Clayton Homes (Sparta, Tennessee) introduced HouseSmart Construction in response to greater demand for affordable housing and the increase in purchases of off-site built homes. The new company specifically looks at the complexities of site construction and integrates the steps of site construction with delivery and installation for improved quality, accountability and an overall better customer experience.

That integration includes the purchase of RCB Trucking with an eye toward growing the business nationally.

"We believe this expansion of our retail division is a necessity for our team to better elevate and support our industry while delivering on promises to our customers," said Danny Warrick, president of Clayton Homes Retail. "It will serve as a platform to partner with home centers, contractors and Clayton home building facilities to improve off-site built home construction quality together. Ultimately HouseSmart Construction will help us serve our company purpose, which is opening doors to a better life."

According to an article in Forbes, off-site construction, also known as prefabricated or modular home building, is often associated with trailer parks where homes sit above ground, at least in the U.S. This type of construction, however, is common in Denmark and Sweden where it accounts for as much as 90% of new home construction. The benefits of off-site built homes include lower costs due to economies of scale and lower labor costs because production and build take less time.

HouseSmart Construction will “improve services, skilled labor and capacity in markets where demand is highest” and is not intended to replace established relationships between home centers and local contractors.

Off-site built housing is trending toward homes with features similar to those of traditional site-built homes, such as permanent foundations, garages, porches and landscaping. As a result, the need for improved site prep services increased.

Learn more about off-site home building at Clayton Homes.