Homebuilder Receives Quality Certification

Published: Monday, August 1, 2005 - 22:00

KB Home Coastal Inc. was recently inducted into the National Association of Home Builders’ prestigious National Housing Quality Certified Builder program. The certification followed a rigorous examination of the builder’s San Diego and Riverside divisions’—which make up KB Homes Coastal—quality assurance systems. Additional KB Home divisions participating in the NHQ Certified Builder program are moving toward certification by the end of the year.

“We not only build houses, we build the homes where families spend their lives and raise their children,” says Martin Lighterink, KB Homes San Diego division president. “KB Homes constantly looks to raise the bar on quality and customer satisfaction. The NAHB Research Center has used its unique resources and knowledge to create this pioneering program for the benefit of the home building industry.”

Participation in the NHQ Certified Builder program is designed to increase efficiency and consistency in building practices. The program was formally launched at the 2005 International Builders’ Show, and requires a thorough review of business practices and quality assurance systems to ensure customer satisfaction. To achieve certification, KB Homes’ San Diego and Riverside County divisions conducted field and office training to implement their quality programs, work more efficiently with contractors and maintain the continuous improvement efforts required by all NHQ programs.

“By focusing builders and trade contractors on getting the job done right the first time, NHQ certification differentiates those who talk about quality from those who can demonstrate it,” says Frank Alexander, NHQ program director. “KB Homes Coastal certainly represents that differentiation.”

The NAHB Research Center launched the National Housing Quality program in 1993. It has introduced standardized quality methodologies to the home building industry and includes the Certified Builder Program, Certified Trade Contractor Program and Manufacturer Training Certification Program.

For more information, visit www.nahbrc.org/quality or www.kbhome.com.

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