Quality-assurance diplomas awarded

The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association has issued diplomas to the first class of local home building and subcontracting companies to complete the preliminary phase of the association's new Quality Assurance Program.

The association voted in September to implement the program in an effort to upgrade the caliber of construction practices of home building trade contractors and workers in the Las Vegas area. The association is the local affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Home Builders.

Mark Tomlinson, 2002 SNHBA president, awarded QAP Implementation Completion Diplomas on Dec. 20 to 12 companies that completed the initial phase. They were: home builders Carina Corp., KB Home of Nevada, Pulte Homes and Signature Homes; framing subcontractors Gary G. Day Construction, Knipp Brothers Inc., Pratte Development and Vegas General Construction; drywall subcontractors Champion Drywall, Hutchins Drywall and Pete King Corp., and stucco subcontractor Gypsum Construction.

The diplomas represent the completion of the first step toward national certification in quality assurance from the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, which provides expertise and services to federal, state and local government agencies, manufacturers, builders and remodelers. Resource center representatives oversee the program.

Inaugural class members attended a series of workshops geared toward their specific trades. They were required to appoint a quality representative, develop quality assurance manuals, and establish an implementation process.

The companies will be eligible for a certification audit after training is completed and the guidelines have been in place for six months. The companies will be audited annually for re-certification.

Builders and contractors interested in the program should call SNHBA representative John Pinna at 794-0117.

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