History of the TLD

The .builders top‑level domain (TLD) was introduced as part of ICANN’s new gTLD expansion and became available for registration in 2014. It was created to serve the building and construction industry, providing a dedicated namespace for businesses, contractors, and professionals in this sector. The registry is operated by Identity Digital and has been adopted globally for portfolios, construction services, and related activities.

Main Use and Industry Position

.builders is primarily used by professionals and businesses in construction, including general contractors, home builders, remodelers, architects, and material suppliers. It creates an intuitive domain space that signals industry relevance, strengthens brand identity, and enhances online marketing for sector‑specific enterprises. Registration is globally open with no documentation or geographic restrictions.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs like .com, .net, and .org, .builders offers a descriptive, industry‑specific namespace that immediately conveys its niche. Similar vertical TLDs include .construction and .contractors. While it provides better branding for the industry, it may have lower general recognition than legacy domains.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clear industry alignment with construction and building services

• Open registration without restrictions

• Enhances brand relevance and specificity for target audiences

Cons

• Lower mainstream familiarity compared to .com

• Price can vary across registrars

• Limited use outside construction-related markets

Registration Criteria

Registration is unrestricted. Any individual or organization worldwide may register a .builders domain on a first-come, first-served basis. Domain names must comply with standard syntax rules, including letters, numbers, and hyphens, and registrants must provide accurate information in accordance with registry policies.

Summary

.builders is a generic TLD tailored for the construction industry. It provides a distinctive namespace for businesses and individuals in building-related fields. The TLD is globally open, supports standard domain features such as DNSSEC and WHOIS privacy, and aligns with ICANN’s domain ecosystem. It is ideal for descriptive, industry-oriented domain names, though recognition and cost may vary compared to legacy TLDs.