Ask 2,300 builders nationwide to list the qualities they look for most in products and you'll find consistent agreement followed by considerable differences. Regardless of the 70-odd products listed in the 2015 Builder Brand Use Survey, when builders were asked to name which of eight qualities mattered most, performance always finished first. But there was no consistency after that. The product's availability at a local supplier often finished second, but in other cases it didn't even crack the top four. Here's a list of the top four qualities listed for 26 popular products.
Top Factors Influence Builders' Brand Selection
Ranked in order of importance
| Product | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets | Performance | Warranty | Dealer Has It | Price |
| Decking: Composite/PVC | Performance | Dealer Has It | Warranty | Easy to Install |
| Exterior Moldings | Performance | Dealer Has It | Easy to Install | Price |
| Interior Moldings | Performance | Dealer Has It | Price | Easy to Install |
| Entry Doors | Performance | Warranty | Dealer Has It | Price |
| Interior Doors | Performance | Dealer Has It | Price | Easy to Install |
| I-Joists | Performance | Dealer Has It | Price | Warranty |
| Exterior Trim | Performance | Dealer Has It | Warranty | Price |
| Exterior Wall Sheathing | Performance | Dealer Has It | Price | Warranty |
| Faucets | Performance | Brand/Reputation | Dealer Has It | Price |
| Housewrap | Performance | Easy to Install | Dealer Has It | Warranty |
| Insulation | Performance | Price | Easy to Install | Dealer Has It |
| Locksets | Performance | Easy to Install | Dealer Has It | Price |
| Manufactured Stone | Performance | Price | Easy to Install | Dealer Has It |
| OSB | Performance | Dealer Has It | Price | Easy to Install |
| Asphalt/Fiberglass Shingles | Performance | Warranty | Dealer Has It | Price |
| Siding: Brick | Performance | Dealer Has It | Price | Warranty |
| EIFS/Stucco | Performance | Warranty | Dealer Has It | Price |
| Engineered Wood Siding | Performance | Warranty | Dealer Has It | Easy to Install |
| Fiber Cement Siding | Performance | Warranty | Easy to Install | Price |
| Insulated Siding | Performance | Warranty | Price | Dealer Has It |
| Vinyl Siding | Performance | Warranty | Price | Dealer Has It |
| Wallboard | Performance | Dealer Has It | Price | Easy to Install |
| Vinyl Windows | Performance | Warranty | Price | Dealer Has It |
| Wood Windows | Performance | Warranty | Easy to Install | Brand/Reputation |
| Skylight/Roof Windows | Performance | Warranty | Easy to Install | Dealer Has It |
| Source: 2015 Builder Brand Use Survey |
