Special to Realty/Builder Connection
Future homebuyers will be the biggest beneficiaries of a new project unveiled by the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s new president, Andy Chambers.
The 2010 President Project will be a demonstrational showhome that will allow area builders to learn the latest in green building techniques and new products during the home’s construction phase. Upon completion, the home will be sold with a portion of the proceeds going to Builders Care, NEFBA’s charitable arm.
With technological building advances and energy-saving green features, the home will be built on an infill site in Jacksonville’s Murray Hill neighborhood this year.
Representatives from affiliated trades and suppliers will contribute building materials, supplies and manpower for the home. During the building process, NEFBA’s builder members will have a hands-on opportunity to learn about the latest building products as well as new installation techniques.
With a groundbreaking scheduled for this month, Chambers anticipates the home will be completed in late June and the organization plans to market and sell the finished product in July. By that time, NEFBA leaders anticipate that more than 25 trades and suppliers will have been involved with the project.
Chambers developed the concept after Raised Floor Living, a promotional program sponsored by the Southern Pine Council and the Engineered Wood Association, hosted an event at the NEFBA offices last year.
In addition to teaching participants about the benefits of raised floor construction, the event also included a raised floor competition in which the winner received architectural and structural plans for a raised floor home, as well as $15,000 in hard costs for building the home.
Chambers, president of MasterCraft Builder Group, won the competition and the idea for the President Project was conceived.
“I realized this could be an awesome opportunity for our membership to come together and support Builders Care, our charitable organization, as well as providing our members an incredible hands-on opportunity to learn about a variety of new building products and advanced building techniques,” said Chambers, who presented his ideas for an educational and demonstrational home to Raised Floor Living and to NEFBA’s Executive Board, resulting in the 2010 President Project.
“We are going to have a lot of fun, learn a lot and ultimately help our own industry as well as area homeowners who will benefit with the information gleaned through this endeavor.”
A blog post, www.presidentprojectblog.blogspot.com