Excellence in Building Awards Submissions
Nominations for the 2026 Excellence in Building Awards are now open!
Design Excellence Awards FAQ
All current NRVHBA members in good financial standing.
Yes, but we ask that you also name the contractor on your application for work that you partnered on, regardless of if the contractor is an NRVHBA member or not. Non-HBA member contractors will not be recognized.
Projects must have been completed on or after June 1, 2024 and before December 31, 2025 and be located within the New River Valley. Previous entries are not eligible to be re-entered. Each nominee is eligible to submit a maximum of two separate projects per category, i.e. Builder 1 has three potential nominations for Best Custom Home. They can submit up to two of the three projects.
Yes, if you have a large multi-area project, you can enter portions of it into any applicable categories, as well as the larger new home or remodel category.
A panel comprised of home design and construction experts from outside our region will judge entries based on the information provided in each entry submission packet, utilizing a rubric grading system and designated judging worksheets. Entries are judged categorically and by price range, if applicable. All entries will be judged anonymously based on the criteria listed in the category description. Judges will make every attempt to give an award in each category, however, awards will not be given in those categories where the quality of an entry does not warrant a winner. Decisions of the judges are final.
Saturday, January 31st at Eastern Divide. Tickets must be purchased in advance. We will reserve two tickets per nominee/company for you to purchase in advance of the event. We recommend purchasing as soon as you know that you or a company representative can be in attendance as we expect the event to sell out. We will hold the two tickets until January 5th. Should you elect to not purchase them before that date, we will release them for sale to the general membership. You are welcome to purchase additional tickets beyond the two that we hold; however, we recommend reserving your seats early.
This event is aimed to promote our NRVHBA member businesses and provide marketing opportunities for you across the NRV. Entries and winners will be highlighted in multiple ways, including social media promotion, local news press releases, and more. Awards are also given. All awards winners will be highlighted in a multi-page spread in the annual NRVHBA magazine. 2026 winners will be highlighted in the 2027 release.
We highly recommend that you submit high-quality photos with your nomination. We will not be able to print low-quality images for winners in the NRV Blueprint Magazine. We do have a member offering a special rate for award submission photos. We encourage you to reach out to him using the contact info below.
briansowersphoto@gmail.com
30% off any photo shoot up to $100 off
2026 Award Submission Criteria and Links
Design Excellence Awards
Required to be a new construction home custom built for a client.
Judges will consider the appropriateness of the design and functionality of the custom home in the following areas: concept (20%), creativity (25%), impact of home features (20%), floor plan functionality (15%), unique products/materials used (10%) and exterior landscaping/curb appeal (10%).
Submission Requirements
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement, max 500 words - be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above.
- One Copy of Interior Floor Plans
- One Copy of Exterior Elevations or Renderings
- Up to 24 Interior and Exterior Photos
- List of contributing NRVHBA Member subcontractors/suppliers
- Optional: Client testimonial
Judges will consider the appropriateness of the design and functionality of the custom home in the following areas: concept (20%), creativity (25%), impact of home features (20%), floor plan functionality (15%), unique products/materials used (10%) and exterior landscaping/curb appeal (10%).
Submission Requirements
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement - Please describe your entry, the builder/remodeler’s scope of work, and any aspects of the home/ project that may be of special interest. Be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above. Max 500 words.
- One Copy of Interior Floor Plans
- One Copy of Exterior Elevations or Renderings
- Up to 24 Interior and Exterior Photos
- List of contributing NRVHBA Member subcontractors/suppliers
- Optional: Buyer testimonial
Judges will consider the appropriateness of the design and functionality of the custom home in the following areas: concept (20%), creativity (25%), impact of home features (20%), floor plan functionality (15%), unique products/materials used (10%) and exterior landscaping/curb appeal (10%).
Submission Requirements
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement - Please describe your entry, the builder/remodeler’s scope of work, and any aspects of the home/ project that may be of special interest. Be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above. Max 500 words.
- One Copy of Interior Floor Plans (Before and after if relevant)
- One Copy of Exterior Elevations or Renderings if relevant
- Up to 24 Interior and Exterior Photos (before photos if relevant)
- List of contributing NRVHBA Member subcontractors/suppliers
- Optional: Client testimonial
Submission Specifications
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement
- Please describe your entry, the scope of work, and any aspects of the home/ project that may be of special interest. Be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above. Max 500 words.
- One Copy of Interior Floor Plan (before and after if relevant)
- Up to 16 Interior and Detail photos (before photos if relevant)
- List of contributing NRVHBA Member subcontractors/suppliers
- Optional: Client testimonial
Submission Specifications
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement
- Please describe your entry, the scope of work, and any aspects of the home/ project that may be of special interest. Be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above. Max 500 words.
- One Copy of Interior Floor Plan (before and after if relevant)
- Up to 16 Interior and Detail photos (before photos if relevant)
- List of contributing NRVHBA Member subcontractors/suppliers
- Optional: Client testimonial
Judges will consider appropriateness of the design and functionality of the outdoor area in the following areas:Â integration of design with site (25%), layout and function (25%), impact of materials used (25%), overall appearance/aesthetics (15%), and unique features (10%).
Submission Specifications
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement
- Please describe your entry, the scope of work, and any aspects of the home/ project that may be of special interest. Be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above. Max 500 words.
- One Copy of Outdoor Design or Landscaping Plan (before and after if relevant)
- Up to 16 Exterior and Detail photos (before photos if relevant)
- List of contributing NRVHBA Member subcontractors/suppliers
- Optional: Client testimonial
Judges will consider appropriateness of the design and functionality of the home’s exterior in the following areas: proportion and aesthetics (25%), unique features and detail (25%), impact of materials used (25%), site work/landscape (25%).
Submission Specifications
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement
- Please describe your entry, the scope of work, and any aspects of the home/ project that may be of special interest. Be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above. Max 500 words.
- One Copy of Exterior Rendering/Design/Elevation (before and after if relevant)
- Up to 8 Exterior and Detail photos (before photos if relevant)
- List of contributing NRVHBA Member subcontractors/suppliers
- Optional: Client testimonial
- Ideas for submission: A/V home theater, unique millwork or trim details, hidden doorways, luxury shower system, home automation, custom railings, etc.
Judges will consider these features according to the following: creativity (25%), uniqueness (25%), contribution to home value and enjoyment (25%), execution (25%).
- Completed Entry Form
- Completed Project Statement -Â Please describe your entry, the scope of work, and any aspects of the home/ project that may be of special interest. Be detailed in the statement, as the judges use this and your photos to judge the entry based on the criteria above. Max 500 words.
- One Copy of Drawings or Plans, if applicable
- Up to 8 Photos to showcase home feature
- Optional: 30 second video (.mp4) to highlight feature
Best of the NRVHBA Awards
Individual Award
Nominate yourself or another NRVHBA member who has provided outstanding support of the NRVHBA in 2025. All nominees must be active members of the association.
Criteria to include:
- NRVHBA Involvement (25%)
- Commitment & Reliability (25%)
- Quality of Service (25%)
- Advocacy & Promotion of the NRVHBA and industry (25%)
Submission Requirements
- Statement as to why this person should win this award utilizing the criteria listed above - max 500 words
- Include a photo of the nominee if available
Individual or Company Award
- Scale of Impact (30%)
- Community Value (30%)
- Leadership (20%)
- Integrity/Spirit (20%)
Submission Requirements
- Statement as to why this individual or company should win this award utilizing the criteria listed above- max 500 words
- Include a photo of the nominee if applicable
Individual Award
Criteria to include:
- Leadership Initiative (25%)
- Professional Growth (20%)
- NRVHBA Engagement (20%)
- Community/Peer Respect (20%)
- Innovation/Impact to the Industry (15%)
Submission Requirements
- Statement as to why this person should win this award utilizing the criteria listed above - max 500 words
- Include a photo of the nominee if available
Individual or Company Award
Nominate yourself or another recent NRVHBA member (individual or company, within their first two years of membership - must have joined between Jan 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025) who has quickly become a vital contributor. exemplifying professionalism, active participation, collaborative spirit, and a strong commitment to advancing the association’s mission.
Criteria to include:
- NRVHBA Participation (25%)
- Industry Contribution (20%)
- Collaboration (20%)
- Professionalism & Integrity (20%)
- Customer/Colleague Feedback (15%)
Submission Requirements
- Statement as to why this individual or company should win this award utilizing the criteria listed above- max 500 words
- Include a photo of the nominee if applicable
Company Award
Nominate yourself or another NRVHBA member. All nominees must be active associate members, such as vendors, tradespeople, business partners, etc.
Criteria to include:
- Operating with quality and integrity (25%)
- Commitment to the NRVHBA goals and missions (25%)
- Community impact (20%)
- Serving the building industry with excellence (20%)
- Customer satisfaction (10%)
Submission Requirements:
- Statement as to why this company should win this award utilizing the criteria listed above - max 500 words
- Optional: Client or Partner Testimonials
Company Award
Nominate yourself or another NRVHBA member. All nominees must be active association members specializing in custom homes, spec homes or remodeling.
Criteria to include:
- Operating with quality and integrity (25%)
- Involvement in the industry and commitment to the NRVHBA goals and mission (25%)
- Working relationships with partners and trades (20%)
- Community impact (20%)
- Customer satisfaction (10%)
Submission Requirements:
- Statement as to why this company should win this award utilizing the criteria listed above - max 500 words.Â
- Optional: Client Testimonials who had projects completed in 2025