Founded in 1946, the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), with 28 local home builders associations and nearly 10,000 members across the Lone Star State. Representing over 509,000 jobs and more than $38 billion annually in the Texas economy, the state and local associations play a crucial role in providing affordable housing for Texans.
Home building in America grew dramatically after World War II, due to the increased demand from returning soldiers. This resulted in the creation of the National Association and as well as many other local associations, such as TAB. Builders came together to work on common issues and to find common solutions for problems and challenges faced by the industry.
Today, TAB represents home builders, remodelers, developers, and associate members who local affiliates such as the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, and the Dallas Builders Association. Individual HBAs focus on local matters such as city and county regulations, education, social events, and charity. On the state level, the TAB primarily exists to lobby at the State Capitol, and before state regulatory agencies, to keep housing affordable for the citizens of the state of Texas.
TAB offers three types of membership: Builder Members are custom builders, remodelers, multifamily, and high production builders; Associate Members are the product and service providers that range from lighting companies to lumber companies to insurance agents; If a company holds a Builder or Associate membership in a local HBA, additional employees may join the HBA as an Affiliate Member at a reduced dues fee. The benefits of membership include immediate access to the latest building industry news, education on hot topics such as changes in regulatory policy, networking, events, member recognition programs, member discount programs, TAB’s Residential Construction Contracts Package, TAB’s Model Construction Safety Program, and its Jobsite Safety Standards Package.
TAB is driven by a Board of Directors, a professional staff of 11 in Austin, Texas, and hundreds of volunteers who donate their time to making the industry stronger. TAB communicates with its membership through Texas Builder Magazine, e-publications, TAB News Briefs, email, social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and hard mail pieces. Additionally, it holds committee and board meetings three times per year. If a committee needs to meet between regular meetings, that is done via conference call. TAB also owns and operates the annual Sunbelt Builders Show, a trade show and education conference for industry professionals. Its charitable arm, the Texas Builders Foundation, provides scholarships to students in Texas schools who plan to enter the residential construction industry.
In odd-numbered years, TAB holds its Rally Day at the state Capitol where its members come from around the state to meet face-to-face with their hometown legislators to deliver TAB’s legislative agenda and to educate their legislators on the industry. In even-numbered years, TAB holds a Leadership Conference that is open to all members and covers topics such as how the political process works to how to start trades programs in high schools and community colleges across the state. TAB staff also tries to visit each of its 28 local HBAs twice per year to speak at membership meetings or to attend their events.
Going forward, the Texas Association of Builders will continue to grow its membership, while being a viable voice for Texas home builders through its advocacy involvement at the Capitol and across the state. It will continue to educate the state’s decision makers about vital legislative and regulatory issues because what elected officials do at the local, state, and national levels directly affect the cost of homeownership. The National Association of Home Builders has established that over 25 percent of the cost of a new home can be attributed to government regulations.
If Texas’ population continues to soar, the home building industry will continue to thrive, and the Texas Association of Builders will be there to support its members and help to make Texas an affordable state in which to live and work.
AT A GLANCE
WHO: Texas Association of Builders
WHAT: An association serving the business needs of Texas home builders, remodelers, developers, and affiliated supplies
WHERE: Austin, Texas
WEBSITE: www.texasbuilders.org
DIG DIGITAL?
