A Passive House is not only a great way to protect the environment but also your own health – and the health of your loved ones. Not sure how a house can help your health? There are actually several ways. How A Passive House Can Help Your Health 1. No drafts Drafts can lead to health issues. The worst situation is when you have drafts in...
In April 2017, the provincial government adopted the BC Energy Step Code. While the Step Code has been embraced by many Cities, Builders, Designers and Homeowners, there are some people who have asked why it was created in the first place. Here at Draft On Site, we believe in the importance of Step Code and want to share why we see it as such...
Windows and doors have a significant impact on your Custom Home Design in Vancouver. While there are numerous points of impact, there are four key areas of focus. These are: Air Tightness Insulation Value Design Cost Here is how these four elements come together, to help you achieve your ideal Custom Home Design. Key ways windows and doors impact your Custom Home Design in...
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...
We have discussed VR Home Design and Real Estate quite a bit over the past months, touching on everything from how it can draw millennial buyers to how it can help homeowners visualize secondary suites. With the popularity of VR, it will clearly continue to be part of Home Design and Real Estate for years to come. Therefore, today, we are looking at VR’s...
In recent years, we have seen a shift in Custom Home Design, with many of our clients wanting to make their homes more eco-friendly. One of the best ways to do this is through the materials used to build a new home. Look for materials that minimize your environmental impact, such as recycled products. Not sure which materials fall into this category? We are featuring 12...
VR design offers a whole new way of approaching home renovations. Adding a secondary suite to your home is a big project – and it can be hard to imagine how it will look when it is finished. That is where VR design comes in. With VR design, homeowners are able to visualize their secondary suite before a shovel has even broken ground. In...
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...
Here at Draft On Site, we are always looking for new custom home design inspiration. Doing this allows us to bring new concepts to our clients: It keeps our designs fresh and innovative! Recently, we began running a photo contest for our staff on our Facebook Page, which we’ll tell you about below, to encourage our team to share their unique perspectives and capture...
Matterport scan technology is one of the most innovative pieces of technology to ever hit the real estate market, and the building and development industry. Many professionals are still learning the many opportunities Matterport 3D scans and virtual walk-throughs offer, particularly for Contractors, Builders and Realtors. That is why, today, we want to discuss one of the strongest aspects of Matterport for builders and...
We are proud to announce that our talented Designer Tannaz is now Passive House Certified! That means Draft On Site can now design Passive Houses for our clients in the Lower Mainland! Why does that matter? Let us take you through all the details – and you an insight into why we are excited about the Passive House movement. Why being Passive House Certified...
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...
Throughout history, there have been a number of periods where having a two-kitchen home was common. Although a single kitchen is the norm these days, we are seeing a trend in custom home designs with two kitchens. Why is the two-kitchen home making a comeback – and is a second kitchen something you should consider for your custom home design? Love entertaining? This blog...
Real estate seeks out any technological advances that can make the process of buying and selling easier for homeowners and soon-to-be homeowners. The latest piece of technology that everyone is jumping on is Matterport. But what is Matterport and why is it going to revolutionize the Vancouver real estate market? The basics about Matterport and its impact on the Vancouver real estate market In short, Matterport...
The real estate field has always been quick to employ the latest technologies that could help home buyers and sellers. The latest technology, however, is not just being adopted, it is revolutionizing the entire industry. That technology? Virtual reality. Virtual Reality and the rise of VR scans When virtual reality (or VR) first came into existence, it was prohibitively expensive. Given that, most Real Estate Agents...
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...
When it comes to homes, the best designs offer both beauty and functionality. Nowhere is this more true than the kitchen. Not sure what kind of kitchen design would give you the style you want without compromising the function you need? We have put together a list of seven of our favourite beautiful and functional kitchen designs to provide you with some inspiration...