HistoryMaker Homes adopts gradual AI strategy amid industry shift

HistoryMaker Homes is adopting a phased approach to artificial intelligence implementation, a strategy CEO Zac Thompson described as 'crawl-walk-run.' This gradual adoption is driven by the company's status as a regional builder with limited capital compared to larger public competitors.

The Dallas-based firm, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023, has recognized the need to adapt its business model amid increasing industry consolidation and competition. Historically a low-cost provider, HistoryMaker Homes has pivoted to prioritize customer value and experience over price, a shift that includes leveraging technology and AI.

As part of this transformation, HistoryMaker Homes has partnered with technology firms like Higharc to modernize its product development. This collaboration has allowed the builder to rapidly generate new home designs, launching approximately 60 new floor plans over an 18-month period. Beyond design, the company is also using technology to enhance its purchasing, ERP, construction documentation, land acquisition, and sales and marketing functions, aiming to improve overall efficiency and customer interaction through portals and lead generation tools.

Thompson emphasized that for regional builders with constrained resources, partnering with technology firms that have already invested in AI development is more practical than building proprietary tools in-house. The company is currently in a learning and prototyping phase, identifying effective partners as a key lesson learned.