Many people think they should build their Custom Home first and worry about getting an Interior Designer later. That, however, could not be further from the truth. In reality, you should hire your Interior Designer when you are going through your initial Building Design, long before you ever break ground. Here are five key reasons why. The Advantages Of Hiring An Interior Designer At The Beginning Of...
Are you considering Custom Home Design for your next build, but want to know more about the process? Looking for more information about how we work? Here is a summary of the steps that make up Draft On Site’s Custom Home Design process. The 8 Steps In Our Custom Home Design Process 1. Consultation The first part of our Design process is getting to know you. We will...
Restoring an old home can be exciting and fun… or a nightmare. Either way, the process is expensive, costing both time and money. That is why we think it is time for a frank conversation about this endeavour. The costs of restoring an old home Right now, you’ll find a series of recent news articles about “free” character homes being available. These homes are...
Building a custom home is exciting! At the same time, the process can feel intimidating, especially if you have not been through it before. In our experience, there are seven important steps to building a custom home with your Vancouver Home Designer… and an additional 10 steps to take BEFORE you begin the building process. The 10 Steps Before You Begin Building A Custom...
Last year, the BC Building Code for 2018 was released. A new Building Code can lead to many questions and concerns regarding your new home construction project, or your renovation. Below, we go over the most common questions we are asked, giving you the answers you need to navigate your build in spite of the changes. Is my project covered by the BC Building...
In September, the City of Vancouver introduced new RS duplex zoning changes. What is this legislation and what does it mean? Today, we are going through the implications of the legislation, reviewing the advantages it offers you and the regulations you will now face. What do the RS duplex zoning changes mean? The RS in the zoning changes refers to the City’s low-density, single-family neighbourhoods....
Stop Work Orders – a boundless source of stress for homeowners. We have written a lot about Stop Work Orders in the past, covering everything from horror stories to tips for avoiding them. In spite of this, we continue to see homeowners who have received Stop Work Orders – and hear the devastating consequences of receiving them. This month, we created a three-part series about...
Stop Work Orders may be scary, but they are completely preventable. If you follow a few simple steps, you will not have to worry about Stop Work Orders at all. Not sure why you want to avoid Stop Work Orders? This month, we created a three-part series about Stop Work Orders Check out the other blogs in this three-part series: 4 Perfect Examples of Why...
Welcome to the third part in our Stop Work Orders series! This month, we created a three-part series about Stop Work Orders We have already tackled 4 Perfect Examples of Why to Take Stop Work Orders Seriously and Why Stop Orders Happen and How To Prevent Them. Today, we are wrapping up with a look at the consequences of working without the appropriate Permits. Some...
Applying for a Building Permit can be an overwhelming process. We hear a lot of horror stories from people who tried to handle applying for permits on their own. Many expressed that they were not prepared when they went into the permit application process – even if they felt prepared at the time. Often, these individuals found themselves backtracking to consult the proper experts...
With cannabis being legalized this year, the City of Vancouver is putting regulations in place around its sale. Many people know there are regulations around who can purchase cannabis – but what about those who want to build and operate a cannabis dispensary in Vancouver? A certain set of permits is required to do so. Here is a snapshot of the information that is...
Development and Building Permits are vital if you are planning a custom home design in Vancouver, or any City really. In the past, we have discussed many aspects of Development and Building Permits and the permitting process. We have never, however, focused solely on how long it can take to get a Building Permit approved. Today, we are remedying that by having this frank...
The City of Vancouver recently enacted its new requirements for short-term rentals, including Airbnb properties. If you list your property on Airbnb, you’ve likely asked yourself whether you should comply with the City’s new regulations, or if it’s worth continuing to rent it out. There are a few key considerations before making any decision. We go into more detail below, but in short: A business licence...
When it comes to purchasing a home in Vancouver, there are a lot of decisions to make. Which neighbourhood do you want to live in? What kind of home are you looking for? What is your budget? One of the most important questions, especially for Vancouver homebuyers, is: Are you looking for a renovated home or a fixer-upper? Here’s why. The value of a fixer-upper...
Feng shui is all about bringing good energy to your home – and life. We can all use a bit of that! To fully feng shui your home can be a feat, though. Experts say that feng shui is most important in three rooms: the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. This blog focuses on the heart of the home: the kitchen. Here are four easy ways to...
Over the last eight weeks, we have covered a number of topics in our series on Stop Work Orders. We hope that we have made it clear how devastating non-permitted work can be. Why, then, do people undertake such work – and how do you avoid ending up in a similar position? Read more from our Stop Work Order series: Stop Work Order horror stories:...
A Stop Work Order may sound manageable, but it can be incredibly financially damaging. While we have touched on some of the issues we have seen over our years working in Vancouver home design, we have some true horror stories that show just how devastating getting a Stop Work Order can be. Stop Work Order horror stories We have had a number of cases...
One of the most important things to do when you are buying a property is check that the home matches the plans on file with the City. This is vital because, if the plans do not match, there are likely renovations to the house that have been conducted without a permit, meaning once you purchase the property, you are at risk of being hit...
As Building Codes are available to the public, many people believe that they do not need professional guidance regarding renovations, and attempt to do it themselves. Individuals with some knowledge of Building Codes may also believe they have enough information to handle Vancouver renovations on their own. However, not working with a Vancouver Home Designer can land you a Stop Work Order. This article...
With square footage as valuable as it is in Greater Vancouver, maximizing the size of your property on paper can represent huge returns when it comes time to sell. If you are building a custom home, you can get more square footage from your home, at least on paper, with insulation and building envelope design. Talk to your custom home designer for more details, but...