We are doing our best to make this page as intuitive to your request as possible. However, if your question is not fully answered in the list below, please feel free to send us your inquiry via our contact page... and we will do our best to answer within one business day!
FAQ's
- About us - Why build with Highmark Homes?
- About us - How long have you been in business?
- About us - Where do you build?
- About us - Are you a member of the HBA?
- Build process - How long does it take to build a custom home?
- Build process - I am interested in building a home. How do I begin?
- Build process - Do I have to have a lot before getting the process started?
- Build process - Should I choose a house plan or lot first?
- Build process - Who handles the permits and inspections?
- Financing - Should I get pre-approved for a loan before I begin? And, if so, do you have a preferred lender?
- Financing - Do you offer financing?
- Financing - Can you help me with financing?
- Financing - Can I finance my land in my home loan?
- Financing - How does a construction loan work?
- General - Why build when I can buy a tract or existing home?
- General - Do I need a real estate agent to buy/build a new home?
- Lots - Do you have lots available?
- Plans & design - Can you build my own floor plan?
- Plans & design - What if I don't have a floor plan?
- Plans & design - Can I customize the floor plan?
- Plans & design - Can you help me design my own home?
- Pricing - How much do your homes cost per square foot?
- Pricing - What is included in the sales price?
- Pricing - What are the additional building costs?
- Pricing - What are land prices like in your area?
- Warranties - What type of warranty does Highmark Homes LLC offer? Is there an extra cost to these warranties?
About us - Why build with Highmark Homes?
topWe would like to say, “Because there are simply no other builders that can compare to our excellence in design, creativity, quality, ingenuity, foresight, attention to detail, customer service, and all for a price that cannot be beat”… though we think that would be a bit presumptuous as there are some really great builders in the area! However, we do seek to be among the best, believe we have a product very worthy of your consideration, and would love the chance to win your business. With that, please check out our customer & third party reviews (it’s always better hearing it from the mouth of another), look over our builder’s extensive resume (it feels good knowing your builder is more than qualified to handle each and every dynamic of your project), schedule a walkthrough of our model (nothing like seeing the real thing), and let our work speak for itself!
About us - How long have you been in business?
topWhile Highmark Homes LLC is relatively new to the area, Mark McNab (our general contractor) has been designing and building commercial and residential for more than 36 years… from Alaska to South Florida, and now here in the beautiful state of Colorado.
About us - Where do you build?
topWe build primarily in the Teller and West El Paso County areas (including Divide, Woodland Park, Cascade, Manitou Springs, West Colorado Springs, along the Front Range and throughout the Pike’s Peak region).
About us - Are you a member of the HBA?
topYes, we are members of the Home Builders Association of El Paso County, Colorado.
Build process - How long does it take to build a custom home?
topIt takes approximately seven to ten months… based on size and complexity of the design.
Build process - I am interested in building a home. How do I begin?
topIt’s easy, simply give us a call at 719.499.5161, or fill out our brief contact form... including your name, email address, and a message stating the nature of your inquiry (please include your phone number and best time to reach you, if you would like us to contact you via phone).
Build process - Do I have to have a lot before getting the process started?
topSometimes it’s recommended when you buy, so that the agent can look out for you. But make sure you pre-qualify your potential agent.
As far as building, if you already have an agent, that’s fine. But it is not necessary unless you are more comfortable with one. If you do not have an agent in your search to build a new home, then you will save money.
Build process - Should I choose a house plan or lot first?
topThis really could go either way. You may find a lot that you just “can’t do without”. You would then design a home to fit the lot. Or, you may have a house plan that you simply love. Then we help you find a lot that will accommodate that plan.
Build process - Who handles the permits and inspections?
topHighmark Homes LLC licensed contractor handles all permits and inspections in conjunction with the city, county, and bank.
Financing - Should I get pre-approved for a loan before I begin? And, if so, do you have a preferred lender?
topYes. It will save you time and energy so that you do not shop or get expectations beyond your budget. In a building project you would need pre-approval for not only the construction loan, but for the permanent loan at the end of the project.
We do have several preferred lenders to recommend should you desire.
Financing - Do you offer financing?
topNo, that is usually done on a track home level and is normally for the actual construction phase vs. the permanent financing.
Financing - Can you help me with financing?
topYes, we can help you through the entire process… working to 1) Develop the cost to build, 2) The appraisal for the project, 3) Coordinating to develop all the information required by the lending institution, 4) Final closing of the construction loan and help in closing the permanent financing.
Financing - How does a construction loan work?
topHighmark Homes LLC will help you find a lender and obtain a construction loan which covers the length of time to build the home. After construction completion, that loan is turned into permanent financing. Most construction loans have a maximum time of 12 months.
During the construction of the home, the builder coordinates all paperwork and inspections with the bank for you, the customer. Under bank supervision the builder (with the customer’s approval) issues requests for “draws” accommodating different phases of the building.
General - Why build when I can buy a tract or existing home?
topBy building to your own specifications your home can be tailored more to your needs, desires, and dreams.
General - Do I need a real estate agent to buy/build a new home?
topSometimes it’s recommended when you buy, so that the agent can look out for you. But make sure you pre-qualify your potential agent.
As far as building, if you already have an agent, that’s fine. But it is not necessary unless you are more comfortable with one. If you do not have an agent in your search to build a new home, you will save money.
Lots - Do you have lots available?
topYes! We have home sites available in Cedar Heights, Paradise of Colorado, and access to other individual lots throughout the Teller County area.
Plans & design - Can you build my own floor plan?
topYes! We can build your floor plan… as well as customize the plan to better accommodate any specifics you may desire (that is, if you chose to do so). It is important to note however, that most plans will have to be somewhat altered in order to meet local, international (IBC), and engineering code requirements (as plans purchased from magazines, websites, and other architectural companies are often designed generic and/or specific to the codes of a differing region).
Plans & design - What if I don't have a floor plan?
topWe have floor plans to pick from, as well as a full staff to create original designs suiting your dreams and needs. This is done in the 2nd phase of our construction plan. The first phase would be to qualify the lot for soils study, floor plan layout and any unknown encroachments (ie: easements or hidden issues with the lot). This first phase is done as a lot is being considered for purchase.
Plans & design - Can I customize the floor plan?
topYes, that is standard procedure with Highmark Homes LLC.
Plans & design - Can you help me design my own home?
topYes, we have a full design team available to help you create the home of your dreams.
Pricing - How much do your homes cost per square foot?
topWe start at $145.00 per sq. ft. based on heated space.
Pricing - What is included in the sales price?
top- Custom cabinets (with allowance)
- Custom tile counter tops with granite island
- Lighting & plumbing fixtures allowance
- High-efficiency dual furnaces
- Media air filter
- Central humidifier
- Low-E high-efficiency UV filtered windows
- Central A/C coil prep
- Downdraft range vent
- State of the art hot water heater with continuous instant hot water recirculation loop and timer pump
- Additional R rating premium vapor barrier (for exterior ceilings & walls)
- R-19 rating for garage ceiling & walls
- R-50 mass density Greenblock for lower level foundation walls
- 6-inch exterior walls throughout
- Wiring & speakers for six zone audio system
- Custom hardwood flooring
- Old world hand texture throughout main and lower level
- Crown mold (as in model)
- Pre-wire for security system & theater
- Sunken tub & dual-faucet shower (in master bath)
- Decorative wall insets & arches
- Appliance allowance
- Landscape allowance
- Trim package (as in model)
- Up to four custom accent colors
- Built-in radon system
- 5” 4000 psi fiber mesh slab and driveway
- Exterior stone accents
- Stone & custom trim fireplace packages (two)
- 50 year architectural roofing shingle
Pricing - What are the additional building costs?
topUnusual lot preparation and soils requirements.
Additional subdivision requirements.
Retainer walls and most landscaping.
Upgrades beyond the custom design that we offer in our models.
Pricing - What are land prices like in your area?
topAs low as $85,000 for an individual lot with little to no view, or in developments such as Cedar Heights and Paradise of Colorado, lots are priced about $300,000 and up for grand views.
Warranties - What type of warranty does Highmark Homes LLC offer? Is there an extra cost to these warranties?
topWe offer a full one year industry approved construction warranty at no additional cost.