1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation.  On June 30, 2015, Masco completed the Separation of its Services Business from its other businesses and TopBuild became an independent public company which holds, through its consolidated subsidiaries, the assets and liabilities of the Services Business.  The Separation was achieved through the distribution of 100 percent of the outstanding capital stock of TopBuild to holders of Masco common stock.  TopBuild is a Delaware corporation and trades on the NYSE under the symbol “BLD.”

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We report our business in two segments: Installation and Distribution. Our Installation segment primarily installs insulation and other building products. Our Distribution segment primarily sells and distributes insulation and other building products. Our segments are based on our operating units, for which financial information is regularly evaluated by our Chief Operating Decision Maker.

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Financial Statement Presentation.  The consolidated financial statements have been developed in conformity with GAAP.  All intercompany transactions between the TopBuild entities have been eliminated.  

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Use of Estimates and Assumptions in the Preparation of Financial Statements.  The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

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Revenue Recognition.  Revenue is disaggregated between our Installation and Distribution segments. A reconciliation of disaggregated revenue by segment is included in Note 8 – Segment Information.

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We recognize revenue for our Installation segment over time as the related performance obligation is satisfied with respect to each particular order within a given customer’s contract. Progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation is measured using a cost-to-cost measure of progress method. The cost input is based on the amount of material installed at that customer’s location and the associated labor costs, as compared to the total expected cost for the particular order.  Revenue is recognized as the customer is able to receive and utilize the benefits provided by our services. Each contract contains one or more individual orders, which are based on services delivered. When a contract modification is made, typically the remaining goods or services are considered distinct and we recognize revenue for the modification as a separate performance obligation. When material and installation services are bundled in a contract, we combine these items into one performance obligation as the overall promise is to transfer the combined item.

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Revenue from our Distribution segment is recognized when title to products and risk of loss transfers to our customers.  This represents the point in time when the customer is able to direct the use of and obtain substantially all the benefits from the product. The determination of when control is deemed transferred depends on the shipping terms that are agreed upon in the contract.

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At time of sale, we record estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and other volume-based incentives based on historical experience, which is continuously adjusted. The duration of our contracts with customers is relatively short, generally less than a 90-day period, therefore there is not a significant financing component when considering the determination of the transaction price which gets allocated to the individual performance obligations, generally based on standalone selling prices. Additionally, we consider shipping costs charged to a customer as a fulfillment cost rather than a promised service and expense as incurred. Sales taxes, when incurred, are recorded as a liability and excluded from revenue on a net basis.

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We record a contract asset when we have satisfied our performance obligation prior to billing and a contract liability when a customer payment is received prior to the satisfaction of our performance obligation. The difference between the beginning and ending balances of our contract assets and liabilities primarily results from the timing of our performance and the customer’s payment. See Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for more information.

Income Taxes.  We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between tax basis and financial reporting basis of our assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in the respective jurisdictions in which we operate.

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Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the realization of those deferred tax assets will not occur.  In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence.  If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not (more than 50 percent likely) such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded.  Significant weight is given to positive and negative evidence that is objectively verifiable.  A company’s three year cumulative loss position is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable and the accounting guidance restricts the amount of reliance we can place on projected taxable income to support the recovery of the deferred tax assets.

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Only those income tax positions that have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained upon examination by taxing authorities are recognized.  There is an increased potential for volatility in our effective tax rate because of future changes in the income tax environment and the inherent complexities of income tax law in the various jurisdictions. Accordingly, provisions for tax-related matters, including interest and penalties, could be recorded in income tax expense in the period revised assessments are made.

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Cash and Cash Equivalents.  We consider our highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents.

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Receivables, net.  We do business with a significant number of customers, principally homebuilders.  We monitor our exposure for credit losses on our customer receivable balances and the credit worthiness of our customers on an on-going basis and record related allowances for doubtful accounts.  Allowances are estimated based upon specific customer balances where a risk of default has been identified, and also include a provision for non-customer specific defaults based upon historical collection, return, and write-off activity.  During downturns in our markets, declines in the financial condition and creditworthiness of customers impact the credit risk of the receivables involved and we have incurred additional bad debt expense related to customer defaults.  Receivables, net are presented net of certain allowances, including allowances for doubtful accounts.

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Inventories, net.  Inventories, net consist primarily of insulation, rain gutters, glass and windows, fireproofing and firestopping products, garage doors, fireplaces, shower enclosures, closet shelving, accessories, and other products.  We value inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, where cost is determined by the first in-first out cost method.  Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation.  Inventory value is evaluated at each balance sheet date to ensure that it is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Inventory provisions are recorded to reduce inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value for obsolete or slow moving inventory based on assumptions about future demand and marketability of products, the impact of new product introductions, inventory levels and turns, product spoilage, and specific identification of items such as product discontinuance, engineering/material changes, or regulatory-related changes.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, all inventory consisted of finished goods.

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Property and Equipment, net.  Property and equipment, net, including significant betterments to existing facilities, are recorded at cost.  Upon retirement or disposal, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Maintenance and repair costs are charged against earnings as incurred.  Gains and losses on the disposal of equipment are included in selling, general, and administrative expense.

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We review our property and equipment as an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the property and equipment below the carrying amount.  If the carrying amount is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value.  Further, we evaluate the remaining useful lives of property and equipment at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining depreciation periods.

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Depreciation.  Depreciation expense is computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Estimated useful lives are generally as follows:

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Fair Value.  The fair value measurement standard defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (referred to as an “exit price”).  A fair value hierarchy is established that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

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Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

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Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data.

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Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.  We perform our annual impairment testing of goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level.  Our operating segments are reporting units that engage in business activities for which discrete financial information, including long-range forecasts, are available.  When assessing goodwill for impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we perform a two-step impairment test.  If we conclude otherwise, then no further action is taken.  We also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment and only perform a quantitative assessment, which is the first step of the two-step impairment test.  In the two-step impairment test, we compare the fair value of the reporting units to the carrying value of the reporting units for goodwill impairment testing.  Fair value for our reporting units is determined using a discounted cash flow method, which includes significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs).

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Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long term projections of cash flows, market conditions, and appropriate discount rates.  Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information.  In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated long-range forecasts for sales and operating profits, including capital expenditures, and generally utilize a one to three percent long term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the long-range forecast.  An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit’s recorded goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill.

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Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.  We evaluate the remaining useful lives of amortizable intangible assets at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization.  For additional information, see Note 5 – Goodwill and Other Intangibles.

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Insurance Reserves.  We use a combination of high deductible and matching deductible insurance programs for a number

of risks including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle, and property liabilities. Our workers’ compensation insurance is primarily a high-deductible insurance program and our primary general liability insurance is a matching deductible program. We are insured for covered claims above the deductibles and retentions on an excess basis. The liabilities represent our best estimate of our costs, using generally accepted actuarial reserving methods, of the ultimate obligations for reported claims plus those incurred but not reported claims through December 31, 2019 and 2018. The accruals are adjusted as new information develops or circumstances change that would affect the estimated liability. We also record an insurance receivable for claims that exceeded the stop loss limit included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets which offsets an equal liability included within the reserve amount recorded in other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the amount of this receivable and liability was $5.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

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Advertising.  Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.  Advertising expense, net of manufacturers support, was approximately $1.7 million, $1.7 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, and is included in selling, general, and administrative expense.

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Share-based Compensation.  Our share-based compensation program currently consists of RSAs and stock options.  Share-based compensation expense is reported in selling, general, and administrative expense.  We do not capitalize any compensation cost related to share-based compensation awards.  The income tax benefits and deficiencies associated with share-based awards are reported as a component of income tax expense.  Excess tax benefits and deficiencies are included in net cash provided by (used in) operating activities while shares withheld for tax-withholding are reported in financing activities under the caption “Taxes withheld and paid on employees’ equity awards” in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.  Award forfeitures are accounted for in the period they occur.  

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†Stock options expire no later than 10 years after the grant date.

‡Expense is reversed if award is forfeited prior to vesting.

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Debt Issuance Costs.  Debt issuance costs are amortized as interest expense over the life of the respective debt, which approximates the effective interest rate method.  Unamortized debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the related debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Leases.  In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.”  This standard requires a lessee to recognize certain leases on its balance sheet.  Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02 using the modified retrospective transition method with the optional transition relief provided in targeted improvements ASU 2018-11, which allows the new standard to be applied in financial year 2019.  Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities of $99.1 million and $101.6 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019 on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.  There was no cumulative adjustment required to be recorded to our beginning retained earnings balance.  Adoption of this standard did not materially impact our results of operations or cash flows for any periods presented.

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We elected certain practical expedients allowed under ASC 842 – Leases. As such, we did not reassess whether any existing contracts are or contain leases, the lease classification of existing leases, or the initial direct costs for any existing leases.  In addition, we elected by class of underlying asset to not separate fixed non-lease components from the lease component. Further, for all leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, we elected not to record any right of use asset or lease liability.  We declined the option to use hindsight in determining lease term, assessing likelihood that a lease purchase option will be exercised or in assessing impairment of right of use asset for all classes of assets.  To initially measure our lease liability, we used our IBR at January 1, 2019 based on the remaining lease term for all existing leases. See Note 2 – Leases for additional information.

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Business Combinations.  The purchase price for business combinations is allocated to the estimated fair values of acquired tangible and intangible assets, including goodwill, and liabilities assumed.  These estimates include, but are not limited to, discount rates, projected future revenue growth, cost synergies and expected cash flows, customer attrition rates, useful lives and other prospective information.  Additionally, we recognize customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, and non-competition agreements as identifiable intangible assets, which are recorded at fair value as of the transaction date.  The fair value of these intangible assets is determined primarily using the income approach and using current industry information.  Goodwill is recorded when consideration transferred exceeds the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities.  Measurement-period adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill are recorded in the period in which they occur, which may include up to one year from the acquisition date.  Contingent consideration is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date.

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Reclassification of Prior Year Presentation.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation.  Reclassifications have been made to the product categories used in our disaggregated revenue figures to better align with how the business is managed following the acquisition of USI.  These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported results of operations.

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted:

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In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses”. This guidance introduces a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model for the recognition of impairment losses on financial assets, including trade receivables. The CECL model replaces current GAAP’s incurred loss model. Under CECL, companies will record an allowance through current earnings for the expected credit loss for the life of the financial asset upon initial recognition of the financial asset. This update is effective for us beginning January 1, 2020. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard on our financial position and results of operations. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

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In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” The new standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step of the goodwill impairment test. This update is effective for us beginning January 1, 2020.  The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

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In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” The new standard modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, including adjustments to Level 3 fair value measurement disclosures as well as the removal of disclosures around Level 1 and Level 2 transfers. This update is effective for us beginning January 1, 2020.  The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”.  This standard simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles included in current guidance, as well as improving consistent application of and simplifying GAAP for other areas by clarifying and amending existing guidance.  This update is effective for us beginning January 1, 2022, with early adoption permitted.  We have not yet selected an adoption date, and we are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this standard on our financial position and results of operations.

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