FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Big Takeaways From Presentations at the Builders’ Show

From a conversation with "Dirty Jobs" Mike Rowe, through a home-buying market update, to buyer preferences for 2021 and a look at a few of the latest in-home office, closet, and kitchen features, here's what I saw on the last day of IBSx.

By Fernando Pages Ruiz
"The story of the future will be written in the lives of those that learned the trades today," said Row during an interview at IBSx.

Conversation with Mike Rowe: A Look at Workforce Development

Always charming but brutally direct, in his IBSx keynote speech Mike Rowe emphasized that the labor shortage in construction comes from a bad public relations campaign. The issue is cultural. People no longer feel amazed by the daily miracles workers provide—flip a switch, and the light turns on. Society doesn’t appreciate this. To fix this cultural blindspot, we need to do two things: Do a better job telling the individual success stories for those in the trades. And shame those that prolong the stigmas that make kids feel that work is not cool. “Get rid of the language that describes a four-year degree as higher education and everything else as alternative training,” said Rowe.

Today, the cost of a four-year degree outstrips the increased cost-to-value ratio of almost any investment, including houses. “It’s too expensive for what it’s worth,” said Rowe. Compare a college education to a welding certificate and what a competent welder earns. While many career academic career choices can fall short, “You’ve nothing to apologize for your business,” said Rowe. “The opportunities are there.”

Unfortunately, there’s no magic bullet to change culturally ingrained attitudes. Yet, “We have the facts on our side,” Rowe emphasized. We need to celebrate the stories of all those prospering in the trades. “It’s hard. It can be done.” Rowe cited the example of the Don’t be a Litterbug campaign. “We were pigs, but we learned, and now we generally don’t litter.”

“The divide in our country that worries me most,” said Rowe, “is the divide between those that believe there’s no opportunity left in the United States and those that know for a fact there is.” Like those in our industry that see it every day. We see the unfilled positions and the great livelihood available to anyone willing to work. We must tell that story and shout it from the rooftops to solve the labor crises.

Business

Forecast for Remodeling: During a press conference, NAHB economists discussed prospects for the remodeling market. Although remodeling experienced a steep decline at the outset of the pandemic, during March and April 2020, spending rebounded and then some. NAHB predicts that remodeling activity will increase four-percent in 2021 and increase two percent in 2022. Spending on single-family remodeling is expected to reach $285 billion this year.

How do Millennial Buyers Differ from their Parents?

Design

Post-Pandemic Home Design with Andrés Duany

Always interesting to listen to, Andrés Duany, celebrated architect and city planner, sits down with the folks at NanaWall to tell us what he sees as the future of post-pandemic housing. If you’re familiar with New Urbanist strictures and stylings, you’ll see much has changed. Always looking ahead, Duany sets a new direction for the movement.

Authenticity Sells: Curb Appeal that Makes a Lasting Impression

“Authentic” doesn’t have to mean “historic.” This session focused on achieving a balanced façade using the basic proportions of good architecture. As a simple guideline, use simplicity in the massing – or volumes — of the house with tasteful restraint in the use of materials and colors. Relying on local materials and referring to local colors can help limit the errors some builders make when trying too hard to create a “wow” factor.  The presenters meant regionally appropriate materials (those that exist in nature in the local area). The colors occurring naturally in those materials, be they an argent cedar, or a bronzed, adobe-like stucco, colors typical of the surrounding neighborhood will result in a more refined and tasteful appearance that fits in – local will generally cost less, too.

Painted Prairie, Aurora, Colorado. Authentic colors and regionally appropriate materials.

Home Trends, Buyer Preferences & Most Likely Features for 2021

Based on the NAHB’s most up-to-date home trends research and including the impact of COVID-19 on buyer preferences, the economists at NAHB have come to their annual predictions.

One notable change, houses stopped shrinking, and buyers prefer more bedrooms and bathrooms. While the average-sized home remained flat at 2,486 square feet, the percentage of households with four or more bedrooms and three or more bathrooms rose to 46-percent, approaching 2015 peaks. Economists predict that average home size will resume its relentless increase during 2021.

COVID-19 led has led buyers back to the suburbs. The movement away from urban centers, driven by growing interest among minority home buyers, said Quin. She also pointed out that 60-percent of buyers prefer new construction. The preference for new driven, in part, by buyers “concerned about touring other people’s homes,” said Quin.

As they do each year, NAHB also examined preferences among buyers. This helps builders determine what features are most likely to appeal in 2021. In general, most people prefer traditional homes, but 24-percent choose contemporary styles. Among the least wanted features are wine cellars, pet wash stations, golf courses, and granny cottages.

The top features mirror almost exactly the desires potential buyers expressed last year:

.               Laundry rooms

.               Exterior lighting

.               Ceiling fans

.               ENERGY STAR windows and appliances

.               Patios and front porches

.               Kitchen double sink

.               Walk-in pantries

Outdoor spaces continue to represent a popular amenity, with the connection between indoors and outdoors become more seamless.

The pandemic had little effect on 67-percent of buyers, but about 25-percent changed their preferences in response to COVID-19. Households with teleworkers and virtual students drove the segment most affected, desiring home offices and larger homes.

Home Office & Living Space – Virtual KBIS 2021

Closet & Garage – Virtual KBIS 2021 Trade Show

Kitchen – Virtual KBIS 2021 Trade Show

The New American Home

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Electric House Made With Cross-Laminated Timber

Integrating cross-laminated timber, wood-fiber insulation, panelized construction, and a solar-tile roof for Passive-House performance.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 569: Bath Fan Installs, Sunroom Trim, and Basement Control Layers
  • Podcast 569: Members-only Aftershow — Rob Yagid’s Addition
  • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
  • New House, Old Shell

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • Podcast 568: PRO TALK With VPs of Product Development Tyson Apfelbeck and Andrew Lentz
  • Podcast 567: Members-only Aftershow — Andrew Zoellner’s House
  • Podcast 566: PRO TALK With Builder Jared Gossett
  • Podcast 564: PRO TALK With Leadership Consultant George Hodges-Fulton
View All

Remodeling

View All Remodeling Articles
  • Mason Lord, Builder and Remodeler
  • Remodeling Around Electrical Panels
  • Greek Revival-Inspired Renovation
  • Podcast 563: Members-Only Aftershow — The Joy of Homeownership
View All Remodeling Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 316 - July
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in