Being an Essential Employer: What it Means for StyleCraft

Being an Essential Business these days comes with positive impacts for our local economy. It comes with a lot of responsibility, too.

As an Essential Business, a designation outlined in Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s Executive orders, we wanted to take a moment to share how we’re approaching both of these critical roles: ensuring the well-being of our workforce and the greater community, while also continuing the critical role of building Virginia’s infrastructure.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: WORKFORCE & HOMEBUYER SAFETY

While StyleCraft is open for business, it’s not business as usual. We’ve implemented all applicable protocols from federal and state health officials while also following guidance from the Home Building Association of Virginia (HBAV). And we’re adding our own proactive safety measures as well.

The well-being of our workforce is always our top priority, but we’re now doing more than ever to rise to today’s challenges. These measures to flatten the curve include:

• Adding handwashing stations to all construction sites
• Only allowing one trade partner to work on a home at a time
• Professionally cleaning Model Homes twice per week
• Continuously updating our trade partners with details about how they can maintain safety on job sites
• Participating in activities including HBAV’s Safety Stand Down, during which we paused all StyleCraft construction to huddle up with our team and trade partners — all 6 feet apart — to review important safety procedures

This approach extends to our homebuyers: Virtual Appointments conducted via smartphone, tablet, or computer are highly encouraged. And in-person visits to a Model Home require an appointment to ensure only one homebuyer is present at a time. In fact, we have developed a number of ways for homebuyers to explore our homes without leaving the comfort of theirs.

FUELING THE LOCAL ECONOMY

As many industries have paused operations amid stay-at-home orders, StyleCraft and other construction outfits are the exception, not the rule. Staying open means we’re putting our roughly 75 employees to work every day.

It also puts our valued trade partners to work, which include more than 250 in all. This puts money in their pocket, allowing them to support local businesses without worrying about when the next check arrives.

Not only are both these groups building homes in 13 communities currently under construction, but they’re also making repair calls for more than 540 homeowners currently under warranty.

That’s a lot of work, giving our local economy a boost when it needs it most.

WHY WE’RE ESSENTIAL

Ask a homebuyer who’s waiting patiently for their home to be completed why StyleCraft is an Essential Business. Perhaps this is someone with no Plan B if their home isn’t finished on time. And in a time of lockdowns and social distancing, options for alternative housing become much more limited, whether it’s living with a relative or staying at a hotel.

Right now, 186 homeowners are depending on us to complete their homes. And while obstacles ranging from potential supply chain issues to permitting complications challenge us each day, we’re working as hard as possible to make this happen.

After all, we’re all spending more time in our homes than ever. They’re our refuge and safety net — and it’s our job to ensure that none of our expectant homeowners are left on the outside looking in. That’s why our work is essential — and our workforce is determined to keep pace with the workload.

So, essentially, we’re not working in spite of risks to our well-being. We’re working to ensure the well-being of our entire community.

Stay home. And stay safe. We’ve got this.