Realm’s Rea1M Awards Honor Contractors Who Hit the $1 Million Milestone in 2026

Los Angeles, CA – In a hilltop mansion with panoramic city views, dozens of top residential contractors traded their work boots for cocktail attire and gathered for an elegant dinner and awards ceremony. The occasion was Realm’s first annual “Realm Evening of Achievement”, known as the Rea1M Awards, celebrating the select contractors who surpassed $1 million in completed home projects through the Realm platform in 2026. It was a landmark recognition moment for the remodeling and construction industry – a night where craftsmanship and partnership took center stage.

A Landmark Night for an Elite “$1M Club”

Pulling off $1M+ in residential projects in a single year is no small feat for independent builders. In fact, about two-thirds of small construction firms generate under $1 million in annual revenue, underscoring how exceptional these contractors are. Realm’s Rea1M Awards shone a spotlight on this “million-dollar club,” signaling to the industry that these builders have reached an elite tier. As Realm’s founder Liz Young noted in her welcome, the evening was about “appreciation for the dedication, craftsmanship, and ambition that move our industry forward”. The atmosphere combined celebration and reverence – a refined event designed to elevate what it means to be a contractor today.

The venue itself set an exclusive tone. Guests arrived at a private estate perched above the city, greeted by a warm Los Angeles twilight. Inside, a cocktail reception allowed veteran general contractors and up-and-coming remodelers to mingle with Realm’s leadership team. Many contractors brought their spouses or business partners to share the moment. A sit-down dinner followed, with tables arranged for intimate conversation among peers. Throughout the night, Realm advisors – the company’s homeowner guides – could be seen congratulating contractors, a testament to the close-knit relationships behind Realm’s model.

“I’ve been to plenty of industry events, but nothing like this,” said Justin, one of the honored contractors, looking around at the stylish décor and city lights beyond the windows. “It feels like the Oscars of home building. We’ve earned this.”

Realm’s Model: Marrying Vetted Contractors with Hands-On Advisory

The Rea1M celebration also highlighted what enabled these builders to hit seven-figure project totals: a new kind of partnership with Realm. Realm, a fast-growing platform for home renovations, has carved out a unique role in simplifying residential construction by combining a vetted contractor network with hands-on homeowner advisory. It’s a model designed to tackle some of the toughest challenges independent contractors face – from finding trustworthy leads to managing client expectations.

Realm’s process starts by assigning each homeowner a dedicated Realm Advisor who helps scope the project, set a realistic budget, and even produce initial designs. On the back end, Realm maintains a curated network of contractors – accepting fewer than 10% of applicants into its ranks after vetting licenses, past work, and client reviews. When a homeowner is ready, Realm matches them with three top local builders for bids. Crucially, the Realm team stays involved through bid comparison, contractor selection, and project oversight. The result is a smoother experience for both sides: homeowners get guidance and “clarity up front” about pricing and scope, and contractors meet clients who are educated, serious, and supported through the process.

This symbiosis was a recurring theme in conversations during the event. Many of the honored contractors credited Realm for helping them grow their business in a sustainable way. “Realm has basically become my marketing team and project consultant in one,” explained Mark, who surpassed the $1M mark this year after joining the platform. “Instead of spending my weekends chasing lukewarm leads, I get introduced to homeowners who are ready to build – and Realm’s advisors have set clear expectations. I can focus on doing the job right.”

His point resonates industry-wide. Independent builders traditionally sink significant time and money into finding clients – often paying $150 to $300 per lead on advertising and competing in a crowded field. Overhead beyond the job site can be overwhelming: from sales consultations and estimates to permitting headaches and customer hand-holding. “Those parts of the business don’t just magically happen – we usually have to handle them ourselves, which cuts into building time,” noted Mark. Realm’s model offloads much of that burden. Its advisors handle planning and permitting logistics, and they remain a point of contact for homeowners when questions arise. Contractors, in turn, can devote more energy to construction execution. It’s a win-win approach that has boosted customer satisfaction and contractor productivity.

The contractor-homeowner relationships fostered by Realm are notably strong. Several homeowners who worked with Rea1M-winning contractors shared that they felt “more confidence and less stress” with a Realm advisor involved, versus hiring a contractor directly. Realm’s oversight creates accountability – contractors know that maintaining high standards will keep them in Realm’s good graces (and lead to more project referrals), while homeowners know Realm has their back if any issues come up. As one Advisor put it, “We give homeowners peace of mind and give good contractors a level playing field. It’s about trust on both sides.” That trust was palpable in the room as Realm’s team and their partner builders celebrated shoulder to shoulder.

Surpassing $1M in a Challenging Market

Achieving $1M+ in completed projects is impressive in any year, but especially so against the headwinds of 2026. Contractors have been grappling with skilled labor shortages, rising costs, and intense competition for jobs. A recent NAHB study estimated the skilled labor gap is a “multibillion-dollar annual challenge” that costs the construction industry $10.8 billion per year in lost productivity and delays. Material prices have been volatile, and homeowners themselves are more cautious amid economic uncertainty. In this context, reaching the million-dollar milestone is not just about volume – it signifies resilience and adaptability.

Realm’s contractors navigated these challenges in part by leveraging the platform. With labor scarce, being able to schedule projects efficiently and avoid downtime is critical – something Realm’s project pipeline helps facilitate. And on the client side, Realm’s reputation for fair pricing and quality outcomes has helped convert more hesitant homeowners into confident customers. Several contractors noted that Realm’s involvement often “keeps projects moving” when supply chain or labor hiccups occur, because the advisor can coordinate adjustments or find backup trades as needed.

“The market’s been crazy – costs up, good workers hard to find,” said Aviv, a young contractor recognized as a Rising Star at the event. “Honestly I think I would’ve struggled to scale up this fast on my own. But with Realm, I had a steady stream of jobs and support to get them done. Hitting $1M this year showed me what’s possible even in a tough climate.” Aviv’s sentiment was echoed by others, who praised the platform for eliminating wasteful overhead. Instead of spending tens of thousands on advertising or idle gaps between projects, these contractors kept their crews busy through Realm’s referrals and spent their time on site rather than on sales calls.

Industry data backs this up: traditional marketing often yields low conversion and high costs, whereas warm, vetted leads like Realm provides can dramatically improve close rates. “It’s night and day,” Aviv added. “Homeowners trust us more from the start because we come through Realm. That trust is already there.” In an industry where homeowner trust is hard-earned and easily lost, that advantage cannot be overstated.

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Spotlight on Excellence: 2026 Rea1M Awards

Midway through the evening, Realm’s CEO took the stage to recognize a handful of standout partners with award trophies. Each honor reflected a different dimension of excellence in building—beyond revenue alone.

“These awards celebrate not only what you build, but how you build it,” she shared.

The 2026 Rea1M Award categories included:

• Master of Craft Award – recognizing exceptional craftsmanship, precision, and pride in workmanship.
• Design Excellence Award – honoring standout design execution and creative problem-solving that bring ambitious visions to life.
• Rising Star Award – celebrating an emerging partner who made an immediate impact and shows remarkable momentum.
• Homeowner Hero Award – highlighting teams that deliver an outstanding homeowner experience through communication, professionalism, and care from start to finish.
• Innovation Impact Award – recognizing a partner whose insights and collaboration have helped improve how Realm supports contractors and homeowners alike.

Each winner received a custom-engraved trophy—and a well-earned round of applause from peers who understand what it takes to deliver consistently exceptional work. Acceptance remarks focused less on individual wins and more on team effort, shared standards, and the strength of the Realm community.

For homeowners, the takeaway was simple: Realm is proud to work alongside builders who set the bar for quality, service, and craftsmanship. And if you’d like to work with award-winning professionals like these, the best way to get started is through Realm, where every project is supported with the structure, transparency, and accountability clients deserve.

Contractors and Realm: A Partnership Built on Trust

One striking aspect of the Rea1M Awards was the mutual admiration between Realm and its contractor network. Contractor relationships are the lifeblood of Realm’s business – without skilled, trustworthy builders to execute projects, Realm’s homeowner promises would fall flat. That’s why Realm invests heavily in these partnerships, from vetting and training to events like this that show appreciation. As a result, many contractors feel a strong loyalty to the platform. “Realm is a true partner – they have our back,” said Anton from Tree Builders, who received the Innovation Impact Award. “They’re not just handing us leads and disappearing. They stick with us and the client all the way. That support means everything to my business and my customers.”

Indeed, contractors often report that Realm-sourced projects run more smoothly. Homeowners are better prepared and less likely to churn or cause delays, and if any issue arises, Realm steps in to mediate or provide additional resources. “It’s like having an extra project manager looking out for everyone’s interests,” Anton explained. “That makes me as a contractor more confident, and homeowners pick up on that confidence.” No wonder, then, that Realm-built projects have high completion rates and satisfaction scores. As Realm’s CEO mentioned, Realm contractors consistently treat Realm-referred clients like VIPs, knowing that “Realm is a top source of work” for them – a virtuous cycle that keeps quality and service standards high.

Throughout the night, you could sense the depth of trust and respect in the room. Homeowners put their trust in Realm’s contractors to deliver dream renovations; contractors trust Realm to provide fair opportunities and back them up; and Realm trusts both parties to uphold its brand promise. This triangle of trust has been central to Realm’s success in its California markets so far. Several attendees remarked that it felt less like a corporate event and more like a gathering of colleagues who’ve built something together.

Forward to 2027: Building on Momentum

As the evening drew to a close, the conversation naturally turned toward the future. The success of the inaugural Rea1M Awards has set a high bar – and a sense of excitement – for next year. Realm hinted that Rea1M 2027 will be even bigger, potentially expanding to recognize contractors in new regions as the company grows. (Realm currently operates in California and Washington, with plans to expand to additional states.) That means the “$1 Million Club” could welcome many new members moving forward. Given the energy in the room, it’s clear that this community of builders is eager to raise the stakes.

“Tonight was just the beginning,” Realm’s CEO said in her closing toast. She challenged everyone to return in a year with even more to celebrate – whether that’s reaching the next revenue milestone, achieving new design heights, or simply continuing to delight homeowners. The contractors, clinking glasses of champagne, nodded in agreement. They know that the road ahead in 2027 won’t be easy – competition will grow, and industry challenges will persist – but with Realm as a partner, they’re ready to build on this momentum.

In a sector often slow to change, Realm’s Rea1M Awards felt like a refreshing jolt of inspiration. It honored tradition (craftsmanship, client service) while embracing innovation (new business models and collaboration). As the award winners headed home with trophies in hand and newfound camaraderie, one thing was certain: the Realm Evening of Achievement succeeded in showing that when contractors and a visionary platform work hand-in-hand, the result is something worth celebrating – for contractors, homeowners, and the industry at large. The countdown to Rea1M 2027 has already begun.

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