FREDERICKSBURG - STAFFORD - SPOTSYLVANIA - CAROLINE - KING GEORGE - ORANGE - CULPEPER
May 2026
BUILDERS FRAMEWORK
FREDERICKSBURG AREA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
Volume 9: Issue 5 May 2026
Housing Starts Rise Despite Affordability Challenges
Housing production bounced back in March as builders ramped up production despite ongoing headwinds. Overall housing starts increased 10.8% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.5 million units, according to a report from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. The March reading of 1.5 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. Within this overall number, single-family starts increased 9.7% to a 1.03 million seasonally adjusted annual rate and are up 8.9% compared to March 2025. The multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, increased 13.3% to an annualized 470,000 pace and are up 15.5% compared to March 2025. On a regional, year-to-date basis, combined single-family and multifamily starts were 36% higher in the Northeast, 7.8% higher in the Midwest, 3% higher in the South and 15.5% lower in the West. Overall permits decreased 10.8% to a 1.37 million unit annualized rate in March. Single-family permits decreased 3.8% to an 895,000-unit rate and are down 7.9% compared to March 2025. Multifamily permits decreased 21.5% to an annualized 477,000 pace and are down 6.3% compared to March 2025. Looking at regional permit data on a year-to-date basis, permits were 15.4% higher in the Northeast, 1.1% higher in the Midwest, 9.1% lower in the South and 6% higher in the West. The number of single-family homes under construction is at 587,000 units while the number of apartments under construction is at 677,000 units.
NAHB Launches Industry Pulse Check As the residential construction industry changes, NAHB must evolve to meet the needs of industry professionals. Blueprint to 100 is our initiative to build an association that better meets industry needs as NAHB approaches the 100th anniversary of our founding. An Industry Pulse Check is the first step in this process. The Industry Pulse Check is NAHB’s largest listening initiative to capture what’s working, what’s missing and what matters most in the home building industry. Please provide your feedback here.
Canadian Lumber Duties Expected to Drop The U.S. Department of Commerce has signaled that it plans to lower antidumping and countervailing tariffs later this year on imports of Canadian softwood lumber products from the current rate of about 35.16% to 24.83% following its annual review of existing tariffs. Commerce indicated that it would set antidumping duties at 10.66% vs. the current rate of 20.56% and countervailing duties at 14.17% (currently 14.63%), bringing the combined rate down from 35.16% to 24.83%.
DOL Proposes New Joint Employer Rule The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released a new proposed rule that would establish a nationwide standard for determining joint liability for employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. There has been no DOL regulation on a nationwide joint employer standard since the one issued during the first Trump administration in 2020 that was later withdrawn by the Biden administration in 2021. The new rule change would bring much-needed nuance to the test to determine joint employer status.
NHE Grants Boost Home Building Education Since 2009, the National Housing Endowment has invested more than $6.2 million in grants to 60 colleges and universities through its HELP Program. The program seeks to increase the number of qualified graduates entering the home building industry. This year, a record nine recipients were awarded funds, including: Cal Poly University - San Luis Obispo; California State University at Fresno; Florida A&M University; Georgia Southern University; Roger Williams University; University of Hawaii at Manoa; University of Southern Mississippi; Wayne State University; and Wentworth Institute of Technology. U.S. Customs Announces Tariff Refund Process The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a new landing page for “International Emergency Economic Powers (IEEPA) Duty Refunds,” rolling out a process for recouping IEEPA tariffs. It should be noted that only importers of record and authorized customs brokers can apply for tariff refunds, and many questions regarding refunds remain unanswered. Qualified applicants can apply for an ACE portal importer account and enroll in ACH refunds here.
Remodeling Market Sentiment Dips but Remains Positive
The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) in the first quarter of 2026 posted a reading of 62, down two points compared to the previous quarter. Despite the decline, the overall reading has been solidly in positive territory since Q1 2020. Remodeler sentiment remained generally positive in the first quarter, even as many remodelers are still working to manage their customers’ cost expectations. Only a relatively small share report homeowners putting projects on hold due to economic and political uncertainty. Remodelers reported 21% of their projects were associated with home improvements made shortly after a purchase, while only 4% were for homeowners projected to ready a home for sale.
More Interest in Skilled Trades A new study conducted by NAHB finds that more young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are interested in the construction trades, but more work needs to be done to educate the public that there are increasing opportunities for rewarding, lucrative careers in the skilled trades. The new research is similar to a study conducted in 2016. The NAHB survey found that the share of young adults interested in a career in the construction trades doubled from 3% a decade ago to 6% today. The two most important benefits young adults see in a career in the trades are good pay (73%) and the ability to obtain useful skills (65%).
White House Cites NAHB Studies The White House in April released its Economic Report of the President (ERP) that contains a section on housing and homeownership that cites NAHB regulatory studies. Specifically, the ERP highlighted an initiative proposed during the Biden administration that called on HUD and the USDA to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 as the minimum energy-efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing programs. The ERP also highlighted NAHB research on the cost of adopting the 2021 IECC. The report includes other NAHB-supported housing policy recommendations.
NAHB Releases 2025 National Green Building Standard
NAHB and the International Code Council (ICC) recently announce the release of the ICC 700-2025 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS). This is the fifth edition of the leading residential green building standard. The 2025 NGBS, developed through an independent consensus committee and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), reflects leading thinking in green design, construction and building performance. It applies to single-family homes, remodeled homes, multifamily buildings, mixed-use developments and land development projects. The 2025 edition includes several major updates: A new property certification path for existing multifamily and mixed-use communities with multiple buildings. Expanded resilience practices to help homes better withstand natural disasters and support residents sheltering in place. New practices to encourage low-carbon design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative energy efficiency compliance options. A revised existing building chapter with more flexible compliance options.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
June 2nd Young Professionals Committee Meeting 3:30 - FABA Office June 3rd Membership Committee Meeting 3:00 - FABA Office June 10th Associates Committee Meeting 11:00 - FABA Office June 18th Hard Hat - Sponsored by Hand Shake in Heels
Calendar at a Glance
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee brings builder and associate members together to focus on recruitment of new members and retention of current members. This committee hold a meeting every 1st Wednesday at 3:00 at the FABA office. Check the FABA calendar for all updates
Chair - Luke Moss. Ryan Homes
Learn more about the Membership Committee Here
What a drive this April! We are excited to welcome 19 new members this month!
May continued the momentum of a strong spring season at FABA. We were excited to welcome new members, connect with prospective members, and continue helping companies maximize the value of their membership through events, networking, education, and member benefits. Between Spring Golf, Hard Hats, and ongoing engagement opportunities, members had plenty of ways to build relationships and grow their presence within the association. Thank you to everyone helping us continue growing and strengthening FABA.
The Associates Committee plans member events to promote doing business with members. These volunteers coordinate networking and social events for business connections.
Associates Committee
Spring Golf and more!
May was filled with strong engagement and support from our Associate members as they continued showing up across FABA events, sponsorships, and networking opportunities. From Spring Golf to Hard Hats and committee involvement, Associates played a key role in creating meaningful connections throughout the month. Thank you to the businesses and individuals who continue investing their time, resources, and expertise into strengthening the building industry and the FABA community.
Associates Committee Meeting Second Wednesday of each month at 11:00
Photos by FABA member - Love and Lore
Daniel Hudson - Holt for Homes
Krista Layman - Spartan Homes
FABs Initiative is to provide opportunities to bridge the gap between future workforce and our member partners in several ways such as financially supporting students, connecting them with real-life experience and jobs.
Glen Raymond - Atlantic Builders
FAB Foundation
Young Professionals Committee
To join the FABA Young Professionals committee email Meghan@fabava.com
The FAB Foundation is ready for an amazing spring with upcoming Community engagement projects at the Fredericksburg Food Bank, Caroline's Promise and Spreading Smiles. Earlier this month the Foundation leaders took two students to Home Deport to shop for all the essentials for their next step in construction. To learn more about the FAB Foundation, click here.
Young Professionals committee is for individuals in the 21-45 age group to connect, and provides opportunities for professional development, social networking, mentoring, and personal growth for our members.
The Young Professionals kept the momentum going in May through continued collaboration, networking, and leadership development. The group focused on upcoming events, mentorship opportunities, podcast planning, and new ways to engage the next generation of industry professionals. It has been exciting to see members stepping into leadership roles, building relationships, and continuing to grow their involvement within FABA and the industry as a whole. Don’t miss it—and if you’re a young professional looking to connect, learn, and grow, the YP Committee is the perfect place to get involved.
Click here to learn more
FABA has been working with our exclusive, private partner, Small Business Growth Partners (SBGP) to help our members reach maximum growth and potential through their one of a kind BPA Process. This has been refined for over 10 years of working exclusively with Builders, Remodelers & HBA Associate Members. As an exclusive FABA member benefit, we are offering you the chance to register for and redeem your 2021 Business Diagnostic & Plan of Actions. An annual BPA is included 100% with your FABA Member Benefits (A $2,200 value).
Learn More Here
2026 FABA Board of Directors
President Jeh Hicks Jarrell Properties 1st Vice President Mike King Ray's Siding 2nd Vice President Luke Moss Ryan Homes Secretary Teressa Taylor-Griffs TTG and Associates Treasurer Jeremiah Horstick CORELOT Immediate Past President Marc Simes Tricord Homes Executive Officer Maria Moore FABA Legal Counsel Charlie Payne Hirschler HBAV State Representative Jeh Hicks Jerrell Properties Builder Directors Greg Gallagher Jimmy Whitman Stephen Taliaferro Allen West Mike Stonehill Todd Hardy Amanda Glover Gene Brown Krista Layman Tim Hall Associate Directors Scott Hine Rick Furnival Daniel Hudson Kathy Roscoe Shawn Callahan Sara Fila Life Directors James Carver Joel Bounds Richard Coleman Jules Elliot Robin Newhouse Gary Parker H.R. Steigleder Glen Raymond Dee Kitterman Eddie Payne Bruce Reese Dan Sandoval Sean Halsey Tammy Reid