Learn what you need to know for custom home layouts and floorplans before you begin.

3 Qualities of a Skilled and Reputable Custom Home Builder

To ensure that your project is entrusted to the right builder, it is important to look for the following qualities:

1. References for Previous Work

When choosing a builder for your project, it is always worth looking at examples of previous work and asking for references. This will give you a clear insight into the builder’s dedication to quality, their capabilities, and their level of customer satisfaction. If a custom home builder does not have any references or examples of previous work, it will be impossible to determine if they can handle every detail of your project. Even if a new or inexperienced builder charges less, it is better to pay more for an experienced builder as this will ensure a smoother process and a higher level of quality.

2. A Transparent Process

Every custom home build will require a unique process to guide the project from start to finish. That is why it is crucial to choose a custom home builder with a transparent process and demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This will help to ensure that every stage of the process—from the initial designs to the finishing touches—goes smoothly, even if an unexpected event occurs. A transparent process will also ensure that you know what to expect for each step, helping you avoid any confusion or surprises.

3. Warranties or Guarantees for Their Work

It is important to choose a builder that takes pride in the work they complete. This pride is often demonstrated through a warranty or guarantee for their work, so be sure to ask a builder if they provide either type of coverage. If a builder does not provide any coverage for the work they perform, they are likely not the right choice for your project.

To learn more about our custom home building solutions or to discuss the details of your project, get in touch with the team at Hyline Construction. We can be reached by phone at 604-889-5242 or through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.

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Green Custom Home Trends

Environmentally friendly standards for custom homes can take a variety of forms. Whether it is the materials used to build the home itself or the features, amenities, and final touches that are completed after the home is built, there are numerous ways to make a home energy efficient. Some simple green custom home trends for 2019 include:

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are a great way to save money on your energy bill as well as conserve water usage. These features also ensure that your home never runs out of hot water, which is great for large families.

Solar Power

When building a custom home, implementing a solar power system can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. Some solar electric systems are so efficient that you can provide enough power for your own home and the extra energy generated will be fed into the municipal grid, meaning that your solar panels will make you money.

Heat Pump for Temperature Control

A heat pump is a device that works similarly to a refrigerator, but on a large scale for your home. It moves air through a series of coils and other mechanical components to control the air temperature of an environment. They are incredibly effective and energy-efficient devices and they are becoming more popular as methods of heating and cooling homes.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Energy-efficient fixtures and LED lighting are on the rise with custom homes, and so is increased use of natural light. LED lighting can be implemented throughout a home in order to cut waste and produce more light with less power, and better systems for skylights that let in light while keeping out heat can be used in a custom home to improve energy efficiency.

To learn more about 2019’s energy efficiency trends, or if you would like to find out about any of our other residential custom building services, please contact Hyline Construction at 604-889-5242 or fill out a contact form on our website.

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Ideas for Sustainable Custom Homes

During the design phase of a custom home, there are a variety of ideas that can be considered that contribute towards an environmentally friendly build and can help a home cut down on energy use once the family moves in. Many of these ideas are incredibly simple to implement and merely require a little extra planning. Some concepts for sustainable custom home building include:

Use Better Building Materials

The very materials that a home is made out of can have a massive impact on how green the home is. Some types of insulation can be made from recycled materials or plant-based resources to cut down on waste and toxicity. Using reclaimed materials, such as wood, steel, stone, and brick, can not only conserve building supplies but also give a home an excellent, highly coveted aesthetic.

Many siding and roofing options can also help to keep energy usage at a minimum. Living roof systems are a great way to insulate a custom home, and metal roofing or siding can greatly improve heat retention.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Lighting does not have to be purely about utility. When building a custom home, there are endless opportunities to incorporate unique light fixtures and many of these options can be made to be energy efficient. Light fixtures that use responsive technology will ensure that your home always has the proper amount of light for different times of the day.

Make Use of Natural Light

Allowing for plenty of natural light will also help to ensure that electricity use is limited during the day. Skylights and well-placed windows will let in sunlight and, with the right metallic oxide coating on the glass, these windows can adapt to be low-emissivity and keep your home’s temperature steady.

Conserve Water

The right fixtures and appliances can help your custom home to conserve water use. Dual-flush toilets, water-conserving faucets and shower heads, and Energy Star rated appliances can all help to keep water consumption down.

To learn more sustainable custom home building ideas, or if you are interested in getting started with any of our residential custom building services, please contact Hyline Construction at 604-889-5242 or fill out a contact form on our website.

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Custom Home Building Tips

Whether you are building your first custom home or you have been through multiple custom builds, there is always room to learn more about home building practices. Some helpful tips for custom home building to remember include:

1.     Find the Right Custom Home Builder

Having the right custom builder handle your home is vital to the project’s success. For the best results, find a home builder who also has experience with design. This will allow your home to reach its full design potential as well as help your project to have flexibility along the way to completion. A custom home designer and builder should also have knowledge of the area in which they are building. This knowledge will ensure that your home is prepared to weather its environment and fit in practically. Investigate your home builder’s licensing, insurance, and testimonials, and make sure that they match up with your stylistic choices.

2.     Keep the Function of Your Custom Home First

When designing your custom home, make sure that the functional aspects are at the front of your mind. The aesthetic of the home can be tailored to suit the layout and features, so the visual aspects should not take priority over how the home functions to suit your lifestyle. Storage space, traffic flow, room layout, and work space are all important factors for designing your home.

3.     Plan for the Future

Without losing track of what will help you in the here and now, it is important to ensure that the home will suit your future lifestyle. Planning extra rooms for future little ones, a ground-floor master bedroom for reduced mobility, or any other future possibilities can keep your custom home convenient for years to come.

4.     Find the Right Land

In planning your dream home, it is important to find a compatible piece of property to build on. While it is rare to find the perfect piece of land for your custom home, do not jump on the first plot that you set eyes on. Discuss your ideas with your custom home builder and get their input on whether or not the land and the home designs are compatible.

5.     Trust Your Custom Home Builder

When it comes down to completing your project in the most practical, efficient, and cost-effective way possible, your custom home builder should have a wealth of experience and successes. Trust that your builder will work in your best interests and keep your home on track.

To learn more about these 5 tips for building your custom home, or if you are interested in our custom building services for residential or commercial projects, contact Hyline Construction at 604-889-5242 or fill out a contact form on our website.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building a New Home

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid when building a new home include:

1. Hiring the Builder with the Cheapest Quote and the Shortest Timeline

One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make when building a custom home is not hiring a reputable builder to manage the job. While choosing a builder that promises a cheaper quote or quicker turn around time may seem like the more attractive option, chances are there will end up being problems with your custom home that will result in your spending more money and time in the long run. Reputable builders quote conservatively and honestly, so you know exactly what to expect. They know the parameters of City By-laws and have long standing relationships with City officials, making the permitting and inspection processes much more seamless. Reputable builders have qualified trades to work on your project and have the skills and experience to navigate challenges. Qualified contractors will not try to skimp on cost, quality or time but will professionally manage your schedule and budget to turn your dream home into reality in the safest way possible.

2. Building a Home That Does Not Fit Your Needs

In some cases, homeowners can get carried away with building a custom home that looks beautiful and offers a wide range of amenities but does not fit their exact needs. Just because you are moving into your dream home, you are likely not going to change the way you like to live. A custom home should be designed to reflect your specific lifestyle. Focus on the layout during the design process. It’s always a good idea to have a complete furniture plan drawn up so you can see how everything will fit. Imagine walking through the home; your family living in its spaces. Think about what you are going to do with each space and select only the features that you and your family need.

3. Putting Cost Before Quality

While there is no harm in trying to save money where you can, it is important to ensure that you are not choosing design finishes and fixtures based on price alone. Using low-quality products may save you money to begin with but can easily lead to high repair and maintenance costs down the road. They can also work against you if/when ever you try to sell the home in this buyer-savvy market. Your custom home is a big investment that would not benefit from compromising the finished effect in order to save a small percentage of the overall cost. Have a conversation with your Builder and Designer up front. Strategize “high on design, low on cost” design tactics. Budget intelligently as a team but know when to spend where it counts too.

4. Not Having a Clear Written Agreement

Both you and your contractor should know exactly what the process of building your new home looks like from start to finish. Having a contract outlines specific roles, clarifies expectations and can help resolve any potential issues that may arise along the way. Every reputable custom home builder will offer a clear and detailed contract, comprised to look out for the best interests of both parties.

If you would like to discuss your project, or are interested in our custom building services for residential or commercial properties, please contact Hyline Construction at 604-889-5242 or by filling out a contact form on our website.

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