What Makes Us Better

Assuring the Home Buyer Credibility, Stability, and Customer Confidence.
A reprint from Builder Architect Magazine by R. E. Devlin

They come from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and suburban New Jersey, fleeing high prices, high cost, and high crime, turning the Poconos into the fastest growing region in Pennsylvania. Naturally, they want their new homes to have the basics...space, comfort and beauty. Yet, these young, upwardly mobile families that are changing the face of the Poconos want more than just an ordinary new house.A whirlpool in the master bath almost unheard of in their parents’ generation, is now a must. So is a kitchen that, if not quite as big as the one in Grandma’s farmhouse, can accommodate Ma, Grandma and the Thanksgiving turkey. And, since it is the new millennium there should be space for the personal computer.

Dave Gelatt, Jr. sensed the needs of the new generation of Pocono residents 23 years ago when he formed Precision Homes. Since then, the Mount Pocono company has built over 1,000 homes and helped transform the Poconos from a region of vacation homes into one dotted with primary housing developments. In short, Precision Homes knows its market.

At a moderate pace of 60 homes a year, Precision Homes puts up a house that looks good, is exceptionally well built and intelligently designed. Kitchens are designed with abundant space, a breakfast area, a planning desk and a pantry, where possible. Closets, including a walk-in style in the master bedroom are ample. And there’s an emphasis on the family room, the center of activity in the modern household.

Size, too, is important. Surveys show that buyers want homes designed with lots of space. Precision builds houses with as little as 1,000 square feet of living space, or as much as 4,000 square feet. Their current leader in popularity has 2,400 square feet and four bedrooms. “Today, people are looking for designs that give them lots of space, “ explains Sales Manager Jeff Edwards. “Size is everything.”

Value, always crucial, is not forgotten. The exterior has been designed for energy efficiency to make the homes easier to heat and cool year ’round. As a standard, all Precision Homes have 2 x 6 exterior framing to provide maximum insulation. An exterior house wrap adds tightness and reduces drafts. Ice and water shields are installed under shingles to reduce roof leakage problems. The garage will have four inches of stone and wire mesh under the floor. Driveway, excavation and grading are part of the package.

Finishing touches stand out too. Interior walls are finished with two coats of paint. Window and panel doors are trimmed with colonial mouldings. Crown moulding on kitchen cabinets is standard, as are chair rails in the dining room. Refrigerators, ranges and dishwashers are standard. And Precision backs its work with an insured 10 year warranty.

Commuting to jobs in Manhattan or New Jersey is easy today with convenient transportation (bus service, car pooling, vans, etc.). Getting home at the end of the day, being able to relax in a home you love, makes life worthwhile. The Precision design philosophy, wisely, sets aside the master suite for more than just sleeping. Sound insulation in the walls adds privacy, “A whirlpool bath, sitting/reading area and perhaps a fireplace provide a setting for relaxation, “highlights Jeff. “Private time and quiet time are so important.”

The peace and serenity of the Poconos provides the backdrop for each community in which Precision builds. New home buyers will discover an active, healthful lifestyle surrounded with natural beauty and a wealth of recreational facilities within minutes of their new home. “Precision can make this dream come true. A well-built, well-designed home with good schools, an easy commute, peace of mind and a lifestyle unsurpassed for families,” continues Jeff. “We build a house that people will be proud to own. When the customer is in the house, they’re going to want to keep it because they’re happy with it.”

The DeLitzias, who visited five builders before choosing Precision Homes, are elated at the compliments they have gotten on their new home. They’re equally appreciative of the sensitivity shown them by Precision Homes. “Precision Homes asked us what we were looking for and presented us with plans that were within our means,” explains Lee DeLitzia. “They didn’t pressure us.”

In an extremely competitive market, Precision Homes has built a solid reputation based on credibility, stability and customer confidence. For one thing, they have been at the same location, Route 196 in Mount Pocono. They are members of the Pocono Builders Association, the Pocono Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

Precision Homes are designed to meet or exceed applicable local ,state and national building codes.

It’s all aimed at gaining the customer’s confidence and trust. “Home buyers are making the hardest decision they’ve ever had to make.” emphasizes Jeff. “They’re choosing from 100 builders and they don’t know any of them.”

The Deals had endured “six months of torture” with another builder before placing their confidence in Precision Homes. It’s a decision the Tobyhanna family does not regret. “You were knowledgeable, calming and extremely professional, “ the Deals wrote in a letter of thanks. “Thanks for patiently listening to our wishes and translating them into a home we could afford.”

Precision admits it’s not perfect. Mistakes are made but the company takes pride in rectifying them. “Everybody is happy with their builder to begin with, “comments Dave. “I believe the true measure is how many are happy when the home is finished.” As a result of many happy customers, referrals generate many new customers for Precision.

What began as a company that specialized in vacation homes many years ago has today become a credible, responsible builder for customers throughout Mount Pocono and the entire Pocono region.

What’s ahead for Precision Homes? Continuing to grow and prosper in an ever-expanding market is always our goal. ”We have a management plan and a team of professionals to achieve that goal, “ answers Dave. “From mortgage financing to design, to construction techniques, we plan to remain a leader in the field. We will continue to build our homes on price, purpose and reputation.”