Awards Categories and Eligibility Requirements
The Best in American Living Awards comprises more than 70 categories spanning projects emphasizing design, multifamily, remodeling and offsite construction. Learn more about how to apply below.
Eligibility Requirements
- The home(s) or project must have been completed or first model opened between Jan. 1, 2023, and Oct. 6, 2025.
- Communities or project phases for larger communities must have at least 50% of the building units and 50% of the infrastructure completed by Oct. 6, 2025.
- The same project may be entered for awards in multiple categories. Winning projects previously entered are not eligible to submit again for the same category.
- Any home owned or occupied by a staff member of NAHB shall be disqualified.
- Should the need arise, the judges reserve the right to subdivide any category as appropriate in an effort to provide fairer competition.
Photography Requirements
- It is highly recommended that for all categories that are not strictly interior architecture or design that sufficient exterior photography be submitted to demonstrate the design characteristics of the home, residential building or community. Entries without sufficient exterior photography, if applicable, may be removed from consideration.
- On the Board applicants should submit sufficient renderings and other architectural drawings in lieu of photographs.
- Remodeling applicants should include sufficient “before” and “after” photography that showcases the transformation and final product.
- Additional eligibility requirements by category are available here.
Site and Floor Plan Requirements for Eligible Categories
- File should contain all floor plans and relevant elevations that are representative of what you are submitting.
- Furnished, marketing-style floor plans and elevations are encouraged.
- If this is a remodeling submission, please include “before” plan(s), if possible.
Categories
The following list reflects the categories for the 2025 Best in American Living Awards.
Design
- Best Detached Home – Up to 2,000 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Detached Home – 2,001 - 2,500 Square Feet., Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Detached Home – 2,501 - 3,000 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Detached Home – 3,001 - 3,500 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Detached Home – 3,501 - 4,500 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Detached Home – Over 4,500 Square Feet, Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Attached Homes/Townhouses, Built for Sale
- Best On-the-Boards Single-Family Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – Up to 2,000 Square Feet
- Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 2,001 - 3,000 Square Feet
- Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 3,001 - 4,000 Square Feet
- Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 4,001 - 5,000 Square Feet
- Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 5,001 - 6,000 Square Feet
- Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – 6,001 - 8,000 Square Feet
- Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home – Over 8,000 Square Feet
- Best Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
- Best On-the-Boards Single-Family Custom Home
- Best Single-Family Community
- Best Mixed-Use Community, Single-Family
- Best Infill Community
- Best Single-Family Community, Built to Rent
- Best On-the-Boards Community
- Best Kitchen Design in Production or Builder Spec in a Home
- Best Kitchen Design in a Custom Home
- Best Primary Suite Design for a Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Primary Suite in a Custom Home
- Best Specialty Room/Project for Production or Builder Spec Home
- Best Specialty Room/Project in a Custom Home
- Best Outdoor Room/Living Space
- Best Design Detail
- Best Innovative Housing Solution / Creative Living Space
Multifamily
- Best Affordable Multifamily, Garden/Low-Rise (5 stories or less)
- Best Affordable Multifamily, Mid-Rise/High-Rise (6 stories or more)
- Best Multifamily Condominium, Built for Sale (5 stories or less)
- Best Multifamily Condominium, Built for Sale (6 stories or more)
- Best Garden Apartment Community (4 stories or less)
- Best Low-Rise Apartment Community, For Rent (non-garden, 5 stories or less)
- Best Mid-Rise Apartment Community, For Rent (6 to 9 stories)
- Best High-Rise Apartment Community, For Rent (10-plus stories)
- Best Mixed-Use Community, Multifamily
- Best Multifamily Adaptive Reuse/ Redevelopment
- Best Multifamily Student Housing
- Best Multifamily Project – On-the-Boards
- Best Multifamily Interior Merchandising of a Common Area
- Best Multifamily Community Amenity/Common Space
- Multifamily Development Firm of the Year
- Multifamily Property Management Firm of the Year
Remodeling
- Best Remodel of an Entire Home, Budget Up to $250,000
- Best Remodel of an Entire Home, Budget $250,001 - $750,000
- Best Remodel of an Entire Home, Budget Over $750,000
- Best Remodel Addition, Indoor or Outdoor, Budget Up to $100,000
- Best Remodel Addition, Indoor or Outdoor, Budget Over $100,000
- Best Remodel - Home Addition
- Best Historic Preservation/Restoration
- Best Remodeled Kitchen, Budget Up to $75,000
- Best Remodeled Kitchen, Budget $75,000 - $125,000
- Best Remodeled Kitchen, Budget Over $125,000
- Best Remodeled Bath, Budget Up to $50,000
- Best Remodeled Bath, Budget Over $50,000
- Best Remodeling Specialty Project
- Best Remodel for Aging in Place
Offsite Construction
- Best Log Homes Design
- Best Timber Frame Construction Design
- Best Modular Home Design
- Best Panelized Home Design
- Best Concrete Home Design
- Best Offsite Construction Multifamily Project Design
