RTM Maintenance: Protecting Your Home From Humidity and Moisture

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Fall and winter are the seasons to be cautious with humidity levels in a new home. Moisture and humidity problems are classified as regular maintenance issues and are not covered by B&B’s warranty. It is very important that you are aware of the dangers so that you can take preventative measures against any future damages and avoid incurring any costly repairs.

The early warning signs of high humidity are:
•Exterior door handles & deadbolts no longer work properly
•High amount of moisture on windows
•Exterior door handle & deadbolts have visible moisture or frost on them
•Exterior doors are freezing shut
•Water pooling on window sills
•Exterior door handles & deadbolts begin to rust on the inside

If things get really bad, the worse case scenarios of high humidity (which we have seen) includes:
•Cabinet doors swell to the point that they won’t close
•Paint is peeling on cabinets, railing, etc.
•Laminate flooring buckles
•Mold will grow on doors, windows and other areas of the home

Fact: A new home typically expels 500-600 gallons in the first year and a half.
Fact: A new home typically expels 500-600 gallons in the first year and a half.

Before any of these warning signs occur, there are some measures you can take. They are:

  • Testing the humidity with a reliable tester (contact us and we will send you one to keep free of charge)
    Increase ventilation by keeping air circulating with a small fan or by opening windows
  • Make sure an air exchanger is set and running properly (make sure your installer explained all the settings and how to operate it)
  • Run a de-humidifier. If levels remain high you may need one on both the main floor and in the basement
    If your basement floor is not cemented, it needs to be sealed with poly
  • During the summer months, running your air conditioner will help reduce moisture

*Make sure that the silicone around the tubs, showers and between the kitchen counter top and walls is still fully intact. If it isn’t, you need to replace it. If moisture gets around the tile or counter tops you will develop swelling and moisture issues over time.

table 1Re: Table 1. Wind chill temperature – this is the method used to relate wind and temperature. Usually traditional temperature readings do not include a wind chill factor. For example, with an indoor temperature of 20C and an outside air temperature of -12C this table recommends a relative humidity of 30%. However, with an outside air temperature of -12C and a 20km per hour wind, the outdoor wind chill temperature is -26C and so the level of relative humidity should be reduced to 20%. Moisture and humidity damage is classified as regular maintenance and is not covered by your warranty.

To manage the humidity levels in your home, monitor the levels mentioned in the chart above and use your HRV system or a dehumidifier to regulate moisture and protect your investment.

Monitoring moisture and humidity levels help you protect the value and health of your home.

Feel free to contact us if you need more information or have any questions about humidity in your RTM Home.

 

 

 

Build an RTM in the Winter

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At B&B Homes, we build all year round. A lot of the RTM planning folks that reach out to us are unaware that they can have their dream home built and delivered in as little as five months (if a mortgage and design are in place). Winter builds may extend the project slightly as moving day is dependent on mother nature, that said, winter is the perfect time to plan and pick your favorite features for your home during the cold hibernating months of the year.

Move in Spring

The main benefit of building an RTM Home in the winter is that as soon as the ground thaws, we can plan the delivery of a brand new home delivered to your site. B&B Homes also offers foundation work and can coordinate your basement or crawl space on-site as soon as spring officially arrives. Most of our clients like that we can streamline the entire build this way, leaving them out of the logistics and planning. Less contractors, less hassle, more anticipation and enjoyment of the RTM journey. We can deliver RTM homes to prepared foundations during winter months

*Though we can do foundation work in winter, we do not recommend it as this approach is more expensive and the extra cautionary measures needed in most cases are not worth it from our experience.If the foundation is prepared in advance, an RTM can be delivered in winter.

Build an RTM home in the winter

Suppliers Usually Increase Prices for Materials Every January

Every January is when B&B Home’s gets new pricing from suppliers. Since spring and summer are so short lived in Saskatchewan and Alberta, we love winter builds knowing that our clients will be in their brand new homes as soon as the season changes and at a better rate usually than the following calendar year.

Related: RTM Home Build vs On-site Construction

Take Away the Winter Blues by Bringing Your Dream Home Vision to Life

One of the best parts of building an RTM home is that you don’t have to manage the details or the contractors involved in the project. Planning your colors and selections in our simple to use software Co-Construct, will get started on a great winter activity, bring together all of the pieces of your dream home while its cold outside, such as making sure that your chosen HVAC appliance is working as it should in time for when you move in, so you can deal with the winter months in the best way possible.

Learn more about the tool Co-Construct we use to streamline and simply the building process here.

Selecting Finishes and Appliances for an RTM Home

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The idea of building a custom home may seem overwhelming, but really, it is just a series of steps and decisions to be made along the way of a well-thought-out plan, with some support and coaching along the way.

At B&B Homes, we do everything we can to make sure the process is fun, stress free and exciting! Selecting finishes and appliances for your RTM with the help of a designer removes the stress and hassle out of the process of planning a custom home.

Below is what happens next after you decide to work with B&B Homes and you move into the selection process with our onsite designer .

Figure Out if There Are Any Upgrades or Features That Are “Must Have”

For the selection process, B&B Homes has many wonderful options available to our clients, but we do not limit them to the selections in our show room. With the help of our designer Katia, B&B Homes arranges meetings with our suppliers and works to find the exact item that fits your vision, and will get pricing to assist in the decision making process. Whether it is a floating ceiling in your master bedroom or any other unique feature, we love creative ideas and trying out new things at B&B, and do the research to make them happen.

When B&B Homes quotes a project, everything is based on our standard specifications found here. We work to stay on time and on budget unless you tell us otherwise. We want to be proud of each home we build and maintain our high standards for each project.

Selecting finishes and appliances for an RTM home.

B&B Home’s standard finishes are already great quality due to our dedication to producing high quality RTM homes to last a lifetime. There are still many options, colors and features to choose from in our base offerings.

Working With an Onsite Designer to Guide Your Tastes and Preferences

Once you have decided to start your RTM journey and the paperwork is complete, B&B schedules your first selections meeting. Discussions around flooring, paint, cabinetry, countertops, all the way to door styles and plumbing fixtures, are covered off in this half day meeting.

All of these selections are made at once to ensure that everything will work and flow together while meeting your family’s unique styles and preferences.

selecting finishes and appliances for an RTM Home.
Shopping for Appliances for an RTM

Shopping for appliances is not fun! That is why our clients often get us to make their appliances selections and present options that will fit the budget and dimensions of their new homes. B&B Homes has a preferred vendor that provides us with discounted rates, making the whole process even easier for our clients.

Having a Fully Finished Home Delivered on RTM Moving Day

We often find, that people are surprised to find out that we complete the ENTIRE RTM home before moving it. This includes cabinets, mirrors, fireplace and surround. One of the best parts of an RTM build is how little you have to do yourself, before coming home one day to a fully finished home.

For more information on the RTM process or to have someone call you to discuss your family’s future home needs, please email [email protected] and someone will reach out to you shortly.

Need financing for your RTM project? Meet Cara

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We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Affinity Credit Union to help bring your dream home project to life.

Getting financing for an RTM project follows a slightly different process than traditional mortgage financing offered at some banks and mortgage lenders.

Meet Cara Kohne, a mortgage specialist at Affinity Credit Union below, and learn some of the typical requirements that will come up in the RTM financing process.

Typical Mortgage Requirements for an RTM Project 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 if you know this will be required.
  • The home must be anchored to a foundation prior to your final bank inspection.
  • You will need a contract or purchase of sale with terms spelled out by the builder including obligations for each party
  • Homeowners will need to ensure they have home insurance in place once the home is set on the foundation.
  • RTM homeowners will require a building permit to ensure your project complies with local and national code.
  • The lender will usually need quotes for the entire project, not just the RTM, in order to approve a mortgage

To find out exactly what you will need to qualify for a mortgage, contact Cara Kohne to discuss your project.

Ready to get started planning your dream home?

Stick Built vs RTM

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When making plans for the future there is often a lag between what you want and the reality of the time it will take to get there. There is no exception to this when it comes to building a brand new custom home.

There are a few different paths you can take to build your custom dream home, the two most popular choices being RTM and on-site construction in Saskatchewan.

Whether you are considering the RTM process or building on site, weighing the pros and cons can help you make an informed decision about which direction to go in.

Project management, length of time to do the project and cost are all considerations that must be made when deciding to go stick or RTM build.

Here are a few other key considerations below:

Do You Want To Be the General Contractor/Project Manager?

It can be challenging to find reliable trades that value quality craftsmanship in some rural communities. When building on-site you have the option to be the general contractor of the build. Knowing your own capabilities and the local expertise will help you determine if you are quipped for the job with the right team that will deliver a home you know you will be satisfied with.

Knowing the availability and delivery of supplies to your location and
security are considerations to factor in when deciding whether or not it is more convenient or practical to do on site.

Timing, Now or Later?

Building onsite is a seasonal endeavour. When exploring the RTM process, know that timing can be a huge factor if you are ready to go. RTM’s can be built during winter months and ready to be set when the frost thaws in spring with a new home up as early as summer.  Fluctuations in weather and timelines are more controlled when you start early with an RTM build for tighter project turnaround.

When building an RTM, your foundation work and home build can be completed in parallel making the overall build only a 5-6 month project in most cases.

Cost and Convenience

Comparably it is similar if you already own the land. When researching, look for a builder that has the appropriate qualifications and certifications as these are important indicators for what will be the overall quality of the project. Experienced builders bring the latest in technology and resources that can assist in managing the potential stresses of the project with efficiency. They can also offer additional services that allow you to make environmentally friendly decisions about using solar energy and other renewable resources.

B&B Homes delivers RTM homes to communities throughout Saskatchewan in partnership with a reputable, insured, moving company.

Regardless of the approach you decide to take, checking the builder’s references and getting proper warranty work in place should be an integral part of your decision in which route to go.

Evaluating your options and the pro’s and con’s of each process will help you make a decision with confidence. The team at B&B Homes is here to answer any questions you have about building a custom designed RTM home.

Hear more about the B&B Home’s RTM building process from past B&B Home’s clients here.

RTM project timelines, is now the time to start?

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Building a custom RTM home usually takes five months once the agreement is signed, however the planning needs to start way before then.

If you plan to create a custom floor plan or secure a mortgage from a lender, you will want to allow extra time in pre-planning since each of these pieces can delay a start by months.

Working backwards from your ideal move in timeline, you will want to start planning at a minimum of 3-4 months before the actual build will start. At B&B, we encourage anyone to start planning with us anytime they are a year or less out from their desired timeline.

Do not underestimate the time it can take to secure a mortgage or how long it will take for your design and blueprints to completely come together.

Here are a few stages of the RTM planning process broken down to help guide your ideal timeline.

Design Plan & Project Planning

At this stage, clients collaborate their ideas with our designer and get a plan in place so we can get a budget figure for you to start planning your features. Also during this time, clients can source quotes for the foundation from B&B Homes, or their local contractor.  This is also the time to get pre-approved for your mortgage, if you haven’t already done that.

Making Your Home Selections

Once the design is finalized, you will have a meeting with our designer to select all the features that will go into your home. There may be some personalized features that get added at this time, which we will source for you.  Once all selections have been approved, the contract will be signed. Materials are then ordered and the project officially starts.

The Build

Since we plan your entire home before we start building, there is not a whole lot for you to do during the build other then watch the progress and all of your decisions in the planning stages come to life!  You can view the progress of the different stages inside CoConstruct, our virtual project management tool, or come out and view it in person at any time.

Moving Day and Onsite Work

The move of your home is usually completed in one day depending on where you live. B&B Homes is excited to now be moving all of our custom RTM homes around our project schedules. Once your home is set on the foundation, the onsite work begins. Depending on trade availability in your area and the extent of work your doing (example: garage, decks, basement finish), an average move in date can range anywhere between 3-7 weeks after the home arrives.

Now that you have a sense of what is required for this process, is it time to get started?

Book a site visit to tour our current projects or contact us to begin planning your design.

Protecting an RTM Home From the Start

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When planning a custom home project, we always make sure that every single RTM we build is safe and structurally durable for a long life.

Many of our homes will be set on family farms that will be passed down to their children. After building over 100 RTM homes, we’ve learned some best practices we use to protect our homes from harsh prairie weather that will also stand the test of time.

Here are a few examples below that set our quality apart, they include:

Setting each project up for success with high project management standards

It is not typically a builders’ standard practice to put as much thought and planning into every detail throughout the RTM process, but here at B&B Homes, we carefully construct every part of your forever home with careful attention. Every project detail is documented in CoConstruct,(our project management tool) and they are made available to every stakeholder involved in the project (client, B&B Team, suppliers and subtrades) so that nothing gets missed, is forgotten and is well documented.

Key benefits include:

  • Double rim joists, they help keep your home safer during the move by providing more structural support which in turn creates less service work once the home is on the foundation
  • Installing backing for all your bath hardware. Never have a towel bar come loose from the wall again because it isn’t fastened securely
  • R value in wall & attic insulation that is higher rated than industry standard
  • CoConstruct project management tool to manage the project virtually and manage the build progress at different stages remotely

Working with an in-house design team

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. 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:

  • NO LIMITS; get the exact home you want
  • Strong connection between the designer and builder
  • Alleviates stress throughout the entire process with a consultative approach

Service and 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. In a typical scenario, this work happens within 4-6 weeks after the move or whenever your hookups are completed, whichever comes first. 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.

Key benefits include:

  • Commitment to providing a world-class experience even after the home is moved
  • Prevents having to use third party warranties for minor fixes and enhancements
  • Working with a builder that stands by their quality after the project is over

What B&B Homes Customers Have to Say:

“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

“After a bad first experience with a previous builder, our banker advised us we should switch builders and suggested B&B Homes. Finding them was easy on the computer and after looking at house plans I phoned to talk to someone. Patricia was on the phone with me for an hour answering all my questions and that sealed the deal. The rest is history.

Katia helped customize our house we picked out and was so good at helping us pick out everything. She knew our budget and didn’t push for upgrades. She has a knack for knowing what we want in our home and make it a dream.

The work crews were professional, precise, quick and friendly. They were always willing to answer any of our questions. Co-construct is the best thing that helped us to keep in contact with everyone and we got to see updates of our house as it was being built.

We loved everything about this house and many people after that have seen our house have commented on the workmanship, how fast it was completed and how well done the whole project went for us. I would recommend B&B Homes to anyone looking to build.

     – Jennifer and Mike Kernahan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exciting Announcement for Future RTM Projects.

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We are always looking for new ways to bring value to our clients planning their dream home project with us.

After building and moving over 100 RTM projects, we have developed best practices and methodologies to keep our standards high for the quality and service delivery of our homes.

As we like to say one company from start to finish.

With that said, it is our great pleasure to announce that we now move our own RTM homes!

Not only will this help our clients save on this expense, it also gives us the flexibility to move homes on our ideal project completion schedules.

We can now move our homes with the same care that we have for every custom RTM home we build.

If you have any questions about planning a custom RTM project or if you are ready to get started, contact us to begin.

When Planning Your RTM Project, Consider More Than Just the Price

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One of the most important considerations when planning a custom RTM project is working within your budget while still checking off items on your wish list for your dream home.

However, you don’t want to forget the quality and craftsmanship of the home, the reputation of the builder and the how comfortable you feel with the people you will be working with for a long duration of time, are all also important considerations that must not be overlooked.

When making this critical decision about where to invest and who to work with, consider the following:

Project Management & Communication with Co-Construct

Once you give a deposit for an RTM home the process is only beginning. Knowing where the project stands throughout the duration of the build allows you to sleep more comfortably at night. It also ensures you can make accurate plans with realistic timelines for when your family will be able to move.

B&B Homes uses co-construct software on all of our projects 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 & 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.

Every B&B Home is insured by a new home warranty program. However our own best in-class warranty guarantee has worked best of all over the years. B&B’s warranty period covers both when the home arrives and also at the one year anniversary, we offer service work for anything that may come up within the first year of living in your home. We want you to happy with our work long after the project ends, our business model depends on it.

Experience and Track Record of the RTM Building Company

Can you talk to any of their past customers? Are their comments validated with testimonials and endorsements on social media? 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 are 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. 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 and how happy they are with the quality of their home. The relationship with your builder lasts on average a year and a half, make sure you like who you are working with! The sentiments will remain long after the project is over.

See if B&B Homes has delivered any homes in your area here.

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 have experience working with Affinity Credit Unions and FCC.

Custom Features, Upgrades & Design Consulting

The definition of “basic’ features is relative. If something sounds too good to be true then it probably is when receiving quotes based on costs per square foot from builders. We all know that cutting corners can backfire, especially when building a home!

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. B&B will source any styles and finishes you want in your home.

If you have any questions about the RTM building process or would like to get start planning with a consultation from our team, just contact us!

Energy Code Compliance Shortlist for Most RM’s.

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When you are in the planning stages for a custom RTM home project, you don’t want to have any roadblocks that can get in the way that will affect your ideal timeline to kick-off the project.

From our experience, we’re seeing that more RM’s require an Energy Code Analysis before they issue a build permit in compliance with the new energy efficiency requirements issued in 2019.

Some RM’s may not even tell you that you’ll need this until your ready to start your project. If you aren’t prepared to meet this request it can cause delays.

Below is the information that will be needed prior to the analysis being completed.

• A full copy of the blueprints (these are developed AFTER you have approved your initial floorplan, which you don’t want to rush in the early design stages)
• Construction specifications
• Window and door schedules
• Mechanical equipment details

B&B works with a company and your building inspector to take care of all this for you. But it is best to start this process as early as possible.