For many builders, 2024 was a year of challenges. Rising inflation, volatile costs, and unpredictable markets made it harder than ever to stay ahead. Leads dried up, deals fell through at the last minute, and the pressure to manage cash flow and keep projects on track only intensified.
Yet, amidst these difficulties, some builders thrived. Those who invested in systemisation, marketing, and robust business processes not only weathered the storm but also achieved remarkable results. By focusing on professionalism, consistency, and a commitment to continual improvement, these builders proved that success is possible even in uncertain times.
This Year in Review showcases how forward-thinking builders raised the bar in 2024 and how APB has worked to support the industry through education, innovation, and community.
The State of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) report has become a vital resource for builders, offering clear insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. In March 2024, the fourth installment of the report revealed critical trends from 1,817 builders. This year, participation in the survey grew to an impressive 2,240 builders, highlighting the growing demand for benchmarking and actionable data.
The data also highlighted shifting consumer preferences, with increased demand for energy-efficient builds and smaller, cost-effective homes. Builders who adapted to these trends by emphasising value and clear communication saw improved conversion rates and client satisfaction.
The 2025 SORCI Report, set to be published in February, provides builders with a blueprint for navigating market pressures and positioning themselves for success.
2024 was another big year for live events at APB. We hosted 15 events across Australia, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand, bringing hundreds of professional builders together to share ideas, learn, and grow.
This year, the APB Summit moved to Sydney, Australia, where 120 building company owners gathered for two days of industry-leading insights. Featuring expert speakers and some of the brightest minds in residential construction, the event delivered innovative strategies to help builders grow their businesses.
The 2025 event will feature an expanded speaker lineup, a larger venue, and is expected to welcome over 200 building company owners.
In 2024, APB’s Annual Retreat was hosted in breathtaking Fiji, bringing together our top-performing builders. This exclusive event is designed for those who are committed to long-term growth and success, offering a mix of planning, networking, and personal development.
Next year, the retreat is heading closer to home for our North American members. The 2025 retreat will be held in Mexico on September 4th, providing the perfect setting to reset, strategise, and connect with fellow high-performing builders. Spots are limited, so don’t miss the chance to be part of this life-changing experience.
In February, we exhibited at the International Builders Show (IBS) for the second year running. This premier event in North America allowed us to connect with builders, showcase our expertise, and strengthen our community.
Highlights from IBS 2024 included:
For IBS 2025, we’re taking it to the next level with a larger booth and an exciting lineup of activities:
We were proud to partner with Buildertrend, for our North American events, helping to bring even greater value to attendees. Additionally, over 60 industry partners sponsored our events throughout the year, reflecting their trust in APB’s mission to improve the residential construction industry.
The value of our live events continues to grow each year, and we’re excited to bring that same energy again in 2025.
In 2024, we grew the APB Preferred Partners Network, taking our total to 95 trusted partners. This growing network is carefully vetted to ensure members have access to the best products and services for their building companies, from software solutions to marketing services and beyond.
Since the launch of APB Rewards, our members have received an impressive $605,242.50 in rewards payouts. These rewards represent significant savings that many of our members reinvest into growing their businesses—one of the many benefits of being part of APB.
Explore the full list of APB’s trusted partners and learn how you can maximise your rewards.
The Professional Builders Secrets Podcast had an incredible year in 2024, continuing to provide builders with valuable insights and strategies for growing their businesses.
This year, the podcast hit new milestones:
The podcast continues to deliver practical advice and expert interviews to help builders succeed.
In 2024, APB strengthened its partnership with The 141 Project, which helps provide homes for families in need.
This year, we contributed over $90,000, funding the construction of 24 homes in underprivileged communities like Guatemala. Every membership renewal contributes to this initiative, demonstrating how APB members are making a positive impact far beyond their businesses. Also, proceeds from our annual Black Friday Bootcamp contribute 100% of the revenue directly to The 141 Project.
2024 was another standout year for APB, with several prestigious accolades and media features highlighting our growth, innovation, and impact in the building industry.
APB Co-founder, Sky Kolade won the Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur Award in the Professional Services category. Sky’s vision and leadership continue to inspire and drive positive change in the residential construction industry.
We were once again certified as a Great Place to Work. This recognition is a testament to our culture and the environment we've cultivated, where each team member can thrive and contribute to our mission. 100% of our team members agreed that APB is a great place to work!
For the fourth consecutive year, APB earned a place on the SmartCompany Smart50 list, reinforcing our focus on innovation and sustained growth.
APB also secured a spot on the AFR Fast 100, celebrating our position among Australia’s fastest-growing companies.
APB’s expertise was featured in numerous top-tier publications and podcasts this year, here's a small collection:
Each of these features is a testament to the hard work of our team and the support of the APB community. Together, we’re shaping the future of the residential construction industry.
APB continued to expand our reach and help professional builders succeed globally in 2024.
This year, we added four professionally shot case studies to our library, offering real-world insights into how builders are transforming their businesses. One standout is the story of Felipe Freig, whose journey demonstrates the power of following a proven process. Watch Felipe’s case study here.
APB’s impact is driven by our dedication to helping builders achieve sustainable success.
2024 saw APB raise the bar in training, delivering exceptional value to builders looking to scale and systemise their businesses.
We ran 20 free online training sessions for builders this year, covering critical topics such as:
These sessions provided actionable insights to help builders overcome challenges and implement best practices.
For our members, we delivered 12 step-by-step pieces of video training (we call them Action Plans), each with downloadable resources, checklists, and templates to simplify implementation. These trainings covered:
Each training included a group coaching call with an Executive Business Coach and a mastermind session for our Business Coaching clients, offering an in-depth exploration of these topics.
Here is a teaser for how our new Action Plans look!
We introduced weekly updates in our private members' Facebook Group from Varant Boumoushakian, APB’s Head of Operations, sharing practical AI applications tailoured for builders. These insights kept our members ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry.
Additionally, Russ Stephens, APB Co-founder, hosted over 20 live video trainings on Facebook, reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers.
Training at APB is designed to empower builders with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive, and 2024 was no exception. We’re excited to continue delivering world-class resources and coaching in 2025.
As we enter 2025, APB is poised to build on our success and continue empowering professional builders worldwide. With over 8.5k building companies coached, we are focused on expanding our reach, introducing new training, and leveraging technologies like AI to streamline operations and improve profitability for our members.
Our commitment to community remains stronger than ever. Events like the APB Summit and the Annual Retreat in Mexico will provide builders with opportunities to connect, share ideas, and shape the future of the industry. Together, with our members and partners, we’re excited to make 2025 another big year.