Ed Nikles Custom Builder , Inc. wins 2010 Pocono Choice Award !

Ed Nikles, Sr.

MILFORD - In 2008, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders ( NAHB ) for its custom home building expertise. Now, in 2010, the company's outstanding reputation has caught the eye of local consumers in Monroe, Wayne, and Pike Counties. As 2010 Winner of the Pocono's Choice Award in the Home Builders Category, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is honored as the best and most well-known custom home-building company in the area.

The Pocono's Choice Competition, conducted by the Polk-Lepson Research Group, is a statistically accurate survey of consumer preference in the Poconos. After surveying hundreds of local consumers in Monroe, Wayne, and Pike Counties, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. was determined the best business in the Home Builders category, breaking the eight-year winning streak of last year's recipient.

With over forty six years of experience in the construction business, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. has built numerous custom homes in and throughout Pike County. Located in Milford, Pennsylvania, they have received many awards for their state of the art approach to custom building, including their line of "Green Country Homes". Their Green homes are ecologically friendly and save their homeowners thousands of dollars (up to 50%) in energy savings every year.

Recently, Nikles completed building a 4,600-square-foot custom home that scored silver 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, and Ed Nikles Sr. , Ed Nikles Jr. & Jim Weber are all Certified Green Professionals.

In 2009, 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 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, call Ed Nikles Custom Builder Inc. at (570) 296-9200 or

web : http://www.ednikles.com

Blog: http://ednikles.com

green blog : http://greencountryhomes.com        

greenweb: www.greencountryhomes.com

Center For Developmental Disabilities (CDD) to honor Ed Nikles Sr. with the "Children's Champion Award"at "Chef's Do Dinner" !

Barbara J. Buchanan, Chairperson of the 2010 CDD Chef's Do Dinner, is pleased to announce the "Chef's Do Dinner" will be held on March 23, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Best Western Inn at Hunt's Landing, and with only three hundred reservations available, seats will go fast.  Buchanan stated, "I am honored to chair this event and look forward to the community's continued support of the children with developmental disabilities in our community."

Every year, the Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD) hosts "Chef's Do Dinner", a delicious dining event featuring samples from the area's most beloved restaurants. With endless plate-filling opportunities and delicious desserts to top it off, the event is always remembered fondly and awaited anxiously by those who attend.

Silver Palate Sponsorship Packages are available for purchase and include tickets to the Chef's Do Dinner on March 23rd, as well as separate tickets to the Silver Palate Sponsorship Event, which will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at The Fork at Twin Lakes from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Program advertising opportunities are also available for sponsorship of the Back Cover, Inside Covers, Full, Half and Quarter Pages.

With previous participating restaurants including The Fork at Twin Lakes, The Muir House, The Waterwheel Café, and Hotel Fauchere, "Chef's Do Dinner" always offers diners a variety of scrumptious samples from some of the area's finest chefs. Guests are welcome to fill their plate as many times as possible, and, if there is something they particularly like, may speak to the chef himself about his culinary masterpiece at his restaurant's station.

Aside from offering a variety of culinary delights, "Chef's Do Dinner" honors a person or company every year with the "Children's Champion Award".  This year's recipient is Ed Nikles, Sr., President and CEO of Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc.  Ann Gillerlane, Executive Director of the CDD stated, "The CDD is pleased to honor Mr. Nikles for his ardent compassion and dedication, and for advocating continuous educational and therapeutic programs on behalf of the children with developmental disabilities and delays living in our community."

For over forty years, the Center for Developmental Disabilities has provided the Tri-State Area with educational, therapeutic, and family support services for children with developmental delays and disabilities, from birth to kindergarten age. As the only service of its kind in all of the Tri-State Area, many families depend on the CDD for their expert facilities, teachers, and family counseling to help them and their child progress. Proceeds from "Chef's Do Dinner" help the CDD to provide these services to families, so that their children might grow and laugh in ways that might have otherwise been impossible.

Tickets for this event sell out quickly, so early reservations are advised. Reservations must be confirmed by March 15^th or seats will not be held. Tickets are $85 per person. For more information, please contact Diane J. Chudoba, Vice President of Development at 570-296-3992 ext. 64 or e-mail dchudoba@cddkids.org.

Please support this wonderful cause which provides services to hundreds of local children with special abilities including my son , Colin E. Nikles ! Keepin' it Green !

Edward D. Nikles CAPS CAASH CGP GMB CGB CGR

I recently completed the 3 required courses for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB ) Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing ( CAASH ) Designation prior to the 2009 IBS Show in Las Vegas . The first course was Designing for the Active Adult , the second course was Selling to Active Adults & finally the last course was Trends & Research Methods to Define the Active Adult Lifestyle. I received notice yesterday , June 18th , that my application was approved by NAHB as one of only 6 select and qualified industry professionals in the State of Pennsylvania & 81 in the entire Country to earn this new NAHB designation !

The active adult market is the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry today and into the foreseeable future . The Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing ( CAASH ) designation gives housing professionals serving this rapidly burgeoning market the essential knowledge , tools , and skills that will help them succeed - from conducting initial research to design considerations and features to servicing the customer . I look forward to putting the CAASH & the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist ( CAPS ) designations to good use in servicing the needs of the 55+ market here in Pike County PA .

Edward D. Nikles CAASH , CAPS , CGP , GMB , CGB , CGR

On May 5th, I was notified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that I officially received my Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) Designation ! I wasted no time founding the group Aging-in-Place Specialists in ActiveRain . This designation is especially important to me as my 7 year old son , Colin , has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy & is Wheelchair bound . A couple years ago , I added an Accessible Ramp from my garage into my mudroom to allow Zero Threshold access to the main floor living areas . I purchased an Accessible Van with ramp to allow us to keep Colin in his wheelchair as we transport him . I know I will have to make Further Modifications to my own home as my son gets bigger & heavier ! My 4 year old 2 story office building is already fully accessible with Elevator & Ramps , as well as 3 Accessible Baths .

My 100 year old Maternal Grandmother , who lives with my parents ( Elder Care) , has severe osteoporosis & cataracts and uses a Walker to get around . She has a Hospital Bed in her 1st floor Converted Den/Bedroom & needs special Grab Bars in the bathroom . My 87 year old Paternal Grandmother . who Lives Independently in an Active Adult apartment complex nearby , also uses a walker to get around .

As a Father , Grandson , Custom Builder , Remodeler , & Realtor I look forward to your design & marketing ideas , product information , input & support as I continue on my journey to learn as much as I can about Aging-in-Place , Accessibility & Universal Design . I will be incorporating these Smart Design ideas in my own home & clients homes in the near future . Thanks in advance ! Edward D. Nikles CAPS , CGP , GMB , CGB , CGR

Today , I toured this Desert Contemporary Architectural Style Home featuring 8,816 Sq. Ft. of Living Space , a subterranean courtyard at the basement level , sky deck (closed due to the rainy weather ) , & wine cellar. It was well worth the 1 hour wait to see TNAH ! Equal parts laboratory , education tool , & product showcase , TNAH incorporates , elements such as builders' best practices , energy efficiency , indoor air quality , safety , convenience & aesthetics . It demonstrates that excellence in housing performance can be built into any home -- large or small , simple or complex . The design , construction , & amenities which showcased the latest in innovative products for the future of home building were driven by consumer preferences & expectations . I would recommend seeing it on line at www.TNAH.com if you can't visit it in person ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.

Hello everyone , I just arrived in Las Vegas well ahead of next Tuesday's IBS Opening ! I'm taking the 3 required courses for my Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH)  Designation prior to the IBS Show . The first course starting on Saturday is called Designing for the Active Adult , the second course starting on Sunday is called Selling to Active Adult & finally the last course on Monday is called Trends & Research Methods to Define the Active Adult Lifestyle . I'll also be attending the Opening Ceremonies with Coach Lou Holtz (Notre Dame) as the Keynote Speaker & as well as some of the other 250 Educational Seminars at the IBS Show . I'm really looking forward to seeing the many new and exciting products & services in the Exhibitor Display Areas , especially all the New Green Products . I'll be adding more shortly ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.

We are starting a new blog in order to keep in touch with our Customers , Trade Contractors , Suppliers & Friends ! We will be adding more shortly ! Happy New Year  ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.