Exclusive 2026 data report from Buildertrend uncovers how top contractors win in 2026 – and beyond

OMAHA, Neb., April 3, 2026 – Buildertrend, the leading provider of construction management software, today announced the release of its flagship industry report, “The Residential Playbook: How Builders Win in 2026 – and Beyond,” offering a comprehensive look at how top-performing home builders and remodelers are adapting to an increasingly complex market. 

Download the full report here: The modern builder playbook

Based on exclusive data from hundreds of top-performing builders using Buildertrend’s comprehensive platform – specifically those leveraging both project management and financial tools and generating over $1 million in annual revenue – the report reveals a fundamental shift in how construction companies operate.

Today’s most successful builders are moving beyond traditional, craft-driven approaches and embracing structured, data-driven business practices to manage growth, profitability and risk.

Buildertrend’s data report also highlights the rapid acceleration of technology adoption across the industry, as builders increasingly rely on digital tools to manage projects and business performance in real time.

Key findings include:

• 80% of builders track daily jobsite progress digitally
• 79% regularly track financial performance KPIs
• 66% actively use dashboards or reporting tools to monitor overall business health

“Over the past two decades, since we entered the market as one of the first construction software solutions, we’ve seen builders continuously adapt to new challenges,” said Dan Houghton, CEO and co-founder of Buildertrend. “But the transformation underway right now is different in scale and speed. Today’s top-performing builders are running their entire business on a single, connected platform.”

The report identifies four defining trends shaping the next era of residential construction:

• Professionalized operations replacing ad hoc processes
• Centralized technology platforms becoming the industry standard
• Greater financial visibility driving smarter decisions
• Stronger reliance on relationship-driven networks to sustain and grow pipelines

Across planning, execution and financial management, builders are adopting systems, dashboards and performance metrics that mirror businesses – marking a shift toward more disciplined, fully managed operations.

“When builders fully lean into technology, it changes how they run their business,” Houghton said. “They get tighter control over their finances and are in a much better position to handle whatever the market throws at them.”

These capabilities are enabling builders to improve visibility across projects, coordinate teams more effectively and make faster, more informed decisions, all critical advantages as project complexity and expectations continue to rise.

Additionally, the report uncovers a persistent challenge: maintaining consistent profit margins remains difficult, even as financial systems improve. 

Data takeaways:

• 86% of builders integrate estimating directly with job costing
• 91% track job costs in real time on at least some projects
• 5% report that their margins consistently match target margins within 1%

External pressures such as labor shortages, material price volatility and the growing frequency of change orders continue to impact profitability. These findings underscore the increasing importance of financial visibility, cost control and operational discipline for builders aiming to protect margins in a volatile market environment.

Released as Buildertrend celebrates its 20th anniversary, the report reinforces the company’s ongoing commitment to helping builders build stronger, more resilient businesses through insights and community.

“The Residential Playbook: How Builders Win 2026 – and Beyond” is available now.

Download the full report here: The modern builder playbook

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For media inquiries, please contact: Press@Buildertrend.com

About Buildertrend
Great builders don’t simply manage projects; they run successful businesses. That’s where Buildertrend comes in. As the leading residential construction management platform, we give contractors the power to control their financials, schedules, team workflows and client relationships: all in one system. No more juggling disconnected tools or guessing on profitability. With nearly two decades of industry expertise, Buildertrend helps builders work smarter, scale faster and stay ahead of the competition. Learn more at buildertrend.com, and on social media @buildertrend.