You’ve thought about it for so long and now, you are close to start building your home !  What an exciting decision but are you ready ?  Are you stepping down this path for the firts time ?  Nervous ?!…

Like any process, building his home can be tricky and there are many important details to consider as you get started.  Have you decided on a style of home yet ? There are many styles as American, Bungalow, Cottage, Country, Crafstman, and many more.  Try to find the style of a friend’s or a neighbour’s home that you like and you will probably find what you like.  Write down or draw the details you like and and keep it in a file;  once you will meet an architect or any plan designer, you not forget anything.   Browse the Internet and you will maybe find the home of your dream through a Stock Plan Collection, or you can do some modifications of a stock plan through the original designer or do a complete Custom plan.

Where you build is very important too.  If you already own the land you plan to build on, your options will be more open than if you are building in an established subdivision.  One thing very important though;  make sure you have your land before buying the plan.  Some people bought some plans and bought the land after…  They noticed that the home they dreamed of can not be built on the land they bought !

If you buy a land in a subdivision, make sure you know very well all the restrictions and limits from the developer.  These “covenants” are in place to assure that all the homes in the area are worth about the same and this will protect the value of your investment in the future.  Always remeber that a house is an investment that you have to protect and, even if you do not think about it now, you may want to sell it some day !  Protect it !

There are a lot of things to consider about the location of your new home: Distance to shopping, Schools, work have to be thought about.

Finding the right contractor is your next step.  Talk to some friends or relatives about their experiences and make sure, when you have identified the right contractor that you get at least 3 bids plus the names of satisfied customers you can contact.  Always remember the old adage: “If it is too good to be true, it problably is !”  To ensure that both you and your builder are satisfied with the work, make sure the details are spelled out in a written contract.  The time you spend at this stage and on the plan stage will avoid any confusion later on.

With the internet and groups like the Canadian Home Builder Association and your provincial groups, reams of information is available to help plan your home.  The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation also offers useful information including valuable question and answer sheets.

Beyond choosing a good contractor, you will also need a lawyer and a banker to handle legal matters and financing.  Finally, remember that some home builders are more concerned about structural integrity and the attractiveness of your home from the outside.  Remember that the interior should also be designed for practical concerns like - will all the furnitures you already have fit ? Do not hesitate to contact an interior designer before starting to build;  they will help you to maximise your living space and avoid mistakes you will see once you live in your home !

Want to build green ?  Many links like LEED and Built Green can surely help you.

Enjoy !

this post was based on an article from the Cottage and Home Plans magazine provided by Tim-Br Mart. Some information was also supplied by CMHC and CHBA.

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In these times where good news may sometimes be a rare thing to hear, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some very exciting news regarding the Drummond House Plans’ customer service team.

Last week, at the International Builder Show  in Las Vegas,  Drummond House Plans was honoured by receiving the Best Customer Service award among all the designers represented by Hanley Wood / House Plan Division.

Drummond House Plans stood out amongst many other very popular & important architectural firms in the US, such as House Plan Gallery, Don Gardner, Sater Designs, Frank Betz Associates, Nelson Design Group, and many others and for this, we are particularly proud!

In this industry where competition is of the utmost importance, top quality house plans, professionalism, efficiency and prompt responses to our publishers & customers, make the difference between winning or losing a sale!

Congratulations to our team for a job well done, I am very proud of us all!

And a big thank you to Hanley-wood for the award & for doing a terrific job at promoting our designs! 

So now, Hanley-wood, how can we get more exposures? 

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Last Monday, I posted this messsage on my personal blog from one of our many satisfied customers :o)

Good Afternoon,

We recently purchased one of your designs and are currently in the process of having these plans approved by our local building inspector.  We thought we would share some comments he had about your design. 

We are going to be doing our own construction and we were very impressed by the detail provided in your plans.  Our building inspector indicated that he has never seen such complete and detailed plans and that it was a pleasure to review.  Your plans will not only be a hugh benefit to us as we begin to build but it obviously has facilitated the approval process.

Thank-you

Linda Lindsay, Flinton, ON

(original content posted on www.yvescarignan.com)

Considering the fact that the Ontario Building code is very strict, including the BCIN, we are very pleased with that kind of comments from our customers.  So, Ontario customers, get the peace of mind with Drummond’s plans !

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Deciding on which contractor will build your home is a critical step in making your dream a reality.  There are many things to consider when making your choice.

ROLE OF THE CONTRATOR

The contractor’s role is to control the construction process and manage all aspects of the job from start to finish.  They will work from your floor plans, obtain the necessary permits for construction in your local area, and arrange for materials to be delivered to your site from your local lumber yard when needed.  The contractor will also manage other necessary trades people (excavation, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, drywall installers, etc.) that will work on your home so that they arrive when needed and complete their jobs efficiently and quickly.  All this will be done in a time frame that you agree on and at a quoted cost.

Contractors should be members of the provincial or local home builders’ association which requires them to conform to a code of ethics as well as attend courses on the latest techniques, building code requirements and technologies to remain in good standing.  They should also be licensed to work in your area and you should be able to see these licences upon request.

Contractors should also carry insurance in case of an accident during construction or in the event of a dispute.  You should be familiar with the rules required by your local government, your home owner’s insurance policy and your bank to ensure that you understand the liabilities involved with building a home and how to protect yourself.

LOCATING A CONTRACTOR

It takes more than just looking in the phone book to find a contractor.  A good place to start is often with friends, family or neighbours.  Ask them if the contractor they used lived up to expectations and delivered what was agreed to.  Ask if they had any problems with the contractor and, if so, how they were resolved.  Most importantly, ask if they would hire the same contractor again.  You want to know they have a good reputation and a history of satisfied customers. 

Your local home show can be a perfect place to look for local contractors who do the type of work that you are planning.  You will be able to talk with several contractors and see photographs of their projects while learning about construction materials and getting advice from professionals.

You can also approach the Canadian Home Builder’s Association (visit www.chba.ca). They will be able to put you in contact with contractors from your local area that are members in good standing.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Before you begin hiring, take the time to do research.  Go online to familiarize yourself with the materials and local requirements for your job.  You can’t expect to learn as much as the professionals, but by educating yourself you will more likely be able to identify a contractor that may not be fully competent (or even dishonest).  Educating yourself now will also save you time and increase your confidence later when it comes to making decisions like picking fixtures and making choices on items such as flooring materials that will have to be done when construction is under way.

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When you’re thinking about building a new home it’s pretty easy to get caught up in thinking only about the sticks and bricks of the structure.  Many people overlook the fact that the lot you choose to build on can be just as important a factor in determining your future happiness as the home itself. Before you get too involved in the details of you house plan, it can pay to invest some time I finding the perfect lot.  There are a number of key questions that you can ask yourself to help determine what lot is right for you.

DO YOU ALREADY HAVE A HOMEPLAN?

If you already have your dream home planned, and you know the style and size, then it makes sense to look for a lot that will complement and maximize you design. If you don’t have a house plan yet, then you may want to search for the perfect lot and then design a home to fit.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?

Knowing in advance where you want to live will help you stay focused and avoid throwing lots that don’t meet your need into the mix.  If you are new to an area, find a knowledgeable real estate agent to help in your search.  You must also consider proximity to shopping, schools, churches, playgrounds, and work.  All of these factors influence property and resale value. Finally you should carefully research the value of other homes in the area. As a rule of thumb, you will want the value of your home and the lot to be approximately the same as others in the area.  Having too high or too low a value for the neighbourhood can make it more difficult to sell your home in the future. You should also take the time to check for area zoning restrictions or restrictive covenants that might limit your freedom to build the house you want.

IS THE LOT LARGE ENOUGH?

More than likely there will be some setbacks that will leave only a portion of the lot for the actual house.  How much back and front yard space do you want? Will there be a driveway? Will you be building a garage? These are all things that you must consider. Even if the garage might be a future addition, it’s smart to think about it now.  You will also want to check for any easements on the lot.  An easement is an area on the lot that is restricted from building.  Most easements are for utility line access.

WHAT IS THE TOPOGRAPHY LIKE?

A flat lot is much less expensive to prepare and build on, but a sloping lot can be much more scenic. You should also be wary of lots in low spots that may be prone to flooding. No matter what lot you are considering, take the time to visit it after a heavy rainfall to evaluate the drainage. Take the time to look for the sun direction as well. Many homeowners will orient their house to maximize natural light exposure. Don’t stop at what’s above ground either. The type of soil or rock under the ground can affect how easily you will be able to dig a foundation and how well it will support you home.  Bedrock is very expensive to dig through, while clay soils expand and contract which could cause cracks and leaky basements.

WHAT WILL YOU WANT IN THE FUTURE?

We will go through changes in our lives, and having a lot that gives you the flexibility to accommodate these changes is a big plus.  Whether it’s an addition to the family that requires an addition to the house, or maybe a new garage or swimming pool, you don’t want to find yourself somewhere down the road without sufficient space.

FINAL THOUGHT

It’s very difficult to find a lot that meets all of your criteria.  In many cases there are trade-offs to be made, so list your criteria in order of important. If you find yourself overwhelmed, you can seek the services of a landscape architect, surveyor or professional contractor to help you make the right decision.

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It is our pleasure to welcome you on our new Drummond Designs.com Weblog.

Conscious of the increasing need of our customers wanting a rapid access to an accurate and exact information on construction, Drummond Designs is proud to offer you this opportunity.

Drummond Designs has always been an innovative leader in its architectural firm and wishes that this new weblog will be a reference in the construction business in addition to arouse plenty of reactions and comments that will be shared with millions of our daily visitors.

You will find interesting articles linked to construction and design that will guide you in your steps towards construction, renovation or simply learn more about this field of work.

The construction business has increased phenomenally in the last years and this increase has caused many revolutions as much on the point of view of regulations, new methods and new materials provided.  Going green!  is only one of the subjects that has great influence at the moment on all aspects of the construction business.

Because of the price increase on of certain materials the industry has developed less expensive durable materials and new methods of labor.  The same thing is applicable in the energy cost which forces the owners to become aware of the maintenance cost of the home.

The styles and trends are also subjects that affect greatly our construction industry, from the concept of new architectural styles to the smallest finishing details and decorations.

Here is an outline of subjects that we want to share with you, if you have a building project, a renovation project or just fascinated by the architecture and residential construction just like we do at Drummond Designs.

We wish you very pleasant reading and wonderful discoveries!
 

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