The Comito Column ~ Custom Building Exposed

“Will you have any masonry on the exterior or interior of your custom home?”

Most likely you architect has indicated on your plans some sort of stone or brick accent.  Often times whatever this material is; it will also be carried onto your interior fireplace surround or maybe an accent wall inside, say over your range in the kitchen.

Using “natural stone” products are both beautiful and functional.  They create a timeless and natural feeling for your home.  The depth and texture that a mason creates as he carefully assembles the puzzle pieces will forever be the cornerstone for your home.  Keep in mind that “natural stone” prices for both material and labor can be approximately 40% more expensive than other faux products that we will mention below.  Also, in order for your foundation to carry the weight of “natural stone” a foundation “brick ledge” has to be created.  The labor costs associated with the style of application (i.e. dry stack application with no grout) can also incur additional cost.

Another option would be “natural thin veneer”.  There are several companies that take natural stone and create a thin veneer product.  This accomplishes several things; The “natural stone” look is still there, the cost is less and the weight is now substantially less and does not require a brick ledge.  The mason will still create his masterpiece stone by stone.  This also applies to “natural thin brick” products.  These are created by cutting off the face of a full size brick  (examples of veneers and thin brick  - www.telluridestone.com)

Finally there are “faux stone and brick” products that are a concrete and pumice mixture; manufactured to look like natural stone/brick.  “The faux brick options are often considered more dynamic as they have more options than natural thin brick.  The manufacturer can create a distressed look, various size options, rounded edges, etc.,” says Brian Johannsen of C & C Sand of Colorado Springs.  The cost of faux stone and brick are substantially less than natural stone.  These products are surprisingly very authentic looking and there are endless options.  (www.edloradostone.com).

Visit the C & C Sand showroom at the Coutura Design Inspirations building – www.ccsand.com and take a look at all these options, you’ll be amazed at the look you can create for your new custom home.

As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a Reality.

If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.

Debbie Comito – Client Coordinator

Comito Building and Design, LLC

Another important selection for your new Colorado Springs custom home will be your appliances. 

For some of you this may be a very basic and purely functional decision.  But never loose sight of the fact that you may someday want to resell your home.  The kitchen and its’ appliances are probably one of the most important selling features for a new homebuyer.  

If you’re like our family and friends, think about how much time you spend in the kitchen.  Long ago I gave up trying to guide guests to another area of the house while preparing dinner, they always seem to want to congregate in the kitchen.  It’s where the action is for the most part.  In this comfortable atmosphere your appliances have a starring role.  i.e. food and storage, wine cooler, ice maker, dishwasher, etc.

The quality, efficiency, sustainability and affordability are all key decision makers here. The performance of your appliances, especially at high altitude here in Colorado Springs, and how it affects cooking on a gas cook top for example, are all things to consider.  We work with all brands including;  Kitchen Aid, Thermador, SubZero/Wolf  and many more.

Another factor in today’s market is green manufacturing technologies and environmental codes. Many of today’s appliances are ENERGY STAR rated, which saves money with greater energy efficiency. 

Along with function goes form.  Think about whether you want to highlight your appliances and their sleek stainless exteriors or other fun colors or make them disappear? We can cover most appliances with wood panels that will create a beautiful blend with the rest of your cabinetry.

Comito Building and Design, along with our trade partners, is very familiar with all of the above and how it will fit into your lifestyle and your new custom home.

As your client coordinator I will guide you through the entire selections & building process, helping you make decisions on your appliances, this includes visiting the showrooms, trying out that cook top you’ve been thinking about, bring in something you’d like to cook to see if it works for you.  Really, these showrooms have live appliances for you to try.  And ask questions – we have the answers.

As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a Reality.

 If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.

When it comes to choosing a builder for your new Colorado Springs Luxury Home, there are so many important things to look at. The homebuilder you choose will be the one orchestrating everything that goes into building your new custom home, from early design of the home plans to final walkthrough. The relationship and trust you have in the homebuilder needs to be strong, as the process can last up to a year and sometimes longer, plus you will want that strong relationship and trust when it comes to warranty items after your home is complete. When evaluating your options it is important to look at all aspects of each company; Who is on their team? Who will be guiding you through all the selections decisions? Who will be running the jobsite? What is their experience level? How long have they been in business? What do their past clients have to say? Have you seen their product, both under construction and complete?

The National Association of Homebuilders has released a great guide to use when interviewing potential builders click here.

Remember it is always best to do your interviewing early (even before any home plans are drawn) as the homebuilder you choose can be a valuable resource when it comes to designing a home that will fit your home budget.

This process called Design-Build is what we at Comito Building and Design strongly believe in. The team at Comito Building and Design is known for our relationships with our clients, working as a team from the beginning creates greater continuity of service and ultimately a better home at better value for our clients.

As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a Reality.

If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.

As a Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, we often get asked to competitively bid out a finished set of plans for potential customers.  Homebuyers use this process as a way to get a handle on what the home will cost and to obtain the best price. At Comito Building and Design, we prefer to take a different approach, called Design-Build. In this approach we formulate a team consisting of an architect/designer, the client, the builder and sometimes an interior designer. As a team, we will work together from the beginning to design a home that will fit your budget, your home site and your overall design goals.

For nearly 30 years,  this approach has proven to be the best, most efficient and ultimately the least costly in time and money.

Most professional residential architects have embraced this approach because they have seen the true benefits for all involved. The ones that don’t support this approach and instead advocate the “bidding approach” should be asked this question: How many of the homes you have custom designed for your owner clients have never been built? I believe you’ll find the percentage to be quite high! The reason is that even experienced and otherwise very professional architects typically lack the knowledge of where construction costs really are, resulting in a plan that is more costly to build than what the client expects. With a builder involved from the outset, we can advise our clients as to the cost of what they are designing along the way, helping you make design decisions more informed and budget focused.

In the bidding approach; when the costs from a qualified high quality builder come in too high, the first response is to bid the project to inexperienced mediocre contractors to obtain a lower cost – at least initially. Most often the completed project ends up costing as much or more than what the more experience Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder originally quoted.  Additionally, our experience has also shown that the ultimate quality of the finished product and the customers’ experience are sub-standard as well.

In my 30+ years of experience in building high quality homes, I have never seen plans and specifications for high-end custom homes be of adequate detail, quality and clarity for clients to obtain truly comparable pricing. The bidding process encourages the contractor to use inferior products, materials and workmanship to be successfully chosen.

When we manage or participate in the design-build process we are responsible for identifying early on where the budget is going. We help gather all the utility, soils, engineering, geological and other information for the best, most predictable result. Most architects are ill equipped to provide these services and if asked to do so have to charge accordingly. We also provide useful material, product, and contractor recommendations for the architect and client to ensure the best-finished product.

Let us provide you with best experience throughout your Colorado Springs custom home experience! From site selection to move-in, we will seamlessly handle all the details to ensure that you are getting the finished product  and the finished price you desire.

At Comito Building and Design, we believe a great home at a fair price and a wonderful experience should be the desired outcome of your custom home building process. As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We work with many of the top Realtors in the county.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a Reality.

If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.

Many interior selection decisions have to be made throughout the custom home building process –tile, paint, countertops, flooring, cabinets, light fixtures and more. At times these decisions may seem overwhelming and stressful. But, with the help of a qualified lighting professional, the lighting decisions can be made with a certain degree of ease for the homebuyer, the homebuilder, and the electrician.

At Comito Building and Design, we use Austin Bluffs Lighting, a member of the American Lighting Association.   The trained lighting specialists at Austin Bluffs Lighting recommend the following list to ensure that you properly light up your new custom home:

• Think back to the homes you lived in previously and make a list of the lighting you liked and disliked. Be sure to consider closets that where too dark or a laundry room in which it was difficult to sort colors and so on. Have this list with you as lighting is planned for each room.
• Make a list of special places art work will be placed in your home as these areas may require the appropriate bulbs for maximum presentation.
• Walk the exterior of your home and consider home lighting mounted on your home and dramatic lighting for landscaping as well.
• Tour model homes for ideas.
• Collect photos for lighting styles and techniques that appeal to you.
• Identify the location of electrical boxes or recessed cans. Changes to the electrical plan can be costly.  And, properly placed boxes and can lighting (in the right places and the right quantities) ensure that your new home will not have the same pitfalls as your old one.

As a client of Comito Building and Design, you and your client coordinator will personally meet at the Austin Bluffs Lighting showroom for a personal lighting consultation to effectively plan the lighting for your new Colorado Springs Custom Home.

• Prior to your lighting appointment, plan to spend an hour or so (the day before) wandering through the showroom to narrow down the list of items that reflect your style and taste.
• While the entire showroom may seem a little overwhelming, the truth is you need only to decide between those items that suite your style and décor so you can review appropriate options with your lighting consultant.
• Make sure to bring your floor plans with you to your lighting consultation. Your salesperson will be much more helpful knowing the general layout of the home in terms of spaces, dimensions and out of the way areas like closets and storage.
• Bring color samples, swatches of material, paint chips, wallpaper, tile, stain samples, etc. This will help you select lighting finishes that coordinate with the rest of your home’s finishes.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your lighting appointment.  While the lighting store will have hundreds of options in the showroom, they will have to be ordered which may take 6 – 8 weeks.
• If  you do not complete your selections in that one visit, don’t be alarmed. Due to time constraints with other decisions about your house, several trips may be necessary to complete your lighting selections!           

By following these common sense steps and utilizing the expertise of your Comito Building and Design Client Coordinator, the lighting process can be nearly painless. Remember, lighting is the most illuminating part of your new custom home so light up your life and enjoy the process!           

At Comito Building and Design, we believe a great home at a fair price and a wonderful experience should be the desired outcome of your custom home building process. As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a Reality.

If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.

At Comito Building and Design, we have a designated Client Coordinator (Debbie Comito) who walks our customers through (and holds their hands if need be!) the design and interior selections process.  Additionally, Comito Building and Design likes to enlist the creative services of award winning interior designer, Jodi Bader. Having grown up in the Colorado Springs home building arena, I’ve seen Joni’s work for years with Comito Custom Homes and Nichols & Comito.   But, it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to work with her on our personal home that I truly appreciated how talented Joni really is!

Comito Building and Design has been working with Joni for many, many years.  Her experienced design eye enables our clients to truly get the style and look of the dream home they have envisioned. A look that is uniquely theirs!

And that’s just what Joni is helping Mark and I do!  She’s helping us select our tile and solid surface countertops, carpet, hardwood floors, paint colors, cabinet style, exterior colors and finishes, furnishings and window treatments.  Yes, she’s helping us take our style and preferences and turning them into reality and a home that uniquely reflects who we are! 

Debbie, our client coordinator has worked right along side Joni - guiding us through decisions that need to be made and deadlines that need to be kept in order to keep construction (and our closing date) on schedule.  A real plus to having Debbie working hand-in-hand with us is that she also makes sure our selections stay within our budget (an important component of building a Colorado Springs custom home) as well as communicating all selections and decisions to the project managers in the field.  (You’ll be hearing more about our Project Managers in future writings!)

This team approach to building a luxury home in Colorado Springs is invaluable. I am so excited and so confident in the design selections that we’ve made.  And, we have peace-of-mind knowing that we’re staying on budget and on schedule with a home that will be built exactly as we’ve planned

Our home is really coming together beautifully! Debbie & Joni have really embraced the “Urban Colorado Ranch” style we were looking for! It’s so much fun to see our home coming to life and changing weekly! We are beyond thrilled!!

At Comito Building and Design we believe the team approach to designing and building custom homes is one of our greatest strengths.  In not only saves time and money but it creates greater continuity of service throughout the process.   We also believe a great home at a fair price and a wonderful experience should be the desired outcome of your custom home building process.

As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We work with many of the top Realtors in the county.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a reality.

As a homebuilder, I hear this question ALL THE TIME! “Is anyone really building in the current economic climate?”

My response, “Only the smartest ones.”

Are you kicking yourself for not buying stock or mutual funds in March of 2009 (the lowest point for stock indexes in the past 5 years)?

The same relative buying opportunity to purchase or build a new home at incredible value holds true today. Even new construction, which rarely experiences significant price drops, is a relative bargain. We’ve seen overall cost decreases of 15%-20% recently.

In a recent post by Financial analyst Dr. Steve Sjuggerud, True Wealth, Sjuggerud says “Right now, is the best time in history to buy a house in America.”  While many of us in the industry have been touting this for months, Sjuggerud uses century old financial facts - cold, hard facts to back up his claim.

Fact #1 MORTGAGE RATES ARE AT THEIR LOWEST LEVELS IN AMERICAN HISTORY: Investors only see a couple decades of mortgage rates on a chart but Sjuggerud accessed Global Financial Data databases that track real estate data going back centuries.  The charts show mortgage rates since 1900 and as you can see, today’s rates are lower than they were in 1900!

Fact # 2 HOMES ARE MORE AFFORDABLE THAN EVER: Based on a 40-year history of the Housing Affordability Index, Sjuggerud points out that houses are more affordable than they have ever been. Affordability takes into account:  home prices, personal income, and mortgage rates.  Sjuggerud explains this simply, “What people think about when they buy a house isn’t the price of the house …It’s the payment.  People think, “Can I afford this mortgage payment on my monthly income?”

As I said, home prices have dropped significantly – in some markets prices have fallen by one-third. And mortgage rates are at record lows. But, incomes (nationwide) haven’t fallen … which makes homes more affordable than ever. 

Additionally, land prices, which again rarely decrease, are phenomenal bargains. Steals in some instances such as distressed or bank owned properties. With this combination, along with some intestinal fortitude about the future, you can get in or upgrade into a new custom home in Colorado Springs with the latest technology and energy efficiency available today.

At Comito Building and Design, we believe RIGHT NOW, is the time to take advantage of an incredible opportunity to build the Colorado Springs Custom Home of your dreams.  But, industry experts say this opportunity won’t last long!  As we come out of this economic downturn construction crews are slim and building supply inventory is modest. Any uptick in demand will put pressure on prices - fast!

At Comito Building and Design we believe a great home at a fair price and a wonderful experience should be the desired outcome of your custom home building process. As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship. We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a reality.

If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.

One question we seem to hear a lot when we’re meeting with clients on their Colorado Springs custom home is, “Do I need to hire an interior designer for my new custom home in Colorado Springs?”

The Comito Building and Design team approach rings true once again!  We do recommend using an interior designer and for your convenience have several on our team!

We work very closely with several Colorado Springs interior designers who understand construction and how it relates to interior selections and decorative decisions you need to make for your Colorado Springs custom home.  Having this resource available is a valuable tool to all of us.  Knowing the order in which selections need to be made and how they might affect the construction process is just another part of our team effort.

Most times these creative professionals are able to purchase tile, carpet, and other interior selection materials at a much lower price point than we can.  Allowing our designers to purchase and install these “hard finish items” that are permanent fixtures in your home really allows our homeowners to get professional design services at virtually no additional cost. And, if you prefer, they can also offer you an hourly rate instead.

To get started on the interior and exterior choices for your new home, begin by putting together your “idea book”.  This is easily done with a file folder or 3-ring binder; collect magazine and brochure clippings, photos, and swatches of fabric ideas you like.  Don’t hold back, if you like it, tear it out - interiors, exteriors, fireplace surrounds, window coverings, kitchen cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, appliances, carpet, area rugs, wood… the list goes on and on.  More times than not we can achieve the look you like in that photo and probably for less than you think.

Our designers personally meet with you at the beginning of your project and see it through till the last paint color is applied and the final pillow is fluffed.  And, as the Comito Building and Design Client Coordinator, I’ll be there with you for every appointment, color selection, and showroom visit.

Also keep in mind if you prefer not working with an interior designer, I’m happy to work with you to provide expertise, coordinate on all of your selections, keep the project in budget and your ideas and your vision in mind. 

“ Let’s get the team together and start creating!”

At Comito Building and Design, we believe a great home at a fair price and a wonderful experience should be the desired outcome of your custom home building process. As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.  We work with many of the top Realtors in the county.  We hope you will consider us as your resource to help you make your Dream home a Reality.

If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the custom home building process or any of our Colorado Springs luxury home sites call us at 719.219.5421 or visit us online at Comito Building and Design.

As you’ve read, Mark and I are building a custom home with Comito Building and Design.  Many of you are familiar with the large, award winning custom homes by Comito Building and Design, but after months of research and planning, Comito Building and Design is excited to now offer smaller custom homes priced from the $700,000s.  Our home is part of this new collection of custom homes designed for homebuyers who are looking for smaller, less expensive custom homes without compromising on individuality, quality, experience, or style. 

As the Marketing Director for Comito Building and Design, it’s always exciting to see the foundation go in and the walls go up but as a homeowner, I have to tell you that the real excitement is just getting started!  In the last few weeks we’ve been busy with interior and exterior selections with Joni Bader (Comito Building and Design’s award winning interior designer) making selections to create a home that’s uniquely ours.  We’ve also met with Home Run Electronics for the wiring of our new home (Mark really loved this meeting).   

While this is very exciting for us, it could also have been a very overwhelming experience if it weren’t for the Comito Building and Design Client Coordinator, Debbie Comito.  Debbie has attended absolutely every appointment with us as we selected the decorative interior features and exterior finishes of our Colorado Springs Custom Home.  Debbie has painlessly guided us through the selection process.  Her extensive product knowledge and her honest approach to our budget have been extremely helpful.  She’s helped us to make good design choices while being mindful of our budget to make sure that the selections we made would provide us with years of lasting enjoyment and financial success. 

To date, we’ve finalized our exterior stone, stucco and paint colors. On the inside, we’ve selected our cabinets, countertops, floor coverings and tile. We could not be more excited - this home will truly be one of a kind and a reflection of our Colorado Contemporary style!

Stay tuned for more and don’t forget to follow our weekly video blog on our home building process and experience!

A third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.

The last time I talked (in my blog) about how the custom home building process starts with the home site.  Now the fun begins - Designing a Colorado Springs custom home to a budget! This task requires an honest and frank discussion with the professionals who are helping bring your dream to reality – your architect (or designer), your builder, and possibly your interior designer.  Oh, and maybe your banker!

Your architect is responsible for translating wants, needs, and dreams into a great design.  She/he is not responsible for meeting your home’s budget.  As your builder we will help with budgetary issues and guidelines throughout the design process. We will weigh in with “ball park” estimates, more efficient ways to achieve the same goals, creativity when asked and advice on materials and techniques.  And most of all – experience. 

Don’t have a builder identified yet?  It’s important to select the right Colorado Springs custom homebuilder from the start.  Remember the part about the architect not being responsible for the budget?  Many of the homes that are designed (without a builder’s assistance and expertise) are never built.  And, the few that do get constructed end up going to the lowest bidder and often still come in over budget.  When it comes to the most expensive and time-consuming purchase of your life, it’s important to remember that the lowest bidder is not always the wisest choice.    Your home needs to be thoughtfully designed and expertly constructed by a team of professionals who will provide you with a home that will give your family comfort, livability, style, and value for years to come. The team approach from the beginning is absolutely the most efficient and cost effective direction for your new custom home. This has been proven to me over and over again during my 30-year career.  Hire good people, establish honest parameters, and build trust. 

Once you’ve identified the right team, you’re ready for the next step(s). Assuming you own or are buying a home site, the first meeting will likely be at the job site.  In Colorado, we are blessed with a variety of home sites that offer views, privacy, trees, and sometimes “interesting” topography.  Typically the design of your dream home and the positioning of your home on the home site will be determined based on optimizing the views, the slope, or the topography of the home site.  Other factors that come into play include the style of the home, design guidelines, covenants, building and zoning codes, availability of utilities, access issues or challenges, soils conditions, etc.

It’s critical that your new home team investigate all the controlling factors before too much design work takes place.  A prime example is the need (often times mandatory) to commission a topographical survey and tree location on a treed home site.

Additionally, most communities and municipalities have height restrictions that are often challenging to meet.  Much depends on the methodology used to calculate height.  It may vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another.  Soils conditions also have a significant impact on the design (and budget) of your new home.  It’s important to know (at least generally) what to expect.  Soils conditions and makeup can vary dramatically from area to area and even from location to location.

Obtaining good information at the outset can save money and eliminate future disappointment. 

At Comito Building and Design, we believe a great home at a fair price and a wonderful experience should be the desired outcome of your custom home building process. As a third generation Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder, Comito Building and Design has been designing and crafting award winning Colorado Springs custom homes since 1983.  Our luxury homes in Colorado Springs are synonymous with extraordinary design, quality, and innovation.  Our team creates homes that are a solid investment for our families who live in them and a testimony to our creativity and craftsmanship.