If you are dreaming of building a luxury home, or are already planning to do so, it’s important to understand what the process involves. This checklist for building your custom home is designed to help you make the best decisions for you along the way. It's a great idea to be aware of each step so that the experience can be a positive one.
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If you're looking for Blue Mountain custom home builders, L. Patten and Sons can help. We make it our goal to help all our clients realize their dreams.
Quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and complete customer satisfaction are what sets L. Patten and Sons apart in the Collingwood, Blue Mountain and Georgian Triangle home building community. If you have any questions please contact L. Patten and Sons today!
The Ultimate Checklist For Building Your Custom Home
1. Determining What You’d Like To Spend
It all begins here.
A custom luxury home builder will guide you on allocating your budget for high-end materials, features and ensuring everything stays within your desired range.
In addition to the land and the house itself, be prepared for:
Septic and well (if applicable)
Hydro connection
Driveway construction
Permit fees
Development fees
Demolition (if applicable)
Taxes
Landscaping
Be realistic, and always leave a little extra for the unexpected. It’s best if you can arrange financing before you begin so that you are confident with your budget.
A luxury home builder will help you allocate where your money will be best spent on high-end features.
2. Finding Your Land
Once you have an established budget, the first order of business is to find land for your new home. Whether it’s a town lot or a country acreage, make sure it leaves room for the home you want to build on it.
You'll need to understand what the zoning requirements are, if any conservation authorities are regulating the property, and what complexities and opportunities the topography of the land may present.
This is an excellent time to choose a builder as well, as an experienced custom home builder will have valuable input into the choice of location. For more tips on selecting a property, see here.
This is also a good time to look into the possibilities of alternative energy; if your property has the potential for good solar exposure, for example, a thorough look into that possibility should be started at this stage. For more on residential solar, see here.
Choosing the perfect land is part of the checklist for building your custom home.
3. Choosing A Builder
This is a critical step, as the next 8-12 months will be a partnership to get your dream home built. We have tips for the selection process here. You must have trust in your builder, as they are the experts and you have to feel confident that they will properly guide you through the process.
Having a builder involved before the plans are drawn is recommended, as they can help you design a beautiful home that is also more efficient to build. They will know where you can simplify the drawings to save money, and where the best places are to spend a little more for the biggest impact.
Feel free to contact us for more information on building your custom home in the Collingwood area.
The right builder can make the custom home building process as smooth as possible.
4. Designing Your Plans
This process can be quick or it can be lengthy; much depends on your clarity of vision and your prioritized list of wants and needs. You should think about:
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Consider future needs - growing family, aging parents moving in, frequent guests.
Living space layout: Think about how you'll use the space - open concept for entertaining, dedicated workspaces, separate living areas for different generations.
Storage solutions: Built-in shelves, cabinets, and pantries can maximize space and keep things organized.
Smart home features: Consider integrating technology for convenience and energy efficiency (smart thermostats, lighting, security systems).
Make sure the designer understands all zoning and conservation restrictions, and any subdivision covenants if they exist.
Take the time to think about your wants and needs - after all, it’s your dream home!
5. Obtaining Permits
Once plans have been finalized, it’s time to apply for permits. If you’ve chosen the right builder, this should be a relatively straightforward process. Most will apply for permits on your behalf, and make sure all the required backup accompanies the permit application.
There may be some back and forth with the municipal departments, but if you have prepared properly there should be no surprises. If any Conservation Authority is involved, their permit will need to be received before a building permit can be applied for.
Remember that the necessary permits are part of the checklist for building your custom home.
6. Building Your Home
For the next 8-12 months, you will watch your house take shape under the leadership and expertise of your builder.
The land will be prepared, basement dug, foundation poured.
They will frame, roof, clad, insulate.
Add windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, drywall and floors.
Trim, paint, add cabinetry, fixtures and finishes.
Appliances will be installed, lighting and doors will be hung.
Though the day to day may seem slow, before too long your dream house will be ready.
Decisions will need to be made throughout, so communicate regularly with your builder to keep timelines on track. And be patient - teamwork will have everything sorted beautifully by the end.
Your builder should communicate with you to keep your home build on track.
7. Enjoy Your New Space
Now that your dream house is ready, move on in and start enjoying it!
The months of planning and waiting will be over, and if you’ve chosen wisely, it will all be more than worth it.
Settle in and enjoy the years of happiness your custom home will bring.
Sit back and enjoy your custom home for years to come.
Trust L. Patten & Sons With Your Custom Home Needs
L. Patten & Sons Limited brings over fifty years of custom home building experience to every project we undertake.
We take pride in building custom homes that are as beautiful to look at as they are comfortable to live in.
CONTACT US today to get started.
What our clients are saying…
L. Patten & Sons consist of a great team of people that share the same work ethics as Jerry. He has a great staff that will easily guide you through the whole process…I have people all the time asking me who built the Beach House and I am very proud to say L. Patten & Sons. If you are looking for a custom home builder that will make your dream home a reality I would not hesitate to recommend Jerry Patten to make that happen for you.
- Lisa Mantella