Using Pinterest and Houzz for Design Inspiration for an RTM Home

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When planning a custom RTM, one of the fun parts is picking your finishes, colors and the overall theme of your future home. B&B Home’s onsite designer works with you to help you plan a custom RTM that suites your family’s lifestyle and personal preferences. Though you may not be ready right away to dive into an RTM project at this moment, you can get started in your planning by determining some of your preferences through inspiration boards.

Houzz and Pinterest are both great websites to get inspiration from that will help you decide on different aspects for your home. Below are some different areas of the home to research that will help you prepare for a selections meeting with our designer Katia.

using pinterest

houzz

Most importantly, the earlier you provide inspiration pictures and let us know your ideas in advance, the sooner we can better quote your project with an even more accurate number right off the bat.

B&B Homes prides itself on being a truly custom RTM home provider. We will source any material and are happy to grant any request. We are open to and love new ideas! Dream It, Build It, Move It with B&B Homes.

Explore the Different Uses of Tile

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For most when you think of tile you think bathroom. This versatile material can be used in a lot of different styles and contexts to add some flair to different rooms in your home. Explore the different uses of tile for inspiration for your custom RTM project.

did you know tile could do this?

Add a feature wall into your bedroom.

explore different uses of tile

Add some character in your dining areas.

explore different uses of tile

explore the different uses of tile

Are you inspired by all of the different uses of tile yet? At B&B Homes we love to incorporate new features and designs into all of our custom homes. Dream It, Build It, Move It with B&B Homes.

For more information on planning a custom RTM project or to book a site visit, contact Suzanne directly at suzanne@bbhomes.ca or via phone at 306-856-0073. Book a site visit to tour current projects here.

 

Typical Requirements for an RTM Mortgage

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One of the components of getting a brand new RTM home project underway is lining up a mortgage. Getting financing for an RTM home follows a slightly different process than other mortgages. Some local lenders, such as Affinity Credit Unions, are more RTM project friendly than others. B&B Homes works with a Mortgage Specialist that has financed a number of our projects; if you need an introduction, let us know! Below are some typical requirements that will come up in the process.

Typical Mortgage Requirements for an RTM Include:

  • The Lender will need to release funds before the home is delivered on-site
  • You often must own the land you plan to build on or need to coordinate the mortgage around this purchase (changing land titles can delay a project so start asap)
  • The home must be anchored to a foundation
  • You will need a contract or purchase of sale with terms spelled out by the builder including obligations for each party
  • Home owners will need to purchase insurance
  • RTM homeowners will require a building permit to ensure your project complies with local and national code
  • A water test is often a requirement

Check with your local bank, some Credit Unions offer a specific percentage of building funds that are advanced based on approved inspections. B&B Homes finds that mortgage brokers may offer more flexible options with favorable rates, but rarely meet the requirements made by us. However, if they cannot meet the terms required for RTMs, Credit Unions’ may be good alternatives. If you would like an introduction to an institution or bank we have successfully worked with, please contact us with your request for an introduction.

Protecting an RTM Home From the Start

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From the start when planning for an RTM home, you need to make sure that this long term investment is safe and structurally durable for the long life of the home. Many of our homes are being built on family farms that will be passed down to their children.  At B&B Homes, we have spent over 10 years learning best practices for both building and materials used to protect our homes from both harsh prairie weather and the test of time in general.

Planning to Protect Your Investment of a Lifetime

B&B Homes Uses a 5″ Engineered Screw to Tie the Roof Trusses in with the Interior and Exterior Walls

Typically it is not a builders standard practice to attach the roof trusses to the interior and exterior walls. However, at B&B Homes, this is a standard practice for each of our homes we build.We use a 5″ full-threaded shank screw at each point where the bottom cord of the truss intersects with an interior or exterior wall. This not only ensures the stability and integrity of the home during the move, but it also effectively withstands extreme prairie weather such as storms, wind, and heavy snowfalls.

Key Benefits include:

  • Highly stable roof system
  • Minimum worries in wall cracks
  • Helps reduce truss lift in winter (reducing drywall repairs)

 

 

 

 

B&B Homes Build with a 12″ Heel Height Rather than 7” for Energy Efficiency as Our Standard

A raised-heel (12”) truss (also called high-heel or energy truss) features a vertical member at the bearing point that raises the top chord of the truss 12″ above the bottom chord. This design at B&B Homes creates an extra 5″ of insulation above your interior walls to reduce heat loss between the attic and your living space, therefore creating a more energy efficient environment. Combined with proper air sealing and attic ventilation, this system is critical to lowering energy demands on a home’s heating and cooling equipment and reducing moisture problems such as ice dams or mold growth.

Key Benefits Include:

  • Reduction of heat loss (higher energy efficiency)
  • Prevents ice damming
  • Longer life span on heating/cooling equipment

Working with an In-House Designer

Smart design based on your family’s lifestyle prevents unnecessary renovations down the road. Working with a professionally educated designer creates endless opportunities and possibilities for your home with the advice of an expert. You are not limited to standard plans; we can either revise a plan you bring us or we can create your family a custom plan. Since everything is happening in-house, the communication between the designer and builder is stronger, and your timeline throughout the design phase is shorter. It does not stop at custom plans. Once you are in the build process you have access to many different custom finishes and options for your home. Our designer will help alleviate the overwhelming amount of all the selections out there, while being able to help you achieve the “look” that you are after.

Key Benefits Include:

  • Not limited; get the home you want
  • Strong connection between the designer & builder
  • Alleviates stress in entire process

B&B Homes Uses Fir Plywood Rather than OSB for Subflooring

There are some major differences between plywood and OSB subflooring. At B&B Homes we understand these differences building over 80 custom RTM homes. A major disadvantage of OSB is that if it gets exposed to water or moisture, the edges expand up to 15%, especially if they are cut edges. This may cause damages or an uneven floor. If Plywood gets wet, it will return to its normal size more rapidly and consistently than OSB over time.

Key Benefits Include:

  • Even floor surfaces
  • Better living experience
  • No squeaky sounds down the road

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homes Service & Warranty After the Home is Delivered

B&B Homes has one of the best service and warranty procedures in the RTM industry and we are proud of it. We make sure all our service work is taken care of before you move in no matter where you live in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In a typical scenario, this work happens within 4-6 weeks after the move. Then again at your one year anniversary we do another thorough walk through of your home and repair any issues that came up within the last year.

Contact us for a site tour to view here.

At B&B Homes, we are lucky to be able to work all year round building RTM Homes, streamlining the process at our site then shipping the homes throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta. We invite anyone interested in learning more about the RTM process to check out our featured show homes and join our Facebook community to learn more about the RTM process and get some design inspiration.

“B & B Homes was able to move up our delivery date and hired an amazing crew that immediately eased my worries regarding the placement of our home on the foundation! Thank you B & B Homes for walking us through the building process, answering all our questions and concerns, and providing us with our beautiful home we love                 
     Mandi Odynski & Jesse Corcoran

Other Considerations Besides Price When Building an RTM

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When shopping for a new RTM home, price is an important consideration but it is only one piece of the puzzle. There are other factors to consider for the home you plan to live in for years to come. When making this critical decision about where to invest and who to work with, consider the following:

Project Management and Communication

Once you give a deposit for an RTM Home the process is only beginning. Knowing where the project stands throughout and when it will be ready allows you to make accurate plans with realistic timelines for your family. B&B Homes has been using co-construct software on all of our projects for years to keep the lines of communication open and clear so that there are no hidden fees or surprises. Clients login and check the status of the various stages of the build and make decisions on their own time for features and upgrades. Co-construct removes the guessing out of an RTM project and helps alleviate any stress that could arise due to the transparency of the tool.

After Sales Support, Warranty and Insurance

After an RTM is delivered, the relationship shouldn’t end there. Is it in your contract that the builder will provide a personal guarantee or warranty on their work? How far will they have to travel to do any minor repairs in the first year? Know what will happen after the home is delivered too. Promises made during and after the project is complete are critical components of making sure you get a good deal you end up happy with. B&B Homes is insured both by the Progressive Home Warranty and the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty.

Experience of the RTM Building Company

How long have they been in business? When planning a custom home to suit your lifestyle, the quality of the trades, materials, and service delivery both before and after the home is delivered is paramount in managing both stress and the quality of the final product, your home. At the end of the day building a new home is an investment of a lifetime. Making sure you set up the project right on the onset means your dream home will not turn into a nightmare, but a fun and exciting project!  Know who you are working with before you sign the contract.

Checking References

We have worked with home owners that have had bad experiences with other builders that decided to come to us after being referred to B&B by their Mortgage Specialist. B&B Homes has a long list of customers that will give you information on what it is like to build with us. The relationship with your builder lasts on average a year and a half, make sure you like who you are working with!

Find a Lender that Specializes in RTM Mortgages

Find a lender that is considerate and caring of your needs throughout the mortgage loan process and is an expert in RTM financing. Mortgages for RTM’s are different than traditional mortgages, work with someone who knows the differences for a smoother process.  We work with Credit Unions, select banks and have a Mortgage Specialist we work with and trust. Let us know if you need an introduction, we have lenders we know and trust.

Custom Features, Upgrades and Design Consulting

The definition of “basic’ features is relative. If something sounds too good to be true then it probably is when getting cost quotes per square foot from builders. We all know that cutting corners can backfire. At B&B Homes we have an on-site designer that can help draft custom home plans and assist in making decisions in everything from lighting to backsplash to make sure your dream concept becomes reality within your budget. B&B Homes also works to include everything needed in the original quote by collaborating with the homeowner to make sure their needs and selections are made before the contract is signed, preventing any surprises down the road.

Quality of the Moving Company

B&B Homes has worked with Neufeld Movers for over a decade. We know that we can trust their team to carefully set our client’s new RTM Home on a new foundation so we do not have to do any major repairs upon setting.

B&B Homes has built over 80 RTM homes and hires the best local trades to ensure that we can live up to our promise of delivering luxury RTM Homes to our happy and informed clients in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

How Long Does it Take to Build an RTM Home?

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Planning a custom home is a once in a lifetime experience for many. Putting together a well thought out plan while getting all of the pieces of the puzzle together can take some time but this is not a process that you want to rush!

Building an RTM Home usually takes around six months if you need to get a design made and a mortgage from a lender. Your relationship with your builder will last beyond the project and into the warranty work. On average we stay well connected with our clients for up to 1.5 years. Make sure you like who you will be working with! Depending how custom you want your home to be or the size can influence this timeline.

Getting your design in place, the estimate where you want it, and lining up your mortgage are the core pieces of the project that will influence the timelines of your build getting started. You will want to take your time in the design planning process, so bank on one or more months, depending on the customization of your build. Additionally, your mortgage stage can have delays if your lender requires some leg work from you. The build itself, once everything is in place, has a set time frame.

Do not underestimate the time it can take to secure a mortgage (probably longer than you would think) or how long it will take for your design and blueprints to completely come together. . It never hurts to have time to spare between completing the initial stages and beginning your build.

Design & Project Details Overview

At this stage, clients collaborate their ideas with our designer, get a plan in place and can reserve their spot in the B&B Homes building schedule. Also during this time, clients get quotes for the foundation from B&B Homes, or their local contractor, a pre-approved mortgage and a local permit for the build (if required). Once the home’s completion and move dates are set, the client finalizes their mortgage and signs the official agreement with B&B Homes to get the project started. At this point, the clients approve the RTM final plans and begin making selections on Co-Construct so that B&B Homes can order materials for framing.

RTM-Homes-Bathroom-16

Building and Tailoring the Home

Once the design is finalized, you have a meeting with our designer to select all the components that go into your home. From there, B&B starts your build process. First, B&B completes the framing (floors, walls, roof). Then the first walk-through of the home takes place. Here, you verify with our designer all your electrical and plumbing rough-in locations. As well at the same time, all the exterior materials are being installed. Once the framing and electrical and plumbing rough-ins are complete, it is now time to insulate, drywall, paint, install interior doors and casings, flooring, cabinets, closets, and mirrors. During this time, clients can still make changes or decide to include any unique features that are not on the original plan, if it has been stated before the ordering of that phase has occurred. They can monitor their whole build and the different phases in Co-Construct.

winter build 2

Finishing Touches and Planning Moving Day

Almost done! B&B finishes the plumbing & electrical, lighting, applies the final paint, and cleans the house in preparation for the move date. The client reviews the home and gives the final approval before B&B Homes moves the home to the prepared foundation.
Moving day 3

During the move the homeowner is on site to verify the movers have everything they need to make sure the house is set down and taken care of. In the event that any work needs to be completed by B&B after the home settles, the client tracks what needs to be completed via the warranty list in Co-Construct. These items are covered by B&B Homes’ one year warranty guarantee and the home is also covered in the Saskatchewan New Home warranty as well.

Making the Most of Your Space: Planning for Storage Through Design

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Get the most out of your space through smart design for storage and function. Custom cabinets and shelving units not only help you stay organized, but they will also help you get the most out of your storage capacities that are available within the square footage of your brand new RTM home.

B&B Homes works with a number of suppliers that can help you plan and customize this important consideration for your home that makes smart sense over the long run.

Storage through design

Mudrooms are a trend and popular feature of most of B&B Home’s latest projects. Lockers help everyone stay organized each season while having a little personal space to store your stuff.

mudroom RTM storage

Take into account all of the different areas of a home that you can organize with shelving, cabinets, and storage combined with what you already know about your lifestyle and make special accommodations for it when planning with our on-site designer Katia. She will help you navigate this part of your design plan while keeping your budget considerations in mind.

wine fridge RTM

custom cabinets RTM

planning for storage

For more information on planning a custom RTM project or to book a site visit, contact Suzanne directly at suzanne@bbhomes.ca or via phone at 306-856-0073. Want to view current projects? Book a site visit here.

Planning a Dream Ensuite for an RTM

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One of the most popular rooms to design and plan for in an RTM home is the ensuite. Considering you will be using this space regularly to freshen up for the day, carefully planning what you want for function and layout, the must have luxuries and considering what elements can add to the resale value of your home are the key parts of planning this popular room.

Planning an ensuite

Features, Function and Storage

Do you like to take baths to unwind after a long day or is a double shower more practical for your daily routines? Custom shelving can allow you to make smart use of your space with practical storage. Heated floors will keep you cosy but may not make the budget! Add some tile surround to the deep soaker tub for some added elegance. Perhaps having different low level lighting options is key if you or your partner tend to make late night trips to the washroom.

Deciding your short list of requirements, will help you narrow down the endless options of how to incorporate creative finishes with a wide range of materials at your disposal for this special room.

planning an ensuite

The ensuite is a space you can customize to your preferences with different features and materials to showcase your personal style in a space you will be using every single day.

Planning for storage with custom cabinetry and shelving can help you maximize your space while having convenient access to your towels and toiletries.

planning an ensuite

RTM ensuite

planning an ensuite

One of the perks of planning a custom RTM over a home that is ready made, are the endless options you have to create your own sanctuary exclusively based on your choices. Working with our on-site designer Katia will help you to discover your preferences so you end up with a dream ensuite you love that still fits the budget!

Contact B&B Homes today and start planning your own daily ritual oasis!

 

 

 

 

Planning Artificial and Natural Light Through Design for an RTM Home

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When planning a custom RTM, an important component of the overall design strategy is planning for natural and artificial lighting in the home that reflects the style and personality of your family.

One of the great things about working with B&B Homes on a brand new RTM, is that we have an on-site designer to walk you through the planning stages of this process to help you uncover the ambiance you wish to achieve through lighting. Below are the three main types of lighting:

Accent lighting: creates the mood/atmosphere of a room
Task lighting: highlights a specific function of a room (eg: home office area or in the kitchen cupboards)
Ambient lighting: provides the general illumination of a room

Window Positioning With Natural Light Considerations in Mind

For example, the south will allow for the most natural light so you may position your living room windows in this direction but perhaps not the bedrooms. Other things to consider include: What kind of lighting do you like and are naturally drawn to? What do you want to see when you look out your windows? Are you considering using solar energy?

Incorporating Contrast Between Rooms

Contrasting light to dark between rooms sets the tone for each transition as you move throughout the home. Do you want more drama between high and low contrast? Or another way of putting it, do you want strong or soft lighting in different rooms? Contrast will set the energy of a space, whether you want it to be more low key or exciting depends on what you plan to do in that area of the home.

Knowing the function and mood you want to create in each room will help you create a lighting scheme you will love over the course of the lifetime of your home.

Work with B&B Home’s designer Katia and plan a lighting scheme within your budget for your once in a lifetime investment.

 

Comparing Quotes from Different Builders

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When kicking off your RTM research, determining what your family wants for design and features within your budget sets the framework for a potential project. Doing your due diligence and shopping and getting quotes from a few builders is a part of the process. Though everyone may offer the same services fundamentally, there may be a lot of differences outside of the price that need to be considered when you are at this critical consideration stage.

Make Sure You Are Not Comparing Apples with Oranges

The specifications and materials used when building a home will determine the life of it. Price isn’t everything and you will want to ensure that the home will have the durability to last a lifetime or longer. Also consider what all is included in the preliminary estimate. For example, when comparing a basement foundation quote, does it include the stairs and windows in the prelim estimate or will those fees be added in later on? No one likes surprises and it is critical to know if everything is included at the onset so no additional charges will come up into the project that were not previously discussed.

Checking References From Past Customers

Are there a lot of past clients endorsing the builder? B&B Homes has a long list of clients throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta that have helped us grow our company over the years. Both good and bad news travels fast, and you should ask a past client what their overall experience was like to help set your expectations for the project.

Work With Who You Feel Comfortable With

Are you going to be connected to the same people throughout the process or change hands? This can determine whether the project runs smoothly; if the team working on your project is informed of all the details; or may end up being more stressful because too many outside trades were needing to be organized and information passed on throughout the process.

Service Work and Warranty

It is important that there is a contingency if something happens after the project is finished. Does the builder guarantee their work? What happens after the project is over is also an important consideration.

Most builders should have relatively comparable quotes. If one stands out as substantially lower and seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is. When comparing, ensure that you are taking the full picture into consideration so you end up with a dream home that you are more than satisfied with.