Coby Laird - Laguna's Custom Homebuilder
Building a custom home can be a daunting challenge. It’s important to have an expert on your side to manage and oversee the entire project from inception to completion — someone who will work closely with your architect and designer to create a perfectly tailored home for you. For clients who have a unique vision of the home they want, they need a builder with the experience and attention to detail to advocate for them and ensure that their vision comes to life.
Laird Homebuilders Inc. is a second generation custom homebuilder based in Laguna Beach. Owner Coby Laird grew up in Laguna, attended Laguna schools and was almost raised on his father’s hillside construction sites. You could say building is in his blood. Laird started working in construction at an early age.
“I remember being given plastic tools at 2 years of age, but it was the legit metal Estwing hammer at age 3 that may have set my path in motion,” he said.
He spent years learning every aspect of a build.
“I mastered the business end of a shovel and broom rather quickly,” he said. “It was a great place to start and gave me the utmost respect for every single tradesperson on a job site who ultimately play their unique part in a project’s success and execution. We’re only as good as those we surround ourselves with!”
Every project Laird builds is a unique representation of his client. Especially with everyone spending so much more time in their homes these days, people are realizing the importance of a truly tailored home. A great custom home should be well thought out and executed with an acute attention to detail. With a graphic design, furniture and cabinetry background, Laird is entirely focused on building wellexecuted quality aesthetic homes for his clients. Some of his favorite projects have included custom features like hidden doors to pantry and laundry rooms, and homes with completely custom run moldings and trim work packages.
“We generally take on a fewer number of custom projects, so that we’re able to provide a higher level of supervision and coordination,” he said. “We’re not about knocking out quantity, we’re about a higher quality that suits Laguna’s discerning clientele.”
As a Laguna Beach native, Laird believes the properties here deserve to be built correctly and showcase what makes Laguna such a special area. His clients are his neighbors, fellow Little League parents, families and couples he’ll run into at the grocery store. For Laird, it isn’t just about building a house; it’s about creating a home that will be cherished and lived in well.
What do you love about Laguna Beach?
“Everything! You have amazing restaurants, picturesque views, art galleries and affluence, and yet it remains homey and has a small-town feel. Laguna is changing, and it’s definitely growing up, but I can appreciate that. Being semiisolated helps keep Laguna special and a desired destination.”
What is your favorite Laguna local spot?
“The beach is obviously a prominent feature for us and not any one specifically, just being on the coastline makes life here rather special. There are also a couple of local restaurants, Wine Gallery in the Hip District, Zinc Cafe and La Sirena Grill Downtown and South Laguna all owned by locals and on a regular rotation.
What is something every Laguna resident should do/go experience?
“It’s kind of cliché in a way, but the Pageant of the Masters is pretty special. It’s not something you have to do every year, but you should really experience it every few. It’s an art show where they paint live people into historical and significant paintings. When the lights are on and the stage is set, you’re like, ‘That’s impressive.’ But when they turn the stage lights off and people come out of character, and step out of the painting, that’s pretty mind-blowing.”
by: Lauren Salinero
