...your world!
Archive for the 'Builder' Category
By Timbermart
Filed under: Building Permit, Builder, Material, Planning, Home, Budget, Association, Contractor, Building, Reference, Prices, House, Project, Plans
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.
Read the rest of this entry (No Comments »)By Timbermart
Filed under: Style, Inspiration, Investment, Reputation, Warranty, Dream, Home, House, Contractor, Insulation, Builder, Building
You’ve thought about it and now you’re doing it, you’re building your own home. It is an exciting decision to make. Being able to choose, plan and live in a dream for many, but now you are making that vision come true.
Are you stepping down this path for the first time? Like anything, the process can be tricky and there are many important details to consider as you get started.
Style of your new home
Have you decided on a style of home yet? If you need inspiration, go to open houses or remember what you like about the design of you friends’ and neighbours’ homes. Make notes. If there is an interesting detail or feature, write it down so that it doesn’t get forgotten during the excitement of building.
Where you will build is very important too. If you already own the land you plan to build on, your opinions may be more open than if you are building in an established subdivision. Many subdivision developers have restrictions called “covenants” which may force you to build a house of a certain size or style. They may limit where you can choose to build your home, even what colour it is when finished. 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 later years. Remember that this is an investment and even if this is your dream home, there may come a day that you will have to sell it. Protecting help ensure its value in later years.
What to consider
There are a lot of other things to consider about the location of your new home. Distance to shopping, schools and work have to be thought about.
Finding the right contractor is your next step. A new home is likely your biggest investment. Make sure you don’t rush into it. It’s always a good idea to get at least three bids and remember the old adage, “If it is too good to be true, it probably 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 will avoid any confusion later on.
With the internet and groups like your provincial Homebuilders Associations, reams of information is available to help your home. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation also offers useful information including valuable question and answer sheets. Their website address is http://www.cmhc.ca.
Finding a good contractor
To find a good contractor, ask around. Ask family, friends and associates about who has a reputation for doing good work. Ask your contractor to supply the names of satisfied clients. If he can’t, look to another contractor.
Not offering a warranty on their services, poor workmanship and extra costs are all pitfalls on the path to feeling good about building you new home. Remember not every contractor plays by the rules. It is best, of course, to avoid these people.
The contractor will also be handling the scheduling of other trades such as electricians, insulation and drywall installers and any other specialists that may be required to complete the construction of your home.
Beyond choosing a good contractor, you will also need lawyer and a banker to handle legal matters and financing. Finally, remember that many 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 that furniture you already have fit? So if it’s not already clear, researching and planning before the first nail goes in is the key to making your new home a great castle to be enjoyed for years to come.
By Jessica Langlois
Filed under: Builder, Housing, Building, Multi-family, Construction
Single detached housing starts n Ontario dropped by 3%, while the more volatile multi-unit housing starts experienced a very significant increase of 94%.
media-release-significant-increase-in-multiple-housing.pdf
By Chantal Toutant
Filed under: Builder, Environmental, Association, Taxes, Building, Construction
Home Builders have been strongly opposed to the duplication of the provincial land transfer tax in Toronto that will double the current provincial tax rate.
To learn more, click on the link bellow
