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Version: 2026.08.01

How Your Home Is Built

Plans and Specifications

The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department must review and approve the plans and specifications for your home. Classic Homes is required to comply with these approved plans and specifications. The plans and specifications also become part of our agreements with trade contractors and suppliers. Only written instructions from Classic Homes can change these contracts. Many factors can cause variations between the model home you viewed and the home we deliver to you.

Regulatory Changes

From time to time, municipal agencies adopt new codes or regulations that can affect your home. As a result, our Builders may construct the same floor plan slightly differently in two different jurisdictions, or at two different times within the same jurisdiction.

Foundation Designs

An independent soils engineer tests each lot and designs a specific foundation for the lot and home selected. You will be provided with a copy of the soils report for your home before closing. Because of variations in soil condition between lots, your neighbor's foundation type may be different from yours.

Topography and Home Site Conditions

Because each homesite is shaped differently, the position of your home on the site may vary from others in the community. You will receive a copy of a site plan—a drawing that shows the position of your home on your homesite—at your Home Start Conference. In addition, the exterior elevations of each home are affected by the topography, or surface contours, of your homesite. For instance, slope on the site may affect the configuration of the driveway and walks, as well as the number of steps and where rails occur. Exterior finish varies in accordance with the slope on the site, and retaining walls are sometimes needed for extreme conditions.

Utilities and Mailboxes

The locations of meters, internet/TV and electrical junction boxes, and mailboxes are examples of items outside the control of Classic Homes. The authority of the utility companies and the postal service to designate the placement of these items is well established.

Changes in Materials, Products, and Methods

The new-home industry, building trades, and product manufacturers are continually working to improve methods and products. In addition, manufacturers sometimes make model changes that can impact the final product. For instance, appliance manufacturers generally make design changes every year. The model homes will contain the appliances that were current when those homes were built, although your home may have a more recent version.

In all instances, as stated in your purchase agreement, any substitution of method or product that we make will be of equal or better quality than that of our original selection. Since such discontinuations or product changes may become necessary due to matters outside our control, we will make every effort to offer you the opportunity to reselect items. In some instances, such as appliances, we reserve the right to make substitutions based upon availability.

Model Homes

Model homes display many decorator items, window coverings, and furnishings. Mature landscaping, extra walks, fences, lighting, fountains, signs, and flags are other examples of items that are not part of the home we will be building for you. Please carefully review your home's specifications, as well as the information Classic Homes provides about available choices displayed in the models, to avoid misunderstandings. Please note that model homes may differ between communities because of community architect requirements. Contact your Sales Specialist with any questions.

Measurements

Finish sizes can vary slightly, and rooms may be slightly different in size and height from those shown in the model, due to site conditions and plan updates. You should measure for window coverings and non-builder-installed appliances in your home after the finishes are installed, rather than in any model home.

Natural Variations

Dozens of trade contractors work to assemble your home. The same individuals rarely work on every home, and even if they did, each one would still be unique. The exact placement of switches, outlets, registers, and so on will vary slightly from the model and from other homes of the same floor plan.

Quality

Classic Homes will build your new home to the quality standards described in our documents and demonstrated in our model homes. Each new home is a handcrafted product—combining art, science, and raw labor. The efforts of many people with varying degrees of knowledge, experience, and skill come together to build your home.

Quality Control

Errors and omissions can happen, and here's how we deal with them. During a process that takes several months, involves dozens of people, and occurs while exposed to weather conditions, an error or omission may occur from time to time. We have systems and procedures for inspecting our homes to ensure that the level of quality meets our requirements. We inspect each phase of construction and are responsible for quality control. In addition, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, a third party, or an engineer conducts a number of inspections at different stages of construction. Your home must pass each inspection before construction continues.

Trade Partners

Classic Homes selects all personnel and companies that supply materials or perform work in your new home. We order all materials and products from suppliers with whom we have established relationships. Trade contractors who work on our sites are subject to review and evaluation by construction and warranty personnel. They are also required by our trade agreements to attend safety training and company meetings.

Although sweat-equity arrangements are unavailable as part of our purchase agreement, you are welcome to add your personal touches to the home after you close and take possession of it.

Your home is built through the combined efforts of specialists in many trades—from excavation and foundation through framing, mechanicals, and insulation to drywall, trim, and finish work. To ensure Classic Homes' standard of construction, only authorized suppliers, trade contractors, and Classic Homes employees are permitted to perform work in your home.

Each trade contractor works on a limited portion of the home; they are unaware of all the details that affect the home and are therefore unable to offer accurate judgments.

Suppliers and trade contractors have no authority to enter into agreements for Classic Homes. For your protection and theirs, the terms of our trade contractor agreements prohibit alterations without written authorization from Classic Homes. Failure to comply with this procedure can result in termination of their contract. All questions or requests for changes must go through Classic Homes. We will obtain input from trades when that is appropriate.

Your Questions

We respect your interest and appreciate your connection to the new home. Your input throughout the process is welcome. However, to avoid duplication of efforts, confusion, misunderstandings, or compounding errors, we ask that you first check your purchase documents to review what you ordered and the specifications for construction of your home. If you still believe we are in error, please do one of two things:

  • Bring your concern up at the Pre-Drywall Inspection.
  • Contact your Sales Specialist with your question. They will pass your question to our construction staff. Your Builder will address questions during your weekly phone call.

Also keep the following points in mind once you have notified us of a concern:

  • Your concern may involve a detail Classic Homes has already noticed, or it may be something new that needs our attention. Either way, correction may not occur immediately. We often schedule the correction for the next routine visit.
  • Work may simply be incomplete; an early stage can look wrong and be correct when the work is finished. For example, paint and drywall touch-ups are completed at the end of construction, not throughout the build.
  • Methods and materials vary from region to region and change over time. When you are familiar with one method, you naturally question a different one. That does not make the new method wrong. Ask questions as necessary; we are happy to talk to you about these details.

Ugly Duckling Stages

During the construction process, every new home experiences days when it is not at its best. Homes under construction endure wind, rain, snow, foot traffic, and activities that generate noise, dust, and trash. Material scraps are a byproduct of the process. Although your new home is cleaned by each trade upon completion of their portion of the work, during your visits you will encounter some messy moments. Keep in mind that the model homes you toured also once endured these "ugly duckling" stages.