What We Brought Home from the International Builders Show
Every year, the International Builders Show pulls together the best minds in the building and remodeling industry for a few days of learning, exploring, and connecting. This year, we packed our bags and headed to Orlando and we came back with full notebooks, new tools in our toolkit, and a lot of excitement about what's ahead for Houseworks Collective.
Learning Alongside the Best in the Business
We spent a big chunk of our time at education sessions, and it was genuinely energizing. The conversations happening in the remodeling world right now are sharp, covering everything from the systems top contractors are using to manage complex projects to how design professionals are thinking about client communication and workflow. We attended sessions on the latest tools and technologies remodelers are leaning on, interior design trends shaping what clients are asking for in 2025 and beyond, and a lot more in between.
There's something about being in a room full of people who care deeply about their craft that pushes your thinking. We left each session with pages of notes and more than a few "we should be doing this" moments.
New Tech We're Actually Using
One of our goals heading into the show was to come back with at least one concrete upgrade to how we operate, and we delivered on that. After sitting through demos and exploring a few different platforms, we came away with some new software our team will be using internally to work smarter and stay better organized. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes investment that doesn't always get talked about, but makes a real difference in how smoothly projects run from start to finish.
We don't adopt new tools lightly. We know how disruptive change can be, so when something earns a spot in our workflow, it's because we genuinely believe it makes us better for our clients.
The Show Floor Was Something Else
Walking the trade show floor at IBS is its own kind of experience. The sheer scale of it is impressive, with booth after booth of vendors showing off what's new, what's next, and what's possible. We spent time talking to suppliers and manufacturers we've worked with for years, and discovered some new vendors we're excited to bring into future projects.
We came home with a fresh perspective on materials, finishes, and products that are raising the bar for what a beautifully executed remodel can look like. Expect to see some of that inspiration showing up in our work in the coming months.
Why This Matters to You
We go to shows like IBS because staying current isn't optional in this industry, it's part of how we take care of our clients. When we invest in learning, in better systems, and in building relationships with the best vendors out there, that all flows directly into the quality of work we do for the people who trust us with their homes.
More to come as we put everything we learned into practice. Stay tuned.
