Where Customization Meets Functionality

A Legacy of Thoughtful Design and Enduring Quality

 

Saddletree Homes, a premier builder, is uniquely defined by its unparalleled adherence to top quality craftsmanship and a commitment to flexible customization for each and every house they build and/or renovate.

The company’s highly effective, relationship-driven business model is deeply rooted in a depth of experience. Saddletree sales professionals, on average, have at least 10 years of experience and always guide clients through the home-building process.

That process itself focuses on creating not just functional but also sellable homes, and it has led to a track record of over 1,400 completed custom builds, many of which feature industry-award-winning designs.

Saddletree skillfully blends custom dreams with market wisdom to deliver innovative yet affordable designs that its clients value not only as homes but also as long-term investments.

This efficient, well-managed operational backbone, coupled with a keen, extensive knowledge of green features and their practicality, has allowed Saddletree to build high-quality, energy-efficient homes at realistic price points.

And the company’s profitability is further bolstered by its exceptional customer service, which leadership deems its best marketing tool. Repeat business is quite common, and in many cases, clients have gone on to build multiple homes under the company’s direction.

This client loyalty dramatically reduces the company’s reliance on costly first-time marketing, and it stands as a testament to the importance of genuine relationships within Saddletree’s business model.

The company’s sharp foresight has helped it identify prime locations and navigate competitive market dynamics, even during slower economic times. Therefore, leveraging keen but careful land acquisition is a critical facet of the company’s overall growth strategy.

Saddletree’s remarkable mixture of bespoke craftsmanship, astute market responsiveness, and operational integrity is undoubtedly the reason for its thriving business. Now, the details behind how it generates both dream homes and steady financial returns will be unveiled.

Balancing Personalized Design with Practical Application

Saddletree Homes stands as a distinguished builder in the market, renowned for its exceptional customizations.

Unlike many competitors, Saddletree allows clients unparalleled flexibility, enabling them to transform a foundational plan into their uniquely envisioned home.

“We’re one of the few builders in town that allow for complete customization. We like to start with our set of plans, but then we’ll allow people to make any changes they’d like,” says Owner Kelley Barcus.

The build journey often begins with a foundation of existing plans, rather than a daunting blank slate. “We try to start with something we’ve built before, that we’re familiar with, then we’ll modify it,” Barcus confirms.

This process has created the company’s hefty track record, spanning over  1,400 homes, each uniquely crafted. Despite always starting with a familiar design, the result is always one of a kind.

“We’ve never built the same house twice,” Barcus proudly affirms, a testament to the company’s commitment to individuality.

This bespoke approach extends beyond mere aesthetics. It begins with a foundation of expertise that deeply factors functionality and client collaboration.

So, naturally, Saddletree sales professionals, each boasting at least a decade of experience, invest considerable time in understanding each client’s unique needs and aspirations long before the build is conceptualized.

This initial, in-depth consultation ensures that the chosen floor plan serves as the ideal starting point for customization.

Furthermore, clients are often invited to walk through already completed Saddletree homes to experience the scale and feel of the company’s designs firsthand, which aids in their own design decisions.

Once that is determined, clients can tailor the plan. They can add or reconfigure bedrooms, bathrooms, room sizes, or even adjust the home’s orientation on its lot.

This iterative process is designed to steer clients toward a functional and successful living space, drawing on Saddletree’s extensive expertise to advise against impractical or ultimately unsellable design choices.

A Realistic Path to Building Dreams

Saddletree Homes’ long-standing tagline is “We build the home you see when you close your eyes and dream.” And while it absolutely delivers on that promise, it does so with a heavy degree of realism.

The company navigates home innovation with a pragmatic approach, carefully balancing cutting-edge features with affordability and genuine long-term client satisfaction factored in as well.

Executing that balance is where many companies fall short; however, this is where Saddletree’s expertise is allowed to shine the brightest.

“We know what’s functional and what’s not, so we guide the client into the most successful build space that they feel will work for them,” Barcus says, explaining that at times, clients dream beyond what’s practical for a well- and safely designed home, so it’s the company’s job to close the gap between what’s possible and what’s not.

Nonetheless, Saddletree never falls short when it comes to offering innovative options within its designs.

“We find features based on what the client wants, and we’re always looking at new products and what’s available. But we also look at it from a budget standpoint,” explains Vice President Chadney Barcus.

So, even with the options available, client preferences and budget feasibility ultimately determine the integration of innovative elements like saunas, oversized showers, hands-free plumbing, or full home automation.

In fact, Saddletree’s leaders have observed that overly complex “smart home” features, while initially appealing, can often lead to dissatisfaction due to high costs, learning curves, and potential for breakage.

“People usually aren’t happy with that stuff in the end… so, we’ve learned that there’s a limit where some things are great, but then they can go too far and it becomes almost overwhelming,” Barcus explains.

And when it comes to sustainability, Saddletree Homes operates with a clear understanding of the same market realities.

While clients frequently express a desire for “green homes” and eco-friendly features, the willingness to invest in these often comes with a significant price tag.

The company has found that most individuals are not prepared to pay for sustainable features that come with lengthy payback periods, such as 15 to 25 years, especially given that the average homeowner stays in a new build for only about four years.

Despite this, all Saddletree homes are designed for high energy efficiency, meeting ENERGY STAR ratings and offering significantly better performance than homes built in the past.

This, at least, gives homeowners the option to expand on this efficiency if they’d like. For example, Saddletree often pre-plumbs for solar options and pre-wires for electric car charging facilities in about 70% of its homes.

The company does this without mandating substantial upfront costs, as these features may not offer immediate or long-term financial returns for the typical buyer.

As a result, Saddletree can guide clients towards innovations that offer tangible benefits and reliable performance within a realistic price point, ensuring true value and lasting contentment.

Supporting the Industry through Relationship-Driven Business

Saddletree Homes’ devotion to exceptional design and client satisfaction has earned it numerous accolades within the industry.

Over its 30-year history, the company has consistently received “Parade of Homes” awards and MAME awards, often sweeping categories. However, beyond awards, Saddletree’s business model is deeply rooted in fostering lasting relationships.

“We spend very little on first-time marketing. We feel that our best marketing is done through our warranty, our customer service, and the relationships we’ve built over the years,” Barcus, explaining that the company has many repeat clients, with some building two or even three homes with Saddletree.

This enduring loyalty stems from a simple yet profound principle: “Do what you say you’re going to do.” This phrase extends beyond the warranty period and is at the core of Saddletree’s operation and attitude towards its clients.

Saddletree remains available to consult with past clients on home maintenance or to assist new Saddletree homeowners with information about their homes, even those who purchased from previous owners.

Separate from its business operations, Saddletree Homes also actively contributes to workforce development in the construction industry.

The company’s leadership has recognized a larger shift away from traditional four-year college degrees. So it’s prepared to support the larger movement towards pathways that connect with its industry.

“Our local HBA has a program called Careers in Construction, which introduces high school students to the construction industry. They do hands-on training, and even get to help build things… It’s a great program that started here in Colorado Springs, and it’s now expanded out into several other markets,” Barcus says.

Saddletree’s team members also directly engage with schools, sharing their expertise and connecting aspiring young individuals with opportunities in the trades.

“Our team has gone and taught in schools multiple times, and if we see an opportunity to connect young people into the program, we’ll also do that… It’s a great resource that even helps people we meet get started and move in the right direction,” Chadney clarifies.

This outreach is crucial, as many young people are now critically evaluating the high cost of traditional higher education versus the lucrative and often entrepreneurial paths available in skilled trades.

Lastly, Saddletree also maintains strong, long-standing relationships with its subcontractors, many of whom have worked with Saddletree for over 25 years.

This loyalty is attributed to Saddletree’s background as former framers. “We probably take care of our subcontractors better than most, just because that’s where we come from. We understand the struggle that a lot of small subcontractors have, and so we make sure to care for our tradespeople,” Barcus says.

This empathy, combined with the consistent practice of fair dealings and timely payments, has become a fundamental principle in the company’s strategy for maintaining strong trade partnerships.

While the driving force behind Saddletree Homes is a profound passion for bringing visions to life, looking ahead, Saddletree’s top priority remains the strategic acquisition of land.

While the current market is slow, the company maintains a positive, long-term perspective on land investment. The most rewarding aspect for the team is witnessing clients’ sheer happiness as empty plots of land transform into dream homes that honor their vision.

As Chadney gracefully explains, “It’s about giving customers a home that meets their lifestyle needs and that they’re going to enjoy.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Saddletree Homes

What: A deluxe custom home builder recognized for its unmatched ability to blend individualized design with practical construction knowledge.

Where: Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Website: www.saddletreehomes.com