Getting Started with a Tract Home

Enter the neighborhood of nearly identical houses in rows as far as the eyes can see. All are painted in similar colors; the yards are so similar as to be identical, and the lack of personality is evident. These are tract homes, so named because the builder bought a tract of land, subdivided it, and built homes.

Because the builder is constructing so many homes, they order building supplies in the hundreds or thousands, and this allows them to sell the house a bit cheaper. Inside the homes are all the same doorknobs and faucets, the same
light fixtures, and the same color carpet, and there are few to no upgrades or alterations for the buyer to choose from.

These properties make great starter homes, and many people buy them as their first home. That alone makes tract homes a good purchase because they generally have good resale value — there are always new families looking for
their first home, especially in Colorado.

A Spec Home with More Personality

You’ve probably guessed what a spec home is: a home built before it has a buyer. It’s a home built on speculation. The builder is speculating, or gambling you might say, that someone will buy this house.

A builder buys a small amount of land and subdivides it. The builder bears the cost of bringing in water, electrical, and gas lines and constructs the spec home, which is a step above a tract home. The builder might use a different floor plan for each home and add a few custom touches such as an upgrade on countertops, carpet, or crown molding.

Once the home is finished, it is listed for sale. Until it sells, the builder is responsible for making the loan payments, and since they only build a few homes at a time (maybe 10-12), it’s more manageable financially than a large tract of identical homes.

Custom Homes are the Ultimate Luxury

A custom home, built specifically to your needs, wants, and style, is the winner! Built entirely to the customer’s wishes, this is their dream home. If the owner/customer wants two bedrooms and three bathrooms, that’s what they get. Two dishwashers in the kitchen? No problem.

The customer usually already has the land purchased. They contact a builder and start the process, hiring an architect to draw up the plans according to their wishes and a designer to guide them. There is no stock plan here like there would be in building a tract home. The customer picks out the cabinets, the finishes, and every detail that goes into making that house their home, such as colors, wood choices, built-ins, and specialties like an indoor hot tub!

In a custom home, the sky really is the limit. Whatever the customer can pay for, they can have.

If you’re interested in learning more about the custom home building process, contact us at Colarelli Custom Homes.

Wireless Home Security

Security has always been high on a homeowners list however technology is changing the accessibility and ease of installation. Wireless home security systems can use a secure cellular connection that is faster and more reliable than traditional systems. This enables real-time monitoring and alerts from your home on your smart phone and other devices.

Cellular connection allows for a much easier installation process. If you need to add new sensors, there is no need to run wires through your home. In addition, because the security system is wireless, troubleshooting can be made simpler with customer support from your service provider’s customer support center.

Because there is little to no wiring throughout the home, these types of security systems are very flexible and versatile. You are able to move and add sensors throughout your home to keep track of and protect all areas and unique additions to your home, with real time alerts that help you keep track of what is happening when you are away. Door and window sensors are manufactured small enough to keep tabs on medicine cabinets, pool gates, or even to make sure a safe is not accessed without your immediate knowledge. This increases awareness of what goes on inside your home, not just the perimeter.

Wireless home security is portable, flexible and adapts to you. As your family grows and changes, your home security needs may change too. You may want to add extra sensors to the kitchen cabinets as your children become more mobile, or add a sensor to the nursery door of a new nursery. You can also add smart locks to your system that can allow your pet sitter to come and go while you are on vacation. No matter how your needs change, the technology will be right there with you to help keep your home and those in it safe.

Security Cameras

Pairing perfectly with wireless home security, security cameras are another hot ticket item for home owners. They give you to ability to monitor the interior and/or exterior of your home; the biggest pro of these types of systems. Monitoring the outside of your home gives you an opportunity to track package deliveries, possible theft, and any potential threats that may present themselves. Young or elderly family members that are home alone or with a caretaker, naughty pets, or valuable personal possessions are great motivators to monitor the interior of your home.

With such a wide variety of venders and options, security cameras are becoming easier to obtain for a variety of home owners. Their ease of install keeps prices down by not requiring professionals to come to your home to set up the system. Add ons such as wireless, remote monitoring straight to a smart phone, or a higher definition camera can increase the price, but are options to some systems rather than requirements.

Visible home security cameras can act as a deterrent to potential burglars. Burglars are less likely to choose a home with a monitoring system that could identify them to the police. For this reason, many insurance companies offer a discount to your policy if your home is equipped with a security camera system.

The unexpected unfortunately can happen. Even if you are living in a low crime area, your home has valuable items and irreplaceable people residing in it. Having a home security camera is a great way to gain peace of mind and to help ensure if something does happen, you will be prepared.

Still to come:

Wireless Home Audio System
Home Theater
Outdoor Speakers and Audio Control

Technology is often a driver for customers looking to make their home as efficient, user friendly, and upscale as possible. Over the next few blogs we will cover some of the more popular technology additions that consumers look to add to their custom homes.

Multi-Zone HVAC

In a multi-zone heating system, each room can have a separate heating zone. This brings an end to the arguments with those you share your home with to agree on a temperature. It gives you more control over the temperature of your home and makes comfort not only an achievable goal, but a priority. Splitting your home into separate heating zones can allow for the living room to be cooler than the bedroom or vice versa for example. Depending on how your home is divided, this type of system allows more people to enjoy their perfect temperature inside the home.

While these types of systems increase the complexity and make it seem as though they will be less energy efficient that is not the case when using the system properly. With a multi-zone system, you can set the temperature of less often used rooms cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer while focusing the energy on those more common areas in the home. The less often used rooms do not need to be as comfortable as the rest of the home and can work to help you save money every month, year round.

Many modern conveniences accompany the multi-zone systems. Remote controls offer an easy way to adjust temperatures within the room without having to reach the thermometer. Such remote controls can also include features that control the fan speed or even the humidity level.

It is important to note the drawback of this particular type of heating/cooling system. It is a more complex system and thus requires more duct work and equipment. This will drive up the initial cost of install.

Programmable Thermostat

There are four different types of programmable thermostats available to you, each having a distinct scheduling style. Each will have the same basic set up but they target a different type of schedule. Programming options are based on a wake time, leave time, return time, and sleep time. This allows you to conserve the cool/heat for the times you are home while saving you money during the times you are away.  The first is a 7-day programming. This type of thermostat lets you schedule each day individually. This is ideal for families with more erratic schedules as it is the most flexible. The second option is a 5-1-1 programming. This system allows for one heating/cooling schedule for every day of the week, plus individual schedules for Saturday and Sunday. Similarly, we have the 5-2 programming which is almost identical to 5-1-1, however Saturday and Sunday will have the same heating/cooling plan. The last option is a 1-week programming. In this system, you can set only one heating/cooling plan and it cycles every day of the week.

Energy Management System 

Energy management systems make it easier for you to track your energy usage and manually control it in areas that can decrease your overall all cost and usage. It is a technology platform that includes both hardware and software allowing users to monitor energy usage and production and to manually control and or automate the usage in a household. The hardware acts as a “hub” that allows the goings on in the house to be relayed to the user and in some cases the local utility or electricity retailer. The software is what monitors the ingoing and outgoing data and communications. Usually taking the form of an app or web portal, the software is what allows the user to control functions of the system and allows access to the monitoring data. Some of the monitoring you will be able to do is:

• Device and appliance data: Which devices are on and off? How much energy is each one using?
• Granularity of time data: What is the smallest time increment that the system is keeping track of – or that it displays to the viewer?
• Insights delivered: Does the system send notifications to tip off the user to trends and issues they may not pick up on without parsing through the data themselves?
• Energy management systems also give users control to do a range of things. For example:
• Turn devices on and off remotel
• Set devices to operate on schedules
• Set up conditional rules for devices operation
• Manage the flow of energy from solar panels (and other generators) through the home or in and out of batteries
• Allow “machine learning” to take over and run the system semi-automatically
• Energy management systems can monitor and manage electricity, solar pv, battery storage and solar thermal.

Still to Come:

Wireless Home Security
Security Cameras
Central Vacuum System
Wireless Home Audio System
Home Theater
Outdoor Speakers and Audio Control
Lighting Control System

Building a custom home can be an overwhelming task, especially if you jump in with no real direction. There are many questions you can ask yourself before taking the dive that can help guide you onto a smoother sailing path to your dream home.

What are my expectations with this new home?

Are you looking for a home that is completely custom down to the door knobs, or are you looking for an existing floor plan that is primarily predetermined with only some input by you and your family? Or do you desire a mix of both? Regardless of which route you choose, make your level of involvement very clear from the beginning to avoid frustration.

How big is my family (going to be) and how long will we be living in our new home?

Whether you are just starting out, have multiple children, or are empty nesters, asking yourself how big your family is or may become is very important. Family size should be considered for many reasons; most obviously the size of the home and number of bedrooms. If you expect your family to grow while you are living in your custom home, you will want to consider additional bedrooms, bathrooms and storage.

Longevity also comes into play when considering the location of your home. You may select a certain location based on school district for current or future children, proximity to your work and activities you frequent, and the long term viability of the area.

What is most important for our family?

Rank the following, and any more that come to mind, in order of importance to your family:

• Space and amenities in the home
• Room to entertain
• Location
• Budget and time to completion
• Design Style
• Energy savers, smart design, “green” building
• Accessibility for now and later years
• Multi-generational – will you have parents or adult children living with you
• Low maintenance
• Return on investment
• Landscape potential
• Size of lot

What about the heart of our home, the kitchen?

The style and amenities of a custom, dream kitchen are only limited to your imagination. Many include islands, brick ovens and built-ins galore and all are options when you are building your home from scratch. The attention to detail in back splash, flooring and accent pieces are also limitless. It can be both exciting and overwhelming to build your dream kitchen from scratch so ask yourself what is the most important and trickle your list down from there.

If entertaining is something that is important to you, then the size of the kitchen will also be a priority along with design and amenities.

Do we have the time and patience?

Custom home building is not for those who desire instant gratification. Even if you have every detail worked out and not one thing changes during the process, you are still looking at a process that can take anywhere from 6-12 months, a small price to pay for a completely custom home. It is highly unlikely that plans and details will not change, as ideas flourish and your creativity flows and each change that occurs could potentially add more time. If you are willing to take the time it requires building a custom home that is just to your liking, then you are on the right track. Good things do come to those who wait, but the process can be stressful. The end result is sure to make it worth the time, energy, and patience, but if you are in a bind, be sure to address your timeline early on in the process with your builder.

Can we afford it?

The unfortunate question that has to be asked is, can you afford the additional costs it takes to build a custom home? Not only that but one that meets most if not all of your desires. Part of this question can be answered by meeting with your builder and going over the budget and options with them. However it is not uncommon to find things you would like to add on or change in the process so having an extra bit of wiggle room in the budget is a good idea.

Starting with these questions could yield several more that will allow you to narrow your scope and direction on your custom home. To answer these, and any other questions you have, please contact us today!

Building a custom home to your specifications and with the exact amount of space that is needed can sound too lofty for some. However, with time and an outstanding home builder, your dream can become a reality quicker than you might imagine. The most important question to ask in the initial planning phase is, how much square footage I will need?

Considering the rise in the size of the average American home within the last 20 years, it is easy to assume that as much square footage as possible is best for the resale value of your home if you eventually decide to sell. But before you start looking into a sprawling floor plan with multiple bedrooms and a massive kitchen, there are a few major questions to consider.

What kind of activities does your family primarily use your current home for?

In your current home, there surely are features and spaces you can point to and explain exactly how you would change the space to make it more functional. These tweaks you have compiled from time spent in your current home are important to consider when drawing up the floor plan for your new custom home. If you enjoy the outdoors with cookouts and backyard games then maybe the focus should be on minimizing the square footage indoors so you can maximize outdoor space with a deck or patio. Perhaps you lead a busy life and the house is more of a tranquil place to relax, sleep and recharge between family events, jobs and school. If this is the case, you may think about increasing the size of community spaces like the living room. All of these factors will play into designing the perfect custom home.

How many bedrooms will you need?

This is a loaded question, but determining how many bedrooms you will need is one of the most important factors in nailing down a floor plan for your custom home. If your children are still growing or you plan on having more, then a versatile floor plan with multiple bedrooms that allows for plenty of individual space would be best suited. Also think about the flexibility of a room in the future: what is a nursery now could very well become an office or a creative space later. If you are an empty-nester but you love to fill your home with relatives and guests, having one or two bedrooms with private bathrooms in addition to the master is ideal.

Do you have a truly unique feature or space in mind?

If you have opted to go completely custom with your new home and design it from foundation to shingles, you have control over the unique aspects the home will have. Have you ever had one dream feature on your mind that has you saying things like, “If we ever design our own home, it has to have this!”? Each element will effect the square footage and architectural design of the new home; so look no further than Colarelli Custom Homes to walk with you every step of the way and make that vision a reality. Contact us today to start building your custom floor plan!

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is, “Is it more expensive to build a custom home than to buy one?” The answer is simple: it does not have to. While custom homes are generally more expensive than production built houses, custom homes are built for you and in accordance with your budget. This means that you don’t get anything that you do not need in your house. Every space is maximized. As long as you keep an eye on your budget and make choices that align with that, you can save a lot of money when building your dream house. Here are our tips to help you plan for the perfect custom home without breaking the bank.

Location, Location, Location

With all the beautiful sites to choose from in Colorado, there are some lots that will cost you more than others. One way to reduce the total cost of your custom home is to find a site that has very little slope in regards to the terrain.  Flatter sites are more cost effective in that they require less modifications to build a home.  An empty, flat lot will need much less cleaning than a sloped lot full of trees.  Your builder will be able to assist you with estimations for lot clearing.  Additionally, they can provide you with information for drainage, sewers, power lines, and other challenges you may encounter.  The plot plan must be reviewed with your builder before making a budget.

It can be helpful to involve your home builder before buying your lot. Colarelli Custom Homes can perform a no-cost lot assessment that can determine the suitability for your custom home. This ensures that you own a lot that is a nice fit for your design and budget.

Choosing Simplicity over Complexity

Naturally, a home with a complicated floor plan and professional architectural design details will cost more than a simple home.  When building a custom home, it’s important to remember that every corner or wall that is different than the norm will add to the cost of your home.  Additionally, irregular and steep roofing can shoot the price of your home up.  Meeting with an architect early on helps ensure that you get a house that incorporates everything that is important to you while staying within your budget.

You can also save money when you go to choose the finishing materials for the interior of your home. Things like cheaper cabinetry, countertops, flooring, fixtures, etc. all will impact the end price of your home. You do not have to sacrifice quality over cost, either. For example, instead of pure hardwood flooring, you could choose Luxury Vinyl Planks that look like hardwood at a cheaper price point.

If you can, shoot for less fancy kitchen appliances.  Down grading expensive appliances for something inexpensive that can be upgraded later is a good decision for saving money when building your custom home.  Nearly every aspect of a kitchen can be upgraded or remodeled down the road, including appliances, cabinetry, backsplash, and flooring.

Lower Square Footage

Another simpler way to reduce the costs of your project is to decrease the amount of square footage in your home.  If you want to save on space without reducing square footage, consider building up for a two-story design, instead of making a wider one-story.

Simple Roofing Is Key

The roof is a costly facet of the home, since it hosts some of the most expensive materials and labor necessary for installation. The simpler the roof system, the more cost effective it will be. An example of an inexpensive roof is a single ridge-line roof with a shallow pitch. Complicated roofs involve hips and valleys with steep pitch. While these roofs may be more visually appealing, they will also be much more expensive than a simple roof. A roofing company Colorado Springs can help you figure out the right options for you.

Choose a Strong Custom Home Builder

Finding a custom home builder that has the experience and skill that you need to build your perfect home is worth the hassle and will end up saving you money in the long run.  Building a home is a process that requires a reliable builder to deliver the home on time.  When searching for your custom home builder, ask for references who can vouch for the reliability of your potential home builder.

Contact Us

Colarelli Custom Homes can be that company for you. We take pride in being an honest, professional, and expert custom home builder in Colorado Springs. Our customer service is something that sets us apart from the rest of the competition, as we work alongside our client and their budget. If you want to learn more about Colarelli Custom Homes, contact us today.

How does your dream house go from a set of architectural designs on a rolled sheet of paper, to a four-dimensional, breathtaking sanctuary for you and your family? It all has to do with the home building process and the special care that is put into it. There is a difference, however, between how custom home builders go about building homes and how production builders do it. Key differences like the quality of materials, the length of time it takes, and the variations between a custom home design plan and a stock home design plan, can drastically affect the value of your home. The bottom line is that custom home builders like Colarelli Custom Homes complete the entire construction process with you by our side. We adapt the design, materials, and finishes to you and your needs, all while utilizing the best materials on the market. Colarelli Custom Homes build homes that last. Here’s how we do it:

Architectural Design and Approval

With your vision in mind, we work together with the best residential architects in Colorado Springs to get you a design plan that reflects everything you want in the home. This plan will account for the exterior style, the amount of square footage, and the layout of your floor plan (bedrooms, kitchen, living room, etc), and more. Once you have approved the plan, and we have verified that it meets all of the building codes, we get to work.

Excavation

Often times when building custom homes in Colorado, we come across complex lots. If you have a piece of land in Black Forest, we would have to clear the trees and level out the ground. Likewise, if you own property in Woodland Park, we would need to excavate any boulders, hills, trees, and any uneven terrain. This step allows us to create the space that is needed to construct the house.

Foundation

Once the ground is cleared and flattened, we can begin the foundation process. Here, we dig into the ground, put in preliminary framework, and pour the foundation of your home. We also pour retaining walls.

Water, Sewer, and Electrical Systems

While we are still in the first phase of construction, we dig the necessary trenches that allows services for your sewage, water, and electric systems to reach your house. We lay down preliminary lines and piping. If you do not have a well on your land, we would also do this now, if not sooner.

Framing

Now, we begin to put in the wooden framing that will be the skeleton of your home. Here, you will be able to see your house starting to come to life. You can see the hallways, the bedrooms, and the walls that will be finished in the near future.

Windows, Roofing, Drywall, and Siding

When the framing is completed, this is the part where we complete the external construction phase. We install the windows, the roofing, and the siding, fully completing the basics of the outside. We also complete any exterior masonry on the outside, including extra stone, brick, window shutters, and more. On the interior of your house, we finish the drywall, and have created room for things like bathtubs, sinks, washer and dryer hook ups, etc.

Interior Systems Installations

During this same phase as the exterior finishing and drywall installation, we make sure that your home has a full functioning ventilation system, a plumbing system, an air conditioning and heating unit, as well as electrical, phone, cable, and internet wiring.

Interior Finishes

Now that we have your entire home’s structure completed, we start installing the exciting things like cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and more. All of these things are fully customizable when you work with a custom home builder, so you can choose cherry wood cabinets in the kitchen, engineered hardwood flooring in the bathroom, or even a mosaic tile design in the entryway. We also complete the trim and molding work, as well as install all the doors, the appliances, and toiletry fixtures at this stage. Then, we paint the home according to your color scheme.

Completion

Now, you have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind home that you can call your own! We do a final walk-through in this stage to make sure everything is to your satisfaction, then we hand you the front door keys. We wish you a happily ever after in your brand new custom home!

Contact Us

If you want to hear more about how Colarelli Custom Homes is different than any other home builder in Colorado Springs, give us a call. We would be happy to discuss how we can start your custom home building journey today. Contact us for more information!