Professional Builder


Professional Builder is a trade publication and website serving the information needs of the housing and light construction marketplace.

History and profile

Established in 1936, the magazine was started with the title Practical Builder. Professional Builder magazine is published monthly with two additional issues in the fall and December. The fall issue is called the Builder's Own Issue, which provides a look at the homes that builders build for themselves and the products they have chosen. The December issue focuses on the International Builders' Show, which previews products from the event. Former company of the magazine was Cahner Publishing Company. During this period the magazine was based in Des Plaines, Illinois. During the 1990s it was headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, under again Cahner Publishing Company. Following the acquisition by Reed Business Information the magazine moved to Oak Brook, Illinois.
For over 40 years, Professional Builder selected a home builder who has paved the way for the rest of the industry. Every year, the magazine awarded this group the title Builder of the Year; 2007's winner was Shea Homes.
In 2007 the program developed by Professional Builder entitled Professional Builder Show Village 07 – Across Generations received the Integrated Marketing Award for best total integrated program from the Media Industry Newsletter. As of December 2007, total BPA audited circulation was 125,286 subscribers.
In 2010 Reed Business Information closed the magazine. However, it was relaunched by Scranton Gillette Communications.