insider secrets
Q
building advice
We are planning to build a new home next year. This is
our first time building a home and we aren’t sure where
to start! - Tanya
Hello Tanya,
There are five essentials homeowners should consider when preparing to build
a new home.
1
YOUR BUILDER A reputable builder can make the difference between a
dream home and a nightmare. You should consider this to be a long-term
relationship and choose a builder who understands your personal vision and
design aspirations.
A good custom
home builder
will have great
insight and provide
transparency. They
will oversee the
entire process,
provide you with
a home warranty
(Tarion) and make
your dreams a
reality through good
communication and
tight scheduling.
Check it out!
A carpenter can’t build a home without the right
tools and the same goes for a painter. Here’s a
great product that is sure to change the way you
look at paint!
Benjamin Moore’s
Natura is a zero VOC
and zero emission
paint that is safer for
your family. We love
it because it is also
certified asthma and
allergy friendly. - www.
benjaminmoore.ca
PAINT BY
number
Committing to a paint colour can be a daunting
task, and the actual act of painting a room is a
chore in itself. You want to make sure you get it
right the first time. Here are a few tips for picking
the right paint colour.
2
LAND SELECTION Involve
your builder in land selection!
At RS Homes, we use an in-house
real estate agent who is able to
suggest land to suit your needs or
view a property you are considering
to identify challenges that may
affect overall budget, home size,
future value and more.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR NEEDS AND VALUES As homeowners,
your needs and values will fall into three categories: financial, physical,
and emotional. In financial, you’ll ask yourself the following questions: What
is your budget? How much of a cushion do you have? For physical question
the following: How do you live, work, and entertain? How do you envision the
layout of your new home? What size will you need? Last but not least, consider
this when assessing your emotional needs: What are your desires and fears
throughout the building process? All three categories should be clearly outlined
and discussed.
4
GET A GUARANTEED BUDGET Be careful basing your decisions on the
“lowest cost.” Choose a builder who is willing to provide a clear, all-inclusive
budget that is guaranteed. Without this , you can be sure your final cost is going
to be much higher than the predicted budget!
5
CONSIDER YOUR CURB APPEAL The front elevation creates the first
impression of your new home and should be an important consideration
when planning the layout and location of the home on the property. You should
also consider your outdoor living requirements including things like patios,
gazebos, pools, etc. At RS Homes, we specialize in creating beautiful front
elevations, exterior facades, and backyards so that your home is perfect both
inside and out! - Text by Ramtin Sotoadeh, P.Eng., RS Homes
THE 80/20 RULE If you are planning on
including an accent wall, make sure you are
balancing bright colours with appropriate
neutrals. To be safe, stick to the 80/20 ratio: 80%
neutral and 20% colour.
BEGIN WITH A REFERENCE POINT This can
be anything in your home; a painting, a specific
piece of furniture or even an article of clothing.
Pick something in a hue that you already like and
brainstorm from there.
EXPERIMENT WITH PAINT SWATCHES If
you’re going to start taping swatches on your
walls, be sure to consider that the existing colour
on your wall, even if it’s white, may change the
way your swatch looks. For instance, a purple
paint swatch on a white wall will make the purple
appear darker than it really is.
COORDINATE! Don’t forget to coordinate your
paint choice with your existing room décor. - Text
by Zakiya Kassam