Builder Magazine: Purchasing

Builders Assess Purchasing Needs as Potential Shortages Loom

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:52:15 EST

Earlier communication with trade partners is one key to controlling costs.

Made in America: Builders Create Their Own Stimulus Plan

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 10:51:00 EST

The American Dream is to have both a home and a job. Builders across the country would like to help create both.

As Second Recession Looms, Three Builders Look for More Savings From Construction

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:54:55 EST

Better coordination with trade partners is one answer.

Shopping: What Can You Get for $100?

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:43:25 EST

With a little ingenuity, shopping on a shoestring can look like a million bucks.

A New Profile of Retirement Home Buyers is Emerging

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:00:28 EST

They are fewer in number, and their expectations don’t always match conventional wisdom, say three experts.

Editor's Notes: Big Builder Virtual 2010

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:26:26 EST

It lives where you can find it, on demand.

Big Money: The Myth of Scale

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:35:40 EST

Volume adds clout, but vendor costs aren't ruled by size alone.

Whirlpool Makes Inroads Among Big Builders

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:54:41 EST

General Electric remains the dominate appliance supplier to the high production home builder market, but in recent months Whirlpool Corp. has grabbed some high-profile market share. In the last six months Whirlpool Appliances has nabbed exclusive contracts to supply all the appliances to Toll Brothers, Beazer Homes USA, Shea Homes, and Ashton Wood Homes

Wasted Trips to the Jobsite Equals Wasted Money

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 01:35:07 EST

Why is no one measuring the biggest robbers of profit?

Lee Evans’ 10 Timeless Lessons for Home Builders

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:03:38 EST

Generations of builders say the advice of the legendary business consultant, now 92 years old, has proved invaluable over the years.

Big Picture: It's the Supply Chain, Stupid!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:29:15 EST

One of home building's own supply chain chiefs reacts to the industry's failure to adapt.

Managing the Supply Chain Pays Off

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:54:31 EST

For years a great resource lay largely untapped within the purchasing departments of large production builders--the ability to buy cheaper and more efficiently nationally. Everybody knew the potential was there. It was often cited as a primary advantage of being a big national home builder. Yet, for the most part, it remained unmined during the go-go years when speed of getting materials and labor was more important than cheap and efficient. But now tapping into that resource is critical for survival. Since increased margin isn't going to come from increased sales prices or volume, it must come from decreased costs. Many purchasing chiefs have successfully risen to the challenge. So much so that during many quarterly conference calls, reduced construction costs have been one of the few positive things CEOs have had to talk about.

Analysts Surprised by Deal, but Say It Makes Sense

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:33:01 EST

After taking in the potential implications of the announcement, overall, analysts said they think Centex needs the deal.

New Company Offers No-Cost Overhead Outsourcing

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:40:12 EST

Ex-Wilshire Homes purchasing exec finds a way to offer back-office services to builders at no charge by tapping into supply chain revenue.

Feature: Purchasing Power

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:30:37 EST

Purchasing agents and suppliers put aside past differences to find a recipe for improvement in 2009.

Lenders Are Dragging Their Feet Disposing of REO Properties

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:29:35 EST

Banks take their time reselling foreclosures, modifying mortgages, and approving short sales.

market uncertainty combined with the credit crunch destabilizes lumber prices

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:29:23 EST

Fear of what the housing market will bring has combined with the credit crunch to throw off normal cycles for lumber purchasing.

Rising commodities prices one more cross for besieged builders to bear.

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:27:57 EST

Building material prices have skyrocketed, and builders are bearing the brunt of the increases.

Price vs. Cost

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:14:13 EST

Builders may be reducing square footage, skimming down home features, and reducing floor plan sets to bring the price per square foot of new homes down, but there is a lot of money being left on the table by failing to efficiently source materials and services.

New Survey Definitively Defines the Green Interests and Investments of Prospective Home Buyers

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:17:00 EST

A new report definitively defines the green interests and investments of prospective home buyers.