The Corbo Group combines family values with five decades of design-and-build expertise to create stunning custom homes
Family-owned design-and-build firm The Corbo Group has specialized in creating custom homes for clients for almost 50 years, bringing their vision to life and constructing the home they truly desire. Based in Connecticut, the company was formed in 1977 by President, Ralph Corbo, and it continues to help people stuck in their search for the perfect house, alongside developing several building lots and more recently, moving into the lakefront property niche. The Corbo Group is successfully run by Ralph and his son Colin Corbo, who joined the business in 2003 and is now Vice President. Ralph and Colin talk to Modern Home Builders about the business and share more about its projects and processes.
“The building process is a complicated one with many variables,” explains Colin. “We help clients bridge the gap between finding a lot they like and then making it their own. For instance, if they want to move a bedroom or change aspects of the space, while simultaneously managing their budget, we can help make that happen.”
“What’s more, if clients haven’t found a lot in an area that they like, they can come to us and purchase a lot from us,” adds Ralph.
Highly specialized builds
“The third element we’ve become expert in over the last eight years has been lakefront properties. We just finished six homes on Lake Zoar in Southbury, Connecticut, all of which have earned HOBI awards, a ceremony put together each year by the Connecticut Home Builders Association. It’s attended by nearly 1000 people annually and we have about 18 of those awards now. In terms of the lakefront properties, we work with local wetlands communities and lake authorities. These are highly specialized builds incorporating a boat dock and access and have contributed considerably to broadening our custom base of operations.”
Although not specializing in a particular style of home, Ralph describes the company’s predominant theme as a modernistic approach to traditional colonial architecture. “We’re located in New England and as much as we’d love to build some true modern, sleek-looking homes, it’s still not quite the preferred style. We do however find our clientele, especially the younger buyer, prefers a more modern approach to the finishes, details and exterior architectural elements. Interestingly, we’re also currently renovating a 258-year-old home on Main Street, Woodbury, which is the antiques capital of Connecticut. So, as you can see, our expertise and project scope really is extensive and varied.”
Development capability
Alongside the ongoing construction of its Nicolina project in Newtown, Connecticut, comprising two significant 6000-square-foot homes, The Corbo Group has found there is a strong market in that area which has led to the acquisition of additional local properties. “That’s where our development capability comes into play,” continues Ralph. “We’re not just a contractor looking for work; we can create our own inventory and offer that product on a custom basis to our clients. Plus, it’s also a springboard for clients to see what we’re doing which subsequently dovetails into additional custom work.”
With 90 percent of its business consisting of luxury custom home builds in and around Fairfield County, Connecticut, Colin says the demographic of the company’s main client base varies every couple of years. During Covid, for example, the area saw many buyers from New York looking for weekend homes, whereas the present customer base is largely split between young families and retirees.
Looking to the future
Regardless, all clients are guided through the company’s five-step design process – Inspiration and Design Consultation; Budget Presentation; Contract Review and Financing; Structural Plans and Permit Process; and Breaking Ground and Construction. This aims to simplify the client journey and steer them in the right direction. The business has harnessed innovative technologies to make this five-step process more streamlined, thereby ensuring excellent customer service.
“Colin has a background in digital media, and he’s been able to create internal control systems for our purchasing, financing and bookkeeping,” outlines Ralph. “This enables us to stay current and ahead of the curve. You can’t be financially sound unless you know exactly what’s going on. We keep a cost book which is updated every month – for example, if the price of lumber goes up by $0.50, we’re aware of it. We can track everything with the technology we’ve implemented, and this is important for our customers because they know their money is well protected.
“Another aspect of the business is my desire to learn, read and research,” continues Ralph. “I was a junior high school librarian in my previous life! I like trying to figure out how things happen. After the oil embargo and energy crisis of the 1970s, we were looking at how to build more energy efficient homes and we began constructing numerous passive solar homes up until the mid-80s – that ‘look to the future’ aspect is still there; we’re applying framing and insulation techniques now that are offshoots from that early solar period, in a bid to preserve as much energy as possible. Looking ahead and doing our research is another hallmark of what we do today.”
Working as a team, Colin runs the day-to-day operations of the business, whereas Ralph has been focusing on plans for 2026 and is currently working on a development opportunity for a townhouse project. “There’s a big market in our area right now for townhouses and condominiums in the upper scale of $500,000 to $700,000,” he shares. “I’m reviewing everything with the planner, engineer and architect and that should be ready for next season. Additionally, we’re continuing to develop our inventory for the higher-end single family homes. The community I’m working in now is close to the highway and Lower Fairfield County – there’s a big demand for that, and I think it’s important to have that element as part of our business package. It’s good to be diversified.”
“Diversification is key, but I personally enjoy the process of helping clients create their homes, so I wouldn’t want to shift entirely from our roots,” Colin emphasizes. “It’s nice sitting down with someone, discovering what they want and putting it all together to create their dream home. We just want to do our very best for the client. Ralph started this company before I was born and as I grew up, these values were instilled in me and in turn we instill them into our employees and subcontractors. That underlying culture has not changed in 49 years and over the next couple of years, although we’ll be diversifying somewhat, our core business will remain design-and-build, problem solving and assisting customers to get from where they are to where they need to be in a financially sound way,” he concludes.