After initial deposit is made, each step of the job is separated and labour paid upon completion. Materials are purchased from suppliers and deposit is required. For example: before starting framing, costs are provided and client selects preferred option. Lumber is ordered from supplier right away. Framing stage is completed and all expenses are shown to the client, payment for this stage is required to start next stage of the job.

In most projects we require 10% and it is kept until the very end of the project. The last step of the job is walk through for small touch ups and deficiencies. That is when substantial completion is announced and documents are signed for warranty. Each step in construction is different, but most of the time purchasing materials from supplier is required.

Before preparing drawings for your new custom house, you may want to know the bylaws and limitations on the construction. Usually by doing the survey home owners will get exact boundaries of the lot and from the city you can find out height and size limitations of the building on your specific lot. Our in-house architect can do a quick research to understand maximum size of new building without going to Committee of Adjustments.

There is no simple math equation for how much custom home would cost. Ballpark estimating can be done by square footage, from previous similar properties constructed, but it may have up to 20% error. Average custom homes start from $320 per square foot and can go as high as $500 or even more. Preparing final quotation for custom home requires completed drawings with scope of work and exact finishing materials. Even than the cost errors may be up to 5% due to prices of materials changing on the market.

Before any construction begins, homeowner or builder should have approved permits from the city to build the house. Technically to begin we need what we call a builder package. The package will include Building permit, Plumbing Permit, HVAC permit, Elevation drawings and floor plan. Prior to starting any drawing, architects require property survey and sometimes arborist report.

Once all the paperwork is ready for the work, construction of the house starts. Time to build depends on size of the project and complexity. Average complexity house of 3000 square feet can be constructed in 9-10 month. Obviously there can be complications with soil stability, weather and city inspection delays. More detailed estimate of timeline can be given when drawings are completed.

The worst possible decision home owner can make is to hire a builder that is not insured and does not have Tarion warranty. First of all it is illegal to construct new home without Tarion warranty and insurance coverage. If home owner is caught building new home without proper documentation, the city may charge tens of thousands dollars, jobsite shutdown and ever redoing steps of the building process that require proper inspection.

If you currently have a house and planning to renovate it, you may have difficulties adding bathroom, ceiling height, relocating kitchen or other structural changes. While it may be cheaper, renovation will not have complete new house feel that will be built with exact layout you wanted. Custom home build is more expensive than renovation, but it benefits home owners due to lower maintenance fees and any possible floorplan/layout.

Our home building process is fully transparent to all clients. Development of design and architectural drawings in-house allows us to suggest ideas and control budget. By using ALBO management software, you are able to see exactly how the process is progressing step by step with details and direct notifications to your phone. Also we show all costs throughout the project, letting customer see exactly how much money is spent on specific items.

This is not a straight answer, but it all comes down to reputation of the builder, similar jobs, how they operate and what services are included in the home building process. It is one of the biggest financial investments you go through, so the builder company has to be well trusted and prepared for the taking on large projects. Do not simply go for cheapest builder, because you may pay more at the end to redo your home.