Overview
| Market Position | Top-ten U.S. public homebuilder; delivered 10,792 homes in 2025 across 16 states (source: SEC 10-K, FY 2025) |
| Stock Ticker | NYSE: CCS |
| Headquarters | Greenwood Village, Colorado |
| Affiliated Lender | Inspire Home Loans (wholly owned subsidiary); 82% buyer capture rate in 2024 (source: SEC 10-K, FY 2024) |
| Founded | 2002, by Dale Francescon and Robert Francescon (source: SEC 10-K) |
| Revenue | $4.1 billion in FY 2025; $4.4 billion in FY 2024 (source: SEC 10-K filings) |
Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is a publicly traded homebuilder headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, founded in 2002 by brothers Dale and Robert Francescon. The company operates through two brands: Century Communities, which offers traditional new-home communities with on-site sales teams, and Century Complete, which pioneered an online homebuying model for move-in-ready spec homes. Approximately 94% of homes delivered in 2025 were priced below FHA mortgage limits, positioning the company squarely in the entry-level and affordable segments. (Source: SEC 10-K, FY 2025)
The company has grown through acquisitions, including UCP, Inc. in 2017 (approximately $356 million in aggregate transaction value), Anglia Homes LP in 2024 ($127 million), and Landmark Homes of Tennessee in 2024 ($33.4 million). Century Communities operates a vertically integrated financial services platform through its wholly owned subsidiary Inspire Home Loans, along with Parkway Title (title insurance and settlement) and IHL Home Insurance Agency. (Sources: SEC 10-K filings; investor press releases)
Like other large production builders, Century Communities has faced construction defect litigation, particularly in Colorado, where the company was founded and maintains significant operations. The company's SEC filings identify construction defect claims, warranty costs, and the limited availability of product liability insurance as material risk factors. (Source: SEC 10-K, Risk Factors)
Documented Contract Patterns
The following patterns have been documented in Century Communities purchase agreements. Not every contract contains every clause, and language varies by state and community.
Mandatory Binding Arbitration
Century Communities' terms require that all disputes be resolved through binding arbitration under JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules, initiated by written notice. The Federal Arbitration Act governs enforceability, and the arbitrator's decision is final and binding. This eliminates the right to a jury trial and typically limits discovery. (Source: Century Communities Terms of Use, centurycommunities.com)
Class Action Waiver
The arbitration framework effectively prevents buyers from joining class action lawsuits, requiring each dispute to be resolved individually. This prevents homeowners in a community from pooling resources to address systematic defects. (Source: Century Communities Terms of Use)
Implied Warranty of Habitability Waiver
Production builder purchase agreements in the markets where Century operates commonly require buyers to waive the implied warranty of habitability in favor of a builder-provided limited warranty. Buyers should examine whether the contract replaces common-law warranty protections with narrower express warranties.
Deposit Forfeiture Clause
Like other production builders, Century Communities contracts may allow the builder to retain the earnest money deposit as liquidated damages if the buyer fails to close. Buyers should verify refund conditions and whether builder-caused delays or defects trigger any deposit protections.
Restrictive Limited Warranty
Century Communities provides a one-year workmanship and materials warranty from closing, with structural warranty coverage extending through the applicable state statute of repose or ten years, whichever is shorter. Coverage scope, exclusions, and claim deadlines are defined by the builder. (Source: SEC 10-K, FY 2024)
Warranty Voiding / Access Requirements
Certain homeowner actions, such as failure to perform maintenance on the builder's schedule or denying property access for inspections, may void warranty coverage. This shifts compliance burden to the buyer and can be used to deny otherwise valid claims.
Independent Inspection Restrictions
Production builder contracts may limit or discourage independent third-party inspections before closing. Buyers should negotiate for the right to hire their own inspector and ensure adequate inspection windows are included in the contract.
Material and Plan Substitution
The builder may reserve the right to substitute materials, finishes, appliances, and floor plans with alternatives deemed comparable at the builder's sole discretion. Buyers may receive different products than those shown in model homes or marketing materials.
Affiliated Lender Incentive Pressure
Century Communities may offer financial incentives contingent on using its wholly owned mortgage subsidiary, Inspire Home Loans. In 2024, 82% of Century buyers financed through Inspire. Buyers should compare rates and terms with independent lenders before committing. (Source: SEC 10-K, FY 2024)
Closing Date Pressure
Contracts may impose penalties or allow the builder to terminate the agreement if the buyer fails to close by the designated date. This creates pressure to close even when unresolved defects or financing issues remain.
Limitation of Liability / Damages Cap
The contract may cap the builder's total liability or limit the types of damages a buyer can recover, potentially excluding consequential, incidental, or punitive damages. This can leave buyers without a meaningful remedy for significant defects.
Legal History
Selected cases and investigations involving Century Communities construction quality, contract enforcement, and lending practices.
HOA v. Century Communities (Aurora, CO) — $19.48M Arbitration Award
An 82-unit townhome community association in Aurora, Colorado was awarded $19.48 million against Century Communities after a 17-day arbitration. The arbitrator found Century liable for breaching the duty to construct with reasonable care. Defects included leaks, foundation movement, structural framing problems, drainage issues, and fire code violations. The award is believed to be among the largest construction defect arbitration awards in Colorado. (Source: Burg Simpson law firm; Law Week Colorado)
Condominium Association v. Century Communities (Broomfield, CO) — $8.5M Award
A 98-home condominium association in Broomfield, Colorado was awarded more than $8.5 million against Century Communities following a three-week arbitration. Defects included structural problems, improper balcony construction, failing brick facade, concrete defects, and waterproofing failures. The award exceeded the amount Century had offered to settle. (Source: Hearn & Fleener LLC; Law Week Colorado)
Candelas Townhomes Association v. Century Communities
Construction defect lawsuit filed August 11, 2025, alleging widespread problems at the Candelas Townhomes project including roof installation failures, exterior cladding issues, drainage problems, and concrete deterioration resulting in water intrusion and property damage. (Source: Law.com Radar; court records)
Century Communities Inc. LLC v. Secretary of Labor
The D.C. Circuit upheld an OSHA citation against Century Communities as a controlling employer after a 2016 incident at a residential construction site in Alpharetta, Georgia, where a subcontractor operated a crane within twenty feet of live overhead power lines. The resulting electrical arc flash seriously injured two workers, one of whom later died. OSHA assessed a $12,675 penalty. The court affirmed Century's liability under the Multi-Employer Worksite Policy. (Source: FindLaw; OSHA)
Century Communities of Georgia v. Selective Way Insurance Co.
Century Communities sued its insurer after Selective Way refused to defend in an underlying construction defect case involving property damage from pollutants at a Georgia housing development. The Eleventh Circuit ruled that Selective Way had not waived its Pollution Exclusion defense, even though the insurer omitted it from its original denial letter. The decision left Century without insurance coverage for the underlying claims. (Source: Justia; JD Supra)
What Buyers Should Know
- Read every page of the purchase agreement before signing. Century Communities contracts are standardized documents drafted by the builder's legal team. Key clauses affecting your rights, including arbitration provisions, warranty limitations, and deposit forfeiture terms, may appear in addenda or supplemental documents.
- Hire your own real estate attorney. Do not rely on the builder's title company (Parkway Title) or closing agent to explain your rights. An independent attorney licensed in your state can identify problematic clauses before you sign.
- Insist on an independent home inspection. If the contract restricts third-party inspections, negotiate for that right in writing before signing. Given Century's documented construction defect history in Colorado, an independent inspection is especially important.
- Understand the arbitration clause. Century Communities requires binding arbitration under JAMS rules for all disputes. This eliminates your right to a jury trial and may limit your ability to pursue class action claims. Know what you are giving up before signing.
- Compare lenders before using Inspire Home Loans. Century may offer closing cost credits or rate buydowns for using Inspire Home Loans. Compare these incentives against rates and terms from independent lenders. Builder incentives can sometimes mask higher costs elsewhere in the transaction.
- Document everything in writing. Verbal promises from sales representatives are not enforceable. Ensure all commitments about upgrades, timelines, materials, and repairs are memorialized in the written contract.
- Know your warranty coverage and limitations. Century provides a one-year workmanship warranty and longer structural coverage. Read the warranty document carefully to understand exclusions, maintenance obligations that could void coverage, and the claims process.