What Building Industry Association of Washington does

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) is a private, non-profit trade association founded in 1950 and headquartered in Tumwater, Washington. It serves as the collective voice of the residential construction industry in Washington state, representing over 8,200 member companies that collectively employ approximately 265,000 people. BIAW operates through a 3-in-1 membership model where members join through 14 local home building associations across the state and automatically gain membership in BIAW and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), creating unified advocacy and benefits at local, state, and national levels.

BIAW's core offerings include the BIAW Contracts Package (a subscription service providing access to over two dozen Washington-specific contract templates written by local attorneys), the ROII Retro Program (the state's largest and longest-operating Retrospective Rating workers' compensation safety incentive program serving over 1,800 member companies), a Health Insurance Program, a Home Buyer's Warranty, the Certified Builder professional designation, and the Housing Studies Center for research and policy information. Supporting services include the BuildStrong Academy (a construction trades training program powered by the Home Builders Institute), the Washington Home Builders Foundation for workforce development, education and certification classes, award programs, and a bimonthly Building Insight Magazine. The underlying technology stack is limited to traditional web and digital communications infrastructure; there is no disclosed proprietary technology platform or AI capability.

Revenue is generated through membership dues (varying by local HBA), multi-tier annual sponsorship packages (Legacy at $15,000, Premiere at $10,000, and Supporting at $5,000), paid education and certification classes (e.g., CESCL at $300-$425, Certified Lead Renovator at $200-$250), and a contract template subscription service. The go-to-market relies on the 14 local HBAs as primary distribution channels, supplemented by direct online services, a weekly eNewsletter reaching 14,200+ subscribers, active social media presence, and recurring events including board meetings, awards galas, and legislative action days at the state capitol.

Name

Building Industry Association of Washington

Legal name

Building Industry Association of Washington

Website

https://biaw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Building Industry Association of Washington is a non-profit trade association representing over 8,200 residential construction member companies in Washington state, providing advocacy, education, contract templates, safety incentive programs, and workforce development through a 3-in-1 membership model linking local, state, and national home builder associations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tumwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: BIAW generates revenue through membership dues which vary by local association. Members join through the 3-in-1 membership model covering local HBAs, BIAW, and NAHB.
2. Sponsorship Revenue: Annual sponsorship packages at three tiers: Legacy ($15,000), Premiere ($10,000), and Supporting ($5,000), plus digital-only opportunities for newsletter and website sponsorships.
3. Education and Training: Fees for classes and certifications including CESCL ($300 members, $425 non-members), Certified Lead Renovator ($200 members, $250 non-members), with free classes for ROII participants.
4. Contract Subscription Service: Revenue from Washington-specific contract templates subscription service available to builder members, potentially saving thousands in legal fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BIAW is a non-profit trade association that delivers membership services, government advocacy, education, and safety/insurance programs to Washington's residential construction industry. Members join through a 3-in-1 model covering their local Home Building Association, BIAW (state), and NAHB (national). Core sellable offerings include a subscription contracts package of Washington-specific legal templates, the ROII Retro workers' compensation safety incentive program, health insurance, a home buyer's warranty, the Certified Builder designation, and paid continuing-education classes and certifications.

Product overview

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) offers a platform of membership-based products and services for home builders, remodelers, and associates in Washington state. The core offerings include the BIAW Contracts Package (a subscription service with over two dozen contract templates), the ROII Retro Program (workers' compensation safety incentive), Health Insurance Program, Home Buyer's Warranty, and the Certified Builder designation. Supporting services include the Housing Studies Center (research and policy information), BuildStrong Academy (construction trades training), Washington Home Builders Foundation (workforce development), BIAW Classes and Training (continuing education and certifications), Excellence in Remodeling Awards, and Building Insight Magazine. The 3-in-1 membership provides benefits, advocacy, and networking at local, state, and national levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BIAW Contracts Package Subscription service providing unlimited online access to more than two dozen Washington-specific contract templates and addenda for residential construction, remodeling, and business operations, covering cost plus contracts, lump sum contracts, and spec builder contracts. Designed for Washington-state builder members to save on legal fees.
• ROII Retro Program The state's largest and longest-operating Retrospective Rating (Retro) safety incentive program serving over 1,800 member companies, helping participants reduce workplace injuries and earn refunds on workers' compensation premiums through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
• Health Insurance Program Affordable healthcare program offered as a member benefit, providing extended peace of mind for BIAW members and their employees.
• Home Buyer's Warranty Warranty program designed to maximize builders' bottom line on every home they build, providing protection for homebuyers and distinguishing the builder's offering.
• Certified Builder Program Professional designation program that propels builder businesses to new levels of credibility and professionalism in the Washington market.
• BIAW Classes and Training Award-winning continuing education and certification program offering safety, OSHA compliance, lead renovation, and construction management courses. Classes are priced per session (e.g., CESCL $300 members / $425 non-members, Certified Lead Renovator Refresher $200 members / $250 non-members) and offered in-person and online. Free for ROII participants.
• BuildStrong Academy Construction trades training program powered by Home Builders Institute (HBI) to develop the skilled workforce in Washington's building industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Member companies save thousands of dollars in legal fees through Washington-specific contract templates
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAHB is part of the 3-in-1 membership model where BIAW members automatically become NAHB members, providing united advocacy and benefits at local, state, and national levels.
• 14 Local Home Building AssociationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 14 local HBAs across Washington state serve as the primary channel for BIAW membership recruitment and local service delivery.
• Home Builders Institute (HBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBI powers BIAW's BuildStrong Academy, a construction trades training program for workforce development in the building industry.
• ROII (Return on Industrial Insurance)coreOthersROII is BIAW's Retrospective Rating (Retro) safety incentive program serving over 1,800 member companies. ROII directly supports all 14 home builders associations affiliated with BIAW within Washington state.
• Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)coreOthersL&I offers the Retro (Retrospective Rating) safety incentive program through which ROII helps employers earn refunds on workers' compensation premiums by reducing workplace injuries.
• Builders FirstSourceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation sponsor providing visibility and support for BIAW events and programs.
• ZillowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation sponsor providing visibility and support for BIAW events and programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Texas Builders Association: Texas Builders Association is a large state-level HBA federation analogous to BIAW, serving Texas home builders with advocacy, education, and member benefits. Comparable in mission, scale, and federation structure.
• California Building Industry Association: CBIA is the most direct state-level analog to BIAW, representing California's home builders, remodelers, and associates. It offers the same suite of services—advocacy, education, contracts, and member benefits—geared to a single state's residential construction industry.
• Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland: An HBA local-chapter peer in the Pacific Northwest providing membership, advocacy, and education to Portland-area builders. Direct comparable in mission and structure to BIAW's local chapter model.
• Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties: MBAKS is one of BIAW's 14 affiliated local HBA chapters and the largest local home builders association in Washington. It provides the same core trade association services (advocacy, education, networking) at a regional level within BIAW's network.
• Building Industry Association of Baltimore: BIAB is a regional HBA analog serving Maryland home builders with similar services to BIAW. Comparable in mission and member composition, though smaller in geographic scope.

Regional players

• Oregon Home Builders Association (OHBA): OHBA is the closest geographic state-level peer to BIAW, serving Oregon's residential construction industry with advocacy, education, and member programs. Highly comparable in scope, services, and member profile, though operating in a different state.
• Home Builders Association of Greater Austin: HBA Austin is a metropolitan HBA chapter in Texas providing similar advocacy, education, and member services to BIAW's local chapters. Direct comparable in offerings and member profile, though geographically distant.

Broad incumbents

• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): AGC is the leading national trade association for general contractors, providing legislation, education, training, and member services. It is a close operational peer in the construction trade association space, though broader in scope than BIAW.
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): NAHB is the national federation to which BIAW members automatically belong via the 3-in-1 model. It is the closest umbrella peer, providing national advocacy, education, and benefit programs that BIAW localizes for Washington state.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): ABC is a national trade association for commercial and industrial construction contractors. While focused on the commercial side, it is a comparable association model offering advocacy, training, and safety programs (including workers' comp-style retro considerations) to construction industry members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BIAofWA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMGfoL5C69ocvtNzQeobcnA
• Facebookfacebook.com/BuildingIndustryAssocWA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/building-industry-association-of-washington
• Instagraminstagram.com/biaofwa/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@biaofwa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Building Industry Association of Washington