Market Holding or Moving? What Builders Are Seeing Across the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand This Month

You don’t need another economist’s opinion.

You need to know what’s actually happening on the ground. Where demand is shifting, where margins are being squeezed, and where builders like you are gaining ground (or losing it).

Every month, our Head Coach Andy Skarda shares front-line market signals from across the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This isn’t theory. It’s what residential builders are seeing on the frontline.

Here’s what stood out this month and what it means for how you price, sell, and run your business.

United States

Confidence is returning but without systems, it won’t count.

What’s happening:

Builder sentiment is at its strongest since spring. Financing is getting easier, and many are optimistic. Even in the custom and luxury space, signs of stabilisation are emerging. That’s despite widespread discounting and incentives still in play.

Construction volume isn’t booming, but it’s holding. And that’s often what precedes a shift.

Where builders are stuck:

Affordability and consumer caution are still real barriers. But the bigger issue is internal. Many builders simply don’t have the structured sales processes or operational systems to make the most of renewed demand. Leads are there but conversions, timelines, and profitability remain patchy.

What it means for you:

Confidence alone won’t carry you. This next phase will be defined by how clearly and confidently you sell. Builders leading with value, clarity, and process are proving that trust-based selling still wins even in cautious markets.

Canada

Premium opportunity still exists, but not for generic operators.

What’s happening:

Sentiment remains soft overall. But it’s not flat across the board. Well-positioned companies in niche markets, especially in luxury or high-performance builds, are seeing real opportunity.

Where builders are stuck:

Generic remodelling models aren’t cutting it. Builders who are still selling one-size-fits-all projects are finding it hard to scale or justify premium pricing. The market’s not forgiving a lack of differentiation.

What it means for you:

If you’re clear on your niche, transparent in your process, and disciplined operationally, you can win work others are losing. But you can’t rely on market momentum. Precision matters. So does positioning.

Australia

You’re working harder, but the return isn’t matching the effort.

What’s happening:

Clients are taking longer to decide. Sales cycles have stretched, and it’s putting pressure on builders who don’t have a clear blueprint for generating and converting qualified leads. A steady stream of “maybes” isn’t much use without structure to move them forward.

Where builders are stuck:

Many are overexerting for too little gain. Builds are blowing out - MBA data shows average project durations are up by 30% compared to previous years. That doesn’t just delay cash. It drags down efficiency and energy across the business.

What it means for you:

Sales systems need tightening. Client decision-making needs guidance. This isn’t just about lead generation, it’s about shortening the path from interest to contract, and keeping jobs moving once they’re won.

New Zealand

Margins are thinning, but there’s still ground to hold.

What’s happening:

Buyer sentiment remains cautious. Fewer new home starts, limited activity, and a subdued market overall. That said, renovation work and efficiency-focused builds are still providing opportunities if approached with discipline.

Where builders are stuck:

Costs are up, timelines are stretched, and that double squeeze is making it hard to stay profitable. Without strict cost control, many builders are watching margins slip without noticing until it’s too late.

What it means for you:

This is a holding pattern, not a freefall, but stability will depend on margin discipline and commercial control. Now’s the time to protect profitability, not chase volume.

What to Take From This

Across all markets, the themes are clear:

• Clients are cautious, but not gone.
• Builders with defined processes are converting more work, more profitably.
• Those who rely on momentum or assume buyers will “just get it,” are burning energy without results.

No matter your geography, the next wave of profitable growth won’t come from brute effort. It will come from sharpening the systems that move clients from cautious to committed.