Home Building Guide - Your Go-To Project Checklist

Building a house is synonymous with creating a space where you feel comfortable, a practical living area where you can go about your daily routine unencumbered. It’s a temple dedicated to your comfort and that of your loved ones. Given the costs involved and the complexity of each step, one rarely accomplishes it twice during a lifetime. 

While a home-building project can seem quite daunting initially, we’ve tried to offset it by creating this handy tool to guide you through the process. This checklist was designed to lead you through the different phases of the project, from start to finish. You’ll find all the necessary information to complete your project, leaving no stone unturned.  

Before Starting Your House Build Project

Home Building Project Keywords

Comfort

Everyone has their definition of comfort, especially when it comes to housing layout and design, so make a note of what you need to be comfortable at home. These characteristics will be amongst your guiding principles during your house's design and building stages.

Quality

If possible, opt for high-quality building materials and installation methods. It’ll definitely influence your budget in the long run—meaning you won’t have to replace it all soon after—and your daily life.

Optimization

Optimization applies to both the house’s blueprints and the actual building process. Weigh in on how each step can be optimized to streamline the process without overlooking anything important. For example: workflow organization. If the timeline is optimized accordingly, especially in terms of order of execution, you’ll save both time and money.

What Questions Should You Ask When Planning a House Build?

Before proceeding with the practical side of things, it’s important to consider your expectations in terms of results. Write down your thoughts and ideas, sketch a few ideas if you’re somewhat talented, and pin ideas to your Pinterest board (or other preferred tool).

Below are, according to us, the most important questions to settle prior to moving on to the next steps of this wonderful project:

What are your aesthetic preferences?

Have you already outlined your preferences in terms of decor and layout? There are hundreds of decor styles, architectural trends, and types of house plans. In the end, there’s something for everyone, but as long as you haven’t defined your preferences, you’ll struggle to make decisions regarding decoration, material selection, and room configuration.

Here are some articles to sharpen your thinking process:

• Home Décor Trends for 2024

• Modern Design - What to Know About this Home Decor?

• Home Decor - A Guide to Classic Style

• Home Decor - A Guide to Rustic Style

• Home Decor - A Guide to Minimalist Style

Want more? Our blog’s design and home decor section is brimming with articles loaded with examples.

What’s your house build budget?

First and foremost, put a number to how much you’re willing to spend on building your house. If you can’t afford to do everything at once, your home-building project will never get done. It could even drive you further into a precarious financial situation, after which your dream home will be nothing but a mere pipedream.

Instead of crunching the numbers yourself, allow financial experts to do so. A financial adviser will help clear things up, providing you with a realistic figure at the end. Afterwards, they will be able to get the financing aspect of it underway, if need be. 

What’s the best time of year to start a house construction?

In Canada, housebuilders have to deal with a less-than-favourable climate at times, one that can dictate the timing of certain phases in the construction of a home. Most housing jobsites begin once the ground has thawed, allowing for a structure’s foundation to be excavated. However, the planning phase can take place in the months leading up to the build, with construction starting in spring, summer, or at the latest, fall. 

Should you hire an architect or builder to design the blueprints?

Your project’s blueprints need to be drawn up by an expert hand. For a custom home, hire an architect or architectural technologist, whereas if you’ve chosen to move forward with a modular or prefabricated home, the plans will already have been drawn and designed.

Here are some useful articles to streamline this step:

• The Difference Between an Architect and Architectural Technologist

• How Much Does It Cost to Work with an Architect?

• Renovation Project Plan: Who Should You Contact?

• 3 Factors to Consider When Hiring an Architect

What are the administrative hoops involved in building a house?

Building a home from scratch calls for permits and compliance verification. Never start the building process without first having absolute certainty (and the official document attesting to it) that your project was greenlit. Contact your local council to confirm how best to proceed.

The paperwork to fill out and documents to submit vary from one city to the next. Allow for a delay of a couple of weeks to a few months before obtaining your building permit. Need some help to fill in all that paperwork? In some cases, your contractor, along with other hired experts (architect, interior designer), will be of help. Don’t hesitate to ask!

How long will the construction work take (provided everything goes as planned)?

On average, construction takes between six and 12 months. This sort of project calls for a lot of steps and several factors are a struggle to manage—weather-related circumstances and coordination hardships between different trades. Assuming everything goes as planned, the expected delivery date should be a few months following the construction start date.

However, for a more realistic timing, add a few weeks to the planned timeline before setting in stone your move-in date. In some cases, the work can last two years or even more. Such delays are mainly caused by a lack of funds, an unexpected setback preventing construction from moving forward, and most often, a logistical hurdle.

What is there to know about self-building?

Have you always pictured yourself building your own house? Lucky you, we’ve written several articles on the matter! This sort of project isn’t for everyone; patience is definitely on the docket, along with meticulous craftsmanship and organizational skills. 

Here are the key things to consider about self-building:

• Unless you have all the necessary skills and know-how, you’ll have to hire certified contractors to carry out some jobs.

• You can't just build whatever you want, however you please. Self-build practices are bound by laws and regulations. If your project doesn’t comply with standards, chances are that you’ll struggle to purchase an insurance policy.

• It’s a time-consuming endeavour.

• Establishing a self-build budget is challenging given the number of contingencies, and unless you have prior experience, you’ll need more time than an expert to carry out every phase.

• When everything unfolds as planned and the outcome meets your expectations, it can make for a very rewarding project.

• Every aspect of your home will be personalized, making for a significant advantage.

In a nutshell, don’t underestimate the challenge of such a project, but know that it can be done!

Here are other articles to peruse to help guide your decision:

• The Challenges of a Self-Build Project

• Planning Your Budget for Your Self-Build Project

• The Pros and Cons of Building Your Own Home

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Canada?

Now that’s a million-dollar question! There are several factors to consider to arrive at an accurate figure. You’ll be eating, sleeping, and breathing numbers by the project’s end. As such, it’s important to keep order amongst chaos while tracking expenses and making logical choices based on your financial situation.

How much does it cost to build a custom home?

To build a custom home, we’re talking about roughly $200 per square foot for a starter home and $400 per square foot for a luxury home. If we apply the same figures to a 1,000 sq. ft. home, the result is $200,000 for a starter home and $400,000 for a luxury residence. 

To that, add the cost of buying a plot of land (roughly 25% of the project), including several other fees to consider:

• Building permit

• Welcome tax or land transfer tax

• Blueprints

• Land surveyor-issued certificate of location

• Well and septic tank installation, if not already done

• Power grid connection

• Notary fees

Extra expenses included, you’re looking at $75,000 to $150,000, depending on what’s factored in (the latter includes land purchase and well/septic tank installation).

Prefabricated House or Custom Build: What Is the Cost Discrepancy? 

Prefab houses are less costly compared to custom builds given that they’re mass-produced, reducing building costs. Typically, we’re talking about $175 to $350 per square foot. For a 1,000-square-foot home, it amounts to $175,000–$350,000.

Note that some companies allow you to purchase a prefabricated home at a very low price (roughly $100 per square foot) if you choose the self-build route. The parts are delivered and the rest is up to you. This can be an appealing avenue, but an unlikely one for common mortals given the amount of work involved. Moreover, you’ll have to hire industry professionals to carry out specific tasks, such as electrical and plumbing work.

Funding and Financial Aid Available for Residential Construction Projects

Even if you’ve amassed the majority of your construction budget already, note that there’s financial assistance available to help lower the final invoice. Get all the funding and grants offered because they’re meant to be used!

New Construction Funding

Across Canada, several levels of government have established grants and funding programs to encourage residential construction initiatives. Amongst others, there’s a first-time home buyer incentive, programs promoting energy-efficient home improvements, and programs for those looking to build in rural areas. You may also have access to tax credits or property tax rebates.

Check out your local council's website, including that of your provincial and federal governments to better ascertain your options at any given moment.

Bank-Issued Financial Assistance

Your bank can help with the financial aspect of your project. Financial institutions generally provide options tailored to your financial situation and repayment capacity.

Examples:

• Home equity loan

• Personal loan

• Line of credit

• Savings

• Credit card

• Remortgage loan

How to Build a New House

There are a million and one things to consider when building a house. From the blueprints to building standards, with the actual construction process in between, this sort of project calls for expert-level organizational skills!

Let’s take a closer look at the different components that must be taken into account, ensuring you’re comfortable with the choices made along the way.

Quebec Only: House Construction Standards

A house is meant to be a sanctuary for its occupants. As a result, a slew of building codes and standards were established over the years, and the latter must be met to benefit from assured protection. Said standards apply to a construction’s core components, including but not limited to the structure, electrical, plumbing, roofing, exterior-leading doors and windows, and insulation.

Something else to consider: green building standards. These standards aren’t always mandatory, but shouldn’t be overlooked to reduce energy costs for ecological and financial reasons.

Here are some articles about construction standards:

• Basement Window Wells

• What Are the Insulation Standards in Quebec?

• Standards and Training to Further Green Building

Quebec’s Construction Code is made available for viewing on the Régie du bâtiment du Québec website; check it out for more subject-specific information.

Building Codes for the Rest of Canada

Building codes vary by province, outlining all the construction specifics governing new constructions throughout the country. While we don’t currently have extensive information regarding the latter, check out the following province-specific building regulations for up-to-date information:

Alberta: Alberta Building Codes and Standards

British Columbia: BC Building Code

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations

Ontario: Ontario Building Code

Contractors and Builders to Hire During a Home Build

Building a house calls for a team of experts! Naturally, some general contractors hold a licence allowing them to carry out the majority of the job. However, they will outsource certain tasks to subcontractors. For example, general contractors often hire plumbers or septic tank experts as they don’t possess the necessary skills or knowledge to execute such specific jobs themselves. 

General Contractor or Specialized Contractor?

If you choose to hand over your construction project to a general residential contractor or a business specializing in house builds, they will take over all trade-specific hires, putting together a team in which every member executes their share of the work.

Why hire a general contractor for your renovations?

Here are some examples of trades involved in residential construction jobs (amongst others):

• Carpenter-joiner

• Plumber

• Roofer

• Mason

• Painter

• Electrician

• HVAC technician

• Architect

• Tiler

• Tinsmith

• Plasterer

• Welder

• Floorcovering installer

• Interior designer

• Concrete expert

Overseeing Your House Build Project

Have you decided to oversee all aspects of your house build, hiring all tradespersons individually to carry out each step? A hefty workload, but not impossible. Albeit, it’s not for nothing that jobsite managers exist! To ensure every aspect of the build is executed efficiently, it calls for an organization like no other! Otherwise, you risk wasting both time and money.

However, if you’re set on wearing that hat, make sure to research extensively, consult people who have undertaken similar projects, dedicate time to forming a detailed plan, and have it reviewed by at least one industry expert to determine if it’s realistic. You’ll also have to hire every contractor needed for your building project. This can be a good thing, but it’s nonetheless a time-consuming process.

Lastly, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Managing such a large-scale project is a massive undertaking. It can be a very stressful process, even more so if you don’t have any prior experience. If your reasons for doing so are financial, your actual savings might not be as enticing as you imagined. Bear in mind that the more time the project takes, the costlier it’ll be. 

Everything mentioned must be considered to make the best project-specific decisions. 

Check out this article to guide you along your journey to hiring the right contractor: 

Hiring a Contractor: How to Ensure They’re the Right Fit 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a House

Here’s an overview of the initial steps in the home-building process:

Check out this article for more information:

Basic Steps for Building a House

Quebec Only: New Construction Guarantee

When you buy a new house in Quebec, as a homeowner, you’re protected by the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR). This mandatory warranty provides coverage for the following:

• Townhouses, single- and semi-detached-family homes

• Multigenerational housing and plexes

• Co-ownerships (under four private properties)

Source: Garantie GCR 

The warranty’s lifetime varies according to the defect. Below are a few examples:

• One-year warranty for repairing existing and non-apparent defects

• Three-year warranty for hidden defects

• Five-year warranty for structural problems affecting the house’s stability

For single-family homes, you can be awarded the following amounts:

• Up to $300,000 for townhouses, detached or semi-detached single family homes (not a divided co-ownership)

• Up to $3,000,000 for a townhouse, detached or semi-detached single family homes (divided co-ownership)

Are self-building projects covered by the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR)?

As a rule of thumb, self-build projects aren’t covered by the Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR). However, if you hire a general contractor who’s accredited and has a warranty plan, you may then have access to said coverage. The contractor will have to register the project with the organization overseeing the program.

Useful Tips and Tricks for New Builds

How to Choose the Right General Contractor

Now that you've decided to hand over project management to a general contractor, you have to find the right candidate! The criteria for choosing a good contractor are as follows: 

• References: The contractor should provide references from former clients and have a pertinent portfolio. Moreover, they have quite a few good online reviews.

• Experience: The contractor in question has several years of experience working similar jobs.

• Licences and insurance: They have all the necessary valid licences (Qc: RBQ, CCQ) and a liability insurance policy.

• Good first impression: You had a positive initial meet-up and felt they understood your needs and wants.

• Quote comparison: You compared several quotes against theirs and felt it offered a better deal.

How to Keep Track of the Jobsite

Even if you hired a jobsite manager, you still have to keep track of each stage of the building process. After all, it’s your future house we’re talking about! You have to know what’s happening and if everything is unfolding as it should. Otherwise, it might be too late to make any changes.

Self-building instead? Well, you have to be on-site part-time if not full-time at that.

To keep track of everything, here’s a list of the most important things to consider:

• Regular jobsite visits

• Job progress and quality

• Report any problems to the contractor in charge

• Check invoices and payments

How to Handle Setbacks During a House Build

Considering how intricate a house-building project is, encountering no unexpected events is highly unlikely. Most often, setbacks concern budgets, timelines, or logistics. Here are some examples of the kinds of unforeseen issues that occur during a construction project:

• Bad weather or unfavourable weather conditions, delaying the work, such as frozen ground preventing the excavation of the foundation.

• Overspending forces you to halt the jobsite while finding new funding.

• Plan inaccuracies can make it so that the upcoming steps need to be altered.

• Selected materials won’t be delivered on time.

To mitigate against the most frequent setbacks, do as follows:

• Plan for some leeway in your budget to cover unexpected expenses. Your budget should feature an extra 15% to that effect.

• Define change management procedures ahead of time to prevent halting the jobsite on account of setbacks.

• Communicate clearly and openly with all parties involved with your project (architect, contractors, interior designers).

• Hire a professional to design your blueprints.

• Opt for materials that are available in-store or plan for alternatives should your first picks not be delivered on time. Doing so will prevent additional delays.

Don’t feel entirely ready yet? Check out this article: Renovation Project: How to Proceed in Case of Setbacks

How to Manage Stress During the Building Process

It’s been well documented over the years: building a house is one of the most stressful projects one can undertake.

Unless you’re systematically unfazed by it all, you’ll feel a certain level of stress and anxiety throughout the process, and that’s perfectly normal! For many, it’s the project of a lifetime. It calls for a lot of energy, time, and money.

Having cleared that up, are there ways to mitigate all these stressors? Absolutely!

Tips and tricks:

• Make sure the project is well organized

• Hire the right contractors and experts

• Spare some time for relaxing activities

• Be attentive to your family's needs

• Nurture your relationship

• Exercise!

For more information, check out our article 6 Tips for Managing Renovation-Related Stress.