The start of the Spring Selling Season is always high stakes for homebuilders. This year, it may be a test of survival.

Rising costs, cautious buyers, and pressure to deliver homes faster are forcing builders to sharpen every part of their operations. Mistakes and delays are more costly than ever. Builders are expected to move fast, build efficiently, and finish homes on time despite labor shortages and unpredictable supply chains.

One of the biggest risks in this environment is time. Projects that stall or require costly rework put entire business plans at risk. The ability to execute—turning a sale into a completed home, efficiently and without mistakes—is a builder’s best protection against market uncertainty.

That’s why some builders are turning to a new job site training tool, On3 Create, an AI-powered platform designed to help construction crews work faster and with fewer mistakes.

The mobile-based tool, demonstrated last week at the International Builders' Show, allows builders to capture job site know-how on video and instantly turn it into training material that workers can access in the field. Instead of waiting for formal training sessions, teams can learn what they need when they need it—on-site, on-demand, and in real time.

This represents a significant leap forward in our mission to revolutionize training, learning, and communication for our partners' field teams," Paul Cardis, On3’s Chief Executive Officer, said in a provided statement.

The goal is simple: fewer errors, tighter schedules, and less waste.

A Growing Challenge for Builders

Homebuilders face a shrinking margin for error.

At last week’s Wolfe Research Housing Conference, analysts and executives laid out the stakes. While demand remains strong in some areas, affordability pressures are keeping many potential buyers on the sidelines. Many home shoppers are waiting, hoping for lower rates or lower prices.

For builders, that means incentives and discounts are cutting into profits. It also means they need to make every sale count. A canceled contract or a delayed closing isn’t just a short-term problem—it disrupts cash flow, slows future projects, and weakens a builder’s ability to compete.

At the same time, homebuilders are changing the way they manage land and inventory. Many large builders have moved to a land-light model, relying on partnerships rather than owning large land banks. That strategy helps reduce risk, but it also demands strict execution discipline. Builders can’t afford to sit on unfinished homes or mismanage their construction schedules.

Cycle time — the velocity at which a builder can complete a home, without defects, once construction starts — is now a critical performance measure. The more efficient a builder’s process, the better their ability to compete.

Training on the Fly

This is where On3 Create is looking to make a difference. The platform takes a hands-on, mobile-first approach to training. Instead of relying on pre-recorded modules or classroom sessions, it allows builders and supervisors to capture and share job site knowledge as it happens.

For example, if a framing crew runs into a common issue, the site supervisor can record a short video, explaining the solution and how to prevent the mistake in the future. That video instantly becomes part of a shared training library that other workers can access—whether they’re new to the job or just need a refresher.

The platform’s AI component refines the training process, breaking down videos into step-by-step instructions and tailoring the material to each user’s experience level. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, workers get the guidance they need, right when they need it.

For builders, the potential benefits are clear:

• Faster onboarding for new workers – Instead of waiting for formal training sessions, new hires can learn on the job, at their own pace.
• Fewer costly mistakes – Catching and fixing errors early keeps projects on schedule and reduces waste.
• Better workforce retention – More training means more confidence, which can help keep skilled workers in a competitive labor market.

Why It Matters Now

For many homebuilders, Spring 2025 is a make-or-break moment.

With interest rates still high and buyer hesitancy growing, builders must focus on execution. That means finishing homes efficiently, keeping costs down, and maintaining a steady pipeline of new projects.

Technology alone won’t solve the challenges ahead. But builders looking for every possible edge—especially those struggling with labor shortages or cycle time disruptions—are paying close attention to tools that help them work smarter.

On3 Create is one of those tools. Its success will depend on how widely it’s adopted and whether builders see measurable cycle time and quality improvements.

But in a market where every lost day, every delayed closing, and every mistake comes at a cost, the builders who can deliver homes faster—and with fewer problems—will have the advantage