Page 26 - Green Builder May-June 2020 Issue

Consumer anxiety. When housing
terms are correlated with coronavirus
keywords, the topics of rent, paying an
existing mortgage and, to a lesser
degree, new home purchasing show up
frequently in social postings.

“Still Booked Solid”

Ted Clifton, Owner/CEO GB: How are you retaining employees? We are still booked solid for about two years,
Clifton View Homes and Zero- TC: Despite the Governor’s orders, we have and nobody has cancelled.
Energy Plans LLC, Bellingham, WA continued working where we have the products GB: Any material shortages?
to do so. We have a very strict policy of only one
TC: Certain products are simply unavailable due
GB: Is the coronavirus changing your person per job site, and NO trips to the store if to the Governor shutting down the suppliers.
business? you need more supplies. The GB: What changes will the coronavirus
TC: We are in a state that has lumber yards will deliver to impose upon the building industry?
shut down all non-government the doorstep, so they don’t TC: I fear we are going to lose a lot more small
residential and commercial need to come in, and we builders and subcontractors who don’t have the
construction, so yes. don’t need to go out. This will staying power to weather this storm. I do not,
GB: How are clients reacting? only be a temporary change, however, foresee any lasting changes in the way
TC: Our customers don’t know but will continue as long as we build homes as a result of this. That being
what to do. They are stuck with there is significant risk from said, I think a lot more people will be thinking
half-finished homes, and banks the virus. about indoor air quality. Also, priorities may
that want them finished on time, GB: Have you changed shift to features people feel are “must haves,”
but we are not allowed to work. We selling techniques as well, now that they have been cooped up inside their
cannot get doors, because our door and what’s the impact? homes for a month or more—but so far, I haven’t
supplier is also shut down by the TC: No. As with Zero-Energy seen what those might be.
Governor. Without doors, we can’t install the Plans LLC, we are already offering the right
finish trim, even if we did “sneak in” and work. product at the right time. It’s too soon to tell.

Note: Ted Clifton asked us to mention that his design company, Zero-Energy Plans, has had a more-positive COVID-19 experience than his construction
firm, and has seen positive growth during the COVID-19 crisis, with more inquiries and more sales of plans for high-performance homes. The State
of Washington was scheduled to re-open in four phases shortly after this interview was conducted (starting May 5). In the second phase, new
construction would be allowed to resume as an essential business. —Editor

20 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2020 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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