March 26, 2012
Nikles Earns Graduate Master Remodeler Certification
Milford, PA – Ed Nikles Jr., of Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. has been named one of the remodeling industry’s top professionals by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Recently earning the Graduate Master Remodeler (GMR) education designation - the 1st homebuilder in Pennsylvania to do so, and 20th overall in the United States- he is now placed among a select group of remodelers nationwide.
NAHB Education, which encompasses the GMR, is sponsored locally by the Pike County Builders Association. “I am delighted to have met the requirements for this designation,” said Nikles. “The program only enhances our knowledge and expertise, and I believe it will allow us to provide a better service to our clients. I am grateful to have been recognized by the NAHB.” Ed Nikles, Jr. has been a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) since 1993.
To earn the GMR designation, a remodeler must be an active Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) for at least nine years, possess 15 years of remodeling experience, complete an intensive series of industry-specific education and training, provide letters of recommendation, submit proof of home improvement contractor registration (for PA), insurance and adhere to a strict code of ethics. GMR stands for dedication to excellence, experience and professionalism within the remodeling industry.
The GMR program represents a graduate master level of remodeling experience and educational excellence, which is expected to be continued throughout Nikles’ career. The program also requires all graduates to maintain their designation by completing 12 hours of continuing education every three years. “Our company highly values education,” said Ed Nikles, Jr. “Over the course of my 25-year career, I have taken over 30 continuing education courses through NAHB. Our belief is that, essentially, we have been schooled to do your home work.”
Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is a full-service home and remodeling company that specializes in custom, high-performance, and green home design. In 2008, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. became the 1st builder in Pike County to build a Gold Certified Green Home; since then, Ed Nikles, Jr. has earned the 1st Master Certified Green Professional (Master CGP) designation in Pennsylvania, signifying his in-depth knowledge of green building science and methods. With this knowledge, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. offers clients a variety of building and remodeling options to ensure that the homes created are enjoyed for many years to come.
To learn more about the Graduate Master Remodeler educational designation, visit www.nahb.org.
For more information on Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., please visit them online at www.ednikles.com, or call 1-570-296-9200.
June 9th, 2011
Ed Nikles Receives “Distinguished Alumnus Award” from The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades
Milford, PA – On Saturday, June 4th, Ed Nikles Sr., of local award-winning construction company Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., proudly received the 2011 “Distinguished Alumnus Award” from his alma mater, The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades. This award is given to alumni who have gained outstanding achievements in their field and service to the community, and meet the Williamson standard of character.
The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, located in Media, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1888 by Isaiah Vansant Williamson with the goal of providing young men a purpose and opportunity in life. Even today, Williamson offers free tuition, room and board for all students who are accepted into its rigorous and disciplined programs. Basing its education on its five core values of faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service, Williamson aims to prepare its students to be useful and respected members of society, with a focus on giving back through community service.
Ed Nikles Sr. graduated from Williamson’s carpentry program in 1962, and started a construction company in 1963 with a partner doing remodeling projects. In 1984 Ed began his own business, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., which has gained notoriety throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania for their state-of-the-art, award-winning custom and green homes. Some of his honors include the Pennsylvania Builders Association’s “Distinguished Achievement” Award in 2004, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” award in 2006, the National Association of Home Builder’s “Custom Home Builder of the Year” award in 2008, and most recently the Pocono’s Choice Award as “Leader in Home Building” in 2010.
Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is a full-service home and construction company that specializes in custom, high-performance, and green home design. In 2008, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. became the first custom builder in Pike County to build a Gold Certified Green Home; since then, he has earned the first Master Certified Green Professional designation in Pennsylvania, signifying his in-depth knowledge of green building science and methods. With this knowledge, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. offers clients a variety of building and appliance options that can save thousands in utility bills, without breaking their budget.
For more information on the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, please visit their website at www.williamson.edu or call 1-610-566-1776.
For more information on Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., please call 1-570-296-9200.
May 18th, 2011
Ed Nikles, Jr Earns 1st Master CGP Designation in Pennsylvania
Milford, PA – On May 11th, 2011 Ed Nikles Jr., of Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc earned his Master Certified Green Professional Designation and became one of a select group of professional builders and remodelers nationwide who have earned the Master Certified Green Professional (Master CGP) designation, identifying him as someone with an in-depth knowledge of green building science and methods.
The Master CGP program is administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Education. Ed Nikles Jr., is currently the only builder in Pennsylvania to have earned this designation.
With four required courses, the Master CGP curriculum incorporates a variety of information tailored to the science of green building and proper green project management practices. It also features training by leading green building industry practitioners on a range of topics including building science techniques, the high-performance home and marketing strategies for selling green. Those earning the designation also learn to incorporate green building certification into their scheduling and project management.
Master CGP graduates are required to maintain their designation by completing 12 hours of continuing education every three years and must build and certify three projects to a local, state or national green building program.
The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 160,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct 80 percent of the more new housing units projected for 2011, making housing one of the largest engines of economic growth in the country.
In 2010, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc completed building a 4,600-square-foot custom home that scored gold under the NAHB program and has a 5-Star Plus Energy Star rating. In 2008, he became the first custom builder in Pike County to build a Gold Certified Green home; Ed Nikles Jr., Ed Nikles Sr., and James Weber are all Certified Green Professionals (CGP).
In 2009, the Nikles introduced another new line of construction called Smart Design, in which a plethora of options are incorporated into the home building and operation process for highly sustainable living. These options include choices in price, size, energy efficiency, green options, universal design, products, and land. The goal of Smart Design is to create homes that enable families to live more comfortably, with lower maintenance and utility bills, while still reducing the impact the home has on the environment. Energy, water consumption, building design and materials, and indoor air quality are all taken into consideration during the design, construction and operation of a smartly designed home.
As a full-service Home Construction and Design Company, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc has won various local, state, and national awards including the Pennsylvania Builders Association’s “Distinguished Builders” award in 2004, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” award in 2006, the National Association of Home Builders “Custom Homebuilder of the Year” award in 2008, and most recently the Pocono’s Choice Award as the “Leader in Home Building” in 2010.
For more information on Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., please call 1-570-296-9200
January 3rd, 2011
Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. Joins First Energy’s Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program
Milford, PA – Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is excited to announce their acceptance as a participating builder in the Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program. This program is offered by First Energy Corporation’s Pennsylvania utility companies including Metropolitan Edison, Pennsylvania Electric, and Pennsylvania Power.
All homes built as part of this program must be at least 15% more efficient than required by building code. The average High-Performance Energy Star home designed and built by Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is approximately 44% more efficient than required by code: a statistic that has earned them many awards, including the 2010 Green House Home of the Year Award from the Pike County Builder’s Association.
The Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program is intended to encourage builders and buyers of new homes within the utility companies’ Pennsylvania service territories to include energy efficiency as a design feature. Homes will receive a stringent evaluation conducted by an independent, certified home energy rater to determine whether they meet the program’s 15% minimum above code threshold requirement.
Energy efficient homes can save homebuyers thousands of dollars in energy costs throughout the life of the building. Investing in efficiency measures during construction can continue to provide payback for decades, like many of the homes built by Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. which save their owners, on average, approximately $2,000 a year in utility bills.
For more information on Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., please call 1-570-296-9200. For more information on First Energy’s Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program, please visit www.energysavepa-newhomes.com
October 5, 2010
Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. wins award for primary home under 1500 Sq Ft
Milford, PA - At their annual 2010 awards banquet, the Pike County Builders Association presented Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. with the prestigious "Primary Home of the Year" award, in the category of less than 1,500 square feet. Their newest custom home utilizes many of the energy efficient and high performance technologies that have made Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. a celebrated custom builder, both nationally and locally.
Although this home is small, 1102 Sq Ft., it fits the needs perfectly for a retired widow who wanted a place that she could manage and would be low in utility costs and require very little maintenance.
The covered porch with its classic round columns and colonial railings makes for a perfect setting for her wicker furniture, so that she can sit there and enjoy her wooded surroundings. The living room features a direct vent gas log fireplace which is also viewed from the dining area. The kitchen is compact but with ample cabinets for storage and features a pass-through that looks out into the living room/dining area. The master bedroom is comfortably sized and has its own private bath and walk-in closet. The guest bedroom and guest bath are for the grandchildren when they visit. Although this house is built on a crawl space, adequate room for storage is provided in the garage. This truly turned out to be the ideal home for "Grandma."
As a full-service Home Construction and Design Company, Ed Nikles has won various local, state, and national awards including the Pennsylvania Builders Association’s "Distinguished Builders" award in 2004, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year" award in 2006, the National Association of Home Builders "Custom Homebuilder of the Year" award in 2008, and most recently the Pocono’s Choice Award as the "Leader in Home Building" in 2010 and Pike County Builders Association 2010 custom primary home, best architectural design and builder construction, in the 3500-4500 sq ft category.
Nikles is best known for building larger custom homes, but also designs smaller economically efficient homes to satisfy those with a limited budget. For more information regarding Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc.’ s energy-efficient homes, please call (570) 296-9200.
September 27, 2010
Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. wins primary home of the year 2010
Milford, PA – Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., recently won the primary home of the year award at the first annual 2010 Pike County Builders Association (PCBA) awards banquet on September 14th. The custom primary home won for best architectural design and builder construction, in the 3500-4500 sq ft category.
Ed Nikles Sr., recently said "The owners of this home came to us with a picture of a home in a magazine that they liked the look of. We took that picture and the list of their wants and desires and, along with our architect, designed a custom, one-of-a kind home for them." This 3877 sq. ft home is situated on a five-acre lot and consists of an expansive Master Bedroom suite with a vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace, large Master Bath with a double vanity sink, large tile shower and whirlpool tub, walk-in closet plus additional closets and direct access to a rear sundeck. The large foyer opens up into the vaulted ceiling Great Room with its floor to ceiling glass wall and fireplace. To the right of the Great Room is the informal eating nook which is adjacent to the large U-shaped kitchen with its center island. The traditional cherry cabinets with the granite tops and tile backsplash add an elegant look to the kitchen.
Off to one side of the kitchen is the formal dining room, and off to the other side is the entrance to the three-car garage and also the laundry room with a convenient 1/2 bath.
The open staircase leading to the second floor brings you to a bridge-way overlooking both the Great Room on one side and the Foyer on the other side. The balcony then leads you to three guest bedrooms, one with a private bath and the other two with a connecting bath, sharing a shower. Ample closets are provided in each bedroom. The front of the house has a large entry deck, part of which is covered by a roof. The rear of the house has a massive sundeck ideal for relaxing or entertaining guests.
Below the deck is a walk-out section of the basement leading to a concrete paver patio with a hot tub tucked into a landscaped rock wall.
As a full-service Home Construction and Design Company, Ed Nikles has won various local, state, and national awards including the Pennsylvania Builders Association’s "Distinguished Builders" award in 2004, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year" award in 2006, the National Association of Home Builders "Custom Homebuilder of the Year" award in 2008, and most recently the Pocono’s Choice Award as the "Leader in Home Building" in 2010.
For more information regarding Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc.’ s energy-efficient homes, please call (570) 296-9200.
November 26, 2008
Nikles Wins National Recognition
As published in the Pike County Courier
National Association of Home Builders honors Pike builder
Milford – Ed Nikles, President, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. of Milford has been named as the 2008 Custom Home Builder of the Year.
The award was announced at an October luncheon honoring Nikles in Austin, Texas, at which custom home builders from throughout the United States and Canada gathered to attend the National Association of Home Builders’ annual Custom Builder Symposium.
Before an overflow crowd of hundreds of custom home builders, including Ed Nikles, Sr. and his son and business partner Ed Nikles, Jr., Randy Rinehart, Chair of the Symposium, made the surprise announcement, stating, "The field of nominees was narrowed to twenty national finalists from among our more than 240,000 member companies. This is only the third time NAHB has presented this prestigious national award."
"Through this award, we recognize a custom builder for his or her outstanding craftsmanship in building one-of-a-kind custom homes as well their exemplary business practices. We recognize their outstanding leadership both in our industry and in their own community. It is also a testament to the professional and ethical manner in which this year’s recipient conducts his own business, contributes to our industry and participates in his community. This award has special merit, as the award committee is comprised of the two past recipients as well as numerous other outstanding custom builders from around the country."
Rinehart then called honoree Ed Nikles to the podium. In accepting the award, Nikles recognized his wife and partner, Beth, and gave credit to the outstanding contributions and support of their son and partner, Ed Nikles, Jr. He also thanked their staff, their trade contractors and their customers who come back to have him design and build additional homes and additions and continue to refer customers to them.
Long considered the leading custom home builder in Pike County and recognized as a premier custom builder in Pennsylvania, Ed Nikles co-founded the design-build firm, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. with his wife, Beth, after some years in the construction business. For over twenty years, their son, Ed Nikles, Jr., has also been a full partner in the company.
"We place great value on honesty, integrity, loyalty and old fashioned hard work," says Nikles. "We expect that, not only within our own company, but from all others whom we employ and with whom we work, as well." By demanding the highest standards, Nikles has been able to build more than 3,500 homes for satisfied customers.
To find out more information about Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., visit them at their office at 104 Bennett Avenue, Milford, PA or online at www.ednikles.com or www.greencountryhomes.com where you will see the four new energy star certified homes designed specifically with the homeowners’ own needs and requirements in mind. Call Ed Nikles, Sr. and Ed Nikles, Jr. at 570-296-9200 with any questions.
Ed Nikles’ Achievement record
Ed Nikles is the recipient of many local, state and national awards during his forty five-year career, including the national designation as one of "America’s Best Builders" by Builder Magazine in 1992. Nikles is also the recipient of Custom Home Magazine’s 1995 "Pacesetter Award" for outstanding Customer Service and Remodeling Magazine’s "Big 50" Remodeler Award in 1997. In 1984, the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) honored him with their "Builder of the Year" award.
PBA presented the rarely awarded "Distinguished Achievement Award", to Nikles in 2004 for his outstanding service to the State Association and its members. The Founding and Charter President of the Pike County Builders Association, Ed Nikles, Sr., went on to serve as the President of the Pennsylvania Builders Association, headquartered in Harrisburg.
Nikles has authored several books and publications for NAHB and PBA, generously donating the publication rights to them, as well. He served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Home Builders in 2001-2002. A 1962 graduate of the Williamson School of Mechanical Trades, Nikles is also a NAHB Graduate Master Builder, a NAHB Certified Graduate Remodeler and a NAHB Certified Green Professional.
