CUSTOM VS. SEMI-CUSTOM HOMES

So you want to build a custom home in Calgary. This is perfectly understandable. After all, Calgary has everything you could possibly want in a city. Everything from spacious communities and first-rate amenities, all the way to beautiful scenery and kind people. But here’s the question: Do you know what type of home you want to have built?

Riverview Custom Homes can help you figure it out. We are a team of custom home builders in Calgary that specializes in building stunning, high-quality, luxury homes. As such, we can help you determine which home variation is right for you. Keep reading to learn more.

Custom Home vs Semi-Custom Home: What’s the Difference?

Building a home is difficult, no question. And the process of designing is easily one of the most difficult parts of all. If you are currently in the process of planning your home, you have to understand the differences between a custom home and a semi-custom one. And as your Calgary custom home builder, we here at Riverview Custome Homes are here to educate and inform.

To put it simply, a custom home is a completely original home that has never been built before. Everything from the floors to the layout is personalized to fit the needs and personality of the house’s future owner.

Semi-custom homes, on the other hand, are homes that allow people the freedom to personalize them… up to a certain point. While some features are pre-determined, others can be changed to fit a person’s preferences.

Advantages of Custom and Semi-Custom Homes

Each home variation has its advantages. As such, it’s important to be aware of them so you can make an informed decision. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the benefits associated with custom and semi-custom homes:

Custom Home Advantages

A custom home gives you full freedom and flexibility. You get to pick and choose everything from the layout to the lot location. This level of choice can be very refreshing as you can express yourself via your custom home to whatever degree you wish.

Additional advantages include:

Budget flexibility
Quality of materials
Full customization
Fit to match your lifestyle
More pride in the home
Control over the size of the home

Semi-Custom Home Advantages

Despite all of the advantages of custom homes, don’t rule out semi-custom homes, as they offer a lot of utility as well. Some of these advantages may not be obvious at first. But once you learn about them, it could easily sway your decision – depending on how committed you are to a custom home design.

Advantages of a semi-custom include:

Don’t have to design a home from scratch
Relieved of the burden of making all the hard choices
They are faster to build
More economical

Which Style of Home is Best For You?

So which is best? And more importantly… which one should you choose?

It all depends on your budget and whether or not you are ready to wait longer for your house to be built. If you have the energy, time and money to plan an entire house from the ground up (with the help of an architect, of course), then there is no reason for you not to go with a custom home.

You’ll absolutely revel in the freedom that it gives you. However, if you just can’t work your way around building a custom home, don’t sweat it too much either. Semi-custom homes offer a wonderful foundation upon which to build your home, and you’ll still have plenty of choices to make.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which home variation is best. Choosing a custom home or a semi-custom home is a matter of preference and circumstance. If your preference is to go for one over the other, and your budget allows it, then that’s the decision you should opt for.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we are your custom luxury home builders in Calgary. We can create your dream home with the highest quality materials and architectural brilliance that will bring a new level of vibrancy into your home and life. Contact us today to learn more.

5 MYTHS ABOUT BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME

Many people dream of building a custom home. And it’s easy to see why: the range of control, the customization, and the lot choice – among many other things – all make custom homes an appealing alternative. However, there are many myths surrounding the topic of custom home construction.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we are among the best custom home builders in Calgary. As such, we’ve heard all the fables. And that’s why we’re here to dispel the myths associated with custom home-building projects.

So keep reading to learn 5 myths about custom home projects that are based more on superstition than reality.

1. You Need to be a Professional Designer

As your trusted Calgary custom home builder, we want to assure you; you don’t need to plan and design every inch of your house on your own for your custom home project. Far from it. It’s fine to contribute however much you feel is necessary. So please don’t think that you need to have every morsel of your home planned and accounted for.

However, the more you do know what you want, the better. Our expert craftsmen can guide you through the process and ensure that the details are sorted. Moreover, our custom home builders can also create an architectural masterpiece for your home, even if you’re unsure of what you truly want at the moment.

2. Custom Homes Take a Long Time to Complete

Whether your home is custom or not, there are many variables to consider for the timeline of a home construction project. For this reason, you can’t control all of the factors that will play a role in the time it takes to complete. Poor weather conditions, budgeting issues, human error, etc, can all impact the timeline.

But even with these considerations, the time frame of a custom build isn’t that much different than that of other home construction projects. The primary reason a custom home might take a little more time is due to the feature selection and design process.

3. Building a Custom Home is Hard and Complex

This is really a matter of perspective. Sure, such a project does have its complexities, as does anything else of this magnitude. However, building a custom home can actually be a very rich, rewarding, and enjoyable experience! You get the full range of creative expression. Everything from the location and layout, all the way to the windows and light fixtures – you have dominion over almost every detail.

Additionally, at Riverview Custom Homes, we go above and beyond to ensure your experience is a pleasurable one. We work to simplify the process for you so you’re not bogged down by the overly complex details.

4. You’ll Go Over Budget

Understandably, one of the primary stressors of custom home building is money. But that doesn’t mean a custom home can’t be built within its allotted budget. And the best method to ensure this outcome is communication. Let your home builder/designer know right from the start what your budget is for each expenditure.

Talk with the team and work with them so that everyone is on the same page and there is no confusion in regard to budgeting. This will go a long way in keeping spending under control.

5. Builders Lack Communication Skills

Don’t let this myth keep you from your dream home. Painting each person in a group with the same brush is silly. The truth is there are plenty of builders with excellent communication skills. In fact, we here at Riverview Custom Homes take pride in the communication we demonstrate while on the job. It’s part of what makes us so efficient and respected.

And while there are certain builders out there who do lack this essential skill, there are plenty of others who use and practice it as a regular part of their day-to-day operations.

Final Thoughts

Many myths just don’t hold up when you look at the facts. And this is apparent when looking at the custom home builder myths. Recognize that with the right custom home builder, the myths that you’ve heard through the grapevine simply don’t apply.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we provide custom luxury accommodations with our expert team of designers, coordinators, and managers. Moreover, we’ve been presented with a myriad of awards that have cemented our prestige. These include the 2021 BILDCR Award by the Building Industry Land Development (BILD) Calgary Region awards. Additionally, we’ve also won three top awards in the categories for Best New Home as well.

So if you’re ready to actualize the dream home you’ve been envisioning, then contact us today to see how we can help.

HIRE THE RIGHT CALGARY LUXURY HOME BUILDERS, SAVE MONEY”

Planning the construction of a custom home in Calgary can be a challenge. In between trying to figure out what style of house you want to build, you also have to figure out who will be in charge of building your home. For many people in Calgary, this is easier said than done.

In today’s society, too many Calgary luxury home builders only care about money. They don’t care about the quality of the services they offer to their clients. As a prospective client, it is imperative that you spend some time looking up the perfect home builders.
(Previous bit sounds a little incendiary)

Not only will doing so save you a LOT of trouble down the road — it might even save you a lot of money as well. Keep reading to learn more.

Hiring the Right Custom Home Builders in Calgary

Saving money while building a house is important. This is especially true with luxury custom homes in Calgary as a lot more money is on the table. Now, as a prospective client, you might be asking yourself: how do you sift between the good and the bad companies out there? It’s a simple process. It does involve some a little work, however, you’ll find that the effort is well worth it in then long run.

Begin first by realizing that not every home builder is created equal. What that means for you is that you can’t expect every company out there to offer the same services at the same rate. Building a house is a huge investment that often lasts a lifetime and beyond.

But with that in mind, here are a few practical steps you can take to find a quality luxury home builder in Calgary:

1. Referrals

Who do you trust most? If you’re like the majority of people, you trust your friends and family the most. They’re the ones who will be honest and straightforward with you. As such, begin your search for a luxury home builder within your current network.

Has anyone in your network recently had any home renovation projects? If so, contact them and ask about the company they hired for the job. This is a great way to begin building your list of potential contractors.

2. Online Searches

A quick Google search is all it takes to find contractors in your area. But that doesn’t mean all of them are qualified to get the job done. As such, be sure to scour the online reviews, see if you can speak to previous clients, or give the company a call and ask for samples of their work.

The purpose of this process is to help you gather enough data so you can make an informed decision.

3. Specialization

If you can, try to find a contractor who specializes in your particular project. This will help ensure a quality job and that you get your money’s worth. Additionally, it will also help weed out the companies who are not a good fit.

However, a word of caution; just because a contractor has limited experience with your particular project doesnt always mean they can’t handle the job. If you’re dealing with a contractor who is a real go-getter and goes above and beyond for clients, they’re tenacity and commitment to service is often enough to ensure a job well done.

You can determine if your prospective contractor has this quality by asking to speak with previous clients, or simply by checking their reviews.

Conclusion

Hiring the right luxury home builder in Calgary is simply a matter of research and due diligence. If you cover those bases and are patient enough, you’ll most assuredly find what you’re looking for.

And if you need further assistance with bringing your dream home to life, consider Riverview Custom Homes as we are Calgary’s premiere luxury home builder, bringing architectural vision to the real world. Contact us today to learn more.

How Much Money You Need to Budget for a Home Renovation Project

We’ve all heard the horror stories of renovation project costs gone wrong. Whether it be a family friend who tried to opt for the cheapest materials – and paid the price. Or a coworker or colleague who failed to properly budget, and as a result, was taken aback by inordinate and unexpected expenses.

Whatever the case, covering the costs of custom home renovations in Calgary require diligent planning. The utility of a well-thought out budget is invaluable with such projects. For this reason, it’s essential to know how much you should budget for your upcoming home renovation.

Keep reading to learn more.

Why Home Renovation Projects Go Over Budget

The simple truth is that your home renovation project will be more costly than you think. This is due to the many moving parts and external variables at play. And if your home renovation is a particularly large project, even the best custom home builders will have a difficult time trying to ensure nothing throws your budget off.

However, one way to save yourself a lot of time and money is to ensure you have a competent crew to begin with on your project.
Be sure to properly screen your contractors. Check online reviews, ask for photos of previous projects they’ve done, ask friends and family for referrals, etc.

Poor contracting isn’t the only reason home renovations go over budget. Many times, homeowners under budget, and simply don’t have the funds for what they want. This typically happens because they are basing their financial projections on what they viewed online via YouTube, Google, or perhaps even what they’ve seen on TV.

A good rule of thumb for an accurate home renovation budget is take what you’ve estimated, and times it by two or three.

How to Prevent Going Over Your Budget

With overspending being such a problem for most home renovation projects, it’s a good idea to look into ways to prevent it. And one of the best methods is simply getting your contracting team involved. Taking the time to carefully plan with your contractor prior to any work taking place is a very prudent idea.

It’s easy to get a bit overzealous and let your eyes overload your wallet. Your contractor will help bring you back down to earth with a more realistic representation of the costs for the materials needed to complete the renovation.

As such, you’ll know whether you need to either adjust your budget or adjust the scope of your project.

Ways to Save on Your Project

Organization

An effective method (that is often overlooked) for staying in the parameters of your budget is quite simply: organization. Budget estimates, permits, contracts, receipts, materials, etc. All of these variables must be accounted for and organized appropriately. Know the cost of each item and ensure it’s documented on a spreadsheet.

Vet Your Contractors

Nothing is worse than unknowingly hiring an incompetent contractor. You might as well throw your hard-earned money out of the window. Vet your contractors before you take on bids for your home renovation. Browse through their reviews, ask to see other projects they’ve completed, speak to previous customers, if possible. Was the contractor professional? Were they competent? Was the job done by the deadline and on budget? These are important things you need to know before hiring a contractor.

Consider a Renovation in the the Off-Season

Generally speaking, the off-season for contractors and builders is in the colder months. As such, depending on who you go to, they may offer some type of deal or discount to incentivize you, as work is typically slower for them during this time.

Renovation Budget: How Much is Enough?

Budgeting a minimum of 20% more than the estimated cost of the renovation is ideal. Grab a calculator, be practical with your budget, and ensure a fortuity line for 20% of the calculated price is added.
Additionally, it would be wise to consult with and work alongside your contractor, in addition to your architect (should you have one) to assist you with remaining pragmatic in regards to material costs and the estimated timeline.

Final Thoughts

With budgeting being such an integral part of a home renovation process, ensuring that it’s airtight is crucial. That’s why we here at Riverview Custom Homes provide cost management strategies in the form of detailed budgets before a project even begins.

We will craft your home with excellence and exceptional craftsmanship – and we will do so in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, we have been crowned the 2021 Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Calgary Region Builder, which means, if you’re looking for expert builders, quality design, and immaculate architectural artistry, then you’ve come to the right place.

What’s the Best Time of Year for a Home Renovation? (The Answer May Surprise You)

Calgary has a lot to offer. It’s a city of both abundance and opportunity. As such, this makes it an amazing place to call home. And judging by its 1.3 million residents, many people agree with this notion. In fact, according to a 2022 Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, Calgary was ranked among the world’s top 10 most livable cities!

There’s only one drawback: the frigid winters…

As a homeowner, your home renovations in Calgary will undoubtedly be based on the time of year it is. Many people assume spring or summer may be the ideal seasons for such a project – but is that really the case?

At Riverview Custom Homes, we are one of Calgary’s best custom home builders. As such, we want you to be well-informed about your home renovations in Calgary. Keep reading to learn the best time of year to start your next project.

1. Springtime

Spring may seem like the obvious choice. And for good reason; the snow has melted, temperatures have warmed, and the days are just more pleasant, in general. However, this necessarily doesn’t mean that home renovations during the spring are perfect by any stretch.

Calgary sees more rain in the spring than any other season. Moreover, rain can occur sporadically, and without warning – starting midday and carrying through to the evening. Or it can turn off and on like a light switch throughout the entire day.

This isn’t exactly conducive for a home renovation project. Why?

Rain brings with it the possibility of damaging expensive materials for your home renovation. As frigid and chilly as winter is, cold temperatures won’t irreparably damage pricey materials

2. Summertime

Summer is another highly favoured season for home renovations. Longer days, and warmer weather make this an easy choice among homeowners. However, something to keep in mind is the uncomfortable elevated temperatures. Calgary gets hot (by Canadian standards). It’s not uncommon for the city to hit the low to mid thirties, which can not only be exhaustive to work in, but also dangerous.
Too much exposure to that kind of heat can result in sunburn, heat exhaustion, or even skin cancer. However, this is typically only after long periods in the heat without the proper sun protection.

3. Fall

The fall may be the best time of year to work on your home renovation project. Why? Because temperatures will be almost perfect: they will be cooler than both spring and summer, but still much warmer than winter. You get the best of both worlds and can work comfortably during the entire project.

Starting a home project in the fall has other benefits as well. Namely, you and your family can enjoy the beautiful spring and summer months without construction hindering your experience.

Start Your Home Renovation Project in Calgary

While fall is indeed an ideal time to start a home renovation project, at the end of the day – preference plays a role too. If you enjoy working in the heat, opt for summer. If you love the rain, find a way to make it work in the spring; the choice is yours and it should be based on what works best for you and your family.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we are Calgary’s luxury custom home builders. We can craft your home with architectural brilliance and effective cost management strategies. Moreover, we have been named the 2021 Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Calgary Region Builder.

As such, if you have any questions or would like to learn more about how we can help you create your dream home, contact us today for additional information.

MODERN HOME BUILDERS CALGARY — BEST PLACES IN CALGARY TO BUILD A HOUSE

Calgary has become one of the country’s fastest-growing cities — and for good reason. Modern, interesting and fast-moving all at the same time, this city welcomes heaps of new families every year. And with luxury home builders in Calgary erecting some of the most interesting properties in western Canada, this is a city that continues to grow and innovate the architectural excellence of its residential homes.

As such, if you are thinking of settling down in Calgary, then you have the choice between many unique and beautiful neighbourhoods. Before making any decision, however, we do recommend bringing this subject up with your modern home builders in Calgary.

As we like to say, building a house is an investment that lasts a lifetime. Lot selection should never be underestimated. With that being said, you may be wondering to yourself…

What are the Best Places to Build a House in Calgary?

At Riverview Custom Homes, we have a myriad of skillful craftsman, expert contractors, and modern home builders in Calgary who have worked on some of the city’s most luxurious homes. For this reason, we have the experience and knowledge to share some of the best places on where to build your new home.

And you may be surprised by the answer…

Because the truth is that there is no real answer — it all depends on what you are looking for. As an example, a family might benefit from living in a family-friendly neighbourhood such as Cambrian Heights in Northwest Calgary. On the other hand, a young, childless couple might prefer living in Altadore, Southwest Calgary. This neighbourhood is in close proximity to downtown Calgary and offers residents a number of breathtaking panoramic views.

Determining the Right Calgary Neighborhood for You

Begin by familiarizing yourself with Calgary’s neighbourhoods. During this process, you should ask yourself many questions. Are you planning on having children? Do you prefer to live in a rural or urban area? Are you interested in living in an area filled with beautiful sceneries? The more questions you ask yourself, the more clarity you’ll gain, and the easier your decision will be.

If you are unfamiliar with Calgary, then your home builders might play an important role in your decision. Ensure to be in touch with them and to always be honest with what you want.

This simple process will help you to determine what matters most to you and your family in a neighbourhood. As a result, you’ll have a much easier time deciding on a home once you see that it meets all of your criteria.

Final Thoughts

When you’re new to a city, deciding a neighbourhood and picking a home can feel like a daunting task. The reason being is simple: you’re unfamiliar with the region. You have nothing to go off of other than pure speculation and the opinions of others. However, you’ll find that if you do your own research and prepare enough ahead of time – choosing the right neighbourhood will be much easier than you think.

At Riverview Custom Homes, we are first-rate luxury home builders who possess the creative architectural flare to turn visions into reality. For this reason, if you need expert assistance in bringing your dream home to life, be sure to contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

We look forward to hearing from you.