offering an American eBuilder new home structural warranty improve your reputation and increase your customer trust? Here are five ways we can help you! FLEXIBLE CHOICES: Just as … Read more »