The Complex Process of building your Dream Home:
Four Main Stages
1
LAND PURCHASE
Right property and right size of the build
2
DESIGN
Create your idea book, design vision & Wishlist
3
PERMIT
Submitting drawing to the city as per bylaws and get permit
4
BUILD
Construction estimates and sign a contract with the reputable contractor
WHO ARE THE MAJOR PARTIES INVOLVED?
Building a new home involves many different stakeholders. Understanding their specific roles and responsibilities will help you navigate the process more smoothly.
- Real Estate Agent: a licensed professional who helps you find and purchase land
- Municipality: sets bylaws that influence your home’s design and construction; reviews drawings
prior to issuing a permit; inspects work during construction to ensure compliance - Planner: an accredited professional who interprets Municipal bylaws (setbacks, height, lot coverage
etc.) - Architect & Interior Designer: accredited professionals who design your home including
elevations, floor plans, layouts and finishes - Engineers – Structural and Mechanical: accredited professionals who design the structure, and the
heating and cooling systems for your home - Builder: hires trades and subcontractors to complete each stage of work, and oversees construction
- Subcontractors, Tradespeople: complete the manual labor of building your home
ASSESS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET
The area you choose to build in will have a major impact on what you build, including how much you need to invest, and how much your investment will appreciate over time. When you’re ready to look for property, start by identifying your priorities. While they’re different for everyone, some examples include quality of schools, local amenities, and the size, type and value of surrounding homes. This last point is important because, if you want to maximize your equity, your home will need to fit into the neighborhood. Spend too little on your home and you’ll end up under your potential value. Spend too much, and you’ll never get that money back when it’s time to sell. An experienced and knowledgeable builder can help sort through this information, to help guide your choice of land and ensure that your home will be well positioned relative to the value of others in the area.
IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS AND PRIORITIES
The joy of a custom home comes from building exactly what you want… now, deciding what you want – that’s the tricky part! Consider the following questions, and find time to explore these issues in greater depth:
Financial
- What is your total budget?
- What quality of finishes do you need and expect?
- Are you seeking a fully managed project, or would you manage some of the work yourself
- What does a typical payment
schedule look like?
Physical
- What size home do you need?
- How many bedrooms do you need? How many garages?
- Do you have a family? Are you planning for one?
- Is accessibility a requirement?
- Do you prefer a traditional layout, or more open concept?
Emotional
- What type of lifestyle do you want for yourself?
- Do you plan to entertain
- Do you need privacy? An office, gym, theatre or spa
- Do you enjoy cooking or preparing large meals?
- Do you plan to entertain?
FIND A BUILDER YOU CAN TRUST
Building a custom home is a major investment – financially, emotionally and in terms of time. For this reason, it is essential to choose a builder you can trust. You need a true partner – someone who you feel confident will make your needs a priority and pay attention to the details. Someone who you can communicate with, who understands and respects you, and who will stick to your budget, design and schedule. When considering prospective builders, ask yourself:
- Does this builder have significant experience (30+ years) building custom homes?
(TIP: custom homes require more knowledge and experience than small or subdivision quality homes) - Is quality evident in their work? Does it have that “wow” factor?
- Do they offer a warranty? (Don’t work with someone who doesn’t)
- Are they in good standing with industry associations?
- How will they communicate with me during my project?
- Do they provide important material in advance, such as features, finishes and payment schedule?
Building a custom home is not an easy undertaking. That said, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience when you work with the right partner. In the hands of a competent team, you will receive a beautiful and unique home that lets you live the way you want. Ready to get started? Great! We look forward to hearing from you.