The Comito Column ~ Custom Building Exposed

As part of our Design-Build process we focus a lot on value engineering the plans we design. The process of Value Engineering is closely looking at how a plan or blueprint functions in an effort to make the living space as efficient and cost effective to build while maintaining the overall feel and design of the home. In many cases simplifying the plan a little bit can save big money, in order to realize the benefit of Value Engineering it is important to have an experienced builder who has a handle on current construction costs on your team at the start of the design process. This is a great article with an example of how it is done.

Value engineering can save time and money on any size job, even a multimillion-dollar home. The key is to start early with a team that you trust and communicate well with, says Robert Hidey of Robert Hidey Architects in Irvine, CA. “We ask a lot of questions initially, trying to drill into budget issues and define the overall direction of the project,”

He recommends that construction costs be reviewed at the conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document phases. “I’d say 50 percent or more of the time it’s not done that way, and we end up at the back end of a project when it’s very difficult to take significant dollars out. You can always dial back the finishes and minimize some of the ornamental detailing, but the sad part is you’re downgrading to hit a construction budget.”

To illustrate proven value engineering tactics for the custom home building market, Hidey put together this side-by-side comparison of two homes designed in 2002 (before VE) and 2012 (after VE efforts). The concepts include condensed program spaces (no living room or family room); simplified, functional outdoor spaces; a simplified roof structure; and the elimination of recessed and shaped window openings.

Example Before Value Engineering:

After Value Engineering:

The husband and wife team of Claude & Debbie Comito of Comito Building and Design are feeling good about the custom home building market in 2012. With recent home sales and building permits trending upwards, land costs at relatively low levels, now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to build a new home.

Comito Building and Design has been designing and building high quality custom homes in the Pikes Peak Region for over 29 years, they have a proven reputation for excellence and an unmatched level of customer service. They utilize a unique design-build approach that takes on the process of building a home as a team, with an architect, a builder and a homeowner.  “When we take this approach, we hit our goal almost all the time of getting people what they want for what they want to spend” Claude Comito says.

Incredible Land Buys. The process starts with finding the right home site, and right now there are incredible land opportunities. Comito Building and Design is a great resource when it comes to locating a building site for your new home. They are experts in evaluating building sites and the advantages or constraints that each may present.  They currently have a handful of lots that are incredible buys in the District 12 area.

Once the home site has been selected the team works with you to design a home that fits the site, your needs and your budget. Construction costs are down 15%-20% and the team at Comito Building and Design doesn’t see that lasting much longer, again making this an ideal time to start the building process. Comito Building and Design is able to build homes from $650,000; with land prices where they are, clients are able to get Comito’s top-notch quality and thoughtful design for under $800,000.

Remodel. If you are looking to stay put and update or re-invent your current home, Comito Building and Design is available to remodel as well. “We feel we offer the best value of anyone doing what we do, because you know you are getting top quality and service at very competitive prices” Comito says.

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 our national economy finally starts to pick up steam we have to ask the questions: Will 2012 truly mark the beginning of a real estate recovery? Will values start to turn upward? Will people have the confidence to buy or build homes this year?

I believe the answers are YES, YES, YES!

In fact the recent sales & permit data already support this. I certainly don’t think that the market will increase dramatically in the short term. Over the long term, however, events are coming together that will restore faith in the housing market. To be sure, there is still much pain to be felt; and few expect values and activity to rival the mid 2000’s anytime soon; but that’s probably a good thing.

Having lived and worked through (and survived!) three previous housing recessions, I can predict some things for certain:

1. The recovery will be tepid in many areas and robust in others (location, location, location)
2. Our “buyer’s market” will shift to a more “neutral market” in most places. Highly desirable areas will shift to a “seller’s market”
3. What is presently perceived as an overabundance of inventory will someday soon become a scarcity. Especially in new well priced homes, and quality building lots.
4. Prices of materials, labor and mortgages will go up as demand increases.
5. Present “below market” opportunities will vanish-QUICKLY.

If you’re still sitting on the fence and wondering if it truly is a good time and opportunity to buy or build- don’t delay- You might miss it!

Check out the latest article in Builder Magazine: 2012 Growth Looks Good

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 atComito Building and Design.

-Claude Comito

As we enter our 4^th year of economic downturn with the resultant stresses in the housing market the temptation is greater than ever to go “cheap.” Cheap lots, cheap architects, cheap builders, cheap subs, cheap materials and components and on and on…..

Unfortunately “cheap” almost never equates to good value. While it’s true that many things involved in building cost less than 4 or 5 years ago, there is still no free lunch.

Do you really want to buy a lot that is cheap but offers no view, challenging conditions and is not in a quality area?

Do you really want to hire a cheap designer or architect or draftsman who can’t really spend the time necessary to sweat the details?

Do you really want to commission a builder that is foregoing a reasonable profit to survive but that will be gone soon – maybe while building your home? Or, one that hires the cheapest subs with little talent?

Do you really want to accept inferior lumber, windows, insulation, cabinetry, floor coverings, etc. etc. to save a few bucks? Only to be disappointed and face the prospect of replacing them too soon?

Common sense tells us that a superior home will cost more than an inferior home. A superior home, built by a quality builder with a proven track record, will be built with quality as its theme from the foundation to the final finish details. It will be built to exacting standards, according to a plan that has been carefully prepared by an accomplished architect and builder.

All of us have to find ways to cut cost and offer high quality homes for less in order to be successful. But we also must focus on perfecting performance and customer care as our reputation is on the line with every home we build. If you only want cheap, it’s easy to find – and it’s everywhere. I submit that value is what you really should be looking for.

 

“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.

Will this material be natural stone and/or brick or a cultured stone and “thin brick” product?  What’s the difference??

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

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.

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.

 

Last month we talked about the importance of pricing your existing home for a successful sale within the first month it’s on the market.  Another important component for a successful sale is the condition of your home.  It’s important for you to keep in mind that the moment the “FOR SALE” sign goes up in your front yard, this no longer your home but your product to sell – your show room – your model home.

 

In order to achieve a successful and timely sale you need to give your home a critical look.   These simple tips can help you best prepare your Colorado Springs Home for a successful sale that allows you to move forward with building the Colorado Springs Custom Home of your dreams!

 

Exterior

 House numbers should be easy to read

 Place lights on timers to ensure the home is lit up after sunset

 Eaves, troughs, and down spouts need to be clean and in good repair

 Make sure the garage/carport clean and tidy

 Pick up litter from around your home and window wells

 Cracked or broken windowpanes need to be replaced

 Doorbell and door hardware should be in good repair

 Touch up trim paint on doors, window frames, fascia, etc. 

 Specifically, paint and clean the entry

 Mow, edge and weed the lawn frequently until the home is sold

 Overgrown shrubbery should be cut back to show as much of the exterior as possible

 Plant low-cost seasonal flowers or ground cover to add a touch of color

 Inspect the roof for necessary repairs and any visible broken shingles or tiles

 Fences should be mended and painted

 Wash all windows inside and outside

 

Interior

 Lights should be on and drapes should be left open during daylight

 Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature with the fireplace lit in cooler weather  and the air conditioner on in warm weather

 Place fresh flowers/plants in various rooms

 Chipped plaster and paint should be touched up and repaired

 Doors and cupboards should be cleaned and properly closed

 Leaky taps and toilets should be repaired

 Replace burned out light bulbs

 Oil squeaky doors

 Mirrors, fixtures, and taps should be cleaned and polished

 Seal or caulk around tubs and basins

 Don’t forget to clean floors and empty the dishwasher and trash containers

 Closets and cupboards should be neat and tidy

 Valuable property should be out of reach, out of sight, or locked away

 Pets need to be absent, where possible, or contained during showings

 All torn screens should be repaired or replaced

Repaint walls if necessary - white or light pastels are the easiest to work with and they make your rooms look larger



Remember what your mother always told you, “You never get a second chance to make a GREAT first impression.”  The approach from the street all the way to the view from the back door must be considered in today’s real estate market.

 

Talk through the showing experience with your Realtor.  Consider smells/scents, music, temperature, and light.  Remove as many personal items as possible. You don’t want your visitors to be distracted by the hall of your family pictures or the model car collection.  You want them looking at the property NOT your “stuff”

 

So, price your house appropriately, repair and de-personalize your house, and start packing for your move to the Colorado Springs Custom Home of your dreams! 

 

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.

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.

 

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.

The question I am most frequently asked these days is: How is the high end custom home building market ? The answer: Getting better -much better!

We are busy. Many people understand that current conditions (buyer's market, great deals, low interest rates) offer the best opportunity to buy or build a high-end home in many many years.

Our clients are choosing to build new because they realize that building costs may never be as low as they are now. We are able to build the same high quality homes today for 20-25% less than several years ago. Some lot prices have dropped as well, making building even more attractive.

Many people want new and the benefits that come with a new home; Spray foam insulation (something that was not available even a few years ago) is revolutionizing the energy performance of our new homes. Quality windows, low maintenance exteriors and the latest high efficiency heating and cooling systems are just some of the benefits our homeowners are realizing.

Call or contact us to find out more about the tremendous opportunities out there. I don't know how long conditions will remain this favorable but I know from experience that once things start heating up prices can change rapidly.

~Claude Comito