The current increased desire for new homes has created a perfect storm of high demand and limited availability of materials in the construction industry, which has vendors and builders across the country struggling to keep up.
In a recent survey by Meyers Research, half of the builders surveyed had experienced delays in acquiring supplies. Outdoor deck materials such as pressure treated and composite woods are completely unavailable in some markets. Appliance vendors have also had difficulties, leading some builders to make substitutions and limit selections.
The National Association of Home Builders reports that lumber prices have increased by more than 170% since spring, adding an average of $16,000 to the cost of building a new home.
While we have managed to keep our projects on schedule through the summer, we are starting to see signs of potential supply interruptions. Our lead time for ordering windows has increased from four to twelve weeks, with siding increasing to three months.
These supply issues may cause disruptions for our customers, but by working together, we can do our best to mitigate or avoid delays entirely. After signing a construction agreement it will be vital that customers work with their Project Manager to complete the selection process quickly. This will enable us to order materials for your job well in advance, even before applying for your permits.
We hope these issues will be short term. The market is expected to level out in the coming months, with manufacturers increasing production and seasonal trends reducing demand.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your Sales Manager or call us at 301-256-4110.
At Classic Homes of Maryland, we’ve always worked hard to avoid and delay inevitable price increases. Since 2017 we’ve only raised our prices once, while many builders do so several times throughout each year.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has created an environment where avoiding increases is no longer possible. A perfect storm of short supply and high demand has caused the price of lumber to sky rocket.
Builders across the country are seeing an average increase of $14,000 – $20,000 in the lumber costs to build a single home. The market for other materials has also become volatile, with vendor’s announcing large price increases without advance notice.
While we are still making assessments of these changes to the market, we do expect to be forced to raise prices in the near future. If you are close to a decision on your dream home, talk to a Sales Manager today about locking in pricing before this pending increase.
Donate to Friends of Sparsh and Classic Homes will match your donation up to $1,000.
Friends of Sparsh can feed a family of four for an entire week for just $40. Together we can help make a difference.
“We can’t help everyone, but…everyone can help someone.”
– Dr. Loretta Scott
Who Are the Friends of Sparsh
Friends of Sparsh is a non-profit organization founded by Prakash Saraf and his 13 year old son Neev in November 2018.
“Sparsh” means “a kind touch”. Prakash and Neev aim to touch the lives of those that are in need. The mission of Friends of Sparsh is to “Enhance the life of others with service, kindness, and compassion.”
Friends of Sparsh connects within the community, for the community. In pursuing the mission, Friends of Sparsh has
partnered with Project PLASE, a homeless shelter in Baltimore MD area.
Friends of Sparsh sponsors a food bank for the community residents. So far 55,000 pounds of food have been distributed.
Friends of Sparsh’s accomplishments include:
- Assisted 46 families with basic items such as television, mattress, furniture, and kitchen essentials to help them resettle from transitional home to permanent housing.
- With the help of volunteers, Friends of Sparsh coordinates meals for the shelter residents and have served about 60,000 full meals.
- Due to Covid-19, Friends of Sparsh have doubled their efforts, distributing masks to the homeless community and providing dinner daily.
Read Neev’s interview with non-profit network Points of Light ->
About Your Donation
Friends of Sparsh is a tax-deductible non-profit charity organization, Section 501(c) (3). Donations can be made as follows:
Paypal.me/friendsofsparsh
Venmo@Friendsofsparsh
Mail a check: Friends of Sparsh, 3108 Nestling Pine Ct. Ellicott City MD 21042
Pay by credit card, call – 301-538-3834
Please be sure to note that your donation is being made as part of the Classic Homes matching program.
Classic Homes of Maryland is proud to support local media like Bethesda Magazine. The coronavirus outbreak has illustrated just how important local news is to keeping us informed and connected.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bethesda Magazine is offering the digital edition of the May/June 2020 issue for free for a limited time. Don’t miss the feature on Classic Homes in the Builder & Architect Showcase on page 170.
The cover story, “Acts of Kindness”, details various examples of how “the worst of times has brought out the best in many local residents”.
Read the May/June 2020 Issue of Bethesda Magazine, free for a limited time ->
We care deeply about our customers and employees. As always, health and safety are our primary concern. We are closely watching the situation with the spread of the novel Coronavirus and will be making changes in the interest of public safety and continued productivity.
Events
The construction tour planned at the custom Avenel in Silver Spring on March 28 has been canceled. We will keep you updated if postponement of the Classic Homes Building Seminar in May becomes necessary.
Moving Forward
We want to assure our customers that we are moving forward with due caution during these difficult times. While we will have to make adjustments to our processes, we expect overall interruption to be fairly minimal at this time. We have already begun making changes with our supply chain, and are prepared to make other changes as needed.
Strength of the Building Industry
Historically, the United States’ construction industry is overwhelmingly the one industry that has led our country out of tough economic times. This has held true through most economic downturn in the last 120 years. The building industry is well positioned currently, with interest rates historically low, and the demand for housing exceptionally strong and steady.
Meetings at Classic Homes Offices
If you have a meeting scheduled with our Sales or Orientation teams, please note that we are following CDC guidelines to clean our offices, and specifically our conference rooms and design facility several times daily and after each meeting. If you prefer, we are happy to offer phone conferencing or video conferencing.
We are temporarily changing our policy and limiting our meetings to our clients and their real estate professional or architect only. If you decide to bring any family member or children along , please call the sales manager in advance so we can make arrangements. We all have families, and are aware of how difficult it is to have children and other relatives stay home.
Working together, we will keep your dreams and goals moving forward. You can call us at 301-256-4110 (sales) and 301-251-2001 (main) with any questions. Thank you for your understanding, and your patience during this time.
Winter is approaching, and Classic Homes would like to help you ensure that your home survives the harsh winter months.
Treating Ice
- Protect your driveway, stoop and lead walk from winter damage.
- Use of salt or chemical de-icers will damage concrete or asphalt.
- We recommend using fresh sand or kitty litter instead.
- Once the ice and snow has passed, it’s best to hose down your driveway and your vehicles of heavy salt de-icers from the roads.
Hose Bibs
- Prevent problems caused by frozen external pipes.
- Turn off the water to all outside hose bibs at the interior shut-off valve.
- Drain remaining water to prevent it from freezing.
- Disconnect all hoses.
Heat
- Prevent problems caused by frozen internal pipes.
- Always leave the heat on in your home in the winter, even if you plan to be away for weeks at a time.
- Heat the entire home. Even that room in the far corner that no one uses.
- Replace filters in the furnace and humidifier (if applicable).
- Ensure that the condensation line is clear and draining properly.
- Clear debris from around outdoor HVAC units.
Fireplace
- If your home has a wood burning fireplace, be sure it’s ready before using it.
- Clean and inspect the fire box and chimney.
- Check that the screen and air intake/outakes are clear.
Sump Pump
- To prevent possible water damage, be sure your sump pump is working properly.
- Ensure sump pump is operating correctly.
- Check drainage lines for obstructions.
Gutters and Downspouts
- Frozen gutters and downspouts can cause more serious problems than you might expect, including roof damage, leading to leaks into your home.
Clear gutters, downspouts and ice dams before the winter weather sets in. - Like a car, your home needs regular maintenance and occasional tune-ups to stay in great shape. As the seasons change there are different tasks to complete to ensure your home remains in top condition.
Classic Homes’ first custom build to Design for Life specifications was recently featured in a Montgomery County PSA for a DFL Showcase event. This home was a Belmont model, customized to meet the DFL specs.
DLF features can be added as an option to the main level of any of our homes. Please contact a Sales Manager for details.
April 1, 2016 – Montgomery County, MD held an event this week to launch a new Design for Life (DFL) website. The Design for Life program provides property tax incentives to encourage residents to build homes with features that enhance accessibility for people with mobility limitations.
Classic Homes customer Kathy Hansen, and Amita Jain, Classic Homes Vice President, were featured speakers at the event. Earlier this year, Classic Homes completed construction of Hansen’s home, a Belmont model, re-designed to meet DFL Livability specifications.
Other speakers at the event included County Executive Ike Leggett, Director of Permitting Services Diane Schwartz-Jones, and Councilmember Nancy Floreen.
Hansen spoke on the ways in which the DFL features have made access to her new home “dramatically easier” and improved her “mobility and quality of life immensely.” She thanked Classic Homes for working with her to customize a home to meet her specific needs.
Amita Jain spoke on the increased demand for multi-generational homes the company has seen in recent years. From first floor In-Law Suites, to features to accommodate seniors, these elements fall right in line with the DFL program’s goal to promote the “age in place at home” concept.
Are you taking the future into consideration as you plan your dream home? Contrary to popular belief, including accessibility or even livability features in a new custom home can be cost effective and attractive. And with the DFL tax credits, these features are more affordable than ever.
Learn more about our Accessible Design.
October 7, 2015 – This past week our founder, Prem Puri, and his latest spec home, 9704 Spicewood Ln, were featured in The Washington Post.
The story touches on Prem’s long career as a builder, as well as his charity, the DD Puri Foundation, which will receive the profits from the sale of the home.
Founded in 1998, the charity’s goal is to help provide for the most unfortunate in India, providing funds for everything from medical care to supporting a school for the deaf and blind.
DD Puri has branched out since its inception, and now contributes to causes in East Africa, South Asia and the Pacific. One recent project provided education for young girls in a Kenyan refugee camp.
Photos of the spec home, also appear online in the Washington Posts “Distinguished homes for sale in the D.C. region” feature.
Click here to view a PDF of the complete Washington Post article.
Bethesda is a beautiful city full of attractive neighborhoods, countless restaurants, interesting shops, various entertainment options and top schools. Bethesda has it all. But with very little available land, and a median home value of close to $900,000, it can be tough to find a place to build in Bethesda.
This month, Livability.com released their annual “Top 100 Best Places to Live” ranking, and Rockville, MD came in high on the list, at #17. Bethesda just made the list this year, coming in at #100. The ranking takes not only area amenities and schools into account, but considers affordability as well.
Rockville has its own growing selection of amenities. Rockville Town Square is well established and thriving with over 25 shops, 25 restaurants, and a brand new Cambria Hotel and Suites.
Livability.com was impressed with the area festivals, such as the popular Hometown Holidays, held in Rockville Town Square every Memorial Day Weekend. The huge modern Rockville Library was also a point of interest.
What about the schools? According to US News and World Report, three of the top ten public high schools in the state of Maryland are located in Rockville. Thomas S. Wooton High School came in at #2, with Richard Montgomery High School ranking #6, and Rockville High School at #8.
Want to learn more about the possibility of building your dream home in Rockville? Give the Classic Homes Sales Team a call at 301-256-4110.