Pre-built home company helping Ventura residents rebuild after wildfires

Many homes were destroyed by the Thomas Fire in the foothills above Ventura. Many are still in the beginning phases of the rebuilding process.

Kurt Goodjohn is the CEO of DVELE, a new company that has a mission is to help those who lost their homes in recent fires and rebuild as quickly and stress-free as possible.

“People just went through a terrible experience, they lost their homes and most people don’t understand or know that there is a better solutions out there to build a brand new home,” said Goodjohn.

Instead of onsite construction, houses are pre-built in a factory near San Bernadino. Then, in sections, the new home is delivered back to the property by truck.

“It is kind of like big lego blocks,” said Goodjohn. “Everything comes from the factory, toilets are in, kitchen counter is in, all the plumbing is done. It is delivered on a truck, and a huge crane comes, lifts them up and puts them down on the foundation.”

The company built and sold 50 homes last year. Everyone of them features high-end technology including a water filtration system that produces fresh water at every tap of the house, and a ventilation system which produces fresh clean air. The homes are built to meet fire codes along with some additional precautions.

“The vents in the house all have a screen that does not allow embers to enter the house which is important,” said Brandon Weiss, chief innovation officer at DVELE. “It is one of the ways most fires happen… when they enter the house.”

“The cost of our homes are within market,” said Goodjohn. “I think the difference is in a disaster situation where costs spike. Because we build in a controlled facility our costs stay the same.”

One of the new homes is already in place. The home is located at 752 Skyview Terr in Ventura. Contact Realty ONE Group Summit to schedule an appointment to see it.