Process

Building a house can be stressful.  It is never as easy as it looks on TV.  When you look at the big picture, you have over 20 different trades putting together over a million different pieces in a large hole of dirt!  It may sound complicated - and sometimes it is, but it all starts with well thought out design and detailed blueprints.  There are certain steps involved in the design process that can help make it easier to design your future home, and they are as follows:

 

​Step 1 - Lot Info - Starting off with any house design, you should have your lot information available showing lot dimensions, bearings (angular measurements in degrees), surface grading information and legal description of the land.  This is required to design a home that allows the best utilization of space and views, while ensures the correct style of house is designed with your lot.​

 

Step 2 - Wish List - What is your lifestyle and how will your home be used?  You don't need to know the exact colors and what type of casing you want around the windows, just the basics.  What square footage do you want to build within?  How many bedrooms?  What kind of ensuite do you want, or do you even want an ensuite?  Do you want an open plan for socializing, or do you want a more divided plan for sound buffers involving young children.  These type questions are the starting point of any general layout. ​

 

Step 3 - Budget - Most people have a budget that they want to follow.  There is a high probability you will be over budget by 1-3%.  Once you add in costs like landscaping, appliances, window coverings, maybe some new furniture, these add up quickly.  Building a plan to your budget is crucial in the overall design and detail.  One thing to always remember, if it is your house, have it designed to fit your lifestyle and get what you want.​

 

Step 4 - Design - Once the above three steps are thought out, it is time to get started on the design.