In this article, we will lay out the top three things you need to know about building a new house in Ontario.
L. Patten & Sons specializes in custom-built homes in Collingwood and the Blue Mountains area. Let our over 60 years of experience building custom homes work to build you the home of your dreams! Contact us today.
Now let’s dig in and take a look at three things you need to know about building a new house in Ontario, from coming up with a budget to possession of your dream home!
Everything You Need To Know About Building a New House in Ontario
1. Establishing your budget is key
The amount you’re willing to spend will help determine where and what you will build, so establishing a budget is an important starting point that will shape the scope of the project.
Here are some things to consider when you start to crunch the numbers:
Determine the size of the home you want to build, including the number of bedrooms, living areas, bathrooms, etc.
Obtain all the necessary Permits
Find out how much the Property taxes will be
Find out if there are any development charges
Will you need a septic system (sewer or well if applicable)
Find out how much will your hydro connection cost
Do you want to do any landscaping
Price out the appliances you will need
Leave space in your budget for new furniture
Ask how much HST you will need to pay
Without proper budgeting, your costs can accumulate beyond your ability to pay, and the project can go sideways in a hurry. Make sure you understand the cost involved with all of these decisions, so that the house designed for you fits within your established budget, as discussed earlier.
This is where the input of your builder becomes valuable, as they are the hands-on source for realistic material and labour costs.
For more detailed information on budgeting, here are 7 things to consider when assessing the cost of building a custom home.
When building a new house in Ontario, be sure to start with a budget.
2. Take your time picking the perfect setting for your new home
When building a new house in Ontario, location is everything. Check out some of Collingwood's best locations here.
You may want a nice, private location, but you also want to assess what you will need on a day to day basis - schools, shops, etc. And don’t forget to assess how easy it will be to get power, water, gas, and internet at the house!
If you're building a custom home on a property that's amenable to solar panels, you can design the house in order to take full advantage of the available sun. The investment up front is substantial, the benefits should last well beyond the payback period. For those building a custom home, it’s not complicated to add solar panels to the project, so keep this in mind when selecting land.
It can be a real balancing act, and it’s important to determine your priorities and desired lifestyle when assessing land opportunities.
Check out our Handy Checklist to brush up on all that needs to be taken into consideration.
For more, check out these things to consider when purchasing land for a home.
3. It’s important to hire a builder you can trust
When building a new house in Ontario, you should expect quality workmanship, daily on-site supervision, personal involvement, and open communication and flexibility that afford you the opportunity to modify your home as it evolves.
Begin your search for a custom home builder by doing some online research. That includes reading Google reviews, customer comments, and checking out industry rankings.
You should also try to speak to previous clients. Ask about the communication, any misunderstandings or setbacks they encountered, and if they would work with them again. Looking at photos of past projects is also a good idea.
Remember this: Anyone building a new house in Ontario must be registered with Tarion. What does that mean for you? Builders in Ontario must provide warranty coverage as described in the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. This coverage includes:
Protection for deposits
Protection against Financial Loss for Contract Homes
Compensation for delays in closing or occupancy
Protection against unauthorized substitutions
One and two year warranties for certain defects in work and materials
A seven year warranty for major structural defects
If you’re looking into building an environmentally friendly custom home, you’ll want to verify the following additional certifications: LEED, Energy Star, R-2000 and similar labels.
For more information on what they mean, visit Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Green Building Council.
L. Patten & Sons is a proud member of the Tarion New Home Warranty Program, ensuring your investment is protected from the time of deposit to possession and beyond.
Building a New House in Ontario? Trust L. Patten & Sons For Projects Near Collingwood!
L. Patten & Sons brings over 60 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.
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 and Blue Mountains area custom home building community.
Our home owners can rest assured that their new home will be a source of pride and satisfaction for many years to come!
“Looking for a builder to construct your dream home? I would look no further, as you found the right team with L Patten and Sons. The craftsmanship and attention to detail shown by their tradespersons was exceptional. The house that was built for us is magnificent, built on time and on budget. Very easy to work with, the team made highly useful suggestions and were flexible to make modifications during the build when an improvement was apparent. The team from L Patten and Sons will go above and beyond to make your building experience a most positive one. You have two very satisfied customers here who highly recommend Patten and Sons for your building projects.” (Ruby Rosebuds)