Question: How long have you been a builder?

Answer: My grandfather was a building contractor, and from an early age I helped him after school and on weekends. My official start in the building business began in 1976, the year following completion of our formal education. Since then, home construction and renovations are the only work I have done.

Question: Are you licensed and insured builders?

Answer: Yes, I am a licensed builder, and am in excellent standing with my insurance provider. I belong to the Workman Compensation Board (WCB), and the National Home Warranty Builders’ Program.

Question: Do you design homes?

Answer: The majority of homes I build are designed by myself in consultation with the client. I can take your ideas, sketches, photos, and magazine clippings and, through a series of meetings with you, create that special plan that fits your budget and is custom-designed to suit your construction site.

Question: Do you have “stock” plans that we can refer to?

Answer: I have many house plans that you may examine for ideas, keeping in mind that each was designed for a client with specific requirements and a specific building site.

Question: What types of homes do you build?

Answer: Over the years, I have designed and built many styles of homes ranging from Bavarian, French Country, West Coast Contemporary, Modern, Colonial, Cape Cod, Heritage, and Tudor...so far, no Igloos or houseboats, but I wouldn’t refrain from giving them a try!

Question: How many homes do you build each year?

Answer: Typically, I construct only four or five homes a year so that each home will get my undivided attention. I am not a volume builder; every aspect of your home’s construction will be personally supervised by myself.

Question: Do you contract for renovations and additions?

Answer: You bet we do! I have extensive experience both in design and construction of additions and renovations

Question: How much will it cost to build my house?

Answer: There is no quick and simple answer to this question. A ballpark estimate takes only minutes to calculate...just multiply the square footage of the home by the typical going rate for similar homes in your area. A detailed and more accurate estimate can take a couple of weeks or longer depending on factors such as the complexity of your plan. For us to arrive at an accurate price, we need a specification sheet. This is an itemized list of all the components needed to construct your home. For example, your spec sheet tells me what type and quality of roofing, windows, siding, cabinets, floor coverings, etc. you desire. The more complete and accurate the spec sheet, the closer I can estimate an accurate price to build your home, or do your renovation...and, the quicker we can get the job done.
If you require assistance completing a spec sheet for your project, I can help.

Question: What can we do to help keep building costs down?

Answer: Perhaps the most common reason a project runs over budget is due to what is known as the “change order” – changes the client makes to the construction plan as the work progresses. In my experience, the most cost-effective way to build a home is to have a complete and accurate spec sheet in the beginning, and then stay with it.
Another way of keeping costs from skyrocketing is to take care choosing your building site. I am often asked to examine a piece of property before our client purchases it. Having lived in the area for more than twenty years, I am often able to detect potential problems and offer advice that results in more informed decisions.

Question: What is the best time of year to build?

Answer: Because the climate in my area is usually quite mild, I build all year round.

Question: How long will it take to build my house?

Answer: Four months seems to be the average time for me, however, depending on the size and complexity of design and finishing, it can take longer...perhaps as long as five to seven months. I am a hands-on builders doing much of the actual work myself, and I am particular about quality. A client soon forgets that it took a bit longer than estimated to finish his home, but he always remembers that it was well built.

Question: Can we move in by Christmas?

Answer: Of course!...just takes good planning, teamwork, and a bit of luck!