Learn More Preventing Potential Delays with your Custom Home Builder in Toronto
One of the most common topics that is discussed during the budgeting process is about the timing of getting a project completed. Our answer is the same to everyone asking the question, it depends on how much effort is put in during the planning process. A lot of the time people underestimate how much planning is involved with a custom home build, there are many selections and items that need to be decided upon even before the project starts to prevent any delays during the home build. As a General Contractor that specializes in custom home building, we have narrowed down some of the key items that allow our projects to come in on time all of the time.
Items and Activities to Prevent Custom Home Building Delays
Below we have outlined the key activities that need to be focused on in order to start a project and keep it moving.
Utility Disconnections (specifically with Enbridge Gas Disconnections)
This is by far the most important item that needs to be completed as soon as you know you are completing a new home build or custom home build in Toronto. Enbridge will need to provide a quote to remove the gas meter and lines from your property, as well as schedule a date to lock out the meter and do the disconnection work. From first contact to getting the disconnection can take up to 3 months so make sure you get this started ASAP!
Working with a Good Surveyor for Construction Surveying Work
Usually the surveyor that has provided you your topographic survey will provide the services required for your custom home building project. They will be needed during the foundation and framing stage to ensure that the elevations of the house are correct. Having a team that can get this work done in a timely manner will ensure no delays at the start of the project when closing in the house is so important.
Having an Engineer on retainer to complete site visits/stamped reports whenever The City Inspectors are busy
We have found this to be a very powerful tool to avoid being at the will of City Inspectors. We usually have our Engineer to a formal review of our new home building projects at the framing stage so they can review the foundation, steel, and structural framing all at the same time and complete a report with a stamp passing the work. 100% of the time we show this to a City inspector and they give us a pass on the framing stage. Saves a lot of time and stress in our experience!
Finalized Window and Door Orders BEFORE project starts
Due to the consistent 12-16 week lead times for windows and doors (especially with large orders that custom homes in Toronto usually have) it is important to have a finalized windows and door schedule that is put in for order BEFORE the project starts. It takes about 12-16 weeks to get to the point where the windows are needed (sometimes sooner if your General Contractor has a good team and a lot of experience) so getting the order in before the project starts is highly beneficial to preventing delays with the project. The windows need to be installed before any exterior work is completed so preventing this delay mean that the project can avoid any delays in finishing the exterior.
Finalized truss design and ordering BEFORE project starts
Since more complex truss packages take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to produce it is important to get them into production as soon as they are approved. We like to get them into production 2-4 weeks before the project starts so there is plenty of buffer for having them ready to ship come time to frame.
Appliance Package Ordering
It is not out of the question to have an appliance package that takes 6-12 months to complete, some of our clients can give you some examples! Best to have this sorted out before the project starts so you are stuck without appliances when it comes time to move in. The added bonus to getting this sorted out is you will need it to finalize your kitchen layout with your preferred kitchen installer, so it will be needed sooner rather than later!
Plumbing Fixture Selections (specifically with shower hardware and Bathtubs)
We send our clients to a local plumbing vendor for all of the proposed fixtures outline in their custom home building design. It is important to understand exactly what you are planning to install and the quantity so that our plumber can properly quote the project. It is even more important to have the shower fixtures and bathtubs ordered BEFORE plumbing rough-ins start so our plumber can install the rough-in valves and bathtubs as they complete their rough-in work.
General Tip: Source finishes with smaller lead time
Almost all of our vendors are local to Toronto and have good stock and lead times for their finishes. Whether you are picking out lighting, tile, flooring, or anything else it is always important to ask about lead time along with pricing. Make a list of items and their lead times so you can ensure that the finishes are on site when they need to be. Your General Contractor or Home Builder in Toronto will give you tentative dates that finishes will be needed to help guide your decision making and ordering.
This list is specific to Toronto and may change depending on the municipality, so always check with your Home Builder, vendors, and utility providers to see if there are any additional tasks required.
Conclusion
As much as the list above looks like a daunting set of tasks, if you are working with the right custom home builder in Toronto they will guide you fluently through the process. Having a good pre-construction planning process is the key indicator of success for a project so do not skip this step and listen to your home builder, you will not regret it!
About BVM COntracting
BVM Contracting is a full-service General Contractor or Home Builder located in Toronto. We provide home renovation and building services for major home renovations (kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement renovations, full interior renovations, home additions, lot severances, and new home construction). Our goal is to help guide our clients through the process of renovating their home, from concept to completion.
Further than providing General Contracting and Project Management for major home renovations, we also offer value-added services such as renovation financing, renovation rebate consultations and services, building permit and design services, smart home installation services, and real estate investor services.
To learn more about our offering by visiting our services page.