WHAT 

YOU 

NEED 

TO 

KNOW 

BEFORE 

BUILDING 

A 

CUSTOM 

HOME 

Building a custom home is one way to guarantee that you move into the home you’ve always wanted. Unfortunately, many people avoid building a custom home because they think the process will be too difficult, take too long to complete and be more expensive than buying an existing home.

Before you decide between buying a prebuilt house or hiring a contractor to build a custom home, there are a few details to consider.

Beginning The Process

The first and most important factor is the location. In Vancouver, there are many areas of the city where you can buy a lot, but before you commit to a location or specific lot, take some time to consider what you need or want and any extra costs that may be incurred.

• For example, is the lot big enough to accommodate a garage or parking. If not, is street parking an option?
• Do you want to be near parks or would you prefer space for a garden?
• Do you need to be near schools, a hospital or work?
• How long is the commute to work?
• What about the noise factor?
• And do you want a lot that’s big enough to include a laneway home in the future?

Additionally, when it comes time to choose the lot, you should be well aware of the zoning restrictions and permits required. Some areas may restrict two storey builds, while others may allow commercial development.

Getting Legal Assistance

Once you have selected a lot, you will need to hire a lawyer that specializes in real estate to help you complete the paperwork and ensure you have met – and understand – all the legal requirements.

It’s strongly recommended that you don’t rely solely on builder’s contracts; they are primarily designed to protect the builders. A lawyer can add protective clauses and draw attention to areas of a contract that need to be amended in your favour.

Hiring The Crew

When building a custom house, make sure each team member has the qualifications for their area of specialization. The three professionals you will need are:

• An architect for the building design of the exterior and interior layout.
• The building team who will construct the house.
• An interior designer to ensure the lighting fixtures, tiling, and flooring choices are functional yet fabulous to look at.

Check their reputation through the local Better Business Bureau or Vancouver Regional Construction Association.

Designing The Custom Home

From the building design and materials used to the interior design and landscaping, you will work with a number of skilled professionals including architects, contractors and interior designers to incorporate the needs and wants of your family. This may include built-in storage, accommodations for a growing family or even adding a mortgage helper in the basement or over the garage.

But before you hire anyone, be sure to check their references, get multiple quotes and consider how well they communicate. There are a lot of decisions to be made when building a custom home, but a good line of communication with the people you hire makes the process easier.

Looking at building a custom home? Contact us. We’d be happy to answer your questions.

Links:

• https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-of-mainland-bc