Who to hire to make your home design?

When planning to build a new house, one of the most critical steps is hiring the right professional to design your home and prepare the permit application. While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option available, this decision can have serious consequences. Who to hire to design your home? Here’s why hiring the lowest-cost individual is not a safe choice:

1. Lack of Experience and Expertise
The cheapest designer or service provider may lack the experience and qualifications necessary to handle the complexities of house design and permit applications. Designing a house involves more than just aesthetics; it requires knowledge of structural integrity, local building codes, zoning laws, and environmental considerations. An inexperienced professional may overlook these details, leading to costly mistakes or delays in construction.

waterfront home designer

2. Poor Quality of Work
Low-cost services often come with compromises in quality. The cheapest designer might use outdated software, cut corners on important details, or fail to provide thorough plans. Poor-quality designs can lead to issues during construction, such as misaligned structures or inefficient layouts, ultimately costing you more in repairs or adjustments.

3. Risk of Rejected Permits
Permit applications must comply with strict regulations and standards. Incomplete or inaccurate applications can result in rejection by local authorities, causing delays and additional fees. A less experienced professional may not fully understand the requirements, increasing the risk of rejection and wasting valuable time and money.

4. Hidden Costs
While the upfront cost may be low, there could be hidden expenses down the line. Inadequate designs might require frequent revisions, leading to additional charges. Mistakes during construction due to poorly executed plans can result in expensive fixes. What seemed like a cost-saving decision could quickly spiral into a financial burden.

5. Lack of Communication and Support
Cheaper professionals often juggle multiple projects to make up for their low fees, which can lead to poor communication and a lack of personalized attention. You may struggle to get timely updates or responses, leaving you frustrated and uncertain about the progress of your project.

An island home

6. Limited Accountability
Low-cost providers may not offer comprehensive contracts or warranties for their work. If issues arise, you may find it difficult to hold them accountable, leaving you to deal with the consequences on your own.

What Should You Do Instead?
You might ask who to hire to design your home, right? When it comes to designing your home and managing permit applications, prioritize quality and expertise over price. Look for professionals with a solid portfolio, positive reviews, and relevant certifications. While their services may cost more upfront, the investment will pay off in the form of a well-designed home, smooth permit approvals, and fewer headaches during construction.

Building a new house is a significant investment, and the design and permit application process is foundational to its success. Don’t compromise on quality by choosing the cheapest option. Instead, focus on finding a skilled and reliable professional who can bring your vision to life while ensuring compliance with all regulations. Remember, the right choice today can save you money, time, and stress in the long run.

Grant or loan to build a secondary suite or laneway home

Grant or loan to build a secondary suite or laneway home

The federal government has changed several items in offering loans or grants to Canadian homeowners that can assist them in building them faster.

Several changes are coming in 2025 that will impact building secondary suites, primarily driven by new federal initiatives in Canada. Here’s a summary:

Financial Incentives and Programs:

  • Increased Loan Limits: The Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program will double its loan limit to $80,000 in early 2025. This will provide homeowners with greater financial assistance to create secondary suites.
Burnaby laneway home
  • Mortgage Refinancing: Starting January 15, 2025, homeowners will be able to refinance their insured mortgages to finance the construction of secondary suites. This allows access to home equity for funding these projects.
    • Borrowers can access financing of up to 90% of the home value (including the added value of the suite).
    • Amortization periods can be up to 30 years.
    • The mortgage insurance home price limit for refinancing will increase to $2 million.

Other Considerations:

  • Municipal Regulations: While the federal government is introducing these changes, it’s crucial to remember that municipal bylaws and regulations still apply. These can vary significantly between cities and towns, so it’s essential to check with your local municipality for specific requirements regarding zoning, permits, and construction standards.
  • Infrastructure Fees: Some municipalities may introduce or modify fees related to secondary suites. For example, the Township of Langley in British Columbia will implement an Annual Secondary Suite Infrastructure Fee in 2025, collected with annual property taxes.

Key Takeaways:

The changes in 2025 are primarily aimed at making it easier for homeowners to finance and build secondary suites, increasing housing density and affordability. The increased loan limits and the ability to refinance mortgages will provide significant financial support. However, it’s crucial to stay informed about local regulations and any potential municipal fees.

I recommend checking these resources for more detailed information:

  • Canada.ca: The official website of the Government of Canada often has updates on housing initiatives.
  • CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation): This organization provides information on housing programs and financing.
  • Your Local Municipality’s Website: This is the best source for specific local regulations and requirements.

You can visit the government page here

There is more information about BC Housing and the grants and loans they offer here

We also help you to go through the process. All you have to do is to contact us and ask for Aryo

Vancouver laneway home

Step Code 4 for Homes starting January

Step Code 4 for Homes starting January 2025 in New Westminster

As you might know, all municipalities are implementing higher levels of energy-efficient homes on a yearly basis, and if you want to build any new homes, you should be prepared for this action sooner or later.
The City of New Westminster is indeed implementing Step Code 4 for all new single-family home construction starting January 1, 2025. This is a significant step towards improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in the city. You can see their announcement on this link.

Here’s a brief overview of what this means:

  • Higher Energy Efficiency Standards: Step Code 4 sets higher standards for insulation, airtightness, and mechanical systems in new homes.
  • Reduced Energy Consumption: By meeting these standards, new homes will consume less energy for heating, cooling, and hot water.
  • Lower Carbon Footprint: Lower energy consumption translates to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Potential Cost Savings: While initial construction costs may be slightly higher, long-term energy savings can offset these costs.
West Vancouver coach home

If you’re planning to build a new single-family home in New Westminster, it’s important to be aware of these new regulations and work with a builder who is experienced in meeting Step Code 4 requirements.

As you might know, the city of North Vancouver has started the step code 4 requirement since November 2023.

We helped many homeowners achieve the goal of building energy-efficient homes, including Step Code 4 homes. Call us today to get assistance.