more efficient process are all passed on to the new home buyer who chooses to frame with wood. (NAPSA)—Wocdweork, window treatments and wall colors. Fram- ing isn’t exactly on every new homebuyer’s mind, but as the bones of the home, framing is one “Builders want to put together of the most important coraponents in new home construction. Now, thanks to a new initiative, many new homeowners will see im- provements in the manner in which their wood-framed homeis constructed. A newCertified Trade Contractor program was announced at the International Builders’ Show. The program sets quality assurance guidelines that are field-tested to improve framing quality, reduce builder and contractor costs and ultimately raise homeownersatisfaction. Por those considering a new wood-framed home, the new initiative will make a good choice an even better one. “For 400 years, wood has provided an unmatched combination of strength, flexibility, durability, avauability and affordability— and wood is our only renewable resource that comes from growing and ahundant forests,” said Kelly McCloskey, president and CEO of the Wood Promotion Network (WPN). “This program will help new generations of home builders and buyers continue to take advantage of the benefits of wood construction.” The WPN is piloting the program im conjunction with the NAHB Research Center. In developing the program, the NAHB Research Center measured and analyzed the business performance of three framing compa- mies, working in conjunction with some of the nation’s biggest builders, incliding Pulte, Centex, Bel Webb and K.B. Homes. Participant companies realized a 50 percent reduction in constrac- tion defects. The companies reported three reasons for the reduction in defects--employee accountability; a constant reinforcernent of the company’s commitment to quality; and continuous paprovement. By reducing construction defeets, contractors and builders the best possible product because they want their customers to be completely satisfied with their new homes,” said Hank Zolkiewics, a manager in Contracting Services for Del Webb. “The Certified Trade Contractor quality assurance system is a great step to making both parties satisfied.” The Certified Trade Contractor program will be implemented throughout the United States in he coming months. In each new market, builders will develop new quality management practices through a system that ensures that qualified personnel perform the framing work, using the right materials, tools, work procedures and equipment. Framers will also pinpoint quality hotspots and take action to prevent recurrences of defects. “The long-lasting result will be to build our homes better, faster and at a reduced cost,” said Jim Hoffer, regional quality assurance manager, K. Hovnanian. were also able to realize several “When builders keep their costs including improved productivity, workforce development, builder satisfaction and expected durability, and a reduction in expected losses due to natural disaster. Ultimately, the improvements in the finished product and the costsavings that are realized by a our customers.” For information on the Certified Trade Contractor program significant business benefits, down, we’re able to add value for or the Wood Promotion Network, eontact the NAHB Research Center’s Toolbase Hotline at (800) 898-2842 or visit www.be constructive.com.
