Clean Sweep? No one knows exactly how much housing depends on illegal immigrant workers in the construction trades. Home builders are relying more every day on immigrant labor to fill the void left as a whole generation of experienced baby boomers retires from the subcontracting trade companies that actually put the industry together.
The Complete Home Office The new room of the house: merchandising and drafting floor plans for optimal layout placement of home offices.
Market Entry Magic Wall Homes is penetrating the move-up market in the Lone-Star state by including brick, limestone, stone, stucco and dormers into its design mix.
Small, But Not Scant Some designers would be inclined to view a kitchen renovation project in which the square footage remains static and all the existing floors, doors and windows are maintained as a mere pull-and-replace project that stilts or confines their creativity. But Amanda Johnson, project designer with Atlanta-based Small Carpenters at Large Inc.
Privacy, Please! Two top practitioners of high-density design provide insight on building affordable high-density housing without compromising privacy.
Transforming Community How an Oregon builder developed high-density living within the limits of a retirement community.
Modular and Green How a North Carolina modular builder found his niche.
Special Report: 2006 Bath Design Trends Today's bathroom designs incorporate amenities much like those people find in spas, remodelers say, and their clients want bathrooms allowing them to relish and not rush.
A Taste of Energy Efficiency Here are the five ingredients of an energy- and water-efficient kitchen, no matter its layout, size or amenities. They are all easy to find and install.
Just Add Water Here is some universal advice to builders for keeping water from ruining tile applications.
A Home for the Ages Many builders report clients have a limited understanding of aging in place — but when they learn more, they're sold. The main reason people are sold on aging in place is that it often doesn't cost anything. Many aging-in-place design features don't cost anything now, but if overlooked, they'll cost a whole lot later on.
Concrete Solutions for Lurking Moisture For builders erecting a home that's slab on grade or only has a crawlspace, moisture proofing is important. Builders planning on a finished basement with all the bells and whistles owe it to themselves and their customers to protect the home buyer's investment by using the best waterproofing methods.
Old-World Hospitality The massive center island that dominates the kitchen in this upscale model home north of Tampa is reminiscent of the traditional family table found in classic European kitchens of the past. The challenge was to give the space a charming, eclectic appeal without making it appear cluttered or distracting to the eye.
Professional Builder Giant 400: Topping Out? Or Just a Pause? Professional Builder's 39th Annual Report of Housing's Giants is, as always, a snapshot showing where the largest production builders stand at the end of the previous year. Four months into 2006, we have the perspective to now see 2005 as a bellwether year for housing's big boys by any measure.
Inside & Out: Relaxing Environment Home builders looking for bathroom trends needn't look any further. We've gathered the industry's experts to weigh in on bathroom trends.