Riverview Custom Homes: Proudly Canadian

Riverview Custom Homes Proudly Canadian

Happy Canada Day! As we celebrate the true North strong and free, we at Riverview Custom Homes are reminded of the extraordinary landscapes, the vibrant cities, and the boundless spirit that make this country so unique. And just like Canada itself, your dream home should be a celebration of grandeur, a testament to your personal taste, and an embodiment of the luxury lifestyle you deserve.

Crafting Your Canadian Dream

At Riverview Custom Homes, we don’t just build houses – we build wow. Whether it’s a modern masterpiece overlooking the Calgary skyline, a sprawling ranch estate in the foothills of the Rockies, or a sophisticated urban retreat nestled in a coveted community, we bring your vision to life. Our team of award-winning architects, designers, and craftsmen is passionate about creating spaces that not only reflect your unique style but also embody the spirit of Calgary luxury.

More Than Just a House

We believe that building a custom home should be an exhilarating experience, not a stressful one. From the initial consultation to the final walk-through, we guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that every detail is meticulously planned and executed to perfection.
And because we understand that your time is precious, we take care of everything – from securing permits and managing subcontractors to sourcing the finest materials and finishes according to your unique preferences. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and watch your dream home take shape.

Canadian Luxury Redefined

What does Canadian luxury mean to us? It’s not just about opulent finishes and high-end appliances – although we certainly have those in spades. It’s about creating spaces that are both functional and beautiful, that inspire and delight, that make you feel truly at home.
Picture the most lavish living spaces bathed in natural light, gourmet kitchens designed for culinary masterpieces, luxurious master suites that rival the finest hotels, and outdoor living areas that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living.

Celebrating Canada Day in Style

This Canada Day, we raise a glass to our beautiful country and the incredible homes that grace its landscapes. If you’re ready to create your own Canadian dream home, we invite you to connect with us today.


Posted in: News

Building Your Legacy: Understanding the Custom Home-Building Process with Riverview Custom Homes

Understanding the Custom Home-Building Process with Riverview Custom Homes

Embarking on the journey to build a custom luxury home is a significant and exciting venture. At Riverview Custom Homes, we understand that it’s about more than just construction; it’s about crafting a legacy, a unique space that perfectly reflects your vision and lifestyle. We build wow in every detail, ensuring your experience is as seamless and enjoyable as the masterpiece we create.

Before you take your first steps in the custom home building process, read through this comprehensive guide to gain a full understanding of what to expect from start to finish.

Considerations Before the Construction Process

Before breaking ground on your dream home, thoughtful preparation lays the foundation for success, moving beyond simple ideas to concrete plans that will define your future living space.

  • Envisioning Your Lifestyle: Start by envisioning how you want to live in your new home. Consider the flow of daily life, entertaining needs, desired amenities like home offices, fitness studios, or expansive outdoor living areas, and the overall ambiance you wish to cultivate. This deep understanding of your lifestyle will guide every design decision.
  • Site Selection: Where you choose to build your home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in this process. We help you evaluate potential sites for their aesthetic appeal and unique characteristics, such as sun exposure, views, privacy, and how they might influence the architectural design and construction logistics, ensuring optimal integration of your home with its environment.
  • Initial Budgeting and Scope: While your focus is on the quality of your new home, a preliminary understanding of the scope and potential investment is critical. This initial discussion helps align expectations regarding the project’s scale, desired finishes, and unique features, ensuring a shared vision from the outset.

Finding the Right Custom Home Builder

Selecting the ideal partner for your custom home journey is the best way to ensure your vision is realized. By working with a professional custom home builder in Calgary like Riverview Custom Homes, you’ll have the advantage of our expertise and experience.

In your search for a custom home builder, ensure to consider the following:

  • Philosophy & Expertise: Look for a builder with a philosophy that aligns with your own values and a commitment to quality, innovation, and client satisfaction in the luxury market.
  • Client-Centric Approach: A true custom builder prioritizes your needs and desires above everything else. This means fostering open communication, active listening, and a collaborative spirit throughout the entire process.
  • Reputation for Excellence: In the luxury home segment, a builder’s reputation speaks volumes. Seek out testimonials, industry awards, and a track record that demonstrates superior craftsmanship, ethical practices, and a capacity to deliver exceptional results without compromise.

Verify Builder Credentials and References

Thorough due diligence can provide you with objective evidence of a builder’s capabilities and the quality of their past work. Before signing a contract with your chosen custom home builder, be sure to verify any professional affiliations, licences, and industry awards, and confirm that the builder carries comprehensive liability insurance and bonding to protect your investment from unforeseen circumstances.

Designing Your Dream Home

The design phase is where your aspirations take shape, transforming abstract concepts into meticulously detailed blueprints. This phase is a true partnership between you, our architects, and interior designers, working together to translate your lifestyle and vision into a functional design that absolutely wows.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we create bespoke architectural solutions where the only limit is your imagination. If you can dream it, we can build it – from multi-storey great rooms to indoor sports courts, elaborate home spas, or even a hidden speakeasy. Your vision, no matter how grand or unique, becomes our blueprint for your extraordinary reality.

Understanding the New Home Construction Contract

A comprehensive and clear construction contract is the bedrock of a successful custom home build. It serves as a roadmap for both the client and the builder, defining the scope of work, outlining payment schedules, and laying out any provisions for potential changes.

Unlike a standard home purchase agreement, a custom home contract is highly specialized, accounting for design changes, material selections, and the collaborative nature of the building process.

Key Components of Your Construction Contract:

  • A detailed scope of work encompassing everything from site prep to final landscaping
  • Specific material quality and types
  • Clear guidelines on handling overages or underages
  • A clear payment schedule that’s tied to specific construction milestones
  • A defined process for managing change orders

Payment Schedules and Financing

While quality is the priority when you’re in the custom home building process, understanding financing options and the payment schedule is an important step for any home buyer. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Custom home construction usually involves milestone-based progress payments, disbursed as specific stages are completed and verified.
  • Specialized construction mortgages are common, with funds released in stages as work progresses. We can assist you in gathering the necessary documentation for your lender.
  • Riverview Custom Homes maintains transparency in all financial dealings. For a deeper dive into the investment involved in building a custom home, explore our guide on the Cost of Building a Custom Home in Calgary.

Warranties and Protection for New Homeowners

Any reputable luxury builder should stand behind their work with warranties that provide buyers with long-term peace of mind and ensure the lasting quality of their investment.

New custom homes generally come with multi-tiered warranty coverage. At Riverview Custom Homes, we provide buyers with the following warranty through Progressive Home Warranty:

  • 1-year materials and labour warranty
  • 2-year mechanical systems warranty
  • 5-year envelope protection
  • 10-year, $60,000 structural defects warranty
  • $25,000 deposit security warranty
  • $6,000 additional living expenses coverage

Understanding Permits and Inspections

The permit and inspection process is a necessary administrative step that ensures your home meets local building codes and safety standards. At Riverview Custom Homes, we expertly manage this process, preparing and submitting all architectural plans and documentation to the City of Calgary for approval.

We prioritize timely approvals, utilizing our established relationships with municipal departments to streamline the process and minimize potential delays. We also seamlessly coordinate scheduled inspections by city officials at every step of the custom home-building process, ensuring your home passes all compliance checks.

Stages of New Home Construction

From initial groundbreaking to the final touches, the construction of your custom home unfolds through a series of carefully managed stages, each bringing your vision closer to reality.

  • Site Preparation and Foundation: This initial phase involves preparing the land, including grading and excavation, followed by the pouring of the foundation, which forms the base of your home.
  • Framing and Exterior Shell: Once the foundation is solid, the framing goes up, outlining the structure of your home. This is followed by the installation of the roof, windows, and exterior doors.
  • Rough-Ins: In this stage, mechanical systems are installed, including all plumbing lines, HVAC ductwork, electrical wiring, and integrated smart home technology infrastructure.
  • Insulation and Drywall: Insulation is installed to ensure energy efficiency and comfort, followed by the hanging and finishing of drywall, which creates the interior walls and ceilings.
  • Interior Finishing: This is where luxury comes to life. High-end cabinetry, flooring, interior doors, trim, custom millwork, paint, and fixtures are all meticulously installed at this stage, reflecting your chosen aesthetic.
  • Exterior Finishing and Landscaping: The exterior siding, stone, and other cladding are applied, along with the construction of decks, patios, and initial landscaping to enhance curb appeal and outdoor living spaces.
  • Final Inspections and Walk-Through: After all construction is complete, a series of final inspections is conducted, followed by a comprehensive walk-through with you to review every detail and ensure your absolute satisfaction before handing over the keys.

Build Your Legacy with Riverview Custom Homes

At Riverview Custom Homes, our commitment to unparalleled quality, bespoke design, and client satisfaction ensures that your custom home-building journey will be an extraordinary experience, culminating in a residence that truly embodies your legacy.

To learn more about our process or to take the first step in building your legacy, connect with us today.

The Art of Selecting a Luxury Custom Home Builder in Calgary

Selecting a Luxury Custom Home Builder in Calgary

Embarking on the journey of building a luxury custom home in Calgary is a profound expression of your vision and a testament to your aspirations. It’s more than just construction; it’s about crafting an enduring legacy, a residence where every detail reflects your unique lifestyle and taste.

The cornerstone of this extraordinary endeavor lies in selecting a builder who doesn’t just construct houses, but truly understands how to transform your dreams into reality. At Riverview Custom Homes, we do exactly that. We build wow on every project, meticulously shaping spaces that go beyond our clients’ expectations and stand as masterpieces for generations to come.

Why Your Builder Choice is Critical

The selection of your custom home builder is the single most important decision in this grand undertaking. A true luxury custom home builder like Riverview Custom Homes possesses the unparalleled ability to capture the essence of your vision, translating your highest expectations into architectural brilliance. We don’t just follow blueprints; we anticipate your needs, offer innovative solutions, and uphold an unwavering commitment to meticulous craftsmanship.

Our expertise ensures that your custom home isn’t just built, but thoughtfully designed and executed with the highest quality, reflecting a dedication to excellence in every beam and finish. We’re your partner in building your legacy.

Your Guide to Choosing a Custom Home Builder

Choosing the right luxury custom home builder in Calgary demands a thoughtful approach. Recognizing that the most important elements of your home’s creation unfold long before you even break ground, start your process by conducting thorough research and taking the necessary steps to ensure you’re selecting an honest, skilled, and reputable builder.

  • Find custom home builders that suit your needs: Curate a selection of potential builders whose portfolios align with your preferences and who demonstrate a consistent track record of delivering quality high-end homes.
  • Conduct due diligence: Read through testimonials and reviews, request and verify their credentials, and look for awards and certifications that can help you get a better idea of their skills and reputation.
  • Check the warranty: Ensure the builder you choose provides a comprehensive warranty that indicates their confidence in their workmanship.

Throughout the process, your chosen builder should show that they’re willing to listen and communicate with you, taking time to answer your questions and demonstrating transparency as the project evolves.

Bring Your Vision to Life with Riverview Custom Homes

The possibilities for your custom home in Calgary are truly limitless. With a blend of innovative design ideas and careful consideration of luxury building principles, and with the guidance of our experienced, award-wining team, your dream home can become a reality.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we specialize in creating design concepts that range from contemporary to classic (and everything in between). We’re here to help you build your legacy with a home you can be proud of for years to come.

Connect with us today to get started.


Posted in: News

Designing Your Custom Home in Calgary: Unique Ideas to Help You Build YOUR Legacy

Design Ideas for Your Custom Home in Calgary

Custom homes in Calgary stand as prestigious symbols, representing hard work, diligence, and often a distinct sense of luxury. What truly sets these opulent homes apart from conventional ones is the element of personalization. The tailored approach that Riverview Custom Homes takes in modern custom home design becomes a significant part of each custom home’s appeal.

Beyond customization and unique design elements, several factors come into play when building a truly luxurious residence. Consider these eight unique design ideas for custom homes and discover the many ways we build wow at Riverview Custom Homes.

8 Unique Design Ideas for Your Custom Home

Let’s explore some of the most inspiring design features that can elevate your custom home in Calgary and help you build a legacy you can be proud of.

1. Entertainment-Friendly Kitchen

Imagine a spacious, open-concept kitchen where the counters seamlessly flow into the backsplash and a generous island with bar seating that becomes the heart of every gathering. This design fosters interaction and makes entertaining effortless while you prepare food. Unlike closed-off traditional kitchens, this modern approach ensures you remain connected with your guests no matter where they’re seated in your home.

2. Classic Design

Embrace timeless elegance with a classic custom home design. This style emphasizes refined details in colours, materials, and layouts. Many modern homes in Calgary incorporate these enduring elements, appealing to those seeking lasting value and a sophisticated aesthetic. Choosing classic components can also enhance resale value and minimize future renovation needs.

3. Plentiful Natural LIght

The abundance of natural sunlight significantly enhances the luxurious feel and ambiance of your home, creating a space that’s bright and welcoming. Custom homes have the advantage of being designed to maximize natural light, a feature that’s often lacking in conventional builds. Discuss features like strategic window placement, skylights, and oversized windows with our design team to maximize on natural lighting in your custom home.

4. Generous Storage Space

Modern luxury living often prioritizes an environment that’s free from clutter. Cleverly designed and subtly integrated storage solutions can contribute vastly to this sense of order and cleanliness in your new home. Incorporating features such as an oversized butler’s pantry or an appliance garage in your kitchen are great ways to maintain a sleek aesthetic without sacrificing the gadgets that make day-to-day life more convenient.

5. Integrated Smart Home Automation & Advanced Security

Envision a home where every aspect is intelligently connected and intuitively controlled, from automated lighting and climate to integrated audio-visual systems and advanced biometric security. This seamless technological integration offers unparalleled convenience, energy optimization, and peace of mind, allowing your home to anticipate and respond to your needs with sophisticated precision.

6. Wine Cellar

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, a custom wine cellar adds a touch of sophistication and provides a dedicated space to curate and enjoy your wine collection. Whether you envision a spacious walk-in closet conversion or a smaller pantry-style cellar, Riverview Custom Homes can bring your dream to life in your custom Calgary home.

7. Home Cinema & Performance Space

Go beyond a simple media room and create an immersive home cinema experience. Our experts can design an acoustically engineered space with plush, tiered seating, a state-of-the-art projection system, and theatre-quality surround sound. This dedicated area can also double as an intimate performance space, perfect for private concerts, screenings, or presentations, offering an unparalleled entertainment experience within your own walls.

8. Architectural Statement FIreplace

Instead of the standard floor-to-ceiling fireplace that’s become common in so many conventional builds, envision your new custom home with a grand architectural statement piece crafted from rare, exquisite materials sourced globally. This could include book-matched marble slabs extending from the floor to soaring ceilings, perhaps incorporating intricate inlays of semi-precious stones or hand-forged metal detailing surrounding a custom-designed linear gas or traditional wood-buring fireplace.

Key Considerations for Your Custom Home

Building a luxury home requires a foundational commitment to premium materials and impeccable craftsmanship. Every surface and fixture should reflect superior quality, creating a lasting impression of elegance. Modern luxury also means seamlessly integrating cutting-edge smart home technology for ultimate convenience, enhanced security, and optimized energy use. Achieving this caliber of home requires a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals, including architects, designers, and specialized tradespeople whose collaborative expertise can bring your vision to life.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we’re committed to building teams of experts who can do just that. From our award-winning architects and designers to our transparent and communicative service team, we’ll provide you with a home-building experience that you can enjoy from start to finish.

Build Your Legacy with Riverview Custom Homes

Are you ready to build a home that truly wows? Consider the unique design ideas for custom homes listed above and work with a builder you can trust, like Riverview Custom Homes.

Connect with us today and start building YOUR legacy.


Posted in: News

The Cost Of Building A Custom Home In Calgary

 

The Cost Of Building A Custom Home In Calgary

Building the home of your dreams is an exciting journey. And when you’ve come to a place in your life where you can build your legacy, what better way to celebrate the fruits of your labour than by investing in a luxury home crafted especially for you?

As a custom home builder, we are often asked about the cost of building a custom home in Calgary. The answer depends on various factors, including whether it’s a completely custom or a semi-custom build, how large the property is, site preparation, architecture, material, and features, just to name a few.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we specialize in luxury, and with every home we build, we build wow. If you can dream it, we can build it. Our portfolio of custom homes showcases a diverse range of designs – from sleek contemporary to traditional builds of stone and wood. If you’re considering building a luxury custom home in Calgary, one of the preliminary steps is to determine an estimated cost and set a budget.

Here’s what you can expect during the process and how to choose a reliable company that will stick to the budget as closely as possible.

Evaluating the cost of a custom home

The first step in the process is to meet with your builders, which includes the design and architect team. You’ll discuss your overall vision, your desired location, your needs, lifestyle, and budget. From here, our team can give you an idea of the cost based on similar builds, square footage, and features.

Although each custom home build differs, the process typically follows:

  • An offer to purchase the land: At Riverview Custom Homes, we can help you choose the location and offer recommendations on how to optimize the land. Once the offer to purchase is made and secured, we begin the design process.
  • Initial design concept: The initial design concept is based on your vision. Our expert designers will put together elements for a cohesive look, including materials, colours, backsplashes, door styles, lighting – every one of a thousand detail. The design concept may go through a few revisions – remember, this is your home and you should be completely satisfied with the concept before moving forward. During this stage, your team will inform you of the estimated costs and any changes in total expenses.
  • Home plan review: Once the design is approved, an architect reviews the home plan to verify that it’s architecturally sound. After the home plan has been approved and signed, we can put together a detailed budget forecast.
  • A detailed forecast of costs: The budget forecast includes the expected cost of the overall build and what each expense includes. Of course, with any build, some issues may arise that may become an added expense. An experienced builder will communicate common issues with you and plan for contingencies to keep the project moving smoothly. Once you’ve approved the budget forecast and the funds are secured, construction begins on your new luxury home.

Factors that influence the cost of building a custom home in Calgary

Several key factors will significantly influence the final cost of building a custom home in Calgary and because every custom home is unique, these elements can differ widely and lead to large variations in overall project expenses.

  • Location: The specific neighbourhood where you choose to build can have a substantial impact on the cost of your custom home. Land prices vary significantly throughout the city depending on everything from accessibility to nearby amenities, and certain areas may have stricter building regulations or require more complex foundation work due to the terrain.
  • Square footage: The overall size of your custom home is a primary driver of cost. Larger homes naturally require more materials and labour, directly impacting the cost.
  • Materials: The selection of materials for both the interior and exterior of your home plays a crucial role in determining the cost. Choices range from standard options to higher-end luxury finishes, each with a different price point.
  • Design complexity: The intricacy and uniqueness of your custom home’s design will influence the cost. Highly detailed architectural plans, custom features, and non-standard layouts often require more specialized labour and can increase expenses.
  • Site preparation: The condition of your building lot and the necessary preparations can add to the overall cost. This may include demolition of existing structures, excavation, levelling, utility connections, and addressing any unique site challenges.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to build a 2000 sq ft house in Alberta?

When you search online for the average cost of building a 2000 sq ft house in Alberta, many sources will claim that it’s about $150 per square foot. However, keep in mind that this number fluctuates significantly depending on the type of house you’re building, the materials, site preparation, architecture, design, and more. The cost of a stick-built home will differ greatly from building a custom luxury home in Calgary.

Can I build my own house in Calgary?

Absolutely. Calgary has vast open spaces with available land in rural areas and desirable locations in the urban sprawl to build your dream home. If you decide to build in Calgary, be sure you work with a home builder that has a firm knowledge of city by-laws, zoning laws, and provincial policies.

How expensive is it to build a house in Alberta?

The cost of building a house in Alberta is not a straightforward answer as it depends on a number of factors. First, Alberta offers diverse locations – rural, urban, small towns, hamlets, city suburbs, to name a few. Each location requires different site preparation, which can impact the cost. Second, the type of home you want to build is a determining factor in the overall cost. While single-family homes in Calgary typically start at around $500,000 including land, you can expect a superior luxury build to go beyond the million-dollar mark.

View our work

From traditional architectural homes and modern sprawling custom builds to inner-city infills, our team showcases a diverse portfolio in our gallery. We invite you to explore our designs and see firsthand how we build wow on every home we touch.

Choosing the right custom home builder in Calgary

While there are horror stories about custom home builds – projects going thousands of dollars over budget and builders leaving the project unfinished – these incidents are rare. However, they do emphasize the importance of selecting an experienced builder, particularly for more complex and sophisticated builds.

Be diligent in your search for the right builder. When it comes to costs and budget forecasting, some good questions to ask are:

  • How do you make sure the project stays on budget?
  • Will I be given invoices and details of each expense?
  • How do you communicate issues during the project?
  • How do you approach constraints and solve problems along the way?
  • Can you walk me through your home-building process?
  • What warranties do you offer?

At Riverview Custom Homes, we set a high standard in the custom luxury home industry. Our team includes professional designers, architects, builders, project managers, and site supervisors who are experts in their field. Together, we have built superior properties that our clients find joy coming home to.

Connect with us today to build your legacy with Calgary’s premier custom home builder.


Posted in: News

How Long Does it Take to Get a Custom Home Building Permit Approved in Calgary?

Custom Home Building Permit Approved in Calgary?

Embarking on the journey of building your dream home with a luxury custom home builder in Calgary is an exciting endeavour. At Riverview Custom Homes, we don’t just build houses; we build wow, crafting legacies in brick and mortar tailored to your unique vision.

One of the initial, yet critical, steps in bringing that vision to life is securing the necessary building permits from the City of Calgary. Understanding the timeline involved in this process is key to a smooth, well-managed project.

The Typical Timeline: What to Expect When You Work with a Custom Home Builder

Generally, you can expect the approval process for a custom home building permit in Calgary to take between eight and 16 weeks. However, it’s important to recognize that this is an estimate, and certain circumstances can significantly impact this timeline. Think of this period as a crucial phase where the City of Calgary meticulously reviews plans for your home to ensure they meet all safety standards, zoning regulations, and building codes.

Factors That Can Influence Approval Time

Several key factors can either accelerate or extend the time it takes to receive your building permit approval in Calgary:

  • Complexity of Design: Intricate and unconventional architectural designs often require more in-depth review, naturally extending the processing time.
  • Completeness and Accuracy of Application: A comprehensive and error-free application package is the key to swift approvals. Missing documents, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies will inevitably lead to delays as the City of Calgary requests further information or revisions. At Riverview Custom Homes, our team is committed to ensuring that your applications are complete and accurate prior to submission.
  • City Workload and Volume: The current volume of building permit applications being processed by the City of Calgary can fluctuate. Periods of high construction activity may result in longer processing times.
  • Site-Specific Conditions: Unique site characteristics, such as environmental considerations, geotechnical issues, or complex servicing requirements, can necessitate additional reviews and approvals, impacting the overall timeline.
  • Zoning and Bylaw Compliance: Ensuring your custom home design adheres strictly to all applicable zoning bylaws and regulations is crucial. Any deviations or requests for variances will add time to the approval process.

Partner with Riverview Custom Homes for a Seamless Permit Process

At Riverview Custom Homes, we understand the nuances of having a building permit approved in Calgary. From the initial stages of design to the final submission of documents, our team meticulously prepares and manages your permit application. We collaborate closely with architects and the City of Calgary, leveraging our experience to anticipate potential challenges and address them proactively. Our goal is to handle the complexities of the permit process, allowing you to focus on the exciting aspects of designing your beautiful luxury custom home.

If you’re ready to build your legacy and start designing your dream home with Calgary’s best custom home builder, connect with us today!