"13Things You Need To Know Before You Buy a Lot?"

Ontario Home Builder
Rule #1: Don’t Build on Fill:
Your foundation needs to rest on solid, undisturbed ground. It can take hundreds of years for ground to settle.
Sometimes, a steep ravine may have been filled in and/or the land may have previously been a dump.
If you cannot dig down far enough to rest the footings on solid and undisturbed ground, then you run the risk of having the ground settle after you home is built. More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/Normal-House-Builder.htm

Appraisers Judge Renovation Paybacks - Renovation Trends:

The Appraisal Institute of Canada has released their annual survey of which home renovation projects represent the best `payback' for dollars spent .
Several hundred members of the Institute were surveyed. As well, the appraisers gave details on what home renovation trends were becoming popular in their own market areas.The results? Payback is highest for a range of projects, including painting inside and out as well as more expensive projects such as kitchen and bathroom renovation... More: Repairing-Building-Contractor

Feng Shui Cures

Feng Shui Cures
by: Batsheva Vaknin

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art used in the home to create balance and harmony. Feng Shui Practitioners have many tricks of the trade used to get rid of negative energy and promote happiness, stability, affluence, tranquility and peace. With the help of this guide, now you, too, can use Feng Shui to enhance your surroundings. Read More @ http://www.build-with-you.com/Feng-Shui2.html

We will Miss a day:

Sorry no blog today. Bussy.

"Homeowners Warming Up to Heated Floors"...

There are many ways to install radiant floor heat into your home. The four main ones are described further: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/how-to-install-in-floor-heating.htm

7 Tips To Lower Home Construction Costs…

Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? Long before you draw up the final plans, it pays to do some "guesstimating." Knowing how much the project might cost will help you modify your plans to meet your budget. Here are 7 handy tips from Harvey Juric president of ICFhome.ca to lower your home construction cost... more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/building-cost.htm

19 Things You Must Know When Choosing a House Plan

When building a custom home, choosing the right plan for you is the most important thing. Here are19 things you must know when choosing a house plan. From the shape and layout of rooms to exterior views and sound; it can all affect how much you enjoy your new home. more... http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/House-Plans.htm

Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? What you need to know...

If you are considering having a custom home built, the following information will help you get an idea of the cost of building exclusive of land.
However, you will first need at least a preliminary plan of the proposed house. You should also carefully consider how much you can, or want to, spend.
There are many variables to consider in developing a rough estimate of construction cost due to the wide range in materials and options that might be used. For example, marble and hardwood floors are more expensive than vinyl and carpet (which themselves can have a wide variance in quality and price). If your goal is building a home at low cost – the finishing often makes the difference. More:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/home-building-cost%20.htm

Dilemmas with Pricing the House per Square Foot…

After sorting through the issues of location, price, floor plan and features, do we go with Builder A or Builder B?
or many new home buyers, the choice comes down to which one offers a lowest cost-per-square foot price.
Unfortunately, It has been said that estimating a home on a per square foot bases was like estimating the cost of building a house by counting the number of electrical power points in the building plan.
There are several problems with this approach. First, no two builders work alike or use identical materials, so the calculation will not be an apples to apples comparison... More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/price-per-sq.ft.htm

"Why should you build with Insulated Concrete Forms? A better question would be: Why would you consider building with anything else?..."

Imagine If You Will?...

It’s a Sunday morning in January in Ontario. You stretch under your comforter, ready for your morning coffee. Your eyes are drawn to your icy bedroom window by the sound of the howling wind and blowing snow outside. The thought of having to make your way to the cold kitchen floor, sends shivers down your spine. As you start to make your way, it almost seems as if the wind is blowing “inside” the house. The constant noise of the furnace coming from the basement makes you shiver even more, just thinking about next month’s heating bill…

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, your brother-in-law wakes and stretches on his king size bed. The automatic coffee maker is brewing – and the smell of fresh brewed coffee fills the air. As he walks into the kitchen he smiles, feeling the warmth of his floors – thank goodness for radiant floor heat! Through his kitchen window he notices that the huge birch tree at the side of the house has bent almost to the ground. What a storm – it must be really cold outside! He smiles again, complimenting himself on making the right decision to build with Insulated Concrete Form - the weather outside will never disturb his families comfort inside... More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/concrete-block-form.htm

"Why should you build with Insulated Concrete Forms? A better question would be: Why would you consider building with anything else?..."

Imagine If You Will?...

It’s a Sunday morning in January in Ontario. You stretch under your comforter, ready for your morning coffee. Your eyes are drawn to your icy bedroom window by the sound of the howling wind and blowing snow outside. The thought of having to make your way to the cold kitchen floor, sends shivers down your spine. As you start to make your way, it almost seems as if the wind is blowing “inside” the house. The constant noise of the furnace coming from the basement makes you shiver even more, just thinking about next month’s heating bill…

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, your brother-in-law wakes and stretches on his king size bed. The automatic coffee maker is brewing – and the smell of fresh brewed coffee fills the air. As he walks into the kitchen he smiles, feeling the warmth of his floors – thank goodness for radiant floor heat! Through his kitchen window he notices that the huge birch tree at the side of the house has bent almost to the ground. What a storm – it must be really cold outside! He smiles again, complimenting himself on making the right decision to build with Insulated Concrete Form - the weather outside will never disturb his families comfort inside... More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/concrete-block-form.htm

A Warm House From the Floor Up...

Comfortable and efficient form of heating where warm water circulates through flexible, specially designed tubing installed under the floor.http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-underfloor-heating-system.htm

Building Energy Efficient Homes...

While design costs, options, and styles vary, most energy-efficient homes have some basic elements in common: a well-constructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly sized, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient doors, windows, and appliances. more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/energy-efficient-home.htm

Building Energy Efficient Homes...

While design costs, options, and styles vary, most energy-efficient homes have some basic elements in common: a well-constructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly sized, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient doors, windows, and appliances. more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/energy-efficient-home.htm

"49 Things Your Real Estate Agent Does Not Want You to Know When Buying a Building Lot"...

The toughest part of any building home program can be choosing the right lot. Use this as your building checklist for your new home – new information.
Read More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/Narrow-Lot-House-Plan.htm

HEALTHY HOMES - A Must For Our Children's Futures!

According to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, our concern for the environment is beginning to have an impact on the entire home-building industry.
Home may be where the heart is but it's also where you'll find dust mites, paint, asbestos, mould and mildew, off-gassing synthetic carpeting, plywood with heavy formaldehyde concentration, radon gas and mould spores -- indoor air pollutants that can cause problems ranging from sneezing and skin rashes to severe breathing problems, cancer, and even death. Read More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/healthy-homes.htm

Is Your Home Built For the Future?

Thinking of Building? – Don’t Start Until You Read What The “Must Haves” are in Today’s Custom Building.

Over the past few years there have been many new trends introduced into the home building industry. The buyer wants a more energy efficient home, lots of custom features and a home that can keep up with future technology.

Most of these trends are being lead by the baby boomer generation. They have discovered that with some extra planning when they build their home, they can eliminate the need to move or renovate in the future. It is much cheaper and simpler to incorporate these features into the home during construction than after the house has been built. They also know that if they do decide to sell down the road, this is a great way to increase the home’s resale value. Read more:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/custom-home.htm

Floor Heating Radiant System - Residential Underfloor Heating...

Living With Radiant Heat is One of Life's Simple Pleasures...
When a forced air furnace comes on, a blast of warm air blows into the room for a short time, spreads through the room, carrying dust, pollen, and other air-born pollutants with it. It continues until the thermostat is satisfied. The warmer air rises to the ceiling, leaving cooler air below. As the room cools, the thermostat calls for the cycle to repeat.

Living in a house with radiant-floor heating can almost make you forget that it's winter outside. There is no other heating system that is as comfortable. Heated floors deliver warmth to the skin and clothing without overheating and drying out the surrounding air.
Read More:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/floor-heating-radiant-system.htm

"If Rome Was Built Today It Would Be Built Using Insulated Concrete Forms!"

Imagine . . .

What would you think if we said that a home could have:

	Heating bills 35%-60% less.
	Weather resistance that will stand up to hurricane force winds, and is rated to withstand earthquakes.
	The ultimate fire resistance insofar that some insurance companies decide to give a 20% (or more) discount on a homeowners' policy.
	Healthy indoor air quality, essentially free from dust and pollen.
	A guarantee to never get dry-rot, or be infested by termites or carpenter ants.
	Recycled material components that save in average 15 trees per home when constructed.
	Reduced exterior wall sound transmission by more than 65% so barking dogs, lawn mowers, and even airplanes are reduced to a whisper.
	The most amazing thing of all, is that this technology is available right here, right now and it costs only a little more than a conventional wood built house.

http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/styrofoam-concrete-form.htm

"If Rome Was Built Today It Would Be Built Using Insulated Concrete Forms!"

Imagine . . .

What would you think if we said that a home could have:

	Heating bills 35%-60% less.
	Weather resistance that will stand up to hurricane force winds, and is rated to withstand earthquakes.
	The ultimate fire resistance insofar that some insurance companies decide to give a 20% (or more) discount on a homeowners' policy.
	Healthy indoor air quality, essentially free from dust and pollen.
	A guarantee to never get dry-rot, or be infested by termites or carpenter ants.
	Recycled material components that save in average 15 trees per home when constructed.
	Reduced exterior wall sound transmission by more than 65% so barking dogs, lawn mowers, and even airplanes are reduced to a whisper.
	The most amazing thing of all, is that this technology is available right here, right now and it costs only a little more than a conventional wood built house.

http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/styrofoam-concrete-form.htm

13Things You Need To Know Before You Buy a Lot

Avoid Costly Mistakes & Unnecessary Aggravation - Home Building Tips! Many things should be considered before you choose the desired location to build your new home – type of soil, useable area, water tables, slope, grading and more. Be informed, so that you do not regret your decisions later on. more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-home.htm

A whole New Way To Build:

Insulated Concrete Forms Building is the new-generation of Integrated Building Technology that is vastly superior to traditional stick framing methods.
ICFs are rigid Styrofoam forms that hold concrete in place during curing and remain in place afterwards to serve as thermal insulation for concrete walls.
The foam blocks, or planks are lightweight and result in energy-efficient, durable construction. It is more efficient ways to build homes that are stronger, more comfortable and energy-efficient, while allowing for flexibility of design and lower future maintenance costs.
With ICFs, you can save time and money and get a stronger, more comfortable and more energy-efficient home.
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/custom-home-builder-insulated-concrete-forms.htm

19 Things You Must Know When Choosing a House Plan

19 Things You Must Know When Choosing House Plans...
Finding the ideal house plan to meet your lifestyle and needs may seem time consuming or overwhelming, but knowing what to look for can help lead you to success when building your new home. Read More At: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/House-Plans.htm

A builder may pour the foundation and raise the roof, but only you can make your new house a home.
When the building of a new house or a major remodeling project comes in over budget, many homeowners conclude that they can get the bottom line back to where they want it if they purchase some of the big ticket items themselves and avoid paying the builder's mark-up.
From the owners' perspective, this looks like a sound strategy. They won't have to make some hard choices and reconsider those longed for but pricey features such as the skylights that open and close by remote control. Read more at: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-home.htm

Estimating Home Building Costs

7 Tips To Lower Home Construction Costs…
Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? Long before you draw up the final plans, it pays to do some "guesstimating." Knowing how much the project might cost will help you modify your plans to meet your budget. Here are 7 handy tips from Harvey Juric president of ICFhome.ca to lower your home construction cost... Read More:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/building-cost.htm

Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? What you need to know...
If you are considering having a custom home built, the following information will help you get an idea of the cost of building exclusive of land.
However, you will first need at least a preliminary plan of the proposed house. You should also carefully consider how much you can, or want to, spend.
There are many variables to consider in developing a rough estimate of construction cost due to the wide range in materials and options that might be used. For example, marble and hardwood floors are more expensive than vinyl and carpet (which themselves can have a wide variance in quality and price). If your goal is building a home at low cost – the finishing often makes the difference. Read More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/home-building-cost%20.htm

New Home Builder Ontario: Your New Home...
You finally see your chance to build that dream home. With a heart full of promise and a stomach full of butterflies. So how do you go from your vision to living in your magic castle, without falling in the moat? Relax, we’ve been there. Just take your time. And take strength from these inspirations, guidelines and cautions.
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-home.htm