Check the zoning – getting the right fit of land for your dream home

by Akash on May 15, 2012 in Custom Homes, Uncategorized with No comments

One of the biggest challenges in determining the feasibility of your dream home is knowing if it will fit on the plot of land you have found.  This is a big part of selecting your parcel, and having the right tools to help you make the determination will not only save you a lot of time and aggravation when it comes time to design, but also help you understand what the value of the prospective parcel is.  The rules and regulations around this are contained in your municipalities Zoning Bylaws

Zoning
Most municipalities now make their zoning maps and zoning bylaws available on line.  This makes it very easy for you to do your homework.  In the City of Ottawa, you can determine the specific zoning for the parcel by going to the City of Ottawa’s eMaps page (http://ottawa.ca/en/city_hall/emaps/).  From this you can confirm if the parcel is zoned for residential purposes, and what type of residential use is permitted, i.e. Single-family detached dwelling, semi-detached homes, multi-unit project, etc.  Most municipalities have at least four to five different residential sub-zones, each tied to an allowable density.  To determine the specific regulations governing each zone, the prescribed rules are found in the City’s Zoning By-law (available online in Ottawa at http://ottawa.ca/en/licence_permit/bylaw/a_z/zoning/parts/index.html).

The most important thing to look for when reviewing the by-laws is first to make sure the use you intend is allowed within the particular sub-zone.  For example, if a parcel is zoning R1, it typically permits only single-family homes.  Therefore, if you are looking to build a small apartment building for income-generating purposes, it is unlikely the Municipality will allow your project to go through.  In certain cases, the municipalities have transformed considerably since the Zoning By-law was drafted, and it may be prudent to apply for a Rezoning to permit the new proposed development.  This can be a very long and drawn out process and it is best to speak with someone from your City’s Planning Department before undertaking this process.

Setbacks
More than likely, the parcel you have selected is zoned for the project you intend, but you still need to make sure it fits.  Whether the home will fit or not, is now a function of the prescribed rules within that particular subzone, and you will need to make sure the Setbacks are appropriate. The Setback is the distance that must be provided between the property lines of the parcel and where the outside wall of the home can be built.  For example, a typical lot will have a frontyard setback of 6.0m, rearyard setback of 7.5m, and side yard setbacks of anywhere from 0.5m to 3.0m, depending on whether it’s an interior lot or a corner lot.  Another rule that is often prescribed in the zoning bylaw is height which determines how many storeys you are allowed to build.

 

Zoning Setbacks (source: City of Ottawa)

 

If your dream home fits within the prescribed limits .. congrats!  You have found a great parcel, and hopefully the economics of purchasing the parcel will work out for you (determing the financial feasibility will be covered in an upcoming article).

Minor Variance
However, sometimes you find the perfect parcel, but your desired home doesn’t fit exactly as you had hoped.  This is typical of many infill projects in older communities, where the boundaries of the land were designed for homes that were the norm for the period the subdivision was built, but today’s families require a bit more space.  You may need to nudge  the setback distances by a few feet in order to make your home fit.  Do not despair, as this does not mean you have to give up on the dream location.  Most municipalities allow for a Minor Variance, which means the applicant has the opportunity to step outside the prescribed boundaries as long as your proposed project does not drastically alter the intended look and feel of the neighbourhood.  In older communities, the look and feel is often transformed dramatically over the past thirty to forty years, and most design professionals, including City Staff are open to altering the setback to allow for new development.

In City of Ottawa, to obtain a Minor Variance from the prescribed zoning, you must make an application to the Committee of Adjustment.   Again, it is wise to speak to a City of Ottawa Planning Department before making your application.  It is recommended that you have an architect or planner work with you when discussing your options with the City. They will be able to explain to City staff about why the variance is requested, and how the intent of the zoning by-law is still maintained.  A general rule of thumb is that if the variance requested is less than 10% of what the zoning prescribes, then it is likely City will approve your application.  Once your application is approved, it will meet the revised zoning standards specific to that lot, and you will be able to get a building permit.

One important thing to note is that City Staff are not the only ones who have a say on the Committee of Adjustment application.  The neighbours and community members will be allowed to present to the Committee on their thoughts of whether the requested variance should be permitted.  Therefore, once you have spoken with City Staff, it is a good idea to touch base with your prospective neighbours and gain support for your project.  If you go this route, your minor variance application will usually not startle the neighbors and cause further delay.  Plus, this gives you an opportunity to get to know your community and neighbours and the general climate of the street.

There is a lot to think about when choosing A LOT!

by Akash on April 18, 2012 in Build House, Custom Homes, Uncategorized with 3 Comments

Our first guest blogger, Susan Oneid is a Broker with Royal Lepage.  This blog post is all about the things you need to think about when you are purchasing a residential lot in a subdivision or a house on a property you intend to tear down.

  • Is the size of the lot enough for the house you want to build considering setbacks and easements and surrounding structures
  • Are there any environmental concerns with the soil ie. Was there a gas station or dry cleaner just next door that might have caused potential chemical contamination?  Is there rock bed underneath?  Does the lot need clearing before you build and will you need a permit to remove trees?  What is the history of the land?
  • Is the orientation of the land ideal for you in terms of natural light, sun rise and sunset?  Do you like the view you will see from all angles?
  • Are there structures on adjacent properties that will block light and obscure your view?
  • Does the design you have in mind go with the current look and feel of the neighbourhood?
  • Is the size of your dream house in proportion with others in the neighbourhood and will the size over power the size of the lot?
  • Are the services at the curb or do you have to pay to bring them into the neighbourhood-hydro, natural gas, water, or well and septic.
  • Is the street your new house fronts on busy?  Does the bus come down your street and is there a stop nearby (can be a plus or a minus depending on the person)
  • Is the school bus stop at the end of your driveway (can be a plus or a minus depending on your needs)
  • Will the lot provide enough parking for the number of vehicles you own?
  • Is the zoning appropriate for the type of structure you plan to build or do you have to make application for variance?
  • Does the neighbourhood support the value of the house you are planning to build-the most common mistake people make is not budgeting carefully from start to finish and they end up with a product that is so much more valuable than any other property in the neighbourhood-very difficult to sell if you should need to.
  • Are you aware of the costs of building?  Each step requires application and approval:
    • Demolition permit and carting away and disposal of old house and out buildings
    • Building permit/occupancy permit
    • Plumbing permit
    • Farm buildings and structures
    • Change of use permits
    • Transfer of permit
    • Pool enclosure permits
    • Construction permit
    • Signs
    • Compliance
    • And the list goes on…Please check the City of Ottawa Website www.Ottawa.ca

This is absolutely not an exhaustive list of all the things you need to think about before you embark on the exciting journey of building your dream home but let me add this as a final thought…..Before you purchase a property that you might like to build on it would be a great idea to meet the neighbours on all 4 sides.  Just think these are the people who will have to live right beside your demolition and months of construction….It is much smoother if you have at least a courteous relationship!

About Susan Oneid

Susan Oneid was born and raised in the Ottawa Area, just outside the city in the quaint village of Metcalfe Ontario.  She has lived in many Ottawa neighborhoods and is very familiar with the vibrant City of Ottawa.

Together with her husband Joe, she has raised 2 fantastic sons and Brady the “Super Dog”.

She’s an active volunteer with the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA, she teaches 2 fitness classes a week and is currently the Chair of the Y’s Strong Kids Campaign for the 5th year in a row. She is an extremely active person and is known as having “way too much” energy by those who know her well!

She became a Real Estate Professional in 2004 and completed the licensing requirements in 2007 to become a Real Estate Broker. A recipient of 7 awards for Sales Excellence since 2004 a couple of the awards include the Royal LePage Diamond Award for sales in 2009 and the Royal LePage Platinum Award in 2010 and 2011.

When you, a friend or family member are looking for a knowledgeable, personable and energetic Realtor to help with any of your Real Estate needs, feel free to give her a call.

What architectural style do I want for my custom home?

by Akash on March 26, 2012 in Uncategorized with 6 Comments

In addition to the importance of deciding on the size of your home, so is choosing your style.  In order to settle on a design for your custom home, it’s good to know what styles exist.  There are so many different ones available to us and if you are anything like me, there are elements of each one or at least several that you would potentially incorporate into your custom home build.   For me, part of it is taking my partner’s likes and dislikes and family needs into account, but also not wanting to be pigeon-holed into one style.  Our tastes in everything from fashion to interior design and decorating as with life are ever changing as we are continually influenced.

So which style best describes you?  Does it meet your current lifestyle requirements as well as future needs?  Does it fit the requirements or layout of your property?  Here’s an overview of different styles of homes.

Colonial Style

Considered one of the more popular home styles, Colonial usually has two or three stories with a high-pitched roof.  It may have one or more dormers, a large chimney or chimneys, narrow clapboard siding or brick, double-hung, multi-pane windows situated symmetrically on both sides of a central front door.  They usually feature decorative crown molding over the front door supported by columns.

Cape Cod Style

Cape Cod style houses were first introduced by English colonists and became popular in the early 1900’s.  Characteristics of this style include a steep roof with side gables, a chimney at one end of the house.  Typically, they are one and a half stories with one or more dormers on the half storey, a plain centered front door, hardwood floors and centre hall floor plan.  The windows are usually multi-paned, double-hung with decorative shutters.

Contemporary Style

Contemporary designs are not defined by a single shape or style.  One common element that gives the style away is large tall panes of glass.  Typically, the exterior of the house usually consists of natural siding materials like stone or wood.  They can feature odd or irregular shapes, are on the plain side with little or no embellishment.  An open floor plan features cathedral ceilings, exposed beams perhaps or flat roofs.

Cottage Style

Cottage designs are typically small, informal houses or cottages, but some can be quite large. Settings for this type of house are commonly garden settings. The houses feature tall, peaked roofs, masonry chimneys, large multi-pane windows, wood siding, which are sometimes shingle style.  Landscaping for these houses usually include winding walkways to the front entrance.

Craftsman Style

From the early 20th-century, the Craftsman epitomizes the Arts and Crafts movement.  It boasts simple forms and natural materials. Features include low-pitched gable roofs with exposed rafters, decorative beams, or gables with braces underneath.  The front of this style of home has great curb appeal and is very hospitable with its large column-supported porch.  Typically, exterior finishes include wood, stone or stucco siding.  The windows are often grouped in threes.  Interiors are usually an open-floor plan with built-in cabinets, shelving and seating.  The use of earth based neutrals and natural products like river rock are very common.

Farmhouse Style

There can be various farmhouse styles, but classically, it can thought of as a simplified version of a Victorian style.  This style features an asymmetrical plan with dormers and gables.  Roof materials are typically either metal or shingle, windows are typically taller and many do feature a wraparound porch with some Victorian detailing, lap siding and simple moldings and trim.

Federal Revival Style

Federalist architecture has its roots in England. It was popular in America during the late 1700s and early 1800s, although you still see Federalist details in many homes today. They are large and graceful two-storey brick homes with huge chimneys.  The front characteristics include a centred front door which is often sheltered by a portico and topped with a fan-shaped transom light.  They usually have palladian windows, dentil moldings in the cornice and fan-shape or elliptical gable windows.  Many feature oval rooms and recessed wall niches.

Georgian Revival Style

This style is often confused with Federal style. Georgian homes were popular in the U.S. from about 1715 to 1780 and are more angular than Federal.  They are brick or wood sided, symmetrical and square in shape.  They feature a centred front door with flat columns on each side and a decorative crown above.  Roofs are medium pitched with a chimney on each end and have minimal roof overhang.  Typically they have five double-hung windows or dormers across the front of the house with 9 or 12 panes in each sash.

Greek Revival Style

By the mid-1800s, Grecian architecture more so than British was popular in the U.S.  Common in the Southern U.S. especially, they were square with tall double-hung windows on each side.  A shallow-pitched roof, front-facing columned portico’s supporting a triangular pediment was characteristic.  A white clapboard exterior, decorative pilasters and dentil moldings with a heavy cornice were typical.

International Style

This style boasts simple design using more industrial materials and emphasizes spaces that flow from one to another.  Features include a flat roof, large expanses of glass and glass block, neutral palettes and simple geometric shapes.  Steel and concrete are common materials which enable the interiors to be very open.  White stucco was the most common exterior envelope with tubular steel railings around porches and decks.

Postmodern Style

This style was very popular in the 1970′s and 80′s.  It took traditional motifs and reformulated the design using modern materials. It was often more playful and exaggerated with a contemporary look and feel, large windows, bold shapes and colours.  It had an informal look.

Mediterranean Revival Style

Very popular in the South Western U.S. it is also called mission or California mission style.  The houses were clad in adobe-like stucco, featured flat or low-pitch roofs of clay tiles, balconies with black wrought-iron railings.  Often built around access to an inner courtyard, they had deeply shaded porches and dark interiors.

Ranch House Style

These houses gained popularity in the 1950s and ’60s because land was cheap and families wanted an economical house in the suburbs. They were single storey (long and low to the ground) with a low-pitched gable end or hipped roof.  Typically rectangular, some were also L-shaped or U-shaped.  They were very plain looking with no ornamentation or detailing and usually had an attached garage with a simple open floor plan.

Shingle Style

Common in the 19th century, it was built as a vacation home along the shores of New England and featured continuous shingle cladding on all exterior surfaces.  It had a stone chimney, wide porches, asymmetrical massing, dormer windows and half turrets.  The lower part of the house was often clad in heavy stone.

Southern Colonial Style

The main difference between colonial homes and southern colonial homes is that the chimney is found at the end of the house rather than in the middle.  They have steeply pitched gable roofs, are symmetrical in shape with a centred front door.  They have multi-pane, tall, double-hung windows and the floor plan is narrow often with only one room deep.  They feature wide, welcoming front porches and have tall foundation walls to protect against moisture damage.

Spanish Colonial Style

Also known as Southwestern, this style goes back to the early Spanish influence in the southwestern U.S.  They have massive masonry walls made of rough-cut stone blocks, or wood-frame walls covered with stucco, exteriors feature earth tones of red clay or ochre, they have large ornate wooden doors and low flat roofs.

Tudor Style

Reminiscent of childhood fairy-tale castles, this style became popular in the U.S. in the 1920s and ’30s, then again in the ’70s and ’80s. They have steeply pitched roofs with wide gables and huge chimneys.  Clad with brick and stucco and has stone trim and door surrounds.  Casement windows with multiple panes are tall and narrow.

Victorian Style

Although there are many 19th-century Victorian architectural styles, the one that usually comes to mind is Queen Anne.  They have steep gable roofs, gingerbread style woodwork and tall narrow windows.  Turrets, porches, decorative wooden brackets, patterned shingles and clapboard siding are all typical.

So, this gives you even more to think about.  One thing to note is that not all of these styles work well on every type of property. Speaking of property, our next issue will focus on the ins and outs of property searches and land purchases for building your custom home.

 

 

Are you 550 sq. feet, 6500 sq. feet or somewhere in between?

by Akash on February 16, 2012 in Build House, Custom Homes with 8 Comments

Ultimately, the size and style of the house you build is a personal decision based on your needs, wants, and lifestyle; and of course, the ability to pay for it.   Whether your dream home is 550 square feet, 6500 square feet or somewhere in between, the building process is the same and very involved; so make sure you get it right!  The last thing you need at the completion of a home build is to find out that you didn’t get it right.  Planning is extremely important.

 

550 Square Foot House on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco

The decision on what size of home you want must be thought out very carefully.  If you want to build a larger home, you need to realize that not only will it cost more to build because of the initial costs including raw construction materials, labour and waste, but will also inevitably cost more to run, maintain and repair.  Oh, and you need to fill it with LOTS of stuff!

 

 

FOR SALE: Custom Home Project Management by Dharma Developments located in Ottawa's Westboro area - 2472 sq. feet CALL 613.482.2800 for details.

Since the 1970’s, household sizes have shrunk as house size increased.  The average new house has expanded from about 1300 square feet in the mid 70’s to over 2000 square feet these days.  People wanted more space to accommodate different functions and activities within the house such as dens or home offices to media/theatre rooms.  The addition of these extra rooms increases the overall size of the home, but it also segregates families into separate areas as well.   What do you think about that?  It raises some interesting questions.  Are families becoming more disconnected because of this?  Are people replacing outdoor activity space with indoor activity space?

6500 sq. foot home in Port Perry

 

In recent years however, the trend has shown that house sizes are decreasing.  Some of this can be attributed to the recession, but other reasons include more first-time buyers, smaller amounts of equity from existing homes, a desire or need to reduce energy costs and more stringent credit requirements.  As well, many people are looking at reducing consumption of material items (a less is more attitude) as they become more conscious of the costs associated with having more stuff.

In the wise words of George Carlin, “A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” 

If your budget is smaller, building a smaller house that fits your needs to a “T” may allow you to utilize more superior/better quality products and technologies in the construction of your home rather than standard builder grade.  This will help you further reduce building costs and future maintenance and energy costs.  By forgoing mudrooms, formal dining rooms and media/hobby rooms you can create a space that integrates all of these functions and keeps you and your family close.  There are definitely folks that still want the expansive house, which has everything they currently need and more; where each family member essentially has their own space.  Are you part of that group or the other?   A custom home builder such as Dharma Developments can build you any style of home in any size…the only limitations are your imagination!

Stay tuned for our next post!  It will feature some of the different house styles that are available to you.  If you are lucky, you may already know what style of house you want to build, but I encourage you to check out the post anyway.

 

Welcome to “So You Want to Build a House!”

by Akash on January 20, 2012 in Build House, Custom Homes with 7 Comments

 

 

Custom Home Project Management by Dharma Developments

At Dharma Developments, we’ll tell you that building your custom home is easier than you think.  Now, I know what you are saying, “Is it really? Cause it sounds pretty complicated to me.”  The answer to your question is it will be.  That is of course if you are not armed with one of the most important tools – knowledge.  Knowledge of the design and construction processes, how to pay for it, when to pay for it, what you can and can’t do and where you can or can’t do it!

That’s where Dharma comes in.  We’re here to literally make building your custom home easier than you think; and the way we are going to do that is through education.   We will arm you with the knowledge you need to build your dream home and then build it for you!  We have the experience – over 50 years of combined experience in planning and construction to be exact.

So, on with it you say!

Over the coming months we will be taking you through the process of building your custom home.  The purpose of this initial post is to get the wheels turning in your head and provide an overview of some of the most important questions and steps in the process.  Then, in subsequent posts we will drill down in finer detail through the steps.  We will be utilizing our internal experts as well as, reaching out to other experts in their fields of architecture, construction, planning, real estate, finance etc. to give you the goods.

The GOAL at the end of this series is to have armed you with the knowledge you need to make that final decision of whether to build a custom home or not.  If the decision is “yes, I want to build a custom home, but I don’t want to build it myself;” you know whom to call…Dharma Developments.  We’re looking forward to helping you build your dream home!

So, let’s start at the beginning. Do you know what you need or want?  

1.  What do I need and what do I want?  And, do I need to build a custom home to get it or can I buy resale or a newly built home from a tract builder. 

 When it comes to a home as with anything, what you need and what you want are usually two very different things.  A household with two adults without children really only needs enough space for two people.  Let us say 1200 square feet to be comfortable.  However, that isn’t always what you want.  You have to take your lifestyle into consideration.  Do you like to entertain a lot?   Do you have hobbies that require lots of room for storage?  What are your plans for the future?  Will you be expanding your family? What type of house do you like?  What design do you have in mind?  These and many other derivatives of these questions need to be addressed first.

2.  Where do I want to build my abode?

This is equally as critical a decision to make as what you want/need.

Do you need/want to be in an urban setting close to amenities or do you prefer the solitude of a rural setting?  Land costs can drop significantly the further away from the city you get.  The caveat to that is if it is an up and coming area.  If you don’t already own property to build on, you have to determine where you want to live and then start the property search.  Will you search on your own or hire a realtor?  Which realtor should you use?  It’s always good to start out with referrals and see if you can work with them.  Remember, if you don’t own the property already, you will need to purchase it and will need cold hard cash to do it.  Financial institutions no longer finance land purchases.  If you choose to buy an infill, you will be paying for the land and home, demolition, and then the construction of a new home.  You will need to submit plans to the municipality for approvals as well.  This is due to the fact that properties are zoned for certain types of construction and you need to ensure that the property you purchase is zoned correctly.  Otherwise, you will need to work with your municipality to re-zone the property so you can build what you want.

3.. What is my budget?

A budget estimate is a financial plan for your entire Design-Build process. It is the dollar equivalent for all the work it takes to design and build your new home.  This document is not set out accurately at the outset of your process as it begins with estimates.  Then you refine your financial plan as time goes by.  The primary purpose of preparing a budget is to understand and control costs. You start with estimates and then you are able to guess the total dollar amount for the style and size of the home on a particular lot.  At the very least, as an owner you should be able to consider if the home build is feasible once estimates are ascertained.  The total dollar amount is then broken into two categories:  hard costs and soft costs.  Hard costs are the labour and material to build a house.  Soft costs cover everything else.

The scope of drawings and specifications is then the off-shoot from the budget estimate.  These budgetary considerations must begin early in the planning phase of the Design-Build process.  The initial review of costs is really a way to determine the feasibility of the project and based on material and labour cost projections, you as the Owner will be able to consider all options for this process.  You can then identify priorities, determine trade-offs, conduct cost/benefit analysis and revise the cost estimate.

Your final estimate is a result of your  tastes and subsequent selections for specifications and will ultimately determine whether you are building an economy, modest, custom or luxury home.    You need to match your material/product choices with a price category in which you can afford to build.

4.  How do I get it?  That is…how do I pay for the house?  Do I secure construction financing or save up and build when I have the cash?

Well, the answer to this is really going to depend on you and your family’s requirements and your financial situation.  Oh yeah, and if you are willing to wait for the house (build in stages) or want it “now.”

If you need to secure construction financing, mortgage specialists at your branch should be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction.  These people know your current financial situation and your financial history better than an outside lender.

Another way to go if you have the means, is to pay as you go.  This option has its downsides as it will take longer to build and will most likely cost you more in the end as the costs of  every aspect of the design-build process increase all the time.  Additionally, you are in constant construction for a very long time.

5.  Design It – Architectural Technologist vs. Architect

The Architectural Technolgist and the Architect are two different animals.  Below is a high-level breakdown of the differences between the two.

Architectural Technologist:

The Architectural Technologist provides building design services, solutions, and is trained in architectural technology, building design and construction.  They apply the science of architecture and typically concentrate on the technology of building design and construction.

Architect:

The Architect’s training and practise is about design and not about construction.  They are trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings.  They create the design concept that meets the requirements of the client and provide a facility suitable to the required use.  The architect co-ordinates a design team consisting of structural, mechanical and electrical engineers and other specialists in order to construct the design.

Designer Qualifications:

The Ontario Building Code Act requires designers of certain construction projects to be pre-qualified in the knowledge of the Ontario Building Code by writing and passing technical exams.

What does the City need from me?

This is going to depend on the municipality in which you are planning to build.  For example, the City of Ottawa provides comprehensive details about its requirements in order for you to build your new home.  If you decided to be your own project manager, you will be solely responsible for ensuring you have the proper documentation and permits to build your home.  As above, you would need to work with your municipality to ascertain any re-zoning, development charges or approvals related to your build.  By hiring a builder like Dharma Developments to project manage the build, we take care of advising you what you will need, the fees associated, submitting for and obtaining the required permits.

What is the tendering process and where do I start?

- Site plan approval
- Design of building complete
- Architectural drawings complete
- Establish a budget
- Send drawing to various trades in all fields with a copy of plan and scope of work with a deadline
(Deadline dependent on size of project)
- Receive tender bids
- Re-send to trades who pricing is not in line (looking to reduce pricing)
- Select trades/bids that work with budget
- Commence construction

1.  A Build Schedule is not a requirement, but is highly recommended.  It allows you to monitor progress and schedule trades with enough lead time to avoid delays.  Closing date is a factor, as is weather, and the time each trade takes to do a specific task.

2.  Usually the entire project gets tendered at the same time.  On a large project you would start with the servicing, once that is under way you would tender the actual construction.  For a single custom home, you would tender it all together or in phases.  Phase one  includes excavation, servicing,  foundation, framing,  doors and windows to get the structure completed.  Phase two includes the  exterior cladding and rough in services like electrical, plumbing and mechanical (HVAC).  Phase three takes you from drywall to  to closing (finishing trades).

3.  Length for tender is based on the size of project and time of year.  During the slow season for a single custom home, it is recommended to give one week.  During high volume season (summer) for a custom home it is recommended to give one to two weeks depending on trade.

4.  If you are an inexperienced home owner and you want to do you’re own tendering and construction management, a good place to start would be to ask every trade, (1) how long they need to price, and (2) how long they need to do the job.  If you contact three companies for each job, they should come back with the same time frames.  Issues you may face due to lack of experience can include not knowing the correct order of trades, costing, or building code and that the trades dont know you.  The trades may require money upfront, or they may charge more since you are building a single home and not multiple homes. One other important issue you can potentially run into is with the banks.  Due to the fact that you are inexperienced in project management of a house build, the banks may be less likely to finance you as you don’t have the experience with budgeting and tendering a construction job.

By hiring a builder who can serve as your project manager, these issues and the risks associated with those issues are mitigated.

So, have we given you something to chew on for now?  Our subsequent posts will drill down in finer detail through the steps.  As mentioned, we will be utilizing our internal experts as well as, reaching out to other experts in their fields of architecture, construction, planning, real estate, finance etc. to give you the goods.