Q: What types of services do you offer?
A: We manage everything that relates to energy efficient home construction and renovation on-site; from start to finish. Ideally, we are involved from the very beginning stages in what is called an Integrated Design Process (IDP). This is where we work with you, your designer/architect and the energy advisor in a collaborative process. This comes at no additional charge to you and it makes for a more efficient, successful project. Once the plan has been approved and we have detailed working drawings in hand, we can begin construction! Your project will have a dedicated Site Supervisor who will be supported by the entire Conscious Builder team. As part of that team, we also have in-house carpenters to take care of the more intricate details which is extremely important when it comes to building healthy, efficient and comfortable homes.
Q: How much does it cost to build a custom house?
A: There are thousands of factors that will affect the price of a custom home. To help you better understand what’s involved, we have written a blog post break down which you can READ HERE
Q: How long do I need from initial planning to the start of construction?
A: We recommend that you give yourself a minimum of 8 months; from the point you begin working with an Architect to receiving your approved building permit. Some projects may take longer, many factors can affect the timing. For example, you will also play a big part in the timing of the design. The more decisive you are, the faster the design will go! The permitting process is always a wild card, as it will depend on the reviewer who receives your plans and how busy the city is. *It’s important to note that, prior to commencing any construction, we will require “working building plans” 6 weeks in advance. This will allow us the time to review and set up the project.
Q: What are the required steps to building a home?
A:
Step 1: Determine your budget for the following: purchasing a lot, hiring an Architect for your design, permits, site-work and build. Remember to factor in which standard of energy efficiency you want to build to. You can learn more about some of the green building standards in our region HERE.
Step 2: Purchase a suitable lot and have it surveyed to establish your boundaries
Step 3: Have an engineering firm verify where to put your septic system. (If you are on city sewer and water, you will only require the engineering firm to approve your new hook ups to the city services.)
Step 4: Have an Architect establish your grading plan and where your house will reside in proximity to your well and septic system (if needed).
Step 5: We highly suggest you hire an Architect to develop your building plans*.
Step 6: *It is also at this stage you bring us, The Conscious Builder, on to be involved in the design process.
Step 7: Finalize your full set of building plans and have them approved by the residing municipality.
Step 8: You are ready to commence site-work (excavation/demolition/blasting etc.), which we would take care of as the General Contractor overseeing the build
Step 9: We commence construction on your new home
Q: Who contacts the surveyor and engineering firm?
A: Typically your architect or designer will contact these people as they are required during the design process. We can provide contacts of people we have worked with in the past.
Q: Who takes care of the permits?
A: The architect or designer should take care of this as they will need their license number of BCIN (Building Code Identification Number).
Q: Can you put a quote together for us?
A: We can quote when you have a set of working drawings, complete with a grading and servicing plan. If you have renderings and basic floor plans only, we could provide a very rough estimate for the home only (not including site work). Both options would come with a fee which would be credited towards your build when you decide to work with us. In either case, we can provide more value to you if you bring us on board prior to commencing the design, so we can be involved with the process and help ensure that you design within budget (or at least be aware when you are going beyond your budget.)
Q: What kind of contract do you use and what is the upfront fee?
A: We work with a 'Cost Plus' contract where we charge hourly for our labour fees and have a certain percentage markup on deliveries, materials and sub-trades. The markup is highly dependent on the scale of the project. Larger projects will have a smaller markup percentage
Q: Do I have to do anything additional for/with the subcontractors?
A: When you hire us as GC, subcontractors are covered and our team lead is in charge of them for everything on-site.
Q: Why do smaller projects have a higher markup percentage?
A: Smaller projects often require just as much planning as the larger ones.
Q: How much of a deposit do you require?
A: For Custom Home contracts, we require a 10% deposit based on the total estimated value of the project. Renovation projects will range between 10% and 20%.
Q: Are you Tarion and HCRA certified?
A: Yes, we are a registered builder with Tarion. You can read more about the warranty coverage HERE. Note that any builder in Ontario who is building without Tarion is considered an illegal builder.
Q: Do I need to pay for the Tarion Warranty?
A: We provide this at no additional charge to you.
Q: How do you work your schedules?
A: Once we have an understanding of the scope of work required, the Lead Builder for your project and the Head of Operations will create the schedule. Note that things often change throughout construction so this is managed on a weekly basis.
Q: Are you insured?
A: We have up to $5 million in liability insurance and we also acquire Builders Risk Insurance when we build a custom home. Our workers and subcontractors are also covered under WSIB.
Q: Do we require insurance?
A: For renovations, you will need to contact your insurance company to let them know that you are renovating. We also recommend that you get your own liability insurance if you’re building a custom home since you own the land.
Q: During the build who will I have contact with?
A: We have a dedicated Lead Builder on every project, who acts as a site-supervisor, that you can address your on-site questions to. You will also be in contact with our Director of Client Success and our Head of Operations.
Q: Do you have references and job sites or projects we can visit*?
A: Yes! We can provide you with a list of our past clients and highlight those that would
be most relevant to your project. *Unfortunately job site visits are currently prohibited due to COVID.
A: We manage everything that relates to energy efficient home construction and renovation on-site; from start to finish. Ideally, we are involved from the very beginning stages in what is called an Integrated Design Process (IDP). This is where we work with you, your designer/architect and the energy advisor in a collaborative process. This comes at no additional charge to you and it makes for a more efficient, successful project. Once the plan has been approved and we have detailed working drawings in hand, we can begin construction! Your project will have a dedicated Site Supervisor who will be supported by the entire Conscious Builder team. As part of that team, we also have in-house carpenters to take care of the more intricate details which is extremely important when it comes to building healthy, efficient and comfortable homes.
Q: How much does it cost to build a custom house?
A: There are thousands of factors that will affect the price of a custom home. To help you better understand what’s involved, we have written a blog post break down which you can READ HERE
Q: How long do I need from initial planning to the start of construction?
A: We recommend that you give yourself a minimum of 8 months; from the point you begin working with an Architect to receiving your approved building permit. Some projects may take longer, many factors can affect the timing. For example, you will also play a big part in the timing of the design. The more decisive you are, the faster the design will go! The permitting process is always a wild card, as it will depend on the reviewer who receives your plans and how busy the city is. *It’s important to note that, prior to commencing any construction, we will require “working building plans” 6 weeks in advance. This will allow us the time to review and set up the project.
Q: What are the required steps to building a home?
A:
Step 1: Determine your budget for the following: purchasing a lot, hiring an Architect for your design, permits, site-work and build. Remember to factor in which standard of energy efficiency you want to build to. You can learn more about some of the green building standards in our region HERE.
Step 2: Purchase a suitable lot and have it surveyed to establish your boundaries
Step 3: Have an engineering firm verify where to put your septic system. (If you are on city sewer and water, you will only require the engineering firm to approve your new hook ups to the city services.)
Step 4: Have an Architect establish your grading plan and where your house will reside in proximity to your well and septic system (if needed).
Step 5: We highly suggest you hire an Architect to develop your building plans*.
Step 6: *It is also at this stage you bring us, The Conscious Builder, on to be involved in the design process.
Step 7: Finalize your full set of building plans and have them approved by the residing municipality.
Step 8: You are ready to commence site-work (excavation/demolition/blasting etc.), which we would take care of as the General Contractor overseeing the build
Step 9: We commence construction on your new home
Q: Who contacts the surveyor and engineering firm?
A: Typically your architect or designer will contact these people as they are required during the design process. We can provide contacts of people we have worked with in the past.
Q: Who takes care of the permits?
A: The architect or designer should take care of this as they will need their license number of BCIN (Building Code Identification Number).
Q: Can you put a quote together for us?
A: We can quote when you have a set of working drawings, complete with a grading and servicing plan. If you have renderings and basic floor plans only, we could provide a very rough estimate for the home only (not including site work). Both options would come with a fee which would be credited towards your build when you decide to work with us. In either case, we can provide more value to you if you bring us on board prior to commencing the design, so we can be involved with the process and help ensure that you design within budget (or at least be aware when you are going beyond your budget.)
Q: What kind of contract do you use and what is the upfront fee?
A: We work with a 'Cost Plus' contract where we charge hourly for our labour fees and have a certain percentage markup on deliveries, materials and sub-trades. The markup is highly dependent on the scale of the project. Larger projects will have a smaller markup percentage
Q: Do I have to do anything additional for/with the subcontractors?
A: When you hire us as GC, subcontractors are covered and our team lead is in charge of them for everything on-site.
Q: Why do smaller projects have a higher markup percentage?
A: Smaller projects often require just as much planning as the larger ones.
Q: How much of a deposit do you require?
A: For Custom Home contracts, we require a 10% deposit based on the total estimated value of the project. Renovation projects will range between 10% and 20%.
Q: Are you Tarion and HCRA certified?
A: Yes, we are a registered builder with Tarion. You can read more about the warranty coverage HERE. Note that any builder in Ontario who is building without Tarion is considered an illegal builder.
Q: Do I need to pay for the Tarion Warranty?
A: We provide this at no additional charge to you.
Q: How do you work your schedules?
A: Once we have an understanding of the scope of work required, the Lead Builder for your project and the Head of Operations will create the schedule. Note that things often change throughout construction so this is managed on a weekly basis.
Q: Are you insured?
A: We have up to $5 million in liability insurance and we also acquire Builders Risk Insurance when we build a custom home. Our workers and subcontractors are also covered under WSIB.
Q: Do we require insurance?
A: For renovations, you will need to contact your insurance company to let them know that you are renovating. We also recommend that you get your own liability insurance if you’re building a custom home since you own the land.
Q: During the build who will I have contact with?
A: We have a dedicated Lead Builder on every project, who acts as a site-supervisor, that you can address your on-site questions to. You will also be in contact with our Director of Client Success and our Head of Operations.
Q: Do you have references and job sites or projects we can visit*?
A: Yes! We can provide you with a list of our past clients and highlight those that would
be most relevant to your project. *Unfortunately job site visits are currently prohibited due to COVID.