Tag: housing industry

Clayton Homes Expands Its Energy Efficient Housing Line

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 8, 2009

claytonehomelogo

New ehome Boasts Energy-Efficient Features in Affordable Setting

Clayton ehome interior

Clayton ehome interior

Maryville, Tenn. (December 8, 2009) – The nation’s largest homebuilder, Clayton Homes, is unveiling a new product in their line of energy-efficient housing, called the ehome. These fully customizable homes feature an Energy Saver Plus package which is proven to save homeowners money.  The Clayton ehome also leverages the environmentally friendly values of off-site construction.  “These homes are built in climate-controlled building facilities, which drastically reduces waste,” says Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes. “Having energy-efficient features is just one part of it; what sets us apart from any other builder out there is the building process.”  Clayton estimates that construction waste is less than half what a traditional site-built home produces.

The ehome also addresses the changing culture surrounding green building. Earlier this year, Clayton Homes launched the i-house and the response was overwhelmingly positive.  Clayton says, “We have confirmed that there is a demand for energy-efficient housing.”  He says the ehome is an extension of that, bringing green features to Clayton Homes’ core customer.  “We learned a lot in the i-house R&D process,” says Clayton.  “We’re taking those best practices and applying them in a more traditional home.”  Clayton Homes has been building manufactured homes since 1934.

The Clayton ehome

The Clayton ehome

From low “e” Energy Star® rated windows to compact fluorescent lighting, the Clayton ehome is equipped with energy-efficient features. “The cost savings that the home owner will enjoy are as much as $600 a year,” says Clayton.  Homeowners can maximize those savings by customizing their ehome, using the company’s online configuration tool.  The homeowner can select from a variety of floor plans, exterior cladding materials, color schemes, kitchens, baths, window placements, and interior design schemes with the click of a mouse.

The Clayton ehome is now available for purchase.  Customers can go to the dedicated ehome website and customize their energy-efficient home.  The price point is lower than the cost of the i-house, starting at under $49,000.  Model homes are open for tours in 100 cities throughout the United States; for a complete list, visit www.claytonehome.com.

Clayton is committed to energy efficiency not just in the homes it builds, but in all aspects of its operation. Its corporate headquarters was recently awarded LEED certification, one of only 14 certified buildings in the Southeast.

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About Clayton Homes: A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing.  With 35 home building facilities and more than 1.5 million homes built, Clayton is the leading home builder in the country.  Visit Clayton Homes at www.claytonhomes.com.

Media contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Middle Tennessee Builder Gets Creative In Down Economy

Posted by Amelia Daniels – May 18, 2009

Hendersonville, TN - In a down economy, price matters more than ever.  With no end to the current housing slump in sight, Middle Tennessee’s premier builder of custom homes, Hughes-Edwards Builders (HEB) knew it had to increase its purchasing power to stay viable.  That is why HEB pursued membership in the prestigious organization, Custom Builders USA (CB/USA).

Their alliance with CB/USA will lower their costs for materials, which they say could save buyers from 5 percent to 8 percent. Hughes-Edwards Builders is a member of the first CB/USA group to form in Tennessee. Nationwide, there are CB/USA affiliates in 15 cities.

Custom Builders USA was started in 2004 by builders in Northern Virginia and has grown to more than 425 builders and $1.9 billion in material and labor spending last year.

“For our customers in Tennessee, the savings can add up,” says Gene Hughes, co-founder of Hughes-Edwards. “Take for example, a $2 million dollar home.  That’s more than $125,000 that buyer is going save because of our involvement with CB/USA.”  Hughes says the timing of this alliance could not be more perfect. “With the housing market the way it is right now, every dollar counts.”

Hughes-Edwards Builders is one of a dozen other builders in the region chosen for the exclusive program.  The Nashville group is very selective, and Hughes-Edwards submitted referrals, recommendations and solid financials along with the other members. 

Hughes-Edwards’ beginnings date back to 1977, when the patriarch of the family, Gene Hughes, set out to build his own home in Hendersonville, TN. In 1997, Hughes partnered with his son-in-law, Bryan Edwards and formed this unique partnership.  Edwards says, “It’s truly a family affair at HEB. My brother-in-laws, Mike Hughes and Chris Hughes joined the company in 2001.” 

“Right now, our customers are expecting significant decreases in costs across the board, and this is one way for us to meet those expectations,” says Edwards.  Custom Builders USA prides itself on finding the best of the best, which benefits vendors too.  Edwards says that is one of the benefits about being affiliated with such a prestigious group. “Vendors will want to work with us, because they know the caliber is high and they will tell you, getting paid in this economy has become a problem for many of them.”

CB/USA selects two or three top vendors for each type of product needed from lumber to windows, to make sure they are getting top quality materials. “It will allow us to do what we do best,” says Hughes, “and that’s build beautiful homes.”

Edwards agrees and says, “The team at Hughes-Edwards Builders is proud of this latest accomplishment, but ultimately our customers are the ones who are going to benefit from our alliance with CB/USA.” 

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Media Contact:
Amelia Daniels
(865) 584-0550
adaniels@ackermannpr.com

About Hughes-Edwards
Hughes-Edwards is a Certified Builder with the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee. The association is committed to excellence and Hughes-Edwards exemplifies this standard.  Hughes-Edwards is also a member of the association, Green Building Council in Middle Tennessee.

Nationally, Hughes-Edwards Builders is a member of Southern Living’s Custom Builder Program and has been recognized for its efforts in green building. Bryan Edwards is a Certified Green Professional (CGP). HEB incorporates green building principles into homes construction, without driving up the costs.

About Custom Builders USA
CB/USA has built the industry’s strongest network of custom and independent builders, an elite group that represents over 4,000 annual housing starts and $3.1 billion in annual sales. Through its use of powerful business systems, superior knowledge, and consistent communications, CB/USA leverages its network’s power in the marketplace to deliver consistently competitive pricing, improved levels of service and rebate income to members.