NAHB Student Competition

The annual NAHB Student Competition is one of the highlights of the International Builders’ Show (IBS). The competition gives students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to a real construction company by completing a management project/proposal. Proposals are submitted to a group of construction company executives who act as judges.

For the first time in three years, the 2023 NAHB Student Competition for all programs will be exclusively in person, with teams presenting live at the 2023 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Jan 31 – Feb. 2, 2023.

Four-Year Programs – Custom/Small Build

The NAHB Custom/Small Build Student Competition exposes students to a small-scale residential construction project from concept to closing. Teams identify a home building opportunity in a specific geographic area, focusing on the best opportunity for a small builder to be successful and grow their business.

For the 2022/2023 Competition, each team of students assumes the role of a home builder in Johnson County, Iowa. Selections of lots come from any buildable lot in Johnson County, Iowa and the Urban Acres website was made available to assist with selection of the lot. The teams will follow the building code for Johnson County and the municipality’s zoning ordinance based on the lot location. The teams will assume they are approved for a construction loan up to $1,000,000 to work with for the entire proposal and need to identify a current and accurate interest rate for the construction loan from a local lender with a physical presence in Johnson County, Iowa. The teams will give an oral presentation of their proposal in person at the 2023 International Builder’s Show Las Vegas, NV.

The 2023 project is sponsored by The Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association through generous support from:

Platinum Sponsor $1,000:

Suburban Lumber

Gold Sponsor $500:

Hodge Construction

Martin Construction

McCreedy-Ruth Construction

Relion Insurance

Sueppel’s Siding & Remodeling

Tim and Mary Ruth

Silver Sponsor $250:
First Interstate Bank

Oak Tree Homes

Bronze Sponsor $100:

Cabinet Works

Mark Koch

PSC Distribution/Studio H2O

Sobaski Abby Carpet and Floor