High quality materials will make your home last longer!
Throughout the ages, mankind has used a variety of materials to build homes. Certain materials have proven themselves to be dependable, sturdy, and flexible enough to meet the changing needs of people and architecture. Regardless of the materials, though, quality is the big differentiator. Here are a few examples of how the quality materials we use here at The Calvosa Organization help our homes last longer.
- Natural materials such as stone, brick, copper and slate have been used in construction for centuries because they are durable, low maintenance, and reliable. Homes that use these materials – like ours – are built to last.
- Wood can last for a very long time if taken care of properly. Whether used for shutters, doors, flooring, or trim, certain species of wood have incredible strength, and are naturally rot-resistant. The biggest thing to remember is that water is the enemy, so any wood must be kept dry and sealed.
- Iron and steel are the backbone of many buildings for good reason – they are strong and adaptable. Whether they’re used in beams or studs, rebar or door frames, iron and steel
will last practically forever. - Modern high-tech materials are dependable, too. High-quality vinyl, fiber cement, fiberglass or aluminum are lightweight yet strong, and can last for decades if properly cared for. Which is why we use these materials for our exteriors.
- High-quality eco-friendly & energy-efficient materials like foam insulation, MDF, and recycled wood and plastic composite lumber are reliable substitutions for aforementioned materials such as wood and fiberglass.
Whether your home is 20 years old or 2 years old, superior materials make the difference between something that lasts and something that is fleeting. At The Calvosa Organization, we firmly believe that if you start with the best quality, employ the best craftsmen, and maintain it properly, your home will endure for years to come.
Virtual Reality is Becoming a Vital Part of the Construction Business
The problem, of course, is that drawings or renderings – no matter how skillfully done – can’t quite convey the dimensional essence of a structure. Designers and builders have used scale models to simulate the physical aspects of a building, but models are time-consuming and costly to build, and can’t adequately express how it feels to be inside the structure.
Virtual Reality applications are transforming the way builders plan, manage, construct, and market their projects. Residential builders especially benefit from being able to give potential homebuyers the experience of being inside their future home, moving around, and changing materials, colors, and fixtures. With our virtual renderings, prospects are coming to communities expecting to see a fully furnished model. The designs put into these renderings are so detailed that many people are having a hard time distinguishing the difference.
VR programs are definitely a game changer for an industry that is always looking for a way to “WOW!” their prospects. For builders, the more realistic the experience offered, the more likely a potential buyer becomes a definite buyer.
But VR requires a serious investment of time and money. In addition to specially designed virtual renderings, virtual tours require high-quality video and photography. As noted in a recent New York Times article, “A New Dimension in Home Buying: Virtual Reality”, setting up VR renderings isn’t cheap or easy. It can take months to build the virtual structures. But many residential builders and real estate experts think Virtual Reality is definitely worth the expense. As one real estate marketing expert noted, ”We sell based on emotion, and attaching that emotion to a vision. For a salesman, VR is a dream come true.”
The bottom line for most builders, though, will be their bottom lines. Is the ROI for Virtual Reality worth it? Many think it is. In addition to its obvious sales applications, VR is being used by architects, engineers and builders on construction sites, for reviewing plans, systems and materials in 3D before orders are placed or one shovel of dirt is lifted.
An article in the MIT Technology Review entitled “Augmented Reality Could Speed Up Construction Projects” demonstrated how one commercial builder saved thousands in labor costs when he noticed while reviewing a virtual mock up of a project that the steel frames he had planned to order were too long to fit the actual design. Rather than having to make adjustments on site, he was able to call the supplier and ask them to cut the frames before they were shipped to the site.
Residential builders foresee similar savings. If companies can help home buyers visualize what their homes will be like, and allow them to make changes before construction begins, it will reduce stress levels and save money. Both sides will benefit.
It’s likely that Virtual Reality will be part of the construction industry for some time to come, especially as the technology evolves and the quality improves. Visitors ask me all the time ‘Where’s the model we saw in the video online?’ They think it’s a real home. That’s how good the quality of the Virtual Tour videos is.”
The long-term effects could be interesting, too. For example, VR could eliminate the need for open houses. And evolving haptic or touch technology will let users see their own hands in the VR world, allowing them to open doors. Developers are trying to master smell and taste technology, too.
Virtual Reality really is a whole new world.
What makes The Calvosa Organization different?
There are a lot of builders on Long Island, but no one builds homes like The Calvosa Organization. We have a unique way of doing things that sets us apart from other builders.
Our Quality
The exceptional appeal of a Calvosa Organization home is a reflection of the quality and care that we put into it. Our homes feature superior quality construction, and old-world craftsmanship. Plus, we design them with Energy Star certified materials and products, along with basic smart home technology, or solar or generator power. This blend of the traditional with the ultra-modern is one of the things that make our homes so unique.
Our Locations
The Calvosa Organization builds homes in the most exclusive neighborhoods on Long Island, on individual homesites or private cul de sacs. Whether you want to be close to the bay or the marina, or minutes from schools or shopping, we’ve got you covered.
Our Construction Process
And then, there is the “Calvosa Touch”, the unique method we have that nobody else can copy. Our in-house crew controls every part of the process, from the quality, to the budget, to the timeframe. We don’t farm the work out to strangers. We do it ourselves. Consequently, our buyers develop personal relationships with us, enjoying a level of trust, honesty and integrity that is rare.
Our People
And finally, there’s Vincent Calvosa and the team. Vince’s passion, dedication, and hands-on philosophy are evident in every single Calvosa home. And the Calvosa team – which includes engineers, architects, land planners and craftsmen – has years of experience working together. We have a good reputation in the industry and in the community. Our homebuyers are always commenting on how amazing our people are. From our first point of contact to the closing of your home, our team is dedicated to assist you at a moment’s notice.
Calvosa Organization sets the standard – and breaks the mold – when it comes to luxurious design
The Calvosa Organization has a way of doing things that no other builder can match. We call our unique approach to building luxury homes “The Calvosa Touch”, and it is centered on our insistence on traditional craftsmanship, unparalleled integrity, and meticulous attention to detail.
What makes our homes feel so luxurious? The obvious answer is the big things like gourmet kitchens, spa baths and huge master suites. But if the details in those spaces aren’t done correctly, they won’t feel luxurious. The details – like the materials used and the quality of the work – are what make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.
At Calvosa, we’re all about those details. That’s why our homes are the epitome of luxury! Our classically designed homes evoke a level of grace and sophistication you don’t see too often these days. From hardwood floors to old-world style trim, Calvosa homes feel like grand old homes from years gone by.
Stately front porches welcome you into dramatic paneled foyers with sweeping staircases. Gorgeous kitchens feature solid wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, breathtaking backsplashes, and large islands. Formal dining rooms are elegant spaces with old-world paneling and complex trim work. Our master suites include extensive walk-in closets, luxurious showers and freestanding tubs, and opulent marble tiles.
Our homes also feature important details like large windows, 9-foot ceilings, arched doorways, fireplaces with mantels, vaulted ceilings, built-in bookcases, carriage house-style garage doors, and brick or stone façades with elegant moldings.
All of these design elements say “luxury” – and you’ll find them in every Calvosa home, where we’re proudly setting the standard for luxury home design on Long Island.
Things to Consider While Planning Your Grace Estates Dream Home
Building a custom home is your dream come true. But it is also months of planning everything from how the home is situated on the lot, to what kind of doorknobs you’ll have. Not to worry… The Calvosa Organization will be with you every step of the way!
Here are some things to think about as you plan your new home at Grace Estates.
- Take a hard look at your budget. Take stock of your finances: net worth, income, expenses, investments, and debt before you meet with your builder. Determine how much you can afford to spend based on the down payment you have saved, and the monthly payment (based on current interest rates). If you are not a 100% comfortable with an amount that will allow you to build your dream home, then find ways to cut your budget, lower your debt, etc.
- Visit other homes. You think you know what you want your dream home to be, but do you really? Drive around and visit other homes. Take pictures, make notes about what you like about them, what you don’t like, and how you feel about the construction. Deciding to change things halfway through is the single most expensive mistake most people make.
- Think long-term. Do you have children? Do you have aging parents? If so, you’ll need to think about accommodating family members in different scenarios, such as returning college students, visiting grandchildren and/or grandparents, caring for elderly parents. Will you be working from home? You’ll need an office. Are you less likely to drive to the gym in bad weather? Plan for a fitness room. Flexible spaces are a good long-term solution for our ever-changing lives.
- Prioritize. Once you brainstorm your “wish list”, start prioritizing. Custom home design can easily exceed a budget if you let things run amok. With so many amenities to choose from, it’s important to prioritize the most important items on the list.
- Know what you want. Start looking through design magazines and websites to get inspiration. You will not only be picking your appliances, but designing the cabinetry around them. You’ll have to choose the trim, the paint colors, the floors, and, yes, the doorknobs. Do you have a style you like? Are there definitely things you don’t like? If you have some ideas when you come in for your concept and design meetings, the process may be less overwhelming.
- Embrace the opportunity. It’s a rare thing to be able to design something that is truly the only one of its kind. A custom home is a personal, special opportunity. It’s built from scratch just for your family. Make sure you work in some unique elements or features that are distinctively yours. At Calvosa, we will build whatever you want.
Most of all, we want you to be excited! We might be a little biased here at The Calvosa Organization, but we believe we’re the best – and we look forward to helping you build your dream home!