QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2002.

Registration No. 333-            



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM S-8/S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  54-2086934
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite B-200
Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

30342
(Zip Code)

BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1994 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Ian J. McCarthy
President and Chief Executive Officer
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite B-200
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
(Name and address of agent for service)

(404) 250-3420
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  Please address a copy of all communications to:
Elizabeth H. Noe
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
Suite 2400
600 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-2222
Telephone: 404-815-2287

        Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public:    By Beazer Homes USA, Inc., in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and Amended and Restated 1994 Stock incentive Plan after the effective date of this Registration Statement. By the selling stockholders, from time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

        If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ý

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of Securities
to be Registered

  Amount to be Registered(1)
  Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share (2)
  Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (2)
  Amount of Registration Fee (1)(3)

Common Stock $0.01 Par Value Per Share   2,875,000   $62.15   $43,505,000   $4,003
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (3)   2,875,000            

(1)
2,175,000 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant were previously registered pursuant to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8/S-3, Registration No. 333-69398 with respect to the Beazer Homes USA, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2001 Registration Statement"). The 2001 Registration Statement included 675,000 shares of Common Stock which had been previously registered pursuant to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8/S-3, Registration No. 333-24765, relating to the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1997 Registration Statement"). The 1999 Stock Incentive Plan is now known as the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan. The Registrant paid a filing fee of $30,657 in connection with the registration of its Common Stock pursuant to the 2001 Registration Statement and of $2,669 in connection with the registration of its Common Stock for the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan pursuant to the 1997 Registration Statement. The distribution of such shares has not been completed. The Registrant has amended the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan since the filing of the 2001 Registration Statement to increase the number of shares available for issuance thereunder. This registration statement on Form S-8/S-3 is filed to register an additional 700,000 shares of Common Stock with respect to the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan. In accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8, the Registrant incorporates by reference the contents of the 2001 Registration Statement, filed on September 14, 2001, and of the 1997 Registration Statement, filed on April 17, 1997. Upon a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction in the future and during the effectiveness of this Registration Statement involving Common Stock of the Registrant, the number of shares registered shall be automatically increased to cover the additional shares in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee in accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8 and Rule 457(h)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The offering price is calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c) based on the average of the high and low sales prices ($62.15 per share) of the Common Stock of the Registrant on the New York Stock Exchange on November 8, 2002.
(3)
Rights are attached to and trade with the Common Stock of the Registrant. Value attributable to such Rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of the Common Stock; therefore, no additional registration fee is required.




PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1. Plan Information*

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*


PROSPECTUS

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
Up to 2,875,000 Shares of
Common Stock

       

        The stockholders of Beazer identified in this prospectus may offer and resell the shares from time to time, for their own accounts. See "Selling Stockholders." The selling stockholders have acquired or may acquire the shares pursuant to the terms of the Beazer Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan or the Beazer Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan.

        The selling stockholders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of the shares. These stockholders will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any, applicable to the sale of the shares. Beazer will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares. The selling stockholders may offer their Beazer stock through public or private transactions, at prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. Such future prices are not currently known.

        Beazer common stock is reported on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BZH." On November 8, 2002, the last reported sale price of the common stock was $60.60 per share.


        You should carefully consider the "Risk Factors" beginning on page 4 of this prospectus before purchasing any of the Common Stock.


        These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


The date of this prospectus is November 12, 2002.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION   1

THE COMPANY

 

3

RISK FACTORS

 

4

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

9

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

10

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

12

LEGAL MATTERS

 

12

EXPERTS

 

12

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BEAZER

 

12

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

13

        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information from that contained in the prospectus. If anyone provides you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it. The selling stockholders are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of Beazer's common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the shares.

        In this prospectus, unless indicated otherwise, "Beazer," "we," "us," and "our," refer to Beazer Homes USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries.


FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

        On one or more occasions, we may make statements regarding our assumptions, projections, expectation, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including, without limitation, the statements under "Summary" and "Risk Factors" and located elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein relating to expectations of future financial performance, continued growth, changes in economic conditions or capital markets and changes in customer usage patterns and preference, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

        Words or phrases such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "targets," "will likely result," "will continue" or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. We caution that while we make such statements in good faith and we believe such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in records and other data available from third parties, we cannot assure you that our projections will be achieved.

        In addition to the other factors and matters discussed elsewhere in our quarterly, annual and current reports that we file with the SEC, and which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, some important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for us to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements include:


        Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors.

2



THE COMPANY

        We design, sell and build single family homes in the Southeast, West, Central, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the United States and, based on home closings, are one of the six largest builders of single family homes in the nation. Our Southeast region includes Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee; our West region includes Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada; our Central region includes Texas; our Mid-Atlantic region includes Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia; and our Midwest region includes Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

        We design our homes to appeal primarily to entry-level and first-time move-up homebuyers. Our objective is to provide homes to our customers that incorporate quality and value while seeking to maximize our return on invested capital. To achieve this objective, we have developed a business strategy which focuses on the following elements:

3


        We were incorporated in Delaware in 1993. Our principal office is located as 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite B-200, Atlanta, Georgia 30342 and our telephone number is (404) 250-3420. We maintain an internet site at www.beazer.com which contains information concerning us and our subsidiaries. The information contained on our internet site and those of our subsidiaries is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and should not be considered a part of this prospectus.


RISK FACTORS

        In addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus, the following factors should be considered carefully before purchasing any of the shares of common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that we currently believe to be less significant may also adversely affect us.

        The homebuilding industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by macro-economic and other factors outside of our control such as consumer confidence, interest rates and employment levels.

        Because of the long-term financial commitment involved in purchasing a home, general economic uncertainties tend to result in more caution on the part of homebuyers and consequently fewer home purchases. While we believe the overall demand for new housing over time should remain stable, these uncertainties could periodically have an adverse affect on our operating performance and the market price of our securities.

        In addition, homebuilders are subject to various risks, many of which are outside the control of the homebuilder. These conditions include:

        Although the principal raw materials used in the homebuilding industry generally are available from a variety of sources, such materials are subject to periodic price fluctuations. There can be no assurance that the occurrence of any of the foregoing will not have a material adverse effect on us.

        Our quarterly results may fluctuate, which could cause our stock price to fall.

        While we reported positive annual net income for each of the five fiscal years ending September 30, 2002, our quarterly results of operations have varied significantly and may continue to

4



do so in the future as a result of a variety of both national and local factors, many of which are outside our control. These factors include:


        As a result, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful, and you should not rely on them as an indication of our future performance. In addition, our operating results in a future quarter or quarters may fall below expectations of securities analysts or investors and, as a result, the price of our common stock may fluctuate.

        We are dependent on the availability of mortgage financing for our customers.

        Virtually all purchasers of our homes finance their acquisitions through lenders providing mortgage financing. A substantial increase in mortgage interest rates would affect the ability of prospective first time and move-up homebuyers to obtain financing for our homes, as well as affect the ability of prospective move-up homebuyers to sell their current homes.

        The competition in the homebuilding industry is intense. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources and lower costs of funds than we do. Many of these competitors also have longstanding relationships with subcontractors and suppliers in the markets in which we operate. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully in our markets against these competitors.

        There are relatively low barriers to entry into our business. We do not own any technologies that preclude or inhibit competitors from entering our markets. Our competitors may independently develop land and construct housing units that are superior or substantially similar to our products. We currently build in several of the top markets in the nation and, therefore, we expect to continue to face additional competition from new entrants into our markets.

        The need for additional financing could impair our business and results of operations.

        The homebuilding industry is capital intensive and homebuilding requires significant up-front expenditures to acquire land and begin development. Accordingly, we incur substantial indebtedness to finance our homebuilding activities. Although we believe that internally generated funds and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund our capital and other expenditures (including land purchases in connection with ordinary development activities), we cannot assure you that the amounts available from such sources will be sufficient. We may be required to seek additional capital in the form of equity or debt financing from a variety of potential sources, including additional bank financing and/or securities offerings. The amount and types of indebtedness which we may incur are limited by the terms of the indenture governing our 83/8% Senior Notes due 2012, our

5



85/8% Senior Notes due 2011, our 87/8% Senior Notes due 2008, and by the terms of our revolving credit facility and our term loan. In addition, the availability of borrowed funds, especially for land acquisition and construction financing, may be greatly reduced nationally, and the lending community may require increased amounts of equity to be invested in a project by borrowers in connection with both new loans and the extension of existing loans. If we are not successful in obtaining sufficient capital to fund our planned capital and other expenditures, new projects planned or begun may be significantly delayed or abandoned. Any such delay or abandonment could result in a reduction in sales and may adversely affect our future results of operations.

        Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect the financial health of the company and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our debt securities.

        We currently have a substantial amount of debt. In addition, subject to restrictions in the indentures governing our senior notes and our revolving credit facility and term loan, we may incur additional indebtedness. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify. Our ability to make payments of principal or interest on, or to refinance our indebtedness will depend on:

        Both of these factors are subject, to a certain extent, to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow in the future to service our debt, we may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing debt or to obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that any such refinancing would be possible or that any additional financing could be obtained. The inability to obtain additional financing could have a material adverse effect on us. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to the holders of securities, including:

        Our indentures and our other debt instruments impose significant operating and financial restrictions which may limit our ability to operate our business.

        The indentures for our outstanding notes and our other debt instruments impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions will limit our ability to, among other things;

6


We cannot assure you that these covenants will not adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to pursue available business opportunities.

        In addition, such indentures and our other debt instruments require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests which may require that we take action to reduce our debt or act in a manner contrary to our business objectives in order to avoid an event of default. Events beyond our control, including changes in general economic and business conditions, may affect our ability to meet those financial ratios and financial condition tests. We cannot assure you that we will meet those tests or that any failure to meet those tests will be waived. A breach of any of these covenants or our inability to maintain the required financial ratios could result in a default under the related indebtedness. If a default occurs, some or all of our outstanding debt, together with accrued interest and other fees, could be declared immediately due and payable.

        If we do not successfully integrate the operations of businesses we acquire, we may not realize the benefits we expect from our acquisitions.

        In April 2002, we acquired the operations of Crossmann Communities, Inc. and intend to acquire other operations as the opportunity is presented in the future. The integration of acquired operations into our operations, including the operations of Crossmann, will involve a number of risks. The integration of acquired operations will require, among other things, coordination of management, administrative and other functions. The integration process could also disrupt the activities of our respective businesses. If we are not able to effectively integrate our operations and personnel with Crossmann's or other acquired businesses' in a timely and efficient manner, we may not realize the benefits expected from the acquisition. In addition, if the integration is not successful:

        The operations of Crossmann represent approximately 30% of the operations of the combined company based on revenue, and a failure to integrate the operations successfully could have a material adverse effect on the combined company.

        Failure to implement our business strategy could adversely affect our operations.

        Our financial position and results of operations depend on our ability to execute our business strategy. Our ability to execute our business strategy depends on our ability:

7


Our failure or inability to execute our business strategy could materially adversely affect our financial position, liquidity and results of operations.

        Our business would be adversely affected if future, more onerous government regulations were enacted.

        Our competitors and we are subject to local, state and federal statutes and rules regulating, among other things:

These regulations vary greatly by community and consist of items such as:

        Changes in existing laws or regulations, or in their interpretation, or the adoption of any additional laws or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We are subject to a variety of local, state and federal statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations concerning the protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws which apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site's environmental conditions and present and former use of the site. Environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance and other costs and may prohibit or severely restrict development in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas. In addition, environmental regulations can have an adverse impact on the availability and price of certain raw materials, such as lumber. Our projects in California are especially susceptible to restrictive government regulations and environmental laws.

        If we are unable to retain skilled personnel, our business could be adversely affected.

        Our future success depends upon our ability to attract, train, assimilate and retain skilled personnel and subcontractors. Competition for qualified personnel and subcontractors in all of our operating markets is intense. A significant increase in the number of our active communities would necessitate the hiring of a significant number of additional construction managers and subcontractors, each of which is in short supply in our markets. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our key employees or that we can attract, train, assimilate or retain other skilled personnel in the future.

8



        The occurrence of natural disasters and availability of homeowners' insurance could adversely impact our business.

        The climates and geology of many of the states in which we operate, including California, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas, present increased risk of natural disasters. To the extent that hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires, or other natural disasters or similar events occur, the homebuilding industry in general, and our business in particular, in such states may be adversely affected.

        We acquire land with the use of option contracts with specific performance obligations.

        We acquire certain lots by means of option contracts, some of which have specific performance obligations. Under such contracts, we generally are required to purchase specific numbers of lots on fixed dates pursuant to a contractually established schedule. If we fail to purchase the required number of lots on the date fixed for purchase pursuant to such contracts, the party granting the option to us generally has the right either to terminate the option granted pursuant to the option contract in its entirety or to require us to purchase such lots, notwithstanding a general decline in real estate values.

        Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law make any change in the control of our company more difficult.

        Our organizational documents allow us to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of our common stock without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of our common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of our common stock. In some circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock. We are also subject to provisions of the Delaware corporation law that, in general, prohibit any business combination with a beneficial owner of 15% or more of our common stock for five years unless the holder's acquisition of our stock was approved in advance by our board of directors. Further, we have adopted a stockholder rights plan which is designed to prevent, or make more expensive, a hostile takeover of Beazer. Under our plan, once an acquirer acquires more than 20% of our common stock, rights to purchase shares of preferred stock become exercisable by all stockholders other than the acquirer, diluting substantially the value of the stock previously purchased by the acquiror.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        If shares are resold by the selling stockholders, Beazer will receive no proceeds from such sale. The shares will be offered for the respective accounts of the selling stockholders.

9



SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

        The shares that may be offered from time to time pursuant to this prospectus have been or will be acquired by the selling stockholders from time to time upon payment of awards granted under the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plans").

        The following table sets forth (i) the name of each selling stockholder; (ii) the position, office, or other material relationship between Beazer and each selling stockholder; (iii) the amount of common stock owned by the selling stockholder prior to the offering as of October 15, 2002, including shares each selling stockholder may acquire pursuant to the exercise of previously granted options under the Plans which have vested or may vest within 60 days of October 15, 2002; (iv) the amount of common stock that may be offered by the selling stockholder; and (v) the amount of common stock to be held by each selling stockholder subsequent to the offering.

 
   
   
  Common Stock that would be Owned Subsequent to the Offering(2)
 
  Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)

   
Name and Position with Company

  Shares that
may be
Offered(1)

  Number
  Percent
Brian C. Beazer
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board and Director
  63,981   90,348   20,000   *

Ian J. McCarthy
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

298,602

 

516,337

 

1,921

 

*

David S. Weiss
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director

 

106,971

 

160,646

 

1,223

 

*

Mike Furlow
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

44,060

 

151,936

 

952

 

*

James O'Leary
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development

 

7,000

 

10,500

 

0

 

*

John Skelton
Senior Vice President, Financial Planning

 

51,603

 

66,039

 

1,422

 

*

Lowell Ball
Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 

35

 

1,974

 

35

 

*

Michael T. Rand
Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller

 

6,065

 

18,369

 

409

 

*

Jerry Gates
Regional President, Southern California Division

 

3,377

 

2,857

 

520

 

*

Don Knutson
Regional President, Mid-Atlantic Region

 

21,547

 

2,857

 

18,690

 

*

Eddie Phillips
Regional President, Phillips Builders

 

49,001

 

1,905

 

47,096

 

*

Marty Shaffer
Regional President, Florida Region

 

2,857

 

2,857

 

0

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10



Joseph Thompson
Regional President, Arizona Division

 

25,200

 

2,857

 

22,343

 

*

Scott Thorson
Regional President, South Atlantic Region

 

13,213

 

2,857

 

10,356

 

*

Tony Tonso
Regional President, Northern California Division

 

18,848

 

2,857

 

15,991

 

*

Kent Lay
Senior Division President, Nevada Division

 

2,250

 

1,905

 

345

 

*

Peter Simons
Senior Division President, Colorado Division

 

47,658

 

2,857

 

44,801

 

*

Kurt Watzek
Senior Division President, Houston Division

 

7,955

 

1,905

 

6,050

 

*

Ned Mundell
Director

 

9,000

 

12,705

 

3,000

 

*

Larry Solari
Director

 

7,500

 

12,705

 

1,500

 

*

Tom Howard
Director

 

16,500

 

23,281

 

500

 

*

*
Less than 1%

(1)
Certain shares listed as shares beneficially owned are currently represented by options to purchase common stock granted under the Plans which have vested or will vest within sixty 60 days or shares of common stock subject to restrictions on transfer and risk of forfeiture under the Plans. This column does not include unvested options and phantom stock units (none of which will vest in the next sixty 60 days). Such additional shares are included as shares that may be offered under the Plans by selling stockholders who are "affiliates" of Beazer for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as follows: Mr. Beazer—46,367 shares, Mr. McCarthy—219,656 shares, Mr. Weiss—54,898 shares, Mr. Furlow—108,828, Mr. O'Leary—3,500 shares, Mr. Skelton—15,858 shares, Mr. Ball—1,974 shares, Mr. Rand—12,713 shares, Mr. Mundell—6,705 shares, Mr. Solari—6,705 shares, and Mr. Howard—7,281 shares. The shares listed as shares that may be offered by selling stockholders who are not "affiliates" of Beazer constitute shares of restricted stock that were issued pursuant to a private placement under one or both of the Plans within the two years prior to the date of this prospectus.

(2)
For purposes of this column, we have assumed the sale of all shares of restricted common stock listed for each selling stockholder pursuant to the Plans and, with respect to selling stockholders who are "affiliates" of the Beazer, all such restricted common stock, shares of common stock that may be issued upon vesting of phantom stock units and shares of common stock issued or issuable under options granted under the Plans, including phantom stock units and options that have not yet vested.

        We may amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time in the future to update or change this list of selling stockholders and shares which may be offered for sale under this prospectus.

11




PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        Beazer has been advised by the selling stockholders that they intend to sell all or a portion of the Shares offered hereby from time to time in ordinary brokers transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at the prices prevailing at the time of such sale. The selling stockholders may also make private sales directly or through a broker or brokers. The selling stockholders will be responsible for payment of any and all commissions to brokers, which will be negotiated on an individual basis. Beazer will pay all expenses incident to the sale of the common stock to the public other than brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred by individual selling stockholders, which will be paid by the selling stockholders. In connection with any sale, the selling stockholders and any brokers participating in such sales may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act.

        There is no assurance that any of the selling stockholders will sell any or all of the shares of common stock offered by them.


LEGAL MATTERS

        Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, counsel to Beazer, has rendered an opinion to Beazer that the common stock offered hereby is or will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus and Registration Statement by reference from Beazer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2001 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus and Registration Statement by reference from Crossmann's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BEAZER

        Beazer is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements, and other information filed by Beazer with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the SEC's public reference facilities at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room and for other public reference room locations. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC's web site at http:\\www.sec.gov. In addition, our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and reports, proxy statements and other information concerning us may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

        This prospectus contains information concerning Beazer and the sale of the common stock by the selling stockholders, but does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-8/S-3 which we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. Statements made in this prospectus as to the contents of any referenced contract, agreement or document are not necessarily complete, and any such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by reference thereto. The Registration Statement, including various exhibits, may be obtained upon payment of the fee prescribed by the SEC, or may be examined without charge at the SEC's office in Washington, D.C.

12




INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents that we have previously filed with the SEC or documents that we will file with the SEC in the future. This information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supercede this information. The following documents previously filed with the SEC are incorporated herein by reference:

In addition to the foregoing, all documents and any amendments thereto subsequently filed by Beazer pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference and to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents.

        Any statement contained in any document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated by reference, modifies or replaces such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

13



PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference

        The following documents are incorporated herein by reference:

        (a)  The Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (b)  The Registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2001, March 31, 2002 and June 30, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (c)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (d)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (e)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (f)    The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (g)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on April 10, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (h)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (i)    The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2002, as amended by the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2002, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (j)    The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (k)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on July 25, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (l)    The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (m)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 7, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (n)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (o)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on September 5, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (p)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act;

        (q)  The Registrant's current report on Form 8-K filed on November 6, 2002 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act; and

II-1



        (r)  The description of the Registrant's common stock as set forth in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports thereto filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

        All documents subsequently filed with the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities

        Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel

        Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for the indemnification by a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware of officers and directors under certain circumstances against expenses incurred in successfully defending against a claim and authorizes Delaware corporations to indemnify their officers and directors under certain circumstances against expenses and liabilities incurred in legal proceedings involving such persons because of their being or having been an officer or director. The By-laws of the Registrant provide for indemnification of its officers and directors to the full extent authorized by such section.

        Section 145(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware authorizes a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware to provide liability insurance for directors and officers for certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them while acting in their capacity as directors or officers of the corporation. The Registrant maintains a directors and officers insurance policy in the aggregate amount of $10,000,000 which insures the directors and officers of the Registrant against losses arising from certain claims for any wrongful act (as defined in the policy) by the directors or officers in their respective capacities as such, or to the extent that the Registrant has indemnified such directors or officers, insures the Registrant against such losses. The policy does not cover losses in connection with claims relating to the purchase, sale, offer or solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell any securities or any violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and excludes certain other losses.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed

        The issuance of certain of the shares being offered pursuant to the Form S-3 prospectus included herein have previously been issued pursuant to the Plans registered hereby and were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each such transaction represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the share certificates and instruments issued in such transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationship with the Registrant, to information about the Registrant.

II-2



Item 8. Exhibits

        The exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement are as follows:

Exhibit Number

  Description of Exhibit
4.1   Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2000).

4.2

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

5

 

Opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP as to the legality of the Common Stock registered hereunder.

23.1

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors, relating to the use of their report contained in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001.

23.2

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors, relating to the use of their report contained in the Crossmann Communities Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

23.3

 

Consent of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP to the filing and use of their opinion relating to the legality of the securities. Such consent is contained in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement.

24

 

Power of Attorney authorizing David S. Weiss and Ian J. McCarthy to sign amendments to this Registration Statement on behalf of officers and directors of the Registrant (contained on signature page of Registration Statement).

Item 9. Undertakings

        (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

        (b)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to provisions pursuant to which the directors, officers or controlling persons may be indemnified by the registrant or

II-3



otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

II-4



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 12th day of November, 2002.

    BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
DAVID S. WEISS      
David S. Weiss
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David S. Weiss and Ian J. McCarthy, jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with the exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/  BRIAN C. BEAZER      
Brian C. Beazer
  Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board   November 12, 2002

/s/  
IAN J. MCCARTHY      
Ian J. McCarthy

 

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

November 12, 2002

/s/  
DAVID S. WEISS      
David S. Weiss

 

Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

November 12, 2002

/s/  
LAURENT ALPERT      
Laurent Alpert

 

Director

 

November 12, 2002

/s/  
THOMAS B. HOWARD, JR.      
Thomas B. Howard, Jr.

 

Director

 

November 12, 2002

/s/  
D. E. MUNDELL      
D. E. Mundell

 

Director

 

November 12, 2002

/s/  
MAUREEN E. O'CONNELL      
Maureen E. O'Connell

 

Director

 

November 12, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

S-1



/s/  
LARRY T. SOLARI      
Larry T. Solari

 

Director

 

November 12, 2002

/s/  
MICHAEL T. RAND      
Michael T. Rand

 

Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

November 12, 2002

S-2



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

  Description of Exhibit
4.1   Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the exhibits to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2000).

4.2

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

5

 

Opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP as to the legality of the Common Stock registered hereunder.

23.1

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors, relating to the use of their report contained in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001.

23.2

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors, relating to the use of their report contained in the Crossmann Communities Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

23.3

 

Consent of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP to the filing and use of their opinion relating to the legality of the securities. Such consent is contained in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement.

24

 

Power of Attorney authorizing David S. Weiss and Ian J. McCarthy to sign amendments to this Registration Statement on behalf of officers and directors of the Registrant (contained on signature page of Registration Statement).



QuickLinks

PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
THE COMPANY
RISK FACTORS
USE OF PROCEEDS
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BEAZER
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 4.2


Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan

Section 1.—Establishment and Purposes

        Beazer Homes USA, Inc. hereby establishes the Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

        The purposes of the Plan are to promote the interests of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (the "Company") and its Shareholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining management personnel capable of assuring the future success of the Company, to offer such personnel incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Company's business and to afford such personnel an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.

Section 2.—Definitions

        As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

        2.1  "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as determined by the Committee.

        2.2  "Award" shall mean an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.

        2.3  "Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.

        2.4  "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company

        2.5  "Change in Control" shall mean: (i) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (A) the then outstanding Shares the ("Outstanding Shares") or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors (the "Outstanding Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this paragraph (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control; (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (4) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (iii) of this Section 2.5; or


        2.6  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

        2.7  "Committee" shall mean the Stock Option and Incentive Committee or any other Committee of the Board designated by the Board to administer the Plan which shall consist of at least two members appointed from time to time by the Board. Each Committee member must qualify as an "outside director" as defined in the Treasury Regulation §1.162-27(e)(3) (or any successor rule) and, to the extent necessary to qualify Awards hereunder for exemption from the liability provisions of Rule 16b-3, a "non-employee director" as defined in Reg. §240.16b-3(b)(3) (or any successor rule) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

        2.8  "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company.

        2.9  "Company" shall mean Beazer Homes USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation.

      2.10  "Director" shall mean a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

      2.11  "Disability" shall mean disability as defined in Participant's Award Agreement with the Company.

      2.12  "Dividend Equivalent" shall mean any right granted under Section 6.4 of the Plan.

      2.13  "Eligible Person" shall mean any employee, officer, consultant or independent contractor providing services to the Company or any Affiliate or a Director, in each case, who the Committee determines to be eligible.

      2.14  "Fair Market Value" shall mean the fair market value of any property (including but not limited to Shares or other security) determined by a valuation method as established by the Committee from time to time. However, that for purposes of the Plan, the Fair Market Value of Shares on any day on which Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or any other nationally recognized stock exchange or automated quotation system shall be the closing price of such Shares as reported by the NYSE or such other exchange or quotation system.

2



      2.15  "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an Option granted under Section 6.1 of the Plan that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

      2.16  "Non-Qualified Stock Option" shall mean an Option granted under Section 6.1 of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

      2.17  "Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option and shall include Restoration Options.

      2.18  "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 6.6 of Plan.

      2.19  "Participant" shall mean an Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

      2.20  "Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 6.5 of the Plan.

      2.21  "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or trust.

      2.22  "Plan" shall mean the Beazer Homes USA, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

      2.23  "Restoration Option" shall mean any Option granted under Section 6.1(d) of the Plan.

      2.24  "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share granted to a Participant under Section 6.3 of the Plan.

      2.25  "Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean a bookkeeping entry representing the right to receive a Share (or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date as granted under Section 6.3 of the Plan. A holder of Restricted Stock Units shall not be entitled to voting rights on any Shares to which the Restricted Stock Units relate.

      2.26  "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended from time to time and the related regulations.

      2.27  "Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock or such other securities or property, as may be the subject of Awards pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 9.1 of the Plan.

      2.28  "Shareholder" shall mean a shareholder of the Company.

      2.29  "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean any right granted under Section 6.2 of the Plan.

      2.30  "Tandem Option" shall mean a Non-Qualified Stock Option issued in tandem with a Stock Appreciation Right.

      2.31  "Termination of Employment" shall mean a termination of employment from the Company and all Affiliates.

Section 3.—Administration

        3.1    Power and Authority of the Committee.    The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and to applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan, (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with) each Award, (iv) determine the terms, conditions and restrictions of any Award or Award Agreement, (v) amend the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement and accelerate the exercisability of Options or the lapse of restrictions relating to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or other Awards, (vi) accept the surrender of outstanding Awards and substitute new Awards, (vii) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or

3


exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or cancelled, forfeited or suspended, (viii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or the Committee, (ix) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan, (x) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan, and (xi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

        3.2    Delegation.    The Committee may delegate its powers and duties under the Plan to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate or a committee of such officers, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion.

Section 4.—Shares Available for Awards; Annual Limit on Grants

        4.1    Shares Available.    Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 9.1, the number of shares available for the granting of Awards under the Plan shall be 1,400,000 of which not more than 300,000 Shares shall be granted as stock-based Awards, as described in Section 6, other than Options. Shares to be issued under the Plan may be either Shares which have been reacquired and are held in treasury or Shares which are authorized but unissued. If any Shares covered by an Award (or to which an Award relates) are not purchased or are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any Shares, then subject to Rule 16b-3, the number of Shares counted against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination, shall again be available for granting of Awards under the Plan. Shares not issued because the holder of any Tandem Option exercises the accompanying Stock Appreciation Right shall not be subject to future Award by the Committee.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of Shares available for granting Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall not exceed 700,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9.1 of the Plan and Section 422 or 424 of the Code or any successor provisions.

        4.2    Maximum Annual Awards to an Eligible Person.    The maximum number of Shares with respect to which Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be issued under the Plan to an Eligible Person in a calendar year is 150,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9.1 of the Plan. In addition, the maximum number of Shares under a Performance Award that may be issued in any calendar year is 75,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9.1 of the Plan.

        4.3    Accounting for Awards.    For purposes of this Section 4, if an Award entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the number of Shares covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on the date of the grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan.

Section 5.—Participation

        Participation in the Plan shall be limited to those Eligible Persons selected by the Committee. Awards may be granted to such Eligible Persons and for such number of Shares as the Committee shall determine, subject to the limitations in Section 4. An Award of any type made in any one year to an Eligible Person shall neither guarantee nor preclude a further Award of that or any other type to such Eligible Person in that year or subsequent years other than as provided in Section 4.

4



        In determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and the terms of any Award, the Committee may take into account such factors as the Committee, in its discretion, shall deem relevant (such factors may include the nature of the services rendered by the Eligible Person and the Eligible Person's present and potential contributions to the success of the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option (a) may only be granted to full or part-time employees as defined by Section 3401(c) of the Code (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company and (b) shall not be granted to an employee of an Affiliate which is not a "subsidiary corporation" of the Company (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code or any successor provision).

Section 6.—Awards

        6.1    Options.    The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants. Options granted shall be subject to the terms and conditions forth in this Section 6.1, the other provisions of the Plan, and any additional terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine (including those specified in the Award Agreement) which are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

5


        6.2    Stock Appreciation Rights.    Subject to Section 4, the Committee is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall confer upon the holder a right to receive, upon exercise of the right related to one share, an amount in cash equal of the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over (ii) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right.

        Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, methods of settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Committee. The Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem appropriate.

        6.3    Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.    The Committee is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to Participants under the terms set forth in this Section 6.3, the other Plan provisions and with such additional conditions and restrictions as the Committee may impose which are not inconsistent with provisions of the Plan.

6


        6.4    Dividend Equivalents.    The Committee is authorized to grant to Participants Awards of Dividend Equivalents under which the holders thereof shall be entitled to receive payments (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) equivalent to the amount of cash dividends paid by the Company to holders of Shares with respect to the number of Shares determined by the Committee. Such amounts shall be payable on the date or dates as determined by the Committee, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such Awards may have such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

        6.5    Performance Awards.    The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants. Once established, the Committee shall not have discretion to modify the criteria for receiving a Performance Award except with respect to any discretion specifically granted to the Committee under this Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, a Performance Award granted under the Plan may be an Award of Common Stock, Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units (or any other right, the value of which is determined by reference to Shares) and such Award may be payable in cash, Shares, other securities or other property. The value of such Performance Awards shall be determined by the Committee and the Performance Awards shall be payable to, or exercisable by, Participant, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of the performance goals during the applicable measurement period specified by the Committee.

7


        6.6    Other Stock-Based Awards.    The Committee is authorized, to the extent permitted under Rule 16b-3 and other applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, Shares or other securities delivered to Participant pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Section 6.6 shall be purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by such method or methods and in such form or forms, (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property or any combination thereof), as the Committee shall determine, the value of which consideration, as established by the Committee, shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such purchase right is granted.

        6.7    General.    

8


Section 7.—Transferability

        7.1    General.    Except as provided in Section 7.2, no Award granted under the Plan shall be transferable by Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempted pledge, alienation, attachment, assignment or encumbrance of an Award that is not specifically authorized in accordance with Section 7.2 shall be void.

        Each Award or right under an Award may be exercised during Participant's lifetime only by Participant, his permitted transferee under Section 7.2 or if permissible under applicable state law Participant's guardian or legal representative. However, the Committee may permit Participant to designate, in the manner specified by the Committee, a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the right of Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to an Award upon the death of Participant.

        7.2    Permitted Transfers.    The Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of an Award of Non-Qualified Stock Options to be granted to be on terms which permit transfer by Participant to a "Family Member" (as defined below), provided the transfer is through a gift or a domestic relations order. For purposes of this Section 7.2, "Family Member" includes any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, a trust for the exclusive benefit of these persons and any other entity owned solely by these persons. The Award Agreement pursuant to which such Options are granted must be approved by the Committee and must expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section 7.2. The terms of any such transferred Award shall continue to be applied with respect to Participant, following which the Award shall be exercisable by the Transferee only to the extent and for the periods during which that would have applied to Participant.

Section 8.—Listing and Registration

        All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. If the Shares or other securities are traded on a securities exchange, the Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares or other securities covered by an Award unless and until such Shares or other securities have been admitted for trading on such securities exchange.

9



Section 9.—Adjustments; Business Combinations

        9.1    Adjustment Upon Corporate Transaction.    In the event of (a) dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), (b) recapitalization, (c) stock split, (d) reverse stock split, (e) reorganization, (f) merger, (g) consolidation, (h) split-up, (i) spin-off, (j) combination, (k) repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, (l) issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company or (m) other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares, the Committee may determine that an adjustment would be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. In this event, the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number, type and issuer of Shares (or other securities or other property) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (ii) the number type and issuer of Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards and (iii) the purchase or exercise price with respect to any Award; provided, however, that the number of Shares covered by any Award or to which such Award relates shall always be a whole number.

        9.2    Liability of Survivor.    In the event of any corporate reorganization or transaction including any event described in Section 9.1, the surviving entity or successor corporation shall be bound by the terms and conditions of the provisions of this Plan and any Awards issued under this Plan.

Section 10.—Termination and Modification of the Plan

        10.1    General.    Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan, the Plan or an Award Agreement may be terminated or modified as specified in this Section 10.

        10.2    Amendments to the Plan.    The Board without further approval of the Shareholders may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing the Board may condition any amendment and provide that no modification shall become effective without prior approval of the Shareholders if Shareholder approval would be required for:

        The Board may not amend Section 6.1(g) hereof without the approval of the Shareholders.

        10.3    Amendments to Awards.    Subject to Section 6.1(g) hereof, the Committee may amend or modify the grant of any outstanding Award in any manner to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority to make such Award as so modified or amended including, but not limited to, a change of the date or dates as of which (a) an Option becomes exercisable or (b) Restrictions on Shares are to be removed. No modification may be made that would materially adversely affect any Award previously made under the Plan without the approval of Participant or holder or beneficiary.

        10.4    Other Amendment.    The Committee shall be authorized to make minor or administrative modifications to the Plan and Awards as well as modifications to the Plan and Awards that may be dictated by requirements of federal or state laws applicable to the Company or that may be authorized or made desirable by such laws. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to continue the operation of the Plan.

10



Section 11.—Income Tax Withholding: Tax Bonuses

        11.1    Withholding.    In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Committee may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal, state and local payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of Participant, are withheld or collected from such Participant. In order to assist Participant in paying all or a portion of the federal, state and local taxes to be withheld or collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such additional terms and conditions as it may adopt, may permit Participant to satisfy such tax obligation by (a) electing to have the Company withhold a portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes; (b) delivering to the Committee Shares other than Shares issuable upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value (on the date the tax is withheld) equal to the amount of such taxes (c) delivering to the Company cash, check (bank check, certified check or personal check), money order or wire transfer equal to such taxes, (d) delivering to the Company the full amount of taxes due in a combination of cash, and with the Company's approval, Participant's full recourse liability promissory note satisfying the requirements set forth in Participant's Award Agreement or (e) taking a loan under a loan program sponsored by the Company which permits a loan for such purposes and to Participant in accordance with the rules established from time to time by the Committee or the Board of the Company. Any election to have shares withheld must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.

        11.2    Tax Bonuses.    The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award under this Plan or at any time thereafter, to approve cash bonuses to designated Participants to be paid upon their exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) Awards in order to provide funds to pay all or a portion of federal and state and local taxes due as a result of such exercise or receipt (or the lapse of such restrictions). The Committee shall have full authority in its discretion to determine the amount of any such tax bonus.

Section 12.—General Provisions

        12.1    No Rights to Awards.    No Eligible Person, Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to different Participants.

        12.2    Award Agreements.    Each Eligible Person to whom a grant is made under the Plan shall enter into a written agreement with the Company that shall contain such provisions, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be established by the Committee. No Participant will have rights under an Award granted to such Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have been duly executed on behalf of the Company.

        12.3    No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.    Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

        12.4    No Right to Employment.    The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate, nor will it affect in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate such employment at any time, with or without cause. In addition, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss Participant from

11



employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

        12.5    Governing Law.    The validity, construction and effect of the Plan or any Award, and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan or any Award, shall be determined in accordance with applicable federal laws and the laws of the State of Georgia.

        12.6    Severability.    If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provisions shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

        12.7    No Trust or Fund Created.    Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

        12.8    No Fractional Shares.    No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.

        12.9    Limitation on Benefits.    With respect to persons subject to Rule 16b-3, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under such Act. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.

        12.10    Headings.    Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

Section 13.—Effective Date

        The Plan is effective upon the date of adoption by the Board subject to approval of Shareholders at the February 3, 2000 meeting of Shareholders. Unless previously terminated, the Plan shall terminate ten years from the effective date. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, an Award granted under this Plan may have terms or rights which may extend beyond the date the Plan terminates and the rights of the Committee under the Plan and the Board to amend the Plan may likewise extend beyond the date of the Plan's termination.

12




QuickLinks

Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


EXHIBIT 5

         LOGO




QuickLinks


QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


EXHIBIT 23.1


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. on Form S-8/S-3 of our report dated November 2, 2001, incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. for the year ended September 30, 2001 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
November 11, 2002




QuickLinks

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 23.2


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Beazer Homes USA, Inc. on Form S-8/S-3 of our report dated January 22, 2002, incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Crossmann Communities, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2001 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
November 11, 2002




QuickLinks

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT