James Hardie’s partnership with Affiliated Builders Group is built on a shared commitment to supporting builders with the reliable products, service, and expertise they need to succeed. Together, we’re helping drive stronger performance on the jobsite and long‑term value for the building community.
> Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Affiliated Builders Group (ABg)?
Affiliated Builders Group (ABg) is a national buyers group representing hundreds of independently owned homebuilding companies. By pooling their collective volume, ABg negotiates lower costs on building materials for its members.
How does ABg differentiate itself from other buying groups and rebate clubs?
ABg prioritizes lowering costs at the local level—on materials such as lumber, drywall, and roofing. Membership is exclusive; prospective members must be vetted either by ABg or by existing members within a Group. Additionally, ABg representatives live in the markets they serve, providing consistent, on-the-ground support to builder members.
Are rebates available through ABg?
Yes. While our primary goal is to reduce upfront material costs, ABg also negotiates industry-leading rebates with both local suppliers and national manufacturers. When combined with upfront savings, these rebates significantly lower net costs and enhance builder profitability.
How does ABg help members compete with larger regional and national homebuilding companies?
Independent homebuilders often face pricing disadvantages due to their smaller volume. ABg members, however, are part of a Group that—within most markets—represents the largest collective buyer of building materials. As a result, members benefit from pricing typically reserved for much larger builders.
How does ABg select suppliers for the Group?
ABg does not unilaterally choose suppliers. Instead, we rely on the expertise and preferences of our builder members. ABg negotiates proposals with suppliers, which are then presented to the Group. Members collectively decide on a limited number of suppliers to partner with based on pricing, capacity, and service standards.
How long does it take to see savings after joining ABg?
Once your membership is approved—either by ABg in a new market or by the Group in an existing one—you gain immediate access to lower pricing through the Group’s supplier network.
Testimonials
Being part of the ABg group has had a positive impact on my company. Not only is the financial benefit easily measured, we also find the opportunity to share thoughts and perspectives with other builders in our market to be of equal value!
For more than five years, NJL Custom Homes has benefitted from being a member of Affiliated Builders Group in lowering our material costs and increasing our profit margins. Being part of a group of leading homebuilding companies in the St. Louis area allows us to compete on pricing and service we would not otherwise receive.
In the midst of difficult market conditions, ABg has been a breath of fresh air! Allowing ABg to facilitate the negotiations of my building materials has not only provided my company a competitive advantage in the market, but has eliminated much of the time spent in managing this critical component of my business. ABg would be a great asset to anyone in the home building industry!
Hawkins Homes is proud to be an affiliate member of the ABg Home Builders’ Buying Group in Clarksville, Tennessee. Through this partnership, we’ve gained access to consistent, competitive pricing, which has strengthened our profitability and provided a distinct advantage in the marketplace. This collaboration also gives us access to a network of like-minded builders and trusted suppliers, fostering innovation and efficiency across our projects. Together, we’re raising the bar for homebuilding standards in our community.
ABg has positively impacted the net profitability of Rodrock Homes by leveraging the volume of the group. We view ABg as an extension of our in-house purchasing department. The result has been twofold: a reduction in overhead costs that typically are associated with purchasing and better pricing on our products. In our market, the pricing that ABg has delivered to us is something we could not have done on our own.