The National Association of Home Builders Research Center announced the national launch of its NHQ (National Housing Quality) Certified Builder program at the 2005 International Builders' Show. NHQ certification is presented to builders who have documented and implemented a quality management system, and participated in a rigorous annual review of that system. Certification requirements ensure that all elements of the company's quality assurance system are incorporated to provide greater customer satisfaction. Participation in the NHQ Certified Builder program is designed to foster consistency, quality, and customer satisfaction in building practices.
"I am excited to bring this management tool to builders across the country," NAHB Research Center president Michael Luzier said. "It will change the business of home building and the quality of new homes. NHQ Certification means proactively identifying and addressing recurring problems, requiring accountability for and documentation of quality management procedures, and building homes right the first time."
Driving Forces behind NHQ
The Research Center reports that three factors have driven the NHQ Program's significant growth over the last six years:
- More knowledgeable consumers demanding better products and better service
- A significant rise in construction-defect litigation in some areas of the country
- Decreased availability and increased cost for general liability insurance
In September 2004, HBW Insurance Services LLC, a managing general agent for commercial general liability insurance for residential home builders, announced that it is offering discounts for NHQ Certified Builders, as well as for builders who require at least some of their critical classes of trade contractors to become NHQ certified trade contractors.
These contractors themselves are reaping the benefit of NHQ certification already. Sean Cavanaugh, general manager of Gypsum Construction in Las Vegas, said, "Three years after becoming certified, our liability insurance premiums have stabilized instead of increasing 300 percent to 400 percent as they had in the past."
Builders and trade contracting companies interested in quality certification can visit www.nahbrc.org/quality, email quality@nahbrc.org, or call Rita Knab, NHQ program coordinator, at (800) 638-8556, ext. 6225.
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