Construction Business Review

Everlasting Homes Building Group
Turning the Tide on Natural Disasters with Resilient Homes

Your scariest visitors tonight might be Chucky from Child’s Play, Pennywise from It, or Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street. However, the weeks and months ahead could bring far scarier prospects—from hurricanes to wildfires, earthquakes, and other disasters. While the cinematic horrors are fictional and fleeting, natural disasters present a real and persistent threat. Population growth and concentrated dwellings have magnified their impact, and the conventional building industry hasn't evolved quickly enough, leaving many homes vulnerable to destruction. This has led homeowners to seek not just shelter but resilient, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that guarantee safety and longevity.

Everlasting Homes Building Group is an award-winning luxury custom home builder and leader in constructing Department of Energy (DoE) zero energy-ready homes known for their resilience, energy efficiency, and safety. The company uses innovative RSG 3-D structural concrete insulated panel technology to ensure the homes offer protection against natural calamities like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires, creating a secure and sustainable living environment.

“We believe that by combining our expertise as engineers and builders, we can create homes that are resilient, energy efficient and will last for generations. Our goal is to provide cost-effective solutions that meet the needs and desires of people who are looking for a long-term investment in their home.”

“We believe that by combining our expertise as engineers and builders, we can create homes that are resilient, energy-efficient, and will last for generations. Our goal is to provide cost-effective solutions that meet the needs and desires of people looking for a long-term investment in their home,” says George Mock, partner at Everlasting Homes.

A Legacy of Resilience: The Birth of Everlasting Homes

The company was established by Mock and his partner Franck Boursier, two former engineers and long-time friends at ExxonMobil, who shared a passion for building safe, resilient, and energy-efficient homes. Mock had built nearly 700 homes in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980s, while Boursier built large custom homes a few at a time. After retiring from ExxonMobil, Mock embarked on a project to build one of the largest subdivisions in Belize. During this time, he discovered the innovative RSG 3D panel technology, capable of withstanding natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. Recognizing the potential of this material, Mock and Boursier were inspired to start a company focused on building homes that prioritize safety, energy efficiency, and longevity.

Engineering Marvels: Homes That Stand the Test of Time

Everlasting Homes stands out in the custom home building industry for its focus on creating structures designed to last for generations. The SCIP system they use features high-strength, load-bearing, industrially prefabricated 3D modular panels. These panels are covered with shotcrete and galvanized mesh on either side of an expanded polystyrene Styrofoam (EPS) core and are connected by galvanized steel diagonals that penetrate the core. This results in a lightweight, three-dimensional truss system with exceptional stiffness and thermal properties, used for structural walls, intermediate floors, and roofs. These are designed to withstand 200-mile-per-hour winds and earthquakes measuring up to 9.0 on the Richter scale, offering homeowners peace of mind in the face of natural disasters.
The homes feature RESNET ratings in the low 40s, compared to an average home's rating of 100. This allows clients to save between 40 and 50 percent of the original cost over a 30-year mortgage on insurance, maintenance, and energy. As a committed U.S. DoE Partner providing zero energy-ready homes, Everlasting Homes is among the top 1 percent of builders in the country that enable homeowners to achieve a net-zero power bill.

Comprehensive Design and Installation Process

The design and installation process is carefully orchestrated, starting with a thorough consultation to determine the homeowner's requirements. The team then involves specialists to handle the boring for the foundation design. Preliminary architectural drawings are prepared, followed by obtaining a bid from a structural engineer to design the foundation and reinforce the structure with rebar for added strength before spraying it with concrete.

After all the information is gathered, the company obtains the building permit. The structure is then built by its own crew, followed by hiring contractors for drywall and cabinets. Everlasting Homes oversees all these interfaces to ensure seamless progress. An interior designer collaborates with the new homeowner to select every surface and detail, ensuring the final result aligns perfectly with the client's vision. This approach guarantees that the client receives exactly what they desire within the promised timeframe.

Smart Home Technology Integration for Superior Living

Technology integration is at the heart of the company’s building philosophy to enhance the efficiency and functionality of its homes. The smart home design features automated controls for equipment, appliances, lighting, and devices with internet connectivity. The house includes a 48-volt lighting system with Cat 5 wiring, allowing homeowners to control the lights using their smartphones. The HVAC systems are designed to operate in conditioned spaces, eliminating the inefficiency of traditional attic installations. The RSG panels used in constructing the walls, roofs, and floors offer an R20 insulation rating for top-notch energy efficiency. Everlasting Homes uses PEX piping for plumbing due to its flexibility, durability, and freeze-resistant qualities for reliability and longevity. The home's airtight construction allows air quality to be closely monitored and controlled, with sterilization and UV lighting treatments to keep it free of germs, allergens, and mold.

Ensuring Quality and Safety through Rigorous Inspections

A third-party inspector is responsible for assessing the overall structure and providing reports. This professional provides an unbiased assessment of the construction practices to verify that each home is built to the highest standards of safety and efficiency. This additional layer of scrutiny ensures that clients can trust in the durability and performance of their new home.
For the interior, a RESNET inspector examines the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to ensure compliance with DoE guidelines for zero energy-ready homes. After inspecting and certifying the home, this information is submitted to list the property on the government website as zero energy-ready.

Building Excellence with a Dedicated Team

The team possesses the skills and experience required to execute high-end house construction processes accurately and efficiently. The objective is to provide homes that save money and lives. One project that exemplifies the team's capabilities is a 15,333-square-foot custom home featuring a pool on the second floor and an NBA-sized basketball court. The clients had specific and distinct requirements and were involved in every step of the design process. The result was a home that perfectly matched their vision while offering the safety and energy efficiency that are the hallmarks of its construction. The home will be featured on Bloomberg TV’s World's Greatest, showcasing the company’s innovative approach to home building.

Expanding Resilient Homes to More Communities

Everlasting Homes is focused on expanding its reach through strategic investments and partnerships. The goal is to open 100 branches across regions prone to natural disasters to provide resilient and energy-efficient homes to more people. The company is actively seeking investors to help achieve this vision and bring its life-saving, money-saving homes to communities across the Gulf Coast, West Coast, and beyond. Combining cutting-edge technology with accurate design and construction practices, Everlasting Homes is setting new standards in the industry and is committed to delivering unparalleled safety, efficiency, and comfort to homeowners, making every house a true haven.