You’re in the market for a new house, but you can’t find that perfect dream home in the listings. If you’re tired of the house hunt, you might be thinking about working with a custom home builder in Ontario instead.
A new home builder can put you in the house you always wanted; no renovations needed. But before you dive in, what should you know about working with one?
Why Customize Your Home?
You don’t need to start from scratch to customize your home. Some developers such as Blythwood Homes, a member with The Niagara Home Builders Association, build move-in ready homes with customizable elements, such as flooring, cabinets, countertops, trim styles, closets, showers, and more. You can even do a walk-through at the framing stage and review electrical plans to get the lighting just right. This is a great way to get quality construction and a home that’s tailored to your tastes from the start, and there’s a lot you can customize when you work with the right Niagara home builders.
How Much Do Custom Home Builders Charge Per Square Foot?
That largely depends on both real estate in the region and constructions. More competitive housing markets like urban centres will be more expensive than smaller towns.
Construction costs will certainly be a factor, and customizing with luxury fixtures and materials will naturally contribute to the price. New home builders in Ontario pay both hard and soft costs for construction, which include everything from the serviced lot, construction materials directly related to development, and soft costs like design costs, permits, inspection fees, etc. Some of these expenses change region by region. In Niagara costs per square foot range from $320 to $400 depending on the features and design.
What Are the Ongoing Costs of a Custom Home?
Besides your mortgage payment, if you have one, there are a couple of other ongoing costs that come with homeownership, such as property taxes and maintenance.
When it comes to maintenance, that’s one of the advantages of working with new home builders in Ontario. Your maintenance costs are going to be a lot lower than they would be if you purchased a preowned home. As homes get older, they begin to cost more. The average annual maintenance bill is around $1,100, but that changes considerably depending on the age of the home, quality of the construction, its size, and the climate.
How Long Will It Take to Move In?
That depends on whether you’re buying a fully custom home or customizing elements of a ready-to-go design. You’ll be free to move in sooner if you customize elements like countertops and fixtures rather than buy a lot and hire an architect.
The average time it takes to build a home is 8 to 10 months, but that will vary depending on region, climate, and the builder you’re working with.
Working with a custom home builder ensures you’re moving into a home you’re happy with. It may take a little longer, but it can be worth it if house hunting isn’t for you.
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