Homebuilding is the business and craft of constructing houses where people will live. A homebuilder might work on a single custom house for one family, or build entire neighborhoods with dozens of similar homes at once.

The process involves coordinating many different specialists and managing complex logistics. Homebuilders coordinate electricians, plumbers, roofers, and many other specialists. They must understand local building codes (rules about how structures must be built safely), obtain permits from the city, order materials at the right times, and solve countless unexpected problems. When you see a new house going up in your neighborhood, a homebuilder is managing that entire complex project from empty lot to finished home.

Homebuilding has always mattered because shelter is one of humanity's basic needs. Throughout history, homes were usually built by families themselves or by local craftspeople. Modern homebuilding became an industry in the early 1900s when companies began constructing many similar houses efficiently. After World War II, homebuilders created vast suburbs that transformed how many Americans lived.

The industry rises and falls with the economy. When times are good and people have money, homebuilding booms. During recessions, it often slows dramatically since homes are expensive purchases most people can't afford to make when they're worried about money.