Following the upward trend of city residents moving away from downtown cores in favour of more spacious neighbouring areas, we are also seeing a rise in popularity of new build homes this year.

It makes perfect sense — if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in your ideal area, why not build a new home to fit you and your lifestyle exactly? Although it might take more time, effort, and foresight than simply purchasing a home on the regular resale market, there are so many advantages to newly built homes.

However, it does take a bit of planning to build a new home from scratch. If you are interested in taking on the project, here are a few essential tips to keep in mind when searching for the right help when constructing a new build home.

Finding The Land

The first step to tackling your new build home is obviously going to be finding the right site to build it on. Even if you aren’t new to the area where you want to build your new home, it’s always worthwhile to get an expert’s reading on suitable land.

By contacting a professional real estate agent, you’ll not only get an insider’s insight as to what land is currently available on the market, but you’ll also hopefully get connected to their professional network too. From developers to land surveyors, there are potentially plenty of qualified professionals that can help you determine whether a site is worth building on.

Finding an Architect

Once you’ve found the idea spot of land to place your new build home on, it’s time to speak with an architect. While you might have a great idea of what you want your home to look like, and might even have some background knowledge in architecture, it’s always advisable to speak with a qualified architect.

When searching for an architect, it’s always best to look out for one with an Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) designation. They will be the most qualified to take on the project — no matter the size — giving you confidence your new build home will be designed by a highly-skilled professional with extensive training and experience.

Getting Approved

After the blueprints for your new build home are finalized, there’s one more step before you can start swinging any hammers. You’ll need to have your plans approved by the Ontario Building Code for your specific area.

Obtaining a permit before starting construction is necessary for Ontario for any construction, renovation, or demolition project. This ensures your project is up to specific building codes, local zoning bylaws, and conservation and environmental protection standards.

For this, you’ll need to source a local representative of your area’s planning approval authority to confirm your planning application is set to move forward.

Related: How To Find A Good Real Estate Lawyer

Finding Your Contractor and Build Team

Now that you’ve sourced help for all of the preceding technical requirements, it’s finally time to get started on bringing your new build home to life. The last step is to find a qualified contractor and build team to help you begin construction.

While you may already have a few ideas about who you want help from in mind, cross-referencing them on Tarion’s Ontario Builder Directory is a great way to find out more about their qualifications.

If you’re thinking of building your dream home, why not talk directly with an agent who has gone through the process himself? Book a home building consultation with Jon here, whose personal residence was just awarded 2020’s Best Custom Home in the Hamilton Burlington Area by the West End Hamilton Builders Association.