The Best in American Living (BALA) Awards are an annual celebration of innovation, creativity, and excellence in building, headed by the National Association of Home Builders. And builders have one week left to submit their projects for recognition.
The awards represent some of the best work done both in the commercial and residential construction industries. But the awards are particularly relevant for custom builders, as the program include 19 categories specific to custom projects, both new builds and remodels—and the same project may be entered in multiple categories.
There are several requirements that a project must meet for eligibility, including specific requirements for site and floor plans as well as photography, but a few of the basic, overarching requirements, according to the program's website, include:
- The home(s) or project must have been completed or first model opened between January 1, 2021, and August 28, 2023. To be considered complete (vs. on-the-boards), community categories must have at least 50% of the building units and 50% of the infrastructure completed by August 28, 2023.
- Winning projects previously entered are not eligible to submit again for the same category.
- Any home owned or occupied by a staff member of NAHB shall be disqualified. NAHB Show Homes, including TNAH and TNAR, are not eligible due to anonymity concerns and will be disqualified if submitted.
- Should the need arise, the judges reserve the right to subdivide any category as appropriate in an effort to provide fairer competition.
A full list of requirements may be found here.
For those interested in entering, application must be complete by August 28.