With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought I’d share some advice based on my experience of nearly 30 years of marriage: Asking the right questions of the right individuals helps alleviate disappointment, distress and even financial loss. This lesson rings true in a relationship… and in homebuilding. Let me explain. My wife and I will celebrate 29 years of marriage this year and when we were dating, it seemed very important that I chose wisely on how to celebrate

Buying a home is often one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. The preparation and research that goes into the purchase of a new or existing home can take months, if not years. Ultimately, the long-term impact of owning a home is substantial when you consider the full cost of ownership.   So, how much does it really cost to own a home? And what influence does a builder or designer have on the full cost of ownership?   We often view the builder or designer's r

Capital drives every industry, but in homebuilding, the kind that matters most isn’t financial. It’s innovation capital: the trust, knowledge, and courage to invest in progress before it’s safe.  True innovation capital grows when a builder risks trying something better; when a supplier shares data instead of guarding it; and when a trade invests in learning a new method. These are the transactions that redefine what’s possible.  We’re passionate about growing this capital..

Sales teams are often the primary point of contact for consumers, yet many lack formal training in building science or construction practices. Bridging this gap benefits both buyers and builders by setting realistic expectations and building trust. Educating sales teams to effectively communicate construction quality requires a structured, practical, and credibility-focused approach. First, salespeople need foundational construction literacy . This does not mean turning them

It's a common saying that "Cleanliness is next to godliness," but in construction, it's really next to quality. Keeping a job site clean and organized isn't just about appearances—it's a critical component of a successful build. While nobody enjoys the task of cleaning up, neglecting it can lead to serious consequences. Here are three main reasons why a tidy site is non-negotiable.  1. Buyer Perception: Building Trust Through Tidiness   Your job site is a living billboard for

The team at IBACOS has, for some time, been greatly concerned by the distinct lack of building code regulations that are in place to control the standard to which gingerbread homes are built. This entire seasonal segment of the housing industry seems to have ‘slipped under’ the proverbial legislative wire and has been given free range to do whatever it wants from a design, engineering and construction perspective, provided the demands for decorative appeal and memorable taste

Hi, it’s me... your freshly presidentially-pardoned turkey. Yes, that  turkey. The one who got the handshake, the photo op, and the sudden realization that I came within 24 hours of becoming a very different kind of centerpiece in your home. Now that I’m safely out of oven range, I’d like to have a heart-to-heart. Can we talk about why turkeys always get chosen for Thanksgiving dinner? I mean, every year, millions of us get drafted for a job that none of us applied for. Tradi