Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook|Twitter

DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Too few people to build too many homes. The housing market continues to boom in North Texas, but builders have seen a severe shortage of skilled and unskilledworkers in the last couple of years.

Many blame the oil and gas industry for offering higher pay opportunities that home builders cant meet.

But with oil hitting a five year low, the concern now turns to job loss and the potential economic slow down in Texas, where 15 percent of the economy is tied to energy.

Bud Weinstein is the Associate Director of the Maguire Energy Institute at SMUs Cox School of Business. He thinks if prices stay in the $55-$60 a barrel range, the Texas housing market could see an impact in the next six months, especially in Houston or Midland-Odessa, where the local economies are closely tied to oil.

However, Weinstein says its less likely North Texass housing market will take a hit. Corporate relocations and other industries are helping grow the DFW area.

As Vice President of the Texas Association of Home Builders, Tim Jackson sees a positive result of the oil slow down: the potential for laborers lost to oil jobs to return to home building.

Danny White, a construction manager for Tim Jackson Custom Homes, explains:

If we had more labor, we could build the houses quicker. Right now were having about a 20 percent delay in the time it takes to build a house. Our workers are so busy, and its hard finding people to do the jobs, White said.

Jackson estimates thousands of labors have relocated from home construction to work in the oil field.

Visit link:
Dropping Oil Prices Could Help Home Labor Shortage

Willis Custom Homes is a full service Austin custom home builder. We will build homes by any architect and within all the areas on the service are map on the left side bar. Our pricing and experience are unmatched in the Austin area.

We encourage you to browse through the plan catalogs of the various architects that we recommend below and to search through our lots and land directory which comes directly from the MLS system.

This is a directory of lots and land for sale in Austin and all of the surrounding suburbs. Each page contains a complete set of listings for lots and land for sale in the given area.

Please call or email us with any questions you may have and we will do our best to serve you. Thank you for visiting our website and we hope to hear from you so that we can work together to design and build the home of your dreams.

Link:
Willis Custom Homes | Austin Area Custom Home Builder

CustomHomes of Distinction

Lehigh Valley north to the Pocono area of Pennsylvania home builder, Service Construction Inc., is one of North Eastern Pennsylvanias most sought after custom home builders serving from the Poconos to the Lehigh Valley.

Service Construction Inc. builds custom homes distinguished by meticulous detail, superior craftsmanship, and luxurious livability.

Custom details, views, and open designs are a trademark of Service Construction Inc. Our planning and construction includes many standards that other builders consider upgrades.

Welcome to Service Construction's Custom Homes.

Each custom home is designed from the inside out, where lifestyle and form follows function. We are with our clients through the large and small details of the design process, incorporating client preferences with a discriminating sense of design and function.

The result is a custom home with a distinctive blend of flow and aesthetic, of grand open spaces and personal comforts unique to your lifestyle.

Traditional Homes Custom Luxury Homes Custom Timber Frame

Excel Homes Custom Modular Homes Modular Home Sales

Read the original here:
Custom Home Builder Contractor,PA,Lehigh Valley,Poconos ...

You wouldnt expect one of New Englands latest and most intriguing skiing ventures to hail from East Boston, where skiers and riders would normally flock only to catch a flight to winter playgrounds in the Rocky and Sierra Mountains.

Yet it is here, just past Logan Airport and along the Chelsea River, tucked into a small space located at the rear of a Planet Fitness along Route 1A, where Parlor, a custom ski building company founded by a trio of locals, has set up its burgeoning alpine business, complete with in-shop canine mascots, a fresh case of Narragansett in the corner of the workroom, and an ingrained passion for creating and enhancing customizable skiing experiences.

Born in a Cambridge funeral home six years ago, Parlor (www.parlorskis.com) is the brainchild of three former classmates and ski team members at Williams College, who honed their skills for racing and construction into a business quite unique to New England. By creating skis specific to each customers needs, Parlor hopes to make its name as a local outlet in a boutique ski market that, to this point, had been mostly focused entirely in the western U.S.

We saw an opportunity in New England to become New Englands custom ski builder, co-founder Mark Wallace said. There are a lot of companies out west and there are a few smaller companies out here, but nobody is really focusing on the terrain that we have here and also really being able to build a manufacturing process around building skis to order and customizing skis to order for New England.

Unlike some other custom ski companies, Parlor doesnt outsource its work, which is all done on premises in East Boston, from the shaping of the aspen or maple wooden cores, to feeding the press (the process of curing the epoxy between every layer of the ski). Its a hands-on process fueled by joint passions for skiing and building that instills versatility into every ski they create.

Its very unique to New England, that was also one of the things that inspired it, co-founder Jason Epstein said. We just kind of saw a void here and it seemed like a good opportunity to offer that product and that same kind of culture around it, a custom ski company, but something that really speaks directly to New Englanders.

The idea started as many tend to - over a couple beers, when Epstein tried to convince Wallace that it was possible to make high-quality, small-batch skis with a focus on the region in which they were being manufactured. In New England, that particularly meant a ski that could handle the icy, cruddy, and typically unpredictable conditions, but one that could also hold its own in deeper powder found in Colorado and Utah.

It really just started as a hobby, Epstein said. Through our skiing experiences, we just have a really good idea of what kinds of skis we like and how different ski designs work. The three of us all had a passion for hands-on projects, we all worked in the construction development industry in different ways, so we just have an eye and a passion for design.

Wallace, who spent some time after graduation skiing competitively on the NorAm circuit, was sold, and a couple days later, he and Epstein were at Home Depot with the intent of creating their initial molds in Epsteins Cambridge basement. Soon, thereafter, the old funeral home opened up, and a name was born.

There was a little bit of back-and-forth around the name, because we wanted something that represented us being a New England ski brand, Wallace said. The fact that we were in a parlor, and a parlor has a sort of homey feeling and a community feeling, that tied in with the interest story of it being a funeral parlor. That sort of ended up resonating for us.

Original post:
From the Funeral Home to East Boston, Parlor is Custom Skiing to the Core

John Richard Mulcahy, 76, of Far Hills, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014.

He was an award-winning homebuilder and the former president of Mulcahy Realty and Construction Company, a family residential building business founded in 1887.

Mr. Mulcahy was graduated in 1960 from Villanova University.

During his tenure as president of Mulcahy Realty, he built custom homes across central New Jersey. He served in 1972 as president of the Home Builders Association of Central New Jersey.

Mr. Mulcahy received the Builder of the Year Award in 1986 by the New Jersey Home Builders Association, and the organizations Award of Excellence in the single family home category in 1985 and 1991.

He was dedicated to serving his community. For 32 years, from 1981 to 2013, he served on the board of directors of Peapack-Gladstone Bank in Bedminster. His interest in community banking began when he served as a director and president of the board of the directors of Bernards State Bank in Bernardsville.

He also had a passion for independent education, and served on the boards of trustees of Oak Knoll School, Summit, Far Hills Country Day School and La Jolla Country Day School in La Jolla, Calif.

Mr. Mulcahy also served on the advisory board at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, on the Somerset Hills Country Club Board of Governors as treasurer, the Peapack-Gladstone Borough Council, and as president of the Pottersville Volunteer Fire Company.

His greatest love was his wife of 50 years, Sheila; his three children, John Mulcahy Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Elizabeth Davidson of Del Mar, Calif., and Kara Valentine of Bernardsville; and his six grandchildren, Harrison Valentine of Bernardsville, Tripp, Charlotte and Ben Davison of Del Mar, Calif., and John and Griffin Mulcahy of Atlanta, Ga.

His brothers, Robert E. Mulcahy III of Basking Ridge and William J. Mulcahy of Lutherville, Md., also survive him.

See more here:
John Richard Mulcahy, 76, of Far Hills, award-winning homebuilder

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) December 24, 2014

Bremont (http://www.bremonthomes.com), the Greater Toronto Areas finest home building company, is announcing its schedule and availability for the holiday season.

The Bremont offices will be closed on Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day, which is Wednesday, December 24 to Friday, December 26. Offices will also be closed on New Years EveWednesday, December 31until Friday, January 2.

Its that special time of year when pretty much everyone takes a short break to spend time with family and close friends, says Gary Breda, president of Bremont. Even the team at Bremont needs a break from the line of custom-built homes weve been constructing around the GTA and beyond over the past year.

Breda explains that as much as the companys staff loves constructing new homes, this is the one time of year when its nice to have a little extra time off to appreciate the people they care about and who care about them. And while Bremont wont be completely shut down, its hours will be adjusted to reflect the holiday season.

Weve had a great year of new home construction, so our team deserves the break, he notes. Once the holidays are over and the New Year begins, well pick right back up where we left off.

Breda adds that Bremont is excited about the projects it will have completed in 2015, including the Forest Edge, Noblewood, and Crown of Creditview properties. Forest Edge will feature luxury homes in Innisfil near Lake Simcoe, while the Noblewood and Crown projects will each feature estate properties located in Brampton.

Its going to be a big year for Bremont. Weve established ourselves as elite custom home builders and we want to further that reputation throughout this year, Breda concludes. Anyone thinking of buying a home in any of those areas really needs to visit our web site and register. The designs and architecture of all three of those construction projects are breathtaking, so we encourage all potential homeowners to sign up for a viewing.

Breda and the entire team at Bremont wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season and best wishes in the New Year.

View original post here:
Bremont, Torontos Finest Home Builder, Announces Holiday Schedule

It is true. Charity does start at home.

Sarah Lavine-Kass, principal of Stone Acorn Builders, and Dr. Lourdes Eco-Jea, an Internal Medicine specialist at UT Physicians Bayshore Family Practice Center, proved just that by hosting two Bunco for Breast Cancer events in their respective homes to benefit The Rose during Novembers Southern Living Home for the Holidays Showcase in West University.

What started as a house-warming party to showcase Dr. Eco-Jeas new West University home, also built by Stone Acorn Builders, turned into a multi-night event of food, fun, breast cancer education and Bunco. In support of Eco-Jea, a breast cancer survivor, Stone Acorns Sarah Lavine-Kass suggested Bunco charity fundraiser nights at Eco-Jeas home and one at the Southern Living Showcase Home in West University on a weeknight when the showcase would be closed for private charity events.

Women love to play Bunco, said Sarah Lavine-Kass of Stone Acorn Builders. That once a month ritual allows all of us to catch up with friends in the neighborhood, especially when our lives run in different directions. It seems only fitting to inaugurate our Southern Living Showcase Home and the Jea household with a girls-night-out that would educate women on the need for yearly mammograms while raising needed funds for The Rose in the process.

I did not know how to play Bunco, said Dr. Lourdes Eco-Jea. But once the concept was explained, it sounded like a unique way to bring friends and colleagues together in my new home. The game was tremendous fun and we all felt great that money was raised for such a worthy cause. As a breast cancer survivor, I know first-hand the importance of mammograms and how early access to screenings can save lives.

The Bunco for Breast Cancer Benefitting The Rose evenings included a private tour of each home along with beverages, hors doeuvres, prizes and of course, Bunco! Participants were asked to make a $100 donation which raised more than $3600 for The Rose. Representatives from The Rose were onsite to discuss the mission of The Rose and the need for all women to schedule a yearly mammogram.

The Rose provides access to quality breast health care to women in the Houston area and throughout Southeast Texas regardless of their ability to pay. Screenings and diagnostic care by breast health specialists and a trained and compassionate staff have been offered to nearly 500,000 women since 1986 when Co-Founders Dorothy Gibbons and Dr. Dixie Melillo first started the nonprofit. With two centers and a mobile fleet, The Rose overcomes barriers of cost and convenience helping to ensure that preventive care is accessible to all. For more information, visit http://www.TheRose.org.

Stone Acorn Builders LP is a family-owned and operated home construction company that has been building quality homes since 1999 in Houston, Bellaire, West University Place, Braes Heights, Meyerland, Medical Center, South Side Place, Memorial and Spring Branch. Sarah Lavine-Kass and Benjamin Lavine, a sister-brother team, are the technical and creative forces behind Stone Acorn Builders. The award-winning builders are members of the National Association of Home Builders, Texas Association of Builders, Greater Houston Builders Association, Greater Houston Custom Builders Council, as well as Board of Directors and Member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program. For more information, visit http://www.stoneacorn.com.

Original post:
Physician, Southern Living Home builder host Bunco for Breast Cancer to raise funds for The Rose

HIGHFALLS Sedgewick Homes created a program, Servants Heart, designed to give back to homeowners and the local community. The program recognizes individuals with careers in community service: primary and secondary school teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, EMS and men and women in our military. For those who work in one of those fields and choose to build a Sedgewick custom home, the company will give $1,000 back to the homeowner and donate an additional $1,000 to the organization of choice.

Jenny Comer, a teacher at Highfalls Elementary School, participated in the program. After selecting Sedgewick Homes, Comer chose to donate her Servants Heart award to the Highfalls Elementary Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). As a civil servant, Comer works toward maintaining and building her beautiful Pinebluff community each and every day. That is what the Sedgewick Servants Heart program is all about selfless people who work to foster a safe, cohesive environment in which youd want to raise your family.

See the original post here:
Home builders giving back

Mechanicsburg, PA (PRWEB) December 17, 2014

Innovative Building Systems LLC (IBS), the leading custom modular home producer in the United States, and CoveView Capital Partners, LLC (CoveView), a private investment firm focused on middle market companies, have announced today that they have completed the previously announced transaction wherein IBS has acquired HandCrafted Holdings and its subsidiaries (HandCrafted Homes), and in exchange CoveView has received a minority ownership interest in IBS.

With the addition of Handcrafted Homes to its family of companies, IBS has further advanced its position as the premier manufacturer of quality custom modular homes throughout the United States. The acquisition will broaden the manufacturing support and service level to the customers of both IBS and Handcrafted Homes. IBS plans to maintain the Handcrafted Homes brand name and upgrade the Handcrafted Homes facilities.

"This transaction is very positive news for our customers, employees and business partners, said Steve Scheinkman, President and CEO of IBS. Handcrafted Homes has built a great reputation for quality custom building which will allow IBS to better serve its growing business in the Mid- Atlantic and Southern Regions. We are also delighted with our new relationship with CoveView that has grown during the process of completing this transaction and look forward to working with them as we continue to grow our business.

Dan Tredwell, Managing Partner of CoveView commented, We are very pleased for this opportunity to convert our investment in Handcrafted Homes to a partnership with IBS. The first class IBS management team is building one of the best modular homebuilders in the industry, and we know the great people and customers of Handcrafted Homes will fit in perfectly to continue the IBS success story.

About Innovative Building Systems

Innovative Building Systems (IBS) is the leading custom modular home producer in the U.S., operating factories in Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Indiana, and Iowa. It markets its single family homes under the brand names Excel Homes, All American Homes, Modukraf Homes, Future Homes Technology and Keiser Homes. Its multi-family and commercial buildings are constructed at all seven facilities under the brand Innovative Design and Building Services (IDBS).

For more information, please visit http://www.innovativebuildingsystems.com

About HandCrafted Homes

HandCrafted Homes is a recognized leader in custom built modular homes, apartments and commercial buildings in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. The Company distributes its products through independent builders and developers along with Company owned sales centers across North Carolina. The Company also produces custom designed disaster replacement housing for the East Coast, as well as modular buildings for government applications.

Here is the original post:
Innovative Building Systems Finalizes Acquisition of Handcrafted Homes

Houston Custom Home Builder | Houston Home Remodeler | Houston Home Renovation
http://advanced-construction.net/ - (713) 466-3662 Looking for the Best Custom Home Builder Services in Houston TX? You have come to the right place. Advanced Construction is an award-winning...

By: Advanced Construction

Continued here:
Houston Custom Home Builder | Houston Home Remodeler | Houston Home Renovation - Video