2026 McSAM Call for Entries

Eligible Entries:

Any materials or products marketed within the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex by a member of the Dallas Builders Association during the calendar year 2025 are eligible for competition. No entry will be judged without payment of the entry fee. All entries must adhere to exact entry requirements and judging criteria. Failure to comply with these specifications will result in disqualification of entry and forfeiture of entry fees. Categories with fewer than three entries may be excluded from award consideration, and entry fees refunded.

Entries may be submitted by Builders, Remodelers, Developers, Associates and Suppliers.

NOTE: Other than OF THE YEAR categories – the previous year’s winner is ineligible in the marketing categories.

The deadline for all entry applications, supporting materials and payment is February 9.

Please select your entry categories carefully. Refunds will not be issued.

Please download the full Call For Entries for complete category requirements.
DOWNLOAD FULL CALL FOR ENTRIES

MEMBER & CATEGORY DEFINITIONS

Builder Production Home

Definition: Pre-designed homes built in volume using standardized floor plans and materials, typically in subdivisions.
Key Traits:

Standardized designs with limited upgrades
Built at scale for cost efficiency
Quick construction timeline
Limited customization (finishes only)
Builder-owned lots
Target: buyers seeking affordability and convenience

Builder Spec Home

Definition: “Speculative” homes built without a specific buyer, intended to appeal broadly and sold move-in ready or near completion.
Key Traits:

Built on speculation to sell quickly
Standardized plans and finishes
Located in subdivisions
Little/no customization for buyers
Faster, cost-effective turnaround

Custom Home (One-of-a-Kind)

Definition: Fully tailored homes designed and built for a specific client and lot.
Key Traits:

Unique floor plans and architecture
Client-owned or selected lot
Unlimited customization
Collaboration with architects/designers/builders
Higher cost and longer timeline

Category Definitions

Custom Builder Categories

Celebrate the uniqueness and complexity of one-of-a-kind builds.
Eligible: Single-family new builds or unique spec homes designed for a specific lot
Judged by interior square footage or price range (excludes patio/garage)
Who can apply: Builders, marketing firms, or suppliers (e.g., design or interior firms submitting their work)
Custom Builders are defined as those building less than 30 homes annually.
Semi-Custom Builders are defined as over 30 units per annually.

Remodeler Categories

Highlight excellence in residential renovations.
Whole-home projects: 80%+ renovated
Eligible: Detached or attached residences
Judged by interior square footage or price range (excludes patio/garage)
Who can apply: Remodelers or suppliers/design firms responsible for the work

Production Builder Categories

Recognize creativity and innovation in large-scale, production-style homebuilding.
Eligible: Single-family or attached homes
Judged by interior square footage or price range (home + land)
Who can apply: Builders, marketing firms, or suppliers/design firms

Developer Categories

Honor outstanding community design.
Eligible: Developers and builder-developers
Judged by interior square footage or price range
Who can apply: Developers, marketing firms, or suppliers (e.g., landscape, engineering, or design firms)

Associate Categories

For individuals or companies providing services/products within homebuilding.
Examples: Ad agencies, architects, interior merchandisers, landscape designers, mortgage firms, engineering firms, real estate offices, realtors, insurance providers, etc.
Judged by interior square footage or price range

Credit & Awards Policy

All companies listed on the entry form as part of the team/project will be credited for their contributions.
Winning entries: The submitting firm (entrant company) will receive the award.
Additional awards may be purchased by other credited team members.

Interested in entering the 2026 McSAM Awards? Get a leg up on the competition by watching the McSAM Awards Tips & Tricks for Entries.

McSAM Award Producers & Judging Coordinators, Lisa & Shane Parrish with Team PMP, will give you insightful tips and tricks to help your entries stand out with the judges.

Enter McSAM

How to Enter

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Review categories and requirements.

Learn more about the award categories and entry requirements HERE.

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Complete entry application online and pay entry fees.

All items must be submitted through the online portal no later than February 9, 2026 at 11:59pm.

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Receive entry confirmation email.

This email will include official entry numbers, forms and instructions on how to deliver entry materials electronically.

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Prepare entry materials.

Team/Project Information Form
Floor Plans
Images – ALL categories
Video Statement – Professional Achievement Categories only

Image Requirements: All Categories – images should be saved at a resolution of approximately w – 1800 x h – 1200. Save all images as JPEG files, 300 ppi.

Naming of Files: All files should be named with your category number, entry number, and sequence number or description.

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Return entry materials.

Send materials in entry folder via emailed instructions no later than February 9, 2026 at 11:59pm.

For questions regarding submission entries, please contact Lisa Parrish at lisa@teampmp.com or 800-658-2751.

Judging: Out-of-state judges selected from across the nation are among the most creative and successful individuals within the home building industry, and represent the many disciplines contributing to new home sales and marketing, as well as geographic diversity. Judges are ineligible for entry. Judges reserve the right to eliminate any category where the quality of work does not warrant a winner. All decisions of the judges are final.

Changes to Categories or Entries: The McSAM Awards Committee reserves the right to combine or eliminate any category or categories due to insufficient entries. Additionally, the committee reserves the right to create new categories should the McSAM judges determine a situation warrants such action. Judges may also re-categorize any entry, if, in their opinion, it has been entered in the wrong category, or if the entry is better suited to another category. Special awards may be presented at the judges’ discretion.