Submissions
Better Homes Awards
2026 Categories
Best Custom Home
This category celebrates excellence in custom residential construction, showcasing homes that are uniquely designed to reflect the lifestyle, personality, and vision of the homeowner. Entries should demonstrate outstanding craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and innovative use of materials, while meeting the specific needs and preferences of the client.
Most Creative Home Feature
This category highlights a single, standout design or architectural element that brings originality, innovation, and personality to a home. Whether it’s a hidden door, a one-of-a-kind staircase, an inventive use of space, or a show-stopping material choice, this award honors the features that make a home unforgettable. Entries should demonstrate ingenuity, functionality, and a strong visual or experiential impact.
Best Outdoor Feature
This category honors exceptional exterior elements that enhance the beauty, functionality, and enjoyment of outdoor living spaces. From patios, pools, and pergolas to outdoor kitchens, landscaping, and unique architectural features, entries should showcase creativity, craftsmanship, and seamless integration with the home and its natural surroundings. This award celebrates designs that turn the outdoors into a true extension of the home.
Best Remodel/Renovation
This category recognizes transformative projects that breathe new life into existing spaces. Entries should demonstrate thoughtful design, expert execution, and a clear improvement in form and function. This award celebrates the creativity and craftsmanship required to turn challenges into beautiful, functional, and refreshed living environments.
Best Kitchen Remodel
This category honors outstanding transformations of one of the home’s most important spaces—the kitchen. Entries should showcase thoughtful design, quality materials, and innovative solutions that enhance both aesthetics and functionality. Whether modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, winning projects will demonstrate how smart renovation can elevate the heart of the home.
Best Bathroom Remodel
This category celebrates exceptional updates to bathrooms that combine style, comfort, and functionality. Entries should highlight creative design, quality craftsmanship, and effective use of space and materials. From spa-inspired retreats to smart, space-saving solutions, this award honors projects that turn everyday routines into elevated experiences.
Best Multi-Family Home – Under 5 Units
This category recognizes excellence in the design, construction, or renovation of small-scale multi-family residential projects with fewer than five units. Entries should demonstrate thoughtful planning, quality craftsmanship, and a strong understanding of how shared living environments can be both functional and inviting. Projects may include duplexes, triplexes, four-unit residences, or mixed residential configurations that successfully balance privacy, efficiency, durability, and overall design appeal.
Multi-Family Home – 5 Units or More
This category honors outstanding multi-family residential projects with five or more units, celebrating thoughtful design, quality construction, and livable spaces created at a larger scale. Entries should demonstrate strong planning, efficient use of space, durable materials, and attention to both individual units and shared areas. Projects may include apartment buildings, condominium developments, townhome communities, or other multi-unit housing that enhances the residential experience for occupants while contributing positively to the surrounding neighborhood.
Best Exterior – Roofing/Siding/Window Design/Deck
This category celebrates exterior improvements that enhance the beauty, performance, and overall character of a home or residential building. Entries may feature roofing, siding, window design, decks, or a combination of exterior elements that demonstrate craftsmanship, curb appeal, thoughtful material selection, and attention to detail. Projects should show how exterior design can improve both the appearance and functionality of a structure while complementing its architectural style and setting.
Best ADU
This category recognizes excellence in the design and construction of accessory dwelling units, celebrating creative and efficient living spaces that add flexibility, value, and functionality to a property. Entries may include detached cottages, garage apartments, in-law suites, guest houses, or other secondary residential units. Projects should demonstrate smart use of space, quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and successful integration with the primary residence and surrounding property.
Submit your Project Here
Fees
Member Entry Fee: $200 per project. Non-Member Entry Fee: $820 includes VBRA membership and $200 per project after initial entry. Entrants will be invoiced via email by the VBRA
Eligibility
Projects eligible for submission must have been completed between January 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026. This includes new construction, remodels, renovations, or custom features. All projects must be in Vermont to be considered.
Awards
Winners will be announced at the BHA Celebration at the Copper on Dorset. Award recipients will receive a trophy, digital badge, and media recognition.
Portal
All submissions must be completed and uploaded through the official award portal. (This Page)
Deadline
The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2026. Projects will not be displayed until the VBRA has received the entry payment. Late entries will not be accepted.
Consent
All projects must be submitted by the contractor/builder or with explicit consent from the contractor/builder.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets to join us on October 8th for the BHA awards ceremony at Copper at Dorset in South Burlington, VT
Better Homes Awards
Previous Winners
