KB Home South Bay Achieves Quality Certification From NAHB Research Center for Superior Commitment to Quality Assurance

UPPER MARLBORO, Md., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The NAHB Research Center today announced the National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certification of KB Home South Bay. Headquarted in Pleasanton, Calif., KB Home South Bay is a division of the publicly-held builder KB Home . KB Home South Bay was recently awarded the quality assurance certification following a rigorous NAHB Research Center audit of the implementation of their quality assurance systems. The company joins the elite group of builders who have successfully completed the distinguished NHQ Certifed Builder program since its launch in early 2005, including KB Home's two other Northern California divisions. Additional KB Home divisions participating in the program are working toward certification by the end of the year.

Formally launched at the 2005 International Builders' Show, the NHQ Certified Builder program is designed to increase efficiency and consistency in building practices. The program provides a rigorous and complete review of business practices, and ensures that all elements of the company's quality assurance system are incorporated to provide greater customer satisfaction. To achieve certification, KB Home South Bay conducted field and office training to implement their quality program, work more efficiently with their trade contractors, and maintain the continuous improvement efforts required by all NHQ Programs.

NAHB Research Center president Michael Luzier said, "It is exciting to see the positive way the NHQ Program is impacting the industry. Participating builders are realizing greater efficiencies and higher rates of customer satisfaction as a result -- tangible benefits that I am confident will continue and expand as the program matures. I'd like to thank KB Home South Bay for taking part in the program -- they are industry leaders whose partnership continues to be a vital part of program expansion and the evolution of quality assurance in home building."

KB Home South Bay -- Quality Construction, Satisfied Customers

KB Home has been constructing homes across the country since 1957, and is an industry pioneer in quality assurance. KB Home South Bay divison's recent NHQ Certification reinforces the company's overarching commitment to customer service, building trust and continuously improving construction quality -- sending a powerful message to customers.

KB Home South Bay division President Drew Kusnick said, "Becoming an NHQ Certified builder was a clear next step in the progression of KB Home's ongoing commitment to superior customer service. This is a milestone in our continuous effort to build quality homes and exceed our customers' expectations."

In November 2003, KB Home Chairman and CEO Bruce Karatz announced that the company would become the first large builder in the country to implement the NHQ Certified Trade Contractor program nationwide. A partnership that will serve to provide greater efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness to the benefit of KB Home's customers. So far, as a result of program implementation, KB Home's trades in the South Bay area are now required to complete quality assurance management training, with some on their way towards achieving NHQ Certified status.

Frank Alexander, NHQ program director at the NAHB Research Center, said, "By focusing builders and trade contractors on getting the job done right the first time, NHQ certification differentiates those who talk about quality from those who can demonstrate it. KB Home South Bay certainly represents that differentiation."

About the National Housing Quality Program: The NAHB Research Center launched the NHQ Program in 1993. The NHQ Program has introduced many of the concepts of the worldwide quality revolution to home building and remodeling, and provides numerous opportunities for collaboration among the various industry stakeholders. NHQ activities include the Certified Builder Program, Certified Trade Contractor Program, Manufacturer Training Certification program, and co-sponsorship of the National Housing Quality Award Program. Response among builders, trade contractors, remodelers, code officials, building inspectors, and the insurance industry to the NHQ Program's quality initiatives has been very positive. Builders interested in starting on the path to quality certification can visit http://www.nahbrc.org/quality, email quality@nahbrc.org., or call Rita Knab, NHQ program coordinator, at (800) 638-8556, ext. 6225.

ABOUT THE NAHB RESEARCH CENTER: Located in Upper Marlboro, Md., the NAHB Research Center promotes innovation in housing technology to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of homes and home building products. Created over 40 years ago as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the NAHB Research Center has established itself as the source for reliable, objective information and research on housing construction and development issues. Through its various testing and certification services, the Research Center seal is internationally-recognized as a mark of product quality and an assurance of product performance.

ABOUT KB HOME: Building homes for nearly half a century, KB Home is one of America's premier homebuilders with domestic operating divisions in some of the fastest-growing regions and states: West Coast-California; Southwest- Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico; Central-Colorado, Illinois, Indiana and Texas; and Southeast-Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Kaufman & Broad S.A., the Company's publicly-traded French subsidiary, is one of the largest homebuilders in France. In fiscal 2004, the Company delivered homes to 31,646 families in the United States and France. KB Home also offers complete mortgage services through Countrywide KB Home Loans, a joint venture with Countrywide Financial Corporation. Founded in 1957, and winner of the 2004 American Business Award for Best Overall Company, KB Home is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KBH." For more information about any of KB Home's new home communities, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit http://www.kbhome.com/.

CONTACT: Daniel Weidman 310-231-4031 dweidman@kbhome.com Kimberly Warren 800-638-8556, x6269 kwarren@nahbrc.org