Courtesy: Qualified Remodeler & John Burns Real Estate Consulting
U.S. Remodeler Index (USRI) Signals a 10 Percent Market Surge in 2021
A new index of residential remodeling activity, the U.S. Remodeler Index (USRI), released today, offers key insights from a surging remodeling and home improvement market, spurred in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
'It's Madness': American Factories Scramble to Secure Critical Supplies
The boom in demand for manufactured goods is being fed by a surge in consumer demand from households that have held up well during the pandemic. Consumer spending on goods rose nearly 6% in January, even as spending on services was up less than 1%. But that robust consumption caught many factories by surprise, and they're now struggling to catch up.
The Skilled-Labor Shortage is a Major Concern
A survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that builders' top concern is labor, with 85% expecting future cost and availability problems, up from 13% in 2011. It's a conundrum that predates the pandemic, but one that's certainly been exacerbated by it.
Pre-pandemic, the industry was already partnering with correctional facilities to find day workers to keep projects moving. Now, wage-wars have erupted, inflating starting rates.
"We're all fighting for that same guy—in our region, at $18-an-hour plus paid-travel time, you're not going to get anybody replying to your ads but entry level." Daniel Lane, Contractor, Flint MI.
How Rising Lumber Prices Impact More Than Just Home Builders
As lumber prices continue to soar, the cost to build homes is rising and pricing many prospective homeowners out of the market. The average price of a single-family home has risen more than $24,000, and many clients are having to walk away because they can't afford the increase. This fast price escalation is having far-reaching consequences throughout the industry and prohibiting home builders and partner organizations from providing much-needed housing to families across the country.
Why Demand Offsite Fabrication for your Custom Railing System?
Choosing architectural products which have been fabricated offsite improves proper jobsite distancing. It also lessens the impact of the skilled-labor shortage and the rising cost of raw materials on your construction project.
Learn moreWood Framing Alternatives
With the price of lumber at all time high's, product manufacturers are providing builders and architects with high-quality alternates to wood. For example, Aegis, a subsidiary of the building products company MiTek, offers an offsite fabricated steel framing system that is delivered to the jobsite (anywhere in the US) pre-designed, prefabricated, stamped by an engineer and ready-to-be-installed.
Concrete: Learn how using concrete and Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) for concrete home construction can slash heating and cooling costs, improve your comfort and safety, and helping preserve the environment.
Structural Insulated Panels: (SIPs) Structural insulated panels, or SIPs, are construction materials consisting of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two structural facings.
Why Join the NAHB
Many architectural product manufacturers are members of the NAHB. The leadership of these suppliers are actively involved in NAHB Councils. Getting involved in the NAHB will allow you to personally get to know these supply-chain executives (see article “It’s Madness…). So, when your local appliance supplier tells you that your appliances are backordered and you should not expect delivery for 6-8 months, you don't have to accept that. As an NAHB member who is active in the association; you can get on the phone, reach out to a high-level person at that appliance manufacturer – and know that they are going to do what they can to take care of you.
NAHB membership is a 3-in-1 program. When you join your local home builders association, you automatically become a member of your state association and the National Association of Home Builders. As a member, you can start taking advantage of educational programs and tools, exclusive opportunities to network across all areas of the housing industry. You will also have access to expert economists and legal staff advisers, as well as savings programs to help you in every aspect of your business. NAHB Global memberships are available to any building industry professional who resides outside the United States.
CASE STUDY
Award Winning Contemporary Island Retreat
Located in Casco Bay, off the coast of Maine, is the relaxing Chebeague Island. On the southeast shore, the Mill’s family established their tranquil island retreat. The 2,600 square foot home set on two acres features a collection of main-floor living spaces that include an accommodating kitchen, dining, and master bedroom, all with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a 180-degree view of natural seascape. Extending the overall living space is an inviting screened patio with impressive views of nearby Portland. This outdoor living area is well-appointed with a gas fireplace, IPE decking, and stainless steel railing system from AGS Stainless – elegant finishes which, differentiate this home as the recipient of the 2014 AIA-Maine Design Honor Award.
About AGS Stainless
Fabricated Off-Site, Custom-Made, All-Stainless Steel Railing Systems.
Why demand prefabrication for your custom rails?
Because whether you chose cable, glass or bar infill - having the railing system built 100% offsite reduces product cost, improves product quality and dramatically shortens installation time.
For more information, visit AGSstainless.com, watch this 1-minute video “Why AGS” or call us at (888) 842-9492.