How to Manage an RTM Project Remotely.

Posted by BBHomes on

This year B&B Homes is celebrating a major milestone as we have almost finished building our 100th home! We have been working on the walk-out basement in the Eston area this past week for this home. We wouldn’t have been able to get here without the people, processes, and best practices that we have acquired in project management over the years.

Seven years ago we discovered a tool that would help our clients manage their RTM project remotely while helping us keep all of our communications and decisions in one place for the ultimate transparency from both sides.

Introducing COCONSTRUCT

Whether you are at home, at work, on the road, or on vacation, B&B Homes puts all project information at your fingertips about your selections, financial decisions, questions, documents, photos, and more. So if you are on your family farm or in Mexico, you can be working on your custom home project!

You will monitor the details and stages throughout the project inside COCONSTRUCT remotely until the final walk-through prior to the home leaving our yard.

For more information how it works, click here for a printout.

“We also really loved working with CoConstruct to manage the project. Every decision was at your fingertips and we weren’t stuck with anything that we didn’t want. The tool helped manage the project remotely and for us busy people, it was very handy as we are often running around in lots of directions. Questions were answered almost immediately and there wasn’t any phone tag.”

-Cindy and Trevor Tyson, Harris

COCONSTRUCT

Similar Floorplans, But Different Styles Part II.

Posted by BBHomes on with 1 Comment

In part II of this features comparison series, we continue to highlight the differences that style and selections can make in a home that may otherwise appear the same when analyzing a floorplan drawing. Below highlights a few recent Chesapeake home projects.

The Chesapeake Floor Plan Features Include:

  • 1640 Square Feet
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Baths
  • Vaulted ceiling in the living room and front entry
  • Main floor laundry
  • Swinging closet doors
  • Walk-through kitchen pantry
  • Island eating ledge
  • Walk-in closet in master bedroom
  • Double sided fireplace

See how one Chesapeake in a modern style with light color tones throughout compares to one in a rustic style with warm earthy tones in these similarly customized floor plans below.

The Chesapeake RTM The Chesapeake RTM

Stone clad wood burning fireplace with a hearth vs a stone and drywalled gas fireplace.

The Cheasapeake RTM

Solid rustic hickory cabinet door style with rough stone backsplash, and a custom wood range hood in the rustic style vs dark, streamlined cabinet door style with a sleek glossy white backsplash, and decorative range hood in a modern style.

The Cheaspeake RTM The Cheaspeake RTM

Oil rubbed bronze fixtures for a rustic, farmhouse ambiance vs smooth chrome fixtures for a sleek, modern feel.

The Chesapeake RTM

Pine ceiling and gel stained wood grain fiberglass front entry door vs painted ceilings and a white, smooth fiberglass front entry door.

The Chesapeake RTM

For more information on the process or to get started planning your own custom floor plan, reach out to B&B at any time. Book a visit for a one-on-one consultation and to tour our current projects.

 

Same Design, Two Totally Different Homes.

Posted by BBHomes on

The Redburn is one of B&B Homes most popular designs that we have built many variations of over the years. When reviewing floor plans, the colours and features that make a home are not yet quite clear.

In this short series, we want to showcase the differences that style and features can make in a home that may otherwise appear the same when reviewing the floorplan.

The Redburn Floor Plan Features Include:

  • 1668 Square Feet
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 ½ Baths
  • Vaulted ceiling in kitchen, dining, & living room
  • Main floor laundry
  • Swinging closet doors
  • Walk-in kitchen corner pantry
  • Island seating
  • Walk-in closet in master bedroom
  • Front deck overhang

See how one Redburn in a transitional style with light color tones throughout compares to one in a rustic style with warm earthy tones in these similarly customized floor plans below.

Here is an overall view of the open concept living, dining and kitchen areas in each style. Optional features that can be incorporated into any home include fireplaces, window coverings, and appliances.

Simple shaker cabinet doors vs rustic hickory cabinetry that were made uniquely for each home.

Simple and elegant materials such as minimal patterned tile with chrome finishes can be found in a transitional style vs dark natural materials such as wood and stone used in a rustic style.

Modifications can be made to any floor plan in a custom RTM project based on each families preferences for storage and natural light.

For more information on the process or to get started planning your own custom floor plan, reach out to B&B at any time. Schedule a site visit for a one-on-one consultation and to tour our current projects.

Incorporating Concrete Into Your Design Features

Posted by BBHomes on

Concrete like tile, is a diverse material that can be used in various applications of a home. Not only can concrete be used for foundations and ensuring structural stability, but it can also add modern design elements to suit your style and preferences.

Here are some uses for concrete in a home:

  • Countertops
  • Countertops with integrated sinks
  • Backsplash (either as one ‘piece’ or multiple tile like pieces)
  • Showers (same as backsplash)
  • Fireplace mantles
  • Custom furniture tops – ie. coffee tables, end tables, dining tables, benches

*Please note: Concrete that is used for any surface exposed to liquid would need to be sealed once a year like granite because it’s a naturally porous material. This includes all of the items above except fireplaces, mantles and furniture.

Did you know that there are many different types of concrete? And that concrete can be mixed to create any color? It can also have a smooth, glossy, matte or exposed aggregate finish. It is even possible for concrete to have a wood grain texture.

See these different examples of concrete home finishes from Stoneflow Concrete Designs, a supplier that works with B&B Homes.

For more information on the process or to get started planning feel free to reach out to B&B at any time. Book a site visit for a one-on-one consultation and to tour our current projects.

The RTM Process After You Sign

Posted by BBHomes on

Once you have signed the contract it is time to start building your home. With design, quoting, and sourcing a mortgage behind you, this is when things start to pick up and get really exciting when the actual build begins. Below are the different stages you will go through when building an RTM home once you have passed through the initial planning and quoting stages:

Selecting the Home Features

Once you have your floor plan finalized, you will have a selection meeting with our onsite designer Katia just before you sign the final contract to start. We like to be as transparent as possible working with clients so that they adjust their home features according to their budget and know their final price before the project starts so there are no surprises later. Prior to this meeting, you can share your inspiration images with Katia so she can help guide you through the decision-making process to help you create the look and feel you are after, that will suit your preferences for your family’s custom home. You are still able to make adjustments to your home throughout the progress, however, the majority of the decisions are made at this time.

In-Person RTM Project Milestone Site Visits

You will be asked to come to the site at the beginning and again at the end of the project for your final walk-through approvals. At these stages you will release funds from your mortgage provider in parallel. At your first walk-through the framing will be complete (floor, walls, roof) and you will confirm the electrical and plumbing rough-in locations before the home is insulated. You will monitor the following details and stages of the project in Co-Construct remotely until the final walk-through prior to the home leaving our yard. You are welcome to come anytime throughout the build to view the progress of your home in person.

Moving Day and Keeping Track of Warranty Items

On this exciting day, you are at the site location to confirm any details that the movers may need as your home arrives.  Once the home is delivered onto the foundation, you will need to make a note of any warranty work in Co-Construct that needs to be completed. Next, you will need to have your mechanical & electrical hook-ups completed. B&B Homes will come to do service work prior to you officially moving in roughly 6 weeks later.

At the One Year Anniversary of Your Project

At the one year anniversary of your home being delivered, B&B Homes will come to your home to do any service work that may have come up in the first year of you living in the home. All B&B Homes new builds are covered by our own guarantee that we will take care of any potential damages or malfunctions that may have happened to the home within the first year.

For more information on the process or to get started planning feel free to reach out to B&B at any time. Book a visit for a one-on-one consultation and to tour our current projects.

Planning Artificial and Natural Light Through Design for an RTM Home

Posted by BBHomes on

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

One of the great things about working with B&B Homes on a brand new custom 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)
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 want to 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? Are you considering using solar energy? What do you want to see when you look out your windows? Have you thought about what window coverings you want? This can make a huge difference to the light in your room. There is a wide variety of options; curtains, blinds, smart glass or shutters for home interiors, meaning you have lots of choice to tailor it to your preferred style. Maybe do some research and see what you like the look of in preparation for your home.

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 to enhance your everyday living. Contact us to get started planning.

Foundation Options for an RTM home.

Posted by BBHomes on

An important decision to make when planning a new home is deciding what type of foundation to place the RTM onto. Whether you want a crawl space to keep the costs down or want to invest in a basement down the road, this decision will impact your budget and project planning. B&B collaborates with third party contractors and also provides foundations services as well. Below are a few considerations for this choice:

*Planning Tip: the foundation needs to be completed three weeks before the RTM move date.

Crawl Space of Full Basement?

An RTM home can be placed on a crawl space or on a full basement. Depending on your budget and needs, a crawl space may be an appropriate choice for you. Consider the soil and lot size. There are a lot of options out there when it comes to planning a basement. You can decide if you want an additional guest room, laundry facilities or another bathroom downstairs. If you are a DIY family, you can plan the development in the future yourself. With enough square footage on the main floor of the home, you may decide that the basement is an unnecessary function for your family’s needs.

Planning Tip: Generally speaking, it is more economical to finish a basement than it is to expand the main floor for materials costs.

Planning a Basement for an RTM Home

Planning a basement for an RTM home requires lifestyle, function and budget considerations. What is the space going to be used for? Home office, kids play room, bar, storage or home theater? The possibilities in this process allow you to customize your home based on your individual requirements. Depending on your land, you may want to invest in a walk-out basement. Knowing the size of home you want to have and your lifestyle preferences will help you navigate this stage of the planning process.

ICF, Wood or Concrete

The choice is yours. Insulated concrete form (ICF) foundations are common due to their energy saving efficiencies. B&B Homes recommends ICF as a primary option for this reason and also because we can take this style of basement to dry wall ready. It does cost slightly more than a traditional wood-frame, but the long term return on investment outperforms both concrete and wood in value. ICF material provides good insulation and does not rot or decay and has strong resistance to water.

Contact us today for more information on foundations or to discuss getting a project started.

Planning a Dream Ensuite for an RTM

Posted by BBHomes on

One of the most popular rooms to design and plan in a custom RTM project is the ensuite. Considering you will be using this space daily, carefully planning what you want for features, function and layout will allow you to create a space made specifically for your lifestyle with a little luxury added in.

Below are a few considerations that will help you decide your ensuite “must haves” for you and your spouse:

Do you like to take baths to unwind after a long day or is a double shower more practical for your daily routine? Heated floors will keep you cosy but may not make the budget, making heated towel racks a great substitute.

Having different low level lighting options is something to think about if you or your partner have different work schedules. Alternatively you can brighten up a designated makeup area if you don’t value the function of having two sinks.

Deciding on a short list of requirements will help you narrow down the endless options of what you will want to incorporate from the wide range of materials at your disposal for this special room. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to figure this all out yourself if you are working with the right design team.

RTM 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.

The Churchbridge RTM

One of the perks of planning a custom RTM over a home that is ready made, are the endless options you have at your disposal to create your own sanctuary made exclusively for you.

RTM Homes Saskatchewan

Custom shelving allows you to make smart use of your space with practical storage for organizing your toiletries and linens.

The Hudson RTM

Working with our on-site designer Katia will help you to discover your style and feature preferences so you end up with a dream ensuite, without the pressure of having to figure it all out on your own, or settle for something you don’t love.

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

 

 

 

 

Planning a Kitchen Design for an RTM.

Posted by BBHomes on

Selecting cabinets is one of the biggest decisions to make when planning a custom RTM. The kitchen also happens to be one of the most expensive rooms to finish in a new home. Before deciding on species of wood and countertop materials, consider your lifestyle and what functions you will need to determine the appropriate durability, gadgets and storage necessary for your family into the future.

RTM Homes Saskatchewan

Trendy or Traditional?

Are you the type to renovate your home when you are ready to make a change? Picking classic finishes may be more advantageous for timeless longevity and prevent your cabinets from looking dated. Depending what your personal style is, you will want your cabinets to match accordingly. What is the look and feel of the space you want to prepare daily meals and entertain in?

Cabinet Science: The Structure and Components

There are three basic structural components to a cabinet: the box, the shelves and the drawers. Each can be constructed in a number of ways.  At B&B Homes, we build all of our cabinets custom to the dimensions of the floor plan  and design them to fit the individual needs of all our customers.

Finish and Function

Cabinets are one of the most visible aspects of your kitchen design. At B&B we will make any home with the materials you wish. If you are looking for our advice, we recommend working with maple doors. These specs we use as a minimum standard in our RTM kitchens. This durable species adds warmth and elegance to both traditional and contemporary settings without blowing the budget or sacrificing quality.

Bringing It All Together with Appliances and Countertops

Creating a vision with a designer helps you plan your cabinetry colors,  countertops, backsplash tile, plumbing fixtures and appliances, to pull off the look and function you are aiming for. Often B&B clients make the investment in new appliances and granite or quartz countertops since their custom RTM will be their forever home. The kitchen is the space you will need to plan for the most diligently in an RTM project.

The Hudson RTM

RTM Homes Saskatchewan

how to select cabinets for an RTM

For more information or to start planning and designing your dream kitchen, contact B&B Homes to get started.

 

A Dream Farmhouse 10 Years in the Making.

Posted by BBHomes on

Cindy and Trevor Tyson decided it was time to officially relocate to their family farm and put an end to their commuting lifestyle. Over 10 years in the making, they knew that they wanted to have a home that would both enhance their everyday living and remove the barriers to staying connected around their busy lifestyle.

Aside from the close proximity to B&B Homes in the Harris area, Cindy and Trevor decided to work with B&B because of the company’s flexibility with finishes to create their forever home of their dreams that they live in and love today.

What do you like the most about living in your new RTM home?

“I love the open concept, I feel more connected to my husband inside the house when I’m cooking in the kitchen and Trevor is relaxing in the living room. It feels like we are hanging out in the same room! I also love the ensuite for relaxing and unwinding after a long day.”

-Cindy Tyson, Harris SK

RTM Ensuite

Why did you decide to make a move and build a brand new RTM home?

About a year before contacting B&B Homes we decided it was time to start planning and set up a timeline that made sense for our family. In our initial searches, we were looking for a builder that would provide quality first and foremost. Secondly, we wanted to work with someone in close proximity to our farm. We really liked B&B’s styles of homes and the customization options that were available.

Custom Closet RTM

What piece of advice would you give someone about to go into the RTM planning and building process? What would you recommend to them?

Know what you want, or at least have an idea heading into design. Katia and Darwin are always available to help you decide on things you aren’t sure about.

Also when it comes to working with hookups, be prepared to wait if you need to go through SaskPower or SaskEnergy and factor that into your timeline. Make sure you can get it built and delivered in a time that works with your schedule as well. We wished we had our plans finalized and the build happening sooner. You will want to have an allowance of time to decide on everything and go back and forth in the quoting process with your features to get the home exactly where you want it to be.

What did you like about working with B&B Homes?

We had the flexibility to change our mind with features throughout the final quoting stages to match our budget. I really liked working with Katia. She was so helpful. She walked you through the decisions which made the process so much easier with her professional advice.

We also really loved working with CoConstruct to manage the project. Every decision was at your fingertips and we weren’t stuck with anything that we didn’t want. The tool helped manage the project remotely and for us busy people, it was very handy as we are often running around in lots of directions. Questions were answered almost immediately and there wasn’t any phone tag.

It was also really nice to be able to drop in and go see the progress of the home at any time and they didn’t mind.

Want to Get Started Planning Your Own RTM Project with B&B?

Working with our on-site designer can help you bring a vision to life that you didn’t know was possible for a new RTM home. Contact B&B Homes today to coordinate a complimentary consultation with our designer here.