Homebuilding’s business leaders face a high-stakes business and operational challenge: Adapt to increasing complexity or risk falling behind, … or worse.

Rising material costs, surging insurance premiums, higher-for-longer interest rates, and evolving buyer expectations create a perfect storm of uncertainty. Builders are being pressed to deliver homes faster, more efficiently, and with greater customization.

The solution? A fully integrated homebuilding lifecycle system that connects design, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms into one seamless digital thread.

Breaking Down the Barriers

The main obstacle to integration has been the lack of open data exchange between systems. Many legacy ERP providers have resisted opening up access to customer-owned data, fearing the unknown or lacking the technical infrastructure. But according to Minor, that resistance is waning. 

2025 is the year builders are demanding control of their data. ERP providers that don’t adapt risk becoming irrelevant.”

Higharc’s solution lies in creating a central “source of truth” for product data. By converting home designs into usable data rather than static drawings, builders can connect that information to their ERP and CRM platforms through open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). 

The goal is simple,” Minor explains. “If you need accurate data — whether you’re in sales, procurement, or the field—you should be able to get it instantly from one place.”

From Chaos to Velocity

Builders have long dealt with “death by a thousand cuts”: small inefficiencies that collectively slow production and eat into profits. Waiting days to reverse engineer design changes, juggling multiple plan versions, and manually updating bids all contribute to lost time.

With integrated systems, builders gain velocity—the ability to move from buyer interest to completed home faster without sacrificing quality. 

Velocity isn’t about rushing,” Minor says. “It’s about eliminating friction points in the process. When data flows seamlessly, you gain time back. That time is money.”

Real-World Applications: Meeting Buyer Demands and Market Pressures

Modern buyers expect choices, from layout adjustments to finish options. But offering customization traditionally created operational chaos. Every change triggered a cascade of manual updates across systems, slowing delivery and increasing errors.

Minor points to a modular approach as the solution: 

Imagine reducing your total plan count by 75% while still offering high variability. With modular design strategies and integrated data, builders can cater to buyer preferences without drowning in complexity.”

Integrated systems also allow builders to respond more quickly to external pressures. New building codes, like shifting from 2×4 to 2×6 framing, can disrupt operations. But with centralized data management, those updates can roll out across all relevant plans instantly.

The Competitive Advantage of Being Nimble

Public homebuilders and those backed by foreign investors often enjoy patient capital and stronger financial buffers. Private builders, especially those reliant on regional banks, face tougher financing conditions. To compete, they need operational agility.

Being able to pivot quickly is no longer optional,” Minor emphasizes. “Builders who can rapidly adjust their designs, manage their bids, and respond to buyer demands will outcompete those stuck in slower, manual processes.”

Integration also enhances land strategies. Builders moving to asset-light models benefit from the ability to adjust product offerings on-demand, securing land deals that larger competitors might pass over. By having a digital infrastructure that supports quick design and pricing adjustments, these builders can capitalize on fleeting opportunities.

Three Things Builders Should Prioritize in 2025

Minor outlines three priorities for builders seeking to modernize:

  • Control Your Data: Builders must push ERP and CRM providers for open data access. 

Your data should work for you, not be held hostage by a vendor,” Minor says.

  • Invest in Product Data Management: Treating homes as products with a digital lifecycle allows for faster design iterations, streamlined estimating, and improved compliance with changing regulations.
  • Enhance Buyer Experience Through Technology: Buyers expect seamless experiences. Integrated systems enable builders to provide real-time pricing, accurate renderings, and flexible customization options.

Drive the Bottom Line

The future of homebuilding is about velocity, adaptability, and data-driven decision-making. Builders who embrace integrated systems will be better positioned to navigate market volatility, satisfy buyer demands, and maintain profitability. As Minor puts it: 

This isn’t just about technology. It’s about giving builders the tools to run their businesses smarter and faster. The ones who act now will be the ones still standing when the market shifts again.”