When you decide to custom build your home, it can be considered both frightening and exciting at the same time. We here at iRemodel want to assure you that it will be successful as long as the proper planning goes into place beforehand.
The Research & Planning Stage
The first and most important question to ask yourself is what you want from this build. How many people will reside in it? Is this going to be a home you will reside in for a long time? Are your children going to be moving out soon after the build is completed? These are important things to take into consideration, because they will determine the overall layout of your home, and figure out what is needed and what is not. One of the main benefits of custom building a home is really looking into future aspects of your life and planning them out accordingly. This adds organization into your life that would otherwise be sporadic.
How Long Does The Process Take?
Unfortunately, there is no true answer as to how long this process may take. Sometimes, it will take six months, other times a year. There are so many different factors and variables that need to be taken into consideration before coming up with an approximate time estimate. Matter of fact, home builders in Toronto don’t like giving their clients a set date or schedule for building times and dates. Not until both the permits and selections have been completely finished and planned out, that is. When people in the industry are vague about this answer, it is not because they want to be. They’re being as honest as humanly possible, because there is never really a set time and it all depends on both the size and detail of the project.
With this in mind, there are certain approximate time windows we can come up with based on average estimates. Generally, a home with 2-3,000 sq/ft usually takes about five to ten months from the beginning of the construction to the finalizing and clean-up stage. This is done with the assumption that there are no specific demands with the layout. What many people don’t realize is that the planning stage can sometimes take as much if not longer than the home build itself.
It is a good thing that you spend a lot of time planning, however, because it lays down the foundation for the overall quality and beauty of your final project.
What Steps Are Involved In Planning?
For the most part, most people would offer a warning to builders who want to speed up the planning process, whether it is for convenience sake or otherwise. The last thing you want is a contractor who is loose on their terms, and overcharges you to make up for their irresponsibility.
Usually the planning process for a custom build takes about two to five months. Keep in mind that complex designs will have an effect on this timeline by a lot. During planning, a large number of different things go into consideration. The steps include:
- Selection of products
- Location/lot demands
- Engineering confirmation
- Pre plans and feasibility study
- Figure out project timeline
- Final architectural planning
- Look over all options
- Approve any selections
- Come up with work scopes
- Look over firm details
- Develop deliverables for permitting
- Confirm any financials
- Look over and sign any construction agreement(s)
Custom Home Build in Toronto: What Is The Cost?
Without coming up with a specifically catered design and report, rough estimates will have to do. If you are interested, our team at iRemodel offers people with FREE quotes, so we can have a conversation and our team will give you a more specific and personalized estimate when it comes to cost.
Generally, the cost of a custom build in Toronto ranges from around $150-250 per sq/ft for any low-mid level house. Mid-high end builds increase in cost, ranging from about $275-450 per sq/ft. It is important to remember that these are merely estimates. These will depend on the materials chosen as well. Using this estimate is important in planning, but should not be the main aspect that you budget with. Offering transparency when it comes to this section is important, because as previously stated, it will all depend on your type of build. We do not want to set you up with any false budgets, in turn disappointing you. Honesty is extremely important, and our team holds that value high.
Where Do You Begin?
With so many things to take into mind, it can be quite difficult to figure out what is important and what comes first. So, the question should be asked, when should you start working with a contractor? The answer is some time between the planning process where you have rough sketches drawn displaying your wants and needs from the project, as well as a financing plan.
When Is The Perfect Time To Build A Custom Home?
This answer is another one that can be quite vague, because there isn’t really a perfect time to begin building. We can start the building process during any time of the year, bringing the necessary equipment for each season.
We ideally recommend that you start construction for a custom build in the spring, however. Cold climates are never fun to work in, and depending on the weather severity, could effect completion dates. In the spring, the industry is not nearly as busy than it is in the summer, so this provides ample time dedicated directly to you and your home needs. If you would like to learn about how we can help you with your next custom built home in Toronto, be sure to give us a call at (416) 825-2542 today!